Surgeries:
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 7th
October, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
1-1:30pm, Wednesday 15th
October, The Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.
3-3:30pm, Wednesday 22nd
October, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.
6-6:30pm, Thursday 30th
October, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard. (NEW DATE!)
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 4th
November, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 4th
November, Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
Road
Resurfacing Programme Update.
I am advised that Ward Avenue is due to be
resurfaced from the 25-29th September. Following concerns raised about undertaking
this work during school hours, the view expressed regarding the importance of Ward Avenue for commuters and its
importance as an strategic road the decision has been taken to undertake this
work at night.
In addition, Island Roads are also intending
to resurface Baring Road between
October and March 2015. Requests for
this work has featured heavily during consultations between residents, myself
and Island Roads.
The contractors are hoping to undertake this
work before Christmas, however there remains a few loose ends that require
resolution, before timescales can be agreed. This may result again in work being carried
out at night, however I have suggested that the whole of the road between
Roundhouse and Ward Avenue is completed in one go, to save further disruption
to residents
Isle
of Wight Council: Executive Reshuffle.
Last month Cllrs. Jon Gilbey and Richard Priest
left the Council’s Executive resulting in the need for a reshuffle.
Subsequently, I was appointed as the Executive Member for Planning and
Licensing, resulting in me vacating the Chair of the Planning Committee and no
longer serving on the large number Committees which I was appointed.
On a positive note, this should result in
greater cross-party working, as no group within the Council comes close to
overall control.
In the meantime within my new portfolio, I
have been brought up to speed with priorities that were being pursued by my
predecessor Cllr. Jonathan Bacon, whilst I’ve had meetings with the Heads of
Planning, the Heads of Licencing and am in discussions with officers on
proposals being tabled for next year’s budget.
CCTV
Footage: Island Waste/ Hampshire Constabulary Joint Initiative.
A joint
initiative has been launched between local Police and the Island’s waste
collection provider in an attempt to cut the number of driving incidents
which pose a risk to workers.
Hampshire
Constabulary and Island Waste Services have joined forces to promote road
safety after CCTV footage captured by waste vehicles shows a
number of incidents of dangerous driving whilst staff are collecting
rubbish bins across the Isle of Wight.
The
footage has shockingly revealed drivers mounting pavements, driving too close
and even shouting abuse at collection workers.
The video
can be viewed via the following link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q31LXQKxaWo
Isle of Wight Council
Budget: 2015/6.
As referred to earlier within this report,
work continues to identify savings from next year’s ‘difficult’ budget.
In the last month, I have attended member’s
briefings, meetings with senior officers and local councils to understand what
are ‘Statutory’ Services and what are resident’s expectations of these services.
It is likely, that in many cases these expectations will exceed what is a
minimal statutory level.
Consultation Roadshows will take place to enable
residents to join the debate. The Cowes Roadshow will take place 6-9pm, Tuesday 18th November
at UKSA, Cowes.
Bonfires.
Bonfires continues to be a major issue with
local residents. Following the very high
volume of complaints that I receive (I’m receiving 3 or 4 calls each week,
mainly from residents of Baring Road), I am attempting to call a meeting to
share information, and to assess whether there is further work that can be
taken.
In the meantime, Environmental Health has
asked that any complaints are logged direct to them on 01983 823000
Southern
Water.
Following a number of lengthy telephone
calls, I met with the Area Manager for Southern Water. I am now able to report:
·
Further
investigations will take place following the replacement of a fractured
combined water main continuing to leak in Shore
Rd/ Worsley Rd, Gurnard.
·
The
Woodvale Pumping Station is due to
have a make-over in the coming months.
·
There
are a number of difficult issues in Marsh
Road that Southern Water are keen to resolve.
·
In
Crossfield Avenue, residents have
approached me over odour issues and ‘perceived’ blocked pipes. Southern Water are continuing to investigate concerns
over shared drains and are monitoring complaints.
·
At
the meeting, I also passed on paperwork received from residents of East Cowes.
Southern Water has emphasised to me the
importance for all customers to refer any issues or complaints direct to
themselves on 0845 278 0845 in the
first instance. Should you wish to
complain by email (and require your own audit trail!), I would suggest that before
doing so you copy, paste and store your complaint beforehand!
Gurnard
Primary School, Former Playing Field and Orchard Update.
As part of a wider consultation incorporating
Gurnard’s Neighbourhood Plan, an information session on the options will take
place from 6:30-8:30pm, Thursday 16th October at Gurnard Village Hall.
The two alternative options to be considered
for the Former Playing Field and Orchard are as follows.
OPTION
1: Transfer the lease to manage the former playing field and Orchard to Gurnard
Parish Council.
·
The
IW Council has agreed to offer this to Gurnard Parish Council at a peppercorn
lease (£1) for 125 years.
·
The
annual maintenance cost estimated by the IW Council is estimated to be around
£2500 (For Grass and Hedge Cutting). This cost would need to be underwritten by
the Parish Council.
·
A
further one off cost <£1000 will be required for legal costs for the lease.
·
This
may result in additional work for the Parish Clerk.
·
This
could result in an extra £3.16 on the Council Tax Precept for a Band D
Property.
·
Gurnard
Parish Council are advised that a covenant will be placed on use of the
site. This will mean that the playing
field will be restricted to recreational pursuits. These include dog walking,
football, picnics etc, whilst allotments use under DFE guidelines would be
restricted. This would apply for 11 years (I believe this could be
overcomeable!)
·
A
Resident’s Group could be set up to oversee the site. This would allow for grant funding and
sponsorship to be sought. If the
allotment condition could be overcome this could assist with ongoing
costs.
OPTION
2: To reject the offer from the IW Council.
·
The
likely outcome of this would be that the IW Council would sell the land and
freehold on the open market.
·
The
covenant restricting use of the site, would apply for 11 years from sale.
Speeding
Traffic.
In discussions with several residents during
the summer, I have been asked to look into the issue of speeding traffic in
Gurnard.
Before proceeding, I’ve asked for feedback
from Gurnard Parish Council and from local residents to see whether there are
any additional steps that need to be taken.
One road that is causing some concern is Tuttons Hill, where I have noted that the Speed Indicator Devise
needs to be repaired.
In the meantime, please let me know your
views!
Cockleton
Lane One Way Traffic Flow Consultation.
My grateful thanks to residents who contacted
me about the suggestion that the IW Council looked into making traffic flow in
Cockleton Lane one way. I hinted in my last report that this would only be
pursued if there was overwhelming support and no opposition.
Since then I have spoken to local
councillors, and several residents who contacted me. Of the 8 responses I have received, 7 opposed
me pursuing this. Because of this
feedback, I will not be taking further action!
STORAGE NEEDED!
Volunteers
who upkeep woodland at Mornington Wood are appealing for a secure space, to
store their tools. If you have room
nearby, please let me know and I can pass this information on the group!!
Full
Council Report: Report from the Executive Member for Planning and Licencing.
Development control.
The Planning Committee considered a report in
respect of the Navitus Bay Wind Farm planning application at its meeting on 22
July 2014 and submitted formal comments to the Planning Inspectorate. The
council attended the preliminary pre-examination meeting on 11 September 2014
at Bournemouth. Officers will attend those examination sessions which are relevant
to the Island.
Applications
have recently been received for the former listed Frank James Hospital. This
includes for internal alterations to the currently approved scheme together
with some external development. The intention is that this will, if approved,
improve the viability of the current scheme and allow for future maintenance
works on the property.
Enforcement
The council, using its powers under Section
215 of the Planning Act, has secured a considerable improvement to a
development site at Fort Warden, Colwell.
Policy
development
Officers are continuing to draw out from the
responses to the discussion documents the key matters that will inform the
three area action plan documents. The outcome of the consultation will be
considered by the Environment and Public Protection Executive Advisory
Committee on 25 September 2014.
Bembridge
Neighbourhood Development Plan (BNDP)
The BNDP was the subject of a referendum on
24 July 2014, when it was overwhelmingly agreed by the local electorate. It was
formally made on 28 July 2014.
Fishbourne
Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)
This was adopted on 14 August 2014.
Licensing
August was an extremely busy month for
events which included Cowes week, Jack Up the 80s, Garlic Festival, VDub, Chale
Show and the Scooter Rally. All of these events have been attended by relevant
officers
Generally all events were held with very few
complaints or issues reported. The Licensing Section, through its Safety
Advisory Group duties, is currently consulting with the different agencies to
obtain their comments on this year’s events.
The end of summer of events was marked by the
Bestival. An update will be provided at the next Full Council. However, I can
say that officers have worked with all relevant agencies and the event
organisers to ensure that appropriate plans to ensure public protection were in
place for the event.
Also
This Month:
·
A
very big thank you to the Volunteers of Cowes
Carnival who invited myself, Councillors and the Cowes Business Association
to their Headquarters Last Month. I know
the Committee are constantly on the look-out for volunteers and sponsors to
assist their efforts! For further information contact Lynn on 01983 282308!
·
Many
thanks to those residents who have contacted me concerning proposal to charge
for pedestrians on Cowes Floating Bridge. The consultation on this is ongoing!
·
Thanks
also to residents who have contacted me concerning the Fire Service Review
·
I
attended Training on Auditing, Heritage, the Community Right to Bid &
received updates on the Waste
Contract.
·
I
attended a meeting of the Footprint
Trust, where I was asked to investigate asking the IW Council to run a
seminar on Assisted Area Status. It was also drawn to my attention the
disadvantages the Isle of Wight has when it comes to accruing grant funding for
Fuel Poverty projects on behalf of
Energy Companies. This I am pursuing on their behalf
·
I
attended the Local Access Forum, and
received support from the Forum and The Ramblers Association on local projects.
·
I attended the most recent meeting of the Solent Forum, and received updates on
next year’s consultation on Marine Conservation Zones. I also learnt a great deal about Portsmouth
and Southampton’s Coastal Planning
Methodology.
·
Within the Planning Committee, Applications
were approved at Westridge Golf Course,
to convert the former Post Office, Brading, to create a House of Multi Occupancy, Lake and to provide a new café at Peter Pan’s Playground, Ryde.
·
The new timetable for the Cowes Community Bus will come into
operation from 12th October.
Within the route for the Cowes Community Bus, will now serve Aldi….However
the 11:30am service from Cowes will now call at Rew Street rather than Cockleton Lane. Until this month neither
myself or the local councils knew nothing about this change.
