Isle of Wight Councillors Report January 2020

Surgeries.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 7^th January, Cowes Library, 12-14 Beckford Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 7^th January, Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes

10:30-11am, Thursday 9^th January, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

10:30-11am, Thursday 23^rd January, Coffee & Chat, All Saints Church, Gurnard.

5-6pm, Wednesday 29^th January, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard

12-12:30pm, Thursday 30^th January, Eegons Cafe, 72 High Street, Cowes.

Waste and Recycling

·         Christmas Trees.

Real Christmas can be collected kerbside in the same week as your recycling collection by booking online at www.iwight.com/waste or calling 01983 823777. The service is available  during January for £5, and is free households subscribing to the IW Council’s garden waste collection service.

·         Waste and Recycling Survey.

The IW Council and Amey want to know residents views on waste and recycling.  To find out more, please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RecyclingWasteSatisfactionSurvey2019. This consultation ends 14^th February.

Trees.

·         Highways Trees.

Last month I received a complaint of a healthy highway tree which was removed by Island Roads in Worsley Road.

Following further investigation, I was advised that any tree that is found leaning onto the highway by more than 20 degrees will be removed for health and safety grounds.  Island Roads have advised that when a tree is removed, there should be an arboriculture assessment and an assurance that trees removed will be replaced. To note, the tree removed from Worsley Road is due to be replaced this winter.  

·         Tree Preservation Order amendment

I’ve received feedback concerning a proposed amendment to the Gurnard Cliff woodland TRO in Worsley Road, Gurnard.  On  this, I have requested further details given its ecological, environmental and geological importance.

Highways Meeting.

Later this month, I am meeting with highways officers on site to discuss the following matters:

·         Loading bays and access, Bath Road.

·         Commuter parking concerns, Crossfield Avenue and School Parking arrangements, Baring Road.

·         Improving mobility access, Park Road.

·         Improving access/ site lines to and from Glen Place at the junction with Worsley Road.

·         Improved waymarking to the Portland Inn.

·         Monitoring traffic speeds and the potential flow of traffic in and to Cockleton Lane.

·         Improving drainage in Rew Street.

Please let me know if there is anything you feel needs addressing locally!

Planning Meeting.

Also this month, I am meeting with the Head of Planning to discuss updating the Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan.  In recent months, I would like to see the IW Council doing more to protect green gaps, particularly those separating Cowes from Northwood and Gurnard.  This is particularly relevant given proposals to increase housing numbers to 675 new homes each year.

In addition, myself and Gurnard Parish Councillors will also be highlighting tree loss concerns, which we would like to see addressed.  

St Mary’s Roundabout. Next phases 5-6: 2^nd January to 8^th June 2020 (Update from Island Roads).

During this phase, to allow works to continue safely, a contraflow system — taking the traffic onto the opposite side of the carriageway — will be in place for traffic travelling on Medina Way, north of St Mary’s roundabout.

From early January to late March, the contraflow will be in place for southbound traffic heading towards Newport. It will then switch to a contraflow for northbound traffic (Cowes-bound). Signage will be in place to clearly direct vehicles, including those exiting from the hospital site onto Medina Way, which will exit via a feeder lane in a similar way to the current arrangements.

The council is reminding road users that the work will cause disruption during some phases, particularly until motorists become accustomed to temporary traffic arrangements during construction. There are a variety of factors including inclement weather, emergency works and scheme extensions that can affect the timing of works.  Due to the size and nature of this scheme, the works programme is subject to change, but programme updates will continue to be issued as each phase progresses.

For further details visit: http://www.islandroads.com/182-newport-st-marys-strategic-junction-improvements-.html

General Election.

Last month it was good to catch up with residents at both polling stations at the Northwood Cricket Club and Gurnard Village Hall who cast their votes for our Member of Parliament.  Turnout was 65.9% (a 1.4% downturn from 2017) The results were as follows:

Bob Seely	Conservative	41,815	56.2%	+4.9%
Richard Quigley	Labour	18,078	24.3%	+1.3%
Vix Lowthion	Green	11,338	15.2%	-2.1%
Carl Feeney	Independent Network	1,542	2.1%
Karl Love	Independent	874	1.2%
Daryll Pitcher	Independent	795	1.1%

Town and Parish Council Meeting with IW Council.

Prior to the election, with Town and Parish Councillors I attended a meeting with the IW Council to discuss future levels of support the Council will require to protect public services.

Despite positive soundings from party election candidates to end austerity, there were and are no financial commitment from government to support public services, although this may change. Given uncertainties locally on the Local Government Settlement to Councils, Brexit, the Fair funding review, an Island Deal and Business Rates retention it remains unknown to what extent Town and Parish Council’s will be asked to plug the gap to fund discretionary services.  As a result local councils were asked to expect the worse…

Highways Issues.

·         It was necessary to close lower Shore Road in December to conclude construction work required for a property.

·         Urgent repairs took place to damage to the pavement on Princes Esplanade.

·         An abandoned vehicle was reported in Baring Road, and action taken to see its removal.

Also last month.   

·         I am offering support to a resident who has been chased for disputed Council Tax arrears.

·         During the Christmas Break, I supported a number of residents who were approached by a Double Glazing firm, cold calling. Action has been taken against this national firm.

·         I am chasing a three Planning Enforcement matters (all in Gurnard).   

·         I have requested support from Island Roads on a tree that is leaning (very much in excess of 20 degrees!)

·         Cowes Enterprise College has been asked to address concerns over the noise of hirers using the new football pitch.  The college has agreed to improve signage and talk to hirers.

·         I supported proposals to improve ice skating facilities, by supporting proposals at Smallbrook

·         I have met and share residents concerns over proposals to drill for oil in the Arreton Valley. 

·         I continue to support a business owner over improving access for the disabled.

·         I have contacted the MP on behalf of a resident over a nil response to an enquiry made several months ago.

·         I have nominated a resident to become a school governor at Cowes Primary School.