IW Councillor's Report, December 2022

 

Surgeries.

 

10:30-11am, Thursday 1^st December, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

11:30-12:15pm, Thursday 1^st December, The Pavilion Café, Gurnard Pines, Gurnard.

4:30-5pm, Monday 5^th December, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

11:30-12:15pm, Tuesday 6^th December, The Pavilion Café, Gurnard Pines, Gurnard.

5:30-6pm, Wednesday 14^th December, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

 

Christmas Availability.

 

Although my last surgery this year is being held on 14^th December, I will be available throughout Christmas and will be spending this time chasing up the long standing matters that I am dealing with.

 

Please text me or call my mobile if the matter is urgent.  As with all holiday periods, if I need to chase a matter it may take me longer than usual to chase matters up and get a response, if required from others.

 

Energy Support Signposting.

 

Please discuss your individual issues with the Footprint Trust on 01983 822282.  The Footprint Trust has up to date information to where funding is available.  Details of the Footprint Trust and support they give can be found at: https://footprint-trust.co.uk or email: info@footprint-trust.co.uk. Alternatively, up to date information can also be found here: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/.

 

A concern many residents have advised, is that the current level of support for many can seem limited. To note, the IW Council offers general advice for residents via: https://beta.iow.gov.uk/keep-the-island-safe/cost-of-living/ whilst Government also offers information at: https://helpforhouseholds.campaign.gov.uk/

 

Because there are issues for residents living in defined Holiday Parks (like Gurnard Pines) residents are exempt from the same regulations to safeguard those living in standard accommodation. In response, I have approached MP’s and Councillors regarding this. To address this there is both a campaign and a petition to Government, which be found here: https://www.parkhomemagazine.co.uk/news/lets-get-park-home-owners-energy-bills-justice/

 

In the meantime, I continue to gather information so this can be shared to residents who I very much support.  Following surgeries (including those at Gurnard Pines on 1^st and 7^th December), I will gather information for the MP, and hope to put in hard copy form the information posted on the IW Council’s Cost of Living website.  

In the meantime I have collated information from the IW Council's Cost of Living portal which I have produced in Hard Copy form (with 'phone numbers!? for residents that do not have access to the internet. These are available direct from me, or from Cowes Library 

 

Bathing Water: Dry Spills- Cowes and Gurnard.

 

For a number of years now, Southern Water has apportioned a number of outfall discharges were due to strain on the capacity of holding tanks during storms. Last month, the Group Surfers Against Sewage referenced that the number of dry spills (discharges that didn’t follow rain) were some of the UK’s highest.

 

Between October 2021 and September 2022, Gurnard had 321 discharges, the highest incident of sewage discharge in the UK, according to SAS. Cowes closely followed, with 318. In light of this, I’ve contacted Southern Water for an explanation, and how the company intends to deal with the unacceptable occurrences.

 

In the meantime bathing water safety remains a priority for Gurnard Parish Council’s Beach Working Party.  In addition, the public meeting to follow up Southern Water’s meeting to Gurnard residents earlier this year has been rescheduled.

 

In the meantime bathing water safety remains a priority for Gurnard Parish Council’s Beach Working Party.  In addition, the public meeting to follow up Southern Water’s meeting to Gurnard residents earlier this year has been rescheduled. In response Southern Water has stated the following:

 

“It should be noted that we have only looked at rainfall in the 2 days before a sewage discharge notification. Each catchment is unique and therefore the lag time between a rainfall event and its impact on a sewage overflow could be longer. However, we consider [2] days to be a conservative time period. The SSRS also only provides sewage discharge notifications for designated bathing waters and popular swim spots rather than individual sewage overflows. So where one sewage overflow impacts multiple locations we will be overestimating the number of ‘dry spills’. On the other hand, where multiple sewage overflows impact one location, we will be underestimating the number of ‘dry spills’. Finally, we are unable to comprehensively consider more complex situations such as the effect of periods of drought – when there can be a large increase in surface water after a downpour due to the ground being too dry to absorb it”.

 

Waste Water, Princes Esplanade.

 

Southern Water  concluded efforts to repair the waste water leak on the Esplanade.  However, I am advised repairs to reinstate the highway cannot take place until the week commencing 19th December.

Following feedback from Cllr Terry Nolan, I have also reported a further leak adjacent to the Mornington Pumping Station off Queens Road.

 

Brighstone and Calbourne Bi-election.

 

I’ve congratulated neighbouring new IW Councillor, Nick Stuart who replaces Steve Hastings as Ward Councillor.

 

The votes cast were: Nick Stuart (Lib-Dem) 526; Carol Bryan (Conservative) 239; Doug Alldred (Green) 153; Stephen Parkes (Vectis Party) 36; Gary Clarke (Labour) 31. I have worked with Nick both as representatives on the IW AONB Management Committee and within the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils. 

 

IW Remembrance Services.

 

This year it was an honour to remember and lay wreaths on behalf of the IW Council.  This, was the first time in many years that I did not attend the service at Cowes, as I was supporting my partner who is a Freshwater Parish Councillor at her village. As usual it was lovely to attend the service in Gurnard alongside Cllr Mark Franklin who laid the wreath at the Church as Vice Chairman of Gurnard Parish Council.  Thank you to all involved!

 

Coastal Protection Works.

 

Work at Marsh Road, and more recent delayed work north of Solent View Road has now concluded. 

 

Isle of Wight Boundary Commission Consultation.

 

Consultation is again underway on Boundary Changes for the two MP’s proposed to represent the Isle of Wight.

 

I am in full support of proposals for the proposed two Isle of Wight Parliamentary Authority wards.

 

I support the Isle of Wight having two wards, as for many years now with a population of 140,000, the Isle of Wight has been under represented as easily the largest parliamentary constituency in the United Kingdom.

 

It makes sense to not divide communities, as the previous proposal did for Newport.

 

I also support current proposals as it differentiates the areas reliant upon traditional Tourism and hospitality industries in the East from those areas around the Medina Valley that have a stronger tradition commerce and industry in the West.

 

This Consultation: https://www.bcereviews.org.uk/node/6488?postcode=PO31 continues until 5^th December

 

Highways and Environmental Issues.

 

·         I requested support and action was taken to clear obscured signage where Marsh Road joins Rew Street.

·         A request has been made to infill pot holes and regularly monitor the deteriorating condition of Worsley Road.

·         A complaint was received and action taken concerning dog fouling in and around Northwood Recreation Ground.

·         Action was requested following the non-consented renewal of parking permits.

·         A request has been made to request better local signage when the Floating Bridge does not operate.

·         A request has been made to clear ditches in Rew Street and the culvert in Cockleton Lane prior to the winter.

·         Concerns were raised over intrusive security lighting on the Crossfield Estate.

·         A complaint was received (with photos!!) of several golfers toileting in the open at Cowes Golf Club.

·         Concerns were raised of noisy motorcycles without lights in use in Gurnard. This has been reported to the police.

·         A complaint was made regarding scaffolding cladding. This I’m taking up with the householder undertaking work.

 

Council Tax 2023/ 2024.

 

Work is underway to set next year’s Council Tax.  Because of increased costs, this is likely to prove really challenging without substantial extra support from local Councils. 

 

Two of England’s largest, most buoyant local authorities Hampshire and Kent have warned prime minister, Rishi Sunak, they will be forced to declare bankruptcy because of the unprecedented financial crisis enveloping both councils. Their leaders said even “drastic cuts” to current services would not be enough to patch up the huge holes in their budgets created by soaring inflation and rising pressures in adult and children’s social care.

 

Small Business Saturday:  FREE Car Parking (Long Stay Car Parks) 12-6pm, Saturday 3^rd December.

 

Isle of Wight Council is offering free off-street parking in all its long-stay car parks to support Small Business Saturday – which aims to promote the important role small businesses play in our towns and the island economy.

All long stay car parks run by the council will be free of charge between 12pm and 6pm on Saturday 3 December.

 

Full Council.

 

·         It was reported that the police force responsible for the Island has been renamed the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary.  This is something that I first raised with former PCC Simon Hayes ten years ago and am pleased that current PCC, the lovely Donna Jones has moved forward with!

·         The Full Council were unanimous in supporting Cllr Richard Quigley’s Cost of Living Emergency resolution, which enamoured the IW Council’s commitment to residents impacted.

·         Former Deputy, Wendy Perera was appointed by the IW Council as the authorities new Chief Executive.  I first worked with as a Planning Policy Officer in the 1990’s!    

·         The Island Planning Strategy was referred to Cabinet to consider Affordable Housing, use of IWC sites, housing reductions/ realignment of settlement boundaries, the SHLAA Process, Energy Security and Zero Carbon.

 

Cabinet Member Report.

 

In my role as the IW Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Enforcement, I can report the following:

 

·         I attended a presentation with Rentplus a national initiative supporting residents getting on to the first rung of the housing ladder. Rentplus’ objective is to provide ‘affordable’ rent to buy opportunities further details can be found here: https://www.rentplus-uk.com/  Elsewhere, where schemes are operating this has offered options to residents that otherwise would not be available and is popular with those that are low paid who work for the NHS, Retail, Manufacturing, Education, Leisure/ Hospitality and Armed Forces sectors. 

·         As Cabinet Member, I attended the second meeting of the Planning Protocols Working Party. One concern raised by members is the fact that members of the Planning Committee should be treated in the same way as Local Councillors when considering applications within their ward.  I very much welcome this and look forward to proposals being considered more widely by Councillors.

·         A presentation was made to IWALC concerning Town, Parish and Community Councils buying into the Council’s Planning Enforcement Team, which recently grew following the support from Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council.  Officers are currently in dialogue with potentially improving enforcement provision in Ryde.

·         Prior to Full Council, a briefing was organised to discuss why ‘up to date’ census data could not be assessed when suppressing housing numbers.. (To note this information requires three years to assess and quantify!)   

·         Following the decision by Full Council to pause the Island Planning Strategy, I continue to discuss priorities with Council Groups and individuals. On this, I am working with officers to circulate fuller options in the coming weeks which I intend to take to an all member briefing, early January.

·         In addition to the above, I have contacted both Bembridge and Freshwater Parish Councils to view matters raised by both Councils following some concerns raised by Councillors during the Full Council Meeting.

·         Following this year’s peer review, I chaired a meeting with stakeholders to create an action plan of priorities.  A number of these- ongoing training, staff recruitment and planning enforcement has so far been actioned.

·         I have received a number of comments raising concern over proposals within the Island Planning Strategy regarding not supporting Air BnB only being used with consent for more than 140 days per annum.     

 

Gurnard Parish Council Chairman’s Report.

 

·         Following concerns relating child safety outside the school and the crossing point at the junction with Woodvale Road in Baring Road, I have met with the Head Teacher. In the discussions that I had, understanding the concerns raised by residents regarding creating a zebra crossing and issues over the recruitment of a lolly-pop person the school has suggested improving pedestrian access to parking may be a way forward.  The Head advised she would discuss this with others managing the school. In the meantime a renewed request has been made for better parking enforcement, and notices continue to be made to parents in the school newsletter.

·         Work is due to take place in January, on a questionnaire to residents of Church Road, Tilbury Road and The Avenue regarding their views on a one way traffic system, parking and the speed of traffic.    

·         A request has been made to initiate an outreach for Gurnard Pines residents affected by cost of living increases. The site owner Terry Prosser and new café proprietors are happy and supportive of this being actioned.

·         With 11 other Town and Parish Councillors from the Cowes/ Gurnard/ Northwood area, joined by Cllrs Bugden, Franklin and Williams and I attended a meeting to discuss working closer with Cowes Medical Centre. At the meeting it was reported that the Medical Centre was to be classed as part of a ‘Primary Care Network’, which represented the communities of Cowes, Newport and the West Wight.  It was reported that currently 60 people were employed by the practice, and it remained a priority to recruit more doctors to support the 2.5 Full Time equivalent GPs. Accordingly Cowes’ care provision was currently well funded by Integrated Care Board. Disappointingly it was noted that nobody from the Team was able to represent the CMC Team.

·         Last month our toilets were vandalised, and it was hoped police action would be taken against the culprits.

·         On behalf of the Parish Council I attended meetings of the Environment and Sustainability Forum (with Cllr Acton), The Food Poverty and Waste Forum (with Cllr Acton) and IWALC (with Cllr Acton) 

·         Consultation with Gurnard residents is underway on residents Parish Council priorities and services the Parish Council provides to residents. For details please visit: https://forms.gle/fE23wdu5BzXbt9zp8, alternatively please return the survey that was issued in December and January’s Gurnard News. Many thanks to Cllrs. Acton, Bugden and Franklin for their efforts rolling out this years’ consultation.  

·         The model for the management of Gurnard Village is due to be discussed by the WI later this month.  Once discussions have taken place, this I hope will allow the Village Hall to grow.

 

Wishing all residents a Happy and Peaceful Christmas and New Year.

IW Councillor's Report, November 2022

 

Surgeries.

 

5:30-6pm; Tuesday 1^st November, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm; Wednesday 9^th November, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

11-11:30am, Wednesday 16^th November, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

10:30-11am, Thursday 24^th November, Coffee & Chat at All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.

11:30-12pm, Thursday 24^th November, Eegon’s Café, 85 High Street, Cowes.

5:30-6pm; Wednesday 30^th November, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

 

Cowes Floating Bridge.  

 

An agreement was found by mediators working on behalf of all parties with respect to Cowes Floating Bridge.

 

As a consequence of mediation, it was agreed by all parties in coming to an out of court settlement on the proviso terms of the settlement remain confidential. Although I am not entirely happy with this outcome, this has meant that the matter is resolved and avoids extending any resolution by taking this through the high court with a high risk of adding costs. This resolution allows for work to commence on a connection between Cowes and East Cowes being fit for purpose.

 

Cllr Phil Jordan Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure issued the following statement, going into further details for the IW Observer newspaper see below:

 

“As reported in this very newspaper last week we announced the very good news on the Floating Bridge which finally draws a line under the commercial matters we faced in resolving the problems of the vessel and releases us into a brighter future where we can atlast look at all the options available to us, which includes a new Fb. 

 

For many reasons, we have been stuck in the commercial dispute and unable to look at any options that might otherwise be available, so it was important that we resolve the commercial matters and move the issue forward based on putting into place a reliable and sustainable service and vessel thereafter. 

 

So, let me say from the outset, commercial confidentiality the Non Disclosure Agreement is not an ideal situation for some people.  It flies in the face of openness and transparency and can seem as though there is something to hide.  I personally would prefer for these kinds of matters to beresolved and then information published accordingly.   But I am afraid to say that the commercial world just does not work in that way.  Indeed, in many ways, businesses want to retain their confidentiality and they certainly don’t like information being published that could damage their company reputation. In the commercial sector, NDA’s are a very common occurrence and it is quite usual for commercial disputes to be resolved under non-disclosure agreements. 

 

The commercial dispute over our own Floating Bridge was always going to be difficult to resolve. It was a very complicated case where designer and builder responsibilities were blurred, where one of the two companies went into liquidation prior to Mediation, where insurers then made up three parties who had to agree amongst themselves as well as with the Council, with commercial liability affected by insurance arrangements and with disputed responsibility. 

 

The Council were faced with two distinct choices against this backdrop. One was to enter into Mediation with the other parties to try to negotiate a settlement ofthe dispute.  Mediation is the preferred option of the Courts who can also instruct parties to enter Mediation.  The process is conducted through an intermediary and is confidential and without prejudice to the parties involved.   The details of any Mediation cannot be used subsequently in Court, whatever the outcome of Mediation. Alternatively, the commercial dispute could have been taken to the High Court.  At that point, the Court could have instructed that Mediation has to take place before the case would be heard. The case was complex, complicated, and not without risks.  The timescales to get a case into the High Court are estimated at around three years.  The legal costs of taking the commercial dispute to Court was estimated at £1m and rising, any claims were conditioned by insurance agreements in place and one of the parties is in liquidation, there is no guarantee the case would be won, no guarantee that costs would be awarded and overall, there was a high-risk level of going to Court. 

 

For these reasons, Mediation offered the safest, most prudent route to take and offered better safeguards of the public interest and less financial risks.   It is important to understand that it would not be in the council’s interest to reach a conclusion at mediation that it does not consider to be an appropriate settlement”.

 

Fireworks

 

If you’re having your own firework display, please inform neighbours! As ward Councillor you won’t believe the amount of correspondence I receive about petrified pets at this time of the year…

 

Gurnard Pines Eco Chalets.

 

Proposals for Eco-chalets at Gurnard Pines, are due to go on line for consultation this month.

 

In recent months in preparation for the new application there has continued to be work behind the scenes with dangerous trees and brambles being treated.  In addition, Ecology Reports have been completed and there has been liaison with tree and environment officers

 

Local Shops.

 

I’ve been asked to big-up local shopping and incentivising residents to shop local and try to avoid the internet for this year’s Christmas shopping. Please remember, if locals do not use our local shops these could be lost forever

 

With added energy costs, many local businesses require our communities support more than ever.

 

The worry that I have, is seeing the gradual decline in shops in Cowes and Gurnard (I remember Gurnard having two grocery stores, a newsagents, a post office, a haberdashery and toy shop, a DIY shop, a butchers shop, an antiques shop, several cafes, a milk bar and two pubs!)

 

English Coastal Path.

 

Although the route of the Isle of Wight section of the English Coastal Path lengths 2-10 has been supported by the Secretary of State, with the Planning Inspectorate acting as arbiters on the Fair Balance Test where they consider compensation, human rights, liabilities and ‘needs’ arguments.  To note the Path tends to follow the course of the current Coastal Path.  However, the path generally avoids road walking and follows the Estuary of the River Medina to Newport. 

 

In the meantime negotiations continue with landowners on length 1 between East Cowes and Wootton Bridge.

 

Parking.

 

Top of my list for complaints from residents from last month goes to anti-social parking.

 

Parental parking in Baring Road continues to be an issue, which I am looking forward to discussing with the school’s new head teacher.  With respect to this, Gurnard Parish Council will be considering potential saupport at their meeting on 14^th November as concerns continue to grow regarding bad parking. In the meantime, I have approached IWC Parking Services for improved parking enforcement.

 

I have also received complaints of collisions which have occurred to parked vehicles in Worsley Road.  To note driving away from a traffic incident and not leaving details is illegal under section 170 of the Road Traffic Act.

 

With increased traffic on the road another issue that has been reported, are concerns made over vehicles that park in front and opposite vehicular driveways.  Please be aware of this, as when approached many motorists are unaware of the problems that this can and does occur.

 

Isle of Wight Tourism.

 

In the second Quarter, covering months April to June 2022, it was reported that the Island saw an overall upturn in visitors by 2% to 633,125 visitors using accommodation, as compared to pre-lockdown statistics from the same quarter in 2019.

 

Interestingly the visitor spend increased by 45% with £114 million spent on the Island.  The average spend was £33.25 per day compared to £24.30 in 2019

 

Visitor profiling has seen nearly double the number of visitors from the London area.  Unsurprisingly the numbers of visitors by coach has fallen dramatically from 11% to 3%.

 

The ongoing saga of the Concrete Blocks, Gurnard.

 

Last month, I was excited to report that the mystery of the concrete blocks on the seafront at Gurnard had been resolved following Council Officers reporting that the blocks exposure was as a consequence of beach levels falling following recent storms.

 

Since then locals have reported to me other findings, such as the concrete blocks were remnants of recent groynes created to replace much more robust groynes positioned by Victorians..   

 

Hedgehog Corner:  Do’s and Don'ts  to protect hedgehogs in your garden.

·         Do leave some areas of wilderness where the hedgehogs can snuffle for insects.

·         Do put out water for drinking.

·         Do put out a bowl of dog food or meaty cat food around dusk.

·         Do install, in a quiet part of the garden, a hedgehog house.

·         Do look to see if your hedgehog is limping or appears to be injured, or in late Autumn look out for underweight ‘hogs.

·         Don’t put out bread and milk

·         Don’t pick up fit hedgehogs

·         Don’t leave black sacks lying around.

·         Don’t use slug pellets or other chemicals, they may poison hedgehogs and other animals.

·         Don’t light a bonfire without checking to see if a hedgehog or other wild animal has moved in.

·         Don’t fork over compost heaps in case hedgehogs or other animals have taken up residence.

·         Don’t spray hedgehogs with dog or cat flea sprays. It will be detrimental to the hedgehog.

Planning Applications.

 

If you are intending to submit a Planning Application, although not manatory please talk first to your neighbours beforehand. Understanding the views of your neighbours can be so important when processing any application. In my time as ward Councillor, I know of several instances where an early discussion with next door neighbours could have saved money, time and stress to all parties involved.

 

·          Somerton Farm.

An application has been submitted to develop adjoining Somerton Farm in Northwood (Ref: 22/01720/OUT). The proposal is for 163 dwellings with employment use. The deadline for comments is 4^th November 2022.  For details please visit: https://publicaccess.iow.gov.uk/online-applications/simpleSearchResults.do?action=firstPage.

 

Island Planning Strategy

 

The new Planning Bible for the Island was not accepted by Councillors at Full Council in October.  The reason for this being that many IW Councillors are unhappy with outdated data which Planning Authorities are obliged by Government to use when assessing annual housing figures.  It was felt that figures from 2014 (rather than census data from 2021) should not be used as figures were outdated and should be questioned more fully by both Government and legally through the Council’s legal team.

 

In light of this vote, I continue to work with Councillors to find solutions.  I am taking advantage of the time to see if more can be done to prioritise social housing, which is of real concern to many Councillors.  In addition, further clarity has been sought confirming housing numbers from Planning Consultants and the KC working on the IW Council’s behalf.

 

In the meantime, I remain concerned for the scale of new housing applications given the lack of any up to date plan.

 

Planning Portfolio Update.

 

·         With the recruitment of officers in the Planning Team and Training Events taking place, some of the objectives of the recent Planning Peer Review have now been made.

·         At the recent Planning Services Improvement Steering Group (overseeing Peer Review objectives) stakeholders from Parish Councils, the IW Council’s Planning Committee, officers and the housing sector discussed their respective groups priorities for improving the IW Council’s Planning Service.  As Cabinet member my priorities are 1. Completing the Island Planning Strategy; 2. Improving the Public Perception of Planning and 3. Planning Enforcement.

·         To assist in the issue of backlogs within the Planning Department a new member of staff has been recruited to join the planning team. In the coming weeks the new Enforcement Officer will be supporting Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council who has part funded this officers post.  It is hoped the same model can be rolled out to other Councils who have offered to step up and work with the Planning Department.

·         There continues to be dialogue between officers, the community and planning applicants on major schemes at Norris Castle (East Cowes), Camp Road (Freshwater) and at Pennyfeathers (Ryde).  Two schemes are to be considered for solar farms in Wellow and Wootton, whilst I am looking forward to meeting with stakeholders on the scheme for 57 new dwellings in Bembridge.

·         A Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for Newport will be considered by Cabinet in the coming weeks.

·         I attended a meeting with Niton & Whitwell Council to address perceived non-compliance of planning conditions.  In response to this, issues are being referred to the legal team, with a follow up meeting if required next month. 

·         Planning Committee resolved a deferral in considering a scheme for 11 affordable housing units at Elm Lane, Calbourne.  This followed a recommendation from officers for Refusal.  Elsewhere proposals to build 149 dwellings in Gunville was approved.

 

Solent Forum.

 

·         Microplastics has long been of concern to the Forum. Recently launched is the Solent Plastics Pollution Hub which supports initiatives to address pollution. Visit: http://www.solentforum.org/services/Member_Services/Solent_Plastics_Pollution_Hub/ for further details.

·         A presentation was given on Invasive Species that enter the Solent from cargo vessels and leisure craft entering our ports and marinas.  It was reported that around 10% of invasive species entering the Solent cause problems.  Most notable ‘characters’ are the Asian Date Mussel and the Carbon Sea Squirt. For further details of the world of Invasive Species please visit: https://www.apemltd.com/service/invasive-non-native-species-inns/

·         A presentation was given concerning re-wilding Chichester Harbour. The Group CHAPRON has created a 25 year strategy to a) Reduce Pressures; b) Restore Habitats and c) Realising the benefits of doing so.  The key challenges for CHAPRON is addressing coastal squeeze, decreasing pollutants, improving seagrass and native oyster stocks.  As an aside a local farmer at Thorness is doing similar to reclaim salt marshes by not repairing sea walls..

 

Gurnard Parish Council Update.  

 

·         With Senade our Environment Officer, and with the clerk and Cllr Bugden we met with the cleaning contractor to improve issues raised at the toilets on Gurnard Green.

·         I attended (albeit) briefly the protest event staged by concerned Island Residents on bathing water quality at Gurnard Beach. In response, the Beach Working Party is being formed to address both concerns and priorities in the pending Gurnard Beach Action Plan. Following its second meeting, members of the Group have a site meeting with IWC Officers. Grateful thanks to Councillors who engaged with residents over the new seating during the protest.  The two matters being considered by the Group is beach safety and pollution concerns.

·         I have been approached by a number of residents concerning recent applications and planning enforcement matters.

·         I’m looking forward supporting a resident who has raised a number of environmental concerns with the Parish Council

·         Engagement options are being considered to determine next year’s Parish Council precept for the village. 

·         Gurnard Parish Council has contacted Bob Seely MP to support the Climate and Ecological Bill.

·         Gurnard Parish Council are consulting on next year’s precept.  It is intended to freeze the precept, and take some funds from reserves given the impact that rising costs are having on residents.  

 

Also This month:

 

·         A request was made to remove a discarded mattress from a residential street in Cowes.

·         I have referred complaints concerning a noisy pet to Environmental Health.  Please let me know you have a similar issue.  In the meantime Environmental Health Officers request that noise events are logged by complainants! 

·         Following ongoing issues concerning cold calling, I am working with residents in Cowes to resurrect a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.  Mindful that parameters are changing, this is an issue that I am taking up with Parish Councillors.  

·         Discussions are underway for local Town and Parish Councils to meet with Cowes Medical Centre as a Cowes Place Plan priority.  This meeting is being arranged by Cowes Town Councillor, Michael Paler.

·         Remembrance Services take place from 10:30am at Northwood Park, Cowes on Sunday 13^th November this is followed by the service at St Mary’s Church.  The service at All Saints Church, Gurnard takes place 3pm! As an aside, apparently the Gurnard Service differs from everywhere else due to Jenny Thomas the Guide Leader many years ago requesting an afternoon service, as she took children horse riding in the morning..  

·         I attended the most recent meeting of the IW AONB Management Committee.

·         Following the resignation of the lovely neighbouring Councillor Steve Hastings, I have been approached residents of Thorness, Porchfield and Calbourne to resolve a number of local issues.

·         Southern Water is to call a follow up meeting with residents. This was initially intended for this month.  Once details are circulated, this will be fedback to my website and to the village noticeboard.