IW Councillors Report: March 2015

Surgeries.

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

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

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

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 18^th March, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Wednesday 25^th March, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

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

Place Road Appeal representation.

Many thanks to the 50 residents who made additional representations to the Planning Inspector, regarding the Place Road Planning Appeal. 

My comments were:

Dear Sir/ Madam,

Representation in support of the refusal against development at land between Place Road and Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.  Ref: APP/P2114/W/14/3001191/NWF.

I am writing to you, as the local Isle of Wight Councillor for Cowes West and Gurnard.  This is a position, which I have held since 2009.  Prior to, and since this time I’ve served as a Cowes Town Councillor, a Gurnard Parish Councillor and also as a founding member of Northwood Parish Council.

 

I would strongly emphasise the strategic importance of the River Jordan and the fields that bound the stream.  I wish to emphasise how locally important this green lung/buffer and wildlife corridor is, and has always been considered intrinsic in the separation between Cowes and the village of Gurnard and to a lesser extent Northwood to the south.  The evidence for maintaining this important green corridor, has been emphasised within consultations for SHLAA sites and for Gurnard’s Neighbourhood Plan, which I hope will be formally adopted later this year.   In addition, the view of our community has been reinforced by our MP, Andrew Turner, whilst Gurnard Parish Council, Cowes Town Council and Northwood Parish Council have been united in their opposition to develop on this gap.  In addition to Gurnard’s view of this, in a survey undertaken within Cowes, 91% of residents considered this green gap worthy of protection.

Of note, I wish to highlight that within three miles there are brown field sites. These sites are less sensitive to coalescence, and would not risk Gurnard becoming absorbed within the wider urban perimeters of Cowes.   Examples I give include the former Readers site in Place Road (200m south), brown field sites in Cowes and various sites both identified (and not identified) within the SHLAA, particularly at Parkhurst.  In addition, there are several other green field sites nearby that could lend themselves to smaller scale developments which have been echoed by our community within Gurnard’s local plan and within informal consultation underway for the local (Medina) Area Action Plans. 

Cowes West and Gurnard itself has contributed significantly to recent developments in the last five years with housing being provided on Princes Esplanade (14 units), at 44 Worsley Road (15+7 units), The Glen (14 units), Solent Lawns (14 units), Gurnard Primary School (7), Egypt Hill, Cowes (6+4+3) and Baring Road (8+4). The development at 44 Worsley Road (currently underway) substantially contributes to Gurnard’s affordable housing and furthermore will contribute to Northwood and Cowes’ quota through a Local Lettings directive. 

I also wish to emphasise, my particular concerns over the capacity of feeding extra traffic on to the Newport to Cowes Road currently at capacity on the Nodes Road/ Newport Road junction, and near capacity on the Place Road/ Park Road (Roundhouse) junction.  Within this application there was no proposal to take any action to address the capacity issues or mitigate this at these junctions.

Finally, I wish to emphasise an issue which I hear regularly in my capacity as local Councillor. This is the fact that the applicant has chosen not to consult within the local community on this application. Although the proposal may not be considered by the Planning Inspectorate or Government to be a ‘Major’ proposal, from the point of view of residents, if approved this will be the largest development for housing approved in or adjacent to Gurnard. In light of the ‘localism’ agenda and within the context of the National Planning Policy Framework residents expect there to be greater consultation from the applicant, than what arose. 

Gurnard has a strong village community, which cares deeply about maintaining and enhancing its identity, this view is very much shared by Cowes residents overlooking the Jordan Valley. Local residents demonstrated this by embracing the localism agenda, and have worked tirelessly in shaping their future identity within a Neighbourhood Plan. It is worthwhile noting that returns to surveys exceed, what good practice recommends (The Housing Needs survey exceeded 60%)

Within the last year there have been a number of opportunities for the ‘applicant’ to wilfully engage with residents, local Isle of Wight Councillors, Town and Parish Councils and the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee, thus fully embracing the spirit of localism.  I am disappointed this did not happen.  Even following reducing the scale of this development, no approach was made to liaise with our community, and would have offered at the very least an opportunity to address concerns.

 

In addition to this formal representation, I enclose the transcript of my local representation made to Planning Committee.

Yours faithfully,

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

Island Roads.

I’m currently receiving a disproportionately high level of Island Roads queries over various issues. These include pot holes (Baring Road/ Park Road/ Crossfield Avenue), the repair of damaged grass verges (Cockleton Lane), drainage issues (Cockleton Lane/ Rew Street), street lighting (Princes Esplanade), abandoned vehicles, road resurfacing (Baring Road), flag stone repairs (Queens Road) overgrown hedges. Most enquiries made, follows residents not being updated.

A number of residents have raised concerns over the speed to which enquiries are taking to be dealt with. Please note that as IW Councillors we’ve been informed that for simple enquiries/ follow ups we must wait for 5 days.

Given this, when contacting Island Roads, please can I suggest the name of the call centre operator is noted and that any enquiry is provided with a reference number.  This will assist me, should a follow up be required.

In the next few weeks, I will be attempting to convene a meeting to discuss ongoing issues. In the meantime, please let me know if there are issues you wish me to take up at the meeting.

Parked Vehicles.

Last month, with representatives of Gurnard Parish Council I met with the contractors who are developing on land to the rear of Gurnard Village Hall.

The contractors have offered to provide timescales of future work, whilst an instruction has been given to them to ensure they are parked hard against the pavement.  Seemingly since then the Civil Parking Enforcement Officers have advised there has been a notable improvement in parking.   Thank you to all involved it is much appreciated- particularly from residents of Albert Road who have struggled to exit on to Worsley Road!

Cowes Community Bus.

Following approval of the IW Council’s budget, funding for the local community bus has been safeguarded for the coming months.  This will allow for work to be carried out to safeguard the long term provision of this service. 

Gurnard School Former Playing Field and Orchard.

The Working Party established to oversee the above project have three short term objectives, these are:

 

1.    To hold site visit with the IW Orchards Group to explore the need to establish a management plan for the orchard.

2.    To agree a grass cutting regime for the field.  It will first be necessary to treat Ragwort on the playing field.  A site visit will take to facilitate this.  Options include Wild flower meadow/ open space, or both.

3.    To take action to manage the pond.  Discussions to take place with the Footprint Trust.  

It is hoped the next site visit will comprise of working group members and facilitators.

In the medium term, the following options will be considered:

 

1.  Improving access to the site.

2.  Provision of Dog/ Litter Bins.

3.  Facilitating a Community Growing Scheme.

4.  To seek funding streams for the above

In the long term to consider:

Enhancement of the Open Space with a Play Area or Gym.

Consultation on Secondary and Sixth Form Education.

The IW Council would like to hear views on how best to provide the right number and distribution of quality 11-16 and post-16 school and college places to meet future need and improve outcomes. Public Meetings are taking place, about this important consultation. Locally, these take place:

6-8pm, Monday 2^nd March at the Island Studio School, East Cowes

7-9pm, Tuesday 3^rd March, at the Quay Arts Centre, Newport.

6-8pm, Monday 9^th March, at Christ The King College, Newport.

6-8pm, Tuesday 17^th March, at Cowes Enterprise College, Cowes

6-8pm, Monday 24^th March, at the Isle of Wight College, Newport.

The consultation continues until 30^th April.  For further information, please visit the Council link below: http://www.iwight.com/azservices/documents/1842-Secondary-Consultation-document-February-2015.pdf

Feedback from Residents re: Council Tax.

Several residents contacted me on this year’s budget.  The issues raised include: Car Parking (2), Floating Bridge Charges for pedestrians (2), Fire Service Review (2), Personal Care Budgets (1), Councillors Allowances (1), Planning Enforcement (1), Potential changes to library opening hours (1), Supporting a Referendum to Increase Council Tax (1).

Isle of Wight Council Budget.

The IW Council agreed to the budget below.  This is a summary the agreed budget, full details are available on: https://www.iwight.com/Meetings/committees/mod-council/25-2-15/agenda.pdf?%20635605611121067038.

Budget Option	Saving 15/16  £	Budget Option	Saving 15/16  £
Supporting growth in the economy, making the Island a better place and keeping it safe.		Keeping Children Safe & improving education
Fire & Rescue Partnership	300,000	Early Help Tender	240,000
Review of Planning Service provision: Phase 1	264,000	Residential Care	400,000
Planning: Commission provider for minor apps.	-161,000	Schools Reorganisation: Non-pay budgets	51,000
Review of Planning Service provision: Phase 2	22,000	School Improvement Funding	90,000
Ecology	5,000	School Crossing Patrols- Transfer to schools	60,000
Planning: Introduce pre-application advice	25,000	Virtual Headteacher- Transfer to senior officer	65,000
Building Control	24,000	Choices Office: Relocate to County Hall	50,000
Review of Regulatory Service Provision	12,000	(Subtotal)	956,000
Combine Enforcement functions	30,000
LDF Reduce funds for external advice by 50%	30,000	Ensuring the most effective use of resources in achieving the Island’s Priorities.
Planning Service vacancy savings	206,000	Development of Business Centre	560,000
Building Control vacancy savings	37,000	Development of new operating model for IWC	1,000,000
Regulatory Service vacancy savings	73,000	Reductions in Senior Management	200,000
Reduced maintenance standards: public realm	214,000	Admin/ Management Review	50,000
Savings/ Income: Managed Leisure Centres	207,000	Deletion of Commissioning Manager post	83,000
Cease direct support for arts activities	55,000	Consultation Team	40,000
West Wight Sports Centre: cease revenue funds	43,000	Corporate Campaigns	10,000
Heritage Education	49,000	Procurement & Contract Management Team	160,000
Relocation of Library HQ to Lord Louis	50,000	Financial Management Team	60,000
Other potential changes to library service	90,000	Review of Legal Services Provision	20,000
Community Bus Services	50,000	Review of Registrars & Coroners Service	20,000
Cowes Ferry review of charges	100,000	Fleet & Transport Administration	20,000
Subsidised Bus Services	137,500	Events: Staff/ Administration Costs	44,000
Renegotiation of public transport arrangements	85,000	Staff Terms and Conditions	160,000
Waste Contract: New contract savings	500,000	Statutory union facilities time provision	20,000
Community Toilet Scheme	150,000	Staff Benefit schemes	16,000
(Subtotal)	2,597,500	Pool Cars	20,000
		Capital Financing	1,000,000
Protecting the most vulnerable with Health and Social Care, investing in support, prevention and continuing care.		Review of income streams and opportunities	700,500
NHS continuing health care	400,000	Solar Panels: County Hall	2,000
Personal Budget Payments	250,000	Sale of St. Thomas’ Church	10,000
Fairer charging disregards	10,000	62 Crocker Street	11,000
Deferred Payment Scheme Fees	5,000	Guildhall	6,000
Development and use of reablement services	500,000	Asda Receipt Investment: Year 1	140,000
Integration of Health & Social Care  investment through the Better Care Fund: Residential care.	1,300,000	Asda Receipt Investment: Income Generating Opportunities	60,000
Integration of H&SC investment..: Personal budgets	400,000	Energy Efficiency Management	30,000
Integration of H&SC investment…: Home Care	300,000	HR Budgets	40,000
Integration of H&SC investment…: Nursing Care	400,000	Confidential Waste	30,000
Public Health Funding	500,000	Property Acquisitions	63,000
Supporting People	200,000	Support to the Lord Lieutenant	18,000
(Subtotal)	4,265,000	Customer Interface	68,000
		Internal Audit contract review	20,000
		(Subtotal)	4,681,000

It was agreed to increase Council Tax by 1.99%.  Prior to supporting the budget additional amendments were tabled by individuals/ groups. How I voted, and whether the amendments were supported by Full Council are outlined below:

Group	Amendments	Supported by Full Council	Supported by me
UKIP	Rather than two separate charges, introduce a 50p Flat Rate return on Floating Bridge	X	X
UKIP	Establish online suggestion box for Staff, Public & Public for saving/ generating income	/	/
UKIP	To reduce use of Agency Workers/ Consultants	/	/
Lab	To reduce subsidy to Visit Isle of Wight, whilst funding subsidised and community bus services and creating efficient energy reductions.	X	X
Lab	To oppose pedestrian charges on the Floating Bridge	X	/
Lab	To criticise ‘Government’ for limiting the ability for Councils to set own budget	/	/
Con	To support a Parking Strategy, with recommendations brought to Full Council	/	/
Con	To create a Cross Party Working Group to take a strategic view re: Asda Capital Receipt	/	/
Con	To create the potential for schools to buy back Heritage Education Funding	/	/
Con	To discussions on the Cost of Union Representative	X	X
S.Ind	To hold a referendum supporting a 5% Council Tax Increase	X	X
Ind	To undertake a procurement exercise to secure advertising revenue re: Floating Bridge	/	/

REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR PLANNING & LICENSING TO FULL COUNCIL 25^th FEBRUARY.

Building Control:

Statistics for January 2015

Number of inspections of Building works carried out           545

Number of Building Control applications received                69

Number of new dangerous structures responded to             4

Licensing:

Licenced Premises Seminar

Licensing Department, connection with Environmental health and Trading Standards is organising a free seminar for licenced premises which will be held on 9 March 2015. There will be three sessions at 10am, 2pm and 6pm to ensure as many members of the licence trade can attend.

The topics being covered will be:

Environmental Health

·         How complaints are investigated and resolved

·         Noise Management Plans

Trading Standards

·         Test purchasing and proof of age in relation to alcohol sales

Licensing

·         Mandatory Conditions update

·         Live Music Act and the deregulation of entertainment including recorded music

·         Personal Licence renewal process

·         Annual fees and suspension of a licence

·         Staff training information and good practice measures

Events

A notification under the Isle of Wight Act has been received for the Isle of Wight Festival to take place 11 – 15 June 2015. This has currently been circulated to responsible authorities to comment on.

At Licensing Committee on 16^th February members provided feedback on Policies. These are due to be tabled to next month Executive

Planning:

Since my report last month there is nothing of note to add, with Planning Officers focusing on current workloads with a number of applications due to heard by Planning Committee in the coming months.

As Executive Member:

Training.

At the most recent meeting held between myself, the Chairman of the Planning Committee and the Head Of Planning, a timetable has been arranged for member training. Of priority is the ‘Appeals’ training, whilst following on from Scrutiny Committee’s interest on this subject, I’ve requested training to take place on Section 106 funding and opportunities available. Training will also be necessary on constitutional changes, whilst I’m discussing the opportunity to not only invite members of the Planning Committee to key training events, but also open this up to all IW Councillors and representatives of Town & Parish Council Planning Committees.

In the last month:

·         I’ve attended Planning For The Future meetings for Ryde, and for the Medina Valley.

·         I attended the AONB’s Management Committee meeting.

·         I attended a meeting with representatives from Wroxall Parish Council.

·         Met with representatives from the Chamber Of Commerce.  I am anxious to ensure regular meetings between the Chamber are resurrected, and look forward to progressing future events.

·         Meeting with Officers and local members to discuss the Brickfields Planning Application.

·         Taken up concerns from Members and Parish Councils regarding Planning Enforcement issues.

 Also this month:

·         I was invited, and attended a meeting at WightFibre’s Office. I agreed to arrange a future meeting with local town and parish councillors to promote WightFibre’s work.

·         With Sue Waters and Cllr Terry Nolan, I attended a presentation on the Coastal Access Act and how this will strengthen powers. 

·         I have taken up concerns of overlooking on behalf of residents from Queens Road affected by a revised planning application in Marine View Close.  This resulted in an additional condition being imposed.

·         Officers reconsidered refusing a Planning Application to raise a property in Marsh Road.  I believed this proposal was necessary as other householders may be wishing to do the same to future-proof their properties here.

·         Further representations were necessary following the Royal Mail altering collection times in Crossfield Avenue and Ward Avenue.

·         I have written in support of the Youth Council and Youth MP’s votes@16 campaign

·         I’ve contacted Parks and Beaches with respect to the upkeep of the Flowerbeds in Queens Road. I am reliably informed that these flowerbeds will continue to be upkept by the IW Council in light of savings.

·         Following an article in last months edition of the Cowes Magazine, it has been necessary to take action with respect to illicit parking on the junction of Baring Road west of Ward Avenue.

·         A number of residents have requested updates as to when the WightCare consultation (as agreed by Executive) will commence.  The residents that have spoken to me have expressed concerns on how future increased costs may impact those on low incomes.

·         Prior to setting this years budget I received an invitation from the local branch of the TUC to attend a meeting regarding the budget. Given that I received only a few hours’ notice I was disappointed not to attend.

·         I’ve been appointed by Cowes Town Council to sit on Cowes Week Ltd’s Firework Committee.  I am looking forward to attending my first meeting and getting involved!

·         Further to concerns raised the success of the IW Council regarding Planning Appeals, I am informed that last month the IW Council won all four appeals.  To date the IW Council has won (28 out of 46) 61% of its appeals (The target is 70%).  For me, this remains of concern and training will take place once these figures are analysed.