IW Councillors Report: June 2013

Surgeries:

6-6:30pm, Thursday 13^th June, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

12:45-1:15pm Wednesday 26^th June, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 26^th June, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

5:30- 6pm, Thursday 27^th June, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 2^nd July, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 2^nd July, Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 11^th July, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Tuesday 16^th July, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes

5:30- 6pm, Thursday 25^th July, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

12:45-1:15pm Wednesday 31^st  July, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

Cowes Enterprise College: New Building Update.

I liaised with fellow IW Councillors a meeting to be updated on the new building for Cowes Enterprise College, at which The Director reported the following:

·         Pihl (building contractor) is dealing with snagging issues within new building and since the Danish arm of Pihl has taken over management this has been both welcomed and positively received. Keys are effectively with IW Council.

·         Local Contractors have been appointed to manage the new building, the College has appointed an officer to oversee a phased transition to the building from September whilst the IW Council has an officer managing project.

·         Gaia (the I.T Consultants) are working closely with the IW Council, and this is due to be followed up by familiarising staff and students with new equipment.

·         Monitoring will be required over the I.T Contract, and ongoing maintenance of school building.

·         The Education Funding Agency (The Government) has scrutinised the IW Council over the ongoing delays regarding completion and have supported the action taken by the Council since November 2012. The IW Council has accepted this contract was not well managed!

·         Before demolition can begin of the new school site the Health and Safety Executive will be required to sign off the programme as the old building contains significant amounts of asbestos.

·         The focus of the new Principle is to raise standards in the current college and oversee the transition to Academy status.

Update on Academy Status

I attended two Governors meetings, the first as an observer following the announcement of resignation of the outgoing Chairman, whilst the second meeting I attended was as an ‘Associate’ Governor where I was involved in the decision on the preferred sponsor the new academy.

The two options, which the Department for Education nominated for Cowes were Aurora Academies Trust- who had International experience as an Academy Trust (although little experience of Secondary School Academies in the UK) or the Ormiston Academies Trust- having experience with Secondary Schools with similar demographics to the Island.  Because, of the need for stability whilst raising standards, I supported the Governors in their choice of Ormiston.  Cowes Enterprise College has issued the following statement (The full statement features on the College’s website):   

‘The College have announced that following the decision of the Full Governing Body, that they will shortly start the consultation stage towards becoming an academy with their chosen sponsor Ormiston Academies Trust.

The Ormiston Trust is a well respected charitable educational trust, with significant experience in working with all children and particularly those who are most vulnerable. The Ormiston Academy Trust, who operate under the Ormiston Trust, already sponsor some very successful Academies across the country and claim to have the highest proportion of OFSTED recognised ‘outstanding’ Academies compared to other Academy sponsors. 

Following this decision there will be a process in which the sponsor will engage in consultative meetings, with major stakeholders including parents, staff and the community. This process will probably start towards the end of June, This will then lead to a final decision on the College’s Academy status.  The change of status will be at the earliest January 2014.

Ormiston have already stated that they will not change the College name or uniform and have been clear in their support of the original vision for the College and the full involvement of the community’.

Highways Meeting.

Myself and Cllr Linda Brown from Cowes Town Council met with Marc Griffin who is Senior Contract Manager for the PFI contract for the IW Council.

There were a number of issues, which we asked were taken up, these included the following:

·         Dropped kerbs: Crossfield Estate.

District Steward notified, and will check site.

·         Baring Road Cycle Lane.

Retexturing will take place in 2015/6.  To replace broken white line with solid white line, would result in need for traffic order to prevent parking on western side of road.

·         Traffic Restrictions: East of school Baring Road. Transferring restriction from southern to northern side.

·         Traffic Restrictions (Access to/ from Debourne Manor Drive)

·         Traffic Restriction (Single yellow line extention top of Woodvale Road)

All to be considered within the next review of Cowes Traffic Regulation Order.

·         Flood risk from surface water drainage, Rew Street, Gurnard.

Site to be checked by District Steward.  Funding potentially earmarked

·         Traffic Congestion, Cowes/ Gurnard Esplanades

Ongoing monitoring and review of event traffic management plans.

·         Replacement of glazing panels, various bus stops.  Cleansing bus shelters, various locations.

Remedial Treatment Prioritised. Instructions given to street cleansing crews, re: Co-Op Bus Stop.

·         Place Road resurfacing and damaged kerb stones.

District Steward notified, will check site and provide feedback re: road surface, whilst kerbstones may require replacement.

·         Parklands Avenue condition. Request tabled to resurface before 2014/5.

District steward continues to monitor. Remedial Treatment may be required.

·         Rew Street, Various Traffic incidents in vicinity of Sunnycott Caravan Park.

Site visit undertaken. Appropriate remedial action due to be undertaken.

·         Slow signage requested, Crossfield Avenue.

No further action to be taken due to road being within 30mph speed restriction area.

·         Implementation of Traffic Restriction (opp. IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes)

Instructions to implement Cowes Traffic Order, sent to Island Roads.

·         Combined Dog/ Litter Bins.

This is being reviewed.

·         Island Waste contact details to be shared with IW and Town Councillors

Named officers details circulated to Councillors in due course.

Noise Complaints, Gurnard 1: Fireworks.

During the weekend of the Round the Island Race, I received complaints from residents of Shore Road concerning a Firework Party which occurred on Gurnard Beach.  This event did cause some disruption to residents and their pets!

Please can I ask any householder, that before holding such an event they advise their neighbours beforehand, as this provides an opportunity to take action to prevent animals becoming distressed.

Noise Complaints, Gurnard 2: Woodvale Road/ Princes Esplanade.

Last month I received a complaint concerning a vibrating noise impacting upon residents attempting to sleep in Gurnard.

Following some research, I believe that this noise may originate from the Pumping Station on Princes Esplanade and have requested Environmental Health to take this matter up with Southern Water.  In the meantime, I have requested residents living nearby to appraise me whether this resolves the issue!  

Isle of Wight Council Committee Appointments.

I have been re-appointed to be an Independent Representative on the following IW Council Committees: The Planning Committee, Licensing Committee, Overview & Scrutiny Committee, Economy & Environment Scrutiny Panel, Children & Young People Scrutiny Panel, and Appeals Panel.  As with my previous term, I’ve requested to deputise within other committees/ appointments should this be required. 

I’ve been appointed as Chairman of the Economy & Environment Scrutiny Panel, and have asked that the first meeting due to be held later this month looks into Car Parking, and how this impacts upon the local economy.  As Chairman, in line with our Council’s ethos on openness and transparency, I’ve requested that the Chamber of Commerce/ Small Business Association and Town/ Parish Councils are invited to participate and have meaningful input within the meeting. 

Overnight Refuse, Cowes.

Ongoing complaints were received from Cowes residents about litter being left out at night, and subsequently being investigated by local wildlife!

Having researched this further, it’s felt that the litter originates from those living locally, rather than second home owners or commuters.  A copy of the letter features below has been sent out to those affected.

Dear Resident

Waste Collections

There have been some problems with the fortnightly collection of black bags and particularly where waste is left for collection on the evening prior to collection the next day. Some bags have been split overnight and loose waste strewn across the road and verges. The responsibility of the waste crews is to clear up any split waste that may be caused by them i.e. a bag splitting during the collection; and therefore if rubbish from overnight damage is not cleared up by residents the rubbish is left on the road until it is cleaned by the street cleaning contractor.

Whilst it is acceptable for bags to be left out after 6.00PM on the evening prior to collection, we would ask that residents seek to minimise any damage that may be caused by animals etc. i.e.

·         Use the lockable food caddie provided for any food waste and place the caddie out for collection

·         Where possible use a dustbin or other receptacle for black bags; the waste crews will collect black bags from such containers

Thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter and we hope that together we can make the Isle of Wight a cleaner and better place to live.

If there are any queries or comments please contact the Waste Team on (01983) 823777

Licensing Applications:  Woodhouse Copse, Brocks Copse Road, Wootton.

I attended a Licensing hearing to consider a week long Birthday Party for up to 350 people in woodland adjacent to Brocks Copse Road, Wootton.  This Temporary Event Notice has raised concerns with both the Police and Environmental Health, and felt this application failed all four licensing objectives. These being, The prevention of crime and disorder; Public Safety; The prevention of public nuisance and The Protection of Children from harm.

This event with licensable activities was planned for 24 hours per day for 7 days in July, was on a 45 acre of wooded mature copse.  Since the Licensing Department received the application- neither Environmental Health who highlighted concerns over public safety and public nuisance matters or the Police were unable to contact the applicant who only gave the most basic information about this event.

Therefore in light of this information and also by the fact the applicant did not attend the hearing to answer any questions, the Licensing Committee had little option than to refuse the application.

Island Roads Issues: Litter/Dog Bin Collection and Grass Cutting.

During bank holiday and sunny weekends residents have reported overflowing dog and litter bins.

Residents have alleged to me that some of the bins have not been emptied on a regular basis, whilst bins at Cow Lane have overflowed.  In the meantime I continue to monitor this.

In Gurnard, I’ve received a number of representations from residents concerning the cutting of grass verges.  These have been left previously to enable daffodils to be cut after blooming- However, verges were seemingly left for longer due to this years growing season.  Subsequently, this has now been actioned in Worsley Road, Place Road and Solent View Road.  In the meantime, I ask residents to please let me know, should this continue!

Albert Road. Double Yellow Lines.

Following publicity over badly parked vehicles in Worsley Road and Solent View Road, I’ve received two requests from Gurnard residents living in Albert Road to remove double yellow lines there.

This traffic order was originally approved by the Isle of Wight Council in 2008, following representations from the emergency services who found difficulty with the road being obstructed during certain periods.  I have been asked to consult with residents about this (this will happen in Gurnard’s Parish Magazine).  However, unless all residents within Albert Road fully agree with any proposal and subsequently if this is upheld by the emergency services, the current arrangement is unlikely to change.

Gurnard Primary School Highway Safety Proposals..

Last month I met with the Headteacher to agree options for improving safety outside. These include the following:

·         A zebra crossing. (Issues will be required to overcome neighbours objections)

·         Parental parking restricting the Baring Road cycle lane. (Unbroken line, exempting parking would result on parking restrictions also on western edge of Baring Road)

·         Dog Mess- This is a disincentive for walking to school (Especially in Cow Lane, Baring Road & Woodvale Road). (Issue resolved. To be monitored and reviewed)

·         Damage to grass verges (Woodvale Road). (Being Monitored)

·         Parking restrictions swapped from southern end to northern end of Baring Road (East of school site) (Cowes TRO?)

·         Improvements and signage for the junction of Debourne Manor Drive. (Cowes TRO?)

·         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. (Cowes TRO?)

·         Supporting extending the pavement Eastbound from Pine Tree Close to connect Egypt Hill and beyond. (Prioritised in Local Transport Plan Funding. Funds potentially available through Community Levy funding?)

·         Further Pinch Points, within the vicinity of Gurnard Primary School.

·         Drop Off Zones.

·         Consideration of No waiting Restrictions. (Cowes TRO?)

In the past month.

·         I’ve notified Planning Compliance over activities on a site close to Gurnard Beach.

·         I’ve requested old Cycle signage is removed from Hilton Road, Crossfield Avenue and Park Road.

·         I’ve requested rubbish left by Southern Water in Rew Street is removed.

·         I have attended Planning Training, two sets of Licensing Training, Scrutiny Training and attended a briefing on measures put in place for the Isle of Wight Festival.  Reassurances, were given to Councillors that the same chaos which occurred last year would not happen again…

·         I attended site meetings with Highways Officers in Rew Street and Rolls Hill to view damage caused by speeding traffic.  On site local residents took advantage of relaying their concerns to officers.

·         Ensured action was taken to remove branches from a tree from falling onto the Highway below in Woodvale Road.

·         I chaired my first meeting of Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan’s Social, Wellbeing and Community Group. Members highlighted the need to liaise more closely with Over 10 year Olds, as it was felt that there was a need for projects required for these young people. I volunteered to liaise closely with Gurnard Parish Council’s Youth advisor.   

·         I attended a Planning Committee whereby an application to resurrect a Go Kart Track at Westridge was approved and rural Holiday Accommodation was refused against officers recommendation.  This accommodation was proposed to replace stables on farmland approved in 2011, and constructed last year.

·         I took action following receiving complaints regarding  poorly parked contractors vehicle in Rew Street, Gurnard. In the meantime, there continues to be problems with contractors parking in Egypt Hill and blocking driveways- whilst there seems to be fewer problems with mud on the highway on Princes Esplanade following complaints raised.

·         Since action was taken, the contractors have offered to park vehicles off road in Rew Street.

·         Planning Applications for land adjacent to 44 Worsley Road, Gurnard and for the new Range store, are still being considered by Planning Officers.

·         Following requests received from Basketts Farm in Rew Street, Island Roads seem to be looking favourably towards improving surface water drainage from Rew Street which has flooded the garden of Basketts Farm and the milking parlour within the farm itself.

·         I received a number of calls/ emails from residents both in support and objecting to parking restrictions in Worsley Road and Solent View Road.   

·         Supported a resident, in appealing against a Council Tax claim.

·         Liaised on behalf of Gurnard Pines residents over a number of matters concerning vulnerable adults on site.

·         Gurnard former school site is due to be marketed by the IW Council, following the DFE’s embargo. Subsequently, I’ve received the support of Cabinet members in seeing the former playing field/ orchard site will be transferred to the community. Cllrs Jon Gilbey and Steve Stubbings are happy to meet with the Parish Council to ensure this happens sooner rather than later.