MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 21 JANUARY 2004 COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM

 

Present :

 

Miss H L Humby (Chairman), Mr R R Barry, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr 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, Mrs B E Foster, Mr E Fox, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr P G Harris, Mr J F Howe, Mrs M A Jarman, Mr P D Joyce, Mr G S Kendall, Mr D J Knowles, Mrs B Lawson, Mr C H Lillywhite Mr R G Mazillius, Mrs M J Miller, 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, Mrs J L Wareham, Mr D G Williams and Mr D T Yates

 

Apologies :

 

Mr B E Abraham, Mr J R Adams, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C R Hancock, Mrs M J Lloyd, Mr A J Mellor, Mr V J Morey, Mr M O Morgan Huws, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs J White and Mr J A M D Whittaker

 

 

 


72.             MINUTES

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 November 2003 be approved.

 

73.             DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

 

No declarations of interest were made at this stage.

 

74.             PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

 

Mr Wadham asked an oral question relating to homelessness. The Portfolio Holder for Social Services and Housing gave an appropriate reply.

 

75.             CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

 

The Chairman reported on the Carol concert by the Townswomen Guild and the work of the Chairman’s Charity Committee.

 

The Chairman then invited the Chairman of the Standards Committee to report to the Council the response that he had received from the Standards Board following the comments made at the last meeting of the Council. Following a short debate it was agreed that a letter should be sent back to the Standards Board expressing Members continued dissatisfaction with their current policy that seemed to disadvantage Councillors who had complaints submitted against them.

 

76.             ISLE OF WIGHT BRANDING

 

The Council received a presentation from Mike King of the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership on the concepts behind Isle of Wight Branding and the work he had undertaken to date to identify how an Isle of Wight brand could be established and used to give a consistent message. If the Council supported the principle, a considerable amount of work would be needed with various partners to complete the work.

 

Following the presentation a motion was moved and seconded recognizing the importance of branding and following a debate it was

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT this Council recognises the important part to be played by highly effective communications and branding to the social and economic well-being of the whole Island Community. To this extent the Council wishes to work with partner organisations, notably the Isle of Wight Economic Partnership, to develop joint approaches wherever possible. Accordingly, the Council endorses the work undertaken to date and supports the proposed programme for development of a Branding Strategy for the Island.

 

77.             APPOINTMENT OF STRATEGIC DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S SERVICES

 

The Council considered the report of the Portfolio Holder for Resources on the establishment of a Panel for the appointment of a Strategic Director of Children’s Services that the Executive had agreed should be established. It was noted that the appointments panel would comprise members from all political groups on the Council. After discussion, it was agreed that the panel would, in accordance with existing practice, be made up of 6 members and include representatives of the opposition groups on the Council.

 

RESOLVED:

 

THAT an Appointments Panel of 6 members be established with delegated authority to consider the process and determine the appointment of the Strategic Director of Children’s Services.

 

78.             ISLAND WIDE SEASIDE PLEASUREBOAT BYELAW

 

The Council considered a report from the Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Leisure on a proposal to adopt a byelaw for the prevention of danger, obstruction or annoyance to persons bathing in the sea or using the seashore. This would replace and extend a previous South Wight Borough Council Byelaw to cover the whole Island.

 

Whilst generally supporting the proposals, members sought re-assurance that the proposed “lanes” would be placed in the places where they would have greatest use and minimal impact on other users. The Portfolio Holder assured the Council that all users would be consulted on the location of the “lanes”.

 

RESOLVED :

 

(a)               THAT the draft Seaside Pleasure Boat Byelaw (as attached to the report of the Portfolio Holder for Tourism and Leisure) be made.

 

(b)               THAT the Byelaw be advertised in accordance with Section 236 of The Local Government Act 1972, and then after the period of deposit sent to the Secretary of State for confirmation.

 

79.             EXECUTIVE

 

(a)               Disapplication of the Call In Period

 

The Council noted that at the meeting of the Executive on 3 December 2003, the call in period was disapplied under rule 15(h) of the Select Committee Procedure Rules, in relation to the item on the purchase of land and plantation to east of Maurick Farm, Pan, Newport in order to avoid the real risk of losing the opportunity to acquire the land on the terms set out in the report.

 

(b)               Recommendations of the Executive

 

(i)                 Housing Strategy 2003-08

 

The Council considered a recommendation from the Executive that the Housing Strategy be added to the Policy Framework and that the draft Housing Strategy be approved for submission to the Secretary of State.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT the Housing Strategy be added to the Policy Framework and that the draft Housing Strategy be approved for submission to the Secretary of State.

 

(ii)               Council Tax Base

 

The Council considered a recommendation from the Executive on the Council Tax base for the financial year 2004/05.

 

RESOLVED :

 

THAT  the Council Tax Base for the financial year 2004/05 be as set out in Appendix A.

 

(c)               Reports Of The Portfolio Holders

 

(i)                 The Leader

 

The Leader updated the Council on a Committee of the Regions meeting that she had attended.

 

Following an oral question the Leader agreed to write to the ODPM seeking clarification on whether Tetra masts presented any health risk.

 

Questions relating to Post Offices, Newport Football Club and staff disciplinary procedures were asked and answered.

 

(ii)               The Deputy Leader

 

The Deputy Leader had nothing to report at this stage.

 

(iii)             Economic Development, UK and EU, Regional Issues

 

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on a possible change in Government recognition of Islands, the proposals from the LGA on revised local tax structure and that Paul Rudding of SP Systems had been voted UK Director of the Year.

 

The Portfolio Holder answered a question relating to possible changes to the Council Tax.

 

(iv)              Education and Community Development

 

Mr Mazillius asked a written question (to which an appropriate reply was given) on discipline on the school buses (MQ 1/04)

 

Mr Cunningham asked a written question (to which an appropriate reply was given) on the OFSTED reports of the Island High Schools (MQ 2/04)

 

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on the outcome of the OFSTED inspection, the consultation on the development of a Children’s Services Directorate and the launch of the Island Preventative Strategy.

 

The Portfolio Holder agreed to provide a written answer to a question relating to the provision of carers on the Wightbus fleet when carrying disabled children.

 

(v)                Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection

 

Mr Cunningham asked a written question (to which an appropriate reply was given by the Leader (in the absence of the Portfolio Holder)) on the policies concerning the running of Newport Market. (MQ 3/04).

 

In the absence of the Portfolio Holder the Leader answered questions relating to Tetra masts.

 

(vi)              Resources

 

Mr Mazillius asked written questions (to which appropriate replies were given) on the provision of mobile and Tetra masts on Council property and the cost of changing a light bulb (MQ 4/04   and MQ 5/04).

 

The Portfolio Holder answered a question relating to the declaration by Members of their declining to accept the free membership offered by Bar Bluu.

 

(vii)            Social Services and Housing

 

(At 12.59 pm Mr Cunningham declared a personal interest in Homestart as he was a member of the Charity)

 

Mr Cunningham asked a written question (to which an appropriate reply was given) on the Council’s financial support to Homestart (MQ 6/04).

 

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on the development of the Children’s Services Directorate and the inspection by the SSI that was currently underway.

 

The Portfolio Holder agreed to provide a written answer to a question relating to the provision of carers when Social Services were conveying disabled people.

 

The Portfolio Holder answered a question relating to the Children’s Centre funding.

 

(viii)          Sustainable Development, Environment and Planning Policy

 

The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on a number of Supplementary Planning Guidance documents that were about to be published for consultation purposes.

 

Following questions the Portfolio Holder agreed to look into the possibility of e-mail alerts being used to inform members of planning applications and decisions.

 

The Portfolio Holder answered questions relating to the planning policies on car parking provision for new developments and the sale of caravans from caravan sites.

 

(ix)              Tourism and Leisure

 

The Portfolio Holder submitted a written report.

 

(x)                Transport

 

The Portfolio Holder submitted a written report.

 

The Portfolio Holder answered various questions relating to transport matters.

The meeting closed at 13.25.

 

                       

 

 

                       

CHAIRMAN

APPENDIX 1

Tax Base 2004/05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Local Tax Base (Whole/Part Areas)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Band D

Reduction for Bad Debts &

Tax Base

 

Equivalent

Valuation Changes

 

Whole Area

52,636.5

684.7

51,951.8

Parish/Town

 

 

 

Arreton

405.3

5.3

400.0

Bembridge

2,046.9

26.6

2,020.3

Brading

821.5

10.7

810.8

Brighstone

846.6

11.0

835.6

Calbourne

401.1

5.2

395.9

Chale

287.3

3.8

283.5

Cowes

3,921.6

51.0

3,870.6

East Cowes

2,275.4

29.6

2,245.8

Freshwater

2,480.3

32.3

2,448.0

Gatcombe

184.2

2.4

181.8

Godshill

599.9

7.8

592.1

Gurnard

796.0

10.4

785.6

Lake

1,901.1

24.7

1,876.4

Nettlestone & Seaview

1,707.7

22.2

1,685.5

Newchurch

1,093.3

14.2

1,079.1

Niton & Whitwell

972.7

12.6

960.1

Rookley

254.8

3.3

251.5

Sandown

2,334.2

30.3

2,303.9

Shalfleet

746.4

9.8

736.6

Shanklin

3,465.7

45.1

3,420.6

Shorwell

343.4

4.4

339.0

St Helens

580.7

7.6

573.1

Totland

1,223.0

15.9

1,207.1

Ventnor

2,680.8

34.9

2,645.9

Wootton

1,475.2

19.2

1,456.0

Wroxall

678.3

8.8

669.5

Yarmouth

506.7

6.6

500.1

Unparished

17,606.4

229.0

17,377.4

 

 

 

 

Newport

7,632.5

99.3

7,533.2

Ryde

8,883.2

115.5

8,767.7

Whippingham

218.7

2.9

215.8

Northwood

872.0

11.3

860.7

Total Unparished

17,606.4

229.0

17,377.4