IW Councillors Report, September 2016

Surgeries:

12:30-1:30pm, Friday 2^nd September, The Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

3:30-4pm, Tuesday 6^th September, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

12-12:50pm, Tuesday 13^th September, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 21^st September, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 29^th September, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

Street Naming: New Development, Place Road.

I’ve been approached by the developers of new homes to be built off Place Road.  Standing by their commitment to engage with the local community, they have asked me, to ask for suggestions from the community to help potentially name roads for this new development.

Initial suggestions put forward include West Solent Park as the name for the new development, whilst Old Oak Road, West Point Road, Wild Cherry Road/ Drive are suggested as names for roads. The developers are intending to market this as a prestigious housing scheme and they have requested that names should reflect this. They also suggest referencing the church and its spire, on the opposite of the Jordan Valley.

If you have alternative ideas for the name of this new development and its roads, please let me know and I will forward these to developers and Gurnard Parish Council.  As an added incentive, the developers are offering 3 x £50 meal vouchers at local restaurants for the best suggestions!

I’ve requested and the developers have agreed to extend this timeframe to allow for local schools to participate. The revised deadline is midday, Wednesday 28^th September or suggestions. Residents are asked to provide a short explanation of no more than 200 words the rationale for ideas. This will allow the decision makers the opportunity to fully understand suggestions tabled.   

Gurnard Beach.

During the summer, I contacted the IW Council concerning litter that has regularly been left following parties being held on the beach between Gurnard Sailing Club and Gurnard Marsh.  As often is the case Gurnard Parish Council has stepped up in offering support to the Isle of Wight Council.

In addition, I’ve been advised that damage has occurred in woodland, as well as to properties landward of the beach.  On this police have been advised of a gate which was removed from hinges and burnt for firewood.  

In the meantime, with regards to Spencer’s Copse I feel the need to remind residents that this access to the beach, is maintained and provided by the kind permission of the landowners for the benefit of our community.

Rubbish.

Although recognising some people may have given up, please call me or drop me an email if you still have not received your bin, or have questions. Calling me, saves the time of you attempting to speak to the Isle of Wight Council.  Providing that I have your name, the address of the household concerned and your telephone number allows me to process and resolve any request often within 24 hours of receipt.   

One issue that continues to cause concern is the durability of garden waste sacks.   On this, I have asked for Amey to look at alternatives, and am assured this will be implemented potentially next year.

Nationally the most popular means of disposing of garden waste is paying an annual fee (this ranges between £25- £65 per year) for an extra opt-in wheelie bin service, and/or use of more robust and potentially expensive biodegradable or reusable sacks.

Cowes Week.

Following issues reported last year concerning Traffic Management and the collection of street Rubbish Bins, this Cowes Week was less busy for me.

Sadly residents will note, the new replacement tree on Princes Green was mindlessly destroyed on the Friday night. This is due to be replaced by the IW Council, whilst Cowes Town Council will be notified on options.    

Planning Enforcement.

I continue to request support from officers on the assurance that Planning Conditions and Building Control measures are met.

In Gurnard, this applies to approved schemes in Church Road, Place Road and at Gurnard Pines where I’ve received recent feedback from residents.

Overgrown Hedgerows.

Despite recent ward walks in advance of the return to school, this continues to be an ongoing issue.

I understand the hedge alongside both Place Road and Baring Road was cut back in advance of September, however I’m advised it has been necessary to contact landowners regarding hedges in Three Gates Road and Newport Road.  

Become a Councillor?

Are you interested in becoming a local Councillor, and want to know more about making your community better?

There are currently two vacancies on Cowes Town Council and one on Gurnard Parish Council.  Because all Parish, Town and Isle of Wight Council seats will be up for re-election in May 2017, these vacancies offer anybody interested to dip their toe in the water to find out more.

Please contact Sue Waters (gurnardparishcouncil@gmail.com) or Debbie Faulkner (townclerk@cowestowncouncil.org.uk), if you want to know more!

Rights Of Way- English Coastal Path update.

I have attended initial meetings between Rights Of Ways and Natural England setting out parameters of the Isle of Wight section within the English Coastal Path. Work will commence between April 2017 and December 2019, whilst next year a priority will be given to liaising with landowners particularly where no off- road footpath exists at the moment.  

The future for the Isle of Wight Council: Your views sought!

The devolution consultation for the IW Council through a ‘Solent Deal’ partnership with Southampton and Portsmouth Unitary Authorities continues. The consultation takes place until 18^th September, and has been extended to allow all Town and parish Councils to offer feedback. To find out more and take part please visit:  www.solentdeal.co.uk/

Also this month:

• ·         Residents have called upon me to restrict the volume of high level vehicles parked on the seafront.
• ·         Elsewhere, the number of high sided vehicles has fallen to an acceptable level.  Thank you!!  In the meantime, I am grateful to residents with high sided vehicles who are considerate when parking!
• ·         Discussions continue on relocating a permanent Post Office within Cowes. I’m advised from all sites identified in town seem unsuitable, and if all else fails the Post Office will locate to Mill Hill Road.
• ·      I am supporting a resident who is finding difficulty in liaising with Planners on a unopposed application.
• ·         Pot holes have been fixed in Park Road and Baring Road.  I’ve requested an update from Island Roads to repair kerbing in Ward Avenue, and I’m keeping everything crossed on Parklands Avenue and Shore Road (currently scheduled for mid-October) being resurfaced this Autumn. Also, I arranged for a dead animal found on the highway to be taken away by Island Roads.
• ·       I’ve received reports of perceived Anti-Social behaviour occurring on various evenings in Gurnard. This has been reported to the police, and action taken.
• ·         I’ve received three complaints regarding bonfires, and one barbecue complaint. All were resolved once the owners were made aware of the upset this was causing to neighbours.
• ·         The IW Council’s Public Footpath consultation continues until 16^th September. For details please visit: www.iwight.com/consultations.
• ·         Ground movement continues to be monitored on footpath CS4 linking Battery Road with Egypt Esplanade. Once stabilised the path will be reinstated.
• ·       Good news for horse riders, who have purchased an £85 annual permit from the Forestry Commission. In addition to Parkhurst Forest, riders can now also use their permit at Brighstone Forest (!).  
• ·        I continue to await a response from on a number of pending issues. These being delayed by holidays etc.  Once, I receive these updates, I will feed this back both on my website and Twitter feed.
• I will be attending Gurnard’s Harvest Show and from 10:30am-3pm, Saturday 17^th September at Spencer’s Field and  look forward to meandering between the Friends of Cockleton Meadows, Amey(?) and looking after apples.    
•  A new website page has been set up by Mrs Baker’s son David (!!) to share memories of Gurnard Primary School.  For further information please visit Facebook and track the ‘I went to Gurnard (old) School’ link.