Surgeries:
2:30-3pm, Tuesday 5th July, Cowes
Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
3-3:30pm,
Wednesday 13th July, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue,
Cowes.
12-12:50pm, Wednesday 20th July, The
Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
1-1:30pm,
Wednesday 20th July, The Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.
6-6:30pm, Thursday 28th
July, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
Public Rights Of Way Consultation.
The IW Council are currently consulting on
its Rights Of Way Improvement Plan. The purpose of this consultation is to
explore ways and means of making Public Footpaths, Bridleways and Byways better
for residents and visitors.
The key objectives within the Improvement Plan
are:
·
Maintain a high quality rights of way network.
·
Develop the network to benefit as wide a range of users as possible.
·
Identify a programme of achievable improvements.
·
Improve access for those with mobility difficulties.
·
Promote the network and countryside to non-users.
·
Promote the network for health and leisure.
· Promote the network as an option for sustainable journeys.
The consultation continues until 16th September. For further
information please visit:
Public
Footpaths
·
CS4. The
public footpath linking Egypt Esplanade with Battery Road has been
temporarily closed, owing to a landslip. The Isle of Wight Council are
currently monitoring ground movement and the footpath will be reinstated once the
ground has stabilised.
·
CS5a. A request has been received to
remove brambles and overgrowth on this footpath. On this I am liaising
between Gurnard Parish Council and Rights Of Way.
Cowes High Street.
Last month, I helped arrange a meeting
between the Isle of Wight Council, Island Roads and Cowes Town Council to
resolve a deadlock which arose in response to vehicles not complying with
existing traffic orders.
Cowes Town Council are investigating
replacing the metal bollards which have passed their respective useful lives.
Following the meeting it was agreed to:
1.
Circulate Cowes Town Council’s wish list of
proposals to the IW Council, Island Roads and the Police.
2.
Following acceptance, these would be costed
and recirculated to Town Councillors.
3.
A follow-up meeting may be called in July to
agree/ accept/ revise the current Traffic Order.
4.
If appropriate, the Traffic Order would be
advertised.
High Sided Vehicles, Crossfield Estate.
I have received several calls from residents
of Crossfield Avenue, Churchill Road and Winston Road complaining to me about
the high volume of high sided vehicles seemingly being parked and stored in
these roads.
This is an issue which I am taking up with
vehicles owner. Although there is
limited action that can be taken, given most vehicles are lawfully parked I
will be speaking to the vans owners, who I hope will park sympathetically to
the needs of residents in these roads.
Public Toilets.
Freeholds
for public toilets are due to be issued in the coming weeks to Town and Parish
Councils. In Gurnard (and Yarmouth) this
has been complicated by recent reassessments by Governments Valuation Office
who recently determined the exemption which applied to the Public Conveniences
on Gurnard Green being no longer valid.
On
this, I intend to support an appeal to the Valuation Tribunal.
Worsley Road Bus Stop.
I’ve received recent complaints from Buckers
View residents following vehicles being parked in the layby for the Bus Stop. I
have also spoken to John the bus driver concerning this, and he also highlights
the difficulty caused to residents getting on and off of the bus.
I understand Parking Enforcement have been
contacted regarding this.
Prior Approval Planning Statement,
Land adj. to Farm Bungalow, Baring Road.
A Prior Approval Planning Statement was received to
develop two residential dwellings on the existing footprint of former
agricultural dwellings off Baring Road.
Prior approvals, are similar to Permitted Development
Rights and were introduced by Government in 2013 to relax development rights.
Although this development has been questioned by
residents, who through the Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan has challenged further
residential development within the Jordan Valley, powers to oppose or object to
such applications are very limited on the proviso that the footprint does not
exceed certain criteria
Planning
Applications Update.
The Application for Phase 1 of the new development at Place Road
has been signed off under a delegated decision process. This follows ongoing positive dialogue
between the developer and local residents.
I am in dialogue with the Planning Department concerning the request by
applicants to remove the footway condition which seeks to connect the new
development at the former Gurnard School site with both Hilton Road and
the new Cockleton Meadows Public Space.
On this, both Island Roads and Gurnard Parish Council have made comments
on the importance of retaining this safe pedestrian thoroughfare, which I am
supportive. In the meantime, I remain
hopeful that a compromise can be sought, whereby it is not necessary for this
application to be determined by the Planning Committee.
Reinstatement
of Rural Bus Service.
Following the removal last year of the service bus 35, which used to call
at Hillis Corner, Porchfield, Thorness, Newtown and Shalfleet, I have had discussions with Cowes Enterprise
College and the IW Council in the hope that a service bus could be resurrected
at term time to double up as a school bus.
On this discussions are ongoing…
Brexit
Update.
It was good to have the opportunity to catch up with so many residents at
the In/Out Referendum last month.I manned the polling stations throughout the
day at both the Isle of Wight Community Club and Gurnard Village Hall. At these, it was great to see many residents
who never voted before, and it was good to listen and discuss local and
national issues, which I look forward to address as your Councillor, where
possible. In the conversations I had about the Referendum, it was very clear
that voters researched carefully, understood the advantages and risks and
weighed these up as their personal decision on 23rd June.
At the same time (where I came in!) there was a number of issues which
residents have asked me to investigate, these were largely linked to Potholes,
Waste Collections, Grass Verges, Neighbours, Double Yellow Lines and Road
resurfacing.
I am currently following up these enquiries. If I haven’t had the
opportunity to get back to you, or if the item remains unresolved please let me
know!
In the meantime, like most residents I’m watching this space as to how
our country moves forward on the monumental decision taken.
Waste
Roll-Out.
During June, I spent a considerable amount of time chasing up residents
enquiries regarding the roll out of the new waste contractor, Amey.
As Executive member, this resulted in me spending time away from Cowes to
be more hands-on by manning surgeries throughout the Island. From the information that was fed back to me,
it was clear that problems within town centres were more complex than within
rural and semi-rural areas.
Issues concerning communal waste facilities within flats, reassessments
for smaller bins and Gull Sacks for elderly residents and the non-delivery of
receptacles within specified timeframes featured high in those complaints
received. In addition, perishing garden waste sacks, new unregistered homes and
the inability to speak to Isle of Wight Council/ Amey to resolve these issues
also featured high in the complaints received.
With respect to the new biodegradable garden waste sacks, this month I
will be testing their durability over 2 weeks to monitor for myself how strong
they are in response to ongoing complaints that I have received from gardeners.
On waste, this summer I will be focusing on ensuring that residents who
find it difficult to leave out bins are properly supported. On this particular subject, if you (or
somebody you know) are struggling to put out your/ their waste each week, please
let me know, so that I can arrange for assessment for an assisted
collection. These collections are free
for residents entitled.
In light of ongoing reassessment requests, knowing a few households that
have been missed I am holding two further surgeries. These take place:
9:30-11am, Monday 18th July at Ryde Library, George Street,
Ryde. (I have requested
for Amey & IWC to attend this!)
10:30-12:30pm, Tuesday 2nd August at Gurnard Press, Worsley
Road, Gurnard, Cowes
Lynnbottom
Civic Amenity Site closure 1-14th August:
The Island’s Principle Civic Amenity site will close on 1st
August. This is to allow for
improvements to the traffic flow on site, and will see an increase of recycling
bays.
During the closure
the Afton
Marsh Household Recycling Centre will remain open from 7am-8pm 7 days a week to
allow for the disposal of household recycling and waste and bulky items.
Residents may also take a limited number of
recyclables and garden waste to a temporary recycling centre that will be
provided by Amey at Smallbrook Stadium in Ryde. The Smallbrook Stadium
temporary facility will be open every day from 1 to 14 August 2016 from 8am to
4pm and will accept limited number of recyclables and garden waste. For details
please visit: www.iwight.com/Residents/Environment-Planning-and-Waste/Waste-and-Recycling/
Road
Resurfacing.
Summer resurfacing has taken place in Baring Road, Queens Road,
Albert Road and Church Road with Ward Avenue pending for
10 days from 4th July, and Rew Street pending for 7-11th
July.
In addition, repainting of double yellow lines has taken place in
Gurnard.
School
Transport.
The
application process for school transport ‘privilege’ seats is now open.
Parents of children that are not entitled to a seat on council-provided school
bus transport can apply for a ‘privilege seat’ until midday on 7 July.
In
the past, spare seats were offered on a ‘first-come-first-served’ basis,
however, from September 2016 the seats will be offered via a randomised
‘lottery’ process. Parents who wish their child(ren) to be entered into
the process can apply online via the council’s website www.iwight.com/schooltransport
If a child is selected, and offered a privilege seat, the fee for the 2016/17 academic year will be £95 per term.
It is felt this new process of random selection will offer more fairness to Island parents and carers to obtain a privilege seat, while one is available, to assist them with getting their children to school safely; alongside the council’s statutory duty to provide such a service to entitled children.
Friends
Of Cockleton Meadow Update.
Following the support of Gurnard Parish
Council, the Gurnard School Open Space Working Party has resolved to move
forward as a ‘Friends Of’ group to help to look after, maintain and manage the
former school playing field and orchard.
Next year the friends’ group hopes to
continue working in partnership with Gurnard Parish Council, whilst Gift For
Nature can use their skills to seek funding for initiatives like the Annual
Apple Harvest. In the meantime the
Friends are seeking funds for a Picnic Bench to commemorate the life of Jenny
Thomas.
If you wish to contribute, or wish to know
more please contact Martin Bilson at martin@vectisvet.freeserve.co.uk
Seafront Railings.
A
meeting has taken place to agree options concerning the railings which run from
Gurnard seafront to Egypt Point and beyond Princes Green to the Royal Yacht
Squadron. These railings have been designated as ornamental, rather than a health
and safety requirement and therefore are not a statutory requirement for
maintenance. Officers from the IW Council have indicated that restoration and
replacement could cost in excess of £100,000
As
most residents should be aware, the IW Council does not have funding to
undertake this work and several options are being considered. These include
replacement, repair and removal- whilst opportunities to work in partnership
with Town and Parish Councils and Local Business sponsorship can be fully
considered.
This
will be discussed by both Cowes Town Council and Gurnard Parish Council in
September, once the full costings are known.
In the meantime, please let me know your thoughts!
Response to West
Wight Coastal Strategy:
I
have been asked to make the following comment with respect to the West Wight Coastal and Flood Defence
Strategy. Issues raised by residents
which I have been asked to relay to the IW Council are as follows:
1.
We have concerns over the redevelopment of coastal ‘dwellings’,
and how these should be evaluated when considering grant funding for sea
defence and flood alleviation schemes.
It was felt that in in recent years’ property and land values in Cowes
and Gurnard had significantly increased, and therefore we ask that the formula
is updated to reflect current property values when considered in assessing
Coastal and Flood defence projects.
2.
We ask Planning Officers to consider Section 106 conditions when
permitting the redevelopment of coastal sites. In addition, we welcome
opportunities to pool long term ‘maintenance’ funds which would help sustain
coastal and flood defences for the longer term.
3.
We ask that the Isle of Wight Council and the Environment Agency
assists and promotes the implementation of less expensive flood defence
measures. Examples we can give include the utilisation of barriers at public
and private slipways, and regular maintenance of drains and gullies in areas
susceptible to flood risk.
4.
We ask that a mechanism be considered whereby when landowners
undertake self-help, and when this is agreed- Could match-funding from
Government become more transparent, easier to access and more seamless?
In addition, it is of
concern the number of agencies involved when considering small schemes. This
can be a disincentive for those with frontages requiring maintenance. The current mechanism requires less
bureaucracy and more simplicity not only for landowners, but also for members
of the public and neighbours who maintains the right to scrutinise/ comment on
such work.
5.
We ask that coastal defence measures at Cook’s Bay west of the
Gurnard Luck is duly considered. Concern has been expressed by residents
of Marsh Road that should the cliff be undermined to the west of the Estuary of
Gurnard Luck, flood risk and coastal erosion would substantially increase.
6.
We support intervention to protect and reinforce seawall on Cowes
Esplanade. This is important to protect properties owing to the tow of the land
to the south.
7.
We support opportunities to increase investment in groyne repairs
on the beach between Cowes and Gurnard.
8.
We support the long term need to strengthen the seawall at Shore
Path, given its strategic importance to both residents who use this as an
access to the beach and to property owners.
Also this month:
- · Overhanging hedgerows have been cut back in Baring Road.
- · Residents have questioned consented works to maintain sea defences against coastal erosion at Marsh Road. From my perspective it is helpful if property/ land owners please let me know when work is due to be undertaken, so residents are fully appraised and reassured of disruption in advance of works taking place.
- · Residents have approached me in connection with new planning applications for properties in Shore Road and Marsh Road.
- · I am supporting a complaint from Marsh Road residents to Island Roads following increased flooding following this road being resurfaced last year
REPORT
FROM THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY AND LOCAL ENGAGEMENT
TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY 15th JUNE 2016.
·
Waste Issues.
Since the roll-out of the new
waste and recycling, a very large proportion of my time, officer time and call
centre time has been spent responding to members and residents enquiries
concerning non delivery of receptacles, reassessments and most recently
perishable green waste sacks. Although
issues are being resolved there still remains outstanding issues, where bins
and sacks have been missed.
On this matter, as the recipient
of dozens of calls, I very much share
member’s frustration and will be pushing for the IW Council to press for the
highest penalties when obligations within the contract has failed to be met.
A briefing has been held for
Members to provide an update to Isle of Wight Councillors. In the meantime, I am also holding surgeries
in Newport, Ryde, Cowes, Sandown, Ventnor, Freshwater and East Cowes to listen
to, and take up issues on resident’s behalf.
In the meantime, can I request
members contact the Waste Team direct with enquiries at waste.contract@iow.gov.uk to
reduce the level of enquiries to the Council’s call centre. If the enquiry is
resident specific can members provide a name, address and telephone number.
·
Town Centre Waste Issues.
I called a meeting with
representatives from Island Roads, Housing and representatives from our
Environment Officer team to resolve flytipping and the collection of waste from
Town Centres. This is something that is
long-standing, which I am anxious to make headway on, in partnership with Local
Members, Town/ Parish Councils and landlords, once roll-out issues with Amey
are resolved.
·
Coastal Access update:
At the Local Access Forum held on Thursday 2nd
June a representative from Natural England attended and confirmed that
development of the England Coast Path (Coastal Access) pursuant to Part 9 of
the Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 is due to start on the Isle of Wight in
the Spring/Summer of 2017 and that initial discussions within Natural England
regarding the scheme on the Island have commenced.
·
Rights of Way Improvement Plan:
Public consultation on the review of the
Rights of Way Improvement Plan will be starting later this month. The
current Plan is 10 years old and is due for renewal in accordance with the
Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000. It will be the opportunity for
the public and key user groups to give their view as to the extent to which the
rights of way network meets the needs of the public and what improvements are
desired to provide a better experience. The results of the consultation
will confirm whether the current Plan requires revision.
·
Beach access:
ROW have reinstated beach access
at Compton car park and Shepherds Chine. Work will soon start on
reinstatement works at Horestone Point, Bembridge Hard and Linstone Chine.
·
British Horse Society award:
The Council’s Rights of Way team,
have nominated by the Isle of Wight Bridleway Group to receive a British Horse
Society Access Achievement Award. The award recognises their on-going work to
equestrian rights of way and how the team has taken a resourceful and cutting
edge approach to carrying out statutory duties.
·
Countryside
Gift to Nature have now taken
over the day to day management of much of the IW Council’s owned Countryside
Estate.
In recent months in partnership
with Newport Parish Council Gift to Nature has successfully bid for grant
funding for Pan Mill Meadows (£46k), whilst in partnership with Ryde Town
Council Gift to Nature received a grant for Swanmore Meadows (£25k).
·
Transferral of Public Toilets.
Freehold documents are scheduled
to be circulated to Town and Parish Council’s this month. I’ve asked this
allows for Town and Parish Councils to consider these before the summer
break. In the meantime, I’ve asked for a
drop in session to take place with officers during July to iron out any issues
which arise with local councils.
·
Appley and Puckpool Beach Huts.
A further beach hut consultation
took place in March of the 144 owners contacted, 68 responded with 41 owners in
full support of allowing a greater choice of colour and shades.
From 1st June owners
now have the option to vary colours. On
this matter, I wish to record my grateful thanks to the efforts, perseverance
and support by Councillors Whittle and Whitby-Smith.
·
West
Wight Coastal and Flood Defence Strategy
Last month, I accompanied
officers from both the IW Council and the Environment Agency at public
engagement events that took place in both Cowes and Yarmouth. Consultation on
the strategy continues until 30th June.
·
Local Sustainable Transport Fund
Award.
The recent IW Council’s bid LSTF
3 funding was successful, and will provide £450k in Revenue funding for better
access to education, work and visitor attractions across the Island.
Of note within my portfolio is
the smart cycling corridor between Newport and Cowes, cycling hubs and
continued investment in SUSTRAN training in partnership with schools.
·
Warm-Up Wight.
Warm
Up Wight is an Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funded scheme which offers free
insulation (and potentially heating) improvements to qualifying households.
Warm
Up Wight is being delivered by J & J Crump & Son in partnership
with The Warmfront Team. The scheme has met the requirements of the
council's Code of Conduct and is therefore supported by the council.
The
aim of the scheme will be to offer customers 100% free products. However, if a
property is oversized then a small contribution may be required.
Before
any works are specified, an energy survey will be required for the property to
determine what improvements will be effective in reducing energy consumption or
making homes warmer to live in.
For
further information, please contact info@warmfrontteam.co.uk or telephone on 0800 032 8322.
Also
since my last report:
- · Attended a Police Rural Policing Meeting.
- · An IWALC conference, which addressed the evolving role of Town/ Parish Councils.
- · Accompanied Amey and IW Council Officers on IW Radio’s Friday Report twice.
- · Accompanied Amey and IW Council Officers on Vectis Radio.
- · Attended a Waste Briefing with Shanklin Town Council and residents.
- · Attended a meeting between IWALC and the Chief Executive.
- · Attended the Regional Flood Defence Committee with officers and members from the SE region.
- · Attended three Community Waste Forum meetings.
- · Attended a Rural Fund Projects meeting. This meeting is called to distribute LEP funding to rural businesses.
- · With the Council Leader and Rural Fund members attended a site visit to the Living Larder initiative in Apse Heath.
- · Attended three waste briefings called to update local and IW Councillors and the media.
- · Attended a meeting of the Local Access Forum.
- · Attended four sessions on the waste trailer which visited St Thomas’ Square and River Fest, Newport and Market Square, Ryde.
- · Made early contact with Town and Parish Councils in preparation of partnership working regarding principle parks.
- · Attended and Initiated Waste Drop in surgeries for Cowes, Newport, Ryde, Freshwater, Sandown, Ventnor and East Cowes. During these sessions, I have met, listened to and engaged with in excess of 200 residents. These will continue until issues are resolved.
- · Hosted a meeting of the Sustainability Forum.