Isle of Wight Councillors Report July 2021

 

Surgeries:

 

5:30-6pm, Thursday 1^st July, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

(THE SURGERY SCHEDULED FOR 8th JULY HAS BEEN CANCELLED) 

10:30-11am, Wednesday 14^th July, Benches adj. The Watersedge Café, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard

11-11:30am, Wednesday 14t^h July, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

11-12pm, Thursday 15^th July, Food Shack & Bar, Gurnard Pines, Gurnard.

11-12pm, Wednesday 21^st July, Eegon’s, 85 High Street, Cowes.

4-5pm, Tuesday 27^th July, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes. 

Postponed due to West Acre Planning Hearing

5:30-6:20pm, Wednesday 28^th July, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

Extended Surgery due to Tuesday's postponed surgery.

 

I have increased surgeries in response to increased workloads.  In respect to unavoidable postponements, revised times will be posted online within 24 hours of surgeries. With recent increases in my workload, please bear with me!

 

Isle of Wight Parliamentary Constituency.

 

Consultation is again underway on the new two member Isle of Wight Parliamentary Constituency.  Further to comments that I have made to include Cowes, East Cowes, Newport and West Wight in the Western Constituency and Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor in the East,  the boundary commission to ensure numbers are ‘even’ are consulting on new proposals which dissects the Medina Valley and Newport.

 

In my original comments, I highlighted that the Medina Valley, Newport and the Cowes Estuary should remain in situ given the similar characteristics these have in contrast to those locations much more dependent upon tourism.  

 

Details of the consultation which ends on 2^nd August can be found here: http://www.bcereviews.org.uk/.

 

Planning Applications.

 

·         63 Solent View Road, Gurnard. Ref: 21/00491/FUL Replacement Dwelling.

This application was amended following concerns over its overdevelopment and impact.  Following the scheme being altered, both the Planning Chairman and Officers considered my initial grounds to call-in the application were no long sustainable. 

 

·         Bucklers View.

I met with Southern Housing in June, and have been advised that work to extend the complex has been postponed with no start date until at least June 2022.

 

·         31 Marsh Road, Gurnard.  Ref: 21/00167/FUL

Proposals to convert the Little Gloster from Restaurant and dwelling to a two storey hotel is still under review by planners. This follows an objection raised by the Environment Agency as the application lies within the Flood Risk area and therefore requires a Flood Risk Assessment to mitigate against flooding. 

 

·         Champion, Sticelett Farm, off Rew Street, Gurnard. Ref: 21/00872/DIS Planning Revisions

Revisions have been requested to this application located facing Gurnard Ledge.  Concerns were again raised concerning the impact upon the Heritage Coast. 

 

·         69 Marsh Road, Gurnard. Ref: 20/01460/HOU Proposed Balcony.

This application was refused regarding its height and dominance, and is subject to a planning appeal.

 

Traffic Orders.

 

I have met with, listened to and had discussions with residents seeking clarification on recent traffic orders in Marsh Road and Place Road where consultations ended on 21^st June. 

 

I have requested an update on this and traffic restrictions for Egypt and Princes Esplanade.  An update and the Cowes Week Traffic Order will appeal in my August report.  With the summer now here, I receive regular calls from residents (particularly from Solent Shores) concerning blocked accesses and ask that motorists are careful where they park- as I really don’t want to again fight proposals to implement parking meters to kerb anti-social parking.

 

Action was taken to reopen and reconfigure signage in Cockleton Lane following its closure last month.

 

Speedwatch.

 

I have undertaken Speedwatch Training.  The first road to be monitored is Pallance Road, this will be followed up by an event taking place in Crossfield Avenue.  If you are interested in volunteering as a member of the local Speedwatch group please let me know.

 

Barbecues.

 

The IW Council are supporting calls to ensure disposable barbecues are properly used and disposed of sensibly. If disposable barbecues can be avoided all together this would be brilliant!  If not, once cooled please ensure barbecues and debris are taken home or to a safe place to be disposed of after use.

 

This follows incidents where barbecues were left on beaches and caused burns when trodden on, In addition there were a number of instances of damage. 

 

Beach Huts.

 

Over the last few months I have received a number of enquiries concerning the availability of beach huts.

 

At Gurnard all huts are privately owned, and when sold these can be advertised through Estate Agents. 

 

Coastal Path.

 

The Coastal Path between Gurnard and Thorness has reopened following the path being rolled back.  Many thanks to the landowners for facilitating this work as I know how important this footpath is!

 

Criminal Damage.

 

I have requested extra police patrols between Gurnard Marsh and Gurnard Sailing Club.  This follows incidents of criminal damage in the area. Please, if you witness any suspicious incident let the police know!

 

Litter.

 

Thank you to the numerous residents who volunteer to keep Gurnard Green and Beach pristine.  Please can I ask volunteers to keep in touch with me (with photo’s if possible!), as otherwise the IW Council will not fully understand the issue with volunteers doing such a great job.

 

Highways Matters:

 

·         Hedgerows.

I am advised that minor hedge control has taken place at The Dottens, Crossfield Avenue, Worsley Road (x2) and Three Gates Road.

 

·         St Mary’s Junction.

Island Roads advise that vehicles are permitted when leaving the hospital onto Parkhurst Road to U turn to Cowes at the Forest Road junction.   

 

·         E-Scooters.

I arranged a meeting with officers to discuss the issues with escooters in Cowes High Street following complaints of the carriage of passengers and the ongoing use by those without a license.  During the meeting it was made clear  the issue concerning enforcement of the prohibition to traffic using Shooters Hill and Cowes High Street applied to cyclists more than escooterists.  In response, I requested a rethink on painting signage on the road surface and publicity concerning restrictions, whilst residents are requested to continue reporting ecooter incidents to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeXs1QOiFGEdafpz2X7L8UccAbiS7XO4cy8FTqiuoRKmvNgwQ/viewform 

 

The trial is due to be extended this summer to Sandown, Shanklin and Lake and continues until March 2022.

 

Jet Ski’s

 

The use of jet ski’s have been reported to the Marine Police, who I pleased to report have continued to monitor their use in waters frequented by bathers.  Please note a local bye-law exists prohibiting ‘Personal Watercraft’ being used faster than 8 knots and in depths of less than 2 metres.

 

Please report incidents to the police at: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

 

Mainland Visitors.

 

I continue to receive calls regarding visitors to the Island. In response to feedback I have requested the IW Council to be more proactive in their response to ferry operators with respect to visitors both now and following the 19^th July deadline.  Because of ongoing ambiguity over what occurs after then, I have requested clarity from the IW Council.

 

Supporting local businesses: Use them or lose them?

 

Following in the aftermath of Coronavirus, there are a large number of local businesses that continue to be impacted by the downturn in custom.  This is particularly relevant to pubs, café’s and small shops- all of which need our support.  Please if you can- shop local, as our community needs all of the support as residents we can offer.  This is not only important for the shops themselves, but also for the many locals who rely upon employment! 

 

Planning and Housing.

 

·         I am working with Officers on the Island Plan consultation which goes out to formal consultation later this month until 30^th September.  In the coming weeks I am hosting briefings for IW Councillors and Town/ Parish/ Youth Councillors prior to consideration by the Corporate Scrutiny Committee and Cabinet, mid-July. Proposals intend to significantly reduce the 1045 annual housing figure, remove the ambiguity of development ‘immediately adjacent’ to the settlement boundary, will scrap the intention of creating garden villages and will offer safeguards in development of green field sites.  Once the consultation begins, I will be out and about listening to feedback from stakeholders across the Island.  In the meantime, I have discussed proposals with Bob Seely, MP and consider that the IW Council and the MP are largely on the same page.

·         A number of concerns have been relayed to Ward Councillors concerning local planning matters.  On these items, I have offered my support if required.

·         I have met with and spoken to local Councillors concerning proposals to develop at Camp Hill and Shalfleet.  As Cabinet Member, I have offered tentative support to relocate Newport Football Club to Seaclose.

·         I have received a briefing from officers regarding staffing capacity in the Planning Department.  This follows a number of concerns raised by residents and planning agents following a significant influx in planning enquiries since March.  To note, March transpired to be the busiest month ever for Planning enquiries and from my perspective I have requested that residents and agents are patient and bear with us during this upsurge. In the meantime, I am advised by officers that action has been actioned to address this situation.

·         In the last few weeks I have met with the Housing Partnership Forum, attended two meetings of Community Led Housing Forum, attended three meetings with Planning Officers, one meeting with my Director Chris Ashman a meeting with Housing Renewal Officers, was held to account by the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils and visited a heritage asset at Great Whitcombe Manor. These meetings have enabled me to hit the ground running on ongoing matters. 

·         With the budget pending, I have had ongoing discussions concerning Empty Homes and the potential in the Planning Act to introduce Compulsory Sale Orders (similar to orders in place in Scotland) to address long term empty properties (to which we currently have 109 on the Island). With respect to Empty Properties I have asked for a group briefing on this to take place in September.

·         In addition I have also had discussions regarding the Disabled Facilities Grant, the Repair and Wellbeing Grant and the Green Home Funding which ceases on 31^st August.

·         At Planning Committee, there was a positive report in response to Planning Appeals.

·         On the Forward Plan, I have advised Officers that a paper is written concerning the Civil Penalties Policy/ Procedure.

·         In the meantime, I have a number of reports that I can’t wait to read.  These include the Three Dragons Report as well as the IW Council’s Housing Strategy and Regeneration Strategy…

 

Also this month:

 

·         I am still chasing up the need for signage at Roundhouse for Local Shops and Pub to aid economic recovery in Gurnard.

·         Signage has been requested concerning cycles leaving Northwood Recreation Ground at speed potentially coming into conflict with traffic.

·         My Declarations of Interest on my website. I am hoping for time allow to enable me to post my Annual Report

·         I have been in discussion with officers concerning the establishment of motor vehicle electric charge points.

·         I have received a number of reports concerning anti-social behaviour and damage caused to the playground equipment on Gurnard Green.  These have been reported to the IW Council, the police and Gurnard Parish Council to monitor.

·         I was asked to support residents following the Council’s Planning Portal failing last month.

·         I have undertaken Licensing Training

·         I have been reappointed to the IW Local Access Forum

·         A meeting took place with myself, Gurnard Parish Council and Officers overseeing the English Coastal Path.

·         A summons for non-payment of Council Tax was withdrawn following ‘confusion’ between a resident and the IWC over payment of a bill from last year.

·         If you are an owner of a high sided vehicle and do not have space to park on your property, please think about where you leave your vehicle.  Although it may not be illegal to park outside a residents home, it often leads to distress particularly when light or access is impeded.  Please note if a householder does have the courage to address this with a motorist, it is usually for good reason.

·         I continue to receive calls concerning the sale of Battery Copse between The Esplanade and Battery Road.  Please note this land is protected by woodland tree preservation orders, is designated a SINC (a site of importance to nature conservation) and is well known for its dodgy land stability (hence the regular closure of the footpath!)

·         There have been a number of issues concerning drainage matters at Solent View Road which has been followed up with Island Road who are the agency responsible for surface water drainage from the highway.

·         I have been in liaison with Island Roads concerning No Mow May, where grass verges are not cut.  This has caused concerns, particularly in light of the backlog of cutting regimes.

·         Consultation has commenced on proposals to regenerate the Ryde Interchange. For information please visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Transport-Parking-and-Streets/Highways-PFI/Highway-Improvement-Schemes1   The consultation continues until 3^rd August.

·         Now that proposals to implement seafront charges have been scrapped, I am discussing options to create a permissive path connecting Gurnard Primary School with Princes Esplanade.