Isle of Wight Councillor's Report: May 2016

Surgeries:

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.

1-1:30pm, Thursday 12^th May, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

1-1:30pm, Tuesday 17^th May, The Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Tuesday 17^th May, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 26^th May, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

Waste.

I continue to receive a large amount of calls concerning waste and recycling, and what items are intended for the new black bins and bags.  Please note items listed by Amey/ IW Council as non-recyclable are:

·         Nappies and Sanitary Products

·         Plasters and dressings

·         Cling film

·         Bubble wrap

·         Animal waste

·         Cold Ash

·         Foil Pet food pouches

·         Blister strips from pill packets

·         Polystyrene

·         Sweet crisp wrappers

·         Contaminated (with food/oil) recyclables

This list will continue to get smaller, as new items can and will become diverted from landfill.  All other items can and should be left in the 240 litre green bins for recycling.

The IW Council and Amey are currently very focused on getting through the +3000 requests for reassessments.  Despite supporting my request for additional staff to help at the Council’s call centre, waiting times on the 823777 waste hotline number and to 821000 will be longer than usual.  In the meantime I am grateful for residents’ patience and understanding during this busy time. 

Please note there are a number of ‘Waste’ events taking place.  In Cowes, Town Councillor Jean and Roger Bartrum are holding a waste collection and recycling surgery as representatives of the Isle of Wight Community Waste Forum. These take place at Cowes Library, Beckford Road on the following dates:

Monday 9^th May 10:00–12 noon;  Monday 16^th May 10:00-12 noon and Monday 23^rd May 10:00-12 noon.

In Newport the Footprint Trust will also be providing support and advice to residents at Amey’s outreach, which will be attending St Thomas’ Square, Newport from 10am-2pm on Thursday 5^th May. This will be followed up by a presence at Riverfest which is being held at Newport Quay from 10am, Saturday 21^st May.

In the meantime if you require smaller bins, assisted collections or if you are not in a position to visit www.iwight.com/Residents/Environment-Planning-and-Waste/Waste-and-Recycling/ please call 01983 823777 or email waste.contract@iow.gov.uk   

Road Resurfacing.

Road resurfacing will take place this month in Baring Road between Woodvale Road and Tuttons Hill.

With thanks to Parish Council clerk, Sue Waters chaos was deflected, given these works are now scheduled to take place after Shore Road which will also be closed for investigations taking place which I hope will result in this road being resurfaced at the earliest opportunity. 

With respect to Shore Road, last month a meeting took place Island Roads officers.  Apart from the Light Weight Deflectometer surveys taking place to understand the position of services beneath the roads surface, Shore Road will now be monitored on a monthly basis.  Should no issues arise, Island Roads hopes resurfacing could take place in September or October. However, knowing the l historical difficulties with utilities in the area, I am less optimistic. Notes from this meeting can be found on at paulfullercc.blogspot.com.

Residents from Ward Avenue have been advised that re-resurfacing was due to take place early this month. Island Roads have advised that this work has now been postponed to later this year. Following a site meeting with Cllr Banks an officer from Island Roads reassured that when this work is resumed, this will be done properly at cost to Island Roads.  In addition damaged kerbing was noted, and will be repaired.   

Planning Applications: Place Road.

Phase 1 of the development for the first 12 of the 86 dwellings in Place Road was advertised last month.  Following this, a Residents information event took place 5:30-6:30pm, Tuesday 3^rd May at the Sports Bar of Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.  During the meeting, which was largely attended by residents of Place Road and Tuttons Hill, I sensed residents felt reassured by developers that their views would be considered when planning later phases of the development.

The developer during the event emphasised that it was in their best interests to work with the community to ensure future housing was ‘done right’.

The Range.

I am advised that land continues to be cleared and the internal fit-out the new store will commence during June.  

Newport Bus?

At Gurnard Parish Council’s meeting, a request was received for a Bus Service to directly connect Gurnard with Newport, to save residents needing to change bus services either at Cowes or at the Horseshoe Bus Stop, Northwood.  Subsequently during the meeting, I was asked to explore a number of options.

Of all options suggested, the most viable seemed to be to request the existing last Service 32 Community Bus of the day to extend its route beyond Oxford Street to call at both St Mary’s Hospital and Newport Town Centre. On this, I am intending to discuss this with the Community Bus Forum to see whether this may be possible.

Planning Enforcement.  

In the past few weeks a number of residents have lodged complaints concerning an assertion that Gurnard Pines intent to no longer provide holidays to the public. On this, I have sought clarification with planners.

In addition to this, I am in dialogue with planners over a large volume of perceived planning breaches and remain hopeful that that this month (after contending with waste enquiries) I will have time to focus on these outstanding items.

Health and Wellbeing Roadshow.

A free event to connect people of all ages with the community support groups and organisations that can help them stay safe, healthy and well is coming to Cowes.

The latest Health and Wellbeing Roadshow, organised by Community Action Isle of Wight under the My Life a Full Life programme will take place at Cowes Yacht Haven from 10am- 4pm on Wednesday 11^th May.

It is the latest in a series of events giving residents the opportunity to meet some of the groups, organisations and individuals in our local area who can help them lead full, healthy and independent lives.

The events are held throughout the Island and are becoming increasingly popular both with residents and groups and organisations who wish to take park. Among those attending the forthcoming Cowes event will be Working Towards Wellbeing, Yoga Nidra, Wessex Cancer Trust, Wightcare, the Volunteer Centre, Parkinson's UK, Optio voluntary car service, the police Neighbourhood team, care navigators, Mobisle information service, IW Scouts, Independent Arts and the National Trust.

Blue Badges.

Delays have continued in light of processing Blue Badges to residents who apply due to mobility impairment.

Prior to the 3 year threshold, the IW Council will contact residents potentially needing to reapply. However, in recent weeks, I’ve been contacted by two residents expressing concern that reminders are being served 8 weeks before badges expire, whilst the timescale being offered to process claims stands at 10-12 weeks. In light of this, understanding the need to restore residents independence, I’ve drawn this to the attention of agencies involved and sought for reminder notices being served four months in advance of expiry.

If you, or somebody that you know are experiencing similar difficulties, please let me know!

Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan.

Consultation on Gurnard’s Neighbourhood Plan continues until Friday 20^th May. Proposals can be found at:  http://gurnardneighbourhoodplan.org.uk/

Hard copies of proposals are available through clerk, Sue Waters. Please call 07443 656 480, or email: gurnardparishcouncil@gmail.com if you require a copy.

Coastal strategy consultation.

In the meantime the 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 continues until  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 take place on 1-6pm, Friday 20^th May at the Yarmouth Institute, St James’ Street, Yarmouth and 1-6pm, Tuesday 24^th May at the New Holmwood Hotel, Queens Road, Cowes.

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. 

In the meantime, once I get a few spare hours this month I look forward to undertake a letterdrop to shoreline householders advising of this consultation.

Beach Replenishment.

Last month beach replenishment took place on the foreshore at Queens Road. This work was necessary due to the build-up of beach material to the far end of Princes Green over the past 18 months.

I have also met with landowner of properties in Marsh Road, John Dart to view repairs made to the seawall and to groynes.  Understanding the requirement to retain coastal frontages in Gurnard he has asked to continue closer working with both the IW Council and landowners experiences difficulties concerning erosion and flooding.

Solent Environmental Designations: Marine Conservation Zones.

In January the Maritime Management Organisation designated the Needles region a Maritime Conservation Zone, in light of this I asked Natural England the following:

1.    What restrictions of use are in place within the Needles MCZ, and how do you foresee this will alter marine and maritime activities in the area?

2.    What agency will be responsible for enforcement?

3.    What role, duties and powers are anticipated for local authorities such as the Isle of Wight?

On this, I received the following response:

Dear Cllr. Fuller,

 

Many thanks for your email we received regarding the Needles MCZ.  I hope the following helps to answer your queries.

Due to the Needles MCZ recently being designated Natural England is not aware of any restrictions to activities currently in place in the site. 

Due to the presence of sensitive features such as seagrass beds and subtidal chalk which can be impacted by specific activities it is likely that activities impacting vulnerable features will be have to be managed to prevent significant impacts from occurring.  I am afraid we are not in a position to determine what these management measures would be as that not within NE’s remit.  We are and will be working with partners, through the provision of sound ecological advice, to help relevant authorities in making appropriate management decisions. 

The Marine and Coastal Access Act places duties on relevant authorities to ensure activities they are responsible for do not impact the ‘conservation objectives’ of a Marine Conservation Zone (MCZ). Defra and delivery partners, such as the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (SIFCA), are working together to identify effective fisheries management measures for any new sites within two years of designation for designated sites.

Activities which require a marine licence, such as port developments, renewable energy, oil and gas developments, which are within or in close proximity to an MCZ site, are already managed through the existing marine licensing process. The MCZ assessment process is now embedded in the marine licensing process and the impact on sites of potential new activities are assessed in line with legislative requirements.

Management of activities which do not require a marine licence, such as fishing and recreational activities, are being introduced in a risk-based, phased approach, by relevant regulators (mainly SIFCA and the Marine Management Organisation (MMO)), to ensure the species and habitats most at risk from damaging activities are protected first. In cases where there is a high risk of designated features being damaged in the inshore area, emergency measures may be put in place to ensure the protection of vulnerable habitats and species.

We have published summaries of each site, including the management authorities responsible for regulating them here: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/marine-conservation-zone-designations-in-england. 

The relevant authority for protecting intertidal MCZs (on the shore) will vary depending on the activity being managed. For example, if an intertidal feature is vulnerable to damage through trampling then a local authority may need to consider appropriate management measures.

This information may be considered relevant due to consideration of MCZ’s in the Solent, potentially within tranche 3 next year. These areas could include marine locations offshore from Yarmouth to Cowes, offshore Norris to Ryde and offshore at Bembridge which includes Sandown Bay.

Parking.

In Worsley Road, I have received a request from a resident for double yellow lines.  As I have stated previously, I do not support this as firstly this would impact upon the two local shops and secondly it would make parking in adjacent roads especially Albert Road, The Avenue and Solent View Road more difficult. 

What I do ask, to assist is for residents to park tight up to the kerb, to allow wide vehicles to pass.

In Place Road, I’ve received complaints concerning pavement parking.  Following discussions which I have had with residents, I am fully aware of the limited capacity for residents to park. In addition to this the police have advised that on the proviso that wheelchairs, prams and mobility scooters can pass safely on the pavement they will take a pragmatic approach.  

Elsewhere, in addition to the requests for double yellow lines requests for Church Road, Egypt Esplanade, Baring Road and Woodvale Road, I have received a further request for a restriction in Park Road adjacent to the junction with Parklands Avenue.

In light of these requests being made, it would be incredibly helpful to me for residents to let me know of traffic incidents that have occurred in these locations.  

With respect to Church Road, and understanding the limited parking availability, it would be helpful to know if off-road parking exists, whether this could be used by neighbours with a parking shortfall?  This is a matter I am considering should double yellows be the only option.

In the meantime residents have asked me to ask motorists with high sided vehicles to be mindful of neighbours when parking.  This particularly applies to both Church Road and Place Road.

Community Notice Board.  

A local resident has requested that I look into suggesting to Gurnard Parish Council their request for a community notice board for the village.

The purpose of having such a notice board, would allow community groups to add local news items and services that is available.  Throughout the Island there are a number of spaces used whereby residents have the freedom to post and remove items as they see fit.  Although, both Gurnard Stores and the Portland have facilities doing much the same, Do you feel this is an item that would help spread the news locally?  Please let me know your thoughts!

Also this month:

• ·         Park Road was resurfaced!
• ·         Following complaints concerning the non-availability of taxis to pick up red jets, a request has been made to speak to operators to ensure ‘quieter periods’ are covered.
• ·         A request has been made to utility company responsible for digging up driveways and grass verges in Worsley Road to restore these areas to the condition they were in before excavations. 
• ·         New wheelie bins have been chased up with outcomes circulated to Gurnard Pines residents. I’ve supported 27 successful reassessments, with 9 further assessments pending.  I’ve supported individual assessments for Princes Street, received clarification on three unmade roads (Alexandra Road, Blackberry Lane and Hilton Road) and am supporting a handful of Ryde residents requesting support.  
• ·         I joined Bede Townsend , the Chairman of Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan’s Steering Committee at Gurnard’s May Queen Event.
• ·         New Permissive Path signage have been replaced at Rew Street, following this disappearing after Storm Katie.
• ·         The Police have been contacted following the 6ft 6 restriction being breached in Church Road.  In the meantime, I have requested further information from residents.
• ·         I have supported a Planning Application under delegated powers at 77 Park Road, Cowes.
• ·         Following road works at Newport Road, I was notified of vehicles bypassing Medham Farm Lane to access Newport Road via the public footpath and Coronation Avenue in Northwood.  This was brought to my attention following incidents with dog walkers.
• ·         I have intervened in offering support to a resident requesting support for mental health.
• ·         I provided support to Gurnard’s Open Space Group on formulating the groups Action Plan. Further meetings take place this month with Gift to Nature.
• ·         I’ve supported Councillors representing Beach Hut owners in Ryde in building the foundations for what I hope will be a Beach Hut Owners Association.  This Association will take the lead in modernising huts.
• ·         I have met with Worsley Lane residents concerned with neighbouring developments. Subsequent action has been followed up, and I am hoping to address these matters direct with the landowner as a means of potentially fast-tracking a resolution to concerns expressed.   
•  ·         Proposals to develop a new marshalling yard for Red Funnel were rejected by the Planning Committee, the main reason for doing this was concerns over safeguarding the future of marine industries nearby.  Since the refusal, the Council has met with Red Funnel to see whether concerns can be overcome.