Surgeries.
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 4th
July, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 4th
July, Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
11-11:30am, Friday 7th
July, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
6-6:30pm, Wednesday 12th
July, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
10:30-11am, Wednesday 26th
July, All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.
6-6:30pm, Wednesday 26th
July, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard. (To Be Confirmed)
11-11:30am, Friday 28th
July, Eegon’s, 72 High Street, Cowes.
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 1st
August, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
Gurnard Green
Litter.
In the past month, I have received a number of complaints concerning
litter on the Gurnard Green.
Although
I received one or two complaints in 2016 about litter on Green, these were
quickly resolved following extra bin collections (funded by Gurnard Parish
Council) and the deterioration in the sunshine last summer.
As a
consequence of the warm June this year, more frequent collections were required
to start earlier. This is something
Gurnard Parish Council and I will review early next year. In addition, we have requested larger, animal
proof bins are considered when bins are replaced.
The Red Wheelie Bin, funded by Gurnard
Parish Council at the bottom of Shore Road continues to be monitored following
‘fly tipping’. During June, this area was required to be tidied following
rubbish being discarded to the side of the bin. This bin is now scheduled to be
emptied weekly. In the meantime if all bins are full, I ask residents to take
home their waste.
As
always please let me know if you witness overflowing bins or littering, and I
will do my best to resolve the issue. In
the meantime, I’d like to say a huge thank you to residents who continue to
litter-pick both the Green and Gurnard Beach.
Cowes Floating Bridge.
As
Chairman of the IW Council’s Scrutiny Committee, a meeting was called to update
and respond to questions concerning the introduction of the new Floating Bridge.
Outcomes from the Scrutiny Meeting were as follows:
·
The Committee welcomes a proposed
review being undertaken by PriceWaterhouseCooper (The Isle of Wight Council auditors) into problems being experienced
with the new vessel.
·
The timeframe for the review should be
decided as soon as possible, and Councillors and the public be advised of this.
(6 months was considered the correct
timeframe).
·
A copy of the draft brief for the
review should be made to all Councillors before being finalised.
·
A copy of the final brief should be
made publicly available
·
A list of ‘Frequently Asked Questions’
and response should be publicised on the IW Council’s website. Please visit: www.iwight.com/azservices/documents/1335-Floating-Bridge-Frequently-Asked-Questions22062017.pdf
·
Local Members, both Town Councils and
Business Associations should be kept fully advised of any issues.
I was
one of four IW Councillors to attend a public meeting in East Cowes and have
offered my support to residents.
Planning Matters.
·
Shore Road Conservation Area Proposal.
To
date, I’ve received five representations from residents. All are in support of
exploring conservation area status for Shore Road & Shore Path. This will be discussed by Gurnard Parish
Council on Wednesday 12th
July.
·
Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan.
The Plan has received validation, and
should be supported by cabinet on 13th
July. Of relevant note is acceptance
and acknowledgement of the Jordan Valley as a buffer between Cowes and Gurnard.
This will ensure the final decision can
be made by Gurnard residents and is on course for a September Referendum.
Highways Matters.
·
Parklands Avenue.
(At
the moment!) Parklands Avenue between Park Road and the former turning head is
programmed to be reconstructed from 31st July. Island Roads consider this work will take 3-4
weeks and includes drainage works before resurfacing and accommodation works.
Prior
to this, letters are scheduled to be sent out from the beginning of July, with
the Mobile Visitors Centre scheduled to arrive the following week.
Island
Roads have emphasised that scheduling is approximate, and subject to
change.
·
Newport Road.
I’ve
attended regular updates on continued road closures necessary to repair what is
deemed minor defects in the water main between Aldi and Somerton Industrial
Estate. Following the insistence of Highways Officers steps have been taken to
ensure road closures are minimised.
In the
meantime, I requested that whilst Three Gates is closed, the Community Bus is diverted
to serve Cowes Medical Centre and the Post Office in Mill Hill Road.
·
Shore Road.
Last
month, I asked that Island Roads monitored signage following concerns made to
me over vehicles travelling up the road meeting oncoming traffic.
The
District Steward has visited and notes signage where Shore Road meets Worsley
Road is adequate. However,
recommendations were made to the IW Council for signage in the approach to Shore
Road from Princes Esplanade.
·
Tuttons Hill.
Last
month Island Roads added fencing and 'white arrow' to make safe the dip at the bottom of Tuttons
Hill.
·
Hilton Road.
‘Speeding’
traffic has been reported in this privately owned and unadopted road following
concerns being raised of perceived damage being caused by motorists. Options
(such as advisory signage) will be considered by Gurnard Parish Council.
·
The Green.
Weed
clearance has taken place following pathways being missed on the Crossfield
Estate.
·
Dog Mess.
I continue
to receive complaints about dog poo.
Although I’m happy to report this, this can also be reported direct to
Island Roads on 01983 822440. Often the
cleansing team will clean the area within hours of this being reported.
·
Abandoned Vehicles.
Last
month saw the removal of a bus parked in Crossfield
Avenue. In Mornington Road,
abandoned vehicles continue to be reported. One is taxed and limited action can
be taken, a second has been reported to the DVLA who is in dialogue with the
cars’ owner.
·
Abandoned Bicycles.
Last
month a bicycle was found abandoned in Parklands
Avenue. Please note if you find
abandoned bicycles, (if not reported missing!) these will be taken away by
Island Roads (Tel: 01983 822440).
·
Seating.
Seating
has been replaced in Worsley Road
and Church Road. Following requests additional seating is being
considered by Gurnard Parish Council for Tuttons
Hill.
·
Hedgerows.
Action
has been taken to deal with overgrown hedges in Tuttons Hill, Crossfield
Avenue, Blackberry Lane and Place Road. In Baring
Road, I continue to support a resident in dispute concerning damage to
their hedge. I’ve made it clear to the
contractor that this resident should not be out of pocket given these works seemed
unauthorised.
Parish
and Town Council Vacancies.
Interviews for the co-option of three
Councillors onto Cowes Town Council take place on 5th July.
Three vacancies remain on Gurnard Parish
Council. Please contact Sue Waters at gurnardparishcouncil@gmail.com for details.
Public Toilets, Cowes.
Money
has been set aside and repairs have taken place to fix toilets in both The Cut
and The Parade in Cowes. It is hoped
(notwithstanding vandalism), toilets can remain open throughout the summer
season.
If you
notice any problems with the public toilets in Cowes, please contact Cowes Town Council on 01983 209022.
Garden Waste 1: Trailers, Lynnbottom.
Following
an initial spike in complaints (not only from me!!), there was a prompt change
in policy with respect to trailers using Lynnbottom Tip.
The new
policy now allows vehicles and trailers with a combined length of 7.7m to use
the facility. Most residents with good
sized vehicles and trailers should be able to take advantage of this service without
change.
Garden Waste 2: Green Bin Subscription
Service.
I
continue to chase this up, following biodegradable Garden perishing promptly
once filled with garden waste. I hope
this annual subscription service introduced with an initial start- up fee will
utilise Green Bins similar to Recycling Bins.
This
month I have the opportunity to find out more, and will report back!
Mobile Household Waste and Recycling
Centre (HWRC)
For
residents that didn’t already know, the mobile HWRC visits Cowes twice monthly!
Items
that it will collect includes household batteries, small electrical items,
bulbs/ fluorescent tubes, magazines, paper/ cardboard, printer cartridges, CD’s/ video tapes, scrap
metal (max 1m in length x 30cm width), plastics, textiles and paint tins (lids
must be on)
Locally
the next visits take place:
10am-2pm,
Wednesday 5th July at the
Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road,
Cowes.
10am-2pm,
Tuesday 20th July at the Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road,
Cowes.
Cashpoints.
Myself
Cllrs Wendy Wardrop, and Cllrs Jean and Roger Bartrum have circulated two
Cashpoint Updates to businesses in town in partnership with the Cowes Business
Association. This is to advise both
businesses and visitors where they can access banking services.
There
are currently two ATM’s at Sainsbury’s, a new ATM at the former Nat West Bank
and an ATM outside the Vectis Tavern.
New cashpoints are planned for the new Central Convenience Store (opp.
Eegons), whilst another is planned for Lancaster’s Estate Agents.
The NatWest and Lloyds Bank have mobile units which visit Cowes.
These are available at:
NatWest
Bank mobile unit, St. Mary's Road Car Park, Cowes.
Monday: 09:30 -
11:15 and Thursday: 09.30 – 11:15.
Lloyds Bank mobile unit, Parade, Cowes.
Tuesday:
09:45 – 13:45 and Thursday: 09:45 – 13:45.
In a third update to be issued
in advance of Cowes Week, I’m hoping to find out more information regarding
banking services for this year’s regatta. Once information is firmed up, I will
ensure this is circulated!
I’m
also talking to Cllr Nicholson who is campaigning to locate a central Post
Office counter service in the Town Centre.
Meeting with Businesses.
Myself,
Cllr Glendenning & Cllr Wardrop met with the Business Owners, following
concerns being raised by visitors.
During
the meeting, it was agreed to:
·
Improve access to contact points within
Cowes Town Council and Cowes Business Association on arising issues
·
Seek to improve positive social media
coverage within Cowes.
·
Improve liaison with Cowes Week
sponsors; Closer working and better preparation in advance of events and
liaison with IW Council Officers, Island Roads and other organisations
involved.
·
Explore marketing and promotions to
encourage residents to shop locally (i.e reduced car parking?)
·
Promoting Town Improvements and access
to Town Events & Markets (esp. The Cut, Cowes Library & Toilets)
·
To continue updates re: banking
·
Environmental Enhancements. (Taking
action on litter and requesting power hosing the High Street!)
Inconsiderate
Parking, Gurnard Primary School.
Inconsiderate Parking continues to be an
issue at school collection times. Within
48 hours I received three complaints regarding bad parking and verbal abuse/
swearing from parents.
I have also received complaints from
residents concerning parents arriving very early and discarding litter outside
properties in Baring Road.
In the meantime, dialogue continues to move
forward regarding future traffic restrictions.
Disposable Barbecues.
I receive a lot of complaints regarding
disposable barbecues being discarded on both Cowes Beach, Gurnard Beach and
nearby Greens. In recent weeks there have been a number of incidents whereby
children have walked onto discarded barbecues, and also instances of where
fires have occurred as a result of barbecues not being disposed of properly.
If you do use a disposable barbecue please ensure the following:
·
It is imperative that
they are placed on an even surface on either bricks or paving slabs.
·
Place
disposable BBQs well away from the house, shed, fences, beach huts…
·
Do not use disposable
barbecues near or on benches or picnic tables.
·
If you're using a
disposable BBQ ensure it has cooled before putting it in a bin. To avoid
starting a fire you should allow it to cool for several hours and then consider
pouring water over it to make sure it's out. Disposal should be as ‘General
Waste’.
Accessibility Audit.
In
May, I was asked to work with residents on an Accessibility Audit. I would like to thank local residents, Matt
Smith, Joe Nash and Jan Brookes for forwarding the following observations which
I hope to get prioritised.
·
Lip of revetment
to Beach Huts difficult to negotiate for visually and mobility impaired.
·
Lack of Handrails
for mobility impaired swimmers (Suggested utilisation of slipway adj to Gurnard
Sailing Club)
·
Ramp to Gurnard
Green Toilets. Too steep, narrow and inaccessible for wheelchairs.
·
Gurnard Village
Hall. Lack of formal disabled parking, Handrails to door.
·
Putting Green
Footway, Gurnard Green. Barriers are
difficult to negotiate for mobility scooters/ wheelchairs.
·
Princes Esplanade/
Gurnard Green. Insufficient Disabled Parking adj. to Pumping Station.
·
Gurnard Beach
Huts. Yellow Line has faded. Needs
repainting or handrails extended?
·
Watersedge Café.
Insufficient disabled parking
·
Hard Seating Area
(opposite Watersedge Café): Inadequate Access for wheelchairs.
·
Shops, Worsley
Road. Lack of Disabled Parking.
Requirement for dropped kerbs.
·
Egypt Esplanade.
Paving uneven outside Egypt House.
·
Briary Court,
Egypt Esplanade. Dropped kerbing is inadequate, as is access to footway on
opposite side of road.
·
Queens Road. Disabled Parking has no dropped kerb to
improve access.
·
Bus Stop opposite
The Moorings, Egypt Hill. On steep
gradient. Difficult to access (esp. those in wheelchairs).
·
Disabled Ramp to
Mornington Road Toilets, Cowes. Too steep, circuitous and narrow.
·
Camber of Footway
Egypt Esplanade, Cowes too steep and may cause wheelchairs to topple over.
·
Park Road/ Mill
Hill Road. Lack of dropped kerbs on
major pedestrian thoroughfare.
Also this month:
·
Southern Water has been notified of a
water leak which has occurred in Woodvale Road opposite Gurnard Heights. In addition, I’ve again nagged Southern Water
concerning the noise beneath the manhole cover on the junction with Solent View
Road in Worsley Road, Gurnard.
·
I am supporting residents with their
Blue Badge applications. Applications can prove difficult to process,
particularly obtaining hard copies. Let
me know if you have given up and are suffering in silence and need to renew
your claim! Please note there are
individuals that Trading Standards chasing up organisations who charge for this
FREE service.
·
I am chasing up repairs to railings on
Cowes/ Gurnard Seafront.
·
I’ve assisted a resident who had unfair
respite fees charges levied.
·
My thanks to Sgt Armitage and
colleagues, who have kept a watching brief on parties that are taking place on
Gurnard Beach between the Marsh and Gurnard Sailing Club.
·
Complaints and concerns have been
received regarding skateboarders in Gurnard ‘suddenly’ appearing in the road in
Worsley Road and Church Road. Please,
please be careful,!!
·
Although there has been a significant
improvement, I still receive complaints.
If you really must have a bonfire, please can I ask resident use
common sense and avoid lighting up on still days or where dip/ valleys exist!
·
I am talking to businesses on an
informal basis, following noise nuisance complaints from early morning delivery
drivers.
·
Within the Planning Committee, I
received support from colleagues in reducing opening hours for an Industrial
depot in Ryde, which held the prospect of having an adverse impact upon
neighbours. This deviation (supported by
local councillor, Michael Lilley) from the officers report was the first made
within the life of the new Committee.
·
A Planning Application was conditioned
to reflect views of Cowes Town Council and neighbours in Debourne Close.
·
I’ve received reports of so-called ‘boy
racers’ using the roundabout at the end of Tilbury Road as a ‘race track’. Please note this is a quiet residential area,
and activity is not only upsetting residents it is very dangerous.! The police
have been notified!
·
Cowes Medical Centre has formatted a
new leaflet which they intend to circulate to patients concerning improvements
taking place. I have requested a copy and
look forward to circulating this once received in the coming weeks.
·
The footpath connecting Egypt Esplanade
and Battery Road reopened in June following land slippage! Hoorah!
