Annual Report 2011

Representing Your Views First.

I‘ve been local Councillor for almost two years, and for me it remains important that I continue enthusiastically representing the views of our community.

As your Councillor, I am not aligned to any political party whatsoever meaning my commitment to put your needs first is absolute.

I am a member of the Council’s 10 strong Group of Independent Councillors, which is the second largest group on the IW Council. I hold the belief that I’m not ‘in opposition’, preferring to work alongside all Councillors, for the best interests for our Island.

If you’re not happy or you think I’ve got things wrong please tell me. If I pass on issues to be dealt with, I expect these to be resolved. If for any reason you are dissatisfied, let me fight your corner. This was what I was elected to do, and what I will continue to do so long as I remain as your Councillor!

 

Annual Report.

Welcome to my second Annual Report, which summarises my work over the past 12 months.

All Isle of Wight Councillors are expected to write an Annual Report. I believe all residents should receive regular Councillors reports enabling you to scrutinise our work on your behalf. In my report, I’ve outlined some of the matters I’ve addressed and some I continue to campaign for.

If you require more information, monthly reports are posted out to residents who request them; can be accessed via www.paulfullercc.blogspot.com; visiting Gurnard Parish Council’s web site or from Town or Parish Council meetings which I attend. Reports also feature monthly in Gurnard News (and edited for the Cowes Beacon.)

Thank you, once more for giving me this opportunity to represent your views in County Hall.

How To Contact Me:

By Post to: 74 Wyatts Lane, Cowes, Isle of Wight. PO31 8QA.


By Telephone to: (01983) 289595 [24 hours] 07 935 090 835 [mobile]


By Email to: paulfuller@onwight.net
 
 
 

Visits and Surgeries

Please contact me to arrange a visit, alternatively I hold surgeries, which usually follows this cycle:


5:30-6pm, 1st Tuesday of the month: Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, 2nd Tuesday of the month: Portland Inn, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

11-11:30am, 3rd Wednesday of the month: The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

11:40-12:10pm , 3rd or 4th Wednesday of the month: Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard. (Summer Only)

3-4pm, 4th or 5th Wednesday of the month: Cowes High School, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

Confirmation of surgeries feature in Cowes Beacon and Gurnard News and are subject to change during holiday periods. For further information, please visit: http://www.paulfullercc.blogspot.com/
 
 

One year, In a nutshell:

April 2010

• I met with Bucklers View residents re: the potential loss of the warden service and presented residents petition to Cllr. David Pugh at Full Council
• Discussed future options for Safe Routes To School with Solent Middle School
• Requested improved litter picks to Gurnard Beach.

May

• I supported a change to planning conditions for Solent Lawns following concerns over the loss of privacy from neighbours in Worsley Lane.
• I received reassurance from the IW Council concerning future funding to train young cyclists.
• I met with Northwood House Trustees, and discussed future options for the house and park.

June

• Made representations on behalf of residents for the proposed new Secondary School.
• New planning legislation was introduced, to prevent the over-development of back gardens.
• Took action, following trees being cut back from two TPO’d woodland sites in Cowes and Gurnard.

July

• I got behind the campaign for 2 (whole) Members of Parliament to represent the Island.
• Work began on the Baring Road pavement linking Crossfield Avenue to Roundhouse.
• The Lions and the Fountain on Cowes/ Gurnard Esplanades were restored.

August

• I launched my IW Councillors Blog.
• Campaigned with students to ensure an alternative concession was provided for Under 18’s.
• Supported Northwood House Trustees following the IW Council giving notice to withdraw services.

September

• Leaflet dropped households affected by the Shoreline Management Plan.
• Started Students Surgeries at Cowes High School.
• Became the first IW Councillor to post their Financial and Other Interests on-line.

October

• I organised a meeting between Older Voices and Cowes Medical Centre following concerns raised over accessing treatment. Steps were taken by all agencies to overcome problems highlighted.
• Work started on the new cross-Solent Gas Main in Rew Street. Liaison meetings were set up to deal with ongoing issues.
• I questioned the IW Council for not reintroducing parking permits, after revenue fell this summer.

November

• I registered complaints regarding: breaches of 6”6 restrictions. Action was taken to address these.
• I submitted a disability audit undertaken in liaison with members of Older Voices to Cllr. Giles.
• I contacted the Council following concerns over Wightbus. A helped to form a working party set up to create an alternative bus service, should the service be withdrawn.

December

• I took up residents concerns over changes to Adult Care Provision.
• I worked closely with Neighbourhood Watch reps and the IW Council following this years snowfall.
• Gullies from Cockleton Lane were cleared following complaints about ice.

January 2011

• I received complaints concerning contractors in Shore Road damaging verges and leaving mud on the road. Highways and The Police took action.
• An appeal had to be made following the ongoing thefts from vehicles in Cowes and Gurnard.
• I suggested Councillors Allowances were reduced rather than frozen at Full Council

February

• I met residents, and consulted widely on budget proposals put forward by the Cabinet. In light of the feedback from the consultation, I worked with consultees on viable solutions.
• I helped arrange the first meeting between residents and contractors for the new school.
• I arranged for seating to be fitted at the Place Road bus stop at Roundhouse.

March

• I suggested routes for 2 new services once Wightbus ceases. Due to early preparation the Cowes, Gurnard & Northwood service is considered the most viable of the 8 planned.
• I joined the Cowes Library Forum.
• Received intervention following complaints over parking issues off Crossfield Avenue.

Most issues that I receive relate either to Planning Matters or Transport. Since last year I’ve joined the Economy & Environment Scrutiny Committee and remain as a long standing member of the Council’s Planning Committee. In addition, I’ve held regular meetings with officers from both departments and often invite residents to attend meetings, so officers understand the complexities of issues raised. In this time, I have also worked alongside agencies like Planning Aid, and continue to work in close partnership with the Member of Parliament’s Office.


On Planning Matters.


In my first year as Councillor I contended with a significant number of fairly substantial planning applications. This year, most of these applications have been approved, or re-submitted as less controversial schemes. This has led on to me dealing with the consequences of having many new developments within a small area which in-turn is having a notable affect on residents living close to Egypt Hill in Cowes and Shore Road, Gurnard.



I would like to pass on my thanks to applicants who have approached their neighbours about their proposals at pre-application stage. This provides applicants an opportunity to overcome obstacles before it is too late! With respect to larger applications, I remain mindful that problems do arise and therefore I’ve initiated regular liaison meetings between residents, applicants and constructors. This continues at Gurnard with the Cross-Solent Gas Main Application, and at Crossfield Avenue, Cowes where work is underway on the new school. Meanwhile, I’m hoping to meet with developers in Egypt Hill and Baring Road where work is due to begin on major projects.



On Transport Matters.



Prior to the budget being set, I asked the Scrutiny Committee to challenge the need to charge pedestrians and passengers on the Cowes Floating Bridge; I also asked for a audit to be undertaken for residents’ permits as I am not convinced this would lose the Council revenue. Prior to the budget, Cabinet agreed with our reservations on the Floating Bridge, whilst I consider the campaign to reintroduce parking permits is growing in momentum.



Knowing that the IW Council was considering removing our local bus service, I joined forces with bus users and local parish and town councillors in exploring options for a replacement bus service once Wightbus ceased in September. Following evidence which demonstrated that a need exists; Southern Vectis, shared our enthusiasm for getting a scheme off the ground. I’ve suggested to Cowes Town Councillors’ a second route, which could fill gaps in the Cowes area, particularly in parts of Baring Road where no service exists at present, thus improving the service from Cowes to the Crossfield Estate.



Within next years Capital Programme, there will be replacement light columns for Crossfield Avenue, Tuttons Hill, The Avenue and Marsh Road, whilst Park Road and Princes Esplanade are ’reserved’ schemes for highway maintenance. In addition, I‘ve had a positive response to Parklands Avenue and Ward Avenue receiving Government Grant funding for roads damaged by winter weather.



Because of financial constraints no funding is available for the pavement for Baring Road linking Pine Tree Close with Nubia Close. I’ve therefore with the support of local residents asked for other options to be considered for this scheme, understanding that developers contributions have also been ring-fenced for this project.



Isle of Wight Council Budget, an Independent’s Perspective.



Like all Isle of Wight Councillors I was lobbied by constituents over the cabinets proposals for this years budget. I believe no Councillor (of any political colour) wanted to see cutbacks, to the scale that was asked for.



Following the consultation, I felt it was essential to find alternatives whereby libraries could retain their opening hours, and where public toilets, tourist information centres, museums, archives and Ryde Waterside Pool were kept open. I believed it important to retain Lifeguards, the Music Service, and Ventnor Botanic Gardens whilst not charging pedestrians on the Cowes Chain Ferry. In line with views I received, I supported the resurrection of a residents parking permit which would encourage people to use local shops. In addition, I believed it was important to invest in our community bus services and provide support for victims of domestic abuse.



Within the Independent Group, we believed this was achievable by postponing investment into work station gyms and making cuts to Councillors and staff salaries rather than through redundancies. By taking this approach the Council would be better equipped to explore savings for next year. This budget was lawful and balanced.

Between 1st April and 31st March:

• As your Councillor I was, and continue to be accessible and ‘on-call’ 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
• I work full time in this role and tend to work anywhere between 30 and 60 hours in any one week.
• I attended 261 meetings, associated with my work as an IW Councillor.
• Of these, I attended 43 out of 43 IW Council summoned meetings, being the 2nd best Councillor attendee. (Last year I was 3rd)
• I attended 71 IW Council meetings, seminars, briefings, events, exhibitions & associated meetings.
• I attended 12 out of 12 Cowes Town Council Meetings; and 12 out of 12 Gurnard Parish Council Meetings, usually remaining to the very end!
• I attended a further 40 Parish and Town Council associated Meetings.
• I attended 25 Residents’ Groups Meetings
• I arranged and attended 30 Home visits or face to face residents meetings with IW Council officers
• I attended 28 Governor and school related events and meetings.
• In addition to my meetings I attended a further 53 surgeries, meeting 47 residents in 6 different venues
• I leafleted around 2,200 households with Annual Reports and consultation letters
• I received around 2,900 council related emails, 808 telephone calls and 109 letters. I aim to respond to all ‘personal’ calls/ requests within 3 days of receipt (12 hrs for local residents)

Last year I received a Councillors Allowance of: £8543.35 Gross Pay

My expenses attributed to my work for last year, are as follows:

£ 240.00 Annual Report 2009/ 2010.
£ 226.74 Office Equipment (Printer and Telephone)
£ 189.92 Contribution towards Broadband connection, landline, mobile and costs from use of home as ‘office‘.
£ 58.53 Office Supplies (Stationary, paper and ink cartridges)
£ 56.00 Contribution towards repairs, Virus Protection and upgrade to Computer
£ 28.00 Misc. Costs (including travel),

£799.19 Total expenses attributed to my work as Councillor.

As a Councillor, I serve on Full Council, The Planning Committee, The Licensing & General Purposes Committee, The Economy & Environment Scrutiny Panel and The Children & Young People Scrutiny Committee. I have also been appointed to serve as a Governor for Cowes High School and am a member of the Local Access Forum. In my own right I am a member of the Cowes Youth Club Management Committee, a ‘friend’ of Northwood House and Park, am a Trustee for the Friends Of Northwood Cemetery, a Management Committee for the Footprint Trust. I serve as a Northwood Parish Councillor and have been a Justice Of The Peace since 2001. I am married to Karen, and have two children attending local schools.



My Aspirations for this coming year:

• To put residents first.
• To continue enjoying my work as Councillor.
• To ensure prudent budgets are set in line with our community’s priorities.
• To be accessible and transparent in my work for our community.
• To strengthen close partnership with Cowes Town and Gurnard Parish Councillors.
• To build upon partnerships with individuals, residents groups, business organisations, local schools and the MP in insuring the very best outcomes are achieved for all residents.
• To work positively for the Island alongside all Councillors, regardless of their political or non-political identity.
• To champion Eco-Island, and to work towards a Greener environment for our community.
• To say yes more often, and to find reasons for carrying out initiatives, rather than reinforcing reasons not to.
• To call at every home.

And Finally….


If there is absolutely anything you need, please do not hesitate to contact me. If I can’t help, I will do my level best to signpost you to somebody that can! Thank you for reading my report.