IW Councillors Report October 2017

Surgeries.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 3^rd October, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 3^rd October, Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

10:30-11:30am, Friday 6^th October, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm, Wednesday 11^th October, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 18^th October, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

11-11:30am, Friday 20^th October, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm, Wednesday 25^th October, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

10:30-11am, Thursday 26^th October, All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.

12-12:30pm, Thursday 26^th October, Eegon’s, 72 High Street, Cowes.

10:30-11:30am, Friday 3^rd November, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

Gurnard: The Isle of Wight’s Best kept Large Village! Its official!

Congratulations to Jenny and Ellis for their efforts in scooping the Isle of Wight Best Kept Large Village, at the recent prize-giving.  This indeed is positive recognition of their efforts over many months to keep Gurnard in bloom. 

Better still, I have heard this was strongly contested this year and Gurnard beat Northwood (who were runners-up)!!!

Discussed at the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils meeting, I’m told that this year the judges considered the cleanliness of benches, highlighting the impact of moss and other ‘bench’markkings to those daring to wear white trousers….

Subsequently, I was advised that one issue picked up by judges who visited in May was the overflowing litter bins at Gurnard Green. This will be discussed by Gurnard Parish Council early next year.  I understood if this could be resolved, Gurnard could have won the overall award.  That said, this gives us all something to aim for in 2018!

In the meantime, I would also like to say another very big thank you to Mark Spencer on his very kind offer to cut back some of the vegetation outside Bucklers View. 

Gurnard Parish Plan.  Adopted!

Following the 88% turnout in support of Gurnard’s Neighbourhood Plan, the Isle of Wight Council has now formally adopted Gurnard’s Neighbourhood Plan as Planning Guidance.

This, I know will be welcomed by residents of Gurnard and Cowes who tenaciously fought to protect the green gap separating both communities from development which is very much the golden thread which residents felt appropriate to protect.   Once again, thank you to the Committee for their hard work and thank you to all who voted!

Parklands Avenue Reconstruction.

This reconstruction has taken a lot longer to complete than had initially been timetabled.

One of the major issues that I noted with these works, are the problems being encountered with utilities companies.  In an ideal world I would love to see that the road being repaired at the same time as mains services being overhauled…  Unfortunately funding does not offer this, and instead you find the companies (in my opinion the worst offender is Southern Water) acting reactively rather than proactively.  

Bollards!

Following concerns being raised at Gurnard Green, it seems likely that the IW Council are considering erecting bollards to protect the play area from vehicles leaving the highway. 

For me this is a positive solution, particularly given that one of the alternatives suggested (vehemently opposed by myself and Gurnard Parish Council) was to limit parking for those who like watching the sun go down, living it up from this vantage point.  

Another area I’ve asked for the erection of bollards is the junction with Lower Church Road, Solent View Road. At this location the householder has suffered four instances of vehicles leaving the highway and ending up in their front garden.

Finally with respect to bollards, I continue to persevere for safety measures to be put in place at Blackberry Lane.

Garden Waste Update.

At a recent meeting of the Council’s Cabinet, the Member responsible for the Waste Contract, Cllr Michael Murwell has highlighted his support for subscription service for Wheelie Bins to replace the Green Garden Waste sacks. 

Following discussions with residents this is leaving me now in general support of this transition.

Your Views on Highways Matters.

Myself and Councillor for Cowes South and [Large Village, Runners-Up] Northwood Nicholson have a meeting pending with Island Roads.  If you any issues that you wish us to address, please let me know!

Other Highways Issues: In a Nutshell.

·         Brambles and other vegetation have been cut back from Winding Way.

·         Micro-Surfacing took place in Woodvale Road. According to Island Roads this type of highways work takes place when roads do not need to be resurfaced or re-profiled and restores texture grip, removes minor dips whilst extending the life of the road and providing the road with a micro-kid resistance. 

·         This was followed up by lines being repainted.

·         Seating at the Roundhouse Bus Stop in Place Road has been repaired and refitted. In addition the Bus Stop has also been cleansed following a complaint concerning the build-up of litter.

·         Overhanging branches have been cut back in Worsley Road.  Further work will take place later this month.

·         Island Roads has confirmed to me that no further action will be taken concerning the potential conflict of cycles and motorists exiting Lower Horn Hill, in Rew Street. This follows no traffic incidents being received. In response, I am referring this item to the November meeting of Gurnard Parish Council, and request further feedback from residents regarding this.

·         Further action has been necessary to deal with abandoned vehicles in Mornington Road.  A notice has been served on one, whilst following DVLA tracies, the other car’s MOT is imminently due to expire.      

·         A street name plate has been requested for Glen Place.

Planning Update: Response to IW Council’s Island Plan Consultation.

  

Recently, myself and Planning Committee Chairman, Cllr David Jones responded to a consultation for potentially revising the Island Plan.

Following recent feedback the Town Council referenced comments to safeguard Cowes’ Maritime Industries, Green Spaces whilst concerns were expressed regarding infrastructure and the requirement for developers to contribute towards schemes.

Full Council Update.

Following the withdrawal of Reports from the Leader/ Cabinet/ Executive, Full Council has changed!  Business tends now to be defined by Councillors motions.  These included:

·         Commercial Property as Investment.

 The purpose of this motion was to agree to invest Council’s monies (£100m) in the private commercial sector.  It was highlighted this would provide a better financial return on the IW Council’s investments, perceived to be 4-5%, which could accrue £5m each year for the IW Council. Although I support this in principle (The Independent administration last year requested this was considered) I personally felt unhappy and not reassured by the following:

1.    Decisions would be made by two officers (The Chief Executive, the Section 151 officer) and one Councillor. This limits the level of meaningful scrutiny taking place to potential financial risks.

2.    The potential for conflict of interests existing. 

3.    It is unlikely, due to the rate of financial return that investments would take place on the Isle of Wight.

Because I did not receive these guarantees or assurances, I joined 6 others and voted against this motion. The motion was supported by 24 Councillors supporting the recommendation, whilst 5 Councillors abstained

·         Floating Bridge Motions.

There were two motions tabled for Full Council, the first recommended to Cabinet waiving floating bridge charges in light of the ongoing issues with the crossing. The second motion waived charges for parents taking children to school across the Medina.  I joined the 12 Councillors supporting the first motion and the 13 Councillors supporting the second.  Both motions fell.

·         Other Motions.

Motions supported that did not fall were those promoting Rights Of Way (which I seconded).  This was supported by all 35 Councillors in attendance, a motion supporting the continued use of Ryde Arena, a motion re-confirming the IW Council supporting Mental Health Issues, supporting beach access for the mobility impaired and showing the IW Council’s support for next year’s Pride Event (which I seconded)

Place Road Development: Next Phase. (To be updated following confirmation!)

Many thanks to those residents’ who provided feedback on the next phase of the Meadow View development.

The Public Information session for this takes place 5-6:30pm,   day  October   at the Isle of Wight Community Club.

In the meantime, letters are being circulated to residents.

Cash Low, Cash Flow Event.

The Footprint Trust are hosting a Cash low, cash flow event from 11am-3pm on Thursday 26^th October at the Riverside Centre, Newport Quay.

The event is free to local residents will:   

·         Help people manage their cash-flow over time– so they can avoid debt and get help with their finances.

·         Raise awareness of the financial, health and environmental benefits of energy and water efficiency in the home, along with grants available such as ECO and help with Smart meters.

·         Signpost people to the correct help agency.

·         Promote renewable energy and sustainable living.

Once its over, I hope to formally arrange similar events in both Cowes and Gurnard.

Mayoral Report.

As Mayor I attended the Council’s Civic Service in Newport which was hosted by Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox.  Also this month I met with delegates from Chesapeake, Maryland to commemorate the Ark and Dove which sailed from Cowes before settling in America in 1633.

At Cowes Town Council’s meeting in October, the Town will be receiving gifts and hospitality from Bulls, New Zealand which has friendship links with Cowes.

I also had the pleasure of joining the Lord Lieutenant and other dignitaries when visiting the team at Cowes manufacturer, Spinlock who was presented with the Queens Award for Enterprise in recognition for the development of their Deskvest Lifejacket.  This is the second award received by Spinlock, well done, to all concerned!

Fixed Link Briefing.

I attended a briefing with supporters and opponents to a Fixed Link connecting the Isle of Wight to the Mainland.  The briefing was attended by 20 out of the 40 Isle of Wight Councillors.  This was one of the Councils best attended briefings that I have witnessed in my time as a Councillor.

It was suggested that the preferred option for supporters would be for a Fixed Link (probably a tunnel) to come ashore north of the Racecourse at Whippingham.

Supporters held the view that a link would provide an alternative to the ferry providers, would cost £3 billion, would  provide an incentive to grow the economy.  It was believed that a link would not monopolise the crossing as ferry companies would continue to remain viable.

The opponent (who I considered was better received by colleagues) argued that the projected cost would exceed £8 billion and any fixed link would do irreparable damage to the Isle of Wight’s natural environment, and would put further pressure on the Island’s infrastructure.

In conclusion, the one issue both parties tended to support was the need for an independent feasibility study. 

Also this month.

·         I met with new owners of the Watersedge Café, in Gurnard.  They have advised that they are in the process of submitting proposals to modernise their Café.  Once these have been discussed with Planners, the owners hope to share their aspirations of a building with a contemporary design with residents.  

·         Feedback from neighbours was fed back to developers at Place Road.  Concerns were expressed regarding the retention of hedgerows to the rear of properties in Tuttons Hill and Place Road.  These issues have received a positive response from developers in preparation for the next phase of this development.

·         I have met and provided support through Building Control to a resident concerned about damage to a retaining boundary, following redevelopment adjacent to Queens Road.

·         I’ve received a complaint regarding asbestos which was fly-tipped at a property in Lower Church Road.  Both Environmental Health and the Police have been notified.  If you witnessed this occurrence, please let me know.

·         As we head in to Bonfire Season, I’ve received complaints regarding bonfires taking place in Cockleton Lane.

·         Inquisitive men in overalls were spotted on Gurnard Cliff.  I’ve been in touch with Coastal Protection Officers and understand this may be linked to a Marine Management Application made in 2016 for new Solent Fibre Telecom cable

·         I offered support to a resident, who requested my support in getting his neighbours overgrown bush and hedgerow trimmed back.

·         I attended the Harvest Fayre event at Gurnard, and it was great to take a look  at the stalls and be part of this event.   

·         A contractor found himself in hot water when clay was discarded on the beach at Gurnard, following failed attempts to reinstate beach hut footings.  Subsequently the beach has now been restored to its former glory

·         I am in the process of facilitating three meetings with our new MP at Northwood House.

·         Planners at the IW Council has dismissed a request to consider a new Conservation Area for Shore Road.  On this matter, I intend to speak to the Council’s Conservation Officer to explore alternative arrangements to safeguard the characteristics of this location in Gurnard.

·         I met with a resident concerning a proposal to redevelop a property in Queens Road.

·         Are you interested in becoming a magistrate?  Next year it is envisaged that there will be two or three vacancies to serve on the Isle of Wight Bench.  If you want to find out more, and consider that you have something about your skills that could benefit our wider community, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/become-magistrate

·         I am concerned that parents tempers continue to get frayed when parking at school drop off and collection times.  Since term has started, I understand that both verbal and physical altercations continue to take place outside schools when finding that illusive parking space. Please note any form of abuse witnessed should be reported to the police, as this is wholly unacceptable.