Surgeries.
10:30-11am,
Thursday 1st February, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
4:30-5pm,
Monday 5th February, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
3-4pm,
Tuesday 13th February, Village Hall, Newport Road, Northwood.
5:30-6pm,
Wednesday 14th February, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
10:30-11am,
Thursday 22nd February, Coffee & Chat, All Saints Church,
Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.
11-11:30pm, Thursday 29th February, Eegons, 85 High Street, Cowes.
Planning Appeal: Sunnycott Caravan Park, Rew Street.
Following the formal refusal by IWC Planners
to allow the installation of an extra 5 mobile home, this matter was referred
to the Planning Inspectorate to consider.
In response, the Inspectorate then agreed to
overturn planners decision and has allowed consent. In response, I am due to
meet with residents in the hope of addressing issues such as flooding and
environmental concerns.
Cold Calling.
In the last few weeks I received a number of
calls concerned by Wightfibre Cold Calling in the Cowes Area. Following me reporting this direct to Wightfibre,
I then referred this to Trading Standards and since have received no further
concerns. In the meantime, I continue to
monitor cold call breaches and have requested that further stickers are
circulated to Cowes Library.
Street Trading licensing.
I’m advised that several vendors have
approached the IW Council to trade from the Seafront. Of interest is a latest
application for Street Trading Application Ref: 24/0005, which will sell food
from what resembles a converted Horsebox. This alongside the Little Coffee Bike
and the Plaza Ice Cream Van will provide a multitude of choice. Comments,
before 12th February should relate to: public safety, public
nuisance, visual impact and harm to children.
Full Council: Local Council Tax Support.
At its most recent meeting the IW Council
agreed to increase the level of support for working aged residents claiming
Council Tax Benefit. Last year the level
of support increased from 65% to 70%, and this year Council agreed to increase
this level to 75%. During the debate it
was suggested that the £366,000 would be found from the Councils exceptional
hardship fund, as well as from legislation to be potentially be introduced in
2025 by government for second homes…
Because it was not made clear how much of a
shortfall there would be, I was unable to support this proposal. In the meantime, I am also very concerned of
the impact there will be to no longer having an exceptional hardship fund.
Watersedge Café, Gurnard.
The Watersedge Café is for sale! For details visit: https://www.spencewillard.co.uk/listing/shore-road-cowes/
Isle of Wight Council Garden Waste Subscriptions.
These are due to increase from £96 to £102
from 1st April 2024. If you
have not been notified by the IW Council, to keep your subscription live/ or
need to reset your subscription please do this before 6th March.
For further details contact: waste.contract@iow.gov.uk or
telephone 01983 823777
In the meantime, please note there are other
companies (such as Onward Waste) that can also collect your garden waste-
prices start at £75…
Double Yellow Lines.
Thank you to all residents who have
approached me regarding Traffic Regulation Orders. Since last month, I have received requests
for double yellow lines to be added at the Glen Place/ Worsley Road and the
Church Road/ Worsley Road junctions.
This follows up the request made for the Lower Horn Hill access field
for the Coastal Path. Please let me have your suggestion before 20th
February.
New Police Hub, Cowes.
Along with some important people and other
Councillors, I attended the opening of the new police station (opposite the
Anchor Inn) on Cowes High Street. This
afforded me the opportunity to discuss policing priorities with the lovely
Police Crime Commissioner, Donna Jones before discussing issues with Town
Councillors at Northwood House.
Of interest to me, was new CCTV which will
assist on monitoring the High Street and Shooters Hill. This will, I understand will allow the police
to do more to enforce the breach of the order imposed to prevent cyclists and
motorists from accessing the High Street when the prohibition is in place.
I also met with our PCSO Poppy Yeo, and spoke
to her about concerns that I have concerning anti-social behaviour which I
reported last month which took place to properties with coastal frontages in
Solent View Road.
Cabinet v’s Committee decision making.
The IW Council are considering changing its
decision making process from a Cabinet Model where eight Cabinet members
currently makes decisions, (this can be challenged by the Council’s Corporate
Scrutiny Committee), to a Committee Model where a Committee led by a Chairman
makes decisions.
Being a longstanding Councillor, who have
served on both models as a Cabinet Member and as a Committee Chair as well as a
back bench Councillor, I personally prefer the Committee model which I find
although a bit slower to make decisions, more open and transparent,
particularly to those Councillors who are opposition ‘back-benchers’
When making a final decision, it will be
important to have an understanding how much this could potentially cost.
Cost of Living Support.
Last month saw a further increase in the
price cap on Fuel costs. In light of the, the IW Council continues to update
its support. See: https://www.iow.gov.uk/keep-the-island-safe/cost-of-living/ Further details on Cost of Living Support is
also available at Cowes Library.
Elsewhere, the Footprint Trust offers
support, should you or anybody you know need support. For details, please
visit: https://www.facebook.com/footprinttrust,or
call 01983 822282.
Northwood Park Play Area.
Northwood Trust are seeking support to fund
new swings for Northwood Park’s children’s play area, which is due to cost
£11,400. Please visit: https://northwoodhouse.org/event/save-our-swings-appeal/
Anti-Social driving.
·
Park Road.
I
have been approached by more
residents complaining about speeding traffic using Park Road and impatient
motorists mounting the kerb, rather than waiting for a break in the traffic
when driving into Cowes.
Incidents continue to be reported to the
police. In the meantime, I have requested bollards to prevent conflict with
pedestrians.
·
Woodvale
Road.
A number of people have requested action to
address verges being churned up opposite Cow Lane in Woodvale Road. In response, I have requested that once the
growing season recommences verges are made good by Island Roads. In the meantime, could I request parents
dropping off their little people are mindful of damage being caused.
·
Vittlefields
Cross.
In recent months the IW Council have acquired
land at Vittlefields Cross, Forest Road to improve road safety following
traffic incidents. Whilst recognising many residents would like to see Traffic
Lights at this dangerous junction, the costings are considerable, and with a
Council strapped for cash would £100k be money well spent?
Dentistry.
I continue to get contacted by residents who
are unable to receive dental treatment on the Island. One family who moved to the Island four years
ago still has to travel to Portsmouth to continue treatment.
On this I have raised resident’s concerns to
both the MP and the Care Quality Commission.
Following mine and other residents complaints, I was very disappointed
that our MP felt it inappropriate to work cross party to support the Dentistry
Improvement Amendment which would have provided
an additional 700,000 emergency appointments across the country and introduce a
scheme to recruit new dentists to areas most in need as well as a supervised
toothbrushing scheme for all 3 to 5 year olds.
Please let me know your thoughts!
Repeater signage, Cockleton Lane.
I reported a poorly installed new repeater
sign that appeared in Cockleton Lane, which overhangs the highway. Curiously, Island Roads reported to me that
the sign may have been moved by residents….
Nurdles.
As Cabinet member responsible for Marine Conservation,
I was joined by others at a meeting discussing nurdles.
Nurdels are lentil sized pieces of plastic
which are the building blocks for plastic products. Sadly huge numbers of them end up on our
beaches, due to them being spilt when being transported around the world. Evidence has shown sea creatures eat them,
mistaking them for fish eggs, meaning nurdles can end up in our food chain.
IW Council Budget 2024/5.
Work continues in setting this Financial Year’s
budget. Following feedback received, I
continue to lobby for at the very least a freeze in car parking charges and a
means to not discourage shoppers using our Town Centres. Full Council will consider options at its
meeting on 28th February.
Last month, it was good to hear that
following hours of data collection and ongoing campaigning over many years, the
Isle of Wight was partially successful in its bid for fair funding, given the
additional costs the Island accrues from our separation from the mainland
(estimated to be £10-£28m per year).
Following this announcement, it seems that the Island was successful in
receiving an extra £4m per year, although at the moment there remains
uncertainty how this can be spent and the criteria.
Hedgehog Corner: Slug Pellets.
The hedgehog is known as ‘the gardener’s friend’
as it will eat slugs, beetles, caterpillars etc., and does no harm, so if you
have a garden a hedgehog is to be encouraged. They should not be kept in
captivity, but regarded as welcome visitors.
These are poisonous and should not be used. If
absolutely necessary, pellets should be placed in a pipe or under a slate that
hedgehogs cannot get to. Dead slugs must be removed daily. Since April 2022 it
has been illegal to use or sell metaldehyde slug pellets in the UK. Use other
garden pesticides sparingly, or better still not at all; you never know what
else they might kill or make sick. Always try alternative methods!
·
Last month I contacted Southern Water to support an
Education Programme on non-permeable water surfaces. Since my initial suggestion of an enforcement
Officer, discussions continue to take place on giving the IW Council Flood Team
support.
·
At the recent Cabinet meeting with IWALC, the
Footprint Trust offered support to Town, Parish and Community Councils
following recent increases to the Energy Level Cap.
·
More information has been given to Local Councils
in the deployment of sandbags in areas of Flood Risk.
·
The first meeting was held with coastal Councils on
measures the IW Council are taking to defend our coastlines
·
Officers met with Group Leaders to discuss the
Island Planning Strategy. I have offered to attend Group meetings to drill down
on policies, in advance of March’s Full Council Meeting.
·
Ground
movement continues to be monitored at both Leeson Road, Bonchurch and Military
Road, Brook.
·
Following
feedback from 2022’s Peer Review, a Planning Officer will now man the reception
at Seaclose on Wednesday afternoon’s.
·
The
Government is currently consulting on Street vote development orders. These are
a new tool that will give residents the ability to propose development on their
street and, subject to the proposal meeting certain requirements, vote on
whether that development should be given planning permission. Street vote
development orders will provide residents with a new opportunity to take a
proactive role in the planning process and bring forward the development they
want to see on their streets. They will encourage residents to consider the
potential for new development on their streets and are intended to deliver
additional or more spacious homes in places where they are needed most, while
helping to reduce development pressure on sensitive areas.
·
Waterbutts
are currently being rolled out in Binstead.
·
I
attended a meeting of the Isle of Wight National Landscape (formerly AONB)
Partnership. Items discussed included
the difficulty farmers were having in applying (and making commitments) for new
Agricultural Building Grants. Discussions also took place concerning the
pathway to becoming a geopark and Nature Recovery incentives. The Partnership appointed Mike Greenslade,
Manager of the National Trust as its new Chairman.
·
I
attended the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. Nature Recovery was again discussed, as was a
review of the recent landslip which took place at Bonchurch. The SRFCC reinforced its support to the
Island.
·
Planning
Committee approved planning applications for +200 dwellings at Acorn Farm,
Horsebridge Hill, Newport and for 56 dwellings at Hillway Road, Bembridge.
Chairman
Report: Gurnard Parish Council.
·
I’ve
been approached concerning damage to the grass verge at the top of Woodvale
Road opposite Cow Lane. This will be discussed at Gurnard Parish Council later
this month.
·
I
am liaising with our Environment Officer on regular flytpping that takes place
in Cow Lane.
·
Quotations
are being sought for new play equipment on Gurnard Green.
·
I
have requested that our PCSO attends a future Gurnard Parish Council meeting.
·
The
Parish Council are due to set its precept this month. Following discussions
concerning Parish commitments, it is intended that the precept will be frozen
for the coming year.
·
A
meeting was set up with a resident who has made suggestions for the swimming
pool at Gurnard Pines.
·
I
attended IWALC’s meeting. At the meeting
highway safety was discussed, as was bullying/ Councillor conduct.
·
Requests
have been taken up to resolve ground water flooding from a new development on
Princes Esplanade. Contractors consider
there is a solution to the problem. In the meantime, salt filled sandbags have
been installed to address the issue of ice when water freezes.
Also
this month: In a nutshell.
·
I
met with a resident from The Dottens to discuss flooding matters. The next step is to get representatives from
Southern Water, Island Roads and the Council to meet on site to resolve the
issue.
·
Parking
Enforcement has taken place at Woodvale Road.
In addition, liaison is taking place with the new vicar of All Saints
Church, Gurnard to raise awareness of parking issues in Tuttons Hill
·
Bolts
have been removed and new litter bins are on order for Princes and Egypt
Esplanade.
·
I
have supported a Planning Application in Albert Road. As I considered this new scheme an
improvement on a proposal that was approved by Planning Committee in 2021.
·
I
have been asked to intervene on an impassable section of footpath at Church
Lane. This I have referred to Northwood Parish Council.
·
Following
concerns raised, I have contacted the Council over concerns raised on
resourcing Rights Of Way.
·
Following
a local resident’s suggestion, I have referred their query to ease car parking
at Love Lane, Cowes.
·
Following
my request, a fantastic school Governor at Cowes Primary was reappointed for a
second term.
·
A
meeting has taken place with residents to discuss establishing a Community
Supported Agriculture scheme.
·
I
attended a meeting which outlined difficulties that the Island with its
diminishing younger population, and that this is beginning to have,
particularly when providing services to residents. Concerns were echoed
regarding the low wage economy on the Island and how this is a disincentive for
young people.
