Surface Dressing Issues

Following complaints about the condition of Cockleton Lane and the Crossfield Estate, I’ve asked Highways Staff to look in to this.

I have been advised that the purpose of the surface dressing in Cockleton Lane was to seal the roads surface from water preventing frost damage during the winter, rather than providing skid resistance which I had hoped for. The Council are aware of problems, are monitoring these and assured me will undertake remedial measures where necessary. I remain hopeful that concerns over speeding and access can be monitored in liaison with Gurnard Parish Council.

With regard to the Estate Roads in Cowes, I've asked Officers to monitor these as the road surface looks a bit 'worse for wear in certain locations. The response I received suggested if this was hazardous the road will be duly prioritised and repaired. If works are not considered 'essential', then under current financial constraints, we have to await for the PFI award, before these such improvements can be progressed.

Rural Bus Services set for cutbacks

From September, the Council will need to spread more thinly its grants for subsidising non-commercial bus services. This follows Southern Vectis advising the Council of their intention to withdraw the frequency of bus services run commercially for many years. This withdrawal will most adversely rural communities although it will impact upon existing services elsewhere. In rural areas this will see some pretty severe cuts for villages like Brighstone, Shorwell, Brook, Calbourne, Newbridge and Cranmore.

In the Cowes Area it was intended to withdraw Wightbus Service 30 to and from Newport (via Rew Street) and afternoon services operated on Service 32. The reasons for considering the withdrawal of these, were due to loading figures making it difficult to justify continuation. However, I requested that the service which returns from Cowes to Newport at lunchtime via Rew Street continues. This has been investigated, and I’ve received confirmation that this will now happen (To overcome re-registering, this service will continue being a 32 ).

I have also received confirmation that the Monday and Friday Dial-a-bus will continue for the time-being.

Where the Axe Falls: July's Guide to the Council's 'Financial Savings'

In July, Full Council met to monitor its budget. This followed:

* The budget monitoring position for the first two months of the current financial year.

* The progress in implementing savings as highlighted through the monthly Star Chamber process.

* The impact of the £6.2 billion of savings announced in May by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

* The emergency budget announced by the government in June.

At the meeting Councillors resolved to implement the following cuts/ savings:

Children & Young People:

+ Reduction in activity funded by Area Based Grant (saving £847,000 per annum)
+ Stopping 0-7 Pilot and Contact Point Grants (saving £250,000 per annum)

Economy & Environment:

+ Cessation of Student Rider from 1st Sept. (saving £210,000 2010/1 & £485,000 for 2011/2)
+ Reduce or Stop Road Safety spend (saving £73,000 per annum)
+ Review Bus Subsidies (saving £60,000 in 2010/1 & £281,000 in 2011/2)

Corporate:

+ Delivering better services through Transformation (saving £2,115,000 in 2010/1 & £5,608,000 in 2011/2)

+ Reduction in activity for Events, Communications & Publications (saving £185,000 in 2010/1 & £350,000 in 2011/2)

+ Moratorium of Discretionary spend on supplies (saving £150,000 per annum)
+ Recruitment & Staffing Cost constraints (saving £250,000 in 2010/1 & £392,000 in 2011/2)

Prior to the Council meeting, Councillors were lobbied by constituents concerned by these proposals. Of all suggestions made the most controversial was the withdrawal of Student Rider, which until September enabled students to travel for £1.20.

I met with students before the meeting, and felt strongly that with current costs escalating for families and those on low incomes any increase would be unfair. In supporting Eco-Island and the freedom of movement for all, I believed withdrawal of Student Rider and rural bus services could not be justified, and was the only Cowes Councillor to vote against these cuts.

Since July’s meeting Southern Vectis has thrown a life-line to Under 19’s, and from the 1st September will now charge half fares for anyone under 19 (rather than 14). This is a commercial decision by Southern Vectis and was announced to the Youth Forum following discussions between the Youth Council, Southern Vectis and IW Council Officers.

In September Councillors will review its budget further, focusing on Parking Income & Permits, Wightbus, Leisure Centres, The Cowes Ferry, Westminster House & LD review, the Capital Programme Review & prudential borrowing, the Regional Fire Control Centre and Free Transport Arrangements for post 16 students. Adult Social Care is also due to be reviewed. This will include charging for day care, reviewing arrangements for free homecare for over 80’s, increasing the price of meals on wheels and reviewing eligibility criteria for services. As always, please don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts!

No Cold Calling

Sky are the latest company to blatantly ignore the No Cold Calling initiative set up in Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood introduced to prevent residents being conned by door-step salespersons.

In the last month, I received complaints from residents targeted by Sky, who began a national campaign of Cold Calling during the summer. Trading Standards have taken this up with Sky’s Head Office.

Meanwhile, the largest Energy providers in the UK have now agreed to not Cold-Call, where properties display appropriate signage/ stickers. Although this was not the original intention of the No Cold Calling initiative, in light of this if you no longer have the stickers which came with the No Cold Calling Pack please let me know.

In the meantime, I'm talking to Neighbourhood Watch and our local Councils to see if more can be done to circulate more widely stickers for residents who need these. As a result of Energy Companies half hearted attempt to abide by No Cold Calling, a visibly mounted notice at your front door requesting No Cold Calling should be sufficient- if it's not please tell me!

Junk Mail and Nuisance Calls

I’ve been asked to re-publish contact details for the Telephone & Mailing Preference Services.

You can contact the TPS on 0845 070 0707, and the MPS on 0845 703 4599, or by writing to both services who are based at 70 Margaret Street, London. W1W 8SS. Both sites also have websites for registering on-line.

In addition to this, if you are fed up with Royal Mail Junk Mail you can do this through Door-To-Door opt out. To do so, you first need to ask Royal Mail to send you an 'Opt-Out Confirmation Form' by sending an e-mail with your name and full address to optout@royalmail.com. You can also contact the Royal Mail by post to: Freepost RRBT-ZBXB-TTTS, Door-To-Door opt-outs, Royal Mail, Kingsmead House, Oxpens Road, OXFORD. OX1 1RX.

All of this information, I obtained via the stopjunkmail.org.uk website. This site has advice and a ‘Junk Buster’, where on-line you can contact up to five other opt-out services at the same time.