Isle of Wight Councillor's Report: September 2025

Surgeries.

 

11am-12pm, Thursday 28^th August, Eegons Café, 85 High Street, Cowes. 

4:30-5pm, Monday 1^st September, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Monday 1^st September, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

10:30-11am Wednesday 17 September, Benches,  Watersedge Kiosk, Shore Road, Gurnard.

11-11:30am, Wednesday 17^th September, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard. 

10:30-11am, Thursday 25^th September, All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard. 

11:30-12pm, Thursday 25^th September, Eegons Café, 85 High Street, Cowes. 

 

Planning Applications: 6 Dwellings and parking, Westwood Close, Cowes Ref: 25/01013/FUL

 

I have spoken to a number of residents likely to be impacted by the proposal to build six dwellings at the far end of Westwood Close, where previously there was a play area created by the original developers of the Crossfield Estate, Pinhorn Clarke. The main concern being raised with me concerns car parking and the impact this will have.

 

The deadline for comments on this application falls on Monday 8^th September.

 

Planning Applications: Gurnard Primary School. Ref: 25/00586/FUL

 

Thank you to everybody who approached me concerning proposals for 2 mobile classrooms. By far, most of the comments I received regarded highway safety concerns over increased vehicular journeys. These I’ve fed back to officers in the hope that issues raised can be addressed through planning conditions.

 

Flooding, 31^st July 2025:

 

·         Cowes High Street.

 

Flash Flooding, and the result of high tides had a considerable impact in a number of shops on Cowes High Street.  Since the deluge, I have spoken to a number of businesses and residents affected at a time when shopkeepers were looking forward to the preparations for Cowes Week.  Whilst it was appreciated that drains and gullies were kept clear, and the High Street was cleaned in the early hours of 1^st August, some businesses relayed to me that the IW Council were less than sympathetic in removing damaged stock.  I continue to liaise with the IW Council on this.

 

·         Baring Road/ The Dottens.

 

Since the storm, I met on site with the Flood Officer, Sam and a local resident seeking options to mitigate against surface water in Baring Road.  Whilst there are historic gullies and drains adjoining Baring Road much of the floodwater on 31^st July seemed to bypass these.  Having since spoken to residents and the flood officer I am ever hopeful the matter will be resolved.

 

·         Elsewhere.

 

Stones washed down from Hilton Road have been cleared. Elsewhere, I was also approached by residents of Wyatts Lane, Northwood where surface water from drives and the lane itself came close to entering properties downhill from the roads camber.  Again, I understand that this is being looked into to find a solution.

 

Gurnard Beach Huts.

 

I attended two meetings on Gurnard Green to look at the impact of how land slippage affects Huts.

 

In the long term myself and hut owners would like to see improvements to retaining barriers between the Green and Huts and acknowledgement that clay from the ground continues to damage huts as it slips towards the beach. Hut owners are quite rightly concerned that many pay £1400 annually to rent their pitch from the IW Council, and for this they feel entitled (quite rightly) to greater support. 

 

This has come to a head as in many cases requests for support requested were seemingly ignored.  In liaison with one of the hut owners, we are collating questions to be responded to at a meeting in the coming weeks.

 

In the meantime, cracks formed during the dry weather are due to be infilled.

 

Street Lighting.

 

I have reported a number of street lights that continue in use during the day.  Apparently, according to Island Roads this is related to a software fault which the supplier is being sought to implement a resolution to.

 

Support for Cancer Treatment.

 

Cowes Town Council in partnership with Northwood House Trust offers free parking at Northwood House Car Park for residents undergoing treatment.  Following on from this fantastic initiative, I’ve been asked to look into improving information for patients and potentially offering parking during August.

 

Verification of Documents.

 

If you have documents that require verification etc., please contact the Magistrates Court in Sea Street, Newport (Tel: 01983 535100) giving plenty of notice. 

 

Whilst as a magistrate I am happy to verify documents, for me it is helpful to know beforehand precisely what is needed, and steps that can be taken to ensure everything is in place to make the process more seamless.  

 

School Numbers.

 

One of the priorities for the new Children’s and Education Committee will be to address the issue of falling school numbers and the impact this has upon school standards.

 

Despite their opposition to previous certain school closures. School and Diocese Leaders are realistic and continue to highlight that primary schools will need to close. Following recent proposals it remains important that school leaders, governors, staff and parents are front and centre of future engagement.

 

Because of Cowes Primary School’s recent closure, and the fact that Northwood and Lanes End Schools being academies, I would suggest currently there is no ability to close schools locally.   

 

Environmental Issues:

 

·         Noise.

 

I have received recent complaints of noisy vehicles thundering along roads in the area.  Whilst happy to assist on this, it would be really helpful if residents could provide details of registration numbers, times and car/bike details.  In the meantime, If you have a modified car please be aware..!

 

·         Seagulls.

 

Please be aware of your neighbours washing when feeding local gulls.  Each year, I receive complaints concerning this, and the knock-on impact that scattered seeds, grains and food waste has upon our resident rat population.

 

If you do want to feed birds and squirrels please ensure that you use feeders!

 

·         Disposable Barbecues.

 

Momentum seems to be growing to restrict the use of disposable barbecues in parks, woodland and on beaches.  Particularly with continued hot weather the Council’s Environment and Community Protection are investigating whether Public Space Protection Orders could be used.

 

Fuel Shortage.

 

I continue to liaise  with the IW Council regarding the fuel shortage which continues to impact on the Island, since Solent Fuels paused operations.  In my role as the link between Cowes Harbour Advisory Committee, I am working to see a longer term solution with the IW Council. 

 

Community Grant Scheme.

 

Community organisations, voluntary groups, charities, educational institutions, and town, parish, and community councils across the Isle of Wight are invited to apply for funding through the Isle of Wight Council’s Community Grant scheme, which is open for applications throughout September. The scheme is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions’ Household Support Fund (HSF).

 

Funding is available for both new and existing initiatives that support residents facing financial challenges with food insecurity, utility-related costs, or other essential items. For further information please visit:

https://www.iow.gov.uk/keep-the-island-safe/cost-of-living/household-support-fund/apply-for-community-grant-hsf-organisations-only/

 

Planning Committee.

 

The Planning Committee approved proposals for an outline application to build up to 117 new dwellings, to the rear of the Premier Store in Gunville Road.  This application had previously been on hold to agree improved connectivity to Newport and highway improvements on Gunville Road.  Whilst I had initial concerns over the transferral of IW Council land, Councillors learnt this was due to Carisbrooke College transferring it status to an Academy rather than a LEA school.

 

Hedgerows Update.

 

September brings an end to the Bird Nesting Season, and means hedgerows and Rights of Way can properly be cut back

 

Whilst most enquiries made results in hedgerows being maintained, my request to deal with vegetation outside Bucklers View, Worsley Road has been referred back to the landowner.  In the meantime Island Roads have advised that this is not causing an immediate safety issue, ‘as cars frequently park at this location’.

 

Road Crossing Patrol (Lollipop) Person.

 

The IW Council are seeking to appoint a lollipop person to improve safety outside Gurnard Primary School in Baring Road. For details please visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/jobs/detail/5687

 

The deadline for applications is 3^rd September 2025.

 

In the meantime, I have asked for increased coverage and enforcement outside the school.

 

Planning Enforcement.

 

I have one enforcement case that has materialised as a Planning Application, whilst I understand another is pending.

 

Elsewhere the unauthorised felling and removal of trees on neighbouring land, and unauthorised coastal protection works continue to be chased

 

Shore Path.

 

A resident complained to me regarding increased footfall on the Shore Path sea wall east of Gurnard Sailing Club.  From my perspective, I was surprised by this as I understood several years ago that all Shore Path residents supported the seawall becoming a Permissive Path, as this would allow the path to be closed when necessary, whilst at the same time allowing modest repairs by agencies being undertaken to protect the integrity of both the path and the wall. 

 

Street Signage.

Throughout the summer a number of street nameplates have been cleaned and repainted when too grubby.  I continue to chase updates on cyclists dismount street plates and moving forward concerning improved enforcement of the vehicle prohibition notices in Shooters Hill and Cowes High Street.

 

In the meantime, I am grateful for resident feedback being used to improve signage in the town.

 

Hedgehog Corner. Creating wild areas for our hedgehogs.

 

Our gardens can provide ideal habitat for hedgehogs, and a brilliant way to encourage prickly visitors is by embracing the wild! This summer, we’re championing the humble wild patch; a section of your garden given back to nature. Wilder gardens provide natural insect food and nesting materials for hedgehogs.

 

Wild areas are becoming increasingly scarce. This sadly is having an adverse effect on not only hedgehogs, but other wildlife too including birds, bats and pollinators. By embracing pockets of wild in our gardens, we can create microhabitats and provide natural food and shelter for hedgehogs. Gardens make up over 4300km2 of land in the UK, so together we can make a difference!

 

Decide on your wild patch today.

 

In a nutshell, also this month.

 

·         I’ve received many positive comments concerning the new footpath and 118 steps leading to Gurnard Beach from Worsley Road.

·         Following the storms, I have sought funds to repair the footpath linking Worsley Road to the new coastal path.

·         I joined the police following a neighbourhood matter in Cowes. As a result, I am hoping a Public Protection Notice has been served to protect those involved.

·         I have requested an update on the newly installed mobile homes at Sunnycott Caravan Park.

·         I met with officers to see repairs undertaken to the slipway on Shore Path.

·         In discussions with Westwood Close Residents, I’ve sought clarity on whether kerbside collections apply for residents.

·         I hosted a meeting to pursue High Street renewal funding for Sandown.

·         I have requested, and have been advised (given the positions I hold locally) that I will attend the Solent Forum.  This is as a non-voting member.

·         Following feedback that I’ve received, I continue to lobby locally for a lane rental scheme to be introduced on the Isle of Wight.  This I believe could reduce time taken up for road closures on the Island. For further details, please see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/street-works-lane-rental/lane-rental-schemes-guidance-for-english-highway-authorities

·         I hosted a meeting between the IW Association of Local Councils and the Council Leader.  At our next meeting discussion will take place concerning moving back to the Cabinet system, and scope for improving Parish liaison.