About Me

INDEPENDENT ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCILLOR FOR COWES WEST & GURNARD (Since 2009) Timeline: 1993 Green Candidate for IWCC Election (Ryde NE); 1994 Green Party European Elections Candidate (Wight & Hampshire South); 1995-2001 Independent IW Councillor (Ryde NE); 2001-2005 and 2011- Cowes Town Councillor; 2005-2009 and 2012- Gurnard Parish Councillor; 2008- Northwood Parish Councillor; from 2009 Independent IW Councillor (Cowes West & Gurnard). I've served as a Justice of the Peace since 2001. INDEPENDENT? I'm fully Independent was an Executive/ Cabinet member until 2017 and from 2021. As an Independent I robustly defend putting the needs of communities first. I have no political activists, sponsors or businesses shadowing me and therefore my loyalty to represent Gurnard & Cowes is absolute. I aspire to be a hard working, transparent, effective and enthusiastic Ward Councillor. Please contact me to meet at your convenience, or visit my surgeries listed below. Thank you for visiting my website!

Wednesday 25 July 2018

IW Councillors Report: August 2018


Surgeries.

10:30-11:30am, Friday 3rd August, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 7th August, Cowes Library, 12-14 Beckford Road, Cowes.
6-6:30pm, Wednesday 29th August, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
12-12:30pm, Thursday 30th August, Eegon’s Café, 72 High Street, Cowes.

Seafront Parking.

Parking on Gurnard and Cowes seafront continue to be an issue for some householders during Cowes Week and when cruise liners pass the Solent.

I have contacted both Island Roads and the IW Council about this, and am advised that unless there is a health and safety implication about parking both the Councils and enforcement agencies are limited to the powers they have.  However, that said the IW Council are investigating an order preventing overnight parking on the seafront during events. When this was last considered several years ago both caravanning organisations and some anglers objected.

During Cowes Week, please let me know your views.  These will be fed back to next year’s Traffic Order.

Island Roads liaison.

Park Road Crescent has been resurfaced at the top of Park Road.  I’m advised Carriageway resurfacing will take place later this summer at Denmark Road, Terminus Road and (Lower) Park Road.

In the meantime, I have requested that Pine Tree Close and Crossfield Avenue is monitored. I’ve also requested that the junction with Baring Road at Pine Tree Close is monitored for ‘dangerous’ parking following feedback from residents living both in the Close and the Orchard.

Liaison is also taking place with residents of Woodvale Close following the removal of concrete footways in favour of asphalt. I have requested to officers that there is no reduction in the quality of this pavement.  

A resident of Woodvale Close has requested vehicular access in Cow Lane.  I’ve advised this is unlikely given that opposition was given by Rights Of Way for vehicular use of this public footpath by Gurnard Pre-School.

Nearly two years ago funding was removed by the IW Council for the crossing patrol in Park Road.  Funding (for the short term) to continue this important pedestrian crossing was reinstated by Cowes Town Council and crowdfunding via Cowes Primary School.  In the meantime, a bid was made for a pedestrian crossing point in Park Road. I have again requested this, and am hoping that funding can continue for a crossing beyond 2019. A meeting is due to take place with stakeholders in the coming weeks.

The Bird nesting season will end on 1st August. This will mean that better cuts can take place for rights of way.  However, because of the volume of work- this is not immediate.  Overgrown hedgerows have been reported in Shore Road, Rew Street, Baring Road and adjacent to Cowes Medical Centre in Newport Road.

Following a traffic incident (and bad parking!) in Place Road, opposite the junction to ‘Meadow View’, I have requested planners, Island Roads and the police are aware of existing and future issues on this stretch of road. This is one of several matters, I look forward to discussing with the developer now phase 2 has been approved.

Planning: Watersedge Cafe, Shore Road, Gurnard.

A further modification has been made to the Watersedge Café, in an attempt to overcome objections (scale, mass and parking) to residents and Gurnard Parish Council. In light that these, and previous modifications do not go far enough it seems likely this will go to the Isle of Wight’s Planning Committee on 14th August. In my view this is important, given this planning application (and others in Shore Road) are significant for Gurnard.  

Planning: Enforcement

I’ve requested that Planners monitor applications in Shore Path and Baring Road.  With respect to both sites, these have been subject to conditional planning consent and I’m advised that nothing untoward has occurred.

Orchard, The Green, Crossfield Avenue.

Cowes Town Council had a very positive meeting with residents of The Green.  Following the meeting, it was agreed to look into other options for an orchard.  Of particular interest was the creation of a new orchard in Northwood House, Cowes.  Should this not succeed other options will be considered.

Environmental Health and Policing: Noise Nuisance.

I received two complaints from residents of Jordan Close and Woodvale Road concerning noise nuisance that followed the World Cup.  Please, please, please think of your neighbours (and your local councillors!) late at night when opening windows and turning volumes up to 11….

There remains a lot of people that starting work early, who may not share your views on barbecues, private events and sporting activities particularly after 11pm, and during the working week!  

Environmental Health and Policing: Parties.

In Gurnard, at this time of year, I receive a number of complaints concerning gatherings being held on the beach between The Marsh and the Sailing Club.

Please note that Spencer’s Copse is privately owned, and action can be taken by the authorities when trees in this TPO’ed area is damaged.  In addition, criminal damage to properties/ sheds/ summer houses that back on to this beach, remains in private ownership and local residents advise me that action can and will be pursued!   

Environmental Health and Policing: Bins and Rubbish.

The Red Biffa Bin in Shore Road, Gurnard has been taken away.  Originally when put in place in 2009 this bin was put in-situ by Gurnard Parish Council to assist beach users and hut owners.  However, during this summer like elsewhere, more and more residents have used this bin to fly tip their rubbish!

This year Parks & Beaches made bins on Gurnard Green bigger, whilst Gurnard Parish Council has supported a different collection regime to ensure bins are empty for the weekend.  If bins are full, please dispose in the nearest un-full bin, or if this is not possible (like many other areas) please take your rubbish home.

Thank you to Parks and Beaches for providing Barbecue signage, clearance of drainage ditches and new bollards for Gurnard Green.  These works are, and have been greatly appreciated!  

Residents can apply to have wheeled bins collected from an agreed point on your property, such as the side of your house. This service is available for £60 per year.  Details of the Collection Plus Service can be found:  https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Waste-and-Recycling/Household-Waste-and-Recycling-Collection/Other-Collection-Services.

Water Quality.

I have received concerns over the bathing quality at Gurnard and Cowes.  Although the IW Council cannot fund ‘Blue Flags’ quality remains “Excellent” despite higher standards imposed by the European Union at both Gurnard Beach and Egypt Point according to the Environment Agency.

Also this month:

·         At Full Council I supported proposals for the Boundary Review.  This will follow a formal consultation later this year.  I also supported proposals for an Isle of Wight Biosphere and concerns over parking.
·         At Full Council I did not support proposals put by the administration applauding certain individuals and the current administration for enhancing our education system.  As far as I am concerned the improvements are a long term initiative by the whole of the Council and officers from both the Isle of Wight, parents, students and teachers to improve standards. I also opposed supporting the £400k Isle of Wight Council  Management restructure.  This was due to funds being cut from public services elsewhere.
·         Action has been taken by Cowes Town Council to fund enhancements to the shopping centre.
·         I’ve  received an invitation to Old Charlton House.  I’m looking forward to attend both Old Charlton House and Cherrytrees residential homes later this year!
·         I was approached by a business person concerning enhancing commercial opportunities in Cowes.
·         In addition, I am looking forward to chairing an Extraordinary meeting with Town Councillors and other stakeholders in new proposals for Cowes Gateway. (Original proposals were rejected in 2003!)
·         A number of residents have contacted me regarding improving parking proposals in town.  This will be discussed later this year following proposals tabled by the IW Council.  

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