Surgeries.
4:30-5pm, Monday 7th July, Cowes Library,
Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm,
Monday 7th July, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
10:30-11am, Wednesday 9th July, Gurnard Press
and Bistro, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
10:30-11am Thursday 17th July, Benches adj.
Watersedge Kiosk, Shore Road, Gurnard.
11-11:30am, Thursday 17th July, The Woodvale,
Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
10:30-11am, Thursday 24th July, All Saints
Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.
11-12pm, Thursday 31st July, Eegon’s, 85 High
Street, Cowes.
Roadworks.
·
Last
month saw the commencement of reinstatement works at Woodvale Road and Solent
View Road. It remains the intention
from Southern Water to have these works completed by the end of this month.
·
In
the meantime I have asked Southern Water what their revised scaled down plans
are to improve beach safety on Gurnard Beach.
·
SGN continue to upgrade
and modernise pipework in Worsley Road. This work will continue until 26th July.
·
The
traffic lights at Nodes
Road, Northwood are scheduled to remain until 18th July.
·
Horsebridge Hill will be closed
entirely for the weekends commencing 27th
June and 4th July.
·
Please
note that if Traffic Cones are
placed on the highway, this is for good reason.
Please do not move these unless you have permission from either the
contractor or Island roads.
To
keep updated of ongoing highway works visit: https://one.network/
In the meantime, I last month met with contractors on
site, landowners and spoke to some residents concerning questions they have. I
remain very disappointed regarding the lack of access for the Ryde School Bus,
but came up against a brick wall following the statement made that if a
concession were to be made for services to and from Ryde School, the same concessions
would be required for all children being transported by taxi’s, as well as for
all coach operators.
I know this battle is ongoing with Ryde School, who has
my full support.
Planning.
·
A Planning application, which I called-in for
consideration by Planning Committee in Cockleton
Lane was withdrawn.
·
Planning Enforcement have been asked to
intervene regarding unauthorised coastal
defences.
·
Planning Enforcement action was requested for
a perceived unauthorised residential
dwelling following complaints.
·
An application is pending for a new McDonald’s Drive-In at Three Gates
Road, Cowes.
·
A legal agreement is being sought to develop
at Somerton Farm. This agreement is pending to be signed off.
Dogs on leads.
I
have received a complaint concerning dogs not being under control. If, like me your pooch likes running off and
exploring public spaces, please ensure that you keep an eye on where their
whereabouts..!
Please
note in the past dogs have been targeted by indiscriminate residents, so sadly
it is important to stay vigilant for your dog’s own safety.
Back Door Waste/ Recycling Collections.
For home owners
unable to leave their waste out, the Council provides their Collection Plus
Service allowing householders to agree a safe collection point for their
refuse. For further details please call 01983 823777 or visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/additional-household-services/paid-for-waste-services/.
This service costs £69 per year and is free to mobility impaired residents.
Gurnard
Green.
In the next few weeks, I am hoping to meet on site with
beach hut owners and the IW Council to discuss the movement of Green, land
stability and impact this is having upon beach huts. In addition, a number of residents remain
concerned by the exposure of blue slipper and the impact this has upon the
beach.
Gurnard
Village Event.
This year’s Gurnard Village Event takes place from 4th
– 6th July. Prior to Gurnard Parish
Council’s event on Sunday 6th July there will be a village litter
pick which commences from the Village Hall at 10am.
Disposable Barbecues.
Please
discard of used disposable barbecues sensibly!
This follows
incidents of fires being caused to countryside, and burns caused to little and
big people when left on beaches. Please also ensure barbecues and debris avoids
plastic bins!
Cutting the cost of
summer.
The Isle of Wight Guru has posted free and
inexpensive places to visit for this summer.
Suggestions can be found here: https://www.isleofwightguru.co.uk/free-days-out-on-the-isle-of-wight.html The
Isle of Wight Guru has also posted details of cheap and free parking places: https://www.isleofwightguru.co.uk/blog/cheap-and-free-parking-on-the-isle-of-wight
Transport Matters.
·
Overgrown Hedgerows.
Whilst we are in
the summer, and there are restrictions on cutting back hedgerows brambles can
still be cut back. Please let me know of
areas where there is a problem. Traditionally
at this time of year, I will work with Shaun our District Steward to monitor
the key pedestrian thoroughfares i.e Baring Road, Tuttons Hill, Crossfield
Avenue, Park Road, Place Road and Newport Road in an attempt to keep pavements
accessible. However, please do not
hesitate to contact me where problems arise.
·
Vehicles parked on pavements.
I continue to
have this raised. There is a particular
issue with vehicles parking on pavements outside schools and on roads where the
carriageway and pavements are narrow. Whilst motorists should not drive along
any pavement, I know in the past the police has taken up complaints in those
roads where there is not adequate room (1.5m) for wheelchairs, prams and
pedestrians to pass.
·
Gurnard Primary School.
At Gurnard
Parish Council’s Active Travel Meeting, we discussed the potential
reinstatement of a lollypop person to make the school entrance safer for
children, once Gurnard School becomes the Island’s largest primary school by
cohort in September. Please let me know
if you are interested! Also during the
meeting discussion took place concerning opening up entrances/ exits to and
from the school and decreasing travel time for pedestrians.
In the meantime,
I continue to receive complaints from residents who regularly have their
driveways blocked at school collection times.
I have also been asked to plea to residents not to park in the private
Battery Road, particularly since sight lines are not good in this unmade road.
·
Local Cycling, Walking Infrastructure Plans.
When we
discussed the Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard LCWIP earlier this year residents
made it very clear that they wanted to see something done concerning pedestrian
safety on Cowes High Street. This month
I have arranged a tentative meeting to move forward with proposals.
Keeping in
touch!
Since the IW Council dissolved its Cabinet, this has
freed me up and in theory will increase my availability!
The most instant way to get in touch with me is by
sending a quick text advising what support you need. Often, I can deal with
issues straight away. Whilst I have a whizzy 24hr answerphone, if you leave a
message please provide me with contact details so I know who to respond to!
Cowes Banking Hub.
With
shops vacated on Cowes High Street I’ve again contacted Cash Access UK
requesting support for a banking hub for Cowes. This follows the popularity of
the temporary hub in East Cowes. If you
know of a site you think is ideal, please let me know before 20th
July.
Moving the IW Council to
a Committee System.
I’ve been appointed to three out of five committees,
these being: Children’s Services, Economy, Transport & Regeneration and
Environment & Community Protection. I also will resume my seat on the
Planning Committee.
Within the early days of the new system, I am disappointed
by the lack of cross-party working and unnecessary political tribalism. With
the ongoing costs of legal challenges against the Council’s advice, in my view
these are costs our Island taxpayers cannot afford which could be spent
elsewhere.
However, it remains early days, and I for one remain committed
to make the new system work.
Isle of
Wight Local Access Forum.
The Local Access Forum met for the first time in 18
months, following recent landslips and the impact this has had upon Rights of
Way and the ongoing negotiations which continue over the new King Charles III English Coastal Path.
The meeting was attended by new senior officer from
Natural England, Jenny Bowen who has taken over to bring the Isle of Wight
section of the coastal trail to fruition.
With respect to the most difficult section, the stretch
between East Cowes and Wootton Bridge it seems that the Osborne Estate, the
Barton Estate and the protected Kings Quay aspects may be by-passed. That
stated, there is a commitment for the section to remain largely off-road. In the meantime landowners, farmers and
property owners are being consulted.
I intend calling the next meeting of the Local Access
Forum in September. Items to be
discussed will include disabled access an update on the impact of recent
landfalls.
Southern
Inshore Fisheries Conservation Authority (SIFCA) Update.
·
I attended the Association of IFCA’s Meeting,
and requested clarity from the Association how what it was doing to improve
relationships with Fishermen and raising IFCA’s profile in general.
·
This follows successive governments advising
fishing communities that more would be done to safeguard the industry from
European trawlers overfishing offshore (6+ miles out). However, following our Government stepping
back from altering legislation, this has only done more to increase fishing
communities mistrust in Government and agencies working on their behalf in my
opinion.
·
I suggested closer working with the industry
through the national Fisheries Consortium to showcase IFCA’s support. This, I
was promised would happen through attending roadshows and the production of real
time videos.
·
A view was expressed that IFCA’s held a
strong bias in favour of fishers over conservation. Within the Southern region I see no evidence
of this.
At the quarterly meeting of SIFCA:
·
A presentation was made concerning the role
of the Marine Management Organisation with respect to enforcement and how
partnership between both the MMO and SIFCA has operated in a positive way
·
A further presentation was given on fisheries
considerations in Southampton Water.
·
Questions have been raised concerning how
Local Council’s may fund SIFCA and other agencies once new Strategic Mayoral
Authorities take effect in future years.
·
Following the release of the David
Attenborough film ‘Ocean’ support has resonated regarding SIFCA’s efforts on
creating legislation to combat the impact of bottom towed fishing gear. This not only impacts upon fishing and
spawning grounds, but also on the decimation of shipwrecks, war graves and
marine archaeology.
·
Despite a net reduction in funding from
Defra, the deficit in last year’s programme was recovered through provision of training
to outside agencies, the sale of vessels, drone hire and transferral of
reserves to a high interest account.
Southern
Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (SRFCC).
Whilst I am no longer Cabinet Member for Flooding and
Coastal Protection, by being nominated by Full Council I am still in a position
to support (or not!) recommendations for Government funding for coastal and
Flood Alleviation Schemes.
Members were advised that greater focus will be required
to address surface water drainage issues.
One of the schemes under consideration was a £364k grant for a SuDS
scheme involving a flat roofed school in Sussex. Another scheme that I supported was a beach
replenishment scheme for Hurst Spit.
Isle of Wight
Biosphere Festival.
The Isle of
Wight’s second Biosphere Festival takes place from Saturday 28th
June – Sunday 6th July.
Throughout the Festival there are over 60
events taking place across the Isle of Wight with walks, talks, fashion,
art, music, storytelling, films, nature tours, gardening, workshops and
more. Most are free or low cost, and lots are family friendly.
Cowes and Gurnard (thanks to the Grow Gurnard Team) has excelled itself
in holding numerous local events in both communities. For details visit: https://iwbiosphere.org/biospherefestival
Second Homes.
I continue to receive complaints from second home owners regarding the
IW Council charging 200% Council Tax on property owners.
Whilst I understand
how unfair this legislation is, unlike some other areas of country the Island
does not have the flexibility to override new funding opportunities imposed
upon authorities by Government. As mentioned previously the Island cannot
make its case for extra funds from Government, if we do not take up
opportunities provided for funding.
Spencers
Copse.
Work has started to improve footpath access from Worsley
Road to Shore Path through Spencers Copse.
This path will be a key local part of the new King Charles III English
Coastal Path and is funded by Natural England.
It was very much appreciated the assistance received from
the owner of part of the woodland, Richard Murphy in supporting the scheme
coming to fruition. Thank you!
School
Closures: Arreton Primary School to
remain open.
The Government School Adjudicator has taken the decision
to stop the closure of Arreton Primary School.
Arreton was one of two schools that Cabinet decided to close. The other
being Cowes.
Details can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/office-of-the-schools-adjudicator
To note, that unlike Arreton School, Cowes did not have
the same ability of recourse to the School Adjudicator. In the meantime, with significantly fewer
children in our primary schools there will remain considerable pressure to
close what is likely to be 9-10 schools. This, and findings from the school
adjudicator will be considered and digested by the new Children’s Services and
Education Committee.
Hedgehog Corner: Caring for Hedgehogs in a Heatwave.
Most hedgehogs are
born in June and July and we’ve been hearing from our hedgehog champions that
hoglets are appearing in back gardens all over Britain.
Young hedgehogs typically
spend a few weeks at the nest and then ten days learning to forage with mum.
After that, they will wander off on their own to hunt, forage and explore their
surroundings.
Although insects
like earwigs and beetles thrive in summer and provide a feast for foraging
hoglets, slugs and earthworms are in short supply during dry spells. Water
sources also dry up and, without access to fresh water, the little hogs have
little chance of surviving their first few weeks of life.
Even those with
the smallest garden can help keep a hedgehog hydrated! Just place a bowl or
saucer of fresh water out every evening to be visited by thirsty hedgehogs.
It’s also a good idea to put out some wet cat or dog food to compensate for the
lack of natural food available.
If you have more
space in your garden, why not also build a pond? A pond provides hedgehogs with
a year-round water supply and an abundance of insects and amphibians. Hedgehogs
also love swimming and a pond makes the perfect summer pool. Just make sure they
can come and go as they please by creating a gently sloping edge or ramp.
Also this month:
·
I attended the IW Environment and Sustainability
Forum. Apart from Biosphere Festival
discussions, it was highlighted the need to properly engage with young
people. Without engagement of young
people, the Island would be a poorer place following analysis by highlighted
via local naturist and environmentalist, Ian Boyd. In the meantime, the Forum hopes from 2026 to
work closer to tie in with the IW Festival.
·
I’ve now attended two briefing sessions for new
Council Committees. My first Committee,
The Children and Education Committee takes place on 26th June.
·
I have circulated a response to residents concerning
the IW Council did in fact post the Section 106 notice for the Acorn Farm
Development at Horsebridge Hill. This
can be found here: https://publicaccess.iow.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=S0ANGEIQHVX00
· Complaints have been forwarded to the IW
Council concerning the difficulty claiming Council Tax support. I know that one
of the residents is very articulate, and came to me in desperation because
staff made them feel stupid for questioning their assessment. It transpired eventually, that the resident
was correct from the outset. This is an
issue which I am intending to take further, as no resident should feel this way
for applying for what they are entitled.
·
An overhanging tree was reported to Tree Officers,
with further information sought.
·
Following my article last month, I have been
advised that the Education Authority are seeking to appoint a new member of
staff to support families of home educated children. Whilst this is welcomed, I do not fully
understand that once knowing a member of staff was due to retire that a
replacement was not put in place sooner.
·
Now that I have more time available, I am setting
up the first meeting between our three local Town and Parish Councils to
discuss cross-over issues. At the first
meeting, I intend putting Highways Matters and the Cowes and Northwood Place
Plan as agenda items.
·
The Portland Inn Community Asset Right to Bid was
successful. The Pub has been added to the IW Council’s assets of Community
Value. In the meantime we continue to
look forward to the Gurnard pub reopening in July/ August.
·
A resident reported their post (left in a post box
over a bank holiday weekend) had been partially eaten by what was thought to be
slugs. The Rew Street postbox has been reported to the Royal Mail for a
thorough investigation!
·
The Isle of Wight Council has launched its
programme for Free summer holiday activities for young people. These can be
found here: https://www.iow.gov.uk/news/free-activities-for-island-youngsters-this-summer/
·
The Flytipping of Garden Waste has again reported
on Cow Lane.
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