IW Councillors Report, March 2017

Surgeries:

11-11:30am, Friday 3^rd March, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

2-2:30pm, Tuesday 7^th March, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes. - Note new time!

3-3:30pm, Tuesday 7^th March, Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes. - Note new time!

11:45-12:15pm, Thursday 9^th March, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Thursday 16^th March, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

11:45-12:15pm, Friday 17^th March, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

11-11:30am, Friday 24^th March, Eegon’s, 72 High Street, Cowes

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

Elections.

Before myself and other election candidates come door knocking, please make sure that you’re registered to vote following recent changes.  For details, visit: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Please note the very last date register is 13^th April 2017. 

However, to make sure (and from personal polling station experience) it is important that registration is in advance of this.  If you have any questions either as an elector, or as a candidate please contact: www.iwight.com/Council/Elections/Elections-Management/Local-Elections-May-2017

As always, it remains my intention to canvass at every address. If you do not wish to disturb you during the coming weeks, please let me know.

Throughout the election period, I will continue to hold surgeries- so if you miss the opportunity to give me a hard time on the doorstep (!), please call me or feel free to contact me in this way.  

Coastal Footpath.

The coastal path between Gurnard and Thorness was closed by Rights Of Way. This is due to a landslip which  occurred, with similarities to another which took place in 2015/6. In the meantime, land movement continues to be monitored.

Consultations.

The IW Community Safety Partnership would like to know your thoughts about local crime priorities and seeks views to identify priorities for the Community Safety Strategic Plan 2017-18. The survey continues until 20^th March 2017. For details, please visit: www.iwight.com/news/Have-your-say-on-crime-and-disorder.

Campaigners from Pro-Link, want to find out whether people support an independent study into the feasibility of a link, and what concerns people have. The online survey asks whether people think alternatives to cross-Solent travel options should be investigated, if a study should be launched, and what issues residents wish a study to focus on. For details please visit: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/FLFeasibilitystudy.  The survey continues until 31^st March 2017.

Isle of Wight Council Budget.

At Full Council, three budget proposal were put.  One tabled by the Labour and Liberal Democrat Groups to increase Council Tax by 2.99%, One tabled by the Independent Group to increase Council Tax by 3.99% and the third proposal tabled by the ruling administration to increase Council Tax by 4.99%.  Full details of proposals can be found at: www.iwight.com/Meetings/committees/mod-council/22-2-17/agenda.pdf?%20636234473709760026.

Of all options put, the recommendation tabled by the ruling administration was narrowly supported by 18 votes to 16.

I have summarised details of proposals, as well as proposals made by the Independent Group which I supported.

Capital Programme (Independent Proposals alternative for Capital Programme)

			Increase / (Decrease) in Corporate Resources	Total Corporate Resources Allocated
Reductions / Deletions to Proposed Capital Schemes:
17	Signage for implementation of 20pmh speed limit initiative		(100,000)	0
85	Heights / Medina / Westridge - replacement of cardio vascular equipment		(172,000)	128,000
35	Council Property Portfolio works		(200,000)	1,100,000
54	County Hall (New Building) - windows, toilets and lifts		(250,000)	530,000
55	County Hall (Old Building) - windows, toilets and lifts		(250,000)	0
56	Guildhall essential capital maintenance works		(50,000)	0
57	Core Network Infrastructure		(98,000)	232,000
59	Fleet Vehicle Replacement Programme		(100,000)	300,000
61	Server Replacement		(250,000)	858,000
Additional Capital Scheme Proposals (New):
64	Rights of Way		100,000	150,000
New	Contractual Capital Payments to the Highways PFI Contractor for Core Investment Works - releasing equivalent sums from the Highways PFI Cash Flow Reserve		1,370,000

Revenue.

Savings Proposal	Impact	Proposed savings	Proposed Independent savings.	Savings Proposal	Impact	Proposed savings	Proposed Independent Group.
Adult Social Care & Public Health				Planning, Tourism, Recreation & Culture
Care Package Re-alignment	Removal of unfair different levels of support for residents with physical disabilities	400,000	200,000	Deletion of Planning Policy (Transport)	Post will not be backfilled	51,700	51,700
As Above	As Above- (Mental Health)	40,000	20,000	Ecology Officer review	This has been enacted	23,900	23,900
Staged int. of ind. pricing for residential care	Residential providers to use IWC’s purchasing for competitive pricing	200,000	100,000	Review of Pre-App advice	Additional charges to be implemented to users/ developers	11,600	11,600
Review of personal budgets	New direct funding route/  ext. of Pers. Asst. brokerage	1,400,000	700,000	Increased volumes of Planning Apps.	Current levels of activity are achieving greater level of income	100,000	100,000
Remodelled 7 day care to inc out of hrs support	Service designed to provide comprehensive support	125,000	125,000	Reduced spend on Area Action Plans	No Impact. These funds were attributed to consultant support	5,000	5,000
Integration with health & tech. advancements	Care Act: Support through alt. qualified staff	100,000	100,000	Floating Bridge charges review	Increase charges from £1 to £1.50	80,000	0
Community Occupational Therapy Services		160,000	160,000	Library service review	Review concluded and implemented	44,900	44,900
Reviews for complex joint funding s117 packages	Residents to continue receiving care needed	500,000	500,000	Review leisure centre funding/ income	Current initiatives are already delivering higher levels of income	80,000	80,000
Historic underspend in staffing budget	No impact if recent levels of natural turnover occur	159,100	159,100	Review of archaeology service	No impact. Service efficiencies identified	15,000	15,000
Restructure of contracts for 0-19 nursing service	Retendred/ respecified contract by IWC/ NHS integration	397,000	397,000	Review of leases, licences & charges	Direct impact on licence and lease holders	25,000	25,000
Contract Management & Car Parking				Resources & Children’s Services
Admin.fee introduction for replacement bins	To enable better stewardship of public property	12,800	0	Early Help 0-19 contact (15%) reduction	Service provision reduced in favour of targeted intervention	204,000	136,000
Review opening hours at Lynnbottom/ Afton		84,500	0	Consolidation of Early Help Co-ordination	Processes currently embedded to be reconfigured	48,000	48,000
Green Waste Subscription service	To introduce £55 annual Green wheelie bin for garden waste	89,100	89,100	Nat. Youth Advocacy delivery savings	Return from missing interviews delivered thro’ voluneer program	20,000	20,000
Review street cleansing	Reduce cleansing to minimal statutory requirement	19,500	19,500	Development of ‘Edge of Care’ Team	Through development of bespoke family interventions	116,000	116,000
Review highway verge grass cutting	Reduce number of cuts	11,000	11,000	Short Break efficiency savings	Savings achieved through advertising and annual fun day	18,000	0
Review illumination of traffic signage	Due to government legislation	2,200	2,200	Re-provision of Youth Offer	Reduced (50%) spend for targeted youth activities	192,000	96,000
Removal of Project Network assets by IR	No impact. This has already been partly implemented	11,000	11,000	Improving efficiencies for disabled provision	Through early intervention & personalising  service (15% saving)	37,000	37,000
Review drainage contingency funds	Future urgent works funded via corporate contingencies	179,000	179,000	Senior Management reduction	Prioritising front line delivery	71,000	71,000
Electric Vehicle non-renewal of lease		2,200	2,200	Review of Young Carers efficiencies	Review of existing criteria, whilst maintaining core support	11,000	11,000
Speed Camera maintenance	Removal from PFI contract	8,000	8,000	Reduction in school improvement budget	Less intervention required since improvements	25,000	25,000
Replace Fixed traffic counters	Through mobile counters this offers improved flexability	6,000	6,000	Home-school transprt rationalisation	Options to be explored re. non-entitled pupils to pay for seats	116,700	116,700
PFI contract savings	Dimming/ trimming street lighting Reduction road surface specs.	424,000	424,000+	Self-Financing Adult & Community Learning	Transfer reliance on government grants, schools via incresed income	100,000	100,000
Environment, Fire & Local Engagement				Corporate Governance/ Organisational Change		46,800	46,800
Additional income from Beach Huts.	Lease rentals to be reviewed. New huts at St Helens/ Colwell	10,000	10,000+	Human Resource Service reductions	Through reduced staffing	11,800	11,800
Additional income from Fort Victoria	Following review of leases and licences.	4,000	4,000	Health & Safety Training Budget	Due to accreditation, reduced need for external training	5,000	5,000
Fire Control Transfer Surrey to Hampshire	Maintained service level with improved strategic working	100,000	100,000	Market the sale of data protection training		500	500
Reduction in fleet operational budget	To reflect efficiencies in fleet maintenance/ fuel cost reductions	50,000	50,000	Delete post of People Resourcing Officer		50,200	50,200
Savings predicted for year  vacancies	Minimal Impact	150,000	150,000	Property Acquisition Fund	Investment income avoids future cuts to this activity	200,000	200,000
Grant Funding via joint working (Public Health)	This expands upon prevention of falls initiative.	50,000	50,000	Council Tax Discounts	Empty Property Discount reduced to 0%	587,000	587,000
Fire Service review to increase efficiencies	Proposals to be considered by Fire Authority Autumn 2017	0	0	Council Tax Discounts	Structural repair discount reduced to 0%	128,000	128,000
Regeneration, Housing & Transport				Additional Savings:	Acceleration of proposals to develop beach hut facilities		33,000
Reduction in member-ship subscriptions	Solent Transport subscription contributes to £30k total budget	10,000	10,000		Reduced contingency due to less risk from reinstatement of savings		200,000
Removal of Solent LEP membership fee	Membership fees have been discontinued	29,000	29,000		Acceleration of organisational change/ corporate governance		23,400
Removal of PUSH membership fee	This follows PUSH agreeing to a subs. holiday for 2017/18	26,000	26,000	Increased Resources.	Increase resources: Planning Enforcement		-25,000
Revenue savings from disposal of Atkinson Dr.		32,000	32,000		Increased resources: Planning Development		-26,700
Revenue savings from displ St Thomas church	Sale is due to complete shortly	6,000	6,000	Transfer from Earmarked Reserves:	Appropriation from Highways PFI maintenance Reserve		600,000
					Appropriation from Highways PFI Cash Flow Reserves (from Capital)		1,370,000+

+ For further details see Capital Programme above.

For full details see: www.iwight.com/Meetings/committees/mod-council/22-2-17/agenda.pdf?%20636234473709760026.

Planning Matters.

I am due to sign off applications for approval under delegated powers for Cockleton Lane and Woodvale Close.

On both these applications grounds that were given which made neighbours unhappy, were considered not to be sustainable to refuse these applications or impose conditions.  That said, I understand that on both applications discussions have been ongoing with planning officers to reduce the impact of both proposals.

In addition I have also been approached by, and met neighbours from Marine View Close, to attempt to resolve highways and access to construction traffic insistent upon using the close rather than the private access in place for a revised planning application off Queens Road.  This issue I am attempting to resolve with planning officers.

I have also forwarded an objection to an application for development in Baring Road.

In the meantime following consultation and residents' feedback on the Dottens Farm Planning Application discussions are ongoing between officers and the applicant

Elsewhere, within the Planning Committee a reconvened meeting will take place to reconsider decisions concerning Red Funnel proposals at East Cowes and proposals for 80 new dwellings Westridge Farm. On both applications Officers implemented a call-in, as reasons given by members to refuse applications were considered unsustainable. On Red Funnel, I fully agreed the decision was not robust enough to warrant a refusal, and in respect to Westridge Farm am more than happy to relook, given the importance of making decisions that can be rigourously defended at appeal.   

Cowes Post Office.

The Post Office has advised that the Temporary Post Office located adjacent to Cowes Harbour Commissioners Office at Marina Walk, Cowes will close 6pm, Tuesday 25^th April.  The new Post Office will be relocated to the Co-Op at 155 Mill Hill Road, Cowes on 1pm, Friday 19^th May. The Post Office advises that although ‘the decision has already been made to move the Cowes branch’, a six week consultation will take place on the suitability of the new location, particularly on the following areas:

·         Are the premises easy for you to get into, and is the inside easily accessible?

·         Do you have any concerns about the new location?

·         If so, do you have any suggestions that the Post Office could make it better for you?

·         Any local community issues which you think could be affected by the proposed move?

·         Anything you particularly think about the change?

This consultation takes place from 28^th February until 11^th April.

If you undertake the consultation online via the: http://postoffice.views.co.uk/, please enter the branch code: 19592599

You can also comment by:

·         email to comments@postoffice.co.uk

·         through the customer helpline: 03457 22 33 44, Textphone: 03457 22 33 55.

·         Freepost Comments, Post Office Ltd..

Highways Matters.

Grateful thanks to Cowes Town Council colleagues who have supported in full suggestions for Traffic Regulation Orders. (See February report for details!)

I’ve received a request from a Cockleton Lane resident to ask Island Roads to investigate options for where Cockleton Lane meets the junction of Pallance Road at Four Cross.  Do you feel this area would benefit from further traffic restrictions?  Please let me know your thoughts before I feedback issues to Gurnard and Northwood Parish Councils? In the meantime, I have requested that the hedgerow is cut back prior to the nesting season to aid visibility splays. 

Following complaints, Princes Esplanade and Egypt Esplanade (between Woodvale Road and Egypt Hill) is scheduled to be resurfaced from 6^th-14^th March, and subsequently will be closed between 7:30am and 4pm.  I have been liaising with Briary Court, its residents, Southern Vectis and Island Roads to ensure disruption is minimised.

I am also advised that the reconstruction of Parklands Avenue is still on course to take place from 3^rd April.

Last month, I received a complaint regarding illicit parking in Church Road, Gurnard where the pavement was obstructed.  This complaint, I forwarded to parking services.  However, I’m grateful to residents who have reported back to me, that following action taken by neighbours the issue has now seemed to resolve itself!!

Bank Closure Update.

I’ve received a response from Lloyds Bank concerning the closure of its Cowes Branch next month.  The bank advises that a mobile service will be operational. However I’ve received no details of where and what times it will be in Cowes.  Ironically, the Bank advises residents that banking facilities are available through the Post Office.

I continue to await a response from the HSBC, and intend writing to other banks concerning the lack of provision in Cowes

Also this month:

·         I continue to battle with the TV Licencing over bills mailed out to a resident.

·         I have supported a resident getting rehoused who was evicted from their property.

·         I am supporting a resident who is having difficulties resolving their Beach Hut issues.

·         Last month I was unanimously supported by Full Council to Chair its Scrutiny Committee.

·         The Friends of Cockleton Meadow reports that criminal damage took place at this open space.  It is likely that repairs to restore damage will cost in excess of £2000.  If you witnessed this incident please let the police know!! 

·         Many thanks to the residents who have contacted me concerning dog fouling and potential support from some landowners on stick and flick initiatives.  Following opposition from the Country Landowners Association and farmers on how dog mess can adversly impact upon livestock the Local Access Forum agreed to ‘support’ and encourage dog walkers bagging up their poo and taking this away for disposal.  This follows numerous incidents of bags being left in trees, hedgerows and littering up the countryside.

·         I’ve been approached by the police who have suggested working alongside me, at future ‘community safety’ themed Surgeries. This is something I welcome and will consider pursuing further, should I be re-elected in May.     

·         Gurnard Press will join The Woodvale, All Saints Church, Cowes Enterprise College and the IW Community Club in having a defibrillator located.  Many thanks to Nick and Gurnard Parish Council in responding so positively following the shortage identified in the village centre!! 

REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF SCRUTINY COMMITTEE TO FULL COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY, 22 FEBRUARY 2017

The key item on the agenda for its meeting on 7 February 2017 was the budget. The Committee spent nearly two and a half hours seeking clarification on specific proposals contained in the report that was being presented to the Executive.

The Committee also looked at the other reports that were being submitted to the Executive at its meeting on 9 February 2017. It was noted that there was to be a review of the approach being taken to performance management. With regard to a proposed amendment to the school admission arrangements members believed that there should be no change due to possible financial implications arising from school transport requirements.

Issues, I’m currently dealing with is receiving an update on the Solent Deal, ensuring liaison is enacted on transferral of  land at Culver Parade, Sandown, Scrutiny takes place on affordable housing quotas within small housing developments and further information is given on the implications for the IW Council as Fire Authority on the Police and Crime Act.