Ten key decisions are due to be made by County Hall this week.
While the hot topic is likely to be the government’s English Devolution White Paper, there are ten other matters on the table.
These include an Island anti-poverty strategy, the sale of a former school site, a bus service improvement plan, free bus travel and speed limits are among the issues Isle of Wight council cabinet members must consider ahead of votes at a meeting this Thursday.
Sale of Yarmouth School site
Deputy council leader Ian Stephens will decide whether to approve the terms of the sale of the former Yarmouth CE Primary School site to the Yarmouth Community Foundation, a charity seeking to use the location for community and educational benefit.
The sale’s details have not been made public by the council under the Local Government Act 1972.
“Poverty should not be seen as inevitable”
At Thursday’s cabinet meeting, members will vote on whether to go ahead with the Isle of Wight Poverty Reduction Strategy 2024 – 2029.
Council leader Phil Jordan and Dr Michele Legg, deputy chair of the Health and Wellbeing Board, said in the 34-page document,
“Factors like the Covid-19 aftermath, rising costs of food and utilities, and reduced public funding have made poverty worse.
“The Isle of Wight poverty reduction strategy aims to lift low-income households out of poverty and debt.
“By co-producing this strategy and working together the council, health, VCS, Island businesses, and other organisations aim to support local communities and create a resilient and inclusive economy.
“Partners will support key actions identified in the strategy. This strategy is a starting point to coordinate efforts on the Island. Poverty should not be seen as inevitable!”
The strategy contains three priorities: targeting support for Island residents experiencing poverty now, support Island residents to help prevent them falling into poverty and ensure long term support is planned and delivered in partnership.
TRO review
Cabinet members will also decide whether to approve new double yellow lines on Newbridge’s Main Road. A report signed by Councillor Phil Jordan and officer Colin Rowland said the parking restriction will ‘improve safety for vehicles and pedestrians’.
Concessionary bus scheme
In addition, the cabinet will vote on whether to approve continued free bus travel policies for vulnerable, disabled and older Island residents as well as their travelling companions.
Speed Limit Review
There are also three Speed Limit Review (SLR) proposals. The proposals are for the approval of Island Roads’ SLR report, a resulting three to five years works programme and a review of the council’s speed limits policy in line with the Department for Transport’s National Speed Limit.
A council document said,
“Speed management is key in this approach, as reducing vehicle speeds significantly reduces the number and severity of collisions.
“Securing vehicle speeds of 20mph or below significantly improves the survival chances of vulnerable road users in vehicle impacts.
“Speeds of less than 40mph greatly improves the survival chances of vehicle occupants in head on collisions.”
Other decisions due on Thursday include whether to approve director of public health Simon Bryant’s annual report, ‘Let’s Make Smoking History’.
The procurement of a £1,625,000 electric vehicle charging point contract will also be considered, Councillor Debbie Andre’s report on the future leadership and management of the council’s public health functions, a local school funding formula and grant budget and a bus service improvement plan.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
