Free Solar Power: What is the best deal?

You may have seen a number of adverts offering Free Solar Panels. The panels generate electricity which then goes into the National Grid. Those owning the panels are paid around 40p per kilowatt for energy produced. Whoever owns the panels receives the feed-in tariff and that is how the ’Free Offer’ companies get their money back. If you are interested in helping the planet then this could be a good idea for you, as you will also get some free electricity! If on the other hand you wish to make some money- in the long term, then buying your own solar panels and getting the feed-in tariff may be a better option. In all cases get three quotations from reputable companies. For information contact info@footprint-trust.co.uk, or call 822282.

Gardeners Wanted!

Adopt-A-Garden scheme- a popular local initiative which was launched a couple of years ago on the Island, is seeking more would-be gardeners in the Cowes Area. The project finds growing spaces for the hundreds of people who are on the allotment waiting lists or who would just like a bigger garden to grow their own vegetables.

No money exchanges and everybody involved is police (CRB) checked. Those who would like to join the scheme, but have no experience of gardening can now have training thanks to funding received from the Big Lottery Local Food Programme by the Footprint Trust. If you would like to ’adopt’ a garden near you and possibly share the produce with the garden owner then get in touch with the Footprint Trust (don@footprint-trust.co.uk),

The Tide Is Turning: Coastal Protection Restrictions Outlined in Shoreline Management Plan

I attended the SMP’s Consultation , which considers the future for Sea Defences and the maintenance thereof. Within the Cowes West and Gurnard Ward the Plan suggests the following:

• Land to the West of Gurnard Luck: To continue No Active Intervention.

• Gurnard Luck (which includes Marsh Road): Hold the Line until 2025, and then No Active Intervention.

• Gurnard Cliff (which includes properties on the seaward side of Solent View Road and West of Shore Path): To continue No Active Intervention.

• Gurnard to Cowes Parade (Shore Path and land Eastward to Cowes Parade): Hold the line.
  Further information can be found on-line by visiting the www.coastalwight.gov.uk website.

I have undertaken an extensive letter-drop to the 150 households with shoreline frontages, and remind those affected the deadline to the consultation ends on 21st October 2010.

Replacement Gas Main Works

Residents in Rew Street and Cockleton Lane in Gurnard will be aware that works have just started on the Cross-Solent Gas Main at Horn Hill.

Last week I attended a meeting with the Clerk and Chairman of Gurnard Parish Council with contractors and have been advised that from the 10th October site cabins and noise barriers (packing containers, secured by sand bags are considered the most effective!) will be put in place. It is anticipated that the rigs will arrive between the 18th and 20th October and this will undoubtedly cause disruption to those living nearby. Whilst we were assured nearby residents are due to be mail-shotted.

SGN are due to start the 24 hr drilling for the first of two pipelines towards the end of October, This is due to last for up to 60 days, with completion due before Christmas.

Cockleton Lane will be closed during February due to the Pipes being delivered . If you have any questions, please let me know so that I can pass your enquiries on to the contractor.

Access for the Elderly: Cowes Medical Centre

Following complaints about perceived access to medical treatment, with Older Voices I arranged to meet the Practice Manager at Cowes Medical Centre. concerning what opportunities the surgery can provide for patients. An information booklet is available at the surgery. The services available include:

• Ring-back Service. First call the surgery to request this, this enables doctors to call back to provide advice once they are free.

• Flexible Hours. Doctors hold surgeries for pre-booked appointments from 6.30-8pm, Monday & Wednesday Evenings and from 8-11am on Saturday mornings.
  Home Visits. To request an Urgent home visits any time of day or night, weekends or Bank Holidays in the first instance call 295251. Non-urgent visits should be received before 10am. The receptionist will ask the reason for the visit, so your GP can take appropriate action. If you can arrange to visit the surgery you can see your GP more quickly.

• Prescriptions. There is a prescription collection service available. Please contact the surgery for further information.

During the meeting we discussed the lack of bus service during the afternoon and the practise manager promised to provide a more flexible approach in future.

For residents with mobility needs options available include the Optio Volunteer Car Service (costing an Annual Membership Fee of £20 + 40p mileage allowance) or Dial-A-Bus (Mondays & Friday mornings). Please ‘phone 522226 for details; Local Taxi’s- may work out cheaper!; If you can walk to the local bus services, service 1 from Newport - Roundhouse continues to Cowes Medical Centre (and vice-versa).

Budget Review

Whilst we are awaiting with baited breath the goodies the coalition government has in store for us in it's Budget Spending Review, Here on the Island it's consultation, consultation and more consultation following the County Hall administration getting its fingers seemingly burnt on proposals for cutba... sorry savings.

What was agreed at September's Full Council meeting was the following:

• Adult Care threshold savings (saving £1.5m) and the Council’s Charging Policy savings (saving £0.9m- £1.25m)

• Relocating services from Westminster House to The Adelaide and The Gouldings (saving £214k per year)

These savings are subject to a 90 day formal consultation.

• Reviewing discretionary travel for denominational school transport from September 2011.
  
• Combining the IW Council’s Fire Control Centre with another authority.
  
• Reconfiguring Leisure Services.
  
• To reissue residents Annual Parking Permits from December (at £150 per year) & Town specific Tourist permits.
  

Proposals from the prospective savings will be considered in February 2011.

At the meeting, not wishing to throw a damp squid in to the proposals I felt that I had to support something, and I was thankful the proposal to reissue Parking Permits which was first tabled in the alternative budget which I supported earlier this year was now being supported by the administration.

However, I could find no tangible proposals were suggested to cutting top earners pay, no suggestions to cutting the cost of street lighting, turning off traffic lights, reducing the Council's communication bill, creating savings by cutting CO2, or appointing fewer consultants.....

In December the Cabinet will review how Call Centres, Libraries & Tourist Information Centres can be used more efficiently.

Councillors Surgery dates for October and November

11-11:30am, Wednesday 20th October, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

11:40am-12 noon, Wednesday 20th October, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

3:30-4pm, Wednesday 3rd November, Cowes High School, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

6:30-7pm, Wednesday 3rd November, Northwood House, Ward Avenue, Cowes.

5-5:30pm Tuesday 9th November, Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Rd, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Tuesday 9th November, Portland Inn, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

11-11:30am, Wednesday 17th November, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

11:40am-12 noon, Wednesday 17th November, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

3:30-4pm, Wednesday 24th November, Cowes High School, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

I am ever grateful to Head Teacher, Dave Goodhead, as I’ve began holding Councillor surgeries at Cowes High School. This follows being given a hard time when the Council considered withdrawing Student Rider. (I subsequently voted against this!)
After my Councillor drop-in’s for students, I am holding regular surgeries for residents from 3:30pm.

The other purpose of holding this surgery is to open up the school for local residents and promoting Cowes High School as a resource for the Cowes Community. The monthly surgery is being held in the 6th Form Common Room located to the left of the obelisk/ statue when entering the school.

Please come and visit me either at Cowes High School or one of the other venues and give me a hard time about anything that matters to you. If I can't help, I will try to put you in touch with somebody that can!