IW Councillor's Report: August 2015

Surgeries:

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

5-5:45pm, Thursday 20^th August, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

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

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

Planning Applications:

A number of planning applications has been advertised this week (31^st July).  These include:

Dottens Farm.  This outline proposal is for 11 new dwellings, with access from Baring Road and lying adjacent to Dottens Farm.  I’ve circulated 120 letters to residents living nearby, whilst a public information event will take between 5-6:15pm, on Monday 3^rd August at the Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

In addition to this, there will be a further opportunity to view full proposals from 6pm, prior to the Parish Council’s Planning Meeting which will be held at 7pm, Thursday 20^th August. 

Applications have also been advertised for holiday accommodation in Tuttons Hill, whilst a new application has been advertised to extend and provide additional living space at 76 Worsley Road.

The deadline for representation to all three of these applications within Gurnard is Friday 21^st August.

In the meantime Conditional Planning Approvals have been granted in Marine View Close, Solent View Road and at land adjacent to 44 Worsley Road, planners have approved the replacement of one of the more substantial family homes with two single storey, less obtrusive dwellings.

Unkempt Gardens.

Last year, I received a very large volume of complaints regarding Garden bonfires.  This year, I seem to be receiving an equal amount of complaints concerning residents not keeping their gardens up to scratch.

Unless these gardens are encouraging vermin, if there are pollutants or there are brambles and weeds spreading there are very limited powers that can be pursued by Environmental Health.  In some cases, previously I have assisted when neighbours have been considered vulnerable or when properties are listed or lies within a Conservation Area, action can be pursued providing these residents are willing to accept support.  

Following last year’s Garden Bonfire leaflet, I am hoping to create similar for residents impacted upon this matter.

In the meantime, I have discussed concerns regarding two properties in Cowes.

Andrew Turner MP, Summer Surgeries.

As always, I am looking forward to supporting our Member of Parliament when he undertakes this summer’s surgery.  This year, you can speak to Andrew about any issues on the following occasions:

11:45-12:00 noon, Tuesday 4^th August, Clock (Top of Church Road), Gurnard.

12:10-12:40pm, Tuesday 4^th August, Terminus Road, Cowes.

This year, I will be presenting the letter from Gurnard Parish Council to Andrew which is requesting the Place Road decision is called-in by the Secretary Of State.  With respect to this matter, the MP has been very supportive!

Wightfibre Wraps.

I have continued to chase Wightfibre regarding the replacement wrap for the Cabinet at the bottom of Church Road.  The Managing Director, has advised me these have been agreed with residents and should be replaced in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, I continue to monitor the situation.

Rural Broadband: Hillis Corner.

I am advised that the Fibre connection for this cabinet is ‘being blown’ this week and BT are working to connect the cabinet with an electrical pick up point nearby.  Once this is done, I’m hoping that this community will be connected to superfast broadband and timescales will be provided to those residents who have contacted BT.

Litter.

Letters of concern were sent to the Mayor from children of Cowes Primary School asking for help regarding litter being discarded in woodland owned by the school and on the footpath linking Blackberry Lane and the Crossfield Estate. 

Before the end of the school term myself and Assistant Town Clerk, Sue Waters visited Year 1 children, who raised questions, suggestions and concerns about the litter and the impact this was having.

Last year, Cowes Town Council funded a new bin at the bottom of Blackberry Lane, but despite this there is still a problem.  After listening to the children, the following action points will be considered by Cowes Town Council.  These are:

1)    To work alongside Cowes Enterprise College on suggestions and opportunities to help reduce litter.

The following actions will be taken to the next meeting of the Projects Committee:

2)    Request the installation of a small litter bin at the top of Blackberry Lane by the school entrance.

3)    Conduct a joint Litter Pick with the school, parents and Town Councillors for September.

4)    Have a competition for the best poster which can be made into sticky signs and permanent metal signs which the Town Council funds.

5)    Signage to be placed on both school fences – along the perimeter and the Woodland area.

In the meantime, I have also received a complaint from a Cowes resident regarding the litter between Cowes and Gurnard seafront. Subsequently, I’ve asked that litter picks took place along the highway and also along the beach.

In the long term, I am drafting a report to both Cowes Town Council and Gurnard Parish Council requesting further bins for the Esplanade.  In the meantime, please let me know your thoughts!

Carisbrooke College.

As alluded to in my report, last month I was persuaded by the consultation process to support retaining Carisbrooke College.  Although, Hampshire County Council Officers expressed concerns over the risks involved- with most other IW Councillors, I have put my faith in the determination of the Head Teacher, the Governing Body and others to take the school from strength to strength.   

Cowes Library.

The IW Council are undertaking an important consultation until 6^th September investigating the creation of a Community Supported Library. This is very relevant to Cowes Library users! Although paper copies of the survey is available at libraries, you can comment via: https://www.iwight.com/Council/OtherServices/Using-the-Library/Library-Consultation.

'Summer Reading Challenge' 2015, 'Record Breakers' starts Saturday 11th July at Cowes Library 10am - 4pm.

Not only is this the start of the 2015 'Summer Reading Challenge' but a chance for you to come and pledge your support for the challenge at Cowes library! The UK is attempting a world record for the most pledges made to join in with the 'Record Breakers' Summer Reading Challenge! Come and make your pledge and be part of this event - both children and adults can get involved.   The 'Summer Reading Challenge' takes place across the UK every year throughout the summer. It encourages children to carry on reading throughout the long summer break, collecting stickers, rewards and a certificate and medal on completion! This year's theme is 'Record Breakers'

M.J. Trow at Cowes Library Thursday 30th July 7pm - 9pm

Well known author and lecturer M.J. Trow will be coming to Cowes Library to talk about his latest historical work 'Isle of Wight in the Great War' and will also be signing copies. This is a free event with refreshments available courtesy of The Supporters of Cowes Library Group.

Fast and slow summer storytime Monday 3rd August 10.30am - 11.45am

Stories and activities for 4 to 8 year olds at Cowes Library. The event is free and there is no need to book. Under 8s must be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout.

Tall and small summer storytime Friday 21st August 10.30am - 11.45am

Stories and activities for 4 to 8 year olds at Cowes Library. The event is free and there is no need to book. Under 8s must be accompanied by a responsible adult throughout.

'O.R.P Grom' Exhibition to commemorate 75 years since the Polish war ship's sinking

Cowes Library is currently the location for the Friends of the ORP Blyskawica Society's Exhibition on the Samuel White's built O.R.P Grom, which shows images and history ranging from its building to its sinking and it's wreckage.  

Decade of Change 1910 to 1920 Exhibition

Cowes Heritage Group currently has part of their 'Decade of Change' Exhibition in the Library and will be constantly changing throughout the year showing information about the Great War and other factors during this momentous decade, which meant life in Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard would never be the same. The exhibition can be seen during normal opening hours.

Service 35 and Dial-A-Bus.

Last month I joined residents on these three services which will be discontinued from September, due to subsidies being removed. (One of the Service 35 does serve a bus stop at Hillis Corner).  

Because these services are discretionary, I have offered to meet with stakeholders to investigate whether there are opportunities to reinstate, or at best save these services from being withdrawn.  Most residents that I spoke to have suggested that like the Community Bus, they would be prepared to pay a nominal contribution to keep these services running.  I would imagine that collectively the Town and Parish Council’s affected might wish to contribute in some way, understanding the contribution these services make. From my point of view this is a good start!

A meeting has been arranged and hosted by Isle of Wight Community Action to look into future options with the IW Council, and Town/ Parish Council’s to see whether there are opportunities to make up any financial shortfall.  In the meantime, I will keep residents posted as to outcomes.   

The Range, Place Road.

At the meeting I arranged last month, it was confirmed that THE RANGE remain on course to move into the former Reader’s site opposite the junction to Three Gates Road in Place Road.

It’s anticipated that construction and shopfitting will take 3 months to complete, with a target opening date of 1 December.

In the meantime, recruitment for the initial 80-100 members of staff will be through Job Centre Plus.

Telephone Preference Service.

The Telephone Preference Service (TPS) is a free service. It is the official central opt out register on which you can record your preference not to receive unsolicited sales or marketing calls. It is a legal requirement that all organisations (including charities, voluntary organisations and political parties) do not make such calls to numbers registered on the TPS unless they have your consent to do so.

Organisations with which you have an ongoing relationship, for example those who regard you as a customer, (or in the case of charities - a donor) may well gather your consent during the early stages of your relationship with them and will therefore be entitled to call you even if your number is registered on TPS, unless you have previously told them specifically that you object to them calling you for marketing purposes.

The TPS can accept the registration of mobile telephone numbers, however it is important to note that this will prevent the receipt of marketing voice calls but not SMS (text) messages. If you wish to stop receiving SMS marketing messages, please send an 'opt-out' request to the company involved.

As TPS registration only prevents marketing calls, organisations will still be able to call you for the purposes of genuine market research.

Silent Calls.

Silent calls are generated from the use of 'automated diallers'. When these are incorrectly set, more numbers are dialled than there are operators available to take the calls. If the purpose of the call was to sell you a product or service, then registering on TPS will reduce these. 

However companies use automated diallers for things such as debt collection, market research. TPS will not reduce these.  Please see Guidance Notes produced by Ofcom:  http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/tell-us/telecoms/privacy/silent-call/ 

If you want to reduce these types of calls there is a separate service called Silent CallGard. You can register with them by calling 0844 3722325. 

For further information on these opt out service please visit: tps@dma.org.uk or telephone: 0845 070 0707.

If you really require your PPI premiums to be returned, rather than discussing your personal details will somebody from a call centre please visit:  http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/ppi-loan-insurance. Please note this advice is free.

Also this month:

·         I’m in discussions with residents who have had their pedestrian access to their property removed by a neighbour.

·         Water Leaks have been repaired in Baring Road, and the road has now been resurfaced (in part.)  Action was requested to resolve drainage concerns, where Baring Road falls away west of the Zig Zag steps.

·         I’m dealing with a resident who has received a negative letter from Island Roads, with respect to a dropped kerb.

·         Lesson chimes continued to be monitored by neighbours following complaints.  The Principal has been helpful, and has reduced the noise impacting upon neighbours.

·         Action has been taken against an abandoned car in Parklands Avenue.  

·         Discussions are ongoing to relocate the Post Office from the 15^th August when it is due to close.  These discussions continue to be led by Cowes Town Council, with me offering support where required.

·         Action was necessary to remove Graffiti from the Play Area at Gurnard.

·         I’ve received a number of complaints regarding the movement of rocks/ boulders on Gurnard Beach. I understand that any movement of such material requires authorisation from the Marine Management Organisation.  Following complaints received, action is ongoing between the IW Council, the contractor, and the landowner.

·     Worsley Road has a new dog bin.  The last bin was looking a little sorry for itself, and following a local resident getting whiffed out by the odour, I requested the old bin was replaced!

·   I continue to have positive discussions with Rights Of Way and landowners about the Gurnard to Thorness Cliff Path.
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  ·   Contrary to the marketing taking place, the development opposite will be called Glen Place rather than Victoria Place opposite the Londis store in Worsley Road, Gurnard.  Glen Place has been agreed between myself, Gurnard Parish Council and the developer.  In the meantime, I am slightly scared by extent of the thinning of the hedgerow fronting Worsley Road- but am advised this level of thinning is permitted and will grow back once the development is completed.