REPORT FROM THE LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL

ON 19 APRIL 2006

1. POLICY COMMISSION – WORKPLAN DEVELOPMENT

Since the last Full Council, I have met with each of the Policy Commissioners, the Cabinet members and the Overview and Scrutiny Team, to plan the next 12 months of work for each Policy Commission.

These meetings also gave the chance to review some very successful work by the Commissions over the past year – including £50 car parking permit, decriminalized parking, and options for housing.

In the coming year I look forward to receiving the outcomes of work on public procurement, community responses to speeding, 16-19 educational provision and funding continuing care.

At their best, the Commissions are delivering cutting edge policy development, which stands its ground against anything being done elsewhere.

2. WALKAROUNDS

I continue to value the opportunity to meet staff in their work environment. Recent visits, with the Acting Chief Executive, have included Quay Street to talk with staff working on events & leisure services and to the Music Service, in Sandown, to meet with peripatetic music teachers.

Each visit throws up new issues. Here, including the potential for smart cards, the changing culture in Island schools and the benefits of flat rate bus fares to enable young people to access services which interest them – particularly cultural events.

3. BRADING TOWN COUNCIL

Brading Town Council is a shining example of what the most local and accountable of public bodies can achieve for its community. I visited the Town Council to learn more about their achievements to share our vision for unlocking the potential for delivery of services by Town and Parish Councils.

National politicians may talk about “double devolution”, but here on the Island our quality councils – and those Town and Parish Councils who with our help will become quality councils – are showing how, with democratic leadership, initiatives which make a real difference to the peoples’ lives are being delivered in neighbourhoods and communities.

4. CORPRATE ASSESSMENT/JOINT AREA REVIEW FIELDWORK

The reading week for the two inspection teams went extremely well. This was in large part due to the many members, staff and partners who put in a great deal of effort. Nowhere was this more apparent than on the tour of the Island on the Thursday of the reading week. Taking a regeneration theme, the tour created the opportunity for the Inspectors to see some of the key locations in the North and Northeast of the Island – but equally importantly to meet with residents of Pan, with those leading the regeneration of Ryde and the Medina Valley, those helping to preserve and regenerate the rural economy and those providing education at the College.

Very significantly, the success of the reading week was also due to the credibility of our ambition, our realism about the challenges we face – and our genuine welcoming of the inspection processes as part of the toolkit which will enable us to deliver the Island’s ambition.

5. APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE

I spent a great deal of time, over the last 5 weeks, with candidates seeking to be appointed as Chief Executive. I am very pleased to have been able, on behalf of the appointments panel, to recommend the appointment of Joe Duckworth. Joe was the best candidate and is an appointment we can all be proud of and excited by.

I was equally pleased by the strength and depth of the field of candidates. Quite clearly there is a feeling among potential (and serving) Chief Executives that things are happening here on the Island which they want to be part of – both professionally, and to share in with their families. That can only be good news for the Island and the communities we serve.

It is also good news for the world of local government. There are talented people making careers for themselves by helping democratically elected representatives deliver the aspirations of people, and of communities.

6. TOURISM

In recent days, I have had the benefit of many discussions and e-mails exchanges with stakeholders in the Tourism industry – particularly about the value of coach tours to the Island economy, and their impact on the natural and built environment.

Those debates leave me in no doubt there is much work to be done to make sure that the Tourism product develops quickly into one which is sustainable economically and environmentally. It is essential that we, as community leaders, lead not only the debate, but also the delivery of the necessary change.

Cllr. Andy Sutton

Leader of the Council