MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

Present :

Mr V J Morey (Chairman), Mr B E Abraham, Mr J R Adams, Mr R R Barry, Mr A C Bartlett, Chevalier Bowker, Mr B C Buckle, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr C B W Chapman, Mrs B D Clough, Mr A C Coburn, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J Effemey, Mr J H Fleming, Mrs B E Foster, Mr E Fox, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr C R Hancock, Mr P G Harris, Mr J F Howe, Miss H L Humby, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mr D J Knowles, Mrs B Lawson, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs M J Miller, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs E Oulton, Mr K Pearson, Mr G P Price, Mr H Rees, Mr R C Richards, Mrs S A Smart, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor, Mr A F Tiltman, Mrs J L Wareham, Mr D G Williams, Mr D T Yates

Apologies :

Mr C B W Chapman, Mr M O Morgan Huws, Mrs J White

 62.      MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2002 be confirmed.

63.      PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows :-

Mr P Murray of the Fixed Link Action Group in relation to a feasibility study of a fixed link to the Island (PQ14/02)

Mr J Wortham of Fortunes Corner, Brighstone in relation to the Healthy Workforce Strategy (PQ15/02)

Mrs K Elobeid of St Helens in relation to the establishment of a skate board park in St Helens (PQ16/02)

Copies of the questions and the replies given are contained in the Public Question Register.

64.      

CHAIRMANS REPORT

The Chairman reported that Shanklin Football Club had been presented with a Chartermark. Members were also reminded of the Chairmans LA Bowl evening on the 3 March 2002.

The Chairman then invited the Director of Finance and Information to make a presentation on the budget for 2002/2003.

65.      SUSPENSION OF PROCEDURE RULE 15 (4)

It was moved by the Chairman and duly seconded and

RESOLVED :

THAT Procedure Rule No 15 (4) be suspended to the extent of permitting the Leaders of the Political Groups to speak for longer than the prescribed period specified therein and allow Group Leaders of the Authority to speak for no more than 15 minutes during the debate on the budget.

66.      BUDGET 2002/2003

It was moved by Mrs Smart and seconded by Mr Barry that the budget recommendations as submitted to the Executive on the 18 February 2002 be approved.

Mr Sutton then moved an amendment seconded by Mr Cunningham and these were circulated at the meeting.

Prior to the vote being taken on the amendment four members asked for a named vote to be recorded in the Minutes in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (5).

The voting for the amendment was as follows :

           For (15) :                    Councillors Abraham, Coburn, Cunningham, Effemey, Gardiner, Gauntlett, Joyce, Lillywhite, Mundy, Oulton, Pearson, Sutton, Taylor, Tiltman, Williams

           Against (26) :              Councillors Adams, Barry, Bartlett, Bowker, Butchers, Clough, Fleming, Fox, Harris, Howe, Humby, Jarman, Kendall, Knowles, Lawson, Lloyd, Mazillius, Miller, Morey, Price, Rees, Richards, Smart, Stephens, Wareham, Yates

           Abstentions (1) :         Councillor Buckle

The amendment was lost

The voting returned to the substantive motion

Prior to the vote being taken on the substantive motion four members asked for the vote to be recorded in the Minutes in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (5)

Voting for the motion was as follows :

           For (26) :        Councillors Adams, Barry, Bartlett, Bowker, Butchers, Clough, Fleming, Fox, Harris, Howe, Humby, Jarman, Kendall, Knowles, Lawson, Lloyd, Mazillius, Miller, Morey, Price, Rees, Richards, Smart, Stephens, Wareham, Yates

           Against (16) :  Councillors Abraham, Buckle, Coburn, Cunningham, Effemey, Gardiner, Gauntlett, Joyce, Lillywhite, Mundy, Oulton, Pearson, Sutton, Taylor, Tiltman, Williams

It was therefore

RESOLVED :

           (i)        THAT the revised estimates for 2001/02 be approved with a final decision on the underwriting of overspends against cash limits being delegated to the Executive.

           (ii)       THAT the revenue estimates for 2002/03 be £132,993,000 and that the budget and cash limit be as set out in Appendix 1 attached.

           (iii)       THAT the delegated schools budget be determined by the Strategic Director, Education and Community Development within the approved service budget.

           (iv)      THAT authority be delegated to the Executive to determine the initial capital programme within the limit of available capital resources and having given consideration to the views of Select Committees; and thereafter for the Director’s Group to manage the programme from day to day within available resources and subject to any direction from the Executive.

           (v)       THAT the borrowing limits set out in the Treasury Strategy for 2002/03 as contained in Appendix 3 be approved.

           (vi)      THAT it be noted that at its meeting on 23 January 2002 the Council calculated the amounts for the year 2002/03 in accordance with regulations made under Section 33 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (The Tax Base).

           (vii)      THAT the amounts be now calculated by the Council for the year 2002/03 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 be as set out in Appendix 2.

           (viii)     THAT it be noted that for the year 2002/03 the Hampshire Police Authority has stated the following amounts in precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings shown below :

Valuation Bands - Precepting Authority

           (ix)      THAT, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at paragraph (viii) above and paragraph h) of Appendix 7, the Council, in accordance with Section 30 (2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the following amounts as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2002/03 for each of the following categories of dwelling shown on the next page:

                                   * Disabled reduction

67.      EXECUTIVE

           (a)       Recommendations from the Executive

                      (i)        Education Development Plan

Members were advised that there was a statutory duty to produce and implement the Education Development Plan. The Plan had been prepared in consultation with schools and other interested parties before being approved by the Education, Community Development and Life Long Learning Select Committee.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Education Development Plan for the period 2002-2007 be approved.

                      (ii)       The Early Years Development and Childcare Plan 2002/2004

Members were advised that the Council was required to approve and submit the Plan to the DfES by 1 March 2002.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Early Years Development and Childcare Plan for the period 2002/2004 be approved.

           (b)       Minutes of the Executive

Members received the Minutes of the Executive held on 15, 22 and 29 January 2002

           (c)       Reports of Portfolio Holders

                      (i)        The Leader

The Leader reported on the latest news concerning employment issues at GKN.

Cllr Bartlett asked a question to the Portfolio Holder with regard to immigration and asylum seekers (MQ09/02). A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members’ Question Register.

                      (ii)       Agenda 21 and Countryside Matters

The Portfolio Holder reported that she would be attending the Renewable Energy Workshop on 7 March 2002.

                      (iii)       Economic Development and Regional Issues

The Portfolio Holder reported on matters relating to the European Commission.

Cllr Oulton asked a question to the Portfolio Holder with regard to employment problems on the Island (MQ10/02). A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members’ Question Register.

A number of questions were asked orally to the Portfolio Holder.

                      (iv)      Education and Lifelong Learning

The Portfolio Holder reported on the success of the Post 14 education presentation received at the Education Select Committee on 31 January 2002.

                      (v)       Resources

Cllr Effemey asked a question to the Portfolio Holder with regard to proposal for Health Centre, Cowes (MQ11/02). A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members’ Question Register.

A number of questions were asked orally to the Portfolio Holder.

                      (vi)      Social Services and Housing

Cllr Joyce asked a question to the Portfolio Holder with regard to priority housing for prisoners (MQ12/02). A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members’ Question Register.

A number of questions were asked orally to the Portfolio Holder.

                      (vii)      Tourism and Leisure

The Portfolio Holder reported on preparations being made for the Island Festival due to be held in June 2002.

Cllr Buckle asked a question to the Portfolio Holder with regard to the Winter Gardens, Ventnor (MQ13/02). A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members’ Question Register.

A question was asked orally to the Portfolio Holder.

                      (viii)     Transport

Cllr Abraham asked a question to the Portfolio Holder with regard to the speed limit on Lushington hill, Wootton (MQ14/02). A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members’ Question Register.

A number of questions were asked orally to the Portfolio Holder.

68.      SELECT COMMITTEES

           (a)       The Minutes of the undermentioned Select Committees were received.

                      (i)        Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services - 28 January 2002

                      (ii)       Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning - 31 January and 11 February 2002

                      (iii)       Environment and Transport - 21 and 30 January 2002

                      (iv)      Fire and Public Safety - 4 February 2002

                      (v)       Resources - 24 January and 1 February 2002

                      (vi)      Social Services, Housing and Benefits - 16 January and 6 February 2002

           (b)       Reports by Chairman of Select Committees

                      (i)        Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services

The Chairman reported that the Isle of Wight Partnership and economic issues would be considered at its meeting on Monday, 25 February 2002.

                      (ii)       Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning

The Chairman reported that the proposal for a six term academic year was currently in the consultation process.

                      (iii)       Environment and Transport

The Chairman reported that the Committee would be making recommendations regarding the recent car parking review to the Executive in due course.

                      (iv)      Fire and Public Safety                        

The Chairman reported that the Committee had recently approved the Community Fire Safety Plan

                      (v)       Resources

The Chairman reported that a Working Party to consider the South Street Development proposals had been established.

                      (vi)      Social Services, Housing and Benefits

The Chairman reported on the success of the Healthy Workforce Strategy which was held on 19 February 2002.

           (c)       REGULATORY COMMITTEES

The Minutes of the undermentioned Regulatory Committees were received.

Development Control Committee - 8, 18 and 29 January and 8 February 2002

Licensing Panel - 11 and 25 January and 1 February 2002

Regulatory Appeals Committee - 21 December 2001 and 25 January 2002

CHAIRMAN

Budget Summary, Revised Estimates 2001-02 and Draft Estimates 2002-03                                                                                              Appendix 1

Appendix 2