VB are reporting live from the Cabinet meeting at County Hall.
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We will endeavour to report presentations and discussions as accurately as possible. Text surrounded by () signifies VB’s comments.
[18:08]
Jill Wareham asking for Military Road to be kept open.
Cllr Giles: Having a pop at the Liberals and Jill Wareham. “We have had a report with suggestions.”
Jill Wareham: Asking for an amendment to include re-routing the roads
Main meeting
Cllr Giles: Military Road (see Cllr Giles’ Report).
Road was 900mm away from the edge when last considered.
We listened to the public. Mobile exhibition – about ~340 people attended. Half – retain. 1/3 – re-route. AONB – unlikely to let routing of road.
Now clear that fund have to come out of IWC budget. Would take money away from other spending. Road has to close in 42 years anyway. Vote with head not heart – we’d all like it to stay open.
Option A – not feasible
Opt B – Drill and fill with rock – not enough just by itself. £700k.
Would need Opt C as well.
Opt C – drains in field. Line drains too. Test have shown to be
working. No guarantee of it working
PFI – contractor might consider other fixes – but at extra cost to council.
Letter from Cllr Bingham – I push hard for further discussion. Would like a straight road – but IWC doesn’t have the money. Pleased with Opt C
[18.24] Update 1
Cllr Pugh: It’s clear the recommendation is the best idea – due to lack of money. In the future we might look at realignment.
Cllr Mazillius: Thorough report + consultation
Cllr Brown: It’s a practical solution. Tech solution has been tested. Quite convinced.
Councillor questions
Cllr Welsford: Has a bond issue been looked to finance Opt D?
Cllr Giles: not familiar with the idea. Will ask Mr Burbage.
Burbage – in the past councils have done this. Repayment is the
problem. Would costs £0.5m a year to repay. We don’t have the money.
Cllr Giles – even if we had the money. Natural England would prob refuse, leading to an enquiry at cost of around £750k
Going to vote – 6 in favour of Option C
[18:36] Update 2
Cllr Mazillius: (see paper – PDF) Local Investment Plan – needed for affordable home for Islander.
£150m funding to Pan Meadows over the length of the project 65 job generated – 10 apprenticeships – 13 local suppliers
Without LIP – getting funding will be very hard. Propose Option 1
Cllr Brown: Employment opportunity from large house building are long – so local jobs are long lasting.
Lots of local people are engaged. We can’t sustain the economy of the Island without affordable housing stock.
Cllr Giles: I support this. Average house seven times the average salary.
Cllr Cousins: I support too.
Vote – six in favour
[18:47] Update 3
Cllr Pugh: (see report – PDF) Post 16 tickets + discretionary travel.
Opening of consultation. Anomalies in current setup.
In year changes (ie charges going up) could have detrimental effect. Students not able to continue to afford the travel.
Denominational (religious) schools – currently have some of the most generous in the UK currently. Already told Christ The King that changes likely. Likely to come back to cabinet in January.
Voted for recommendation – six for
[18:50] Update 4
Member questions
Cllr Welsford: Question on Ventnor Botanic Gardens (VBG)- decision in Dec?
Cllr Brown: Lift Decision – on 18th Dec. “Gratifyingly large feedback” on VBG. Decision needs to be made quickly to not impact the popularity of the Gardens.
Cllr Welsford: Has formal procurement been entered into to get to the £220k price for the lift?
Cllr Brown: Costing based on IWC property service. As “Worse case scenario”. Formal procurement (and price) after decision.
End of meeting
Image: Lazlozian under CC BY-ND 2.0
