Name of Meeting SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

PAPER A

Name of meeting SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Date and time TUESDAY, 9 JANUARY 2018 COMMENCING AT 5.00 PM

Venue COUNCIL CHAMBER, COUNTY HALL, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT

Present Cllrs Paul Fuller (Chairman), Julia Baker-Smith, Geoff Brodie, Andrew Garratt, John Kilpatrick, John Nicholson, Ian Stephens, Brian Tyndall

Co-opted (Voting) Cllr June Davison (IWALC Rep)

Cabinet Members Cllrs Barry Abraham, John Hobart, Stuart Hutchinson, Present Clare Mosdell, Michael Murwill, Gary Peace, Dave Stewart, Ian Ward, Wayne Whittle

Also Present Cllrs Debbie André, Julie Jones-Evans, Karl Love, Tig Outlaw, (non-voting) Chris Quirk

Officers Present Sharon Betts, Kerry Hubbleday, Ian Lloyd, Julie Martin, Helen Miles, John Metcalfe, Wendy Perera, Paul Thistlewood, Carol Tozer, Chris Ward

40. Minutes

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 7 November 2017 be confirmed subject to minute 34 (e) - Rights of Way Network - reading that Councillor Paul Fuller was the Vice Chair of the Local Access Forum, not the Chair.

(b) THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 3 January 2018 be confirmed.

41. Declarations of Interest

Councillor John Kilpatrick declared an interest in Minutes 43, as he had been a member of the review team.

Councillor Ian Stephens declared an interest in Minute 43, as he was Leader of the Council when the funding for the floating bridge was secured from Solent LEP.

A - 1 42. Public Question Time

Neil Blues of Ryde, was not in attendance to ask his previously submitted written question relating to Cowes floating bridge (PQ 01/18)

David Blades of Newport was not in attendance to ask his previously submitted written question relating to Cowes floating bridge (PQ 02/18)

Colin McCourt of East Cowes asked a question relating to Cowes floating bridge (PQ 03/18)

Tricia McCourt of East Cowes asked a question relating to Cowes floating bridge (PQ 04/18)

Sharon Lake of East Cowes was not in attendance to ask her previously submitted written question relating to Cowes floating bridge (PQ 05/18)

Tracy Mikich of Ryde was not in attendance to ask her previously submitted written question relating to Cowes floating bridge (PQ 06/18)

Simon Avery of Seaview was not in attendance to ask his previously submitted written question relating to Cowes floating bridge (PQ 07/18)

Lin Kemp of East Cowes was not in attendance to ask her previously submitted written question relating to Cowes floating bridge (PQ 08/18)

Angela Booth of East Cowes asked a question relating to Cowes floating bridge.

Cameron Palin of East Cowes asked a question relating to Cowes floating bridge.

43. Review of Cowes Floating Bridge

The Leader outlined the background to the review and advised there were issues that, due to legal advice, could not be commented upon. Independent legal advice was being sought and there were further trials to be undertaken with the new vessel. This would help inform any further actions that were required. The review highlighted that there was a significant issue around project governance which needed to be addressed. It also covered certain deficiencies in staff training, engagement and communication and how these would be addressed.

Members indicated they would like more time to enable them to read through the 300 documents that had been taken into consideration during the review. In addition there were still a number of questions being raised by town and parish councils together with other interested parties which would require a response. The committee believed the report should be deferred and brought back to a special meeting.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT the report was deferred so to : A - 2

(i) obtain answers to all the questions raised by the Scrutiny Committee, local members, town and parish councils and stakeholders and wherever that was not possible the reasons/rationale why;

(ii) give committee members the ability to read all the documents forming part of the review;

(iii) discuss key issues at an informal meeting when members have had the opportunity of viewing the documents.

(b) THAT a special meeting of the Committee be held once all the above steps had taken place.

44. Budget and performance

The Cabinet Member for Resources advised on the position with the budget for 2017-18. It was projected that there would be a very slight net saving. Some areas had significantly overspent whilst others had underspent.

The Committee was informed that the council would be in a position to deliver a legal and balanced budget for 2018-19 without having to dip into reserves. It was noted that there had been a change from Government whereby councils could increase council tax by up to 3% rather than 2%. Along with the option of increasing the funding for Adult Social care by 3% it was possible the Council could increase council tax by an overall 6% for 2018/19.

A question was raised relating to a pilot scheme on business rates retention with Portsmouth City Council and Southampton City Council. It was noted that the pilot would be for a one year period with a guarantee that if there was an overall potential loss the Government would cover this.

The revised format of the performance report was noted and Councillor Garratt was thanked for his work in relation to this.

Members queried the delivery of the Highways PFI contract and associated penalties if the resurfacing programme was not completed within the agreed timeframe.

RESOLVED :

(a) THAT the current position regarding the delivery of the 2017-18 budget was noted.

(b) THAT the involvement of the Council in a pilot on business rates retention for 2018-19 with Southampton City Council and Portsmouth City Council was noted.

A - 3 (d) THAT the revised format of the performance information was well received and Councillor Garratt was thanked for his work in this.

(e) THAT the Chairman of the committee discuss with the Chairman of the Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Regeneration, Housing, Planning and the Environment the approach to scrutinising the delivery of the Highway PFI.

45. Comments on any other items due to be considered by the Cabinet on 11 January 2018

(a) Harbour Authority Activities Annual Report - 2016/2017

Concerns expressed about the continuing costs of Ventnor Haven.

RESOLVED :

THAT the recommendation be noted

(b) Newport Harbour - Formation of Harbour Board

Consideration should be given to allowing Newport Parish Council to have observer status on the proposed Board.

RESOLVED :

THAT the recommendation be noted

The need for effective public engagement in any proposal to change service delivery was highlighted.

RESOLVED :

THAT the recommendation be noted

(d) Draft Freshwater Neighbourhood Plan

RESOLVED :

THAT the recommendation be noted.

46. Leader and Cabinet members update

The Leader advised that he was due to meet with the Leaders from both Portsmouth and Southampton City Councils to discuss issues of mutual concern and was also in contact with the Leader of Hampshire Council.

CHAIRMAN

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