MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY 20 JUNE 2001 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 J A 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, 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 G S Kendall, Mr D J Knowles, Mrs B Lawson, Mr C H Lillywhite, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr R G Mazillius, Mr A J Mellor, Mrs M J Miller, Mr M O Morgan Huws, 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, Mrs J White, Mr D G Williams, Mr D T Yates

Apologies :

Mrs B E Foster, Mr P D Joyce



1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Mr Morey was duly proposed and seconded as Chairman of the Council. (Mr Morey thereupon left the room for this item and Mr Coburn took the Chair). Mr Coburn was duly proposed and seconded as Chairman of the Council. (Mr Coburn thereupon left the room for this item and Mr Bartlett, with the agreement of the Council, took the Chair). Following a vote by secret ballot, in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was;
RESOLVED:
THAT Mr Morey be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.
Mr Morey thereupon took the Chair and formally declared acceptance of the office of Chairman.

2. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

The names of Mr Coburn and Miss Humby were duly proposed and seconded. Following a secret ballot, in accordance with Procedure Rule 18 (4), it was;
RESOLVED
THAT Miss Humby be elected Vice Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.
Miss Humby formally declared acceptance of the office of Vice Chairman.

3. MINUTES

RESOLVED
THAT the minutes of the meeting held on 23 May 2001 be confirmed.

4. ELECTION OF COUNCILLORS - 7 JUNE 2001

The County Returning Officer reported on the result of the election of Councillors held on 7 June 2001.
RESOLVED
THAT the report be noted.

5. OFFICIAL COMMUNICATIONS

The Chairman reported on his recent visit to Puenteareas. The Chairman referred to a gift he had received on behalf of the Council, of a model castle, and this was displayed in the Council Chamber.

6. EXECUTIVE ARRANGEMENTS

Consideration was given to the report of the Director of Corporate Services on the introduction of Executive arrangements. Several pieces of secondary legislation still required Ministerial approval before the Council could fully implement Executive arrangements. It was therefore necessary to consider some interim arrangements.
Members debated the options available to the Council. Several other alterations to the Constitution, which was approved by Council on 12 April 2001 were raised.
RESOLVED
(i) THAT the Council implements its Constitution from the Annual Meeting and operates all aspects of the Constitution from that date in so far as is permissible under the legislation.
(ii) THAT the Executive is appointed on a non-politically proportionate basis and that a Ratification Committee be appointed comprised of 16 Members appointed on a politically proportionate basis; and that the Chairman be elected by the Annual Meeting of the Council. The Ratification Committee would be convened at the conclusion of each meeting of the Executive and would be authorised to consider and determine any recommendation made to it by the Executive.
(iii) THAT the Council restore the role of Deputy Chairman of the Council; and that the Deputy Chairman be elected by the Annual meeting of the Council.
(iv) THAT provision be made in the Constitution for Select and Regulatory Committees to have a Vice Chairman and that these be elected by the Annual meeting.
(v) THAT the Council seek an early review of the Members allowance scheme via the appointment of an independent remuneration panel.
(vi) THAT a report be prepared by the Head of Select Committee Support for the Liaison Committee on the implication of establishing an overarching Scrutiny Committee.
(vii) THAT meetings of the Executive shall take place every two weeks but that additional meetings shall be convened by the Leader as circumstances dictate.

7. ELECTION OF DEPUTY CHAIRMAN

In accordance with the decision taken earlier in the meeting, minute 6 (iii) refers, to restore the position of Deputy Chairman of the Council, the names of Mr Bartlett and Mr Coburn were separately moved and seconded. Mr Coburn withdrew his nomination and there being no other nomination it was;
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Bartlett be elected Deputy Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.
Mr Bartlett formally declared acceptance of the office of Deputy Chairman of the Council

8. ELECTION OF LEADER OF THE COUNCIL

It was moved and seconded that Mrs Smart be elected Leader of the Council. There being no other nominations it was;
RESOLVED
THAT Mrs Smart be elected the Leader of the Council

9. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN FOR SELECT COMMITTEES

In accordance with the decision taken earlier in the meeting, minute 6 (iv) refers, the election of both Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of Select Committees took place.
(i) Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services
(a) Chairman
The names of Mr Yates and Mr Pearson were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was;
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Yates be elected Chairman of the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee.
(b) Vice Chairman
The names of Mr Fleming and Mr Pearson were separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was;
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Fleming be elected Vice Chairman of the Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services Select Committee
(ii) Education, Community Development and Life Long Learning
(a) Chairman
The names of Mrs Wareham and Mrs Oulton were separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mrs Wareham be elected Chairman of the Education, Community Development and Life Long Learning Select Committee.
(b) Vice Chairman
The names of Mrs Clough and Mrs Oulton were both separately moved and seconded Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mrs Clough be elected Vice Chairman of the Education, Community Development and Life Long Learning Select Committee.
(iii) Environment and Transport
(a) Chairman
The names of Mrs Butchers and Mr Cunningham were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was;
RESOLVED
THAT Mrs Butchers be elected Chairman of Environment and Transport Select Committee.
(b) Vice Chairman
The names of Mr Chapman and Mr Cunningham were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Chapman be elected Vice Chairman of the Environment and Transport Select Committee.
(iv) Fire and Public Safety
(a) Chairman
The names of Mr Knowles and Mr Abraham were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Knowles be elected Chairman of the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee.
(b) Vice Chairman
The names of Mr Adams and Mr Abraham were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Adams be elected Vice Chairman of the Fire and Public Safety Select Committee.
(v) Resources
(a) Chairman
The names of Mr Kendall and Mr Sutton were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Kendall be elected Chairman of the Resources Select Committee.
(b) Vice Chairman
The names of Mr Price and Mr Sutton were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Price be elected Vice Chairman of the Resources Select Committee.
(vi) Social Services, Housing and Benefits.
(a) Chairman
The names of Mr Mazillius and Mrs Gardiner were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Mazillius be elected Chairman of the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee.
(b) Vice Chairman
The names of Mr Stephens and Mrs Gardiner were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Stephens be elected Vice Chairman of the Social Services, Housing and Benefits Select Committee.

10. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN AND VICE CHAIRMAN OF REGULATORY COMMITTEES

In accordance with the decision taken earlier in the meeting, minute 6 (iv) refers, the election of both Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of the Regulatory Committees took place.
(i) Development Control
(a) Chairman
The names of Mrs Miller and Mr Taylor were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mrs Miller be elected Chairman of Development and Control Committee.
(b) Vice Chairman
The names of Mr Howe and Mr Taylor were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Howe be elected Vice Chairman of Development Control Committee.
(ii) Licensing
(a) Chairman
The names of Mr Chapman and Mr Cunningham were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Chapman be elected Chairman of the Licensing Committee.
(b) Vice Chairman
The names of Mrs Lloyd and Mr Mundy were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mrs Lloyd be elected Vice Chairman of the Licensing Committee.
(iii) Regulatory
(a) Chairman
The names of Miss Humby and Mr Effemey were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Miss Humby be elected Chairman of the Regulatory Committee.
(b) Vice Chairman
The names of Mr Richards and Mr Effemey were both separately moved and seconded. Following a show of hands it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Richard be elected Vice Chairman of the Regulatory Committee.

11. ALLOCATION OF SEATS ON COMMITTEES

Members were circulated a paper indicating the seats allocated to political groups for each of the Committees. Members were informed of the process involved in filling the seats.
RESOLVED
THAT seats on Committees be allocated to the various political groups in accordance with the calculations contained in the report of the Director of Corporate Services and that they be filled in accordance with the wishes of the Group Leaders.

12. STANDARDS COMMITTEE

Consideration was given to the appointment of members to the Standards Committee in accordance with the decision of the Executive on 19 April 2001.
RESOLVED
(i) THAT 2 members of the Council and 3 named deputies be appointed on the basis of political proportionality and filled in accordance with the wishes of the Group
(i) THAT the 7 existing independent members, His Honour J Wroath, Mr B Claxton, Mr R Phillips, Mr W Linnington, Mrs J Harding, Professor D Farnham and Mr D Hansford, be reappointed.

13. APPOINTMENTS TO OUTSIDE BODIES

(i) Hampshire Police Authority
The Council noted that due to the political proportionality on the Police Authority it was necessary to appoint a Liberal Democrat.
It was moved and seconded that Mr Knowles be elected to the Police Authority. There being no other nominations it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mr Knowles be appointed as the Council's representative on the Hampshire Police Authority.
(ii) The Local Government Association
It was moved and seconded that Mrs Smart be appointed as the Council's representative. There being no other nominations it was
RESOLVED
THAT Mrs Smart be appointed to the Local Government Association.
(iii) Isle of Wight Community Health Council
RESOLVED
THAT 9 Members of the Council be appointed to the Isle of Wight Community Health Council on the basis of political proportionality in accordance with the wishes of the Group Leaders.

14. AD HOC APPOINTMENT PANEL FOR THE POST OF DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENT SERVICES

The Council considered the report of the Chief Executive and Personnel Services Manager on the establishment of an Appointment Panel for the post of Director of Environment Services. Members debated the issues involved given the timetable for the interview process.
RESOLVED
THAT the establishment of an Appointment Panel for the post of Director of Environment Services be considered by the Executive.

15. CALL IN OF EXECUTIVE DECISION

Consideration was given to decisions taken by the Executive, held on 10 May 2001, which had been Called In under the former Standing Order 37 by 12 members of the Council. The Call In related to Minute 332 - Report of the District Auditor and Minute 333 - Future implementation of the Unicentre System. The Council considered the options available to it to enable the issues to be fully discussed.
RESOLVED
THAT the Call In be referred to the Resources Select Committee.

16. MINUTES OF THE EXECUTIVE

The minutes of the Executive held on 24 and 31 May 2001 were received.

17. MINUTES OF COMMITTEES UNDER DELEGATED POWERS

The minutes of the undermentioned committees consisting of decisions taken under delegated powers, were received:
Planning Committee - 15 May 2001, 25 May 2001 and 29 May 2001
Licensing Committee - 22 May 2001

CHAIRMAN