IW Councillors Report: March 2018

Surgeries:

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

1:30-2pm, Tuesday 6^th March, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

11:45-12:15pm, Wednesday 14^th March, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

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

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

10:30-11:15am, Thursday 22^nd March, Coffee & Chat at All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm, Wednesday 28^th March, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

12-12:30pm, Thursday 29^th March, Eegon’s, 72 High Street, Cowes.

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

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

Place Road Phase 3.

Proposals to develop Phase 3, of the four phased Place Road development was submitted last month. Phase 3 comprises of 20 houses and 10 bungalows within the development for 92 dwellings will be located opposite Place Side.  Of the 30 properties, 16 within this phase has been categorised as ‘affordable’. This stipulates that the rental costs will be set at 80% market value.

The deadline for comments on this phase ends on 16^th March 2018, in the meantime letters are due to be circulated to residents of Place Road during the last week of February.  

Place Road.  Four Cross junction.

I have received a number of calls from concerned residents regarding the perceived sale of farmland land between BAE Systems and Cockleton Lane.

At present this land is zoned for Industrial use (possibly as an option to allow Plessey/ BAE to expand in the 1970/1980’s).  Subsequently this land was submitted as part of Planners ‘call for sites’.  This work was undertaken in conjunction with work in respect of the new Island Plan. The Planners have advised this does not mean that it is allocated or considered suitable for housing, but will form part of the IW Council’s assessment process when producing its allocations and Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA). 

It is also noted that these fields also lie within the green gap between Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood, and in my opinion would be contrary to Gurnards Neighbourhood Plan so would be unlikely to be developed.    

Cowes Floating Bridge Update.

The Isle of Wight Council has continued to address concerns over the depth of chains and the noise which are the key factors that has impacted upon the new Floating Bridge. 

Following a meeting of the Town Council, both the leader and officers from the IW Council seemed confident that the ongoing issues can and will be resolved. This should ensure the crossing is more reliable and reconnects both towns. In the meantime, I am positive and continue to work alongside colleagues from East Cowes.

In the meantime, members of the Scrutiny Committee have sight of all documents in order to review the vessels purchase, the service of provision, how the project was managed and how it was governed.  It is anticipated a meeting will take place this month to consider adding to the five recommendations last month.  These being:

•           THAT in order to respond to questions raised in connection with the review the cabinet member should initiate a meeting between stakeholders, local councillors and key officers.
•            THAT the cabinet member should give consideration to the formation of a stakeholders users group, comprising local councillors, local town and parish councils, business associations and Cowes Harbour Commission to work alongside the Council in monitoring service outcomes and provide a regular update to the committee.
•           THAT the committee receive the results of the recent tests and mitigation to address the depth of chains in the water and the noise problems.
•           THAT the restricted documents should be reviewed by officers to see if these could be made publicly available together with the options for enabling all members to view all the documents without the need to visit County Hall.
•           THAT an informal meeting of the committee be held the week to review progress.

School Governors.

Cowes Primary School and Gurnard Primary School are seeking Governors.  As a former governor myself, this role can be really rewarding, especially for those with a background in education and/or serving your community.

The best School Governors that I have worked alongside are committed to achieve the very best outcomes possible for young people.  If you are interested in becoming a Governor at these excellent schools, please let me know.

Isle of Wight Council Budget

The IW Council are due to set its budget on 28^th February. This year the Isle of Wight Council has to find further savings of £7.5m to balance its books.

Several years ago, the Isle of Wight was in a similar position to Northampton County Council whereby statutory duties was due to exceed its income. Subsequently, Northampton County Council has run out of cash to meet its obligations. Since then there has been cross party support to see a greater emphasis to run the Council in a more business-like and commercial way, rather than seeking to make savings from cutting staff and services.

Despite altering these outcomes grasped by Independents during the previous administration, there remain some unpalatable decisions particularly focused on households on low incomes.  Areas of concern to me is the impact of pending reviews for non-residential care, mental health, concessionary fares for the disabled, support for victims of domestic abuse and Council Tax support for working families.

Saving Proposal	Saving 2018/9	Saving Proprosal	Saving 2018/9
Adult Social Care & Public Health		Resources
Efficiency savings as result of Community equipment provision	72,000	Introduction of an in-house debt collection service	90,000
Cost of NHS staffing at community equipment service saving	78,000	Rationalisation of Civica and Nortel systems supporting R&B service	50,000
Reduce cost of Stroke Association Contract over 2 years	10,000	Deletion Manager for Corp. Governance & Organisational Change post	5,000
Structured review of high cost external residential care packages	1,600,000	Review of Islehelp partnership agreement	10,700
Review of internal Learning Disability residential homes	230,000	Reduction in cost of Councillors pensions	27,000
Review all existing community based care packages	650,000	Reduced contingency, Monitoring Officer general support costs	2,000
Review assessments of clients receiving Mental Health III support	133,000	Legal Services (General underspendings)- Reduced external services	2,000
Reconfiguration of Mental Health (Wellbeing) Centres	20,000	Reduce maximum level of Council Tax Support (CTS) from 80%-70%	492,000
Removal of discretionary ‘top up’ provided for cross Solent travel	30,000	Setting minimum Council Tax Support (CTS) at £2 per week	1,300
Changes to non-residential care charging policy	678,700	Limit CMS to a maximum equivalent received at Council Tax Band C	9,400
Non-residential charges exceeding base budget level	265,000	Reduced CTS Grant to Town & Parish Councils	30,000
Negotiated reduction in contract for health visiting & school nursing	149,500	Flexible Retirement (Head of Resources)	25,000
Negotiated reduction in contract for integrated sexual health	61,700	Hybrid Mailing system	5,000
Negotiated reduction in contract for substance misuse treatment	85,200	Environment & Heritage
Children’s Services		Additional income from Leisure Centres	200,000
Review of (vacant) Service Manager post	49,000	Partnership arrangements with T&PC’s for Environment Officers	32,100
Contribution towards Clinical Commissioning Group filtering panel	10,000	Income from Colwell Bay Beach Huts	14,000
Cease Estart (Performance Management) Contract	15,000	Review of fees and charges for concessions	25,000
Reduced Funding to Foster Care Association	10,000	Increased income from gym extension and creation of add. studio space	36,000
Youth Offer- Withdrawal of grant funding contribution	223,000	Reduced overhead costs, Medina Leisure Centre	30,000
Reduced funding/ activities for Short Breaks	15,000	Phased reduction in grants to Community Libraries in 2018/9, 2019/20	8,000
Social Care Education Professional staffing reduction	146,000	Reduction in staff hours at libraries	20,500
Review of Children in Need receiving support under S17 Children’s Act	10,000	Reduced spending for online and DVD stock for libraries	29,500
Sponsorship opportunities to fund Looked After Children events	3,000	Additional income, Dinosaur Isle	20,000
Asset Management staff savings	20,000	Reduction in archaeologist post	18,000
Reduced costs of management & security of ex-school sites	60,000	Reduction in hours for conservator	2,000
Early Years Training Budget	30,000	Review opening hours, Roman Villa, Newport	2,000
Restructure of IoW High Needs Staff	15,000	Procurement, Projects & Forward Planning
Branstone Farm closure and disposal	70,300	New photocopier contract (Efficiency savings)	5,000
Reduction in discretionary support for careers service	33,000	Existing photocopier contract (Efficiency savings)	4,000
Community Safety & Public Protection		Introduction of wheelie bins for Garden Waste	100,700
Increased income from Bereavement Services	75,000	Efficiencies in waste contract monitoring arrangements	5,000
Review of staffing arrangements (Bereavement Services)	10,000	Cease household collection from domestic properties (ie holiday lets)	65,000
Review of fees and charges (Registrars)	20,000	Introduce charges for the disposal of residential/ nursing home waste	32,300
Reduced spending in Regulatory Services	6,800	Remove Greenhouse Gas monitoring accreditation	5,000
Increased income from Approved Trader Scheme	7,000	Remove Schools Education Service from waste services contract	5,000
Income from providing Agricultural Services to other authorities	10,000	Discontinue mobile household waste recycling centre (HWRC)	20,000
Introduce fees for pre-application advice Env.Health/ Trading Standards	2,500	Closure of all Bring Banks	24,000
Fire Service holding of vacancies	125,000	Add. income from Direct Payment Services- Bulky waste/ Collection Plus	58,000
Secondments to Hampshire Fire & Rescue Service	40,000	Planning & Housing
Reduction to F&RS Training Budget	20,000	Review of pre-application and other commercially based charges	13,000
Reduction to Equipment Budget	12,000	Increase in Planning Fees	50,000
Shared National Operational Guidance with Hampshire	10,000	Planning Services (General underspendings)	13,500
Removal of Support Officer post	35,000	Reduction in ‘floating support’ to housing tenants	25,000
Additional Income from Road Safety	36,000	Housing Services (General underspendings)	5,000
Infrastructure & Transport		Remove the grant for domestic abuse project	16,000
Removal of discretionary elements of concessionary fares	100,000	Restructure of housing services (inc. review of temp. accommodation)	85,000
School Crossing Patrol partnership arrangements with T&P Councils	20,000	Regeneration & Business Development
Negotiated efficiencies in the Highways PFI contract	-175,000	Reduction in the use of specialist ‘bought in’ services	106,000
Review Car Parking & Permit arrangements	550,000	TOTAL	7,500,000

Dogs.

I understand that there may be moves afoot by the Isle of Wight Council to ban dogs from cemeteries.

For many years now, there has been a restriction on dogs being kept on leads within burial grounds.  However, this has not stopped fouling in cemeteries and the considerable distress caused when dogs foul on graves.  

St Mary’s Roundabout reconfiguration update.  

Following concerns raised, Cowes Town Council met to comment on proposals to reconfigure the St. Mary’s roundabout, during this summer.  The Town Council commented on the following grounds:

·         Can the Isle of Wight Council explain the reasons for prioritising this scheme above others?

·         There was a lack of pre design consultation with stakeholders.

·         The scheme has been designed around motorists rather than pedestrians and cyclists (contrary to local and national policy).

·         Before considering making the proposed junction improvements could temporary traffic lights be put in place at St Mary’s roundabout to see if that improves the flow of traffic without the need for further improvements?

·         How does this proposed scheme promote sustainable transport options?

·         There doesn’t seem to be any evidence provided that there is a problem at the roundabout other than peak morning, peak afternoon and drop off and pick up times of Hunnyhill Primary School children.

·         The shared footpath and cycle path would be far better placed on the river side, running past the hospital entrance, along the slipway to B & Q and along the path beside the dual carriageway. Using Hunnyhill will cause problems for pedestrians, cyclists and householders due to cars emerging 2 from properties into a shared footpath / cycle path. The gradient of Hunnyhill also needs to be taken into account for cyclists.

·         The geometry of the link to Hunnyhill could increase speeds onto a residential road which could impact on College students using the area and put more pressure on Hunnyhill in general.

·         Why is the carriageway being widened in preference of pedestrian footpaths? Wider lanes = faster traffic speeds.

·         Will the pedestrian crossing at St Mary’s Hospital be reconfigured and redesigned?

·         Will the proposed traffic lights at the redesigned roundabout be operational at peak times only?

·         The new Forest Road traffic lights will cause a back-up of traffic and prevent motorists from easily accessing the slip road to Cowes, will block the pedestrian crossing and will increase pollution in this area.

·          Has a park and ride option been considered? 

Footpaths, Public Transport and Countryside Updates.

·         English Coastal Path.

At recent meetings that I attended of the Local Access Forum and the AONB partnership it was reported that English Nature had reported some slippage on unveiling details of the Isle of Wight section of the English Coastal Path. 

This was intended to take place at the Local Access Forum in April, but has slipped to July following landowner disputes over sections of the footpath on the North East section of the footpath.  In the meantime, I am also aware that meetings with both landowners and residents are pending on the Gurnard to Thorness section of the footpath.

·         Isle of Wight Walking Festival.

This festival has been transferred to Visit Isle of Wight.  Details of the Festival will mostly be circulated on-line

·         Cycling.

Cyclewight reported that 40% more children would cycle to school, if roads were safer (ironically roads being used for the school run taking children to school who would otherwise be cycling!)

·         Update from the Keep Island Line in Franchise campaign.

At the recent KILF meeting proposals were put to make the Island’s rail-line more sustainable.  These include altering the rail passing place in Sandown, in favour of Brading where it would be possible to run three trains an hour rather than two.  Other suggestions included closing Smallbrook Station, in favour of extending the Steam Railway to Ryde St. Johns.

·         Dark Skies.

Dark skies policies are being embedded within  both the Island Plan and the AONB Management Plan.

·         Grass Verges.

Discussions are taking place between the AONB, Island Roads and Local Councils on the condition and ecological value of grass verges throughout the Island.  This follows concerns raised over the last ten years following damage from larger vehicles, changes to scrub clearance and how hedgerows and verges are maintained by contractors.

Boundary Review.

Because a large number of Isle of Wight Council wards are too large or too small the Boundary Commission are intending to review IW Council wards.

This may result in a change to the number of Councillors, or alterations to wards represented. As Cowes West & Gurnard is the second largest single Councillor ward, I anticipate a change is likely to occur to our boundary in 2021. This is particularly relevant in future years, where the growth of population in Gurnard is predicted to grow by 141 residents within six years, (Cowes West is predicted to grow by 6 within the same period). 

The only other areas where population exceed that of Gurnard is: Ryde East (this includes proposals for Pennyfeathers), Newport East (Pan Meadows) and Seaview (Harcourt Sands)

No Cold Calling Stickers.

Please let me know if you require No Cold Calling stickers. I have a small supply and left a few at Cowes Library.

Police Matters.

The next police surgeries take place:

·         4:30-6pm, Thursday 1^st March, Costa, High Street, Cowes.

·         4:30-6pm, Friday 23^rd March, Costa, High Street, Cowes

·         4:30-6pm, Saturday 24^th March, Coffee Shop, The Range, Place Road, Cowes.

Councillors met with the police last month.  In summary, issues discussed included the following:

·         Under Aged drinking

·         The importance for the police to receive first-hand information concerning criminal activity.

·         Reassurance was given concerning anonymity of those reporting criminal activity on 101 and via Crimestoppers.

·         Future discussions being required concerning lighting, camera surveillance and path closures. 

·         Resident’s concerns over perceived drug dealing, and how this was prioritised and of action pending.

It was noted that Cowes is, and remains a very low crime area.  For further information, please visit HantsPolice on Facebook and Twitter.  In the meantime, crimes should be reported to 999 (in emergency, and during criminal activity), 101 and through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Traffic Orders.

Residents will be aware of recent traffic order proposals.  Despite feedback from residents, myself and through our Town and Parish Councils it was frustrating that not all suggestions were included.

One location where Island Roads were not convinced that safety would be improved was the junction with Church Road and Worsley Road in Gurnard.  The rationale from Island Roads, the IWC and the police to opposing these suggestions, was the fear that by removing parking the speed of traffic entering Gurnard would increase.  Because, in the past there was support for traffic calming measures to be introduced at this junction, it made the case to impose a parking restriction difficult to justify- Although I did try!!

Subsequently, officers have looked at the junction and Island Roads have suggested sight lines could be improved by reducing the density of foliage on the junction verges 

Other locations also disregarded similarly did not show any marked improvement to safety.  

Mayors Report.

·         Last month meetings took place to discuss Cowes Floating Bridge, St Mary’s Roundabout and Crime and disorder matters with the police (see reports above). 

·         With Cllr. Peacey-Wilcox I met with the High Sheriff to discuss proposals to bring the Isle of Wight Day Parade and Events to Cowes in September.  Proposals are due to be considered by Cowes Town Council on 1^st March.

·         I attended a Cowes Literary Festival event held in Northwood House.

·         I have supported further repairs to public toilets in The Cut following vandalism.

·         With Councillors Bertie, Nicholson and Peacey-Wilcox I attended the second West Medina Regeneration meeting.

·         The Spring(!) Cowes Town Council newsletter is due to be circulated during this month.  Please let me know, if you have not received yours by the end of this month.

Also this month.

·         This month I have been really busy contending with five abandoned vehicles.  Following intervention, all vehicles have either been removed or parked elsewhere.

·         Overfilled Dog Bins were reported to Island Roads.

·         A planning application for a property considered to be in Calbourne has been reconsidered to be included within Gurnard.  The application for this dwelling was objected to by Gurnard Parish Council, given its scale, size and impact upon the AONB.

·         I have mailed out and redistributed several dozen Cowes Medical Centre leaflets.

·         I continue to chase up the whereabouts of a new pedestrian refuge connecting bus stops in Place Road with the Range store.

·         I’m supporting residents, the community bus driver and Gurnard Pre-School regarding vehicles obstructing the Cow Lane, Woodvale Road junction.  These complaints have been forwarded to Island Roads who are considering proposals for a traffic order at this location.

·         I am supporting residents that have lived in temporary accommodation.   

·         A meeting with residents are due to take place to discuss concerns regarding lighting in Blackberry Lane.

·         I have lobbied Southern Water for support in promoting water savind and water efficiency measures.

·         I am due to meet with volunteers and residents to discuss issues relating to Mornington Wood in Cowes.

·         I have supplied information concerning levels of social deprivation indicators to Gurnard Church.

·         A representative from the Marine Management Organisation is due to meet with members of the Cooks Bay Access Group next month.   

·         Muddy verges at Woodvale Road and Nodes Road have been reported to Island Roads.

·         Consents have been granted for tree work in Park Road and Churchill Road

·         I have requested support for the reimbursement of old biodegradeable garden sacks.

·         I am supporting initiatives to reduce plastic waste.

·         I have read through a considerable amount of documents connected to the procurement of the new floating bridge.

·         I attended a meeting of the IW Council’s Audit Committee, and raised questions linked to the completion of the core investment period for Island Roads within the PFI contract.  

·         I supported proposals to extend a property in Ward Avenue.

·         I have raised concerns regarding local residents healthcare treatment on the mainland.

·  I supported, and helped resolve a residents neighbourhood dispute.

·         I recently attended Audit and Scrutiny training.

·     I forwarded a complaint to Planning Officers concerning a Planning Enforcement matter.