Gurnard Parish Council: Chairman's Report 2023

 

Gurnard Parish Council Chairman’s Annual Report 2022-23.

 

Over the last year it has been a true honour to be chairman of Gurnard Parish Council, having been Vice Chairman for five years!

 

I wish to place on record my gratitude and thanks to outgoing Chair Cllr Terry Nolan for his advice and support over the last year.  I would also like to thank my Vice Chairman, Cllr Mark Franklin for his support and patience for those occasions where I have taken on more than really I should!  In addition, I must thank Alan, Christine, Jan, Marie, Nikki and Penny- Without whose support would make my position untenable.

 

Over the last year below, I’ve summarised some of the Parishes achievements:

 

·         It was with sadness that our clerk, Katie stepped down.  Following a number of improvements to a new contract, the Gurnard Parish Council was very pleased to appoint Richard Shaul as our new clerk and RFO.  During Richard’s appointment, I wish to place on record my thanks to Heather Rowell who we appointed as Locum and Mentor for Richard.

·         Following instances of Anti-Social Behaviour and the need to ensure improvements were actioned the Old School Meadow Working Party met on several occasions.  After discussing neighbours’ concerns with both the police and the youngster’s involvement, over the winter instances of anti-social behaviour has reduced.  In the meantime the working party will again meet in the coming weeks to discuss a proposal for Forest Schools and concerns raised regarding access.

·         Last year following concerns raised by residents a Beach Safety Working Party was formed, led by Penny and Mark.  Priorities for the Group, now including stakeholders from several sectors is to monitor and improve bathing water quality as well as work with the IW Council to ensure the conflict between beach users are minimised.

·         To celebrate the Diamond Jubilee Gurnard Parish Council hosted its celebration and Dog Show!

·         A huge thank you to Alan, Marie and Terry who have continued to look after our toilets on the Green.  Following issues raised by Senad, our Environment Officer a meeting took place.  Since then, some minor repairs took place during the summer and following vandalism that took place in the Autumn.

·         Prior to setting our precept, The Parish Council undertook a consultation with residents on Parish priorities. Of all the priorities put forward by the Parish Council, Beach Safety was the issue which residents felt was important.  As all priorities were considered important it was resolved to maintain these within the precept, which was frozen to 2022 levels.

·         Following the installation last year of new benches seaward of the beach huts, there were complaints from owners. Since then, benches have been monitored and following resident feedback it was agreed to take no further action.

·         I met with the head teacher from Gurnard Primary School following concerns being raised by Baring Road not having a School Crossing Patrol.  Although the Parish Council expressed an interest to fund a crossing patrol, the school highlighted they would prefer to see access opened up to Princes Esplanade.

·         Following reports to the Parish Council action was taken by the IW Council over SGN who removed protected trees on their (and neighbours) woodland on Princes Esplanade.  Following nearby tree work further action was taken where concerns were raised regarding the proximity of Badger Setts. Elsewhere the Marine Management Organisation are taking action regarding beach movement that took place between Gurnard Luck and Sailing Club

·         Gurnard Village Hall was re-energised following the departure of some members of its key members. In recent months a meeting took place with key members of Gurnard WI, on working with the ladies to safeguard the future of Gurnard’s Village Hall.  My thanks to Christine who has steered the Gurnard Village Hall Association.

·         Litter Picks have taken place during the last year, my thanks to Marie and most recently to Penny who has organised these.  Thanks also to The Portland and Plaza Ice Creams for sponsoring these events.

·         Councillors have attended numerous external meetings with groups and organisations.  These include various IWALC meetings and topic groups, The Cowes Health Forum, Cowes and Northwood Place Plan Working Group, The LCWIP Committee, the Local Access Forum and the Environment & Sustainability Forum.  In addition both myself and Vice-Chairman Mark Franklin laid wreaths at Gurnard’s Remembrance Service.

·         Support was given by Parish Councillors on initiatives assisting with the Cost of Living Crisis.  This included continued Grant Funding for Cowes Library and a drop-in that took place at Gurnard Pines.

·         Following resident feedback, I am advised that the English Coastal Path will include the dog leg to the beach.  In addition, I have received confirmation from IW Council Officers that they intend to self-impose the village Green Application for Gurnard Green.  On this, I look forward to details.            

 

PAUL FULLER, CHAIRMAN.  26^th April 2023.

Isle of Wight Councillors Annual Report 2022-2023 from Paul Fuller, Independent IW Councillor for Cowes West & Gurnard

 

Paul Fuller

 

Independent Isle of Wight Councillor for Cowes West and Gurnard.

 

ANNUAL REPORT No.14:   2022 - 2023.

 

Please contact me:

By Post to:  45 Oxford Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight. PO31 8PT.

 Telephone: 01983 289595 (24 hours)/ 07 935 090 835 (Mobile & Text);  Email: paulfulleriw@gmail.com

 

Visits and Surgeries.

 

Please do not hesitate to contact me. I’m always happy to meet at a time and place convenient to you.

 I hold regular surgeries/ drop-in’s. No appointment is necessary. These normally take place each month at:

 

·         1^st Monday of the month, 4:30-5pm at Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

·         1^st Tuesday of the month, 5:30-6pm at the Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

·         1^st Thursday of the month, 11:30-12:15pm at The Pavilion, Gurnard Pines, Cockleton Lane, Gurnard.

·         2^nd Tuesday of the month, 3-4pm Northwood Village Hall, Newport Road, Northwood.

·         2^nd Wednesday of the month, 5:30-6pm, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

·         3^rd Wednesday of the month, 10:30-11am, Benches adj. to the Watersedge Kiosk, Shore Road, Gurnard.

·         3^rd Wednesday of the month, 11-11:45am, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

·         4^th Thursday of the month, 10:30-11am, Coffee & Chat, All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill Gurnard.

·         Last Wednesday of the month 5:30-6pm, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

·         Last Thursday of the month 11:30-12:30pm, Eegons Café, 85 High Street, Cowes.

 

Please visit https://paulfullercc.blogspot.com  for updates, monthly reports and confirmed details of surgeries

 

 

MID-TERM REVIEW.  The nine Issues which I promised to address in 2021.

 

·         You said: Significantly reducing the annual housing figure from 1045.

·         I did: Within the Draft Island Planning Strategy (DIPS), I support this number could be reduced to 479.  This figure is 1/3 lower than the current revised Government Isle of Wight annual housing allocation figure of 730.

 

·         You said: Prioritising Local Housing for Local People

·         I did: Within the DIPS policies have been prioritised to deliver homes affordable for local residents (Policy H5}.  The local homes discount is an example of this. This remains a corporate priority for the Alliance Administration.

 

·         You said: Support Working Families.

·         I did: Support increased help for working families through Council Tax concessions from 65% support to 70%

 

·         You said: Support safety outside schools.

·         I did: New Traffic Regulation Orders were implemented as a result by the IW Council outside local schools.

 

·         You said: Scrap proposals to charge for car parking on Cowes/ Gurnard seafront.

·         I did: No ifs, no buts, no woolly compromises.  These were scrapped within days by the Alliance Administration.

 

·         You said: Improve access to Town Centres and review car parking.

·         I did: Ongoing supported action of Cowes Place Plan for Town Centre regeneration. Limited car park increases.

 

·         You said: Supporting an IW Council that listens, is inclusive and acts on feedback.

·         I did: Supported new Parish Council involvement at Scrutiny and within Planning.  Within IWC consultations feedback from residents, community groups and local councils have been implemented and built upon.

 

·         You said: Review Council Tax Expenditure

·         I did: Corporate expenditure is now rigorously reviewed and scrutinised.

 

·         You said: Ensure Government supports the extra costs needed to support the Isle of Wight.

·         I did: As part of the Council Leadership, An Island Deal with the support of Government remains a priority. Talks recognising our additional costs with Government have been acknowledged and progress continues to be made.

 

 

Representing our Community in County Hall, rather than County Hall in our Community:

 

This is my fourteenth annual report as Councillor for Cowes West and Gurnard.

 

I have been ward Councillor for Cowes West and Gurnard since 2009, and as a Isle of Wight Councillor this is my sixth term of office, since being first elected as an Isle of Wight Councillor for Ryde in 1995. 

 

As an Independent, I continue putting the needs of our Cowes and Gurnard community first.

 

As an Independent, having no activists, no sponsors, no political party line, or leader shadowing me, my loyalty to represent every resident in Gurnard and Cowes is absolute.

 

Within my role, I’m committed to being a transparent, hardworking, effective and enthusiastic councillor.

 

If you feel that I, or the Councils where I represent your views get things wrong, please tell me. Unless I am aware, I’m not in a position to listen, ask questions, put things right and fight on your behalf!  If I cannot achieve the outcomes you desire, I will explain why.

 

Campaigning to protect vital services, I am committed to ensure our Councils say yes, rather than no. It remains in the forefront of my mind that I am only here because you re-elect me. As Councillor my priority is simply to put our community first.

 

I do this, because I thoroughly love it!  Because I enjoy my ‘work’, I hope that it shows and I achieve the very best outcomes possible for residents.

 

Monthly Reports.

 

Each month I write a report.  These provide regular updates of my work, and can be found at Cowes Library. 

Reports are edited for the Gurnard News, the Cowes Magazine and The Beacon.  Alternatively Full Monthly Reports can be found on my website at: https://paulfullercc.blogspot.com. 

 

Each month provides details of between 30-50 items which I am dealing with, alongside matters which are of community importance.

 

Organisations and Outside Bodies that I am a member and support:

 

·         Cowes Town Council. Town Councillor for Cowes North 2001-2005; from 2009-       ; Mayor 2017-2019;

·         Gurnard Parish Council. Councillor from 2005; Chairman from 2022;

·         Northwood Parish Councillor. Founding member of the Parish Council. Councillor since 2007;                

·         Local Access Forum. Chairman (2020-   ). This statutory body oversees Rights of Ways matters. The Forum works closely with landowners and user groups to improve access to the right of way network. Since 2019 I have been actively working on the Isle of Wight section of the English Coastal Path.

·         Footprint Trust.  Chairman. The Trust supports lifting residents (often vulnerable) out of fuel poverty

·         Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (SIFCA). Acting Vice-Chairman. Funded by DEFRA, SIFCA regulates marine conservation and fisheries for Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight.

·         Solent Forum.  This organisation oversees Economic and Environmental challenges within the Solent.

·         Isle of Wight AONB Partnership. This group manages and oversees challenges faced to the Isle of Wight’s Countryside.

 

I am a longstanding Justice of the Peace serving the Isle of Wight Adult and Youth courts since 2001.

 

Within the Isle of Wight Council, I was appointed cabinet member for Planning & Enforcement, since re-election in 2021. As a Councillor with cabinet responsibilities I have overview on all aspects of the Council’s activities.

 

One year in numbers. As your Councillor:

 

·         I am contactable 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

·         I work between 40 and 65 hours each week.

·         I attended 299 meetings associated with my role.

·    In addition, I’ve attended 27 informal/ associated meetings, events, briefings, exhibitions & site visits.

·         I attended 26 Isle of Wight Council Meetings.

·         I’ve received 4196 emails, 1008 telephone calls, 693 texts and 5 letters. I aim to respond within 3 days and attempt to prioritise calls from Cowes West and Gurnard residents within 12 hours of receipt.

·         I’ve resolved/ relayed 1843 enquiries. 40% of these relate to Gurnard residents; 27% to Cowes West residents; 17% from other Cowes/ Northwood residents and 16% to residents living elsewhere.

·         In the last year I’ve arranged 95 surgeries. Supporting 348 enquiries to completion for residents. 

• This year I received a Gross Councillors Allowance of: £16,658