IW Councillors Report, March 2016

Surgeries.

2:30-3pm, Tuesday 1^st March, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 16^th March, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

1-1:30pm, Thursday 24^th March, The Little Gloster, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 31^st March, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

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

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

Devolution: Combined Authorities Working Together?

The principle suggestion that has been put forward by Government to augment savings for local councils, is to ‘encourage’ neighbouring authorities to work together.  

When this was first considered, Government asked local regions to agree collectively how this would work.

As an incentive to encourage authorities to sign up, Councils were offered that they would be no ‘worse off’ under devolution. In addition locally under any agreement, the Isle of Wight would retain its county status in much the same way as counties continue to do so elsewhere (i.e Scotland and Wales). 

Subsequently to ‘buy-in’ suggestions included:

·         Hampshire and Isle of Wight offered to front load future housing provision in the region.

·         Local councils to use 100% (rather than 50%) of business rates collected in each region, in place of Government’s depleting annual Financial Settlements. (It is noted that by doing this local authorities would be encouraged to promote and stimulate economic growth within their areas).

Within the current discussions, there is broad support.  One area most, if not all Councils do not support Government is the imposition of an Elected Mayor. Within early discussions, this was not considered to be an option, however over the last few weeks Government has made this a priority.  In recent discussions Government has advised that authorities with mayors are likely to be prioritised higher than those without. On this, collectively Councils are seeking clarification on what this means, what expectations Government has of Mayors’ powers, what model Government considers best practice and why?

From current discussions, it is inevitable that there will be fewer local authority councillors, whilst there is an increased likelihood of greater powers and services being transferred to Town and Parish Councils,  the voluntary and private sector in future years.

Land Adjacent to Dottens  Farm.

The report and recommendation on this application has been delayed owing to issues being raised concerning dormice on site. In light of this, the hearing is now likely to take place on Tuesday 12^th April.

I understand from the case officer, there is a requirement to demonstrate mitigation against the harm that could be caused to these protected species should this planning application be approved.

Westwood Close.

I am advised by colleagues that concerns have been expressed over damage being caused to the paved area by cars and by delivery/ refuse vehicles in Westwood Close. 

It’s noted that within this area, a restriction allows for this land to be used solely for the purpose of emergency vehicles and ‘refuse’, and should problems arise from other vehicular parking enforcement action can be taken.

In light of this, I’ve also raised concerns with Island Roads over the potency of street lighting in the area, and have relayed these to the landowner.  Within these discussions, I’ve requested consideration of a long term maintenance and management plan for the upkeep of area.

Isle of Wight Council Budget 2016/7.

During the last few months there has been considerable discussion agreement and disagreement as to where savings can be found within the budget and at what level it ‘should’ be set, (though there was little deviation from the 3.99% increase on the night).

Within setting recommendations below, there was a well-attended public meeting, public & staff consultations, members briefings and ongoing liaison with all groups which were formally represented within the Council’s Budget and Policy Liaison Group. In addition, recommendations from this group were debated by the Council’s Scrutiny Committee before being agreed by Executive.  The reason for the Council operating in this way is as an attempt to not have a long, potentially bitter and very drawn out meeting to agree priorities. That said, the meeting (slightly better natured, in my view than last year!) still lasted for 4 hours, with further savings being tabled by the Individual Members and UKIP groups. These suggestions, I anticipate can and will be fully investigated in the coming months   

It should also be noted that within the budget, it was agreed to use £4 million of available reserves to bridge the budget gap for 2016/7.

The budget was supported by 31 members of the Council, with 2 members voting against and 4 Councillors abstaining. From my point of view, I supported the savings outlined below:

Service Area	Activity	2016/7 £	Service Area	Activity	2016/7 £
Amenities	Public Toilets	120,000	Childrens	Single commissioning team	40,000
Adult Soc. Care	End support to Recall Club	48,000		Reduce Short Breaks Grants	10,000
	Alternative service delivery	250,000		School Improvement	56,000
	End support for Wednesday Club	6,000	Corporate	Learning & Development	100,000
	Review of complex care packages	500,000	Com. Safety	Reductions & Realignments	60,000
	Implementation of shared life posts	130,000	Democratic	Staff Savings	30,000
	Wightcare service efficiencies	45,000	Events	IW Festival: Cease Halberry Lane TMS	15,000
	ICES review. Technology support	28,000	Fire/ Road Sfty	Income from HFRS arrangements	50,000
	Operations Staff Review	32,000		Reduction in Road/ Community Safety	52,000
	Short term / learning disability review	8,000		Reduction back office support activities	50,000
	Reeve Court, contract adjustments	70,000	Hum. Resources	Restructure of support and advice	40,000
	End contract (Team Around The Person)	25,000	ICT	Contract Renegotiations	40,000
	Additional Income	90,000		General Budget reductions	20,000
	Reduce Carer’s Training Grant	10,000	Parking	Sea Street Lease surrender	30,000
Business Centre	Revenues Team, staff reduction	40,000	Property	Property rationalisation	65,000
	Benefits Team, staff reduction	50,000	Transport	Concessionary bus pass (Floating Bridge)	60,000
	Contact Centre, staff reduction	50,000	Waste	Capital Finance Savings	450,000
	Facilities Management, staff reduction	15,000	Contracts	Contract Specs.- PFI, Waste etc.	170,000
	Fleet Management, staff reduction	15,000
	Payments Team, staff reduction	40,000	TOTAL:		2,953,000
	Revenue & Benefits support staff	16,000
	Deletion of vacant posts	27,000

The savings not supported, and given a respite for this year included the following:

Service Area	Activity	2016/7 £	Service Area	Activity	2016/7 £
Adult Soc. Care	Cross Solent Support (patients)	60,000	Childrens	Closure of Branstone Farm	20,000
	Sensory Care Impairment contract	100,000		Early Help Co-ordinator reduction	30,000
	Complex care packages alternative	300,000		Cease grants (Youth Offer contract)	165,000
	Closure of Adelaide RC (24 beds)	200,000		Cease targeted youth service	62,000
	Closure of Gouldings RC (32 beds)	50,000	Corporate	Reduce Members Allowances (10%)	40,000
	Reduce stroke funding initiative	58,000		Reduce Members Allowances (50%)	160,000
	Closure of Mental Health day service	240,000	Parking	Extend chargeable hours to 8pm	20,000
Housing	Supporting People: Preventative services	1,000,000		Extend Town Centre Pay & Display	20,000
	Supporting People: Additional savings	1,000,000		Remove free parking blue badge holders	10,000
	Empty Property/ Housing enabling	12,000	Planning	Cease all enforcement activities	40,000
	Cessation of EP/ Housing enabling	50,000	Economy	Reduce econ. support, activity & staff	100,000

Waste Contract.

This month, Amey are due to deliver booklets to households outlining changes to refuse and recycling collections. 

This will be followed-up by the delivery of new bins for household refuse and gull bags.  Because of enquiries on this, I have requested that e-booklets are distributed to Isle of Wight, Town/ Parish Councillors and clerks in advance.

Please let me know, if you do not receive this information, which is due to be circulated in advance of April.

Island Roads: Road Resurfacing schedule for 2016.

I’ve received confirmation from Island Roads that Parklands Avenue remains on schedule to be resurfaced in September 2016 repairs to the deterioration to Ward Avenue, (resurfaced in September 2014) are due to take place this month.

Further to last month’s report, I can confirm that Baring Road, Charles Road, Churchill Close, Egypt Esplanade, Park Road, Queens Road and Rogerson Close in Cowes, whilst Albert Road, Church Road, Princes Esplanade and Rew Street in Gurnard are due to be resurfaced this year. Once dates are confirmed, I will let residents know.

Shore Road.

It remains of concern that following Shore Road being prioritised every year since 2014, this has not been included on this year’s programme. When I attended last years ward walk with officers, I was lead to believe that following how highly Shore Road was ranked when surveyed, that work would commence imminently.

When I was made aware of Shore Roads omission, I asked Island Roads what had changed since the survey to warrant Shore Road not being included?  On this matter, there has been limited progress to date, and I am awaiting a positive response on this matter.  

Traffic Regulation Orders.

Residents will be aware of a lack of Traffic Regulation Orders (double yellow lines) being implemented at the moment, both across the Island as well as locally in Baring/ Woodvale Road, Egypt Esplanade, Park Road and Church Road where these have been requested.  The IW Council receives a large number of requests for changes to parking restrictions which will all be investigated and considered but it is not always possible, or desirable to immediately deal with each request in isolation. This is partly due to the fact that making changes in one road can have an adverse impact on other roads in the surrounding area. That said, if there is an immediate safety issue Island Roads will advise the council's PFI Contract Management Team and, if appropriate, parking restrictions will be implemented once the necessary TRO process has been completed.

Because of the financial constraints under which the IW Council is now operating this means now, more than ever, the Council has to look at all areas of operation to ensure the optimum use of the limited resources are available.

With this in mind, officers are currently reviewing the TRO process which is shared between the IW Council and Island Roads, to determine whether any changes can be made to make the process more efficient and reduce the timescales for dealing with requests for changes to the highway network. This is a further example of ongoing discussions that are taking place between both the IW Council and Island Roads.  Until these matters are resolved, I anticipate current and future requests are likely to be delayed. However, if you have any immediate safety concerns please raise these directly with Island Roads in the first instance and they will investigate.

Gurnard Primary School: Travel Plan.

Further to the statement above (which was agreed by the IW Council), I attended an Awards Assembly at Gurnard Primary School which recognises children travelling to school by sustainable means.

In the last year the school in partnership with Nicky Metcalf from Sustrans has provided scooter training and have also completed January Active Travel Challenge, a Twenty’s Plenty competition, cycling proficiency and with grateful thanks to Wight Cycle Hire a free cycle safety check for pupils.  

Dog Walkers’ Views Sought.

People who walk dogs on the Solent coast are being asked to share their likes and dislikes about dog walking in an online survey.

The survey is being undertaken by the Solent Recreation Mitigation Partnership to understand the ways different groups enjoy our coastline. The survey needs to find out about what dog walkers enjoy, their favourite places to visit, and what they look for to be included.  This will allow the Partnership to develop initiatives which assists people and wildlife live side by side on the coast.  Initiatives might include new dog access areas, closer to where people live or enhancing and making green spaces more people and dog friendly.

The partnership was established a year ago by the area's local authorities and conservation bodies. It aims to help people use the coast in ways that do not disturb the thousands of birds which feed and roost in this internationally important wildlife area. The partnership's work is funded by developer contributions in association with planning permissions for new housing. 

The partnership wants to hear from everyone who dog walks on the Solent coast between Colwell and Bembridge. The questionnaire is available until 31 March 2016 at http://www.solentdogsurvey.co.uk/

Also this month:

·         I have been asked to chase up the repainting of a disabled bay at The Green, Cowes.

·         Pot Holes have been reported in Baring Road, Park Road and Parklands Avenue. 

·         I have re-joined the Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Committee

·         Within Planning, I have supported a proposal to replace a dwelling in Lower Church Road, Gurnard.

·         I have assisted one resident seeking affordable housing in Gurnard, and another requesting information on developments in Shore Path.

·         I am dealing with clarification issues following comments made on social media concerning the Fixed Link Campaign.

·         I’ve assisted a resident requiring support that will assist them to live independently.  This resident is now in touch with Age UK’s Good Neighbour Scheme, and is very grateful to the support offered.

·         A further complaint has been received concerning a Cowes Bonfire.  Both the residents and complainant received feedback, and this matter is now resolved.

·         Following a purge last month, I’ve assisted four further residents who are entitled to assisted collection for their refuse.  Please let me know, if you struggle with your waste & recycling collection and I’ll be more than happy to help residents apply for assistance which remains free to those with mobility difficulties!

·         I am following up enquiries concerning revenue from the Cowes Floating Bridge and r from Car Parking. These are being chased up, and I hope to provide an update once I receive a response from officers.

    

REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY AND LOCAL ENGAGEMENT TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY 24^th FEBRUARY 2016.

This report is more concise than usual, this is due to me no longer having the Executive Portfolio for Planning and Licensing and taking on new responsibilities for Waste and Flooding.

Countryside Access.

·         Management of the Isle of Wight Council’s Countryside Estate has been transferred to a partnership agreement between Island 2000 and the Gift To Nature project. Of importance is the assurance that the estate will be safeguarded for public use. The opportunities within the new arrangement will significantly improve the ability to take advantage of funding to enhance access to the countryside.

·         The AONB Partnership are due to re-appoint a lead officer. At the Partnership’s meeting it was agreed by members (in light of reduced funding by the IWC) to finance this on a part-time basis.

Waste.

·         Next month, Amey are due to deliver booklets to households outlining changes to refuse and recycling collections.  This will be followed-up by the delivery of new bins for household refuse and gull bags.  Because of perceived enquiries on this, I have requested that e-booklets are distributed to Isle of Wight, Town/ Parish Councillors and clerks in advance.  In the meantime there will be briefing for IW Councillors on 2^nd March and Town/ Parish Councillors and clerks on 3^rd March.    

·         More than 1530 trees were collected by Amey during this years Christmas Tree Kerbside Collection.  Trees will be composted and will assist both the IW Council and Amey in increasing recycling rates.   This proved popular in Cowes where 232 trees were collected, whilst in Ryde 221 trees were collected and in Newport 199 trees were collected.

Flooding.

·         Natural Enterprise are working with Newport Parish Council to train and equip voluntary emergency wardens.  36 wardens will cover 6 areas across the Parish which are most vulnerable to flooding.  These wardens will act as local contacts to give guidance and assistance to neighbours.   There are two further rounds of grant funding available, should other Parish/ Town Councils wish to get involved contact: carol.flux@naturalenterprise.co.uk. For further information  visit the Island Rivers Website at: http://www.islandrivers.org.uk/love-your-river/issues/flooding/

Public Realm/ Town and Parish Council Liaison.

·         New arrangements have been sought to manage public conveniences for the summer season.  Discussions between officers, Town and Parish Councils and other organisations have been positive.

·         I continue to work closely with Freshwater Parish Council on transferring services from the Isle of Wight Council to the local community. I am positive that following discussions which has taken place that the transition will become less tenuous. 

Since Full Council.

• ·         I attended the meeting of IWALC, which took place on 21^st January.  One of the key issues raised during the meeting, was how liaison would continue between the Association and the IW Council.  From my perspective I will continue to work with officers and members to ensure that this linkage can be strengthened.
• ·         With other Executive members I attended a meeting with the HCA concerning the Solent Gateways project, East Cowes.
• ·         Within my former Planning Portfolio, I attended a meeting between a  local councillor and developer to resolve longstanding environmental, public realm and planning issues.  This meeting has subsequently had a positive outcome. 
• ·         Also within Planning, a meeting took place between myself, Cllr Baker-Smith and the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England.
• ·         Within my former Executive Role I attended a meeting between officers and a local member over a Lawful Development Certificate.
• ·         I attended the Annual General Meeting of the AONB Partnership.
• ·         Cllr Stubbings and I met with representatives of Isle Access. 
• ·         I have discussed a potential upgrading Public Rights Of Way matter with residents, Parish Councillors and Officers.
• ·         Investigations and an initial meeting has been arranged to utilise public space with residents and the local member.
• ·         An initial discussion has taken place to forward Dark Skies status for the Isle of Wight.  Further discussions will take place with colleagues to move forward on this matter.