IW Councillors Report: December 2013.

Surgeries:

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 3^rd December,  Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

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

6-6:30pm, Thursday 12^th December, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 7^th January 2014,  Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 7^th January, Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

Planning Update: 23,25,27,29 Cliff Road, Cowes.

This month, I received an 11^th hour request to call in the decision to conditionally approve the proposal to allow a roof terrace on properties in Cliff Road.

I’ve requested for this application to be heard by the Planning Committee, and if my request is granted this is likely to take place in January.

I’ve requested consideration is given to the impact upon Egypt Reach (incl. Loss of Amenity, light & outlook) and design. I’ve suggested Planning Committee members visit Egypt Reach, to consider representations made by the Inspector with regard to overdominance when considering the appeal decision for 23-29 Cliff Road in 2007.

Planning Update: Planning Application for 99 new homes Place Road.

To date, 272 residents have commented on the proposal to develop 99 homes on land between Tuttons Hill & Place Road 

With representatives from Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan’s Steering Committee, I met with Planning Officers and the Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services, Cllr. Jonathan Bacon.  This meeting gave the opportunity to understand precisely how extensive pre-application discussions were between the applicant and planners, whilst an opportunity arose to challenge why the settlement boundary hadn’t been removed from Gurnard.

If you have been unable to comment, and wish to do so the planning office will continue to accept reps. until determination.

Planning Update: The Range, Place Road, Cowes.

Planning Officers are still in the process of determining the new Range store proposed for the former Reader’s site in Place Road opposite the junction for Three Gates Road.

The delay is due to an agent acting on behalf of a third party. These concerns relate to the consideration of alterative locations, closer to the town centres of Cowes and Newport.

Safe Routes To School, Baring Road.

A Public Information Evening was held on Monday 2^nd December, to discuss proposals to increase traffic restrictions in Baring Road and Woodvale Road.  This meeting was advertised by way of a letterdrop to 100 homes nearby, and for two weeks through Gurnard Primary School’s newsletter.  In summary the proposals included the following:

·         A parking restriction on the length of the cycle lane in Baring Road

·         Additional parking restrictions in Baring Road opposite the pavement (eastern side), between the school and Battery Road, with passing places.

·         Additional parking restrictions at the top section of Woodvale Road on both sides of the road.

·         Retention of the parking restrictions on the pavement side (western side) of Baring Road.

During the meeting (which was attended by 12 residents and 6 parents there was a general agreement that proposals would make it safer for children, however concerns were raised over the loss of parking.  In respect of this, every element of the proposal was opposed and therefore it seems unlikely the Traffic Order will be advertised in its current form. 

Before making a final decision this will be considered by Governors in liaison with the school’s Parents Forum.  In the meantime, I will be asking that parking enforcement is improved.

Economy and Environment Scrutiny Panel.

At the Economy and Environment Scrutiny Panel, it seems likely the the IW Council will reveal proposals for its Car Parking Strategy early next year following assessment of the Local Government Finance Settlement.  Prior to any decision, I have asked for adequate time is offered to Town and Parish Council’s for feedback.

In addition to this, at E&E Scrutiny, following some concerns over perceived PFI progress, I have requested 6 month progress reports be shared with Councillors.

This week, I will be jointly chairing the Cross Solent Services Scrutiny Task & Finish Group with Cllr Geoff Lumley.  The purpose of this group is to enable dialogue between ferry operators and their customers and will take evidence from User Groups, The Island MP, Representatives of relevant Island Business (including the Chamber Of Commerce, the IW Federation of Small Businesses, Visit Wight, the IW Trades Council and the Quality Transport Partnership.

Representatives of Town/Parish Councils and Young People will also be offered the opportunity to input.

Children and Young People Scrutiny Panel.

Tackling absenteeism, is a priority for the IW Council following School Attendance rates being the lowest in the country.

Members heard that overall attendance rates since September has increased by 2%, and schools alongside extra Education Welfare Officers have been appointed and continue to visit the homes of ‘ill’ children.  

It was reported that of all Island Secondary Schools, Cowes Enterprise Colleges attendance was the best with attendance for this week ending ranging from 95-97% (exceeding the national average rate of 94.7%)

I have also raised questions regarding the cost of mainland placements for local children with learning difficulties.

Planning.

Within the Planning Committee, I proposed refusal for the 900+ new homes at Pennyfeathers, Ryde. (This was in accordance with Planning Officers recommendation)

Of concern was the fact that little consultation had been undertaken with respect to the local community over many aspects regarding this proposal.  There were also issues relating to the loss of ancient hedgerow, a lack of assessment regarding the highways assessment, Environmental Issues and little evidence with respect to a housing need within Ryde.

The Proposed redevelopment of the National Grid Site, Ryde, a hydrogen refuelling facility, Ventnor; the Studio School application, East Cowes and a proposal to redevelop land for housing adjacent to Medina House, Newport were all approved in accordance with the officers recommendation.

The only application that deviated from officers recommendation was the proposed conversion of a new constructed stable (in 2011) to holiday use which was refused by Committee.

Isle of Wight Health Profile 2013: At a glance.

·         The health of people in the Isle of Wight is varied compared with the England average.

·         Deprivation is lower than average, however about 4,900 children live in poverty.

·         Life expectancy for women is higher than the England average.

·         Life expectancy is 4.9 years lower for men and 3.9 years lower for women in the most deprived areas of the Isle of Wight than in the least deprived areas.

·         Over the last 10 years, all cause mortality rates have fallen. Early death rates from cancer and from heart disease and stroke have also fallen and are similar to the England average.

·         In Year 6, 18.0% of children are classified as obese. Levels of GCSE attainment, alcohol-specific hospital are worse than the England average.

·         The level of stays among those under 18 and smoking in pregnancy breast feeding is better than the England average.

·         The estimated level of adult obesity is worse than the England average.

·         The rate of road injuries and deaths is worse than the England average.

·         Rates of sexually transmitted infections, smoking related deaths and hospital stays for alcohol related harm are better than the England average.

·         Priorities in the Isle of Wight include smoking cessation in high prevalence groups; active, safe, lifestyles and alcohol harm reduction.

Southen Vectis consulting on Cowes to Newport Bus.

Southern Vectis’ has advised me that they are consulting on Service 1, with a view to improving the service from next March.  To get involved, please use the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TTB3R6V

Audit Committee.

I was recently appointed to the Audit Committee, which assesses the IW Councils Risks and how these are managed.

Last month I undertook training in Southampton, and at the most recent Committee meeting members received a presentation from Hampshire County Council who raised concerns over the low aspirations of Island adults, and how these may adversely impact upon Educational standards on the Island.

I also requested further feedback on Data Protection breaches, which could have cost implications on the Local Authority.

Christmas/ New Year Refuse Collection Arrangements 2013/2014.

There will be some changes to refuse collections this year. Below are details of the changes:

Waste normally collected on:              Will instead be collected on:

Monday 23 December                        Saturday 21 December

Tuesday 24 December                       Monday 23 December

Wednesday 25 December                 Tuesday 24 December

Thursday 26 December                     Friday 27 December

Friday 27 December                           Saturday 28 December

Monday 30 December                         NO CHANGE

Tuesday 31 December                       NO CHANGE

Wednesday 1 January                       Thursday 2 January

Thursday 2 January                           Friday 3 January

Friday 3 January                                Saturday 4 January

Waste collections will resume as normal from Monday 6 January.

Christmas tree skips will also be available in the following locations between Saturday 4 January until Sunday 12 January. Any trees collected in the skips are chipped and used for green projects. Artificial trees cannot be recycled and should not be included at these sites. People should not leave Christmas trees in car parks that do not have tree skips.

Brighstone village car park.  East Cowes Esplanade car park. Lake, New Road car park.

Ryde, Waltzing Waters car park. Somerton, Park and Ride.  Ventnor Botanic Garden car park.

Christmas trees can also be placed with garden waste at all household waste recycling centres. These can be found at Lynnbottom near Newport, Forest Road in Newport and Afton in Freshwater.

People should hold on to their Christmas cards and recycle them in their wheelie bins.

Throughout the festive period, the civic amenity site at Lynnbottom will be open as usual from 7am to 7pm apart from Christmas Day when it is closed all day.

Forest Road household waste recycling centre will be open every Sunday in December between 9.30am and 4.30pm but will be closed every Saturday. Afton household waste recycling centre will be open every Saturday and Sunday between 9.30am and 4.30pm. Both sites are closed on weekdays as normal.

More information on waste collections can be found by logging on to www.iwight.com/waste

In the last month:

·         I attended Remembrance Day Services, and was honoured to lay wreaths on behalf of the IW Council’s Chairman at Cowes and Gurnard.

·         I approached Planning Compliance, following the placement of a structure (thought by residents to be a ‘sales office’), on land in Place Road. It was later revealed that a Place Road resident had permission to locate the structure in their back garden.

·         I have assisted in progressing the disposal of the former Gurnard School playing field and orchard site. This followed reservations from Council Officers over DFE restrictions over future use of the orchard for ‘allotments’.

·         At Full Council, I supported the IW Council adopting a ‘hybrid’ Committee system within its constitutional review.  This I believe will make the Councillors more accountable to decisions taken.  In fairness, I could have supported all three options!  

·         Cowes Enterprise College received a monitoring visit from OFSTED.  The findings will be made available the first week of December.

·         I have supported two residents with queries regarding Council Tax reminders.

·         I requested the support of parking services over vehicles parked on double yellow lines, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.

·         I received a request to see street light improved for residents set back from the road at Mountbatten Avenue.

·         I requested street nameplates to be replaced in Guppy Close and Magdalen Crescent, Cowes

·         Belated repairs took place to Ward Avenue, following vehicles eventually being moved by mainland commuters.

·         The Licensing Committee froze Taxi Fares at its meeting last month.  In addition I served on a sub-committee which approved a licence for Ventnor Botanic Gardens and two street trading applications for Ryde Esplanade.

Thankyou, as always for reading my report!  If you require updates or further details please visit my blog: paulfullercc.blogspot.com

In the meantime, I wish all residents and their families a Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous Christmas and New Year!