The Isles of Scilly Full Council was scheduled to meet on 29 May 2025 to discuss several matters, including planning applications, building control fees, corporate parenting, and the external audit plan. The Public reports pack 29th-May-2025 11.00 FULL COUNCIL contains the agenda and supporting documents for these discussions.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics that were scheduled to be discussed:

Planning Applications

The council was scheduled to consider several planning applications, including:

• Park House, The Parade, Hugh Town, St Mary's (P/25/026/COU): A request to change the use of Park House, from a residential care home to a mixed-use property with four self-contained units for permanent local needs, and one '4-bed sharers apartment' for short-term use. The report noted that the existing residential care facility is to be relocated to St Mary's Hospital as part of a new Integrated Health and Social Care Unit. The report recommended that the application be approved, subject to conditions.

  The usual route to secure ‘inperpetuity’ occupancy of new housing is through the imposition of a planning obligation through a Section 106 bilateral legal agreement (S106). However, in this case the applicant and landowner is the Council, who cannot enter into a bilateral agreement with itself as Local Planning Authority. Stella New, Development Management Lead, South Downs National Park Authority, prepared a report that recommended that the application be approved subject to conditions, and that the Chief Planning Officer be delegated to make minor changes to the conditions.

• Bryher Boatyard, Norrad, Bryher (P/25/016/COU): A request for temporary permission (up to three years) to site two containerised snooze pods for staff accommodation at Bryher Boatyard. The report recommended that the application be refused, citing concerns about flood risk and the visual impact on the Conservation Area and National Landscape.

  The proposed development, by reason of its utilitarian design and prominent siting, would introduce inappropriate and harmful development to the setting, which would fail to conserve or enhance the Isles of Scilly Conservation Area or the landscape, seascape and scenic beauty of this part of the National Landscape. Sam Whitehouse, Monitoring & Enforcement Officer, South Downs National Park Authority, prepared a report that recommended that the application be refused.

• South West Water Pumping Station, Little Porth, Hugh Town, St Mary's (P/25/008/FUL): A request to redevelop the Bishop and Wolf Sewage Pumping Station, including constructing an enlarged wastewater infrastructure building and a temporary construction compound on land at Parsons Field. The report recommended that the application be approved, subject to conditions.

  The development will provide clear public and environmental benefits in providing an improved sewage pumping station. The design of the building will conserve the landscape, seascape and scenic beauty of this part of the National Landscape and will preserve the character of the Conservation Area. Stella New, Development Management Lead, South Downs National Park Authority, prepared a report that recommended that the application be approved subject to conditions, and that the Chief Planning Officer be delegated to make minor changes to the conditions.

Increase in Building Control Fees and Charges

The council was scheduled to consider a report from Sarah Williams, Chief Building Control Officer, regarding an increase in building control fees and charges. The report noted that fees for the Isles of Scilly had remained unchanged since 2018, while Cornwall Council's fees had increased several times. The proposed changes were intended to cover increased costs, including the introduction of the Building Safety Regulator¹ and requirements for Registered Building Inspectors².

Capital and Properties Board Terms of Reference

The council was scheduled to discuss and approve the terms of reference for the Capital and Properties Board. The board's purpose is to advise on how the council should invest, maintain, and dispose of its assets. The Governance Committee had proposed amendments to the terms of reference, including changing the frequency of meetings to quarterly and clarifying that the board can make recommendations to the appropriate decision-maker, not just the Full Council.

Corporate Parenting Strategy

The council was scheduled to consider the Care Ready: Corporate Parenting Strategy. The strategy aims to provide a safe and caring environment for children and young people on the Isles of Scilly, with a focus on supporting children within their families where possible. The strategy was developed in response to an Ofsted inspection in July 2023, which raised concerns about the council's children's services. The strategy is structured around four key priorities: Participation, Partnership, Prevention, and Provision. The council was also scheduled to approve the constitution of the Overview Panel – The Islands that Care (Corporate Parenting Board) and nominate members to the Panel. Andy Gill and Katherine Smith, consultants, prepared the reports on this topic.

External Audit Plan 2024-25

The council was scheduled to review the proposed draft audit plan for 2024-25, presented by Russell Ashman, Chief Executive & S151 Officer. The audit plan provides an overview of the scope and timing of the audit, including significant risks, materiality, value for money arrangements, and new auditing standards. The proposed audit fee for 2024/25 is £159,778, an increase of £21,623 from the previous year.

Housing Service Annual Complaints and Service Improvement Report

The council was scheduled to note the Housing Service Annual Complaints and Service Improvement Report, presented by Nicola Stinson, Strategic Director Place, Economy & Environment. The report provides an overview of complaint numbers, key themes, and formal Housing Ombudsman determinations related to the council's role as a landlord. The report also includes a self-assessment against the Housing Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code and proposes changes to the council's Using and Processing Feedback Policy.

Chief Fire Officer recruitment - Appointment of Member panel

The council was scheduled to discuss the appointment of a member panel for the recruitment of a Chief Fire Officer.