IW Councillors Report: March 2014

 Surgeries:

4-4:30pm, Monday 3^rd March, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

5-6pm, Monday 3 March,  IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes. (HIGHWAYS)

1-1:30pm, Thursday 13^th March, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 19^th March, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

6-6:30pm Thursday 27^th March, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 1^st April,  Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 1^st April, Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

IW Council Budget 2014/5: In A Nutshell:

The IW Council approved to increase Council Tax by 1.99%.  This was considered necessary to help retain several services that may have otherwise been lost, and in real terms will generate an extra £521,000.  The final recommendation followed several months of consultation, scrutiny and dialogue between the five political groups at County Hall.

Measures agreed, included the following:

·         Pre-apprenticeships and business support for older people - To allocate £150,000 next year to schemes supporting young people into pre-apprenticeships/ apprenticeships and supporting people over 50 to start up their own businesses. 

·         Assisted Area Status - To continue to promote the case for the inclusion of the whole Island in Assisted Area Status designation (currently status has been secured for 28 of the Island’s 38 wards). 

·         Children’s services - To provide an additional £2.25 million for children’s services. 

·         Residents’ parking permit - To introduce an Islandwide residents’ parking permit from 1 April 2014. 

·         Business expansion fund - To promote the Isle of Wight Expansion Fund, launched in January 2014, making £2.46 million of grant funds available to Island-based businesses. 

·         Tidal energy - To match £1 million of private sector investment to create Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre Ltd, a joint venture company to develop a tidal energy test facility off St Catherine’s Point.

·         Superfast broadband - The council has already committed £3 million to the installation of superfast broadband, ensuring the Island will be one of the best connected areas in the country. 

·         Tourism - Committed investment of £340,000 a year to Visit Isle of Wight.

To set a balanced budget, the council is faced with making savings of £28 million over the next three years. Initial measures for savings and to increase income, include the following:

·         Fees for leisure, recreation and public spaces to be increased from 2014/2015. 

·         Working with town and parish councils to develop policies and strategies for services the Isle of Wight Council can no longer afford to deliver. 

·         Savings through management restructures, process reviews and combining council functions. 

·         Potential savings from combining or collaborating with another fire and rescue service from 2016/2017.

·         Proposals to implement charges for pedestrians on the Cowes floating bridge were deferred for at least a year pending further consultation and investigation into the viability of such charges.

It was also agreed:

·         To retain school crossing staff;

·         Not to implement the savings in respect of beach safety equipment.

·         That savings related to the Lord Lieutenant’s office are not proceeded with at this stage, but be dealt with in the forthcoming overall review of support services.

·         To remove an empty homes officer duplicate post from the list of savings and change it to an administrative post.

Because of the extent of savings required in the coming years, and due to ongoing dialogue to adapt how services are provided, it will be necessary to review spending on a regular (6 weekly) basis.

Review of Island Housing Need.

During February some local residents were asked for their views concerning the potential revision of Island Plan Policy SP2 which relates to the extent of housing required in the coming years.

At present, the ‘average’ figure expected by Planners is for 520 new dwellings each year and 1350 for the Medina Valley for the life of the Island Plan.  When assessed by the last government this figure was consistent with the figure for the South East region.  Since then, there has been a change of government and planning priorities and a different economic climate.  Subsequently, for several years the 520 new dwellings figure has exceeded the true figure of new dwellings being built within the Isle of Wight.

Because of local concern in allocating future housing sites in Cowes West and Gurnard, and due to evidence supporting this housing figure is too high, I’ve requested this figure is reduced to reflect local need. Details of my full representation can be found below:

Dear Mr Boulter.

SP2 Review.

I have been asked to write to you on behalf of Gurnard Parish Council, with respect to reviewing Policy SP2 of the Island Plan.  Concerns have been raised by the Parish Council, which I share as ward member.

These are as follows:

·         Figures for future housing.

 

We consider that the ‘average’ figure of 520 new dwellings per annum, and 1350 new dwellings for the Medina Valley within the life of the Island Plan is too high.

In the last few years, the actual numbers of new dwellings approved have fallen short of this figure.  Given the change to the national economic picture since adoption of the Island Plan, given that house prices have flatlined and by the fact that within the Cowes area many houses remain unsold- shows locally there is less demand for housing than when the Island Plan was approved in 2012.

·         Use of Strategic Housing Marketing Assessment.

Concerns were raised that a proposed SHMA to assess Housing Need, would not appropriate to assess demand for future housing.  A view has been raised, which suggests that figures within any SHMA could be corrupted by stakeholders who may have a vested or commercial interest- rather than the needs of the Isle of Wight’s Community.

If the Isle of Wight Council wishes to adopt such a method to gauge any housing need or demand, Gurnard Parish Council has asked for a full and widespread transparent consultation with residents, in much the same way as would be expected from a Housing Needs Survey.

·         Removal of Settlement Boundary.

Gurnard has requested that the settlement boundary for the village is removed.  This we believe would offer our community greater control on what development we wish to see within our village. 

Because we have undertaken a full Housing Need Survey alongside other consultations there is a strong basis, backed up with evidence to see the settlement boundary removed in its entirety from Gurnard.  Local Residents are disappointed that Gurnard continues to remain within the settlement boundary for Cowes, and considers the Island Plan does little to acknowledge or safeguard our village identity, particularly in light of SHLAA’s under consideration.

·         Adjacent to Settlement Boundary.

I have been asked to seek a definitive response to SP1’s policy on the Spatial Strategy.  There remains confusion on what is precisely meant by the term- The Council will… support development on ‘appropriate’ land ‘immediately adjacent’ to the defined settlement boundaries. 

I hold the view, that this statement is vague and open to misinterpretation.   Furthermore, with so many SHLAA sites suggested for Gurnard, I am advised this has led to house prices being oppressed in some areas- namely Place Road, Baring Road and Tuttons Hill.

Thank you for enabling me to feedback within this representation,

Kind Regards,

Paul Fuller JP,CC- Isle of Wight Councillor for Cowes West and Gurnard

Medina Valley Area Action Plan Update.

I attended a meeting with Cllr. Peacey-Wilcox and Cllrs. Banks and Jones (Cowes Town Council), Cllr. Javaid (Gurnard Parish Council) and Cllr. Jaggar (Northwood Parish Council) to receive an update regarding progress on the Medina Valley.  In addition to the Housing Need Review (see above), officers reported the following priorities:

1.    Future Housing sites would be prioritised.

2.    European Designation sites would be safeguarded.

3.    Sites for ‘Affordable Housing’ may be review.  This included the 35% level threshold for affordable dwellings.

4.    Settlement Boundaries to be reviewed. (Especially Gurnard & Northwood). 

5.    To consider allocating ‘formal’ sites for Gypsies and Travellers.

6.    To review the requirement and need for a Freight Haulage Site.

7.    To allocate ‘Water frontage’ Employment Sites on the River Medina.

8.    Review Town retail areas and strengthen current policy to protect and safeguard Town Centres.

9.    Identify Waste Sites.

10.   To review and where appropriate revise Renewable Energy Policies.

11.   To review, monitor and update sustainable travel policies.

12.   Traffic Modelling (for Newport)

13.   Revise Heritage Assets commentary. 

During the meeting members raised issues regarding Public Health Infrastructure, and the ability for service providers to sustain care; Issues regarding the IW Festival; Air Quality Monitoring; Trees; and the need for the IW Council to adopt a strategic plan for Newport Harbour.

Closure of Coastal Footpath, Gurnard.

Regular users of footpath CS16 will be aware of the closure of Gurnard’s Coastal footpath following a recent landslip.  The reason for closing the footpath is due to land beneath the path being undermined, and follows complaints received over health and safety concerns over the proximity of the path to the cliff beneath. Therefore access has temporarily been restricted.

I understand it was Rights Of Way’s intention to repair and reopen the path, however with respect to the timeframe for this, advises the following:  ‘Unfortunately, we cannot give a time scale as to when the full assessment will take place as it will take a long period for ground conditions to dry and the department is presently very busy dealing with storm damage inspections and closures’.

An update will be provided to this month’s Gurnard Parish Council meeting.

Perpetuus Tidal Energy Centre, St Catherines Point, Ventnor.

I attended a briefing on the above proposal which will be formally consulted upon in the coming months. 

Councillors were advised that this facility will generate energy for 15,000 homes and a licence was being sought from the Maritime Management Organisation to enable this.  If approved the Centre would be operational from 2016-2017.

It was suggested that the turbines for this project could be mounted on the seabed; anchored to floating devices or anchored in mid water to take advantage of tidal flows

Elsewhere there are experimental schemes currently operational in Orkney and Northern Ireland.  It is believed that following the £20m worth of investment this could lead to in excess of 200 jobs.  

There is to be a Public Exhibition on this proposal on 19^th March, at the Spyglass Inn, Ventnor.

PFI Highways Contract Progress.

Residents may be aware that Marc Griffin, who was the principle IW Council Officer monitoring the PFI Contract has been offered a similar position with Portsmouth City Council.  For this reason, I am in the process of setting up regular meetings with Marc’s replacement and local IW Council colleagues to monitor progress.  In the meantime, I have circulated the PFI Progress Update to Town and Parish Council colleagues. In discussion with Island Road’s, I’m hoping regular meetings with the four Cowes IW Councillors will take place every three months.

A number of residents continue to raise concerns with me over progress with the PFI Contract.  In the last month residents raised concerns over manhole covers that were tarmacked over in Cockleton Lane, Gurnard; whilst some street lights has remained lit constantly for 3-4 months. 

At the surgery held by Cllr. John Nicholson and I earlier this month, we were advised that all Ironworks are surfaced over to ensure that when raised- this is to the correct level (!?) I have to confess that I’m confused by this process, but John considered this to be sensible, so I’m now very happy to accept his wider knowledge on this subject.

With respect to the street lighting, we were advised this was considered to be due to an issue with software necessary for the lighting and would be resolved once it was known how widespread the issue was.  I am therefore awaiting an update on this issue!

On a positive note, Island Roads have reported the following, to date:

·         127,760 sq.metres (20km) of roads and 8,840  sq.metres (8km) of footways have been treated.

·         3128 lighting units have been upgraded

·         1 major and 25 minor drainage schemes have commenced design.

·         12 minor drainage schemes complete.

·         4 geotechnical schemes have commenced earlier than planned.

At the surgery we were advised that Park Road and Place Road is scheduled for resurfacing in late March, early April. These works would be undertaken at night, given these roads strategic importance.  Ward Avenue has been timetabled to commence in July.

Questions were also answered as to why Cockleton Lane was resurfaced when it was, and why footways for the Tilbury Road and Westwood Close cul-de-sacs had been given higher priority than more important strategic roads.

Island Roads, highlighted that they were under a contractual obligation to resurface all roads and footways, and it was important that the type of work and where this work was undertaken was properly spread out over the 7year contract.  In addition to this, with the uncertain weather conditions, disruption would be preferable to these more minor roads.

Following this second Surgery, it now seems very likely that similar Drop In’s will take place twice yearly. 

Flooding Update.

I attended a public meeting which was hosted by MP, Andrew Turner called following this year’s  storms.

There were a large number of issues raised by residents impacted by flooding. These ranged from operation of the Eastern Yar Sluice Gates, the perception that flood gates were shut off at Carisbrooke Pumping Station and ongoing concerns over flooding from the Monktonmead Brook, Ryde. Criticism was made to Southern Water, the Environment Agency and Island Roads not responding promptly to enquiries… However, it was acknowledged how over stretched all agencies were during the storms.

Since the meeting, I’ve suggested the importance of resurrecting the local Flood Defence Committee, which would help prioritise where new Flood Protection grants are distributed.  In addition, businesses impacted by flooding can access Grants provided via local Council’s through the Business Support Scheme. For details please call 0300 456 3565.

Meanwhile, locally I helped arranged for further sandbags to be issued to residents living in and around Marsh Road following recent High Tides.  I remain hopeful that the water table has now fallen and am keeping everything crossed that the sun shines long enough to dry the Island out!!

What’s On: Gurnard Village Hall.

Gurnard Village Hall Association’s Cybercafé is open from 2-4pm on the  1^st and 3^rd  Wednesday of each month (not August) in Gurnard Village Hall, Worsley Road. This is for all residents of all abilities (and none!).  The group has a printer, 2 laptops plus access to iPads, iPods and Kindles. 

You can use the facilities, or bring your own computer.  Access to WiFi costs £1 plus tea, coffee and cake! (Yum!!)

Gurnard Film Society will be airing the Film Little Voice, a gritty Northern comedy about a sleazy talent scout (Michael Caine) hoping to reap rewards from a shy girl’s talent for singing.  Doors open, 7pm for a 7:30pm start, Friday 7^th March.

The film is Certified: U15 (93 minutes).  Admission £5.  See  www.events.onthewight.com.  Turn up or book. Tel: 240615 or Email: gurnardfilmsociety.com

Meetings Update:

Economy And Environment Scrutiny Panel

At our last meeting, Panel members received an update from both Island Roads and the IW Council with respect to progress of the PFI contract.  This was circulated to all members.

The Panel made the following recommendations with respect to budget setting:

·         That the Leader looks in further detail at the cost model being used for fees and charges.

·         That consideration be given to where e-ticketing could be introduced for items such as parking permits and leisure centres so to reduce costs and increase sales.

·         That in developing the parking strategy a full public consultation exercise be undertaken before implementation and this should include small businesses.

·         That consideration be given to the ability of local tradesmen to park in residents parking zones whilst undertaking works in adjacent properties.

Since the Economy and Environment Scrutiny Panel meeting, I called a further meeting between myself, the Cabinet Member and a business representative to discuss the Council’s Parking Strategy.

Appeals Sub Committee: Yarmouth Village Green Application.

Last month, I was part of the Appeals Sub Committee which supported granting Village Green status to Yarmouth Recreation Ground which although owned by Yarmouth Town Trust is leased to Yarmouth Town Council.

The only part of the Recreation Ground excluded from the ‘Village Green’, was the pavilion/ changing rooms which were locked following use by members of the local Football Club.

Planning Committee.

At Planning Committee, I moved the recommendation to refuse proposals to resurrect Atherfield Bay Holiday Camp, due to the scale of the proposal being too large for the site- and how this proposal’s design would in my opinion adversely impact upon the Atherfield Community and both the AONB and the Heritage Coast.  

Other items considered by the Planning Committee included a proposed kayak storage facility, Ventnor Esplanade and 7 proposed new dwellings on the site of the Family Centre, Atkinson Drive, Newport.  Both these applications on IW Council owned land were non-contentious and approved.

Licencing Sub Committee:  Ryde Town Club, Star Street. 

Following ongoing complaints raised by neighbours, the Licencing Committee which I was a member of felt it appropriate to curtail licensing hours to 10am- Midnight, Sunday-Thursdays and from 10am-1am on Fridays and Saturday.   Complaints received of public nuisance included noise and allegations of anti-social behaviour from patrons.  Regrettably the licensee was not in attendance, and was therefore not in any position to defend their position.

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Meeting.

I chaired this meeting, in the absence of both the Chairman and Vice Chair.

It was reported that Government Cutbacks from DEFRA for Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, were smaller than for other funding streams.  For the coming year, nationally AONB’s and National Parks would receive a 6% cut, which will be maintained by a 0.7% each year thereafter.

We were advised that a bid was being put together for the second phase of Local Sustainable Transport Funding. This funding would be used to enhance travel to work and schools by sustainable means.

In the last Month:

·         Following suggestions originating from Cllr Walters, I’ve taken action to discuss creation of a strategy for Newport Harbour.  The Council leader is talking to stakeholders, and hopeful with the support of local IW Councillors, I hope there will be action taken on Cllr. Walter’s suggestions.

·         I have requested an update from BT regarding the rollout of Superfast Broadband to customers living in Cowes.

·         I’ve offered support to Gurnard School Parents who are creating a road safety leaflet.

·         Letters have been circulated to Blackberry Lane residents following regular tipping of Garden Waste in the area.

·         I received several ‘worried’ phone calls over fears of an application being submitted to develop the farmland between Baring Road and Tuttons Hill.  I’ve been assured from Planners they are not aware of an application in the pipeline.

·         I’ve instructed Island Roads to continue to monitor drainage from fields opposite Basketts Farm, Rew Street.

·         I have asked for Service 32 to call via Aldi to be included in this summer’s timetable.

·         I’ve supported several residents who have reported unfilled potholes at Shore Road and Parklands Avenue.

·         I supported a local resident, at a recent Licensing Committee Appeal in Newport.