IW Councillors Report, February 2018

Surgeries:

10:30-11:30am, Friday 2^nd February, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 6^th February, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

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

1-1:30pm, Wednesday 14^th February, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm, Wednesday 14^th February, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

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

10:30-11am, Thursday 22^nd February, Coffee & Chat Morning, All Saints Church, Gurnard.

12-12:30pm, Thursday 22^nd February, Eegon’s, 72 High Street, Cowes.

Traffic Orders.

·         St Mary’s Roundabout.

The IW Council are consulting on proposals intended to improve traffic flow in Newport.  Details can be found at: https://www.scribd.com/document/369807530/St-Mary-s-Junction-Improvement-Phasing-Plan#from_embed

The proposals are part of a £9.6m government grant, with the initial stage at St. Mary’s Roundabout due to take place in the coming months. The Island Roads Mobile Unit undertook an on-site consultation in Parkhurst Road in January.  Because of the potential impact these proposals may have upon Cowes residents, I am liaising with the local member for Parkhurst Cllr Andrew Garratt, and intend to offer him my support where required.

In the meantime, comments can be made to: Bill Murphy, IW Council Head of Contract Management, St. Christopher House, 42 Daish Way, Newport, Isle of Wight. PO30 5XJ.  The consultation continues until 21^st February.

·         Cowes Traffic Orders.

The Cowes Traffic Order has been advertised, and continues until Friday 16^th February.  The order follows recommendations made by residents, Isle of Wight Councillors and Town and Parish Councils. Both, myself and clerks to Cowes Town and Gurnard Parish Councils have copies of maps.  These may also be viewed at County Hall.

Locally, roads  that the IW Council and Island Roads considered appropriate (being amended on safety grounds) were:

2b. To revoke ‘No waiting at Any Time, Monday to Friday 8am-5pm’ parking restriction in the following length of road:

Crossfield Avenue, on the south east side, from a point 31.5 metres south-west to a point 186.5 metres south-west of its junction with Ward Avenue.

2d. To introduce ‘No Waiting at Any Time’ parking restriction in the following lengths of road:

Baring Road, on the south-east side, from a point 51 metres north-east, to a point 45 metres south-west of its junction with Brambles Lane.

Baring Road, on the east side, from a point 115 metres south, to a point 153 metres south of its junction with Brambles Lane.

Baring Road, on the east side from a point 49 metres north, to a point 232 metres south of its junction with Woodvale Road.

Crossfield Avenue, on the south-east side, from a point 31 metres south-west, to a point 48.5 metres south-west of its junction with Ward Avenue.

Crossfield Avenue, on the north-west side, from a point 107 metres south-west to a point 192.5 metres south-west of its junction with Ward Avenue.

Park Road, on the north side from a point 13 metres west, to a point 34 metres west of its junction with Parklands Avenue

2e. To introduce ‘No Waiting / No Loading at Any Time’ parking restriction in the following lengths of road:

Baring Road, on the east side, from a point 82 metres north, to a point 147.5 metres north of its junction with Woodvale Road.

Woodvale Road, on the south and west side, from a point 14.5 metres west, to a point 114.5 metres north-west of its junction with Baring Road.

Woodvale Road, on the north and east side, from a point 37 metres west to a point 109 metres north-west of its junction with Baring Road.

2f. To introduce Limited Waiting 15 minutes, No return within 15 minutes, Monday to Friday parking restriction in the following length of road:

Baring Road, on the west side, from a point 110.5 metres north to a point 151 metres north of its junction with Woodvale Road.

Gurnard Primary School.

I understand that there are proposals to redevelop and improve Gurnard Primary School.  On these proposals, I have been in contact with Miss Hicks, the Head who advises suggestions would be shared at a public meeting due to be held in the coming weeks.

Once I know more, I will ensure information is circulated!

Police Surgeries.

Following concerns raised regarding local anti-social behaviour, I have requested a meeting to take place with the police.

In the meantime, the police hold regular surgeries.  These take place 4:30-6pm, Friday 2 February and Thursday 1 March at Costa, High Street, Cowes and 4:30-6pm, Saturday 24 February at the Coffee Shop, The Range, Place Road.

At the most recent Police and Community Together (PACT) meeting, the following priorities were agreed:

1.    The Night Time Economy in and around Cowes Town Centre.

2.    Violence.  (With a priority to support victims of domestic abuse).

3.    Youth Anti-Social Behaviour and vulnerability.

Cowes Medical Centre.

·         Online Registration Week  

From Monday 12^th - Friday 16^th February Cowes Medical Centre are supporting residents to register for online services. This will assist booking appointments, ordering repeat prescriptions and accessing your GP health record.

Appointments can be booked throughout the day, as well as during the evenings of Monday and Wednesday.  To make an appointment for online registration, please call 295251.  Residents will be asked to bring two forms of ID to the Medical centre, one photographic (i.e current passport, driving licence, bus pass), and one address ID (current bank statement, council tax, utility bill).  To register you will also need your own email address. 

·         Information Leaflets.

Thank  you to everybody that contacted me concerning the Medical Centre’s Information Leaflet.  Unfortunately, for me my initial stock disappeared within days of me advising residents to let me know if their leaflet was not received.

Since then, I have restocked and have left a few at Gurnard Press and Cowes Library.  Failing this, the Medical Centre also has left a supply next to the Repeat Prescription slot at the Centre.

Waste and Recycling.

I continue to receive calls concerning recycling and what items can be recycled.  Please note that in excess of 80% of items are recyclable the list of items NOT recyclable, and should be deposited in Black General Waste bins are as follows:

·         Nappies and Sanitary Products

·         Plasters and Dressings

·         Cling Film

·         Bubble wrap

·         Animal Waste

·         Cold Ash

·         Foil pet food pouches

·         Blister strips from pill packets

·         Polystyrene

·         Sweet and Crisp Wrappers

·         Contaminated with food/oil recyclables (i.e pizza boxes etc)

Fly-Tipping, St. Marys Road Car Park.

The IW Council are intending to remove recycling bays in St Mary’s Road Car Park on Friday 16^th February.  The reason for doing this is due to incidents of regular fly-tipping rubbish in the car park.  Following Christmas, residents contacted me concerning dozens of Christmas Trees being dumped, (this could well be due to last month the IW Council and Amey introducing a £5 charge to dispose of used Christmas Trees!).  When meeting on site, many felt the recycling point was being abused and concerns were expressed about the amount bottles from commercial outlets and broken glass.

In responding to this, the IW Council makes the point that most discarded items can and should be collected at the kerbside in residents household recycling. Please note- There are no limits on recyclable household waste!

In addition items can be taken to Lynnbottom or taken to the mobile unit when it visits the IW Community Club in Park Road, see: https://www.iwight.com/Residents/Environment-Planning-and-Waste/Waste-and-Recycling/Recycling-Centres/Mobile-HWRC

Abandoned v’s Untaxed Vehicles. 

Following last month’s report, I have received a large number of calls concerning abandoned vehicles.  In many cases these are not ‘abandoned’, when this is the case the DVLA have and continue to chase up owners of untaxed vehicles.

To find out if a car is taxed (or not), please visit:  https://www.gov.uk/check-vehicle-tax

Please let me know when this becomes an issue, and I will relay complaints in confidence to enforcement agencies.

Cowes Floating Bridge Update.

Last month the Isle of Wight Council’s Scrutiny Committee discussed the Floating Bridge Review.  Because of the level of detail, feedback and collation of questions it was resolved to defer consideration of recommendations and outcomes to:

·         Obtain answers to all the questions raised by the Scrutiny Committee, local members, town and parish councils and stakeholders, and wherever this is not possible the reasons/rationale why.

·         Give committee members the ability to read all the documents forming part of the review.

·         Discuss key issues at an informal meeting when members have had the opportunity of viewing the documents.

A special meeting of the Scrutiny Committee will take place once all the above steps have taken place.

Forestry Commission Meeting.

In Vice-Chairman role of the Local Access Forum, I was part of a very constructive meeting with the Forestry Commission.

The Commission is landowner of several parcels of woodland on the Island which includes Parkhurst Forest, Brighstone Forest, Combley Great Wood (Havenstreet), Firestone Copse (Wootton) and leases woodland to other landowners/ agencies, such as Burnt Wood (Thorness)- leased to the MOD.

The intention of the meeting was to discuss the appropriateness, fairness and enforceability of riding permits and grew into a discussion on future maintenance, upkeep and stewardship of woodland used by the wider community.

At the meeting it was agreed for the Forestry Commission to reconsider its stance on riding permit fees, whilst discussions took place with the community in acting as the eyes and ears for our local woodland.  Considered of key importance and of priority was Parkhurst Forest and concerns raised regarding the Forests day to day management ‘nocturnal unsavoury activities’ taking place.

Dog Mess.

Dog mess continues to be a problem, and I continue to report reoccurring fouling to both the Environment Officer and Island Roads.  Areas highlighted as hotspots for fouling are Baring Road, Tuttons Hill and Princes/ Egypt Esplanade.

Please support me by reporting incidents to Island Roads by calling 01983 822440 (24-hour helpline) or emailing info@islandroads.com, whilst copying me in.  If there is a persistent problem please let me know, and I can and further action can be pursued with support from Samantha, our Environment Officer.

Consultations.

·         Rights Of Way Improvement Plan.

The IW Council is consulting on making improvements and Rights Of Way more accessible to residents.  For details, visit:  https://www.iwight.com/Residents/Rights-of-Way/Public-Rights-of-Way/Rights-of-Way-Improvement-Plan-2017-Consultation.

This consultation continues until 23^rd February.

·         State Aid Consultation;– To extend coverage of Superfast Broadband across the Isle of Wight.

The Isle of Wight Rural Broadband Project is aiming to extend the availability of Superfast Broadband across the Island.

The purpose of this consultation is to confirm the areas which do not have Next Generation Access (NGA) broadband infrastructure delivering at least 30Mbps, or where there are no plans to provide such infrastructure over the next three years. These are described as "white NGA areas". This is to enable all interested stakeholders, the public, businesses and telecommunications providers, to comment on the proposed white NGA areas before further coverage is committed.

(Please note this consultation is focused on deeply rural areas.  The only area affected by this consultation in Cowes West and Gurnard, is the south western section of Cockleton Lane)

For further details, please visit: https://www.iwight.com/Council/OtherServices/Superfast-Broadband/State-Aid-Public-Consultation1

This consultation continues until Saturday 10^th February.

Full Council.

At Full Council it was unanimously agreed by the 33 of the Councillors in attendance to present Mary Ellis with the Freedom of the Isle of Wight.

The Independent Remuneration Panel (and Councillors) agreed to freeze councillors allowances.  With Councillors Barry and Brodie, I voted against this believing much of the role I and other Councillors undertake should be recognised as a voluntary capacity, in much the same way as Town and Parish Councillors work for their community.    

Another reason for voting against this, was the fact that the level of Council Tax support was agreed to be reduced, given the requirement for our Council to balance its books. Given 100% support is safeguarded (by government) for entitled pensioners, it was acknowledged that the reduction from 80% to 70% would impact most harshly on those low paid working families.  On this, I was one of 14 (mainly opposition) Councillors to not support proposals.

Following feedback, at Full Council I supported proposals to reduce the voting age to 16, giving young people a political voice. Sadly, in my opinion an amended motion was diluted in such a way that made me feel uncomfortable to support it.  However, I eventually concluded that a half-baked more widely supported compromise was better than no motion at all.   

In addition to the above, I also supported motions reaffirming commitment to the Island’s rail line’s future, supported a motion in response to plastic pollution and supported working together to bring pressure upon government to recognise the challenges and added costs of living off shore.

In the meantime, let me know your views on decisions I take on your, and our communities behalf.  If you think I get things wrong please tell me!  This is particularly relevant given this month I will be asked to support the IW Council’s budget

Lost money?

There are £ millions hidden in bank accounts.  Mylostaccount.com  is a free service provided by UK Finance, Building Societies Association (BSA) and the National Savings and Investments (NS&I).

Mylostaccount.org.uk brings together the three tracing schemes of UK Finance (representing the 36 banks that take UK retail deposits), the BSA (representing all Building Societies) and the NS&I product which include old Post Office accounts and will initiate a single search simply by visiting their website and completing only one application.

For further information please visit: https://www.mylostaccount.org.uk/

Mayors Report.

·         With the Chairman of Cowes Town Council’s Project Committee and the Deputy Mayor, shortlisting of artwork took place on suggestions for the updated mural at the Cut in Cowes.  The three shortlisted entries (6 received from Gurnard Primary and 16 received from Cowes Primary Schools) will be published in this month’s Town Council newsletter, for feedback.  Because of the fantastic response, we felt that there were aspects of the three shortlisted designs which we considered should be used, once work is commissioned in the coming months.  Thank you to both the schools and students for their fabulous and creative suggestions!

·         With Cllr Glendenning, I attended a meeting with the Cowes Shoreside Committee to receive an insight to proposals for Cowes Week 2018.  Of key priority was the intention by organisers and sponsors to make this years event more environmentally friendly, focusing on sustainability and promoting recycling and reuse.

·         I was interviewed for Ventnor Town Council, to discuss the pros, cons and challenges of pedestrianisation, which the town is considering.

·          Cllr Nicholson and I are monitoring Town Centre parking, and how this is prioritised.  Of concern, is the extent of parking permits granted to some businesses and the impact this has on residents, visitors and shoppers.  

·         I attended an event held with organisers of the Isle of Wight Literary Festival at Northwood House.

·         I have contacted the High Sheriff in consideration for this years’ Isle of Wight Day Event being hosted in Cowes.

Also this month:

·         I supplied information to resident who requested an Access Protection Bar outside their property.

·         I’ve received expressions of concern over ‘blue’ LED street lighting which I’ve been asked to address.

·         Following the Christmas/ New Year break, I was requested that overfilled litter bins are emptied.

·         I have signed off in support one minor planning application in Ward Avenue, and expressed a concern over another potentially impacting upon a tree in Baring Road.

·         A further comment and updates have been provided on progress of the Watersedge Planning Application. This was deferred to consider technical solutions, following an objection from the Environment Agency on the impact the proposal may have upon the culvert and water course for the River Jordan beneath.

·         I supported a successful residents appeal against a Parking Ticket which was issued.

·         Blocked drains and road debris was reported in Cockleton Lane.

·         I have spoken to the MP to enlist his support improving the rights of holiday park chalet/ caravan owners. 

·         I sat on a Licencing Appeal for the Alpaca Farm in Wellow.  This was (slightly) amended and approved following feedback from neighbours. Similar to Planning, what is key is the reasonableness of objections and any decision taken must be proportionate (and defendable through evidence) in light of concerns raised.  If the decision is not reasonable and proportionate this can be appealed.

·         I attended two meetings of the IW Association of Local Councils on behalf of Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood Councils.

·         I chaired two meetings of the IW Council’s Scrutiny Committee.  The first was a call-in, following disposal of IWC land opposite Asda in Newport.  The second discussed Quarterly Performance Reviews, the Floating Bridge, the pending budget and papers being considered by Cabinet.  A training event was held to consider best practice for the Scrutiny Committee, and I am due to work with colleagues to update the Committee’s workplan.

·         As a consequence of Anti-Social parking, damage to grass verges were reported and action taken by Island Roads.

·         I have requested a further supply of ‘No Cold Calling’ leaflets. 

IW Councillors Report, January 2018

Happy New Year!

Surgeries. 

10:30-11:30am, Thursday 4^th January, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

2:30-3pm, Tuesday 9^th January, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

6-6:6:30pm, Wednesday 10^th January, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

10:30-11:30am, Friday 12^th January, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

1-1:30pm, Wednesday 17^th January, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 17^th January, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

10:30-11:15am, Thursday 25^th January, All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.

12-12:30pm, Thursday 25^th January, Eegon’s, 72 High Street, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Wednesday 31^st January, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

Planning Applications.

·         Watersedge Café Application.

Before Christmas, this application sparked a great deal of comments (Over 50).  In discussing this proposal with a number of residents, whilst supporting the principle of improving the facilities, concerns have been expressed by residents to the size, scale and impact of the application upon the street scene. Relevant concerns have also been expressed about the perceived impact upon parking, potential extended hours and the impact upon the culvert beneath the application site.

I have been asked to call-in a determination by the Planning Committee should officers be ‘mindful of approving’ the scheme. However, to get to this point, I need to be aware of the officers recommendation and conditions being considered to mitigate against areas of concern.

UPDATE: I am advised that officers are also seeking clarity concerning the impact of proposals upon the culvert.  Until the technical reassurance is provided, any decision by officers remains ‘on hold’.

·  Place Road Planning Application: Phase 2 (30 dwellings).

This application was advertised just before this year’s Christmas Break and follows pre-consultation discussions that took place with some residents last Autumn.   The deadline for this consultation ends on Friday 12^th January.  Letters have been circulated to residents in Tuttons Hill and Place Road, which adjoins the site.

Green Garden Waste.

From 29^th December 2017  the IW Council/ Amey stopped collecting the old bio-degradable garden waste sacks, in favour of introducing a Garden Waste kerbside collection service.

This gives residents (from Monday 5^th February) the option of either having:

·         1 x Large Green wheeled bin with a brown lid, or 3 x Reusable Garden Waste Sacks. 

The new subscription service will operate from 1^st April to 31^st March each year. Subscriptions before 1^st April will receive collections in February and March for this year for free!  Please note that the annual subscription also includes the free collection of real (live) trees during January 2018.

Early Bird Subscription (until 28th January 2018)	Regular Subscription (from 29th January 2018)
·         1 year (through to 31 March 2019) - £52 ·         2 year (through to 31 March 2020) - £112 ·         3 year (through to 31 March 2021) - £172	·         1 year (through to 31 March 2019) - £60 ·         2 year (through to 31 March 2020) - £120 ·         3 year (through to 31 March 2021) - £180

Application process

Complete the online application form at:  https://www.iwight.com/iwforms/greenwastesub

You will need to have set up a 'My Account' with the council’s web site to apply online. To set up a 'My Account' please visit:  https://www.iwight.com/MyAccount/Login.aspx

All applications will require an email address and a payment card (credit or debit).  If you cannot complete the form online you can call the council’s contact centre or via the waste services team on 01983 823777.  

For further information please visit: https://www.iwight.com/Residents/Environment-Planning-and-Waste/Waste-and-Recycling/Household-Waste-and-Recycling-Collection/Green-Garden-Waste

Christmas Trees.

For non-subscribers to the IW Council’s Garden Waste Collection Service, the IW Council/ Amey will take away live Christmas trees.  This year, the Council are charging a nominal £5 fee for this service which collects trees on recycling days until Friday 2^nd February.

This can be booked 3 days in advance of your collection on-line  www.iwight.com/waste, or by calling 01983 823777

Consultations:

·         School Holidays. 

The IW Council want to know residents views on school time holidays.  Suggestions look at the possibility of reducing the length of the summer holiday, and extending half term holidays in February and October.  For details please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/school_holidays.  This consultation continues until 12^th January.

·         Budget Consultation.

The IW Council are consulting on next year’s budget, and the increased impact this may have upon services. Please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/SWK6PSQ for details. The consultation continues until 29^th January.

·         Rights Of Way Improvement Plan.

The IW Council is consulting on making improvements and Rights Of Way more accessible to residents.  For details, visit:  https://www.iwight.com/Residents/Rights-of-Way/Public-Rights-of-Way/Rights-of-Way-Improvement-Plan-2017-Consultation The consultation continues until 23^rd February.

Heat or Eat?  Support from The Footprint Trust.

The Footprint Trust offers free home visits to look for ways in which to reduce fuel and water costs. In some cases The Trust can provide new cookers, fridges and washing machines to those in greatest need.  The Trust and advice offered can save £100’s. Please visit: https://www.footprint-trust.co.uk/projects.html or call 01983 822282

Debt Advice.

For support contact Citizens Advice: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/debt-and-money/help-with-debt/, or call the CAB’s Adviceline on 0300 330 1313.  Alternatively, you can also contact the National Debt Line at: https://www.nationaldebtline.org or by calling 0808 808 4000.  

Highways Issues.

Street Lighting.

Following painting white lines and requesting improved street lighting in Blackberry Lane, I have approached Island Roads following a concern being raised concerning street lighting in Albert Road, Gurnard.

In addition, I have also been approached by a resident who was involved in a traffic incident with a vehicle leaving the IW Community Club in Park Road.  The resident has requested improved signage and lighting.  Please let me know if you have been involved in similar incidents at this junction!

Abandoned Vehicles.

A number of vehicles have been removed following the intervention of different agencies from several locations in Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood. 

Following complaints received last month, I am discussing options with colleagues on how best to respond to vehicles being left on private and unadopted roads.  In these instances, it is useful to know who the vehicles belong to, and from the address the vehicle owners are operating from…

Public Landing Stage Signage.

This has been requested (with a contact point for residents requiring use of the landing stage) on Cowes Parade following the Royal London Yacht Club taking over responsibility for maintenance of Trinity Landing.

Hedgerows.

Following a complaint being received of punctures, Island Roads were asked to remove blackthorn debris, following brambles being thinned by a third party in Baring Road. 

Parking Restrictions.

Following a number of chase ups, I am advised that the Cowes Traffic Order has been finalised with the IW Council and is scheduled to be published soon.  Once I know more, I will feedback.

Winter Salting/ Gritting.

Further to last months report, I requested that Egypt Hill was made safe following icy conditions in December.  At the same time, it was also necessary to request a re-salting of Tuttons Hill.   

Dog Mess.

If there is a regular problem with dog mess in your road, please let me know about this!  In the next few weeks, I am looking forward to working closely with our Environment Officer (which continues to be partly funded by Cowes Town Council and Gurnard Parish Council) to take action in hot-spot areas against the culprits responsible.  For me, this remains a priority. 

Please also note that where dog mess does appear, when reported this can be removed and the area cleansed by Island Roads (Tel: 01983 822440- 24hrs) within a couple of hours.  If this does not happen, please let me know!

Drones.

A resident has expressed concern to me regarding the use of drones, following an incident when one was spotted being flown across their garden in Ward Avenue.  This follows a further ‘privacy’ issue after another resident expressed concern to me during the summer.

Please note, if you do have a drone, please follow the Civil Aviation Authorities Drone Code by:

·         Don’t fly near airports or airfields.

·         Remember to stay below 400ft or 120m

·         Observe the drone at all times- stay at least 150ft or 50m from people and property.

·         Never fly near aircraft.

·         Enjoy responsibly.

Local Access Forum.

Items discussed at the most recent Local Access Forum included the following:

·         The cutting at Langbridge, Newchurch is to be reclassified and upgraded from a Public Footpath to a Bridleway.

·         Over 150 stakeholders attended meetings to discuss proposals for the English Coastal Path on the Isle of Wight. Separate meetings will take place this winter with ramblers and landowners in Gurnard.

·         Feedback was requested from the Forum on the Newport Place Plan.  At the meeting members agreed to support the need for some of the £9m investment to be used to enable sustainable transport options.

·         Concern was expressed following the loss of the Bells and Trinity Public landing stages in East Cowes. The LAF resolved to request these stages were recognised as Public Community Assets.

·         Due to Brexit priorities, future governance arrangements for the Forestry Commission has been put on hold. It is anticipated the future model for Forestry England will reflect English Heritage. 

·         The Isle of Wight Walking Festival is due to be relaunched in 2018, and overseen by Visit Isle of Wight.

·         The Local Access Forum supported my proposal to request that Rights Of Way is funded through the Revenue budgets, rather than relying upon capital funds (this includes developer contributions and government one off grants).  This will provide greater certainty to ensuring the Rights Of Way budget is protected.   This proposal was supported by the IW Council’s Cabinet member who is also a member of the Forum.

·         Concerns were raised regarding the possibility of land at Seaclose being used to further Regeneration projects.

Mayors Report.

At the last meeting of Cowes Town Council, the Leader of the IW Council gave a presentation and answered queries from local councillors and residents on the Floating Bridge.  In the meantime, Cllrs Anni Adams, Jean Bartrum and Neil Oliver will join representatives from East Cowes Town Council and other stakeholders providing feedback to the IW Council’s Scrutiny Committee this month.  The report (published on 29^th December) can be found at:  https://www.iwight.com/Meetings/committees/Scrutiny%20Committee/9-1-18/agenda.pdf?%20636504938465568564

During the meeting it was agreed to raise Cowes Town Council’s precept.  Although savings could were also found, Councillors agreed to increase the precept to upgrade the four public toilets that Cowes Town Council took over responsibility from the IW Council last year.  Further details of Cowes Town Councils precept will be made available through the Town Council’s newsletter to be distributed in the coming weeks.

Last month, I also joined Town Councillors, residents, parishioners and the Reverend Andrew Poppe at the Lights Of Love Service held at Cowes Methodist Church. This service supports the efforts of the Isle of Wight Hospice and has been hosted for several years by Cowes Town Council. 

Also this month:

·         I’ve offered support to a resident wanting to help others.

·         Last month all households in Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood should have received their copy of the Cowes Medical Centre Information Leaflet. The 8 page booklet provides invaluable details of what has changed at our GP Surgery and the reasons why.  If your household has not yet received theirs, please let me know!

·         I have attended meetings of the AONB Partnership, a briefing called to consider the Boundary Commission Review for the Isle of Wight Council ward boundaries, several informal Scrutiny Meetings (discussing a Peer Review, Local Engagement liaison regarding the Floating Bridge Report) a meeting of the Audit Committee and two meetings focused on Regeneration issues.

·         Following discussions with Town and Parish Council representatives and stakeholders I have taken the decision to defer the Scrutiny Report on the Floating Bridge.  This is to ensure that sufficient time is granted to allow the review and its accompanying paperwork to have feedback from stakeholders.  This deferral will also provide sufficient time for the reports authors to be challenged about statements made.

·    I continue to offer support proposals to relocate to the Central Convenience Store, and have asked for Cowes Business Association to get behind the proposed counter for Cowes High Street.

·         New Flood Co-ordinators have been found to be a contact point for the shops/ businesses in Cowes High Street. 

·        Gurnard Parish Council has resolved not to increase its Parish precept for 2018/2019.  This is due to there being no requirement or cost implication from the transferral of services from the IW Council, which has been the case for some of the Islands principle towns.

·         I have contacted the IW Council and Island Roads about the closure of Nodes Road during the Christmas holidays by Southern Electric services.  Because of the timing, I’m supporting Cllr Nicholson, Northwood’s Councillor who  questions whether this was authorised, or necessary for the timescales involved, and if so what was the rationale for closing the whole road?  From our perspective any unnecessary road closure can and do impact upon emergency services, as well as a circuitous diversion for bus users from Pallance Road, Rew Street and Cockleton Lane.  

·         At the AONB Partnership meeting, the representative from Visit Isle of Wight reported to members a proposal to levy a £1 ‘tax’ for those entering and leaving the Isle of Wight.  It is believed that such a levy could raise an extra £4m for projects which enhance the Islands environment.  It was suggested this would operate in a similar way to the ‘bed tax’ which generates £38m for Majorca, and elsewhere both Bath and Edinburgh are looking at similar schemes…  
 ·         CS4, the public footpath connecting Battery Road with Princes Esplanade has suffered a further landslip.  When this last occurred in 2016 the path was closed for 8 months, awaiting the stabilisation of ground movement. 

·         *UPDATE: Apart from attempting to resolve yuletide parking issues, I spent a significant amount of time during the Christmas break liaising with colleagues, officers and stakeholders in the preparation for the Scrutiny Committee which I chair.  Within the Floating Bridge report itself officers were cautious not disclose all papers, due to legal concerns that this may weaken the Council’s position, should further action be necessary. At the Committee there was unanimous support for better liaison with stakeholders, whilst members should have the opportunity to consider background papers before making any recommendation.  A special meeting would follow.