Surgeries.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 1st October, Isle of Wight
Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
10:30-11am, Thursday 3rd October, Gurnard
Press and Bistro, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
2:30-3:30pm, Monday 7th
October, Cowes Primary Drop-In, Edinburgh Close, Cowes.*
4:30-5pm, Monday 7th October, Cowes Library,
Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Wednesday 9th October, The Portland,
Worsley Road, Gurnard.
2:30-3:30pm, Monday 14 October, Cowes Primary Drop-In, Edinburgh Close, Cowes.* (with Cllr Bacon)
3-3:30pm, Tuesday 15th October, Northwood
Village Hall, Newport Road, Northwood.
11-11:30am, Thursday 17th October, The
Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
10:30-11am, Thursday 24th October, Coffee & Chat, All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.
2:30-3:30pm, Monday 28th October, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.**
5:30-6pm, Wednesday 30th October, The
Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
11am-12pm, Thursday 31st October, Eegon’s, 85
High Street, Cowes.
* These drop-ins’s are
being held primarily to support parents’ concerns over proposals for Cowes Primary
School.
** This surgery has been relocated to Cowes Library. From 3pm, a normal surgery will resume.
Cowes Primary School.
I’ve been
supporting residents and staff concerning proposals to potentially close Cowes
Primary School. During this time, I
called an informal public meeting (thank you to the IW Community Club!), I
attended the formal LEA public meeting at Cowes Primary School, whilst I have
held several meetings with unions, with officers leading asked questions
regarding covenants and responding to numerous concerns regarding the position
of academies.
I am
holding/ have held special drop-in’s at the IW Community Club and Cowes Primary
School and look to move forward with Gurnard Primary School, who are likely to
take up pupils should Cowes Primary close.
Drop-In’s continue
during Mondays in October from 2:30pm and will continue to address issues and
offer support. Cllr Jonathan Bacon will be attending my drop-in on 14th
October. The consultation continues until 1st
November, and can be found here: https://www.iow.gov.uk/schools-and-education/island-education-plans-and-policies/school-place-planning-consultation/
With respect to
hearing comments suggesting the closure of the school is ‘a done deal’, I
disagree. Without raising expectations,
if there are compelling reasons for not closing schools, I need to know what
these are, so that I can continue to give support. If I believed in done deals,
I am in the wrong job.
Government Planning Policy.
With
Government intending to significantly increase housing numbers, both the IW
Council (formally) and myself (individually) have responded to their NPPF
consultation. My comments can be found on my website.
Issues that
I’ve raised include strongly objecting to the 1104 annual housing figure,
supporting social housing, safe-guarding green gaps from coalescence, supporting
diversity of tenure within new schemes and carbon zero homes.
Please see my personal response to Government's consultation below:
Dear Sir/ Madam,
As Isle of Wight Ward Councillor for Cowes West and Gurnard, I wish to make the following observations concerning the new Government’s National Planning Policy Framework:
1. In my opinion the new intended proposed statutory methodology figure of 1104 for the Isle of Wight will not be deliverable and sets our Local Planning Department to fail. At present the figure for completions on the Island has remained below 500 new dwellings per year for the last ten years. The case for the Isle of Wight’s circumstances was put in, and accepted by the last Government in Footnote 26, of the last NPPF (December 2023). Recognising our demographics, I strongly object to this figure new given the impact this would have. The current number proposed is 453. Because of recent years this figure remains aspirational.
Developers tell me that because of national rising costs and travel costs for resources from the mainland, build costs on the Island are 30-40% more. With greater opportunities for building contractors to work on the mainland this creates difficulty as recruitment here can be an issue.
2. In light of the above, there is real need for Government to support the social/ affordable housing sector as prices are out of range for local people. To reach a greater yield of socially affordable housing, there is a real need for financial support from Government for housing which residents can afford to both rent or buy. Because local residents are often priced out of the market by those moving to the Island, I support the Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Authority having policies for deeper discounts to support those living locally.
Financial aid/ support could assist kick-starting social housing providers returning to our Island. Locally, salaries are 13.9% below the national average, whilst housing costs mirror the national picture. With most residents working in the care and hospitality industries many Islanders work part-time. To note, the cost of travelling to the mainland to commute is unaffordable for most.
3. I welcome proposals that suggest enacting a diversity of tenure in new housing developments. As a Councillor, I have witnessed issues with those living in affordable housing being remote to residents living in market-place housing.
4. Although the Isle of Wight does not have Green Belt land, I support the opportunity to maintain, protect and safeguard strategic ‘green gaps’ which prevents coalescence between settlements. Since the introduction of the Isle of Wight Core Strategy in 2012, which enabled development ‘immediately adjacent to settlement boundaries’, I have seen important gaps being lost.
5. I welcome the opportunity to support the need for carbon neutral homes. Where these have been built, this has reduced energy, improved water efficiency and lowered overall living costs.
Yours faithfully,
Cllr. Paul Fuller.
Isle of Wight Councillor for Cowes West and Gurnard.
ExxonMobil
Solent CO2 Pipeline.
Thank you to everybody who took part in ExxonMobil’s consultation. Because the company failed to convince residents of any benefit to our community, opposition is very strong and growing, with all three Parish/ Town Councils sharing this view. At Full Council also, cross-party every IW Councillor (including both MP’s- who remain as ward councillors) supported the view that proposals were daft and should be rejected.
My letter in response to the consultation, can be viewed here:
Dear Sir/ Madam
I wish to object strongly to ExxonMobil’s
proposal to create a CO2 pipeline across the Solent and Isle of Wight.
My key reason in objecting to this, is that
offered several opportunities, Exxonmobil failed to outline any benefit for the
Isle of Wight, or its community for the substantial disruption this is likely
to cause.
Hearing the suggestion that land will be ‘acquired’
should landowners object to the pipeline crossing land does little to enamour
ExxonMobil to our community on the Island.
Other concerns I have regarding the pipeline,
is that it has not been made clear what ‘environmental benefits’ will come from
proposals. As it stands, I am led to
believe that carbon capture in this way, will potentially result in allowing
for ExxonMobil to create additional carbon through the additional discharge of
fossil fuels in the future (for example via blue hydrogen), which to me defies the
principles of carbon reduction.
I have concerns over what mitigation will be
in place should pipelines leak, be ruptured or get damaged? Is the CO2 that is being piped, potentially
damaging to residents or wildlife, and if so what safeguards are in place to protect
residents and wildlife from harm? This is not transparent.
In addition, I have concerns over potential damage
to the Solent Protection Area, the Marine Conservation Zone (lying off the
coastline at Gurnard) and the Special Area of Conservation. Within my role as a
member of the Solent Forum and SIFCA, I support and value the work undertaken in
recent years taken place to restore the Solent environment, and see the
disruption of the CO2 pipeline un-doing the work to protect our precious marine
environment and biosphere.
In addition, with the constraints and
proximity of SSSI’s and Ramsar sites from Gurnard Ledge to Thorness Bay there
are considerable environmental aspects, which I am concerned may be destroyed
should ExxonMobil’s proposal receive the go ahead.
Away from Cowes West and Gurnard (where I am local
Councillor), I also have concerns over the damage intended for the Island, its Natural
Landscape, The Tennyson Heritage Coast, marine Special Protection Areas,
Special Areas of Conservation and other SSSI’s impacted (particularly The
Compton Chine to Steephill Cove SSSI).
I am concerned over the size, scale and mass
of Pigging Stations proposed for where the pipeline enters the Island at
Gurnard, within the Natural Landscape area and will be within/ adjacent to the
Hamstead Heritage Coast. Also, I am concerned this leaves the Island to the
south with stations again impacting potentially the Island’s Natural Landscape
area and Tennyson Heritage Coast.
In my position as Cabinet Member overseeing
coastal protection and landslips, I have further concerns over the Island’s Geology,
cretaceous coast and vulnerability of our fragile coastline which requires
further protection.
Yours sincerely, Paul Fuller JP, CC.
Isle of Wight Councillor for Cowes West and
Gurnard.
UPDATE: THIS APPLICATION HAS NOW BEEN DISCONTINUED, 'DUE TO THE LACK OF GOVERNMENT SUPPORT'. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE VISIT:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c4glw4dyw8no
Meeting between Gurnard and Northwood Parish Councils.
Because of concerns raised regarding the
threat of future housing development at both Parish Councils a joint meeting is
due to take place in the coming weeks. It is hoped that the concerns shared by
both Councils can be addressed, given the pressure being imposed with new
housing targets.
Mornington Car Park drone pilot.
Following
concerns regarding the hurdles of planning and flight corridors over public
amenity areas, I consider that this will not come to fruition. Understanding
that Intellipods wanted to start the pilot during the summer when weather
conditions were at their best, I sense this opportunity has now been lost.
Register
of Interests.
My register has been updated and posted on my
website, this follows allegations made against my partner at a recent public
meeting where Emma is a Freshwater Parish Councillor. This has been updated to
clarify my position.
Transport
Issues.
·
Following
reports made, work recently took place to patch the pavement between Firs Close
and Parklands in Park Road.
Consequently, I’m pushing to see replacement of lost bollards and resurfacing
the damaged pavement.
·
Following
roadworks in Northwood, following me complaining Island Roads very swiftly repainted yellow lines.
·
It
was great to see the police out in force monitoring traffic speeds in Tuttons Hill. In the short time they in place, they
witnessed a number of residents speeding.
·
I
have requested gully clearance to take place in Baring Road, and will this month be seeking support from Island
Roads to clear the culvert beneath Cockleton
Lane and ditches in Rew Street in
anticipation of autumn storms.
·
I
have requested that Gravel on the
Cockleton Lane junction with Hilton Road is cleared and monitored.
· Dodgy tactile paving was reported to me to report to Island Roads. This call received, has now been repaired.
Southern
Water.
I am meeting Southern Water on 17th October. If you have
any matter which you wish to share, please let me know!
Cowes North.
I am
providing support to MP and Neighbouring IW Councillor, Richard Quigley. As
Town Councillor for Cowes North, over the years I have followed up and
supported residents, which I am very happy to continue and do more of, when and
if required. In the meantime, I talk regularly to Richard.
Pension
Credits.
In their wisdom, Government has taken the decision to means-test
eligibility for their Winter Heating Allowance. This benefit can unlock extra
support through pension credits, which pensioners have paid into and in many
(850,000) cases goes unclaimed.
The easiest way to claim is to call 0800 99 1234. Calls to 0800 numbers are free from mobiles and
landlines. In the meantime, I’m working with the IW Council to find advisors to
support residents wishing to make a claim.
Gurnard School parking.
Now that the little people have
returned to school, complaints continue to arrive regarding the illegal parking
of vehicles waiting to collect children.
Please, please park safely, as I know incidents continue to occur.
Gurnard Parish
Councillor Vacancy.
A vacancy for a
Councillor has arisen at Gurnard Parish Council following the resignation of
the lovely Jan Williams. If interested
in joining the Council, please contact Richard Shaul at clerk@gurnardparishcouncil.gov.uk
Local Council
Precepts: Local support for local
people.
Local community,
town and parish councils are considering future projects which supports their
local communities. If you feel that where you live is lacking certain provision
let your local Councillor know.
Likewise, should you feel that precepts are being wasted on the wrong
services or projects again, your local councillors will be pleased to hear your
feedback. To note, precepts is your
money and you have every right to let others know how and where this is spent.
Bonfires.
If having a
garden bonfire (noting that more than once a month may be considered a public
nuisance), please let neighbours know. With Autumn approaching, this continues
to be an issue for neighbours.
In the meantime,
please check first for hedgehogs!
Local Planning Enforcement
Matters.
Barely a month
goes by without an enquiry concerning whether planning issues have consent or
not. Because many of these matters are
being dealt with through negotiation, if agreement cannot be sought this may
result in legal action. Whilst
negotiations and/or legal processes take place, Councillors are kept out of the
loop.
On one
particular matter action has been ongoing for three years, the enforcement
agency concerned is the Marine Management Organisation and to receive any
update is near impossible, given this Government organisation’s
remoteness. This is equally as
frustrating for me (who has contacted the MMO direct), as it is for those
affected.
Island Rivers Meeting.
·
It was pointed
out that some developers are frustrated by different options to deal with surface water.
·
In addition,
there are frustrations for landowners to tap in to ‘Biodiversity Net Gains’ credits under existing rules whereby land
is tied up for 30 years.
·
Elsewhere, an
update was provided on protecting Werrar Salt Marsh on the River Medina. As has happened elsewhere, at locations west
of Lymington Benificial use of dredge sediment (BEDS) is being considered by the
MMO as a sustainable means of protection.
It is noted that nationally Salt Marshes are at risk from climate
change.
SCOPAC (Standing Conference on Problems
Associated with the Coastline) Meeting.
·
One of the
‘highlights’ of this meeting was speaker Professor Ivan Haigh who has been
monitoring data on climate change, and the impact this continues to have. Ivan referenced that sea levels are now
rising by between 4-5mm per year.
Looking at data, this has shown an increase of days of extreme rainfall
and how flood risk grows as an international priority with 2 billion people
living in flood risk areas.
·
At the SCOPAC
Meeting, I have made a suggestion to the IW Council of the need to potentially
invest in graduates given their knowledge of sea rise, and the overwhelming
support they could mutual benefits that could arise.
SIFCA (Southern Inshore
Fisheries Conservation Authority) Meetings.
It was brilliant
to bring the authority to Cowes, where its latest meeting was held. Items discussed included:
·
DEFRA funding. With many government
agencies awards usually appear at ‘somewhen’ during the financial year, in the
past, and this year this makes running the authority difficult as you are
relying upon reserves. As Chair, I am
making representations to the national AIFCA to approach Government, as many
authorities (not SIFCA) will suffer. In the meantime, there are also concerns
that under the new Government future funding priorities may alter.
·
Vigilant SIFCA’s new patrol vessel is currently
undertaking sea trials at Portland. It
is hoped that the vessel will become fully operational in December.
·
To increase Local Authority Councillor attendance,
earlier this year I suggested Council appoints deputies to attend meetings when
nominated Councillors were unable to attend. This is important, that besides
DEFRA local councils fund SIFCA.
Tentatively, this plan has worked, as most Councils attended meetings
this month.
·
At the Cowes
meeting, there was a presentation on seagrass
replenishment in the Solent off the Island.
·
Following a
suggestion made when I first became Chair, myself and my Chief Officer are
holding drop-in’s across the southern district to meet with Fishing Communities. We both see this
as an exciting opportunity to build upon and foster our support and
relationship with fishers. The first of these take place in Lyme Regis in
November.
National Council Tax
Mismatch.
The cost of
Adult Social Care continues rise. Nationally this has climbed from 64-75% of
Council Tax. I understand that
representations have been made to government as there is a significant national
mismatch in Council Tax from areas that can raise significant revenue through
commercial business rates (and car parking!)
to local authorities that don’t, who generally tend to much have higher
costs. A few years ago, I looked into
this, on behalf of a resident with a second home in London where Council Tax at
that time was less than half of what it was on the Island.
Full Council.
Unusually for
full Council, there seemed to be universal support for motions being tabled..
(This may be due to next May’s local elections!) As mentioned previously, the motion opposing
the Solent CO2 Pipeline, a motion
requesting support for dentistry and a motion to address issues
concerning ferry crossings all received
universal support.
Footprint Trust, Winter
Is Coming.
The Footprint
Trust and other supporting groups are this year holding their Winter is Coming
Event which offers free help and guidance to save money and live well. This
event takes place from 10am-2pm,
Wednesday 23rd October at the Riverside Centre, Newport.
Hedgehog Corner: Hedgehog Homes for Winter.
Hedgehog homes should be placed in a
sheltered, undisturbed part of the garden. There’s also a handy video if you
wish to venture in making your own very simple hedgehog home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aM2QwBTbkT8
Alternatively, the lovely Men In
Sheds Cowes Group last year offered to make Hedgehog Homes in advance of the
winter. if you are interested please call: 01983 209734. Last year costs started at £65!
Report from the Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal
Protection and Flooding.
·
In the last
month, I had the pleasure of signing off the revised Planning Enforcement Strategy.
·
I am working
with the IWC to agree a protocol with Town and Parish Councils to liaise with developers. In the meantime, I have recommended to local
Council’s the need to share their
priorities for developer contributions.
·
Following last
month’s report on the Judicial Review on Westridge
Farm, a number of residents have contacted me with concerns for the cost
created for the IW Council to defend its position (no fault was levied against
the Council)
·
Section 19 Flood Reports are
being shared. These reports highlight
actions taken to mitigate against future events. See: https://www.iow.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/flood-risk-and-watercourse-consents/flood-risk-and-investigation/ for details.
This follows delays caused regarding the accuracy and amendments made to
reports.
·
I’ve requested a
meeting to take place with Gunville
residents in the coming weeks. Understandably, following last year’s
flooding events local residents are upset with the IW Council and some,
particularly those on low incomes require more support from the Council.
·
I joined the Environment Agency visit to Ventnor to
see for themselves damage caused by last year’s landslips at both St Lawrence
and Bonchurch. As well as the EA, both
Members of Parliament also saw the devastation caused.
·
Bore holes are monitoring
ground movement beneath Leeson Road which has caused the road to close for a
further twelve weeks. This follows a Geologists
meeting I attended with community representatives, engineers and
technicians. It remains the intention of
the IW Council to not close the road for any longer than is necessary.
·
There remains a
reluctance from National Housebuilders/
Housing Associations to invest in social
housing on the Island. This remains
an issue for the IW Council.
·
Last year the IW
Council received 38 planning complaints.
These I am reviewing, discussing with officers and ensuring that lessons
are being learnt.
·
I’ve met with
officers to discuss potential budgetary
savings for Planning, Coastal Protection & Flooding. The Environment
Agency are to remove Flood Defence
Barriers in Yarmouth, I have been liaising with the EA and local
Councillors and the EA to ensure alternative measures are in place.
·
A meeting took
place with residents of St Lawrence
to update them on the ongoing ground movement within the undercliff. From
meetings that I’ve attended there remains pressure from some residents to re-open Undercliff Drive. Although some
residents (and some geologists) considers this possible, the cost and the risk
makes this prohibitive.
·
I am advised
that staffing capacity at Building
Control was an issue over the past few months. However, I am now advised a new manager will
be in place later this month.
·
Work is ongoing
regarding a shipwreck at Totland
Bay.
·
Trinity House
are this month inspecting and potentially repairing marine marker points off St Helens and Seaview.
·
I attended the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal
Committee meeting. It was reported at the meeting that unlike other regions
the Committee continues to over-deliver
flood defence schemes. On the Isle
of Wight, in the last few years we have significantly benefitted from the
support of Martin (their Chairman) and schemes.
·
The Planning
Committee approved the application for a film
studio on the site of Kingston Marine Park.
This was pushed hard, due to the importance this is likely to have on
the Island Community (both directly and indirectly)
In a nutshell.
·
I have followed
up a perceived ‘strange decision’ by
Planners to a local application.
·
Overfilled litter and dog bins
were reported to me by a resident of Ventnor (!?), to bins in the area..
·
Advice was given
to a resident who considers the value of their property does not correspond
with others in their area. For details
contact the Valuations Office at: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/valuation-office-agency
·
I attended this
years brilliant Great Wight Bite
event, held at Northwood House. At the event it was fantastic to see and sample
so many local residents demonstrating some of their wares..(!)
·
Concerns were
raised regarding local toilets, and
the fact that one is now being used as overnight accommodation.
·
I have been
approached by the Environment Agency concerning complaints raised of abandoned boats on moorings at the
mouth of Gurnard Luck.
·
A complaint was
made concerning encroachment on IW
Council land. This, I understand is being followed up.
·
I have met with
a private Planning Advisor concerning a local
planning enforcement matter.
·
The Beacon are no longer
receiving Reports from IW Councillors. My
reports will continue within the Gurnard News and the Cowes Magazine please
visit: https://www.cowesmagazine.co.uk/
·
I am advised
that the replacement of the Gurnard
Groyne, will take place later this year. I
understand this is subject to licence by the MMO.
·
Northwood Parish
Council who were successful in their bid for funding for electric throes to shake off the winter. For further information,
please visit the Northwood Warm Space 2-4pm, Tuesdays at Northwood Village
Hall.
·
Clearance of invasive species has now commenced on Southern Water’s Marsh Road
pumping station.
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