IW Councillors Report: February 2013

Surgeries:

3-3:30pm, Tuesday 5^th February, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

5-5:30pm, Tuesday 12^th February, Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

6-6:6:30pm, Tuesday 12^th February, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm*, Wednesday 20^th February, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
(Please note amended time, due to Regulatory Panel Site Visit)

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 27^th February, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 5^th March,  Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

Traffic Matters, Baring Road.

I attended a meeting with Gurnard School’s Parent’s Forum, in order to address concerns made by residents and parents about traffic generation during term times at the school.

A meeting is being arranged to speak to Highways to address issues, however before doing this I am interested to know the views of Parish & Town Councillors, and residents without connection to the school who regularly use Baring Road.  Areas that I have been requested to assess are as follows:

• ·    A zebra crossing.
• ·    Parental parking restricting the Baring Road cycle lane.
• ·    Lack of enforcement by Parking Enforcement Officers.
• ·  Dog Mess- This is a disincentive for walking to school (Especially in Cow Lane, Baring Road & Woodvale Road).
• ·    Damage to grass verges (Woodvale Road).
• ·  Parking restrictions swapped from southern end to northern end of Baring Road (East of school site)
• ·    Improvements and signage for the junction of Debourne Manor Drive.
• ·   Disabled Parking (To be assessed by Gurnard Primary School in conjunction with parents of disabled children) 
• ·   Improving and circulation of safe walking routes to school.
• ·    Supporting extending the pavement from Pine Tree Close to connect Egypt Hill and beyond.
• ·  Further Pinch Points, within the vicinity of Gurnard Primary School.
• ·    Drop Off Zones.
• ·    Consideration of No waiting Restrictions.

In the meantime, the school is also talking to Helen Stitchbury, the former Safe Routes to School Officer, who is supporting our initiative.

Former Readers Site, Place Road.

At a recent planning meeting of Gurnard Parish Council a representative of the owners of the former Reader’s site in Place Road made a short presentation to the Council.

At the meeting, we were advised that discussions were underway with Planners to use the former Readers site for commercial purposes and subsequently The Range, had expressed an interest to make an application for the site- to operate alongside the Inner Space storage facility alongside.

Following the meeting, the Agent made an assurance to me that he would talk to both Cowes Town and Northwood Parish Council’s, given the close proximity of this site to neighbouring parishes.  In addition to this, I have requested that a pre-application exhibition be held to seek feedback from residents.

In the meantime, requests have been made for the IW Council to maintain the roadside grass verges outside this site.

Worsley Road, Traffic Obstructions

More complaints have been received concerning perceived traffic blocking Worsley Road and Solent View Road.

Due to the fact there is no width restriction in these roads, most heavy traffic using the village use this route. The Village Hall Users Group, have been very helpful in requesting that users are mindful of this, however I do continue to receive complaints.

What I’m very anxious to avoid, is vehicles being ticketed or worse still(!!) parking restrictions being considered, as I have very real concerns over the impact this would have.

Because of this, please can I request residents are cautious when they park.

Highways PFI Update.

I attended a very interesting public meeting on what residents can expect from the Highways PFI, once it commences from the 1^st April.

It came as no surprise that roads on the Isle of Wight are considered to be the worst in the UK.   Although a great deal of information was disseminated, residents were advised that all street lighting would be replaced with more energy and cost efficient lighting within the first 3 years, and within 7 years all adopted roads would be resurfaced.

Locally roads that would be resurfaced in Year 1, were:

·         Egypt Esplanade, Park Road, Place Road (Cowes West)

·         Church Road, Princes Esplanade, Shore Road and Woodvale Road (Gurnard) 

Roads due to be resurfaced in Year 2 were:

·         Firs Close, The Green, Parklands Avenue, Ward Avenue (Cowes West)

·            Cockleton Lane, Jordan Close, Lower Church Road, Rew Street, Worsley Road, (Gurnard)

These plans are indicative, and are subject to change- However, I am very pleased to see these roads (Esp. Parklands Avenue and Ward Avenue) given high priority.

Given this work will be front loaded to be completed within the first 7 years of this 25 year contract, it was highlighted that from April there will be 15 times more roadworks on the Island, than there is currently.

If you were unable to attend the public meeting and wish to know more, please let me know!!

Cowes Enterprise College.

A meeting for parents was called at the College, following an ‘Inadequate’ grading from OFSTED inspectors.  Since the Inspection, the IW Council has supported the school which is now in special measures and receiving specialist support and follows the departure of the college’s Principal in December

Areas considered Inadequate was 1. The Achievement of pupils, 2 Quality of teaching and 3. Leadership & Management, whilst Behaviour and safety of pupils ‘requires improvement’.

During the meeting which I attended- Questions asked included what steps were being taken to improve communication with parents, morale within the school, the school curriculum and why action was not taken before inspection to address the schools failures. 

In the meantime though not a School Governor myself, I continue to offer my full support.

With regards to the new school build programme, I am meeting with the Director Stuart Love later this month.

Localisation of Council Tax Support.

Following consultation last year, Cabinet recommended to Full Council the following proposals, namely:

·         Reduce the support to 80% of Council tax liability to working age claimants.

·         Give protection to working age vulnerable claimants by not limiting their support to 80% of council tax liability.

·         Give protection to families with Children and working age vulnerable by still disregarding child benefit, war pensions and other related income categories.

·         To remove the second adult rebate.

·         To continue the incentive for work by not increasing the taper by which additional income over the applicable is taken into account.

·         To remove the current 10% council tax discount on second homes.

·         To change the discount and exemptions for council tax on empty properties.

Esplanade Parking and No Waiting restrictions, Gurnard and Cowes.

Further to the consultation concerning the merits (or not) of introducing a parking restriction, I will not be pursuing this.

In favour of introducing a restriction 4 residents highlighted their support, commenting that mobile home owners restricted it to others (including householders) taking full advantage of viewing events from the shoreside.  Other residents complained of mobile home owners ‘holding’ parking spots for the entirety of Cowes Week, whilst others raised concerns over travellers decamping on Cowes Seafront without any restrictions.

Those 11 residents opposed to such a restriction cited concerns over how this could directly or indirectly impact upon businesses-  The Woodvale opposed such a restriction in this regard.  Others highlighted this would impact upon anglers, whilst others felt that the police and the Council had adequate powers to move vehicles on without the imposition of an overnight parking ban.

Planning Applications- Updates.

44 Worsley Road.  Consultants were commissioned by the applicant to show a housing need for development for this site. Comments concerning this report, can be made until the 8^th February.

76 Worsley Road.  The deadline on this application closed last month.  The main issues raised from the Consultation relates to the proposed design. Although Officers are not unduly concerned about the design, in light of representations received, I’m considering calling this application to be considered by the Planning Committee.

Former Gurnard School site.  An application is pending for the former school field and orchard site for community use, with access from Cockleton Lane.  This application is due to be submitted in the coming weeks.

Residents Feedback: Cliff Road, Mornington Road and Queens Road.

Last month I undertook a consultation with residents in these roads to seek their views on the Cowes Conservation Area, as part of the contribution on the Medina Valley Area Action Plan- as well as find out more about residents views on replacing lost trees last year.

Comments on several items raised have been fed back to Cowes Town Council’s Town Improvements Committee, the IW Council and Cowes Community Partnership who are managing the woodland on the IW Council’s behalf.

Please see report to Cowes Town Council’s Town Improvements Committee Below:

Thank you for allowing me to report on the newsletter which I sent out to 100 residents living in Cliff Road and Queens Road concerning recent tree removal.

I received four comments back- However, none refer to replacing the trees lost at Mornington Green, therefore I would suggest that residents have no comment to make concerning this.

Indirectly re: trees,  I think there seems to be some concern about the removal of the pond in Mornington Woods and how residents feel this impacts upon water courses which flow through the site.

Residents also have expressed concern over the amount of recent housing development, which they consider might also adversely impact upon the water course and diversion of springs.  Also of concern is water which flows across Queens Road making this dangerous in icy conditions.

One of the recommendations, I would suggest is that perhaps the IW Council considers whether the creation of a new pond to replace would have merit.  (The former pond was removed due to the fact that species using it were of little ecological value- according to Richard Day managing the woodland on behalf of Cowes Community Partnership).  The IW Council highlights the fact that the considerable water-logging was due to the wet summer rather than the removal of the pond…  However, given this explanation- It remains important for the local conditions to be monitored, in order for a  way forward between Councils and local residents can be agreed.

In the meantime, I will continue to monitor this alongside Cllr Flury.

CLLR. PAUL FULLER- 28.01.13

Following comments raised, the Highways Department are reviewing parking signage.   

Road and Slipway Closures.

Shore Road, Gurnard has needed to close due to emergency work needing to be carried out to the fractured combined sewage main.  Originally I requested the main to be flushed out again when the reoccurring leakage was spotted after Christmas.  It is anticipated the road will be closed until 15^th February- However, I have made representations to the IW Council requesting that work is completed promptly. 

Another road due to be closed from 11^th February is Rew Street for replacement sewers at Horn Hill,  it is anticipated this work will continue until 15^th April.  Being aware of the disruption this is likely to cause to the Rew Street community, I’ve made representations urging a rethink on the length of any closure.

I am advised that the (very long!) temporary parking restriction on Crossfield Avenue, is due to be lifted in the coming weeks.  The contractor for the new school has confirmed that the restriction in place is no longer required.

Following access being restricted last Easter to the Public Slipway at Thetis Wharf, I have been approached by a local resident requesting that Southern Water (who’s temporarily closed the slipway) deals with the current issue promptly.

Annual Reports: Please tell me what you think!

At Full Council, I was directly criticised for not providing a 300 word Annual Report within the IW Council’s website, and a presumption this Councillor felt residents of Cowes West & Gurnard was uninformed of my activities because of this.

Although, I did attempt to post my 300 word report online- The IW Council’s website could not format this. Because of this, my Blog is promoted within my iwight.com webpage for residents wanting to know more.

At the meeting I made the point that every year a 4 page Annual Report is delivered to each household, whilst in addition to this I write monthly reports for Councillors, interested residents, Gurnard News the Cowes Magazine and my blog.

Please let me know, if you feel that you are not properly informed of the work that I undertake as your local councillor.

Gurnard Beach.

I’ve been contacted by the police who received complaints from property owners with beach frontages at Solent View Road. In the past outhouses, garden furniture and structures have been removed or damaged and the police are concerned by complaints from residents about damage being caused and residents accessing private land.

In the meantime, Planning compliance officers have conrfirmed they will not be taking further action following fencing being erected above mean high tide mark.

Protection of Children.

The overall effectiveness of the arrangements to protect children on the Isle of Wight was judged to be inadequate by OFSTED following a recent inspection of the Isle of Wight Council.

OFSTED has made the following recommendations as Areas for Improvement:

Immediately:

·         review and audit all contacts over the last four months into the children’s First Response unit that resulted in a decision not to provide a service.

·         review and audit all open section 47 enquiries and all cases involving children subject to a child protection plan to ensure that assessments and current plans reflect all the indicators of reported risk.

·         ensure that performance management and quality assurance arrangements are fully in place and that there is robust management oversight of all contacts, referrals and section 47 enquiries.

·         ensure that all assessments have sufficient focus on the voice and journey of the child, their individual needs and the presenting indicators of risk.

Within three months:

·         review, strengthen and establish clear lines of accountability and governance between the Health and Well-being Board, the Local Safeguarding Children Board and the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership Board

·         review the range and type of management information reports made available to senior managers and elected members to ensure that there is robust and effective governance of child protection services.

·         ensure that all staff receives regular and effective supervision in line with the council’s own supervision policy and that supervision supports professional development and service improvement.

Within six months:

·         ensure service planning is influenced by the views of service users, their parents and carers and the outcomes of audit and performance management arrangements.

As a member of the IW Council’s Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, this report has caused me concern as it highlights shortfalls in how Scrutiny can be effective in constructively challenging Children’s Services.  The report is due to be considered by the Scrutiny Committee this week.

In The Last Month:

·         I voted against the Independent Remuneration Panel’s recommendation to freeze Councillors Allowances.  As far as I am concerned, I would be more than happy to undertake this work for less, and voted accordingly.

·         Complaints have been received concerning refuse being left in the highway by homeowners.

·         I’m still receiving a very large number of complaints concerning dog mess, and dogs being walked off leads.  I have requested that action is taken to remove dog mess in Park Road. In the meantime, I continue to request residents tell me or the IW Council about dog fouling incidents, particularly given my request for it to be a priority within the Police Local Action Group.

·         I have complained directly to BT concerning the leaky telegraph pole at the bottom of Ward Avenue.  The IW Council advises that they too have contacted BT who they consider were responsible for rupturing a water main when replacing a telegraph pole.  This became hazardous following the icy conditions last month.

·         I attended a coffee morning with Briary Court residents where they provided me on their views concerning Overnight Parking, mud on the highway (Princes Esplanade), salting routes (esp. Egypt Hill), and the need for the Dial-A-Bus to pick up closer to the entrance of Briary Court.

·         Work has still not been undertaken to infill pot holes on Debourne Manor Drive. On behalf of local residents, I have been asked to take up their concerns with the roads owner.

·         As a member of the Planning Committee, I supported proposals to develop a large poly-voltaic solar farm in St Helens.  The scheme will provide sufficient energy for 2,500 homes.

·         I took the decision not to participate on the IW Council’s Regulatory Committee when considering a Review hearing against a licensing review for fellow IW Councillor Jerry White.  As far as I was concerned there is a clear conflict of interest, as well as a perceived conflict insofar as I worked alongside Cllr White as a member of the Planning Committee.
         I have attended briefings on assessing next years’ IW Council budget.  Although there is little that can be done to address this, I am anxious that there is very little time to consult with residents on proposals for 2013/4.

·         Volunteers are still desperately needed to train as drivers for the Cowes Community Bus.  Please let me or Rusty Adams (Tel: 567522) know if you are interested!

·         I received individual requests for salting roads for emergency service practitioners, supporting autistic adults, helping residents with Planning enforcement matters, a complaint concerning perceived masonic influence within the IW Council  and received my first enquiry concerning poltergeists(!!).