IW Councillors Report April 2016

Surgeries:

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.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 14^th April, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 28^th April, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

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

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 3^rd May, Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

Waste Contract.

New Waste/ Recycling Booklets, 140 litre bins (for general waste) and inserts for the recycling bins are being distributed to most households in Cowes and Gurnard this month.

Since this has occurred, I have received some feedback from some residents who have expressed concern over the new 140 litre bins being too small for large families and for residents with medical needs.

If this applies to your household, please call the Council’s Waste Helpline on 01983 823777.

Locally, it was found that 30% of items found in black bagged general waste could be recycled, and diverted from both economically and environmentally costly landfill.

The reason for why this being pursued at this time, is due to more items (including most plastics, tetra-packs, cardboard) being recycleable.  In other parts of the country 140 litre bins have been in use for several years, and is seen as the standard sized bin for general waste.  As this is a new waste contract, it makes sense for the Island to adapt now to be consistent with these areas.

Planning: Dottens Farm.

Following the discovery of dormice on site the proposal is likely to be amended and additional ecology survey work undertaken. Planning Officers have advised me the scheme is likely to be re-advertised.

Planning: Place Road.

I’m advised by Planning Officers that diggers are due to enter the site at Place Road.  The purpose of this is to remove brambles, to locate manhole sites and to implement testing sites for the new housing development.

Planning Enforcement.

Planning Enforcement enquiries are being followed up in six locations currently in three sites in Cowes (Off Baring Road, Crossfield Avenue and Mornington Road) and three sites in Gurnard (Off Cockleton Lane, Worsley Road and Shore Road).  Because of the volume of complaints underway at the moment, I am hoping to meet with the Planning Enforcement Officer to support action being pursued.

Planning Appeals.

The Planning Inspectorate overturned the Isle of Wight Council’s decision to refuse revisions to a property in Marsh Road.  Locally this application had no opposition from either myself, Gurnard Parish Council or residents.

Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan.

Gurnard’s Neighbourhood Plan is going out to formal public consultation from Friday 8^th April until Friday 20^th May.  Proposals can be found at:  http://gurnardneighbourhoodplan.org.uk/

Hard copies of the proposals are available from Parish Clerk, Sue Waters.  Please call Sue on 07443 656 480, or email: gurnardparishcouncil@gmail.com if you require a copy.

Fight for the Wight Campaign.

This campaign was set up for the purposes of asking Government to:

• Acknowledge the Island is unique and needs extra help.

• Change the way the Island is funded, in recognition of the unique challenges we face as an Island community.

• Give us more money.

Please sign the petition, show and 'share' your support to this campaign, which has cross party support.

Flytipping.

A large number of black sacks were removed from Cockleton Lane, following this being reported.  I have requested that rigorous action is taken against offenders.

In the meantime, I attended a meeting with the Island’s Rural Policing Team and am advised that alongside Traffic Issues (i.e fuel theft and theft from vehicles), Dogs being exercised off leads on farmland and ongoing work with Trading Standards- Fly-tipping remains a priority for the police.

Gurnard Open Space, Cockleton Lane.

I joined volunteers planting trees at the former school playing field and orchard site in Cockleton Lane.

Following comments raised by Gurnard Parish Council, and issues raised concerning the future of a Community Growing Scheme, the Open Spaces Group are reprioritising projects which will be key to an action plan for the area.  It is hoped that closer working with youth groups will open up opportunities to benefit from future grant funding.

Annual Report: 2016.

My Annual Report to residents has been circulated to 2100 households in Cowes West and Gurnard.  Please let me know if you have not received yours!

Copies are available on my website, and from the Annual Parish Meeting for Gurnard, and the Annual Town Meeting for Cowes.  In the meantime, I am receiving a large level of feedback, support and enquiries from residents.

Shore Road Resurfacing.

I remain in discussions with Island Roads concerning the inclusion of Shore Road within 2016’s road resurfacing programme.  I anticipate there may be issues regarding utility mains, however I’ve received no confirmation regarding this.

On this matter, I have arranged to meet with Island Roads to agree a way forward.  This follows ongoing complaints from residents and short term repairs to both the road surface and the utility mains beneath the road.  

Public Slipway, Re-opened.

With grateful thanks to IW Council Officers the public slipway adjacent to the former Harbour Lights/ Waterside and Post Office from the High Street has reopened.

Coastal strategy consultation.

The IW Council and the Environment Agency have launched a 3 month public consultation on a draft coastal strategy for the West Wight shoreline on the northern coastal strip of the Island from East Cowes to Freshwater Bay.

The consultation will run to 30^th June 2016 and is an opportunity for people to learn about the proposals that have been put forward to manage future coastal flood and erosion risks to the shoreline.

Two ‘drop-in’ roadshows will be held in Yarmouth and Cowes, for the public to attend, view the proposals and ask questions. Each will be held over an afternoon and early evening. The dates will be advertised on www.coastalwight.gov.uk.  

You can download a copy of the Strategy and a Summary Report from www.iwight.com/consultations/  and there is also an online questionnaire for you to submit your comments. Alternatively, please email:coast@iow.gov.uk. 

Road Closure: Newport Road.

During Easter, I took a number of calls concerning the closure of Newport Road- and the disruption this created at the same time which the Floating Bridge was taken out of service.  On this subject, I sought a reply- to which the Council responded.  This response was circulated to Local Councils and the media in advance of the Easter Holiday.

‘The annual inspection of the floating bridge was booked in January 2016.  As the bridge which is now nearly 40 years old it is important, in case any issues arise during the inspection, that sufficient time must be built into the process to ensure that the floating bridge can continue to operate during the main part of the season.

It is unfortunate that there have been roadworks on the main Cowes carriageways for the past few months, which will now continue for another month.  If the floating bridge inspection is delayed until May, it could potentially impact upon the main holiday season.

Figures have shown in the past that the Easter week is one of the quieter periods for travel on the floating bridge, so we have keen to get this work done at this opportunity rather than risk any issues being identified to close to the main season.  Undertaking the works during school holidays minimises the impact upon school children using this route to get to school.

The Southern Water road works will be at the junction of Newport Road and Nodes Road, with the northern side of Newport road still being closed to traffic.  Two way traffic signals will be operating across the junction (with the main traffic signals turned off).  No works are actually taking place in Nodes Road.  The VMS signs currently in situ are related to the works on Newport Road.’

Also this Month:

·      I have signed up and supported the Fight for the Wight campaign

·      Fixed Link campaigners have approached the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership to fund a feasibility study.

·         I have requested that double yellow lines are repainted.

·        I’ve been asked to provide support to one resident concerning after care services following leaving hospital.

·        I have also given support to a housebound resident requesting a flu jab, following this not being offered last winter.  Cowes Medical Centre, are now aware of this residents needs and have assured this will not happen again to this resident.

·         I am supporting a Cliff Road resident who has raised concerns over parking in their street.

·         I’ve been in contact with Licensing and Taxi Operators concerning taxi’s meeting Red Jets. 

·         Pot Holes have been reported in Solent View Road and Noke Common (and Shore Road!).  In the meantime, I’ve offered support to Pot Hole victims in Whitehouse Road and Princes Esplanade (and again, Shore Road).

·         I am pursuing a wheelie bin swap for a resident of Albert Road.  

·         Concerns have been raised regarding damage to the sea wall at Shore Path.

REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY AND LOCAL ENGAGEMENT TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY 16^th MARCH 2016.

Since last Full Council:

·         Briefings have taken place with Isle of Wight, local Councillors and the media concerning the roll-out of the new Waste Contract. In the coming weeks there will be extensive media coverage at the same time that booklets and new bins are circulated and delivered to householders.  For me, this work is of priority.

·         I’ve worked with officers and local councillors on Beach Hut consultation with owners at Puckpool and Appley.  Consultation continues until 24^th March and will offer owners a future opportunity to work together collectively

·         A meeting has taken place at ‘orphaned’ land in Carisbrooke. I am working with officers to look at both short and long term outcomes for this land.

·         On Sustainability, I have received briefings on Tranche 3 of the Marine Conservation Zones consultation, Water efficiency, work place travel and Fuel Poverty. 

·         I am working with officers to review and see potential improvements to the Authorities existing food contract for all council services including leisure centres, the fire service, The Gouldings, The Adelaide and providers of learning disability services.

·         Rights of Way are awaiting dry weather to temporarily replace the steps to Compton Bay. It is hoped that with weather permitting, these can be replaced for May Bank Holiday. In the meantime discussions are taking place with Natural England, landowners- The National Trust and Island Roads for a long term solution.

·         Following winter storms, steps leading to Shepherd’s Chine and Linstone Chine were damaged.  Like the Compton Steps these continue to be monitored.

·         A bid is underway by Niton and Whitwell Parish Council to improve a section of public bridleway which connects both villages. 

• I chaired the recent Local Access Forum where it was reported the temporary closure order for the Public Footpath adjacent to the IW Festival site is likely to be for 10 days rather than 3 weeks. In addition a new bridleway has been dedicated at Brading, whilst agreement in principle has been reached to extend the duration of a permissive bridleway for a further two years at Westover.

·         Neighbourhood Plan Training has taken place with Town and Parish Councillors.

·         Following discussions with officers, I am advised that the Public Slipway adjacent to the former Harbour Lights/ Waterside Inn site is due to reopen this month.  In addition, I am advised that Red Funnel are taking residents views boards on the potential to relocate the Public Slipway at East Cowes. 

·         I attended a meeting of the Isle of Wight Local Action Group which awards Local Enterprise Partnership financial support to Rural Businesses.

·         Alongside, Cllrs. Bacon, Jones-Evans and Peacey-Wilcox,  I attended the Island Chamber Of Commerce’s Green on Wight Conference and saw this as a positive opportunity to network with some of our Island’s key ‘Environmental’ stakeholders.  As often arises at such events, I’ve been requested to follow up a number of issues on attendees behalf.

·         Solent coast dog walkers’ are being asked to share their likes and dislikes about dog walking in an online survey 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/

·         I am due to meet with Freshwater Parish Council to discuss progress transferring various services and responsibilities from the Isle of Wight Council.  A site visit and meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 15^th March.

·         At the Solent Forum meeting scheduled for Wednesday 16^th March updates are due to be provided on Marine Conservation Zones and the upcoming Marine and Coastal Access Act proposals for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.