Surgeries.
4:30-5pm, Monday 4th August, Cowes Library,
Beckford Road, Cowes.
11-12pm, Thursday 28th August, Eegon’s, 85
High Street, Cowes.
Because in
August I receive fewer calls particularly after Cowes Week I hold fewer
surgeries. Whilst I am kept busy chasing a few matters up and attending
meetings I am available throughout August and can be contacted.
Back Door Waste/ Recycling Collections.
For residents unable
to leave their waste out, the Council provides a Collection Plus Service
allowing householders to agree a safe collection point for their refuse. Visit:
https://www.iow.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/additional-household-services/paid-for-waste-services/ or call
01983 823777 for details. The service costs £69 per year and is free mobility
impaired residents
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
Details of
cheap and free parking places can be found: https://www.isleofwightguru.co.uk/blog/cheap-and-free-parking-on-the-isle-of-wight
IW Council Summer Activities.
The IW 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/
Planning Application: 2x Mobile Classrooms Gurnard
Primary School. Ref: 25/00586/FUL
Consultation
continues on the school’s expansion by way of two mobile classrooms. For further information please visit: https://publicaccess.iow.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=SUQWWCIQGF200&activeTab=summary The deadline for
comments is the 8th August
2025.
Planning Applications: Drive thru’ McDonalds, Three
Gates Road, Cowes. Application Pending.
A Pre-Application consultation
has taken place on proposals for a new McDonald’s Drive Thru’ proposed for
Three Gates Road. It is anticipated that the Planning Application will be
advertised at some time during this month.
For details on the pre-application, please see: https://mcdonaldsconsultation.co.uk/cowes/feedback/
The Portland Inn update.
Mark and Kim has
fed back that the Portland is due to be ‘rebuilt’. On the pub’s Facebook page, the official plan
will be shared once Star Pubs provide timescales…
Overgrown hedgerows.
Before the end of the
nesting season (in September), these continue to be monitored by myself, Shaun
our lovely Island Roads District Steward and a gang of Councillors and local
residents. So far foliage outside Bucklers View and the junction with Westbrook
Lane in Worsley Road and adjacent to Northwood School in Wyatts Lane, have been
reported.
Please let me know
of any other sites where brambles or overgrowth impacts on access!
Cowes
Week 2025.
Following a fantastic Admirals Cup and
Fastnet Cowes Week takes place between
2-8th August. For details visit: https://www.cowesweek.co.uk/web/code/php/main_c.php?map=cw25&ui=cw4&style=std&override=§ion=home
Spencer’s Copse.
Ahead of schedule, improvements are
now completed to the walk to the beach through Spencers Copse at the bottom of
Worsley Road in Gurnard.
A huge thank you to Richard Murphy
the landowner who has worked closely with the IW Council and its contractors
Crown Park to see this walkway become part of the English Coastal Path. This
followed discussions that I had with both Vicky and Mark Spencer now several
years ago.
In the meantime, I have requested
repairs to be made to the ‘slipway’ linking the beach to Shore Path.
Gurnard Green.
For several weeks now, I have been
attempting to set up a meeting with officers to discuss ongoing issues at the
Green including concerns over damage to beach huts following land slippage on
Gurnard Green. I hope this will take place, with matters being addressed in the
weeks ahead!
Jet
Ski (Personal Watercraft): Legislation.
Legislation has been introduced to prevent
dangerous misuse of watercraft such as jet skis. New Powers mean that:
·
Anyone riding a jet ski recklessly or causing harm to others now face up
to 2 yrs in prison and an unlimited fine.
·
Maritime and Coastguard Agency to be granted more powers to prosecute.
·
In addition the Maritime Police Unit also has powers under local the local
bye-law.
Call 999 in emergency. Non-emergencies
contact www.hampshire.police.uk. Other concerns call
101 straight away!
Litter
Bins.
Like pulling teeth, the replacement litter
bin for Princes Esplanade has now materialised! In the meantime, following the
wait, it was necessary to contact waste contractors to ensure that bins are
secured once emptied.
To note at this time of the year litter bins
are collected on a daily basis, whilst dog bins are emptied Tuesdays, Thursdays
and Saturdays. To note dog waste can be disposed of in litter bins. This is less costly to the IW Council!
If a bin is full, please take rubbish home or
dispose of any rubbish in a bin nearby.
Because of foxes and badgers please do not leave items at the base of
bins as animals tend to scatter contents before bins are emptied the following
morning.
Gurnard
School Update.
Meetings continue to take place between Gurnard
School, the IW Council and others following issues raised once the school
reopens as the largest primary school on the Island in September. Items/ Action
Points discussed includes:
·
Resurrection of the crossing patrol outside the school entrance. (Gurnard
Parish Council agreed to fund this)
·
Improved alternative parking options nearby. I am seeking to see
the Cow Lane gate reopened to enhance pedestrian options from nearby. To
note, Gurnard School has signed up to improving parking enforcement outside the
school. With the No Loading restrictions now in place, there is no excuse
to park dangerously. I have reported concerns to both the police and
parking enforcement in advance of September.
·
Additional Funding from the expansion and school closure to fund longer
term pedestrian improvements and could be enforced via Planning Conditions tied
to the new mobile classrooms.
·
Discussions concerning staggered school start/ finishing times.
·
Improved enforcement of parking in restricted areas such as private/
unadopted roads and driveway access.
·
Improved support for children (particularly those with Special Educational
Needs and Disabilities [SEND]) transitioning to Gurnard School.
Cowes High Street/ Shooters Hill. Conflict between cyclists, e-scooters
and pedestrians.
I hosted a productive meeting to
address concerns raised over pedestrians and cyclists conflict in Cowes Town
centre.
With thanks to Mayor, Cllr. Stuart
Ellis and Deputy Mayor, Cllr Lora Peacey Wilcox Cowes Town Council resolved:
·
Cowes Town Council are concerned over the contradiction between LCWIP
Policy CC7 and Highway safety raised by both residents and traders in the LCWIP
consultation.
·
Subject to costings consider funding towards:
o Cycle Dismount Signs.
o Camera and data analysis of vehicle movements in Cowes High Street and Shooters Hill
·
To support liaison with police over enforcement of the Prohibition of
vehicles from midnight to 7am and 10am to midnight.
In the meantime, I’ve provided data from last year’s LCWIP consultation
where residents cited incidents of conflict.
This will act as an evidence base to ensure action can be followed up.
Highway Trees.
I have taken
up resident’s concerns with Island Roads who failed to water trees, left to die
in Worsley Road. In response to this, in
a quote from Island Roads it had hoped that local residents ‘would assist in
the watering… However, this does not appear to be the case’…
Following up
from this response, I asked Island Roads (who are contracted to water trees),
what advice did they provide and to whom on this as neither myself or the
Parish Council was made aware of this new initiative!
Island Roads
have since apologised for their oversight and have assured they will be
replacing lost trees..
Solent View Road and Woodvale Road to fully
reopen!
With Solent
View Road reopened in the middle of July and Woodvale Road set to re-open
before August, I would like to thank residents for their patience. Now open, I will be discussing with Southern
Water what their plan B is, to counter sewage spills off Gurnard since the SUDs
scheme couldn’t take place.
Cowes Floating Bridge Consultation.
The IW Council are undertaking a
consultation on the Floating Bridge. The
consultation continues until 22nd
August. For details please visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/news/share-your-views-on-the-future-of-cowes-floating-bridge/
In addition with respect to drop-ins
that have been held in Cowes, East Cowes and Newport last month, there are
online sessions taking place from 12-1:30pm, 7th August and
6-7:30pm, 12th August. For
details see the above link.
Disposable Barbecues.
Please
discard of used disposable barbecues sensibly!
This follows
incidents of fires being caused to the countryside, and burns caused to little
and big people when left on beaches. Please ensure barbecues and debris avoids
plastic bins this follows several issues where numpties in Ryde, Sandown,
Shanklin have disposed of barbecues in plastic bins causing fire damage..
Transport
for South East Meeting.
I attended the Transport for South East
Meeting, where I highlighted concerns of the Island over ferries and the need
for support. Following feedback from
residents and businesses this is now a priority for TFSE within its Transport
Strategy.
Update from the Economy, Regeneration, Transport and Infrastructure
Committee.
As a key member of the new Committee,
it was agreed (my interpretation) to make the following key priorities:
·
Local Transport Plan 4 and its consultation (due to take place this
Autumn)
·
Extending the Geographical scope of the existing Newport and Ryde
Commercial Frontages Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (This myself
and Cllr Ian Ward is leading upon)
·
Medina Crossing Strategy. (This to consider feedback on the Floating
Bridge consultation and long term alternatives)
·
Improving Student Accommodation and skills.
·
Improved access with accelerated action on improving infrastructure and
access to green links and rights of ways.
Update from the Environment and Community Protection Committee.
Within the Committee discussions (my
interpretation) took place concerning:
·
Investigating creating a Public Space Protection Order (bye-law) for
Disposable Barbecues.
·
Waste: I suggested improving advice concerning the
disposal of pharmaceutical waste and separation by residents.
·
An
overview was given concerning the cleaning of slipways and the Council’s
statutory beach cleansing requirements.
Update from the
Children’s Services, Education and Lifelong Learning Committee.
Within the Committee discussions (my
interpretation) took place concerning:
·
The impact of falling school numbers and the impact that this will have
on schools and the Education Authority.
·
The cost to the Isle of Wight of education children with specific
educational (SEND)/ cultural needs.
·
I suggested to have over 400 children requesting and still awaiting mental
health support from was unacceptable.
·
The issue of providing educational support for children from families
claiming asylum on the Island was discussed. I understand that the local quota
from Government for these children stands at 23. The reason why 15 cannot
receive the support within Island Schools, is due to the fact that the Island
has no provision for families with cultural diverse needs and therefore
education and support needs to take place off-Island
Southern Regional
Flood and Coastal Committee.
I attended the most recent SRFCC
Committee. At the meeting, I supported a
number of regional flood mitigation measures including support for a school in
Brighton and Hove that last year needed to close for 30 days due to sewage and
flood water leaks. It was reported that in Brighton the combined sewage
constructed by engineers 170 years ago for a town of 30,000 struggles. This applies across the region where growth
is at creaking point. It also
demonstrates the brilliance of our Victorian forefathers in creating a visionary
infrastructure.
In addition there was discussion on the
deterioration of Victorian groynes across the region. Concern was expressed of the lack of
Government support to the Environment Agency to assist.
In the meantime some of the priorities I
supported at the SRFCC include the following:
·
Supporting
the short term protection of Hurst Spit.
(This offers some protection to the Isle of Wight)
·
Increasing
the grant from £2m to £4m by the SRFCC to support the effects from Surface
Water Flooding. (I have ensured previously that the Isle of Wight takes
advantage of this support, due to increase)
·
In
light of the lack of Government support, I requested providing financial
incentives to support farmers storing water.
Hot Weather.
Please
ensure that furry friends are kept cool and watered during hot weather. In the past I’ve received distress calls from
neighbours regarding barky dogs being left at home by ‘mums and dads’.
Planning Committee
Update.
Last month I rejoined the IW
Council’s Planning Committee, having observed meetings in person for the last
four years. (I remain the longest serving member of the Planning Committee)
Of key, was the application for a
McDonald’s Drive Thru’ opposite the Spithead Industrial Park in Lake. This I
voted against, as I shared the concern of officers over the applicant not
testing the marketplace to locate the restaurant in Town Centres nearby.
Despite my standpoint and that of officers who recommended refusal, in light of
resident feedback, members of the Committee approved proposals.
Local Government Conference.
I had the privilege of being one of five
Councillors who attended the LGA Conference.
Of note were sessions on the Lane Rental Schemes, recently piloted in
four highway authorities. These schemes
have had a positive impact through charging utility companies during roadworks.
In addition, I attended sessions on the use of AI when detecting highway and
utility defects, staff recruitment and retention, the impact of extreme weather
and addressing mayoral authorities and their impact.
Creating
Emergency Grab Bags.
Increasingly residents are encouraged to have
Emergency Grab Bags to hand to ensure that necessities are at hand. Emergency
Grab Bags should have essentials, that are in an accessible place ready to go. The bag contents will vary depending on your
needs but may include:
Emergency
items
|
·
Prescribed
Medication, inc. respiratory aids. ·
Hearing Aids. ·
Glasses/ Contact
Lenses. |
·
Useful phone numbers. ·
Mobile phone and
charger. ·
House and Car Keys. |
·
Money and Credit
Cards. ·
First Aid Kit. ·
Basic Toiletries:
Toothbrush/ Tootpaste/ sanitary towels |
Other
Essential Items. This will vary according to your needs and the weather.
|
·
Supplies for small
children/ babies. ·
Change of clothing. ·
Nappies and wipes. ·
Toys, books and
activities. |
·
Food and water
(canned/ dried food, snacks) ·
Food Bowls, sterilising
tablets & bottles. ·
Special Food Needs ·
Clothing and
Equipment |
·
Warm, wind and
rainproof clothing. ·
Strong shoes for
outdoors ·
Waterproof torch
batteries ·
Radio & Batteries
(check regularly) |
Other
Items to Consider.
|
· Copies of Insurance
Documents · Anti-Bacterial Hand
Wipes. · Pen Knife, String, &
Duct Tape |
· Blankets &
Sleeping Bags ·Sun Hats & Sunscreen · Rubbish Bags. |
· Whistle. · Thermos Flask. · Note Pad, Pencil,
Pencil Sharpener & Crayons. |
Hedgehog Corner.
Tips for keeping
your Hedgehogs Happy this summer!
·
A dish of fresh water can be vital in hot weather
·
Pile up some logs in the corner of the garden
·
A diversity of plants rich in nectar will encourage
insects
·
A 13 cm hole will allow hedgehogs access through
fences
·
Avoid treating your lawn with herbicide
·
No single garden is large enough
·
Hogs make nests from deciduous leaves.
Also this month, in a nutshell:
·
Residents
contacted me following pigs heads being washed up at Gurnard. Incidents are
being reported to the IW Council.
·
As
a matter of urgency, I supported repairs taking place at Northwood Recreation
Ground.
·
I
have chased up two separate matters with the legal department over property
transfers.
·
I
provided support over the smell of burning which occurred in the Jordan Valley.
This was reported to Environment Officers.
·
More
lost litterbins (Arctic Park) have been reported for replacement.
·
I
have requested signage following parked vehicles using Cow Lane. I am hopeful this
will be in place before September.
·
At
Full Council, I was nominated to serve the IW Council as representative for
Cowes Harbour Commissioners. This was an issue that I lobbied the IW Council
for several years ago, and am pleased this was implemented.
·
I
am supporting the IW Council promoting ethical investments for its pension
fund.
·
In
Cowes I have been asked to intervene in a neighbourhood dispute.
·
With
support of Cllr Phil Jordan, I’ve resurrected monthly meetings with local councils
to liaise with the IWC leadership.
·
The
viaduct on the Cowes to Newport cycleway at Dodnor is due to close for seven
weeks from mid-September.
·
I
redirected a resident to their ward councillor concerning parking issues in
Cowes.
·
A
number of residents are being connected to new water butts. To note the scheme
currently does not include Northwood.
