1. Surgeries:
I am happy to meet residents at their convenience, alternatively I hold surgeries on the following occasions:
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 6th September, Cowes Library, 12-14 Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 6th September, Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
6pm-6:30pm, Tuesday 13th September, Portland Inn, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
11-11:30am, Wednesday 21st September, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
11:45-12:30pm, Wednesday 21st September, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.
3:30-4pm, Wednesday 28th September, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 4th October, Cowes Library, 12-14 Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 4th October, Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
6pm-6:30pm, Tuesday 11th October, Portland Inn, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
2. Cowes Town Council.
Last month, I was honoured to be elected as Cowes Town Council’s newest Councillors and am very grateful to the residents from Cowes North who elected me to serve them.
I applied to join Cowes Town Council, as I consider that links between the Isle of Wight Council, Town and Parish Councils and the local community are becoming much more necessary with the onset of the Localism Bill. As I attend all local Council meetings anyway, this would enable me to have greater input in discussions on local services and projects.
Since my election I have been working alongside residents, fellow Town Councillors and the Isle of Wight Cllr. George Brown, to resolve issues which were brought to my attention. In the last few weeks, I’ve assisted residents relating to the new bus service, planning and licensing issues and have passed on information regarding the Park Road Bus Stop. I have also commenced a local surgery which I plan to replicate on the first Tuesday of each month.
3. Cowes Community Bus.
The new community bus is due to start this Monday 5th September. Last week timetables were handed out on the bus service and left in local shops for passengers. The bus will operate from 0930 til 2pm and operates 6 days a week. Many thanks to Southern Vectis, all Local Town and Parish Councils and local residents in ensuring our local service not only remained as it was; but has been improved upon. The local timetable features below:
Cowes Co-Op 0930 1005 1040 1115 1150 1225 1300 1330
The Woodvale, Gurnard 0935 1010 1045 1120 1155 1230 1305 1335
Portland Inn, Gurnard 0938 1013 1048 1123 1158 1233 1308 1338
Pallance Road, Northwood 0944 1019 1054 1129 1204 1239 1314 1344
Horseshoe Inn, Northwood 0946 1021 1056 1131 1206 1241 1316 1346
Cemetery Gates, Cowes 0949 1024 1059 1134 1209 1244 1319
Crossfield Avenue, Cowes 0954 1029 1104 1139 1214 1249 1324
Cowes Co-Op 0957 1033 1107 1142 1217 1252 1327
4. Bathing Water Quality.
I’m currently in the throes organising a meeting to discuss water quality issues with Southern Water, the Environment Agency, Sailing Clubs and the IW Council. I am hoping this meeting will act as a wash-up this year to enable more to be done in the future to improve Water Quality on Cowes Beach (which failed its water quality test on 9th August) and at Gurnard Beach (which failed to be a MCS ‘recommended‘ beach this year).
Once a date is agreed later this month, I hope to invite Local Parish and Town councillors to attend.
5. Radio Mast Pre-Application, Cowes Golf Club.
During the school holidays, I received a pre-application letter from Everything, Everywhere contractors who work on behalf of mobile operators Orange and T Mobile. Everything Everywhere are proposing to install a new transmitter off the road which serves Cowes Golf Club from Crossfield Avenue.
Although I have some reservations, before making any representation I have asked for further information to be made available to the new school and local residents. As yet I’ve received no feedback to my requests for this information which I’m anxious to pass on to residents potentially affected by any application.
6. Isle of Wight Community Club.
I called a meeting between residents and the Community Club to resolve issues of fly tipping of rubbish on site. At the meeting it was agreed that the Community Club would take steps to clear the ground, and the relevant committee would agree to take action to resolve any re-occurrence of this happening in the future.
In the meantime, I’m advised the Club who has a membership of over 1200 are seeking volunteers to assist the committee in the day to day management. For further details please contact Ray Munt at the Club on 292238.
7. Ward Avenue.
The IW Council’s Planning Committee has approved a chalet for the garden of 25 Ward Avenue, which is visible from Crossfield Avenue. Although the chalet’s ridge height fell within the permitted development height, the eaves height didn’t, and therefore required planning permission.
Although the application was approved, Planners have imposed a number of conditions to ensure this building’s impact is reduced. This includes a legal agreement, that if not signed and adhered to will make any non-ancillary residence unlawful.
8. Solent Reach, Princes Esplanade.
I understand from the sites developer, that several complaints have come forward from residents over the unkempt nature of this site at the far east end of Princes Esplanade. The developer has highlighted to me his willingness to clear the site, however the Council cannot grant permission for this to be done until they receive a land stability report from engineers.
I am contacting both parties to ensure issues are promptly resolved, enabling work to commence.
9. West View Road.
I attended a meeting with local residents to resolve a number of long standing issues in the road. The main issues which residents have highlighted include damage to the road, disturbance due to the cattle grid and the size and speed of traffic.
It was agreed that the owner of Clarke’s Mechanical would speak to the farmer (who shares ownership of the road) to consider re-hanging the gate. In the meantime, he also agreed to infill any pot holes. I have been asked to investigate with Planners the potential of removing the Cattle Grid condition for Clarke’s Mechanical, as it was agreed this served no purpose. I was also asked to investigate from the IW Council the cost for a 10mph ‘advisory’ speed sign. Highways and Planners are still looking into these matters.
10. Gurnard Green Towns Initiative.
Another meeting I intend calling this month, is one to take forward Gurnard’s ‘Green Town’ status.
I have put out a plea in Gurnard News for volunteers and hope that I can find a resident to help co-ordinate this project, which could reap financial benefits for the village. This could be useful in also progressing any consultation that would be required for the future ideas and management of the school playing field site. Please contact me for further information.
Elsewhere during July and August:
11. I attended the final celebration evening for Cowes High students at Cowes Yacht Haven.
12. I joined Andrew Turner MP during surgeries in Cowes and Gurnard.
13. I helped resolve a Neighbourhood Dispute.
14. I reported unauthorised street traders to Licensing
15. I received enquiries concerning Taxi operations over Cowes Week.
16. I took action against No Cold Calling salesmen,
17. I helped resolve the short closure of public loos in Gurnard.
18. I asked to postpone a Gurnard Luck Village Green Application to be heard at a time when residents were not away.
19. I requested action against overhanging trees and brambles in Tuttons Hill, Place Road and Baring Road.
20. This week I have reported vandalised bus shelters, 21. I've reported accounts of fly tipping
22. I have received complaints from parents concerning the new uniform for Cowes Enterprise College (costs and availability are issues causing concern).
23. I continue to follow up unresolved complaints made on behalf of residents.
24. Residents continue to raise concern over the difficulty in getting in touch with County Hall due to delays at the Council’s Call Centre. In the meantime, I intend to take these matters up with the cabinet member responsible.
