IW Councillor's Report, August 2019

Surgeries.

12-1pm, Friday 2^nd August, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 6^th August, Cowes Library, 12-14 Beckford Road, Cowes.

5-5:30pm, Wednesday 28^th August, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

Cowes Week 2019.

·         Sail GP Event.

With Cowes Week fast approaching, I have been liaising with and supporting Queens Road residents concerning the Sail GP Event and the impact this will have upon residents during the event which takes place 9-11^th August.  In response, two meetings were called and assistance has been provided with respect to the timeframe for structures to remain in-situ.  In addition, I continue to liaise with the IW Council about retaining access to the seafront.

·         Cowes Week Traffic Order.

Motorists, signs that confuse motorists, signs in dangerous locations, ambiguous traffic orders, multiple temporary one way routes, blocked footways and a digger dismantling walls have all been issues that I have been dealing with this year’s order. Throughout the roll-out of this year’s order, I’ve been liaising between residents and Island Roads. In response, the network manager has advised he has attended each day (weekend included) that compliance has much improved since introduction on Thursday 25^th July and is looking into improving signage at Egypt Hill.

·         Cowes Week Key Dates.

On Cowes Parade there is free live entertainment taking place from 2pm until 23.00pm daily. We have a great mix of local and Mainland bands throughout the week which are all completely free to watch and enjoy. To see up to date entertainment schedules from the Parade and the other Cowes Week venues please visit www.cowesweek.co.uk

Friday 2^nd August: Barriers put out along Parade car park and all parking prevented (nb the lower end of Cowes Parade will already be closed from 31st July for the RORC Fastnet Crew Party)

Saturday 3^rd August: Build commences, 8am Friday 9^th August: Cowes Parade Village opens until Sat 17^th August

Friday 9th August: Kings Cup Regatta takes place by the SailGP Race Village www.thekingscup.com

Saturday 10^th and Sunday 11^th August: SailGP Racing takes place at Egypt Point https://sailgp.com/

Tuesday 13^th August: Ladies Day. Look out for special offers in and around Cowes and don’t forget to join in by wearing navy and white stripes!

Friday 16^th August: Typhoon Display followed by Fireworks

Sunday 18^th August: Breakdown commences.

Tuesday 20^th August (4pm): Breakdown complete, car park swept and reopens.  

 

  

Planning.

·         Bucklers View.

I am anticipating a modified planning application regarding this proposal, and concerns raised over the scale, height, design and soft landscaping of this development.

·         Holiday Units, Ward Avenue.

An application to provide self-catering units in the garden of a property in Ward Avenue has been withdrawn following concerns being raised by neighbours, which I have supported.

·         Woodvale Drive.

An application to build a property on Woodvale Drive has been re-advertised following confusion on its status, when advertised the first time.  This offers a further opportunity for residents to comment.

·         The Range, Place Road.

A planning application has been submitted to sell food and drink items.  This follows a national trial, whereby The Range and Iceland are working in partnership.  In response, I am supporting the need for improved crossing points and extending footway by 150 metres to connect The Range to connect with Four Cross, Northwood.  

Housing Numbers.

I attended a public meeting in Northwood, and support the Member of Parliaments view that the 641 new homes per year within the IWC Island Planning Strategy is unsustainable, given the Isle of Wight’s ‘exceptional circumstances’.

The view which Bob Seely is taking, has mirrored views that I expressed earlier this year to the Island Plan.

In response, I am working alongside the Association of Local Councils (which Cowes TC, Gurnard PC and Northwood PC) are all members of facilitating and hosting a Planning Workshop for all local councillors, which will now take place later this year.

Issues that are being questioned are Empty homes, Safeguarding the Environment, Local Housing for Local People, Developer Contributions and an update on the IW Planning Strategy. 

Section 106 (Developer) Contributions.

Isle of Wight members and Town/ Parish Councillors, are being asked for their priorities should planning applications be approved.  Tentative suggestions that I am making are as follows:

·         Improved mobility access to local shops, businesses and bus stops in Worsley Road and Gurnard Green through dropped kerbs and parking for the disabled.

·         Improved dropped kerbs, Park Road, Cowes.

·         Improved access to the Roundhouse Bus Stop serving Cowes and Newport.

·         Increased frequency of the Cowes Circular Bus Service (service 32).

·         Improved access and enhancement of public footpaths, beach and public slipway access.

·         Improvements to public toilets.

·         Enhanced street lighting, Albert Road, Gurnard.

·         To support the extension of the western footway to connect Four Cross with The Range, Place Road.

·         Footway and Play Area Enhancements, Northwood Recreation Ground.

·         Enhancement of Grass Verges, Crossfield Estate.

Floodlighting, Cowes Enterprise College.  

Last month drones were used to monitor floodlighting for the new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) site at Cowes Enterprise College.  Unfortunately, I received a complaint concerning this, as the floodlighting was switched on until 11pm, following the studies which took place in July.

It is noted that once operational the Floodlighting is currently conditioned for use until 10pm.  However, the College advises me that it would be on rare occasions that the lighting remains on after 9pm.  Once the school re-opens after the summer break I will be supporting residents affected who are monitoring any impact from light spillage.

Licensing Application, Isle of Wight Community Club, Cowes.

The Community Club has requested a permanent licence to overcome the need to request Temporary Entertainment Notices for events being hosted at the Club. The purpose of this, is to reduce paperwork and to provide flexibility for functions.

Following feedback, and a revision agreed in general terms things will not change and the club will continue to close at 11pm (at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, when functions take place).

Fly-tipping.

Three counts of flytipping took place in Tuttons Hill.  On the third occasion an elderly resident was spotted, and their details were reported to the authorities.

Doggies.

I have received two complaints this year concerning dogs who become distressed from separation anxiety, whilst their owners are at work. This is not only upsetting for the dogs themselves, but ultimately upset those living nearby.

Barbecues.

If you use a disposable barbecue, please ensure after use and cooled the remnants are properly disposed of.  This follows issues of residents being burnt when stepping on coals with concerns raised regarding litter. In addition, beach hut owners have also complained of damage, whilst in Cowes two bins have been replaced at a cost to Council Tax payers to damaged Bins.  In response, I have requested signage has been replaced and updated.

Litter Bins.

Foxes have been spotted scattering litter at Gurnard Green.  When bins are full, please take your litter home!

Highway Matters.

·         Verge/ Cutting and Hedgerows.

Brambles in Baring Road, Place Road, Tuttons Hill, Worsley Road; Overgrown hedgerows in Crossfield Avenue, Woodvale Road and uncut grass verges in Battery Road have been reported to and action taken by Island Roads.  In the meantime, the Bird Nesting season ends from August.  

Elsewhere, Northwood Parish Council has resolved to increase village cuts by two extra cuts this coming year.

·         Memorial Benches.

Island Roads are able to assist with applications for memorial benches on the public highway or ‘project network’.  This network includes most pavements and roads on the Isle of Wight, but excludes parks, beaches, footpaths, public buildings and private roads.

A new bench and engraved plaque currently costs approximately £2500 and includes site assessment, liaison with the IW Council, bench, engraving, delivery, plinth (if applicable), installation, inspections and maintenance until 2038

·          Last month, rather than in June manhole covers in Shore Road were made safe.

·          Cycle Hoop/ Barriers were re-anchored in Princes Esplanade adjacent to the Pumping Station.

·          Access will be reinstated to the Public Slipway next to the former HSBC Bank in Cowes High Street, following a request made to clear the slipway of obstructions in the form of commercial waste bins and Herris Fencing.

·          An unkempt grass verge was reported to Island Roads.  Apparently, this verge is now a home for badgers!!

·          An abandoned vehicle in Parklands Avenue has been reported, and follow up action taken by the IW Council.  

·          A very big thank you to Carolyn Sibley and Tony Westmore for their support alerting Open Studios participants in concerns expressed regarding parking in Worsley Road. I am told that during the weekend traffic moved obstruction free. Thank you to all involved!

·         I have received a call from an elderly resident dependent on regular support living in Debourne Close.  If parking in this road, please ensure are left unobstructed by parked vehicles.  On this, I have contacted parking services for their support.

·         I look forward to discussing horse riding options with the IW Bridleway Group.  This follows concerns raised by riders regarding safety.  On this matter, I would like to see proposals to link Gurnard and Northwood (where stabling is one of the most prolific areas in the UK) to bridleways that connects across the spine if the Island.  

·         Proposals to highlight vehicular restrictions to Cowes High Street, continues to be pursued by Cowes Town Council.  Bollard Covers, improved signage and alternative cycle provision is due to be discussed in September by the Town Council’s Project Committee.

·         I have offered support to a Gurnard business for tourism signage.

St Mary’s Roundabout Reconfiguration.

I have seen for myself proposals to reconfigure the St Marys roundabout in Parkhurst Road.  This scheme will in my view cause major disruption for 15 months following commencement at the end of September.  Councillors were advised at a session myself and Cllr Peacey-Wilcox attended that engagement will take place from this month.

In the meantime, I’ve requested for officers support for a public information session to take place next month, and am working closely with both the local councillor, Andrew Garratt and other Cowes IW Councillors. 

Cowes Traffic Regulation Order.

This is due to be signed off on 31^st July, by Cabinet Member Cllr. Ian Ward.  In preparation, I have liaised with Highway Officers and Schools to ensure no further delays take place implementing proposals.

Car Parking, Cowes: 2020:200.

Following the current car parking drought in Cowes, I am campaigning to identify the availability of 200 car parking spaces by next year.  These spaces can be on-street, off-street, private, public, can involve reconfiguring existing space, removing double yellow lines where they are no longer needed.

If you know of a space that can be used, or better used please let me know!

Consultation on Concessionary Travel Scheme Changes.

A consultation is taking place on potential changes to the Island’s concessionary travel scheme and use by disabled residents and their companions before 9:30am and after 11pm. The consultation continues until the 8 October 2019

For further information, please visit:  https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ConcessionaryTravelSchemeConsultation

I hold the view that this a mean-spirited sanction against some of the most vulnerable people within our community, and I have concerns that this will make mobility impaired residents feel even more isolated. 

Japanese Knotweed.

I am supporting a resident dealing with Knotweed which has spread to their property from adjoining open land.  In response, I have spoken to both the IW Council and neighbouring landowners also concerned by the spread.

Although there is no restriction on having Japanese Knotweed on your property, landowners are restricted from allowing the weed to spread.  It is noted that specialist treatment needs to take place over several years to rid Japanese Knotweed which can adversely impact upon buildings structure.

IT Access For All?

Like many other public bodies, the IW Council are seeking to roll out more opportunities to engage with residents via digitalised online services.

Returning to the Corporate Scrutiny Committee, I raised concerns given that the most vulnerable residents will be further isolated should proposals come to fruition.   According to the Office for National Statistics 10% of the adult population are internet non-users, whilst there remains a large proportion of internet users (45%) without the confidence to access services, fill in forms or engage with service providers.

Full Council.

Two petitions were received by Full Council.

The first requested Council considered all options to improve the Vittlefields junction at Forest Road, Newport following traffic incidents.  This petition was supported by myself and all Councillors (except one who abstained)

The second petition was to request reconfiguration of mental health services.  During submission and throughout the debate concern was expressed that residents could be placed at risk following cutbacks for the service primarily in the evenings and weekend when the need was greatest.  In light of the petition and following my consistent opposition to some savings being accrued, I was one of 13 Councillors who voted in support of the petition (22 Councillors opposed this)

In addition, a motion with cross-party support was made and resolved to reinforce and substantiate climate change concerns alongside a further 171 other local and district authorities.  This I supported.  However, it was noted that both the Council’s Leader and Deputy (both emphasising climate change scepticism) voted against this.  Ironically, this vote was taken the day before the highest temperature ever (38.7C) was recorded in the UK.        

Also this month.

·         Odd, that it sounds I received a call from a resident asking me who they should vote for, as new Prime Minister! In response I replied that as a member of no political party, this was a matter for them!  That said, following the support for Boris Johnson I am overjoyed by the promise made by the new PM to the IW Council Leader, Dave Stewart and MP, Bob Seely for an Island Deal which recognises the extra costs our Island has to bear…  

·         I’ve received calls from residents of Cliff Road who have approached me concerning improving parking provision

·         I have been approached by a resident who requested the right of way status of the private lane connecting Wyatts Lane to Newport Road via Luton Farm.  This is not a right of way. However a public footparh does connect Oxford Street to Newport Road exiting opposite the Military Museum.

·         I am supporting a resident (wanting to restore a private dwelling) who received a court summons for Council Tax.

·         I have attended Councillor Training.  What was made important to me was a greater requirement for cross-party communication and engagement, which in my opinion does not happen as well as it could.

·         At the AONB Partnership, members were advised of initial relationships being built through the recent biosphere designation. This is particularly relevant to chalk downland (Brighton), and working with schools (Isle of Man).  

·         I have received feedback from residents concerned with the speed of traffic on Cowes/ Gurnard Seafront.

·         Feedback has been provided concerning the plastic waste, what is recycled and how things will change once the Forest Road centre becomes operational later this year.  This information will be passed on in a future report.

·         Vandalism and Tree damage my somebody wealding and Axe in Northwood Recreation Ground was reported.

·         Two empty properties have been reported to the IW Council.

·         5G technology is being rolled out nationally.  Good or Bad?  Please let me know your thoughts.

·         At Corporate Scrutiny, it was reported by the Council Leader that the Floating Bridge is operating at 94% reliability.

·         I have been contacted by Abbeyfield residents in Bath Road who recently won a national award for their gardens.  Congratulations to Peter Hutchinson for his efforts!

·         Congratulations to our Sportsmen and women who were successful at the Island Games where the Isle of Wight came 9^th within the Final Medal Table, winning 34 medals!! The Island is justly very proud.

·         Men In Sheds are hosting this year’s open day from 11am-1pm on 8^th August.  For just £1, you can witness the great work being carried out, buy shed made products and of course make the very most of the Bacon butties on offer at 25/26 Somerton Business Park, Cowes.