MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2001 COMMENCING AT 10.00 AM

Present :

Mr V J Morey (Chairman), Mr J R Adams, Mr R R Barry, Mr A C Bartlett, Mr B C Buckle, Mrs T M Butchers, Mrs B D Clough, Mr A C Coburn, Mr M J Cunningham, Mr J Effemey, Mrs B E Foster, Mr E Fox, Mrs D Gardiner, Mr C R Hancock, 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, Mr A J Mellor, Mr M O Morgan Huws, Mr A J Mundy, Mrs E Oulton, Mr K Pearson, Mr G P Price, Mrs S A Smart, Mr I R Stephens, Mr R A Sutton, Mr A A Taylor, Mr A F Tiltman, Mrs J White, Mr D G Williams, Mr D T Yates

Apologies :

Mr B E Abraham, Chevalier Bowker, Mr C B W Chapman, Mr J H Fleming, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr P G Harris, Mrs M J Miller, Mr H Rees, Mr R C Richards, Mrs J L Wareham

45. MINUTES

RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 October 2001 be confirmed.

46. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

A question was put to the Chairman as follows :-
Mr J Wortham of Fortunes Corner, Brighstone in relation to the Chief Executive (PQ47/01)
Copies of the questions and the replies given are contained in the Public Question Register.

47. CHAIRMANS REPORT

The Chairman read out letters of reply he had received from the U.S Embassy regarding the tragic terrorist events in America and the New York Yacht Club who had been involved in the events during the Americas Cup Jubilee in August 2001.
48. MEMBERS ALLOWANCES
Members considered the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel. There was a requirement that when one political group was in control of a local authority and that authority paid special responsibility allowances, it would pay allowances to at least one member of the minority group.
It was felt that the Special Responsibility Allowance paid to the Leaders of other opposition groups should be subject to a minimum group size of 4 not 5 members. Following voting it was:
RESOLVED :
(i) THAT the current scheme be confirmed on the basis that the Panel would undertake a review of the scheme in the light of experience of the Council's new structure and roles for implementation from 1 April 2002 as required by the 2001 Regulations on Members Allowances that arise out of the provisions of the Local Government Act 2000.
(ii) THAT a Special Responsibility Allowance currently at the rate of �5,181 per annum (band four) be paid to the Leader of the main opposition group back-dated to 20 June 2001.
(iii) THAT a Special Responsibility Allowance currently at the rate of �1,296 per annum (band six) be paid to the leaders of other opposition groups (subject to a minimum group size of 4 Members)

49. POLITICAL PROPORTIONALITY

Members received a further report to reconsider the position of seats on Committees available to Mr Buckle CC following the last meeting of the Council. Since the last meeting of the Council, as agreed, Mr Buckle's opinion had been sought and he had expressed that he did not wish to sit on the Licensing Panel or Regulatory Committee.
RESOLVED :
THAT the vacancies on the Licensing Panel and Regulatory Committee be left unfilled.

50. EXECUTIVE

(a) Recommendation from the Executive
Members were advised that under guidance from the Home Secretary, the Fire Service was required to produce an Annual Community Fire Safety Plan. The Plan was designed to focus on the prevention of fire.
RESOLVED :
THAT the Annual Community Fire Safety Plan 2001/2002 as submitted to the Executive on 30 October 2002 be approved.
(b) Minutes of the Executive
Members received the Minutes of the Executive held on 16 and 30 October 2001.
(c) Reports of Portfolio Holders
(i) Leader of the Council
A number of questions were asked orally of the Leader
(ii) Agenda 21 and Countryside Matters
The Portfolio Holder informed Members that Agenda 21 and Countryside Matters had received an award for the Ecological Footprint of the Isle of Wight.
(iii) Economic Development and Regional Issues
Members asked a number of questions orally of the Leader in the Portfolio Holders absence.
(iv) Education and Lifelong Learning
The Leader declared an interest in MQ17/01
Questions were put to the Portfolio Holder as follows :
Cllr Joyce in relation to school Governors monitoring health and safety. (MQ16/01)
Cllr Mellor in relation to Medina High School's 'Tough Care' discipline policy. (MQ17/01)
A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members' Question Register.
(v) Fire and Emergency Planning
The Portfolio Holder informed Members that Paul Street was now confirmed in his post of Third Officer.
(vi) Public, Environment Protection and Waste
A number of questions were asked orally of the Spokesperson.
(vii) Resources
A question was put to the Portfolio Holder as follows :
Cllr Joyce with regard to the Councils expenditure on insurance claims. (MQ18/01)
A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members' Question Register.
A question was asked orally of the spokesperson
(viii) Social Services and Housing
A question was put to the Portfolio Holder as follows :
Cllr Joyce with regard to the Gouldings and Adelaide Place care facilities. (MQ19/01)
A Copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members' Question Register.
(ix) Tourism and Leisure
The Portfolio Holder reported that she had attended the World Travel Market Show which had proved a great success for the Island. Public consultation evenings concerning the music festival due to be held in June 2002 had been arranged to take place in December 2001.
Questions were asked orally of the Spokesperson.
(x) Transport
The Portfolio Holder reported on matters relating to the Military Road, the Island railway line, the fixed link, road resurfacing and the Best Value Review.
Questions were put to the Portfolio Holder as follows :
Cllr Cunningham with regard to sewer repairs in the Ventnor area. (MQ20/01)
Cllr Cunningham with regard to budget allocation for 2000/01 for a bus/taxi shelter at South Street. (MQ21/01)
A copy of the question and reply is contained in the Members' Question Register.

51. SELECT COMMITTEES

(a) The Minutes of the undermentioned Select Committee's were received.
Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services - 22 October 2001
Education, Community Development and Lifelong Learning - 8 October 2001 and 1 November 2001
Environment and Transport - 24 October 2001
Fire and Public Safety - 15 October 2001
Resources - 10 October 2001 and 5 November 2001
Social Services, Housing and Benefits - 7 November 2001
(b) Reports by Chairman of Select Committee's
(i) Economic Development, Planning, Tourism and Leisure Services
The Chairman reported that Task Groups had been arranged to meet in early December 2001 and would be considering a number of issues.
(ii) Education Community Development and Lifelong Learning
It was reported that the Libraries Working Party had now become a Task Group.
(iii) Environment and Transport
The Chairman reported that the Committee's Task Groups had been established and would shortly be arranging meeting dates.
(iv) Fire and Public Safety
The Chairman reported that the Committee's Working Party investigating dezoning and deregulation of taxis would be meeting on 6 December 2001.
(v) Resources
The Chairman reported that following the report 'Greening the Workforce' which was considered at the Committee's last meeting, a further report outlining a draft strategy would be brought to the Committee in January 2002.
(vi) Social Services, Housing and Benefits
It was reported that the ICT Task Group had met to investigate the possibilities of upgrading or replacing the Social Services system.

52. REGULATORY COMMITTEES

The Minutes of the undermentioned Regulatory Committee's were received
Development Control Committee - 16 and 26 October 2001 and 6 and 8 November 2001
Licensing Committee - 12 October 2001
Regulatory Appeals Committee - 31 October 2001

CHAIRMAN