minutes

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON TUESDAY,12 FEBRUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mrs S A Smart (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mr J A Bowker, Mr E Fox, Mr P G Harris, Mrs M A Jarman, Mrs B Lawson, Mrs J White

Apologies :

Mr H Rees

Also present non-voting :

Mr B E Abraham, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr B C Buckle, Mr J H Fleming, Mr C R Hancock, Mr J F Howe, Miss H L Humby, Mr A J Mundy, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor

133. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 29 January 2002 be confirmed.

134. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations received at this stage.

135. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows :

Mr Rolf asked a question in relation to Prestwood Farm (PQ05/02)

Mr Key asked a question in relation to Prestwood Farm (PQ06/02)

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

136. PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES

(a) Prestwood Grange Farm Compulsory Purchase Order

At its meeting on 25 September 2001 the Executive resolved to proceed with the compulsory acquisition of the dairy complex, and that a further report should be brought back with a view to passing a formal resolution. Members were updated as to the progress of negotiations with the landowner and his representatives. Part compensation had been paid to the local residents and estimates had been put forward regarding the cost of bringing the milk operation on the farm to an end.

The District Valuer and the Property Services Manager had agreed that the sum of £400,000 would be the appropriate starting point for discussions. However the landowners agents had put forward arguments for a claim of £550,000 which the Property Services Manager and the District Valuer believed could not be substantiated as it mixed past investment in the property with a claim for a loss of income from that past investment. A compromise could not be agreed and therefore the Executive was advised to proceed with the use of its statutory powers to acquire part of the property.

Members were reminded that the only way to achieve a cessation of the dairy use of the premises in the interests of the proper planning of the area, was by a CPO. The area proposed for acquisition was limited to the dairy production unit sufficient to stop the dairy use, which had been source of the complaints from local residents and had been the subject of the planning permission in 1995 and of the Ombudsman’s report.

Members also gave consideration as to whether the part of the farm which remained was sufficient to run as a viable agricultural unit. The opinion of the District Valuer was that it would be operationally viable for a youngstock breeding unit. Advice was given regarding the relevant legislation and procedure that would be followed together with options open to the landowner if he considered that the CPO made the remainder of the farm non-viable. Further advice was received relating to the Council’s powers to make such an order. Members were keen to express that in proceeding with the CPO it would not close the door to further negotiations with the landowner and his agent.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the land shown coloured pink on plan no. RYD 2730 namely the dairy production unit comprising of the milking parlour, covered yard, loose housing, sileage bays, slurry store, associated buildings and land and the access thereto (“the land”) be compulsorily purchased in order to terminate the dairy use in the interests of the proper planning of the area

(ii) THAT the area of the land to be compulsorily purchased was sufficient for this purpose and that the remainder of the land left a viable agricultural unit

(iii) THAT an application for planning permission for any future use only be made when the land was in Council ownership

(iv) THAT a compulsory purchase order be made in respect of the land under s.226(1)(b) Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and the Acquisition of Land Act 1981.

(b) Disposal of Surplus Properties (Land At Dodnor Lane Newport, Park Lodge Ventnor, 2 Grove Road Sandown)

Consideration was given to declare land surplus to Council requirements and for these properties to be sold by auction. The Council was continuing with it’s review of its assets which aimed to consolidate the Council’s asset base to a size and use which accorded with the Council’s objectives and service requirements. Properties that were declared surplus were then sold to help generate capital receipts and support the Capital Programme and to help reduce unnecessary liabilities in terms of building repairs and insurance etc. The Council has already declared as surplus Mountjoy Cemetery Lodge, 17 Whitcombe Road, Newport and 39 Osborne Road, East Cowes. Each of the Island’s Housing Associations had been invited to bid for 39 Osborne Road, East Cowes in accordance with the Executive resolution dated 30 October 2001, but no bids had been forthcoming. Members were advised that the loss of income from the disposal of the properties would be from the reduced rents on the dwellings and the potential grazing rent on the land at Dodnor. The dwellings had been used as temporary staff accommodation and therefore rent income was limited.

The land at Park Lodge, Ventnor and Mountjoy Cemetery Lodge, Whitcombe Road, Newport were subject to the Open Spaces Act which required the properties to be advertised. Objections received were reported and considered by the Executive.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the approximate 0.91 acres of land at Dodnor Lane, Newport, 2 Grove Road, Sandown and Park Lodge, Ventnor be declared surplus to Council requirements.

(ii) THAT the approximate 0.91 acres of land at Dodnor Lane, Newport, 2 Grove Road, Sandown, Park Lodge, Ventnor, Mountjoy Cemetery Lodge, 17 Whitcombe Road, Newport and 39 Osborne Road, East Cowes be offered for sale by public auction with the Portfolio Holder for Resources agreeing the auction reserve price for each property in consultation with the Property Services Manager and the local agent.

137. APPOINTMENT TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Consideration was given to the appointment of Members to the Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) Harbour Commissioners Elected Councillors’ Advisory Committee (ECAC) and to the Southern Group Valuation Tribunals - Isle of Wight Appointments Panel. In respect to the first, the appointment fell to the Executive for consideration. Nominations had been sought from all members of the Council and two nominations for one vacancy were received, Councillor Bernard Buckle and Councillor Mrs Barbara Foster. In relation to the second, as no nominations had been received, the matter was submitted to the Resources Select Committee for consideration. Their recommendation was for Councillor Roger Mazillius to be appointed as the Council’s representative.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT Councillor Mrs Barbara Foster be appointed to the Yarmouth (Isle of Wight) Harbour Commissioners Elected Councillors’ Advisory Committee

(ii) THAT Councillor Roger Mazillius be appointed as the Councils representative on Southern Group Valuation Tribunals - Isle of Wight Appointments Panel.

138. PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR EDUCATION AND LIFELONG LEARNING

(a) Education Development Plan

Consideration was given to the final draft of the Education Development Plan 2002-2007. There was a statutory duty to produce and implement the plan which would be was central to the Local Educations Authority’s role to working in partnership with schools to improve school performance and raise standards for all pupils. The plan had been prepared in consultation with schools and a range of interested parties prior to the Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning Select Committee giving its support. The Portfolio Holder indicated that the view from the Select Committee was that they would have liked to scrutinise the Plan in more detail than time had allowed.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

THAT the Education Development Plan (2002 - 2007) be approved for adoption by the Council.

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

The Portfolio Holder for Education and Life Long Learning presented the final draft of the Early Years Development and Childcare Plan 2002/2004 that the LEA was required to submit it to the DfES by 1 March 2002. The plan had been prepared following detailed discussions and consultation with the Early Years Development and Childcare Partnership.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

THAT the Early Years Development and Childcare Plan be adopted by the Council.

139. ADDRESSING THE IMPACTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Members received a presentation on the effects of climate change and more specifically how this change would effect the Island. An update was given as to the efforts to secure European and other funding to assist in undertaking necessary studies and investigation as well as support from DEFRA in terms of coastal protection grant aid.

Members were advised that the Council had, for approximately 18 months, been working with other organisations as part of an informal ‘climate change partnership’ for the south-east of England. The South-East Climate Change Partnership was established to help develop an understanding of how climate change could impact on all sectors of society in the south east.

This informal organisation which had now expanded its existing membership and to employ a secretariat to continue work, SECCP would be financed through membership subscriptions (the Island’s contribution was £1,000). Members understood the importance of the work to the Island and believed that continued membership would ensure that the Island would receive maximum benefit.

Details were given on the submission of a bid for DEFRA coast protection grant aid to cover monitoring for a five year period including aerial photography, beach profiles, and studies of wave climate will, if approved, would be worth approximately £130,000 a year to the Isle of Wight. This would provide the information needed to assist long-term strategic planning and management.

Members considered the aims and objectives of the Nottingham Protocol, in particular the commitment to prepare a plan together with the local community to try and address the causes and impacts of climate change.

An increase in the coastal defence maintenance budget of 20% per annum for the next five years would ensure that coastal defences could be adequately maintained for the foreseeable future. This process would ensure that by 2008 the maintenance budget will have been doubled in real terms; this would provide a more realistic sum for maintenance of coastal defences.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the initiatives highlighted in the report aimed at attracting inward investment to assist the delivery of effective coastal management be welcomed.

(ii) THAT the Council join the South-East of England Climate Change Partnership as a full member at a cost of £1,000 per annum and the cost of membership to be funded from the coastal management budget be approved.

(iii) THAT the aims and objectives of the Nottingham Protocol be supported and a report on climate change issues be submitted to the Environment and Transport Select Committee to set out in detail how the objectives of the Protocol could be achieved with the aim of an appropriate ‘summary plan’ being prepared by December 2002.

(iv) THAT proposals be made in due course through the budget process for a staged increase in the coast protection maintenance budget of 20% per annum for the next five years with a view to its commencement from April 2003.

140. SKANDIA LIFE COWES WEEK EVENING ENTERTAINMENTS PROGRAMME

Consideration was given to the alternative options for delivery of the programme of evening entertainments which were staged to support the shore based activities for the Cowes Week Sailing Regatta. A further report had been recently been debated at the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee. Details were given of the proposed programme which had been developed that incorporated the most popular ticketed events. The Executive were informed that due to the requirements of health and safety, licensing and environment health, increased infrastructure costs of approximately £7,500 had resulted. Members were advised there was limited opportunity for savings and a shortfall still remained. This excluded any sponsorship deals that may be signed prior to the event.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Northwood House Marquee entertainments programme, as revised in Appendix 1 attached to the report remain and that additional sales and sponsorship be generated to cover additional costs of meeting increased licensing and health and safety conditions of £7,500.

(ii) THAT should the Northwood House Marquee event attract additional admissions or unbudgeted sponsorship, then the budget be reduced accordingly.

141. MEMBERS’ QUESTION TIME

Questions were put to the Chairman as follows :

Miss Humby asked a question in relation to the Queens Golden Jubilee (MQ07/02).

Mr Buckle asked a question in relation to the refurbishment of Northwood House, Cowes. (MQ08/02).

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

CHAIRMAN

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON MONDAY, 18 FEBRUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mrs S A Smart (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mr J A Bowker, Mr E Fox, Mr P G Harris, Mrs M A Jarman, Mrs B Lawson, Mr H Rees

Also present non-voting :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr B C Buckle, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr P D Joyce, Mr C R Hancock, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs M J Miller, Mr A J Mundy, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor

142. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 12 February 2002 be confirmed.

143. PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES

(a) Revenue Support Grant Settlement, The Island Council Budget for 2002/03, Council Tax 2002/03 and Forward Plan

The Portfolio Holder for Resources presented the report on the Revenue Support Grant Settlement, the Island Council Budget for 2002/03, Council Tax 2002/03 and Forward Plan. The Strategic Director for Finance & Information and County Treasurer, with the aid of slides, explained the detail of the report and compared the Island situation with the national picture.

It was noted that the draft recommendations as detailed in the report had been prepared by Directors following consultation with the Select Committees and other statutory consultees, and were formulated on the following basis:

• That the bids for additional resources from Social Services be met in full;

• That Education spending increase in line with the education SSA increase; and

• That all the recommendations put forward by the Select Committees be met.

The Executive considered that although the budget process has included detailed consultation this could be further improved so that all members of the Council were involved in the process at an earlier stage.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

THAT the draft recommendations as set out in the report (Paper B1) be noted and that they be passed to Council for a final decision.

(b) Treasury Strategy 2002-03

The Portfolio Holder for Resources presented the report on the Treasury Strategy 2002-2003 which recommended to Council the Council’s proposed strategy for dealing with the management of all money and capital relating to the funding resources of the Council.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO COUNCIL :

(a) THAT the Treasury Strategy for the financial year 2002-2003 set out in Appendix A of the report (Paper B2) be approved.

(b) THAT the Strategic Director for Finance and Information and County Treasurer be authorized to vary the strategy according to prevailing conditions, provided

(i) that any significant variations are reported to the next following Executive meeting, and

(ii) it is in accordance with the provisions of Section 45 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.

CHAIRMAN

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON TUESDAY, 26 FEBRUARY 2002 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

Present :

Mrs S A Smart (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mr J A Bowker, Mr E Fox, Mr P G Harris, Mrs M A Jarman, Mrs B Lawson, Mr H Rees, Mrs J White

Apologies :

Mr M O Morgan Huws

Also present non-voting :

Mr A C Bartlett, Mr B C Buckle, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J H Fleming, Mr C R Hancock, Mr J F Howe, Mr P D Joyce, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mundy, Mr A A Taylor

144. MINUTES

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Executive held on 18 February 2002 be confirmed.

145. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations received at this stage.

146. URGENT BUSINESS

The Chairman agreed to consideration of two items of urgent business as, in respect of both, a decision was required prior to the next meeting.

(b) Petition to the European Parliament

Members were reminded that in March 2000 the Ombudsman had found that the European Commission had failed to demonstrate that it had taken into account all relevant factors in reaching its decision not to classify the Island as a separate Level 2 area in the NUTS system of statistical classification. The Commission had been requested to reconsider the matter. The Commission duly complied and concluded that there were no grounds for amending the original decision. In April 2001 the Council lodged a further complaint with the Ombudsman alleging that the Commission had supplied incorrect information to the Ombudsman during his investigation into the original complaint. In February 2002 the Ombudsman issued his decision on this further complaint finding that there was to be no case of maladministration to answer. The Portfolio Holder informed members the Ombudsman did comment that the matter could be pursued by presenting a petition to the European Parliament, which was able to take political and moral arguments into account as well as legal ones. The benefit of obtaining Level 2 status would attract significant EU funding to support economic development and regeneration activities. The Economic Development, Planning Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee supported the submission of a petition.

RESOLVED :

THAT the submission of a Petition to the European Parliament in pursuit of the Island claim for NUTS Level 2 status be approved.

The Executive discussed authorising an exemption from Contract Standing Orders so that a contract could be entered into with Solo Agency Limited in respect of the Isle of Wight Festival launch concert. The value of the contract was over the limit at which Standing Orders would require competitive tenders to be obtained. Tenders for this contract had not been invited as the market was restricted and because of the short time-scale for organising the event, which had only been possible to achieve with the help of Solo. In compliance with Procedure Rules the Chairman of the Council had agreed, after taking advice from the Monitoring Officer, that both the decision proposed was reasonable in all circumstances and to it being treated as a matter of urgency. The matter would be reported to the next meeting of the Council, outlining the reasons for the urgency.

RESOLVED :

THAT an exemption from Standing Orders as to contracts be authorised in respect of the proposed contract with Solo Agency Limited and that Select Committee Procedure Rule 15 (I) be invoked in order to allow the decision to take effect immediately.

147. REVIEW OF MODERNISING AGENDA

At its meeting on 30 October 2001 the Executive established a Modernising Panel to review the Council’s Constitution (as adopted on 20 June 2001) and to make recommendations to the Executive on any amendments it felt appropriate. The Panel examined a wide range of issues as listed below: -

• The name of the Council

• The Number of members on the Council

• Area Committees

• Delegation to Portfolio Holders

• Non Executive members attending/speaking on agenda items at the Executive

• Public/member question time at meetings of the Council/Executive and Select Committees

• Appointments to outside bodies

• Code of practice for the Licensing Panel

• Liaison Committee procedure rules

• Overarching Scrutiny Panel

• Shadow Representatives

• Executive, Select and Regulatory Committees minutes going to Full Council

• Appointment of Political Assistants

• Select Committee procedure rules

• Petition

• Contract standing order

• Procedures for the Development Control Committee

The Executive considered the recommendations of the Modernising Panel.

RESOLVED TO RECOMMEND TO FULL COUNCIL :

THAT the Constitution of the Council (as adopted by the Council on 20 June 2001) be amended as follows :

(a) THAT the Executive Procedure Rules be amended by the addition of the following under “How are Executive Meetings Conducted?”:

Rights of non-Executive Members to speak at meetings of the Executive.

(i) Non-Executive Members wishing to speak on an item on the Executive agenda should give notice before the commencement of the meeting;

(ii) The Local Member on an issue directly affecting their Electoral Division will have the opportunity to speak at the beginning of the debate (regardless of whether prior notification has been given in accordance with (I) above);

(iii) That in addition to (I) and (ii) above for each item considered by the Executive there shall be a period of 7 minutes during which non-members of the Executive may speak on the item.

[This requirement only applies to the Executive – the Chairmen of all other committees have the discretion to allow non-members to speak on an item under consideration.]

(b) That Council Procedure Rule No. 9 (Questions by Members of the Public) be amended as follows:

Para 3 (Notice of questions) to read:

“To guarantee a reply at the meeting, members of the public are requested to submit their questions, by delivering it in writing or by electronic mail, to the Proper Officer no later than 48 hours (not including weekends or bank holidays) prior to the start of the meeting. Each question must give the name and address of the questioner. Questions may be asked at the meeting without prior notice but in these circumstances there is no guarantee that a full reply will be given at the meeting.”

Para 6 (record of questions) to read:

“The Proper Officer will give a unique reference number to each question and enter this number and the question in a book open to public inspection. Rejected questions will include reasons for rejection. Copies of all questions will only be circulated to Members who have asked Committee Services for a copy of the questions. Following the meeting the answer will be recorded adjacent to the question in the book maintained by the Proper Officer. Minutes of the meeting will record who asked a question, the subject matter and the reference number of the question and answer.”

Para 7 (Asking the question at the meeting) to read:

“Committee Services will provide assistance on the process for asking questions at Council meetings to any person who requires it.”

“The Chairman will invite the questioner to put the question to the member named in the notice. If a questioner who wishes to ask a question (whether or not prior notice has been given) prefers, their local member can ask the question on their behalf. If the questioner is not present the Chairman may determine how the question will be dealt with.”

Para 1 to read:

“A Member may ask the Chairman of the Council or Members of the Executive, or Chairmen of the Regulatory Committees any question on any matter where the Council has powers or duties or which affects the Council. Any question submitted under this procedure must be restricted to questions on policy and budget and the Chairman shall have the discretion to rule a question out of order if it falls outside this definition.”

Para 3 to read:

“Subject to sub paragraph (6) below, a question must be submitted to the Proper Officer in writing 24 hours (not including weekends and bank holidays) prior to the start of the meeting at which the question is to be asked.”

(d) That Council Procedure Rule 25 (Procedure relating to Executive, Select Committee and Regulatory Committee Minutes at Council) be rescinded.

(e) That the Select Committee Procedure Rules be amended as follows:

(I) Procedure Rule 6 (Quorum) be amended by the deletion of the words “task group” as these are informal panels and do not require a quorum.

(ii) Procedure Rule 7(b)(Who Chairs Overview and Scrutiny Committee meetings?) to be amended to read:

“The Chairman shall preside at any meeting of the Committee. In the absence of the Chairman the Vice Chairman shall preside at the meeting. In the absence of both the Chairman and Vice Chairman, the remaining members of the Committee shall elect a Chairman for that meeting.”

(f) THAT the following new/revised documents be approved for inclusion in the Constitution:

(I) Appointments to Outside Bodies (as attached to Appendix 1 of the report)

(ii) Code of Practice for the Licensing Panel (as attached to Appendix 2 of the report)

(iii) Liaison Committee Procedure Rules (as attached to Appendix 3 of the report)

(iv) Contract Standing Orders (as attached to Appendix 4 of the report)

(g) THAT the Council itself consider the following two matters which are referred without comment:

(i) An overarching Scrutiny Committee ( as attached to Appendix 5 of the report was considered by the Liaison Committee who did not support the proposal)

(ii) The formal establishment of role of Shadow Representatives.

(h) THAT the Council adopts a policy whereby petitions are received by the relevant portfolio holder who shall determine what action should be taken following the receipt of a petition.

(i) THAT subject to clarification of the cost of the exercise, a Peer Review of the Council be undertaken at a time that would most benefit the Council, the view of the Panel being that such a review should be held during the first six months of 2003.

(j) THAT for the time being no further work be undertaken by officers on the following matters:

(I) Changing the name of the Council

(ii) Changing the number of members on the Council

(iii) Area Committees

(iv) Appointment of Political Assistants

148. PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR RESOURCES

(a) Select Committee Support

Consideration was given to the establishment of a permanent post of Head of Select Committee Support following the recommendation of the Resources Select Committee on 24 January 2002. The Select Committee believed that this was a necessary part of the senior management structure and that the postholder’s remit should also include overview responsibility for the Best Value process. The intention was to advertise the post and appointment to be made through open competition. Although it was possible to delay the recruitment and selection process until such time as the senior management restructuring had been completed, the post of Head of Select Committee Support could be considered to be a suitable alternative job opportunity for an employee at risk of redundancy.

RESOLVED :

THAT a new permanent post of Head of Select Committee Support be established and to advertise the post as necessary.

(b) Waiving Standing Orders for the Contract to Administer the Citizens’ Panel

The contract for the Citizens’ Panel was due to end in March 2002. The panel had been used for the past two years as part of its consultation strategy in particular to best value reviews. Members gave consideration for standing orders to be waived in respect of tendering the contract to administer the Citizens’ Panel. Advice was given that the existing contractor (MORI) successfully went through the full tender process in April 2000 and won the contract. The work required over the next two years would build on that already undertaken and to extend the current arrangements would maintain continuity. A full re-tendering process would mean cancelling or delaying the ongoing consultation process by some months and in turn could delay the Best Value Review process.

RESOLVED :

THAT the contract with the existing provider be renewed for a further two years, on the understanding that a complete tender process would be undertaken for the following period, and that this would need to be scheduled to begin by September 2003

The Portfolio Holder presented the report on the capital expenditure bids and capital resources for the 2002/03 financial year. The report had been scrutinised by each of the Select Committees and their recommendations reported to the Executive. The Executive considered those recommendations together with the recommendations of the Director’s Group. Members were informed that the forthcoming financial year saw the implementation of the Governments Single Capital Pot. Although this meant that the allocation would not be ringfenced and the Council had discretion to use it as it chose, service plans as submitted to individual Government Departments meant that the Council would be inhibited in the use of it’s discretion if it were to maintain current levels of Annual Capital Guidelines.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Education Annual Capital Guideline be as agreed in accordance with the programme recommended by the Select Committee

(ii) THAT Officers proceed with a Housing Investment Programme consistent with the Housing Annual Capital Guideline and the recommendations of the Select Committee, and that further investment in housing be considered in due course having regard to available resources

(iii) THAT the Annual Capital Guideline of £123,000 relating to Social Services be used in accordance with a programme to be determined by the Strategic Director for Social Services and Housing

(iv) THAT the bids contained in Appendix D attached to the report be approved, in accordance with the recommendations of the Director’s Group

(v) THAT the sum of £50,000 earned in respect of Capital Strategy and Asset Management Plans be reinvested in systems for the future progression of such matters, and be delegated to Director’s Group for implementation and subject to normal IT procurement procedure

(vi) THAT the acquisition of plant and equipment by operating lease be considered where it was cost effective to do so and where sufficient revenue resources existed to fund the leasing premiums and any other associated costs

149. VENTNOR REGENERATION - VENTNOR HARBOUR SCHEME

Members were updated on the progress of the Ventnor harbour scheme and discussed funding and procurement arrangements. It was noted that significant progress had been made to the completion of the necessary environmental studies since the matter had last been discussed by the Executive. A planning brief had now been prepared for the Eastern Esplanade after a major public consultation exercise. The regeneration of the Eastern Esplanade, including appropriate harbourside facilities, was an important component of the overall scheme and the Executive noted the contents of the brief which would be the subject of further consultation.

Information was given regarding funding for the project. A bid totalling £1,225,000 had been approved as part of SRB II. In 2000 / 01 the Council approved a sum of £250,000 towards the project and a bid of £175,000 for further funding for the harbour was to be made available as a first call on capital for the financial year 2003 / 04. In addition to Council funding, £200,000 would to be sought from DEFRA as the coast protection contribution to the harbour scheme.

Members were reminded that at the Executive held on 17 August 2000, the need to re-invest income generated from the long lease of sites on Ventnor Eastern Esplanade was highlighted. The Property Services Manager regarded a £100,000 contribution to the harbour scheme as realistic in the short to medium term. It was noted that the harbour and the Eastern Esplanade were essential components of the overall regeneration scheme. Without the harbour proposal, the Esplanade would not benefit from such regeneration opportunities and this would lead to a reduction in lease values.

Members were advised that the formation of a partnership was now widely accepted as the most appropriate method of procurement since it was more likely to deliver a better balance of risk between the Council and its contractor.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the sum of £175,000to the project from the 2003 / 4 capital programme be approved

(ii) THAT the projected income from long leases of land on the Eastern Esplanade be re-invested in the harbour scheme; and that expenditure on the harbour project of up to £100,000 based on projected land leases up to 31 March 2004 be approved

(iii) THAT the submission of an application to DEFRA for coast protection grant aid be approved

(iv) THAT the consultation programme and the planning brief for the Eastern Esplanade be agreed and noted.

(v) THAT the partnering approach be approved, in principle, subject to the approval of the Strategic Director of Finance and Information of the final proposal.

150. PORTFOLIO HOLDER FOR TRANSPORT

(a) Local Transport Plan - Highway Capital Programme 2002/2003 and Review of Programme 2001/2002

Consideration was given to the Highway Capital Programme for 2002/2003. The Local Transport Plan highway capital settlement for 2002/2003 was confirmed as £6,782,000. This was the first time that funding had been included as part of the Council’s Annual Capital Guideline in the Single Capital pot. This meant that in order to take full advantage of the settlement, the amount would need to be spent by 31 March 2003. This highlighted the problems in designing, implementing and supervising highway schemes and it was essential that a spending strategy be agreed which allowed the full settlement to be spent whilst representing good value for money.

As a large proportion of journeys were made on the strategic principal road network and in particular between Ryde, Newport and Cowes, it was necessary that these roads were maintained to a good standard and should be treated as a priority. In line with the objectives of the Local Transport Plan footways, kerbs, road markings, signing, street furniture and bus shelters along these routes would also be upgraded. Disruption would be kept to the minimum as the majority of works would be undertaken at night and on Sundays. Members believed that communication with the local member when works were scheduled was essential.

Members were advised that partnering was becoming the accepted method for obtaining quality services and continuous improvements. It was suggested that the Council moved towards the implementation of this type of procurement where appropriate.

Members were informed that certain traffic and safety schemes had not been included because of the long “lead in” time required. However £300,000 could be used to design schemes for the following two financial years. It was appreciated that there would be a degree of slippage in the works scheduled for the following year so that if circumstances allowed, provision would be made for the replacement of the Wightbus fleet.

Advise was given regarding a number of amendments in the original programme for 2001/2002 made by the Head of Service which were made to reflect changing circumstances during the year. The most significant were in respect of budgets for the planing and resurfacing contracts and to North Walk in Ryde, where funding had increased due to a change in contractors. These adjustments had been contained within the overall total as other schemes had slipped.

Members discussed that in order to expedite the first of the strategic corridor improvements, flexibility be given to the Head of Service and the Portfolio Holder for Transport to manage the programme within the financial total available to maximise resources to deliver the highways capital programme.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the Highway Capital Programme for 2002/2003 as outlined in the report be approved

(ii) THAT the Head of Service and Portfolio Holder for Transport be authorised to decide priorities for Islandwide Public Transport Infrastructure Improvements and Pedestrian Improvements and to approve the detail of expenditure within each of the strategic corridors

(iii) THAT responsibility for delivery of the programme, both the projects remaining from 2001/2002 and the 2002/2003 programme put forward, be delegated to the Head of Service and the Portfolio Holder for Transport within the broad themes identified in the report and within the financial levels indicated

(b) Select List of Contractors and Consultant Engineers

The Portfolio Holder advised that in accordance with Standing Orders, advertisements had been placed in the appropriate publications for interested contractors and consulting engineers to apply for inclusion in the Highway and Transportation select list .Interested parties had completed the corporate questionnaire and submitted all relevant supporting documentation. Each company had subsequently been assessed with regard to their financial standing, health and safety record and previous experience. Out of a total of thirty-eight contractors and forty consultant engineers, thirty-five and thirty respectively had met the criteria. The Select List would save on resources and expenditure for advertising on an individual basis.

RESOLVED :

THAT the list as attached to the report as Appendix A and B be accepted and be implemented with immediate effect to run for a period of three years.

151. HAMPSHIRE AND ISLE OF WIGHT LEARNING AND SKILLS COUNCIL

REVIEW OF POST 14 EDUCATION AND TRAINING ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

Members were informed that the Local Learning and Skills Council for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (LLSC) established a Task Group to consider planning and resourcing Post 14 education and training on the Isle of Wight, and to put forward recommendations for consideration by the LLSC and the Local Education Authority (LEA). The task group then commissioned KPMG to undertake a review and assessment of the Isle of Wight’s Post 14 educational and training needs. The report had been considered by the Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning Select Committee who noted that the Strategic Director would institute formative and formal consultation with schools and other bodies.

RESOLVED :

(i) THAT the establishment of a Tertiary Strategy Group in partnership with the Local Learning and Skills Council as contained in the report of the Isle of Wight Fourteen-Plus Task Group be approved

(ii) THAT the view on the increase in membership as discussed by the Select Committee be noted

CHAIRMAN