Paul Fuller
Independent
Isle of Wight Councillor for Cowes West and Gurnard.
PUTTING
YOUR NEEDS FIRST
ISLE
OF WIGHT COUNCILLORS ANNUAL REPORT APRIL 2016. (No.7)
Please contact me:
By
Post to: 74 Wyatts Lane, Cowes, Isle of Wight. PO31 8QA.
Telephone:
01983 289595 (24 hours)/ 07 935 090 835 (Mobile & Text); Email:
paulfulleriw@gmail.com
Please
visit my website: paulfullercc.blogspot.com
Visits and Surgeries:
Please
contact me if you need support. I’m happy to meet at a time and place which
suits you, alternatively please visit my surgeries (No appointment is
necessary). These are updated on my website, and as a rule of thumb follows:
4:30-5pm, 1st Tuesday of
each month at Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, 1st Tuesday of
each month at The Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
6-6:30pm, 2nd Thursday of
each month at The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
1-1:30pm, 3rd or 4th
Wednesday of each month at the Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard. (March-December)
3-3:30pm, 3rd or 4th
Wednesday of each month at Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes. (Term
time)
6-6:30pm, last Thursday of each month
at The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
Representing our Community
in County Hall, rather than County Hall in our Community:
This
is my seventh annual report and summarises my work as your Isle of Wight Councillor
for the past 12 months.
Despite
financial pressures, as your Isle of Wight Councillor I’m committed to ensure
our Councils says yes, rather than no, and as long as I remain your Councillor,
I’m committed to listen and fight your corner whenever and wherever necessary.
In these roles, I aim to be an effective, transparent and hardworking councillor
doing this without party political restraint.
Being
part of the Council’s ruling Independent Group, I am committed to putting the needs
of our community first. If you feel my Group gets things wrong, or if I get
things wrong- Please let me know!
If
you wish to know more about my work, I write monthly reports. These are
available at meetings of Cowes Town Council, Gurnard Parish Council and are
available from Cowes Library and Gurnard Village Hall. Reports feature on
paulfullercc.blogspot.com, whilst edited versions feature in the Cowes
Magazine, Gurnard News and the Beacon.
In
addition to my role as an Isle of Wight Councillor, I’m also an active member
of Cowes Town Council, Gurnard Parish Council and Northwood Parish Councillor.
Isle of Wight Council
Budget.
Last
year I reported that IW Council found £13.8m worth of savings to reflect
reduced Government grants. This year to
balance the Council’s books it’s been necessary to find a further £17.4m worth
of savings. This needs to be achieved to
assist demand which year on year grows to support our most vulnerable
residents.
As
a consequence, this will mean the only ‘discretionary’ services the Isle of
Wight Council can continue to provide will be those which create a long term
saving for residents. In addition to
this, many of the most important of these services will be transferred to Town
and Parish Councils and other service providers.
With
further cuts outlined by Government for next financial year, it has been made
clear that costs for providing just the essential statutory services, will
exceed what the Isle of Wight Council can raise through Council Tax, Increasing
Fees, Government Grants and by making savings.
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.
In
a Nutshell: Some of the key issues I’ve been pursuing since last year:
For details of these and
other issues which I’ve been pursuing, please visit paulfullercc.blogspot.com
April 2015.
·
Following
negotiations on behalf of the IW Council, the Education Funding Agency agreed
to provide an extra £3.4m to fund outstanding works at Cowes Enterprise
College.
·
Action
was taken to weed flowerbeds at Queens Road.
Cowes Town Council has kindly agreed to long term management of Queens
Road and other parks and flowerbeds in the town.
·
I
supported proposals to reduce IW Councillors Allowances by 2.6%.
·
Positive
discussions took place between residents and the developer for housing at the Glen,
Worsley Road.
May.
·
A
Community Speed watch took place in Tuttons Hill. A request was made to repair the Speed
Indicator Device.
·
On
election day for our MP, I met residents at both polling stations, and took up
60+ issues on their behalf.
·
I
attended meetings with students at the IW College, and joined Cllr. Jonathan
Bacon, IW Council Leader at a meeting with the Head Teacher at Cowes Primary
School.
June.
·
Repairs
took place to Groynes which required repairs at Gurnard Marsh. This followed up repairs to the seawall, and
reopening of the public footpath linking Gurnard Luck and Marsh Road to the
coast.
·
The
longstanding broken water main at the junction with Debourne Manor Close and
Baring Road was fixed.
·
I
undertook an audit of street furniture.
This resulted in replacement dog bins, litter bins and street name
plates.
·
Against
views of the Planning Committee, the Planning Inspectorate supported
development of land off Place Road for 86 dwellings. The Inspector gave weight
to Governments ‘sustainable housing’ agenda, reinforced by new planning policy. Following this, representations were made to
the Minister and MP.
July.
·
I
arranged a briefing for residents to be updated on the new Range
development. Originally intended to open
in December, this was delayed owing to the need to find a local contractor.
·
I
supported campaigners to retain Carisbrooke College. Following considerable improvements
within GCSE results later this year, and financial support for school
buildings, the college’s future has been safeguarded.
·
Throughout
this month and August following delays and perseverance by myself and
residents, several roads were resurfaced.
This included Marsh Road, Queens Road and Baring Road.
·
I
was approached residents concerned over the potential loss of rural bus services from September. Following this,
I worked with funders to safeguard these.
Sadly, partners approached were not prepared to assist.
August.
·
Following
pre-application meetings held for residents, a planning application was
received for 11 dwellings adjacent to Dottens Farm. Concerns were relayed over road safety,
impact upon the listed buildings and issues regarding coalescence between
Gurnard and Cowes.
·
I
supported residents and businesses concerned about the closure of Cowes Post
Office, and liaised with the IW Council on the potential use of Council owned
land.
·
With
support from Environmental Health, action was taken to address concerns over
rock deliveries off Cowes.
·
Following
negotiations, the lease for the former School Playing Field at Gurnard was
transferred as a community asset from the IW Council to Gurnard Parish
Council.
September.
·
The
IW Council were persuaded to support the reinstatement of the pond at
Mornington Wood.
·
Following
objections I raised, Wightfibre rewrapped their cabinet in consultation with
residents of Church Road.
·
At
Full Council, mindful of the costs, I voted against the level of salary offered
to a future Chief Executive.
·
Following
liaison with developers, Gurnard Parish Council and Island Roads, new roads in
Gurnard will be called Glen Place and Westbrook Lane. The new development at
Westbrook Lane will be called Oaklands.
October
·
The
Gurnard to Thorness Coastal Path reopened.
This was only possible following the support of landowners.
·
Litter
Bins on Cowes and Gurnard seafront were replaced.
·
My
support was provided to residents concerned over the change of use of Baileys in
Cowes High Street.
·
A
consultation took place with residents concerning the colour of Beach Huts in
Gurnard. Following the support from
residents of retaining the existing colour scheme, no further action was taken.
November.
·
I
was pleased to support the successful campaign made by the Isle of Wight
Community Club to extend its lease to 36 years. This is necessary to ensure the
Club could benefit from grant funding for Solar Panels.
·
I
called a meeting with the Footprint Trust to support local residents being able
to access funds for energy and water efficiency measures.
·
I
spoke on behalf of residents (supporters & objectors) on a Planning
Application for the Island Sailing Club.
·
I
supported Cowes Enterprise College’s Humanutopia initiative, which is being
used to raise self-esteem and expectations of teenagers.
December.
·
After
a great deal of nagging, Island Roads confirmed Parklands Avenue would be
resurfaced in September 2016 (rather than 2017). In addition the road will be continued to be
monitored on a monthly basis for defects.
·
I
tabled comments to Planning’s Area Action Plan Consultation. Issues raised included the protection of the
green gap between Cowes and Gurnard, green spaces and the retention and better
access to employment land.
·
Following
feedback from concerned residents, at Full Council, I supported motions
opposing local fracking.
·
I
met businesses based at Medina Yard and arranged a meeting between them and the
IW Council’s Executive.
January.
·
I
acted as a conduit and provided support to Northwood WI, who were considering a
similar model to Gurnard Village Hall in safeguarding the hall’s future.
·
With
ongoing development at Glen Place, Gurnard it was necessary to close Worsley
Road. Throughout the closure, I worked
with residents, developers and Island Roads to see the road opened ahead of
schedule.
·
This
winter, I received complaints concerning neighbours bonfires. Following contact
being complaints fell.
·
Inadequate
schools on the Island fell from 11 to 1 since 2013. In the meantime the gap between the national
average for Children gaining 5 or more A*-C GCSE results rose by 3% to 48%
narrowing the gap between the Isle of Wight and the rest of the country where
the average remains at 57%.
February.
·
I
was amongst 31 Councillors who supported next year’s budget for the Isle of
Wight Council. In the meantime,
negotiations continue to take place to resolve an acceptable devolution deal
from the Government.
·
Further
confirmation was provided by Island Roads that Parklands Avenue will be
included within this years resurfacing programme.
·
I
attended an event to celebrate Gurnard Primary School’s attempts to promote
children getting to and from school by sustainable means.
March.
·
I
have made representations to the Council about the lack of Traffic Orders being
processed. This follows local requests
being made for the removal and implementation of double yellow lines in various
locations.
·
I
am supporting Shore Road being added to the Road Resurfacing programme,
following this being missed out. On this, discussions are ongoing.
·
Waste
Booklets, Black Wheelie Bins and where appropriate Animal Proof Gull Sacks are
being delivered in advance of the new waste contract which is launched in May.
Elsewhere
within the Isle of Wight Council.
Since
2014, I’ve served on the (minority) Independent controlled Executive Committee.
In
that time I’ve had responsibility for Planning and Licensing (until February
2016), Public Realm and Local Engagement (from August 2015).
In
this role I am responsible for overseeing Public Spaces, Beaches, Parks &
Gardens, Public Slipways, Allotments, Rights Of Ways, the AONB, Public Toilets,
Engagement with Town/ Parish Councils and transferral of services.
From
February as the member for Environment, Sustainability & Local Engagement,
I’ve taken on responsibility for the new Waste Contract, Flooding, supporting
the Rural Economy and Food procurement.
In
the last 12 months, I’ve pursued the following:
·
Exceeding
the Government target of Planning Applications being dismissed. (This was an
area of concern prior to me joining the Executive)
·
Improving
consultation with local Councillors, when implementing s106 (developer
contribution) conditions.
·
Improving
joint working between the Planning Department and Town/ Parish Councils.
·
Ensuring
the Implementation of Area Action Plans was not allowed to slip.
·
Overseen
the restructuring of the Planning Department (This has created £700,000
savings).
·
Taken
positive action to progress on several of the Island’s empty and dilapidated
buildings.
·
The
implementation of Pre-Application fees. This has improved the planning process
for developers.
·
Introduction
of Highways Permissions Policy. This affords powers to remove obstructions for
pedestrians.
·
Partnerships
with Town and Parish Councils established for beach cleaning and grounds
maintenance- often at lower costs. Work
remains on course to transfer public conveniences on 1st April 2016.
·
Revised
child safeguarding policies introduced to support the Taxi Trade.
·
No
increase in Taxi Fees.
·
Saw
the Isle of Wight Coastal Path reopened in its entirety, following dialogue
with landowners/ councillors.
·
Ventnor
Park was recognised for its Grounds Maintenance following the input and support
from IW Council.
·
Overseeing
the transferral of the IW Council’s Countryside Estate to a Trust in a position
better equipped to access funding, which in turn will increase and improve
accessibility.
·
Supported
the successful Down To The Coast bid, which has resulted in £1.5m Lottery
Funding.
One
year in numbers. As your Councillor:
·
I
am on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
·
I
work full-time as your local Councillor and work between 40 and 65 hours each
week
·
I
attended 441 meetings associated with my work as an IW Councillor.
·
This
includes 21 out of 21 IW Council summoned meetings.
·
I
attended 66 further informal/ associated meetings, briefings, exhibitions &
site visits connected with this work.
·
I’ve
attended 12 out of 12 Cowes Town Council’s monthly meetings and 11 out of 12
Gurnard Parish Council
meetings
plus a further 6 meetings associated with Parish/ Town Council activities
·
I
attended 55 Surgeries meeting 108 residents in 6 different venues.
·
I’ve
called/ liaised 55 meetings in the past year, these include face to face
meetings with Council Officers and
meetings
called with outside Agencies.
·
I’ve
written 12 monthly reports for Parish/ Town Councillors, which are edited and
themed for Gurnard News,
the
Cowes Magazine and the local Beacon Magazine.
·
I
received over 3,000 Council related emails, 800 telephone calls and 17 letters. These I aim to respond to within 24 hours for
local residents (3 days, otherwise)
·
I’ve
leafleted 2,200 Annual Reports and 350 local newsletters/ consultations and
updates
·
I
visit every household at least once, and in the past year undertook 27 home
visits.
I
received a Councillors Allowance of approx. £16,100 Gross Pay. My
expenses for last year, are as follows:
£
166.63 Annual Report 2015/2016.
£
657.00 Contribution towards Broadband, Telephone, Use Of Home as Office.
£ 83.00 Office Supplies (ink, paper, stamps
etc, Printing newsletters etc.)
£
50.00 Donations.
£
93.70
Travel.
£
1050.33
Total Expenses.
Thank you for reading my
report!
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