IW Councillors Report: June 2015

Surgeries.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 2^nd June, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 2^nd June, Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 11^th June, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 17^th June, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 25^th June, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

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

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

Highways Matters.

·         Road Resurfacing.

Resurfacing Baring Road has been further delayed.  I suggested to Island Roads that Baring Road should be given priority over Newbarn Road, Gatcombe and Old Blackgang Road, Niton, given the higher traffic volume levels experienced. However, I was mindful further delays may arise following my approach to Southern Water to repair a longstanding water leak at the junction with Debourne Manor Drive.  It is intended that resurfacing is now likely to commence from 29^th June.  I’ve requested that Baring Road remains open during the Summer Holidays, given its strategic importance- However, Island Roads can only assure me that the road will not be resurfaced during Cowes Week.

·         Pot Holes.

Since 2009, I’ve received more enquiries regarding the condition of Parklands Avenue than I do other roads.  In the coming weeks, I intend speaking to residents regarding the perceived deteriorating condition of this road.  I noted on Island Roads’ website that Parklands Avenue is not scheduled to be resurfaced until 2017/8 (originally this was programmed for this financial year). For me this is not acceptable, and in the coming weeks I will be enlisting residents support in attempting to persuade Island Roads to give this particular road much higher priority.

Another road which is also causing me considerable concern is the quilt-like Shore Road. Shore Road ‘is scheduled’ to be resurfaced this financial year.  In the meantime, I’ve also requested that Pine Tree Close also receives an inspection, due its recent deterioration occurring.

In the meantime I am grateful to the many residents who keep reporting pot-holes to Island Roads.

·         Grass Verges.

Overgrown grass verges have now been cut in Worsley Road, Solent View Road and The Avenue in Gurnard.  I am none the wiser, despite a thorough response from Island Roads as to why some grass verges (with daffodils!) were cut this spring, whilst others were left…

Elsewhere, In Cowes a grass verge at the top of Battery Road has been added to the programme, whilst the flowerbeds in Queens Road are now planted up for the summer season.  In the meantime, I am talking to colleagues on Cowes Town Council about the prospect of transferring the winter/ spring planting. 

·         Speeding.

I have been approached by a resident of Tuttons Hill requesting me to ask the police to take enforcement action against residents who break the speed limit in this road.  Within Tuttons Hill, I am aware that Gurnard Parish Council requested Island Roads to repair the seemingly very heavily used ‘speed indicator device’ on the approach to the Church.

In Hilton Road, I received an enquiry from a local resident about the damage caused by vehicles (particularly large delivery vehicles) travelling at speed causing stones to rebound and chip windscreens, scratch cars etc. Although, there is little action that can be taken (other than permanently blocking one of the accesses!), could I please request that motorists using Hilton Road are made aware of this and drive with caution.    

·         Traffic Orders.

I’ve received requests for Double Yellow Lines.  These are suggested for the top of Church Road, Egypt Esplanade (adjacent to The Hawkins, Briary Court) and in Baring Road and Woodvale Road (adjacent to Gurnard Primary School).  Should these be deemed appropriate on Health & Safety grounds further pre-consultation and consultation will take place.

In the meantime, I have also received requests for disabled parking bays. If you wish to apply, please call Island Roads on 01983 822440, or you can visit: http://www.islandroads.com/index.php?p=60 for details.

Despite my moans and groans this month regarding Island Roads, I do want to place on record my grateful appreciation to contractors who helped ensure Gurnard’s Polling Station was accessible to vehicular traffic following my complaints.  Furthermore, following initial concerns by Albert Road residents, I know Island Roads continued to monitor the situation for which I am grateful!

Cowes Post Office.

Thank you to the residents who have raised concerns over the Post Office provision in Cowes.  Cowes Town Council are talking to the Post Office, to ensure that provision is maintained within a central and accessible location within the Town.

Readers Site, Place Road.

On Polling Day last month, at both polling stations I received a number of enquiries from residents as to what progress has been made to redevelop the above site for ‘The Range’. Subsequently, I contacted the agent and received the following seemingly positive response

'Works are very likely to start any day and it has been a little slow with our PM managing to sort construction candidates and deal with conditions . We expect the contractor to be ready to deliver just after the summer period so as planned it is still very much moving ahead.'

Following receipt of this email, I’ve requested a Public Information Evening takes place to appraise local residents prior to commencement.  Once I know more, (hopefully, with the support of Cllr Nicholson) I will update residents.

Affordable Housing, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

As residents should be aware there is a local lettings condition which was put in place for the current development next to Gurnard Village Hall in Worsley Road.  This ensures that priority should be offered to local residents seeking housing.

For residents wishing to apply, this accommodation which is being overseen by Southern Housing should be applied for by via the Island HomeFinder website: https://www.islandhomefinder.org.uk

Gurnard Open Space Project.

Solicitors acting on behalf of Gurnard Parish Council are negotiating the terms of the lease with the IW Council.  In the meantime, I have requested access to the site to allow for the ragwort within the site to be uprooted before the flowers seed.

CS16/17 Update.

Earlier this year Rights Of Way were positive about reopening the Gurnard to Thorness footpath this summer, following informal discussions that took place between themselves and landowners.  Subsequently, formal proposals were put to landowners in February and a suggestion made that legal advice was sought.

Because no progress occurred since then, I arranged an informal meeting took place with Rights Of Way to explore how best we proceed.  Knowing that Parish Councillors had questions put to them by residents, I requested if Councillors could not attend, these were tabled to me in advance of the meeting.

The key question put, and the response given is taken from my notes:

What powers do Rights of Way have, and why is it taking so long to reopen the footpath?

At present the IW Council has very limited legal powers to reopen footpaths lost to coastal erosion.  Within the Isle of Wight there is a tradition of working in partnership with landowners to reopen paths lost to erosion, for example moving back fences. However this can only occur following negotiations and with the good will of landowners affected.  When this does not occur further action can be lengthy, costly and non-conclusive.

In the past year, I've sought the advice of Rights Of Way, the Local Access Forum, representatives of the IW Ramblers Association and residents on this subject, who tend to share the view that positive negotiation is the only way of reopening the coastal path in the short term.

During the last parish council meeting, it was agreed that I would speak with the land owner to request whether there were any issues/ problems, and whether any further action needed. On speaking with the landowner a meeting was called with relevant officers from the Isle of Wight Council to try to find a way forward.

Planning Issues.

·         Planning Applications.

I have signed off three conditional approvals planning applications this month.  These relate to a contemporary redevelopment within Crossfield Avenue. Though objected to by Cowes Town Council, there were no objections from neighbours.  Elsewhere developments were also approved at Worsley Road and Rew Street.  In both cases and through discussions with Planning Officers, additional conditions were added to protect the privacy and amenities of neighbours.

·         Place Road Planning Appeal.

The Site Visit took place at Place Road.  The visit itself was thorough and was attended by the Inspector, myself, Cllr Nolan (from Gurnard Parish Council), Karen Knight (from the Planning Department) and David Long (Planning Agent)

Permitted Development Rights.

Islandwide, I continue to receive a large number of enquiries concerning what is allowed in respect to Permitted Developments.  In recent years government has streamlined, and relaxed what householders and businesses can do without acquiring planning permission.  Although this can be very positive, I do receive emails from neighbours who consider that they are adversely affected. For details please visit: http://www.planningportal.gov.uk/permission/responsibilities/planningpermission/permitted

Cowes Week Fireworks.

There remains a shortfall to fund this year’s Cowes Week Firework Event, this follows reduced contributions from donations.  Although this year’s event will take place, any donations or sponsorship would be very much appreciated!  To contribute please visit: http://www.aamcowesweek.co.uk/web/code/php/main_c.php?map=cw15&ui=cw1&style=std&override=&section=fireworks

Consultation on Wightcare charges

A two-month consultation on plans to increase the amount the council charges service users for the Wightcare community alarm and telecare service, has been launched. The council has not increased its charges for five years, which has resulted in a gap between the cost of delivering the service and recovering income.

The consultation details options to raise charges by £4 a week (including an option to do so on a staggered basis over a 2 year period). Currently Wightcare provides three levels of service, ranging from £2.65 to £7 per week, dependent on support required

The online version of the consultation can be found at: www.iwight.com/consultations.  All service users have been written to offering options on how they can complete the questionnaire, as well as support to help them.

Wightcare provides a 24-hours a day, 365-days a year emergency support service to approximately 2,300 vulnerable residents on the Island. It enables residents to maintain their independence through the community alarm/telecare service – with a call monitoring and mobile response service for emergencies also available. The organisation also operates the call answering service for the council’s out-of-hours provision for adult social care, housing and some other services – as well as call answering for various partner agencies.

Factors which have led to the increased cost of running the service, include fuel costs, equipment, insurance, maintenance costs and inflation. Because some residents require significant levels of mobile response support due to their complex care needs, this has meant that these cases are more cost intensive.

As part of the consultation all current subscribers have been written to this week and offered the chance to complete the survey either online or using a paper copy. Support is available to assist with the consultation, and for those with visual impairment or a learning disability.  Stakeholder groups are also being consulted, including People Matter IW.

This consultation continues until Mid July.

Also this month:

·         I have spoken to BT and then WightFibre to request the previously vandalised Cable cabinet is repainted, given this has been an eyesore for Church Road residents for some time.  Wightfibre (the owners!) have promised me this will be repainted.

·         I have offered assistance signposting residents to NHS Dentists.

·         The Planning Application for Hamlet Court, Queens Road has been reconsidered by the Planning Inspectorate, following the decision being called in by the Secretary Of State.  The reconsidered decision has upheld both the Planning Committee and Planning Inspectorates decision to refuse the application.

·         New Street Lighting has been implemented within Queens Road, following requests made to ensure this happened before the Royal Yacht Squadron’s Bicentenary Event, which commences this month.

·         With Council Leader Cllr. Jonathan Bacon, I had the opportunity to visit the very happy, teachers, children and animals(!) of Cowes Primary School.  During the visit, we had the opportunity to find out more about rising standards, Cluster Working, opportunities to improve access to the school.

·         I attended a session where I met and was scrutinised and challenged by students at the Isle of Wight College.

·     Thank you to those who caught up with me at Gurnard Village Hall and the IW Community Club, after casting their vote on Election Day and also, at Gurnard’s May Day Event.