Councillors Newletter: June 2012

Surgeries:

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 3rd July, Cowes Library, 12-13 Beckford Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 3rd July, Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Tuesday 10th July, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

1-1:30pm, Wednesday 18th July, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 31st July, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 14th August, Cowes Library, 12-13 Beckford Road, Cowes.

12:30-1:30pm, Tuesday 28th August, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.* (TBC)

SHLAA Update.

My grateful thanks to members of the Neighbourhood Plan Working Party who joined myself and one of the Planning Policy Team who looked at all of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment sites in Gurnard, on a soggy Monday in June. 

Whilst looking at the sites, there are some that will clearly have more restrictions than others- however the final decision on which sites will be allocated and to what extent will be determined by the Housing Needs Survey for Gurnard’s Neighbourhood Plan, which will go out to wide public consultation later this year.

Since last year, two new sites have been indicated. These being the former Reader’s site, Place Road and land rear of gardens in lower Pallance Road, adjacent to Comfort’s Farm. 

Planning Applications Update.

The plans submitted to develop 33 dwellings at land to the rear of 44 Worsley Road has been formally withdrawn by the applicant.

In the meantime, I’m advised discussions are ongoing between applicants and Planners, on a revised scheme for 76 Worsley Road.

In Cowes, I continue to chase up alleged planning breaches in Egypt Hill,  Ward Avenue, Mornington Road and Crossfield Avenue, and am in the process of undertaking a letter drop to residents of Cliff Road.

Because of the complex issues and due to local concerns being expressed in these applications I am continuing to listen to views being made regarding Wind Turbines (Noke Common), and the Ashphalt Plant in Cowes.

Gurnard Beach- Recommended by the Marine Conservation Society.

I’m thrilled to report that Gurnard Beach was recommended as a Good Beach following successful water quality readings by the EA last year.  This follows a number of initiatives being carried out by Southern Water, The EA, Parks and Beaches and from members of Gurnard Sailing Club.  After one failure last year I’m hopeful that Cowes Beach will echo Gurnard’s success following similar intervention. 

Water Leaks.

Last month, Southern Water undertook a camera survey of the leaking combined sewer at the end of Shore Road and Worsley Road.  I remain ever hopeful that a long term solution can be found to resolve the issue of foul water entering the highway.

Please let me know of any additional leaks, you are aware of that you feel has not been properly fixed.

IW Council, successful in Green Transport Bid.

The IW Council was successful in its bid for almost £4m to improve green travel and tourism.

The cash will be used in a number of areas including providing integrated transport hubs at the Island's five main tourism towns, upgrading significant parts of the Island cyclepath and footpath network and providing real time travel information at ferry terminals and train and bus stops using mobile technology.

One of the knock on effects I’ve been discussing with officers is improving Safe Routes to School in the Cowes Area.  As part of the Local Access Forum, I am working in close partnership with other agencies to ensure this funding can be utilised by different user groups.

Details can be accessed via the following link:

http://www.iwight.com/living_here/environment/transport_strategies/LSTF/default.asp

Cowes Week.

Cowes Week Ltd, are promoting their events programme of activities that are available on their website: www.aamcowesweek.co.uk. This website features details of the Family Day, Ladies Day and how novices can become more involved.

Cowes Library.

Cowes Library are holding Children’s Game Clubs on Saturday 7^th July, 21^st July, 4^th August, 18^th August and 1^st September from 10:30 until 12 noon.  Please feel free to bring your games!

Cowes Library are also continuing with their Magic Clubs which are run by Huxley the Magic Man for children aged 10 and over. The clubs are being run on Monday afternoons and consist of four sessions over four weeks.  The Magic Club costs £2 per week, and must be booked in advance from Cowes Library- given the clubs popularity.  For details please call Cowes Library on 293341. 

Andrew Turner Summer Surgeries.

Talking of magic, I look forward to joining Island M.P, Andrew Turner when holding his Summer Surgeries this year at:

Monday 30^th July: 12:10-12:30pm Village Clock, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

Monday 30^th July: 12:40-1:10pm Co-Op, Terminus Road, Cowes.

If you have any concerns, please do pop along.  No appointment is necessary!

In the last month:

I sat on the Licensing Committee, which imposed additional conditions on Shanklin’s WOW Fest, and determined applications for licenced premises in Ryde and Newport.

I attended 2 meetings of the Overview & Scrutiny Committee.  At my second meeting the Committee looked into the potential disposal of IW Council sites.  Of local interest in Cowes is Cowes Youth Club and Gurnard School in 2012/3 and Parklands, Park Road in year 3 (2014/5).   Before any disposal is considered for Parklands, I will be working to ensure there is widespread consultation with stakeholders. 

Following the rainfall this month I have again requested gully clearance in Cockleton Lane, the repainting of road markings in Worsley Road, Gurnard and have requested that care is taken when replacing the paving slabs outside Egypt House, Egypt Esplanade.

Officers have taken action in Charles Road, Baring Road and Crossfield Avenue following complaints made concerning damage to the road, whilst at the Cowes end of Princes Esplanade I’ve requested similar action is considered for the new development.

I’ve also had discussions with officers over the use of Public Slipways,  the better utilisation of Mornington Road Car Park by residents living nearby in Queens Road and Cliff Road, contractors parking in Baring Road and assisted residents wanting to find out more concerning Access Protection Bars.

I’ve been chasing up Planning Compliance matters at Cowes Enterprise College, Mornington Mews and at Planning Committee raised a question on behalf of residents concerned with aspects of development at the Moorings, Egypt Hill. 

In the last month, I've been supporting parents who have complained to me of bullying within a local school.  The school has been helpful in being reactive to these concerns which they were previously unaware of.