About Me

INDEPENDENT ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCILLOR FOR COWES WEST & GURNARD (Since 2009) Timeline: 1993 Green Candidate for IWCC Election (Ryde NE); 1994 Green Party European Elections Candidate (Wight & Hampshire South); 1995-2001 Independent IW Councillor (Ryde NE); 2001-2005 and 2011- Cowes Town Councillor; 2005-2009 and 2012- Gurnard Parish Councillor; 2008- Northwood Parish Councillor; from 2009 Independent IW Councillor (Cowes West & Gurnard). I've served as a Justice of the Peace since 2001. INDEPENDENT? I'm fully Independent was an Executive/ Cabinet member until 2017 and from 2021. As an Independent I robustly defend putting the needs of communities first. I have no political activists, sponsors or businesses shadowing me and therefore my loyalty to represent Gurnard & Cowes is absolute. I aspire to be a hard working, transparent, effective and enthusiastic Ward Councillor. Please contact me to meet at your convenience, or visit my surgeries listed below. Thank you for visiting my website!

Monday, 28 April 2025

Isle of Wight Councillor's Annual Report No.16 2025.

 Isle of

 

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:

 

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

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

·         1st Thursday of the month, 10:30-11am at Gurnard Press and Bistro, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

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

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

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

·         4th 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.

 

The nine Issues which I promised to address prior to my re-election in 2021.

 

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

·         I did: Within the Draft Island Planning Strategy (DIPS), I support significantly reducing the annual housing figure to 453.  This figure was 1/3 lower than Government imposed figure for the Island of 730. However, recent Government changes and delays to the Island Plan by Full Council, is likely to reverse proposals for lower housing numbers.  

 

·         You said: Prioritising Local Housing for Local People

·         I did: Within the DIPS policies are prioritised to deliver affordable housing for local residents (Policy H5). This is a priority for the Alliance Administration, which I am part of and is now supported by most Councillors.  

 

·         You said: Support Working Families.

·         I did: Supporting low paid working families through increasing Council Tax benefits from 65% to 75%.  .  

 

·         You said: Support road 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 for Town Centre regeneration. Parking charges have since 2023 have been frozen..

 

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

·         I did: Supported Parish Council involvement at Scrutiny and Planning Committees. The IW Cabinet continued to support feedback from Scrutiny when shaping policies and decisions such as with schools planning and budgets. Greater involvement for all IW Councillors will become potentially a reality within the new Committee system.

 

·         You said: Review Council Tax Expenditure

·         I did: Scrutinise Council Tax. On this, I’ve shared and responded to resident’s concerns.

 

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

·           I did: The Council continues to campaign for its promised Island Deal.  Although the Alliance achieved small wins, this has not gone far enough or addresses the cost (+£20m per year) to Island residents for our severance by sea.

 

 

 

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

 

This is my 15th 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 made 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 and the Cowes Magazine. 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 importance.

 

 

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

 

·         Cowes Town Council. Cowes North Councillor 2001-2005; from 2009-     ; Mayor 2017-2019. Re-elected 2025.

·         Gurnard Parish Council. Councillor from 2005; Chair 2022-2024.   Current Vice-Chair. Re-elected 2025.

·         Northwood Parish Councillor. Founding Northwood Parish Councillor. Councillor since 2007; Re-elected 2025.              

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

·         Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (SIFCA). Chairman since 2024. Funded by DEFRA and local authorities, SIFCA regulates marine conservation & fisheries for Hampshire, Dorset and Isle of Wight.

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

·         Isle of Wight Natural Landscape. This group oversees challenges faced to the Isle of Wight’s Countryside.

·         IW Council Local Pensions Board. This body is an external body that monitors the £750m IWC pension fund.

 

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

 

Within the Isle of Wight Council, I was cabinet member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding between 2021 and 2025. As a Councillor with cabinet responsibilities I had 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 295 meetings associated with my role.

·         In addition, I’ve attended 51 informal/ associated meetings, events, briefings, exhibitions & site visits.

·         I attended 42 Isle of Wight Council Meetings.

·         I’ve received 4017 emails, 852 telephone calls, 718 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 2009 enquiries. 32% of these relate to Gurnard residents; 27% to Cowes West residents; 28% from other Cowes/ Northwood residents and 13% to residents living elsewhere.

·         In the last year I’ve arranged 105 surgeries. Supporting 412 enquiries to completion for residents. 

 

This year I received a Councillors Allowance of: £18,921.15

 

IW Councillors Report.

 

As Councillor, I remain on call at all times. Much of the work I undertake is fed back within monthly reports.  I, in  addition, have increased surgeries due to more residents seeking support from across the Island. 

 

With finance becoming tighter, it becomes more and more challenging to provide the help, assistance and support that residents need and deserve. Having dealt with hundreds of issues over the last 12 months, it is difficult to quantify those issues most relevant, I know what could be a minor issue for some keeps others awake at night.

 

As Isle of Wight Councillor, Town and Parish Councillors for Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood act as my eyes and ears, and I really appreciate the support that they provide for our communities.

 

With discussions underway over the mayoral authority, it in my opinion is essential for the IW Council to remain at the table. Government has been clear, that this will be imposed upon us if we like it or not! 

 

With increasing costs for Adult Social care sky-rocketing faster than inflation (last year the increase costs for Council Tax payers increased by 22%), the level of support for all Councils continues to grow.

 

Road resurfacing for many streets remain a priority particularly for Worsley Road in Gurnard and Crossfield Avenue in Cowes. As recent events demonstrate, my concern over the PFI contract has caused me concern.  In my opinion concern over disputes within the contract since being reassessed by the IW Council in 2018 has meant that things that should happen, hasn’t. The more that I learn of the nature of disputes, the more concerns I have.  

 

The impact of falling school roles (these have fallen by one third over six years in primary schools), has had a local impact, meaning that schools across the Island will need to close. With Cowes Primary, I worked through a number of options with stakeholders to seek alternatives to closure.

 

Across the Island, inevitably the new Education Committee will be seeking to close a further ten schools within the next few years.  The cost to school deficits to not close schools and the impact on the quality of education is insurmountable and requires all working together to improve educational standards for our children.

 

In the meantime, with your support I continue to fight and seek solutions to address the challenges our Island faces!

 

Annual Report as Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding

 

Planning and Planning Enforcement.

 

·         Inspectors considered the Island Planning Strategy with hearings taking place at County Hall.

·         Our Government has introduced housing expectations for planning authorities, with numbers reflecting those of the previous government to deliver 300,000 new houses across the country this year.  As Cabinet member, I’ve indicated that for the Island, 1103 new homes per year to not be sustainable in recent consultations

·         Planning Officers were asked to prioritise and fast-track planning applications for social and affordable housing.

·         Free Planning Advice continues to be offered on Wednesday afternoons at Seaclose.  Proposals for developers are also available by appointment at no cost.

·         New Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPS), Sustainable Drainage System (SuDS) and Health Contributions Supplementary Planning Documents were adopted.

·         A number of high profile Enforcement cases took place, with the support of Local Councils.  

·         The AONB Management Plan 2025-2030 was formally approved by Full Council. 

·         Proposals for a CO2 pipeline crossing the Island from Fawley to the English Channel was shelved.

 

Coastal Protection and Flooding.

 

·         Section 19 priorities were issued, with new Flood Resilience Forums were created, such as one in Gunville taking positive action to alleviate Flooding in their areas.

·         In partnership with the EA meetings and bespoke solutions to Binstead residents were provided to residents affected by floods.

·         The IW Landslides and Coastal Loss Forum has met to receive feedback and provide updates to both local communities, residents and local councils impacted by land instability. In addition, I met individually and attended public meetings with residents and businesses in Bonchurch, Ventnor and St Lawrence following landslips.

·         The Island hosted a meeting with the EA and the SRFCC to show damage caused by landfalls in Ventnor.

·         In recognition of Coastal Protection Works at the Eastern Esplanade, Ventnor the IW Council Coastal Team received the award for ‘Collaborative Working’ at the national construction SECBRE awards.

·         During this winter restoration and upgrades took place to groynes, slipways, seawalls and navigation markers.

 

Town, Parish and Community Council Liaison.

 

·         Monthly meetings have continued to take place between IWALC and other Local Councils, offering feedback to both the Cabinet and Officers.  I am ever hopeful that under the new Committee regime liaison will continue.

·          Liaison continues with local Councils on how best to support and enhance service provision across the Island. 

 

Outside Bodies, that I represent as IW Councillor.

 

Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority (SIFCA).

 

·         I took over as Acting Chair and Chair of the Regional Authority last year following the previous Chair, Cllr Mark Roberts losing his seat in last May’s Local Elections.  The purpose of SIFCA is to balance the needs of the regional fisheries industry and conservation duties within the region.  Since I first joined SIFCA in 2016, I have seen the fishing industry becoming much closer aligned to what conservationists want to see.   This I believe is due to the fishing industry understanding the need to provide a long term and sustainable industry.

·         In my role, I successfully campaigned successfully to increase attendance by local authority Councillors.  In the last 12 months, I have hosted briefings whilst the Authority has afforded the opportunity to appoint ‘deputies’, when Councillors are unavailable.

·         Myself, my Vice Chair (Rob Hughes from Portland) and senior officers have held a number of meetings with fishers across the region.  These have so far taken place at Lyme Regis and Weymouth, with the third taking place in May at Swanage. 

·         Face to face meetings have also taken place with Scallop fishers at Portsmouth and Warsash.  

·         SIFCA held is first meeting in several years when it came to Cowes last year.

·         I met with MP’s and Fisheries Minister, Daniel Zeichner when the the Association of Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authorities hosted an event called to prote the Fisheries Industry at the House of Commons.  The provided an opportunity for fishing communities to outline the challenges being faced by the industry.

·         The Bottom Towed Fishing Gear byelaw, which SIFCA has been working closely with conservationists as well as the Fishing Industry is awaiting sign off by Government, following several years of work through the SIFCA team.

·         In my role as Chair, I intend to attend as many meetings as I can and whenever I get the opportunity, look forward to attending virtual meetings of the South Coast Fishermen’s Council and SIFCA’s Technical Advice Committee.

·          In addition, I have an oversight of member appraisals.  I also sign off requests for fisheries enforcement action and meet with my Chief Executive Pia Bateman every two to three weeks.  

 

Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. (SRFCC)

 

·         The regional flood and coastal committee is established by the Environment Agency. It brings together flood authorities and experts, to assess flood and coastal protection risks; investment in flood and coastal protection risk management and is a link between Flood Authorities and the EA.

·         Over the past three years, I have built up a positive relationship with the Chair Dr Martin Hurst, who has visited the Island on several occasions to see how the Island puts the Environment Agencies funding to best use.

·         In the past year levy funding was successfully bid for, for community flood projects in Binstead, as well as accruing funds for a Co-ordinator to support vulnerable communities affected by landslides and coastal erosion.

·         As mentioned in my Portfolio Report, Dr Hurst and members of his team visited landslips following 2023.  This provided an invaluable insight and understanding of the unique challenges we face on the Island.  

 

Solent Forum.

 

·         Discussions took place regarding ‘abandoned vessels’.  Giving a presentation to members the Deputy Harbour Master for Associated British Ports, outlined the challenges of abandoned vessel in the Solent and how this costed the Authority £1.2m and how these were dealt with.

·         Water Quality and Marine Debris was further discussed with the Blue Marine Foundation discussing solutions to the issue

·         A study has taken place at Portsmouth University by graduates investigating the harm of rubber from car tyres leaching into waterways.

·         Saltmarsh restoration at both The Hamble and at Lymington was discussed. Saltmarshes and their positive impact upon our marine environment was discussed.  At the meeting proposals for saltmarsh restoration on the River Medina was positively received by members.

 

Isle of Wight National Landscapes.  

 

·         Throughout the year workshops took place to consult and complete the 2025-2030 AONB Management Plan.  This, as earlier reported received unanimous support by Full Council and is awaiting Ministerial Approval.

·         As was the case with SIFCA and the SRFCC, Defra funding arrived late within the financial year.  This has impacted upon all bodies concerned.

·         Increased concerns were outlined regarding the uncertainty to Farming Communities following the new Government coming to power.

·         Concern has been expressed concerning the potential of the re-introduction of beavers across the Island.

 

 


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