Surgeries:
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 5th February, Cowes Library,
12-14 Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 5th February, Sports Bar,
Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
10:30-11am, Friday 8 February, Gurnard
Press, Worsley Road. Gurnard. (This surgery is postponed from 1st February)
11:45-12:15am, Wednesday 13th February, The
Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
3-3:30pm, Wednesday 27th February, Cowes
Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.
12-12:30pm,
Thursday 28th February, Eegon’s Café, 72 High Street, Cowes.
10:30-11:30am, Thursday 28th February, Coffee
& Chat at All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.
10:30-11am, Friday 1st March, Gurnard Press,
Worsley Road. Gurnard.
Postponed Surgery.
Due to moving house I have postponed my
surgery at Gurnard Press on 1st February. Whilst waiting to be re-connected,
please call/ text me on 07 935 090 835 between Thursday 31st
January and Monday 3rd February.
Access to Gurnard’s
Secret Beach.
Following a resident falling last year on the
old slipway/ coastal defence structure built in the early 1980’s, by Harry
Spencer the IW Council closed access to the beach between Gurnard Sailing Club
and Gurnard Marsh.
Although the IW Council has limited
jurisdiction for Shore Path or the beach, it does have a duty of care to access
the beach which it oversees on behalf of the Crown Estate.
Since receiving numerous of complaints from myself,
dog walkers and beachcombers the Council has re-opened access to the beach via sleepers
and wooden boards to South East of the Slipway.
In the meantime, many thanks to the half a dozen residents who have
volunteered their support to improve access to this very special area.
If you are interested to support volunteers
please let me know!
Island Planning Strategy.
Consultation
on the new Isle of Wight Planning Bible continues until Monday 25th February.
For details, please visit: https://iow-consult.objective.co.uk/portal/planning/ipsdraft2018/ipsdraft2018
Within the
Plan, of note to me the IW Council are suggesting increasing the numbers of new
homes being built from 525 per year to 641.
Also of note
within Strategy are the two allocations recommended for Cowes West and
Gurnard. These have been suggested for
Parklands, Park Road (20 dwellings) and the western edge of Baring Road,
Gurnard (25 dwellings).
The Baring
Road allocation, which is causing the most concern states the following:
HA021: Land at Baring Road,
including 187 Baring Road, Gurnard
A greenfield site of approximately 1.7 hectares is
allocated at Baring Road, Cowes to deliver a sustainable, high quality
residential development which shall provide:
a)
At least 25 homes providing a mix of sizes and an affordable housing
contribution in line with DHWN6;
b) a
continuous footpath along the road frontage; and
c)
landscape buffers should be incorporated to the west to safeguard the
setting of the Jordan Valley.
As the site is located on the edge of the Jordan
Valley between Cowes and Gurnard, design should be high quality and take
account of the existing context.
Development should look to provide a single row of
frontage dwellings, or chalet style to ensure gaps and opportunities to view
the valley and slightly set back from the road, similar to the existing
dwellings to the south.
An appropriate sized gap opposite Crossfield Avenue
should be maintained to provide relief in the massing and maintain views across
the valley.
Archaeological and biodiversity assessments may
need to be undertaken by any potential applicant to record where appropriate
and assess the relevant impacts and mitigation aspects.
A letter drop to
100 households advising residents of this allocation took place last month.
Cabinet Meeting, Cowes.
Key Councillors
held their Cabinet Meeting at Cowes Enterprise College last month. At the meeting, I was joined by local Cllrs
Bartrum, Bartrum, Brown, Nicholson and Taylor.
From my
perspective, I took advantage to receive clarification on finalising details of
the Cowes Traffic Order undertaken
last year. In response, Cllr Ian Ward
highlighted that this was a priority and that staff were being appointed to
address delays in implementing proposals. Of key, is the appointment of Colin
Rowland a new Director of Neighbourhoods to oversee this. In the meantime, I am
looking forward to meeting Mr Rowland to chase issues.
Also of
interest were long term proposals to support regeneration alongside
consideration for construction of a new (toll) Medina Crossing. In addition concerns were made in respect to the
IW Council’s Parking Review. In light of feedback, I consider it unlikely that
parking charges will be implemented after 6pm, or at new locations.
Speeding Traffic, Church Road.
I have
received a request from a resident for additional speed restriction measures in
Church Road, Gurnard.
Although
existing parking arrangements do help to reduce the speed of traffic, there remains
concerns that following incidents with animals being hit by cars that the speed
of vehicles, and the lack of attention shown by motorists that a problem
exists. Please let me know your
thoughts!!
Road Resurfacing.
I have
received requests from residents following Island Roads delaying resurfacing Crossfield Avenue and Park Road.
From my
perspective, I am in full support of residents given these two roads are
important thoroughfares used by cyclists and motor cyclists and pot holes can
prove hazardous for those on two wheeled vehicles.
Spencer’s Copse, Gurnard.
A group has been
created, following the 1.45 acre copse being put up for sale in December. This has led to community interest through a
crowdfunding initiative to buy this beautiful woodland.
The Isle of
Wight Beauty In Perpetuity Group is committed to buy the land as a community
to:
·
Not build on the land.
·
Allow community access to the woodland
(rather than one private owner)
·
Conserving and enhancing the wood for the
future.
For
information please contact: https://www.iowbeautyinperpetuity.org/
In the
meantime, I have re-emphasised my suggestion to incorporate the path from Worsley
Green to the Watersedge Café (via adjoining woodland, the copse, the Secret
Beach and Shore Path) as a part of the English Coastal Path.
Litter.
I continue
to receive complaints concerning the amount of rubbish and dog poo that continues
to be discarded on the Cowes to Newport Cycleway. In response, I have requested that the path
is monitored and action taken against anybody seen leaving litter or fouling
their dog.
Governor Needed: Cowes Primary School.
I’ve been
approached by Cowes Primary School who are seeking a new Governor with accountancy
expertise to support the school. Please
contact: clerk@cowespri.iow.sch.uk
or call Kim Comer, Clerk to the Governors on 01983 293261.
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. The
Footprint Trust can provide new cookers, fridges and washing machines to those
in greatest need. The Trust, and advice offered can save on average of £200 per year. Please call 01983 822282 or visit: http://www.footprint-trust.co.uk/projects.html for
details.
Cold Weather.
With recent
cold weather, I’ve received a request to ask residents older/ infirm residents
to please avoid going out in cold and icy conditions.
This follows
an incident when a resident slipped on ice in town. Following this, I’m told the resident lost
their mobility for several months before their body (thankfully) repaired
itself. Although the family were more
than happy to help, the person affected most was the resident who lost their
independence.
If you, or
somebody you know needs support, please let me know so that I can ensure residents receive the support
they need, deserve and are entitled!
Cold
Weather Advice from Southen Water.
Cold weather can cause pipes to freeze and
burst, so it’s best to be prepared.
Taking simple measures, including lagging
pipes and checking your internal stop-tap works, in case of an emergency, will
help keep you and your home safe this winter. Find out more online at: www.southernwater.co.uk/
In an
emergency
·
If your pipes do freeze:
1.Turn
off the water supply at the stop-tap straight away
2.Don't
switch on your boiler or immersion heater
3.Open
the nearest tap and gently heat any frozen sections of pipe with a hot cloth or
hot water bottle, working from the tap backwards
4.Never
use a naked flame to defrost pipes. It's a fire hazard and can cause more
damage to your water system.
·
If
your pipes burst:
Water
pipes in homes are the property owner's responsibility, so if you notice a
burst or leak at home:
1.Shut off your water supply and then open
all hot and cold taps until they run dry
2.Switch
off your mains electricity supply
3.Try
to temporarily fix the burst pipe by binding it tightly with cloth, tape or
using a pipe clamp
4.Call
a qualified plumber and turn off all taps until the pipe is repaired.
Top
tips to prepare your home for the cold
·
Insulate
water tanks and pipes
Use
pipe lagging / jackets or insulation to prevent any exposed or unheated water
tanks or pipes from freezing. Think lofts, garages and also garden taps. When
insulating, make sure there are no gaps in the lagging.
·
Fix
dripping taps
In
cold temperatures, even a small trickle can cause water in the pipe to freeze.
·
Find
your internal stop-tap
Find
the stop-tap in your property and make sure you can turn it off. Most stop-taps
are fitted under the kitchen sink or stairs and can be turned off by turning them
clockwise.
·
Service
your boiler
Have
your boiler serviced regularly (usually every year) to keep it working as
efficiently as possible and avoid it breaking down during cold weather.
·
Block
breezes and draughts
Minimise
draughts and shut doors and windows to unheated parts of the home. If your
property is empty for long periods, turn off the water at the stop-tap and
consider draining your pipes (by opening your taps while the stop tap is off).
We're
doing our bit to fix external leaks. If you spot a leak when you're out and
about, please tell us about it via www.southernwater.co.uk/
Mayors Report.
·
With Cllrs Peacey-Wilcox, Jean Bartrum and
Christine Bustin I met with Cowes Business Association, who raised
concerns regarding long stay parking in
Cowes, increasing parking availability and improved access to park & ride
·
Most local Councillors (from Cowes and East
Cowes) met to discuss concerns on the confidence of, and reliability of the
Floating Bridge. Following the meeting
several recommendations were made. It is
hoped that both Council’s will meet regularly to discuss issues that both towns
have.
Also this
month.
·
I have approached Cowes Harbour Commissioners
concerning damage to the sea wall at Town Quay and repairs needed to Egypt
Light.
·
I contacted Southern Water to repair two broken
meter covers.
·
At Full Council, I supported concerns
expressed by proposals to withdraw funding for hospital patients requiring
treatment, supported concerns over the withdrawal of funding for the IW Law
Centre, supported measures to address children in poverty and voted against the
creation of a combined Fire Service, as not all concerns raised objectors to
the proposals were not fully addressed.
It was reported that the IW Council received a ‘Good’ rating from
OFSTED.
·
Following resident feedback received, I am
liaising with the IW Council to address concerns to repair seafront railings.
·
I continue to lobby the IW Council to ensure
the allocation of ‘developers contributions’ to fund Local Council projects.
·
I met with Gurnard Pines Residents, to seek
solutions to the cost of the installation of water/ electricity meters.
·
I have provided advice and support to
residents concerned about the relocation of Newport Football Club.
