PAPER I
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON THURSDAY, 24 JANUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mr G S Kendall (Chairman), Mr J R Adams (deputising for Mr D J Knowles), Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming (deputising for Mrs J L Wareham), Mr P D Joyce, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr V J Morey (deputising for Mr G P Price), Mrs M J Miller, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A F Tiltman
Apologies :
Mr D J Knowles, Mr G P Price, Mrs J L Wareham
Spokesperson :
Mr R R Barry
Also Present (non voting) :
Mr A C Bartlett, Mrs B Lawson, Mrs S A Smart
26. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2001 be confirmed.
27. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Mr R A Sutton declared a pecuniary interest in Minute 31 - Printing Arrangements
28. A VISION FOR NEWPORT
(During the course of the debate Mr M J Cunningham declared an interest in the following item as a Director of the Riverside Centre)
Members were reminded of the Committee’s informal briefing held jointly with the Environment and Transport Select Committee in October 2001 regarding potential developments in Newport town centre. At the briefing Members had identified strengths and weaknesses of Newport and had considered priorities for its future development.
It was believed due to the current uncertainty of the relocation of Newport Fire Station and Bus Station it would be difficult to project a definite development plan for Newport.
Members believed there was a need to investigate possible development of all Island towns, including East Cowes and Cowes.
The Select Committee discussed the possibility of relocating the County Hall site from Newport to an out of town site. It was considered that a larger site incorporating those staff working outside of County Hall would be more cost effective.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the identified key priorities for Newport town centre be agreed.
(ii) THAT consultations take place with outside organisations on a vision for Newport and these be reported back to the Select Committee at a future date
(iii) THAT the Executive be recommended to approve the key priorities for the development of Newport.
(iv) THAT a similar process be undertaken in Cowes and East Cowes
(v) THAT Officers conduct an appraisal of the County Hall site’s development Potential
29. GREENING THE AUTHORITY
Following an introductory report to the Committee’s meeting in November 2001, Members had requested that the Personnel Services Manager bring a further report outlining a strategy for Greening the Authority. Members were advised that the strategy set out proposals for a Green Travel Plan for employees. The plan proposed the introduction of a combination of measures to allow employees to choose the type of travel that best suited individual requirements. Councillors Cunningham, Mazillius, Miller, Stephens and Sutton expressed interest in membership on the Steering Group.
RESOLVED :
THAT a Steering Group of Elected Members, Officers and employee and trade union representatives be established to develop recommendations for a Green Travel Plan for employees and a report be brought back to the Committee in May 2002 presenting the Groups findings.
30. APPOINTMENT TO AN OUTSIDE BODY
The Strategic Director advised of the need to appoint a Council representative to the Southern Group Valuation Tribunals - Isle of Wight Appointments Panel. Details of the vacancy had been previously circulated to all members of the Council, without success. It therefore fell to the Select Committee to give consideration to an appropriate Council representative to be recommended to the Executive.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Executive be recommended to appoint Cllr R G Mazillius as the Council representative to sit on Southern Group Valuation Tribunals - Isle of Wight Appointments Panel, for the life of the Council.
31. PRINTING ARRANGEMENTS
(Mr R A Sutton declared a pecuniary interest in the following item of business and left the room)
At the Select Committee’s meeting on the 14 November 2001 Members had requested that all printing orders go through the Print Unit Manager and a report outlining the Units current printing arrangements be brought back to the Committee.
Members were advised that arising form an independent printing review which the Print Unit had commissioned in preparation for Best Value, several changes had been recommended which had included that all printing orders go through the Print Unit Manager. It was considered that all print work from all directorates should be offered to the Print Unit and work which the Unit were not equipped to manage would be most economically sourced by the Print Manager.
The Select Committee were informed that a extra casual staff member may have to be employed to manage the increased workload.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE :
(i) THAT all Directorates be instructed to source all print work to the Print Unit forthwith
(ii) THAT all Directorates use the Print Unit for work within its capability, cost, quality and ability to meet deadlines
(iii) THAT where the Directorates lack the knowledge or expertise to procure their other printing requirements, the Print Manager would seek the most economical source on their behalf.
(iv) THAT the Print Unit is staffed to fully recover all its operational and actual costs in line with current practice.
(v) THAT a future Best Value Review examine the Authority’s printing procurement.
32. SELECT COMMITTEE SUPPORT
Members considered the establishment of a permanent second tier post for the Head of Select Committee Support. It was considered the post should have a remit to include overview responsibility for the Best Value process which would allow Members greater involvement in Best Value issues.
RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO THE EXECUTIVE :
THAT it be recommended to the Executive that the Council establish a new post of the Head of Select Committee Support with a responsibility for the support of the Best Value process
33. FORWARD PLAN
Members considered that it would be of value if the Chairman be briefed on items relevant to Resources matters so to advise Members on matters of interest. Members indicated that the value of the Forward Plan would be increased if it described decisions to be taken in more detail.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Forward Plan be noted.
CHAIRMAN
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE RESOURCES SELECT COMMITTEE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON FRIDAY, 1 FEBRUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 2.15 PM
Present :
Mr G S Kendall (Chairman), Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming (deputising for Mrs J L Wareham), Mr P D Joyce, Mr D J Knowles, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs M J Miller, Mr G P Price, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A F Tiltman
Apologies :
Mrs J L Wareham
Portfolio Holder :
Mr R R Barry
Also Present (non voting) :
Mr V Morey, Mr D G Williams
34. MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 24 January 2002 be confirmed.
35. SOUTH STREET DEVELOPMENT PROPOSALS
The Head of Select Committee Support presented his report which outlined recent proposals to redevelop an area of land adjacent to South Street Newport including the Newport Fire Station site. It was considered appropriate that a Working Party be formed with membership drawn from a range of Select Committees to scrutinise implications of this development proposal.
(i) THAT a Working Party consisting of 10 to 12 Members be established with membership drawn from a range of Select Committees
(ii) THAT the terms of reference of the Working Party be to scrutinise South Street Development proposals in the context of the potential relocation of Newport Fire Station
36. BUDGET FOR 2002-03 AND FORWARD PLAN FOR 2003-05
The Select Committee received the report of the Strategic Director of Finance and Information which outlined the draft budget proposals for 2002-03. The proposals had been considered by the Executive on 22 January 2002. Members, in particular, were asked to make comment on the draft revenue proposals for services within the Committee’s remit, capital investment bids and the proposed increase in Land Charges.
Members discussed the need to improve the presentation of the budget papers to give them greater value. The Select Committee believed clearer balance sheets and more explanatory notes were required to help the scrutiny process. It was considered that Member training on the scrutiny of the budget and budget consultations would be of benefit for the future. The Committee felt unable to make effective recommendations on the revenue proposals.
The Select Committee received the Capital Bids for 2002/03. Members considered the bids and highlighted three as priority.
With regard to Land Charges, Members were advised that a survey of other neighbouring authorities showed a proposed average increase of 6.5%, it was proposed that a similar increase be applied to the Island.
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the Committee felt unable to comment on the draft revenue proposals for services within the Committee’s remit because they had insufficient detail and time to scrutinise.
(ii) THAT the Executive be recommended that in relation to Capital Bids for 2002/03 the following only be approved, as set out in Appendix 6 of the report
Care Standards Act 2000
Planned Maintenance Including Management of Asbestos in Council Buildings
Disability Discrimination Act - Access to Buildings and Services
(iii) THAT the Executive be recommended to approve the proposed increase in Land Charges
(iv) THAT the budget scrutiny process be included in the Select Committee’s Workplan early in the financial year.
CHAIRMAN