PAPER A

The Island Games Commission had visited the Isle of Wight earlier in the month in order to ascertain the Island’s suitability for hosting the Island Games in 2011. A response would be received in due course.

The Chairman had attended the funeral service for Lesley Hanson, who would be a sad loss to all who knew her. On behalf of the Council, the Chairman extended condolences to Lesley’s family and friends.

65. BUSINESS DEFERRED FROM THE MEETING HELD ON 18 JANUARY 2006

Recommendation from the Scrutiny Committee

Council was advised that the recommendation from the Scrutiny Committee had been deferred from the last meeting. Members considered the current situation regarding the voting rights of the co-opted Town and Parish Councils Representative.

Cllr Pugh moved the motion and accepted an amendment seconded by Cllr Stephens.

Following a vote it was

RESOLVED:

THAT the Isle of Wight Association of Parish and Town Councils be advised that the Section 115 arrangement will be amended to allow their representative to vote provided that their representative meets the same person specification as that applied to the Independent Co-optees as set out in Appendix 3 of the report to Full Council on 14 September 2005 entitled Constitutional Amendments – Scrutiny and Audit Committees (Paper B).

66. IMPLEMENTATION OF PARISH COUNCILS FOR “FISHBOURNE” AND “HAVENSTREET AND ASHEY”

Council was advised that two new Parish Councils had been proposed and the Secretary of State had created an Order. It was the Council’s duty to expedite the Order. In addition, the Council was required to amend the existing Polling Districts in order to reflect the new Parish Councils and to agree an initial level of Parish precept. Following a brief debate the vote was taken and it was

RESOLVED:

(i) THAT the Isle of Wight Council give effect to the Orders creating the Parish Councils of “Fishbourne” and “Havenstreet & Ashey” for the civil Parish areas of the same names to be created by Order of the Secretary of State, as detailed in Appendix A. This resolution to be effective on the day after the creation Order for the Parish areas is made by the Secretary of State or the Order implementing the Electoral Arrangements is made by the Electoral Commission, whichever is the later.

(ii) THAT the Isle of Wight Council amend and create Polling Districts which are necessary to ensure that the electoral arrangements for the two Parish Councils can be effectively conducted, as detailed in Appendix B. This resolution to be effective on the day after the creation Order for the Parish areas is made by the Secretary of State or the Order implementing the Electoral Arrangements is made by the Electoral Commission, whichever is the later.

(iii) THAT the Isle of Wight Council agrees an initial level of Parish precept to be levied in the areas of the two new Parish Councils, at a rate of £8000.00 per annum for the financial year 2006 / 2007 as detailed in Appendix C.

67. REVENUE AND CAPITAL BUDGETS 2006-07

It was proposed by Cllr David Whittaker and seconded by Cllr Julian Whittaker that Members suspend Procedure Rule 15 (4), enabling each of the political leaders to address the Council without a time limit.

Following a vote it was

RESOLVED:

THAT Procedure Rule 15 (4) be suspended to enable the political leaders to address the Council without time constraints.

(a) Revenue Budget 2006-07:

The Leader addressed the Council and provided a presentation regarding the proposed budget for 2006-07. The Council Tax Resolution for the financial year 2006-07 was circulated to all attendees. The Leader moved the resolution, which was seconded by Cllr Jilly Wood.

Cllr Gardiner proposed a 10 minute recess to enable Members to consider the resolution and this was seconded by Cllr Lumley. Following a vote it was

RESOLVED:

THAT Council recess for 10 minutes to enable Members time to consider the proposed budget and Resolution.

The meeting re-convened and Cllr Gardiner moved, seconded by Cllr Stephens, that Council call a further 10 minute recess to enable further consideration of a response to the proposed budget and resolution. Following a vote it was

RESOLVED:

THAT Council recess for a further 10 minutes to enable additional consideration of a response to the proposed budget and resolution.

When the meeting reconvened some Members raised concerns about potential cuts to council services and job losses. Opposition Members advised that progress of the budget throughout the financial year would be closely monitored. Following the vote it was

RESOLVED:

(i) The revenue estimates for 2006/07 be £109,866,700 allocated to Service Units as set out in Appendix 2.

(ii) Detailed implementation of the cash limit changes set out in Appendix 2 will be agreed with the relevant Cabinet member in each case.

(iii) That a Schools Budget exclusive of the LSC allocation at the level of Direct Schools Grant be set for 2006/7.

(iv) That the Schools Budget shares be determined by the Strategic Director for Children’s Services within the approved service budget.

(v) That the three year Council tax projection as set out in Appendix 3 and Reserves and Provisions projections as set out in Appendix 4 be approved for planning purposes.

(vi) That it be noted that the Council calculated the amounts for the year 2006/07 in accordance with regulations made under Section 33(5) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992 (The Tax Base).

(vii) That the amounts now calculated by the Council for the year 2006/07 in accordance with Sections 32 to 36 of the Local Government Act 1992 be as set out in Appendix 1.

(viii) That it be noted that for the year 2006/07 the Hampshire Police Authority has stated the following amounts in Precepts issued to the Council, in accordance with Section 40 of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, for each of the categories of dwellings below:

Valuation Bands - Precepting Authority
	£
Band A	79.62
Band B	92.89
Band C	106.16
Band D	119.43
Band E	145.97
Band F	172.51
Band G	199.05
Band H	238.86

(ix) The Council will incur the following special expenses in 2006/07 under Section 35(2)(d) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992:

Parish & Town Council concurrent functions:	Carisbrooke	11,659
	Newport	136,541
	Northwood	7,982
	Ryde	209,099
	Whippingham	3,102

No other expenses of the Council are special expenses in 2006/07.

(x) THAT, having calculated the aggregate in each case of the amounts at paragraph viii) above and paragraphs e) & i) of Appendix 1, the Council, in accordance with Section 30(2) of the Local Government Finance Act 1992, hereby sets the following amounts as the amounts of Council Tax for the year 2006/07 for each of the following categories of dwelling shown over the page:

Parish & Town Council Areas	A (Disabled Reduction)	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Arreton	709.71	851.65	993.60	1,135.54	1,277.48	1,561.36	1,845.25	2,129.13	2,554.96
Bembridge	723.89	868.67	1,013.44	1,158.22	1,303.00	1,592.55	1,882.11	2,171.67	2,606.00
Brading	725.50	870.60	1,015.70	1,160.80	1,305.90	1,596.10	1,886.30	2,176.50	2,611.80
Brighstone	714.26	857.11	999.97	1,142.82	1,285.67	1,571.37	1,857.08	2,142.78	2,571.34
Calbourne	716.45	859.74	1,003.03	1,146.32	1,289.61	1,576.19	1,862.77	2,149.35	2,579.22
Chale	717.19	860.63	1,004.07	1,147.51	1,290.95	1,577.83	1,864.70	2,151.58	2,581.90
Cowes	714.89	857.87	1,000.84	1,143.82	1,286.80	1,572.75	1,858.71	2,144.67	2,573.60
East Cowes	716.78	860.13	1,003.49	1,146.84	1,290.20	1,576.91	1,863.62	2,150.33	2,580.40
Fishbourne	715.23	858.27	1,001.32	1,144.36	1,287.41	1,573.50	1,859.59	2,145.68	2,574.82
Freshwater	715.49	858.59	1,001.69	1,144.79	1,287.89	1,574.09	1,860.28	2,146.48	2,575.78
Gatcombe	713.99	856.79	999.59	1,142.39	1,285.19	1,570.79	1,856.38	2,141.98	2,570.38
Godshill	714.37	857.25	1,000.12	1,143.00	1,285.87	1,571.62	1,857.37	2,143.12	2,571.74
Gurnard	718.16	861.79	1,005.42	1,149.05	1,292.68	1,579.94	1,867.20	2,154.47	2,585.36
Havenstreet & Ashey	717.67	861.21	1,004.74	1,148.28	1,291.81	1,578.88	1,865.95	2,153.02	2,583.62
Lake	711.61	853.93	996.26	1,138.58	1,280.90	1,565.54	1,850.19	2,134.83	2,561.80
Nettlestone & Seaview	711.94	854.33	996.72	1,139.11	1,281.50	1,566.28	1,851.05	2,135.83	2,563.00
Newchurch	708.84	850.61	992.37	1,134.14	1,275.91	1,559.44	1,842.98	2,126.52	2,551.82
Niton & Whitwell	711.19	853.43	995.67	1,137.91	1,280.15	1,564.63	1,849.10	2,133.58	2,560.30
Rookley	715.91	859.09	1,002.28	1,145.46	1,288.64	1,575.00	1,861.37	2,147.73	2,577.28
Sandown	722.61	867.13	1,011.65	1,156.17	1,300.69	1,589.73	1,878.77	2,167.82	2,601.38
Shalfleet	712.09	854.51	996.93	1,139.35	1,281.77	1,566.61	1,851.44	2,136.28	2,563.54
Shanklin	712.68	855.22	997.76	1,140.29	1,282.83	1,567.90	1,852.98	2,138.05	2,565.66
Shorwell	710.36	852.43	994.50	1,136.57	1,278.64	1,562.78	1,846.92	2,131.07	2,557.28
St Helens	718.98	862.78	1,006.58	1,150.37	1,294.17	1,581.76	1,869.36	2,156.95	2,588.34
Totland	717.16	860.59	1,004.02	1,147.45	1,290.88	1,577.74	1,864.60	2,151.47	2,581.76
Ventnor	724.75	869.70	1,014.65	1,159.60	1,304.55	1,594.45	1,884.35	2,174.25	2,609.10
Wootton	718.31	861.97	1,005.64	1,149.30	1,292.96	1,580.28	1,867.61	2,154.93	2,585.92
Wroxall	711.38	853.66	995.94	1,138.21	1,280.49	1,565.04	1,849.60	2,134.15	2,560.98
Yarmouth	724.63	869.56	1,014.49	1,159.41	1,304.34	1,594.19	1,884.05	2,173.90	2,608.68
Unparished excl Special Expenses	704.33	845.19	986.06	1,126.92	1,267.79	1,549.52	1,831.25	2,112.98	2,535.58

Areas of Isle of Wight Council with Special Expenses:	A (Disabled Reduction)	A	B	C	D	E	F	G	H
Carisbrooke	710.08	852.09	994.11	1,136.12	1,278.14	1,562.17	1,846.20	2,130.23	2,556.28
Newport	715.69	858.83	1,001.97	1,145.11	1,288.25	1,574.53	1,860.80	2,147.08	2,576.50
Northwood	709.39	851.27	993.15	1,135.03	1,276.91	1,560.67	1,844.42	2,128.18	2,553.82
Ryde	718.45	862.14	1,005.83	1,149.52	1,293.21	1,580.59	1,867.97	2,155.35	2,586.42
Whippingham	711.74	854.09	996.44	1,138.79	1,281.14	1,565.84	1,850.53	2,135.23	2,562.28

(b) Capital Programme 2006-07:

The Cabinet Member for Resources, Audit, and Efficient Council and Customer Champion introduced the proposed Capital Programme and moved the recommendations as listed in the report, these were then seconded by the Leader. Following a brief debate it was

RESOLVED:

i. THAT the overall capital programme for 2006-07 be set at the level of supported capital expenditure plus available capital grants and receipts plus approved prudential borrowing plus approved and resourced schemes slipped from previous years.

ii. THAT Supported Capital Expenditure (SCE) levels be allocated to each respective Strategic Director for prioritisation, and subsequent approval by the Cabinet, with the use of other resources being the subject of recommendations to the Cabinet from time to time.

iii. THAT a contingency of £3 million of unsupported capital borrowing be approved, for use in the event of planned capital receipts not being received on time, for Invest to Save Schemes that are approved by the Cabinet, for the acquisition of vehicles and plant where an option appraisal demonstrates purchase to be financially beneficial compared to leasing, and to neutralize the impact of retrospective adjustments to the minimum revenue provision requirement.

iv. TO approve the prudential indicators and limits as set out in Appendix A.

v. THAT the Chief Financial Officer be delegated responsibility for effecting changes between the ‘borrowing’ and ‘long-term liabilities’ elements of the authorised limit and operational boundaries for external debt, as contained in Appendix A.

vi. THAT the relevant Cabinet Member be delegated authority to amend the Capital Programme as priorities may determine, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Resources, Audit, Council Efficiency & Customer Champion, relevant Directors and the Chief Financial Officer.

vii. THAT the Treasury Strategy for 2006/07, as set out in Appendix C, be approved.

68. CABINET

Reports Of The Cabinet Members

(a) The Leader

The Leader provided a written report for Members, which included updates about work on the Council’s budget, and meetings with the Government’s Schools Minister, Jacqui Smith and the Minister with responsibility for fire and rescue, Jim Fitzpatrick. The Leader had also spent time in the North West assisting with a corporate assessment for a metropolitan authority.

(b) The Deputy Leader

The Deputy Leader updated Members about the visit to the School’s Minister and reiterated that a vacancy still existed on the Policy Commission for Children and School Results. In addition, Cllr Joyce reassured Council that there had been no cutbacks to the music service provided.

The Cabinet Member updated the Council on the current issues in the Call Centre and the new Performance Management System, which was currently being implemented. Members were also advised that a staff consultation was underway regarding PA work on strategic partnering.

(d) Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport and Planning

A written question had been received about the Council’s road repair schedule in relation to one of the roads Ventnor. Cllr Ward provided a response. (MQ06/06)

The Cabinet Member had provided a written report for Council referring in particular to the Island’s Local Transport Plan 2 and the Highways PFI initiative.

(e) Cabinet Member for Safer Communities

The Cabinet Member updated the Council on his meeting with Government Minister, Jim Fitzpatrick, regarding the Island’s Fire and Rescue Service. A Peer Review would be undertaken during March 2006. A Business Case would be produced looking at all options for future provision. In addition, a visit to Bracknell Forest had been undertaken to investigate community policing issues.

The Cabinet Member answered a question regarding EU Food Hygiene Regulations.

(f) Cabinet Member for Care, Health and Housing

The Cabinet Member had provided a written report for Council and in addition updated Members on the continuing improvement of the Housing Service. Members were also advised about the recent work undertaken regarding new legislation for houses in multiple occupancy and the progress of the Department of Health’s reconfiguration of the Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts.

The Cabinet Member answered questions regarding the Law Centre and the Health Integration agenda.

(g) Cabinet Member for Economy, Regeneration, Tourism and Leisure

The Cabinet Member had provided a written report for Council and referred in particular to the success of the Adult and Community Learning service, which had been described as ‘outstanding’ by the Adult Learning Inspectorate. Cllr Hunter-Henderson recorded his congratulations to the Council’s Adult and Community Learning team.

CHAIRMAN