Surgeries.
10:30-11:30am, Thursday 3rd
December, Gurnard Press, 31 Worsley Road, Gurnard.
6-7pm, Monday 7th December. Telephone
Surgery. Call: 01983 289595
4:30-5:15pm, Wednesday 9th
December, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
6-7pm, Monday 21st December.
Telephone Surgery. Call: 01983 289595
12-12:30pm, Tuesday 5th January,
Eegon’s, above the Royal British Legion, 85 High Street, Cowes.
Planning: 20/01243/OUT Proposed Lower Church Road development for 7 dwellings.
An ‘outline’ planning application was submitted to build
seven dwellings between Gurnard Farm and farmland to the north to join the line
of properties on the southern aspect of Lower Church Road. Because this application is for the principle
of development only, details will be submitted to the Planning Authority at a
later stage should the planners approve this application.
In the meantime, I have undertaken a letterdrop to nearby
residents, and will be requesting this proposal is called in for consideration
by the Planning Committee, should the application be mindful of approval.
Land
between Place Road and Cockleton Lane
Following speculation with the sale of farmland, I am
advised pre-application discussions have taken place between a developer and
Planning Officers to submit a future planning application for housing on this
land.
Although an application is some distance off and there
are still many hurdles for the developer to address, I understand the gap
between the ridge and Cockleton Lane will be protected In addition, the green gap to the south of
Tuttons Hill will need to be protected, as this forms part of the Solent
Protection Area.
Crisis Support.
A
number of residents have been in touch concerning support for families on low
incomes.
Because
of the recent 2 week half term break and the onset of Christmas holidays, the
position locally is more acute than in other parts of the country. In response,
I am working alongside colleagues in the Cowes/ East Cowes Resiliance
Forum to ensure families are better
supported.
Following
feedback from the initial vote by Government on School Meals Support during
school holidays, the Isle of Wight Council are directing residents to the Help
Through Crisis Fund. For details please visit: https://www.islehelp.me/help-through-crisis/; phone: 01983 823959 or email: helpthroughcrisis@iwcab.org.uk
You
can also apply for support direct to: https://www.iow.gov.uk/HelpThroughCrisis
Top Tips from the Footprint Trust to help you
keep Warm & Safe this Winter.
·
Talk to your energy company. Are you on the best deal? Can you get the
£140 Warm Home Discount?
·
Keep safe in a power cut or water
failure. Join the free Priority Service
Register call 0800 294 3259 or visit www.ssen.co.uk/psr/southernwater
·
Lag your water pipes
·
Save £200 per year on utility costs! Talk to
the Warm Island team at the Footprint Trust on 01983 822282 or email: info@footprint-trust.co.uk.
·
Phone 0800 027 0800 and ask about the
Watersure tariff if you have a disability or high water use due to illness.
·
Make sure your torch is charged, and you have
spare batteries.
·
Keep a supply of tinned and non-perishable
goods in case extreme weather prevents you going out to the shops
·
Make sure you have enough medicine; don’t
leave re-ordering to the last minute.
·
Keep important phone numbers on your fridge.
Useful Helplines:
°
If
you are worried about your Fuel Bills call The
Footprint Trust on 01983 822282.
°
Islehelp for
advice and information on benefits, money issues, rent concerns. Telephone:
01983 823859/ 823898; Website: www.islehelp.me;
Email: enquiries@iwcab.org.uk
°
Isle
of Wight Council Covid-19 Support Telephone: 01983 823600
°
Struggling on your pension? You may be
entitled to more money. Pension Credit
helpline 0800 991 234.
Seafront Parking
Charges: Update.
A change.org petition has been set up to
allow residents to further object to proposals to charge for parking between
Egypt Light and The Woodvale.
In
its first week over 2400 residents had objected to proposals. Please click links on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PaulFullerIW; or Gurnard
Parish Council’s website: https://www.gurnardpc.co.uk/proposed-parking-meters-on-the-seafront/
On
another matter I was informed the Council ‘have areas that were profitable, and
now in loss such as parking’. Given this, and constraints of charging all year
on Cowes/ Gurnard Seafront this further fuels the argument against applying
charges.
Analysis of Income from Parking Meters on Cowes Esplanade (Queens Road) (Cllr. John Effemey, 2004)
|
Date |
Income |
Income
Per Space per Day |
|
1-15th
August (Cowes Week) |
£1,174.75 |
£1.55 |
|
16-31st
August |
£1,029.10 |
£1.30 |
|
1-30th
September |
£856.50 |
£0.57 |
|
1-25th
October |
£406.90 |
£0.33 |
Income from Parking
Meters on Cowes Esplanade (Queens Road) (2019/2020)
|
Date |
Income |
Income Per Space per
Day |
|
1st April-30th October 2019 |
£31,339 |
£3.32 |
|
1st April-30th October 2020 |
£3,857 |
£0.41 |
It’s
intended the IW Council’s Cabinet will decide on charges, alongside those for
the Somerton Park & Ride and Esplanade winter charges at its meeting on
14th January 2021.
Update Report: December
2020.
There
is a slight update from officers concerning the Cabinet Meeting. This is
still on course for 14th January.
However this timescale may slip, and I’m advised that the January date
is the earliest date possible and a report is being written with this in mind.
In
light of this, I have requested an update.
With
respect to the petition, I hoped to
create new momentum via the Island Observer, County Press and OntheWight which
featured in social media. In the meantime, December editions of the Cowes Magazine
and Gurnard News with the update and also issued soon. Once November’s lockdown concludes flyers
will be dropped off to parked vehicles in Cowes. My aim is to try to achieve
3000 signatures before Christmas.
·
Car Park Income.
I
have obtained details collected by the late Cllr John Effemey when he
researched this in 2004.
The
data below, demonstrates revenue generated from charges from 50 parking bays on
Cowes ‘Esplanade’. However, I believe
this equates to the 44 bays on Queens Road.
Analysis of Income from Parking Meters
on Cowes Esplanade (Queens Road) (Cllr. John Effemey, 2004)
|
Date |
Income |
Income
Per Space per Day |
|
1-15th
August (Cowes Week) |
£1,174.75 |
£1.55 |
|
16-31st
August |
£1,029.10 |
£1.30 |
|
1-30th
September |
£856.50 |
£0.57 |
|
1-25th
October |
£406.90 |
£0.33 |
Analysis of Income from Mornington
Road Car Park.(Cllr. John Effemey, 2004)
|
Date |
Income |
Income
Per Space per Day |
|
1-15th
August (Cowes Week) |
£496.75 |
£0.97 |
|
16-31st
August |
£420.35 |
£0.77 |
|
1-30th
September |
£97.60 |
£0.10 |
|
1-25th
October |
£19.30 |
£0.02 |
Update:
Income from Parking Meters on Cowes
Esplanade (Queens Road) (2019/2020)
|
Date |
Income |
Income Per Space per
Day |
|
1st April-30th October 2019 |
£31,339 |
£3.32 |
|
1st April-30th October 2020 |
£3,857 |
£0.41 |
I
estimate that between the Woodvale and Egypt Point there are 230 parking bays,
and with 10-15 parking metres costing £3,500 each (many will need to be
replaced every 3-5 years) the return on meters, I conclude will be minimal
·
Freedom of Information request.
Many
thanks to Ric who requested Freedom of Information data concerning car park
charges.
The
main issue resulting from the feedback received was the fact that officers
seemed to dismiss any adverse impact on residents with disabilities. As a follow-up one resident, who understands
the minutia of Equality Impact Assessments has expressed their concern, which
I’ve forwarded to Officers.
·
Income from Car Parking Charges.
On
another matter concerning IW Council support, I was in touch a senior
Councillor, who advised the following:
So for 21/22 without additional government support we are having to look
at reductions in service. We have areas that were profitable and now in loss, such as parking and
Leisure Centres and we are looking hard at our staffing situation. I know you
will be aware that the Island Council has been shown by the Institute of Fiscal
Studies to be one of the two most badly financially affected Councils in the
country by the Covid emergency. So whereas some councils might have capacity to
increase budgets to meet new initiatives, however desirable, we are in the
position that to do that we have no alternative but to to find greater
reductions elsewhere, or find more sources of income. You will be very aware that this latter is
really unpopular as the proposal to introduce parking charges at Gurnard shows.
We are hoping that government will recognise the very difficult position that
we, along with about 1 in 5 of councils across the country are in and will
provide additional financial support. Unfortunately we are unlikely to have any
indicator of what the RSG will be much before Christmas.
This
somewhat begs the question, as to why charges are being considered when this
revenue stream runs at a loss for the IW Council.
Place Road Speed Limit.
Proposals to reduce the speed limit to 30mph speed limit for the entire length
of Place Road are being assessed by
the IW Council and Island Roads as part of the Island wide speed limit review.
In the meantime, please continue to let me know your thoughts.
Trees.
The
Tree Officer was notified on two matters concerning protected trees at Worsley Road and Woodvale Road. In both
cases, the officer advised that the works were carried out in accordance with
advice sought.
In
Woodvale Road, Gurnard Parish Council have asked: Has the diseased tree been
identified by an arboricultralist; will the tree be replaced and what sanctions
will be taken?
Planning: Old School
Close, Gurnard.
An appeal was made against the planning condition for a
footway outside Old School Close.
During the appeal Island Roads were successful making the
point to the footway was necessary in terms of safety for pedestrians using
Cockleton Lane. In conclusion, the Inspector supported the condition.
Local Businesses.
The
impact of the most recent lockdown on local businesses has been immense. With Christmas looming there has never been a
better time to support local shops and businesses through this difficult
time. Please if you can, help our
community by shopping locally!
Marks Corner.
Earlier this year, I reported concerns regarding
anti-social behaviour connected to incidents involving dog walkers and local
residents at Marks Corner on the periphery of Parkhurst Forest
Despite incidents being reported to the Forestry
Commission, incidents have escalated resulting in the police needing to be
involved. If you have witnessed any form
of suspicious/ anti-social behaviour, please report incidents to: olivia.peachey@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
In
the meantime, there has been a number of fly tipping incidents on the northern
edge of Parkhurst Forest and at Combley Great Wood, Nr
Havenstreet. If you witness any
incidents please email: robin.mair@forestryengland.uk
Gurnard Pines.
Island Roads advise they will only remove the ‘Cockleton
Lane’, aspect of Gurnard Pines street addresses if they receive a formal
request to do so by site and unit owners of Gurnard Pines.
Cowes Traffic Order
Update.
Health
and Safety Parking Orders which I referred to earlier this summer is due to go
out to formal consultation for 28 days in early December. For details please visit:
Should
there be no objection to this consultation, the order can be implemented from
February 2021. However, if there are
further lockdowns implementation is unlikely to happen before July.
Covid-19
Following
feedback, I was advised that the IW Council during last month’s lockdown
carried out ‘spot-checks’ on holiday lets.
It was reported that 19 lets were on the watch list, with 2 formal
warnings issued.
If
you feel that you need to be tested for Covid 19, please call 119.
In
the meantime, although Covid cases still remain one of the lowest in the
country, and it is hoped that once coming out of lockdown the Isle of Wight
will be considered on its own merits, rather than being included with Southampton
and Portsmouth where cases are much higher.
In
the meantime, it is anticipated that a tougher tiered system will be introduced
following the lockdown this month.
Full Council.
At
Full Council, it was reported that extra Government funding would be made
available to ensure ‘no child would go hungry this Christmas’ (!?)
A
number of concerns were raised concerning revision to the IW Council’s
constitution, which I voted against.
Other
matters debated included a motion putting placemaking
and wellbeing at the heart of the IW
Council’s decisions. I supported this, given its relevance in campaigning
against seafront parking charges and their impact upon wellbeing. This was supported 20 votes to 15.
Another
motion considered was one which reflected the need to reduce Island traffic speeds. This, again I
supported. When this was last discussed by Full Council this resulted on wider
consultation concerning an Island 40mph speed limit for rural roads.
In
addition a motion unanimously supported to request Government Support allowing local Council’s to police pavement parking (I
responded on a personal basis earlier this month).
It
was with concern that a further item which I was very much in support of
confirming Councillors support for the Island’s
Dairy Industry was withdrawn from the Full Council meeting. When this was last discussed by Full Council
this resulted on wider consultation concerning an Island 40mph speed limit for
rural roads.
Also
this month:
·
It
was with sadness that this year’s Remembrance Services and wreath laying were
held virtually this year. Services can be found at: https://stmarysandholytrinity.co.uk/ and https://www.facebook.com/AllSaintsGurnard/
·
Support
was given to a resident’s citizenship ceremony.
·
Following
my formal representation earlier this year against our Government’s Planning
For The Future white paper, I have also signed an open letter from the Campaign
for the Protection of Rural England to the Secretary of State sharing these
concerns, which can be shared here: https://www.cpre.org.uk/defendlocalplanningletter
·
Following
an incident witnessed whereby a resident fell from the pavement at the junction
of the exit from St. Mary’s Hospital in Parkhurst Road I contacted Island Roads
to ask this junction is made safer for pedestrians.
·
Gravel
has been removed from the junction with Cockleton Lane in Hilton Road.
·
Following
cycling enforcement not being a police priority, Cowes Town Council tentatively
agreed to request Cowes High Street
becomes a shared space for cycles and pedestrians. On this, Town Councillors
have asked that this pilot is reviewed after 18 months, and also that the clear
way-marking is in place on the road surface.
·
A
request was made to clear debris originating from boats moored at Gurnard Luck.
In response to this, the Environment Agency was contacted.
·
Exposed
manhole cover/ ironworks have been reported to Island Roads in Francki Place,
Cowes.
·
E-Scooters
have appeared in and around Newport.
Although I have received complaints concerning this, the police are also
taking up concerns over the legality of how the scooters are being used.
·
I
have volunteered support to the work of Transport for the South East on
sustainable transport projects.
·
I
continue to offer support to Cowes Medical Centre concerning communications,
and the roll out of the Covid-19 vaccination, when this is rolled out from the
coming weeks. An update on this and other issues appeared on the Surgeries
Website https://www.cowesmedicalcentre.co.uk/ at the end of last month
