Isle of Wight Councillor's Report: April 2025

Surgeries.

 

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

10:30-11am, Thursday 3^rd April, Gurnard Press and Bistro, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

4:30-5pm, Monday 7^th April, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

10:30-11am, Thursday 17th April, Benches adj. to the Watersedge Kiosk, Shore Road, Gurnard. 

11-11:30am, Thursday 17^th April, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard. 

10:30-11am, Thursday 24^th April, All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.  

11:30am-12pm, Thursday 24^th April, Eegon’s, 85 High Street, Cowes.

10:30-11am, Wednesday 30th April, Gurnard Press & Bistro, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

  

Local Elections.

 

Town and Parish Elections takes place on Thursday 1^st May from 7am-10pm.  If contested, voting will take place at the Isle of Wight Community Club in Park Road (for the Cowes West ward of Cowes Town Council) and Gurnard Village Hall (for Gurnard Parish Council).

 

In the meantime, where IW Councillors have stepped down, Isle of Wight Council Elections are taking place in the Central Rural, Freshwater South and Lake North wards. I understand that potentially more IW Councillor resignations may take place in the coming weeks. To note, all seats will be vacated for next year’s Local Elections taking place on 7^th May 2026.

 

SUD’s scheme: Gurnard.

 

Weekly meetings continue to take between myself, Gurnard Parish Council and Southern Water.  In summary the following has been discussed:

 

·         Improving signposting for access to emergency vehicles.

·         Access via The Avenue and Tilbury Road for the Community Bus and Delivery vehicles.  Traffic Cones in use.

·         Letters delivered to residents of Solent View Road.

·         A meeting has been requested for Gurnard Press. Better signage has been called for.

·         Vehicular access plates have been requested allowing properties with wider frontages to be got to.

 

Residents will note that work has stalled.  This is due to an incorrect Section 278 notice being served. A S278 notice was drafted to maintain the scheme (and provide Island Roads with a bond) once constructed.  However, the notice that was processed was incorrect. As a result Island Roads revoked permission for contractors to enter the work’s sites.

 

Discussions are ongoing.

 

Cowes Primary School: School Closure Confirmed.

 

It was devastating that Cabinet took the decision to close Cowes Primary School.

 

On this, I spoke to a number of stakeholders.  For me, the key to keep Cowes Primary School open was the ongoing issue of the school deficit, which was a challenge that I and others could find no solutions to overcome. Under DOE guidance the IW Council didn’t help by naming Cowes in 2023, there was a growing deficit before this time.

 

Because of the ongoing decline in school numbers falling by one third over five years, inevitably within the next few years up to another ten schools may need to close. This creates more uncertainty for schools forced to fund surplus places, where this distracts school leaders focusing on improving the quality of education and SEND provision.

 

Gurnard Village Hall.

 

An extraordinary Meeting of Gurnard Parish Council took place to discuss the future of Gurnard Village Hall, to provide certainty for the Hall’s future. At the meeting it was resolved Gurnard Village Hall Association should become a Charitable Incorporated Association to protect Trustees. Until then the GVHA may become a Gurnard Parish Council sub-committee.

 

Portland Inn

 

Following the fire at the Portland Inn, the building is being made safe following significant fire damage.  To allow work to start the tough decision was taken by Kim and Mark to close the pub. 

 

This is heartbreaking for Gurnard and our thoughts go out to Mark, Kim, Alice and the lovely team at the Portland.

 

 

Local Highways Matters.

 

·         Another request was made for the installation of ‘cyclists dismount’ signs adjacent to Queens Road.

·         Ongoing damage was reported regarding the sea wall on Shore Path.  This is being monitored.

·         A request was made to replace a lost litter bin on Princes Esplanade.

·         Action has been taken to address the ongoing issue of residents/ contractors parking on grass verges.

·         I’m liaising with Island Roads concerning vehicles being dumped on private and adopted roads. 

·         I am also liaising with Island Roads concerning ‘switchboard issues’ where street lights have not been lit.

·         Discussions have taken place with the Environment Officer on rubbish originating from building sites.

·         I continue to lobby for improvements for pedestrian accessibility to Park Road and Mill Hill Road, Cowes.

·         Complaints were forwarded concerning unsafe manhole covers.

·         This month, I aim to convene a meeting to progress action points from the consultation on the Cowes LCWIP.

 

Meetings with Residents.

 

I am holding specialist surgeries.  The next takes place on 7^th April to discuss the IW Council, its relationship with how it invests its money and the impact this may or may not have upon other bodies.

 

In the last few months, I’ve offered opportunities to meet with residents to better understand issues ranging from school closures to improving sporting opportunities.  Surgeries, offer extra support through meeting face to face.  

 

Update from the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.

 

·         This month I had the opportunity to meet with stakeholders in conservation and fisheries at an event hosted by SIFCA’s national umbrella organisation, held at the Houses of Parliament in London.  The event focused on securing sustainable inshore fisheries in the UK, and afforded the opportunity to speak to stakeholders and representatives of the fishing community on national challenges facing the industry.  I also met with Fisheries Minister, Daniel Zeichner and a number of MP’s committed to the future of the fishing industry.

·         Government’s IFCA’s Conduct and Operations Report 2018-2022 was circulated to Southern IFCA, see: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inshore-fisheries-and-conservation-authorities-conduct-and-operations-2018-to-2022#:~:text=This%20report%20describes%20how%20the,baselines%20and%206%20nautical%20miles.  This report was delayed due to parliamentary elections and highlights some of the issues the Conservation Authority has dealt with.

·         The pot fishing byelaw is still in the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) QA process.

·         I supported enforcement action, following fishing in a restricted spawning area in Poole Harbour

·         Damage to a reef west of Portland was reported. It was suggested that this is as a result of bottom towed fishing gear.

·         The Bottom Towed Fishing Gear by-law 2023 is with DEFRA awaiting ministerial sign off.

·         The authority has made the Shore Gathering byelaw and submitted it to the MMO

·         The seabream workshop in Poole was well attended by fishermen, charter boat operators and anglers. Stakeholders made recommendations for district wide management measures, but opposed the concept of spatial closures within Marine Conservation Zones. Should SIFCA conclude that closures were necessary they would be located, so as to cause minimum disruption. Outcomes would be circulated soon.

·         The review of Poole Harbour Dredge Permit conditions will take place soon.

·         The Net Fishing permitted fishery is coming up for review after the first year. No changes are anticipated.

·         The Solent scallop fishery is underway with consistent catches being reported.

·         SIFCA is fully engaged in the Fisheries Management Plan process and responding to all consultations with information on local fisheries.

·         Defra has funded SIFCA for the 2024/2025 Financial Year.  This follows concerns raised given that the government agency overspent.  In addition funding of £10,000 was received from Defra for aquaculture projects. 

 

 

Full Council round-up.

 

·         Members voted in support of raising IW Councillors. 31 voted in support. 1 voted (me) against.

·         Councillors had a rethink, and now agrees the Leader of the Council to chair the newly formed Policy, Resources and Finance Committee..

·         It was also agreed that major decisions being considered by the new committees would be referred to Full Council.

·         No decision was taken by Full Council on offering private schools withdrawing rebates. This was due to the lack of time, and the likelihood for this decision to be taken by Government.

·         All nine district councils in Hampshire endorsed the position that the IW Council remained as is. My view is to remove district and borough councils within Hampshire will be unpopular and unlikely within government’s timescales.

·         At Full Council there was cross-party criticism made of the two child benefit cap, and the fact this had not been withdrawn by the new Government.

·         Cross party support was given for support to be provided by the IW Council for the newly termed Care Experienced (formerly young people in care) People.

 

Apart from increasing Councillors Allowances, I supported all other IWC resolutions.

 

 

 

Gurnard Groyne.

 

The works to the new groyne opposite the pumping station next to the beach huts has been completed.

 

All exposed blue slipper was levelled under sand and the beach is being closely monitored.

 

It is anticipated the new groyne will assist build Gurnard beach back up and prevent further slippage of Gurnard Green.

 

The Planning and Infrastructure Bill

 

Last month saw the second reading of Governments Planning and Infrastructure Bill which intends to:

 

·         Overhauling planning decisions through the introduction of a national scheme of delegation to set out which applications should be determined by officers and which should go to committee, speeding up the approval process for new development.

·         Establishing a Nature Restoration Fund to deliver a win-win for both the economy and nature ensuring builders can meet their environmental obligations faster.

·         Strengthening the compulsory purchase process to acquire land for projects that are in the public interest and ensure compensation paid to landowners is not excessive.

·         Giving additional powers to development corporations to make it easier when delivering large-scale developments, including the next generation of new towns.

·         Reducing the burdensome consultation process when seeking approval for major infrastructure projects, including reservoirs, windfarms, roads and railway lines.

·         Prioritising approved clean energy projects, such as wind and solar, for grid connections with a new ‘first ready, first connected’ system.

·         Limiting the number of times that government decisions on major infrastructure projects can be legally challenged, with only one attempt for meritless cases.

·         People living near new electricity transmission infrastructure will also receive up to £2,500 over 10 years off their energy bills, ensuring those hosting vital infrastructure can benefit from supporting this nationally critical mission.

 

Hedgehog Corner

 

It’s that time of year again; hedgehogs are rousing from hibernation and snuffling round our gardens once more. That means it’s a perfect time to give them a helping hand as they replenish their energy stores after a long winter. Hedgehogs have a generalist diet, mostly making use of creepy crawlies found in the garden – think beetles, earwigs, caterpillars and earthworms. Some simple wildlife gardening tricks can ensure that hedgehogs have a veritable buffet of natural food.

 

·         Pile ‘em up!

Create a log pile using a mix of different species and log sizes, and mix some leaves in if you have some to hand. This creates a perfect environment for garden invertebrates, hedgehogs, frogs and toads can use your log pile for shelter too. Keep twigs and logs from garden pruning, or ask neighbours or local tree surgeons for any spare wood.

 

·         The long and short of it.

Think of your grass as a mini-meadow and create as much diversity as possible. Put your feet up and cut back on the mowing to allow areas of long grass alongside short. Avoid chemicals, and plant wildflowers to maximise the array of bugs on offer. Check out some tips from the RHS on wildlife friendly lawns. See: https://www.rhs.org.uk/wildlife/lawn-and-mini-meadow-habitats?utm_campaign=Hedgehog%20Street%20e-news%20April%2024%20(new)&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email

 

·         A cheeky dip.

One of the best ways to help hedgehogs and other wildlife in the garden is with a wildlife pond. Big or small, a pond provides a year-round water source and encourages insects aplenty. Just make sure it has a sloping side or exit ramp for any hogs that may fall in. Have a look at PTES’ handy guide to creating a wildlife pond See: https://ptes.org/my-garden/how-to-make-a-wildlife-pond/?utm_campaign=Hedgehog+Street+e-news+April+24+%28new%29&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email and BHPS' wildlife garden advice, visit: https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/creating-wildlife-garden/?utm_campaign=Hedgehog+Street+e-news+April+24+%28new%29&utm_source=Newsletter&utm_medium=email

 

This month’s Report as Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding.

 

·         This month’s IWALC meeting featured Cllr Andrew Garratt, Chair of the IW Council’s Audit and Governance Committee who took questions from local councillors on how the new Committee system will work.  On particular parish Councillor from Freshwater asked a number of questions..

·         A discussion took place, looking to ensure that one member of Town and Parish Councils would be considered to join each of the (five) service committees appointed to IW Council.

·         I continued to attend hearings on the Island Planning Strategy.  Interestingly questions were raised both from developers and others on the viability of affordable housing, and the requirement to meet numbers outlined.

·         I referred a resident to the Planning drop-in, which continues to be held from 2-5pm on Wednesdays at Seaclose.

·         The new post for the Landslide and Coastal Loss Community Co-ordinator has been advertised.  This was a post that initially I suggested following discussions with the SRFCC Chair last year following the landslips in Ventnor.

·         Following the collapse of the iconic overhanging rock in Ventnor, discussions have taken place on its removal.  Island Roads have advised that due to the rocks owner having no liability, the cost to remove this from the highway is in excess of £500k.  In response, it is noted that some residents are doing this without cost in order to keep a souvenir!

·         Following concerns raised, I have been to Brook and Compton Bay and Afton Down looking at recent landfalls and the impact this is having on Military Road.

·         I attended a meeting with Gunville’s Flood Group, and am heartened by progress being made.

·         Following clawbacks from Defra, many Flood/ Coastal works across the country have been delayed, although most for the Island remain in situ.  These continue to be monitored through the SRFCC with a request made for additional money given the impact of climate change.

·         Navigation Markers have been upgraded and monitored (with support from Trinity House), Slipways have and are in the process of being repaired and driftwood have been cleared from amenity beaches.

·         It has been advised that Southern Water’s Water Recycling Project has been classed by Government as a ‘Major Infrastructure Scheme and will be determined by the Planning Inspectorate.

·         The Appeal for Brighstone Holiday Park (which was controversial for local residents) was upheld.

·         In the meantime the IW Council lost the Judicial Review against the Solar Farm outside Wootton.  This will be subject to a revised planning application.

·         Following landfalls, concerns have been raised regarding the emptying of septic tanks.  It is advisable that tanks should be emptied and serviced annually.  However, it has come to light that some tanks have not been emptied for 15-20 years.  This has led to leaks occurring, which continues to have an impact on land affected.

·         Vandalism continues to be an issue for parks.  New play equipment has been replaced in Ryde and Ventnor

·         Along with the Chairman (Cllr Peter Spink), Cllr Brodie and the Head of Planning, I attended the resurrected Planning Protocol Working Group.  Provisionally encourage Planning Committee members to attend site visits and encourage Local Members who are members of the Committee to properly define their role.

·         I met with a resident who was flooded in Shanklin.  With a Town Councillor, I have asked that the resident receives support from both adult services and other agencies.

·         Along with other members of the Cabinet, I met with key representatives of the Island’s Farming Community.  In the discussions had was some of the challenges and uncertainties faced by our farming communities.  Following the meeting, with the transition from the Cabinet System to the Committee system it was felt concerns should be shared more widely and openly with all Councillors to ensure our farmers are given the fullest support from the IW Council. 

 

As local Councillor, in a nutshell.

 

·         New Conditions concerning a glamping site at Rew Street has been agreed and accepted by local neighbours.

·         I successfully chased lawyers dealing with the sale of a beach hut

·         I continue to chase up four planning enforcement matters in Gurnard, which in recent weeks have gone quiet. 

·         I have contacted Island Coaches concerning ongoing damage occurring in Hilton Road, following the coach reversing in this private road dropping off and collecting children.

·         It was sad to hear of the resignation of long standing IW Councillor, John Medland who I worked closely with as chair of the Planning Committee.

·         A resident contacted me regarding the precept agreed by Cowes Town Council, which he considers to be untenable. It was explained the increase was required to ensure that the clerking team are able to fulfil the needs of the Council. Although I did not vote in support of the increase, I fully recognise the importance of large Councils to take on services dropped by the IW council. 

·         With thanks to Richard Gurnard PC’s clerk, doors have been refitted to the toilets on Gurnard Green.

·         Again thanks to Gurnard PC, The Pirate Ship has been repaired by the IW Council Parks Team..

·         Northwood In Bloom Annual Show is to be resurrected!

·         Cowes Town Council has renewed its subscription to IWALC.  With local elections looming, this has my full support given the support the Association gives for training and invaluable advice for new Councillors.

 

Printed, Promoted and Published by Paul Fuller of 45 Oxford Street, Cowes, Isle of Wight. PO31 8PT.