MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD AT COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT ON WEDNESDAY, 27 OCTOBER 2004
COMMENCING AT 9.30 AM
Present :
Mrs M A Jarman
(Chairman), Mr B E Abraham, Mr J R Adams,
Mr R R Barry, Mr A C Bartlett,
Mr J A Bowker, Mrs T M Butchers, Mr C B 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 R Hancock,
Mr P G Harris, Mr J F Howe, Miss H L Humby, 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, Mrs M J Miller,
Mr V J Morey, Mr M O Morgan Huws, Mr A J Mundy,
Mrs E Oulton, Mr K Pearson, Mrs L J Peacey-Willcox
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
Apologies :
Mrs B E Foster, Mr C M Gauntlett, Mr J A M D Whittaker,
Mrs J White, Mr D T Yates
50.
MINUTES
RESOLVED :
THAT the Minutes
of the meeting held on 15 September 2004
be confirmed.
51.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest received at this stage.
52.
PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
Questions were put to the Chairman as
follows :
Mr
Wortham regarding Dancing at Medina Theatre (PQ33/04).
Mrs Mclaughlin
regarding a video being played at Medina Leisure Centre (PQ34/04).
A number of
oral questions were asked regarding the implementation of car parking charges
on the Island, in particular Wootton. The Portfolio Holder responded and it was
suggested that he meet with questioners and discuss this matter further outside
of the meeting.
53.
COWES CENTRAL BY ELECTION
The Returning Officer
announced that Mrs Lora Peacey-Wilcox had been appointed Councillor to Cowes
Central on the 21 October 2004.
The Chairman welcomed Mrs
Peacey-Wilcox and congratulated her on her successful appointment.
54.
CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
The Chairman advised Members that she had
recently performed two citizenship ceremonies and that in future these would be
held on the last Tuesday of every month.
55.
PROPERTY TRANSACTIONS
The Council considered a report submitted by
the Head of Legal and Democratic Services. In light of a motion approved by
Full Council on 21 July 2004, the report set out an amendment to the
Constitution in relation to property transactions. A motion to amend a
paragraph to the report was moved and seconded, upon voting the amendment was
lost.
Members returned to the
substantive motion and upon voting it was :
RESOLVED :
THAT the Constitution of the Council be
amended to include the Code of Practice for Members and Officers dealing with
Property Transactions as attached at Appendix 1.
56.
EXECUTIVE
a)
Recommendation of the Portfolio Holder for Adult and Community Services
– adoption of Library Position Statement
The Portfolio Holder
for Adult and Community Services moved the adoption of the Library Position
Statement. The motion was seconded and it was:
RESOLVED :
That the Isle of Wight Library Position Statement for
2005-2006 be adopted.
b)
Reports of the Portfolio Holders
i)
The Leader
The Leader updated Council
on the meetings and events on the Island that she had attended.
The Leader then answered a
number of oral questions relating to car parking and highway issues.
ii)
The Deputy Leader
The Deputy Leader reminded the Council that
the next QPMR report was due to be considered by the Executive on 17 November
2004.
iii)
Adult and Community Services
The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on
the Social Services Conference he had attended in Newcastle and advised members
that homecare contracts had recently been awarded to two providers.
The Portfolio Holder then answered a number
of oral questions relating to the effect of car parking charges in leisure centres.
iv)
Children’s Services
The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on
Children’s Centres, school attainment
area and congratulated everyone who was involved with the Looked After Children
Awards evening.
The Portfolio Holder then answered a number
of oral questions relating to training for school governors, future funding for
Children’s Centres and the funding of performance management for head teachers.
v)
Economic Development, UK and EU, Regional Issues
The Portfolio Holder updated members on a number
of meetings he had attended. He also advised members that an update report on
European Issues was being considered by the Executive on 3 November 2004.
The Portfolio Holder then answered a number
of oral questions relating to funding.
vi)
Fire, Emergency Planning and Consumer Protection
Mrs Lawson submitted a
written question on the 999 call centre and the police precept for 2005
(MQ30/04); the Portfolio Holder gave a reply.
The Portfolio Holder updated the Council on
the Fire and Rescue Service consultation regarding the implementation of the
Risk Management Plan.
The Portfolio Holder then answered a number
of oral questions regarding new firework laws and improvements to future
Comprehensive Performance Assessments.
vii)
Resources
The Portfolio Holder updated the Council
that there had been significant progress in the number days taken to process
benefit claims.
The Portfolio Holder answered a number of
oral questions relating to a deficit in the property asset register.
viii) Sustainable Development,
Environment and Planning Policy
The Portfolio Holder circulated a written
report updating Council on the meetings attended on various issues. She also
reminded members to ensure that reusable envelopes were used for internal post.
The Portfolio Holder then answered a number
of oral questions relating to water efficiency and flooding.
ix)
Tourism and Leisure
Miss Humby submitted a
written question on car parking policies (MQ31/04); the Portfolio Holder gave a
reply.
The Portfolio Holder circulated a written
report updating thje Council on various issues. In particular he reminded
members that the extreme sports festival Whiteair was taking place this week.
The Portfolio Holder then answered a number
of oral questions relating to the car parking charges in leisure facilities.
x) Transport
12.45 pm - The Chairman left the meeting room and
the Vice Chairman took the Chair.
Mrs Lawson submitted a
written question on road surfacing in Whitwell (MQ32/04); the Portfolio Holder
gave a reply.
Mr Whittaker submitted a
written question on pedestrian safety in Newport (MQ33/04)
The Portfolio Holder circulated a written
report updating the Council on various issues.
The Portfolio Holder then answered a number
of oral questions relating to car parking charges, parking for campervans and
speed limits.
The meeting closed at 1.10 pm
CHAIRMAN
