Surgeries:
6-6:30pm, Thursday 11th July, The Woodvale,
Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
3-3:30pm, Tuesday 16th July, Cowes Enterprise
College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.
5:30- 6pm, Thursday 25th July, The Portland,
Worsley Road, Gurnard.
12:45-1:15pm
Wednesday 31st July, Little
Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.
1:30-2pm, Monday 12th
August, Cowes Library,
Beckford Road, Cowes.
12:45-1:15pm Tuesday
27th August, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 3rd September, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 3rd September, Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
Land adjacent to 44
Worsley Road, Gurnard.
The
Planning hearing for 21 dwellings in Worsley Road, Gurnard is due to be held on the 30th
July. I’m advised that the likely confirmation
of officers recommendation for approval will be formally made on 17th
July, with the report available from 23rd July.
In the meantime, I’m seeking
clarification on the current status of the settlement boundary, following
representations being made by myself and Gurnard Parish Council earlier this
year citing its removal. I’ve also requested what status the village’s emerging
Neighbourhood Plan and Housing Needs Survey is likely to have upon this important
application.
There has been a great deal of local interest
on this particular SHLAA, which resulted in around 100 objections to this
application with a clear consensus from residents in Cowes and Gurnard to see
the Jordan Valley (above) protected and preserved as a strategic ‘Green Gap’ in order to prevent
settlement coalescence between both communities.
Within the representations to the current
proposal, many comments have been raised stating that this application is
premature in light of it being a SHLAA site, and by the fact that the recent
Housing Needs Survey (which had gained a 60% response rate from residents) is
in the process of analysis.
UPDATE: Following requests made to consider the recently completed Housing Needs Survey- and for these views to be properly analysed, I've persuaded Highways Officers with support from the Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services to defer taking this matter to Committee.
Officers will also be looking into policies regarding Settlement Coalescence and views regarding Gurnard's Settlement Boundary.
It is anticipated that the Hearing will take place on 27th August or 24th September.
UPDATE: Following requests made to consider the recently completed Housing Needs Survey- and for these views to be properly analysed, I've persuaded Highways Officers with support from the Cabinet Member for Regulatory Services to defer taking this matter to Committee.
Officers will also be looking into policies regarding Settlement Coalescence and views regarding Gurnard's Settlement Boundary.
It is anticipated that the Hearing will take place on 27th August or 24th September.
Isle
of Wight Budget 2013/4: Overview & Scrutiny Presentation.
One of the biggest challenges facing local
Council’s in the coming years, is that Council’s will be forced to cut their
cloth accordingly, following directives from Government.
At present Councils are financially rewarded
to freeze Council Tax (equating to the same as a 1% increase). Should they consider raising Council Tax
above 2%, legislation stipulates that this must first be subject to a local
referendum.
With costs (esp. in adult care) increasing,
and income reducing, with a further 10% cut planned by Government, this is
making next year’s budget setting very challenging. One poignant comment made
by the Council’s Managing Director, was that if the Council cut all its
discretionary services, there still may not be enough resources available in
future years.
Areas that Local Authorities will be
reviewing are those where there are income streams, namely Car Parking and
Bereavement Services. Inevitably there will be much closer co-operation with
Local Town and Parish Councils and a need for neighbouring authorities to share
resources. In the meantime, the new Council are investigating further funding
opportunities through European Assisted Area Status Grants and funding to help
regenerate our local economy. The IW Council are working closely with
neighbouring authorities who have supported the IW Council’s bid.
Andrew
Turner, MP- Summer Surgeries Monday 12th August.
Andrew Turner MP, is holding his summer
surgeries this year from 11:45-12:05pm at
the Village Clock, Worsley Road, Gurnard
and from 12:15-12:45pm at Cowes Co-Op, Carvel Lane and I know
will look forward to listening and acting upon residents concerns.
As with previous years I look forward to
accompanying and supporting Andrew during his visits.
Grass
Verges: Please let me know your
thoughts!!
Since Island Roads took over the Grass
Cutting contract, I’ve received a handful of complaints regarding grass verges
that have not been cut by contractors.
Following representations made to the IW
Council, (with evidence supporting ownership by the IW Council) contracts have
been altered accordingly to include these areas.
In Cowes West and Gurnard this includes
verges in Cliff Road and Place Road. Please let me know if there are other areas
that have not been cut, which the Council previously took responsibility for!
Other
Highways Issues.
Following being re-elected, and knowing of
difficulties in promptly resolving highway’s matters, I am now regularly (every
4-6 weeks) meeting with officers to report monitor complaints brought to my
attention.
Issues which I’ve taken up most recently
include overgrown hedges in Baring Road,
Cockleton Lane and Place Road,
ambiguous signage on Queens Road, requests
to see the Event Management Plants for events where vehicles block Egypt Esplanade and Princes Esplanade, glazing replacement at
bus shelters and enactment of Cowes’ most recent traffic regulation order.
I am advised that due to hedgerows not being
able to be cut at this time of year due to nesting birds, brambles have been
cut back to make it safer for pedestrians (particularly children walking
to/from school in Baring Road.
Surplus
signage: Please tell me your thoughts!!
I have one or two residents who frequently
advises me of surplus signage, from redundant bus stops, signage etc.
I am currently in the process of collating a
list for Island Roads to deal with removal of such street furniture.
Please let me know of signage which
duplicates notices and signs which you
consider surplus, and in turn I will find out whether this is either necessary,
appropriate or worthy of removal.
Gurnard
Coastal Path (CS16) Modification.
An opportunity has arisen for the IW Council
to modify the coastal path, which currently begins between Cliff Cottage and
chalets to the North West of the Luck Bridge.
Rights Of Way considers this is necessary due to coastal erosion.
Proposals feature overleaf.
The proposal which will be formally consulted
upon moves the entrance south of the chalets and will reconnect to the existing
path, whilst providing an opportunity to resurrect a path leading down to
Cook’s Bay and the beach below.
At present, I support this modification on
the proviso the existing footpath can continue to be used. For this reason before. In addition to this modification, Rights Of
Way are proposing to move the move the path between Gurnard and Thorness
slightly inland due to coastal erosion.
Because of the importance of this order, I
have requested that Gurnard Parish Council are consulted. In the mean time, details of these proposals
can be found on Gurnard Parish Council’s websites within the ‘documents’
section. If you have views, or wish to
know more please let me know (The deadline, I’ve been given to respond is 31st
July!)
Cowes
Enterprise College Update.
I attended a site meeting to look around the
new College building this month. It is
hoped that before the new school is opened (still on course for September!!)
Parents will be invited to see all that the college offers, whilst I am
supporting efforts to see the local community have greater involvement. This
follows staff and students, familiarising themselves with the new building.
Economy and
Environment Scrutiny Panel Update.
The Isle of Wight Council are investigating
options for a future parking strategy which is currently underway.
Members requested further investigation was
considered on the following matters:
·
Good
Practice elsewhere.
·
Car
Parking Permits.
·
Review
of long and short term car parks.
·
Payment
on exit.
·
Co-operation
with local businesses and retailers.
·
Free
Short Term Parking.
·
Residents
Parking Zones.
·
Parking
Enforcement.
·
Disabled
Parking.
I have since met with Cllr. Jon Gilbey,
Cabinet Member for Assets who has also raised a number of issues which he is
investigating further these also include uniformity of parking charges; coach
parking; closer co-operation with businesses and parish/town councils; Tourist
Permits and the potential for 'Smart' Ticketing.
There were three areas where member
involvement and further research would aid the formulation of any future
strategy. These were as follows:
1. Free Short Term
Parking. Would it be financially viable
to offer free parking for 30 minutes and can local businesses/ Parish Councils
become involved? What good practice was
in place elsewhere?
2. Payment on exit ticketing. Further research?
3. Are the current Long and Term Bay Car Parks
in the right location, do these need to be revised?
4. Other issues considered necessary during the
Informal Meeting?
Albert
Road/ Solent View Road Parking Issues.
Many thanks to those residents who contacted
me concerning parking in Albert Road.
Following last months report in Gurnard News 3 residents have supported
removing double yellow lines, whilst 3 have objected to this.
The IW Council are unlikely to consider
modifying the existing order, unless it is supported by both the Emergency Services
and the overwhelming majority of residents.
In the meantime a resident has asked me to
remind neighbours to be cautious when parking in Albert Road, particularly
where there are dropped kerbs as this has and continues to cause an obstruction
to residents accessing their driveways.
In the meantime, I continue to welcome
comments on Albert Road.
Summer
Events.
For children’s events, this summer please
visit www.wightchyps.org.uk
For general events this summer, please visit www.visitisleofwight.co.uk. The Island’s
Area Of Outstanding Natural Beauty, is also celebrating it’s 50th
year, this year and there is a large programme of on-going events commemorating
this anniversary.
For
everything you need to know about this years’ Cowes Week Event, please visit: www.aamcowesweek.co.uk
Discretionary
Housing Payments Consultation.
The
council’s Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP) policy is to be formalised and
will operate from the 2013/14 financial year, subject to a period of
consultation with relevant organisations and key stakeholders.
In
some circumstances, people in receipt of housing benefit find themselves in a
situation where the benefit they receive does not cover the amount of rent they
are due to pay.
The
policy provides extra support to cover these shortfalls usually on a short-term
basis where a claim is made for additional financial support and the applicant
is receiving at least the minimum amount of housing benefit. It does not cover
shortfalls in the amount of council tax due to be paid.
The
policy has been developed to give a consistent and fair approach to providing
assistance for vulnerable Island residents in genuine hardship (while they
review their situation following the Government’s welfare reforms).
The
Isle of Wight Council would value your views and comments on the policy and on
our assessment of its likely impact. You are welcome to do this either as
an individual or on behalf of your organisation. To read the policy please
visit www.iwight.com/dhp.
This consultation ends on Friday
2nd August.
You
can send comments by email to: customer.services@iow.gov.uk clearly marking it
as ‘DHP feedback’ in the subject heading. You can write to the IW Council to request
a paper copy of the policy or express views to: Discretionary Housing Payments,
Isle of Wight Council Offices, Broadway, Sandown, Isle of Wight. PO36 9EA
In
the Past Month,
·
I’ve
received further complaints of dog mess in Baring Road. I’ve requested that local residents copy me
into complaints made to Island Roads. In
the meantime, Island Roads also operate a 24hr hotline on 822440!
·
A
meeting has been set up to tackle traffic incidents in Rew Street. This follows further damage caused by traffic
last month! This meeting will be
attended by myself, local residents, Highways Officers and the Police.
·
A
planning application receiving in excess of 20 comments in Shore Road, has been
recommended for Refusal by Officers. I’ve
supported refusal, and am remain grateful to those taking the time to comment!
·
I’ve
requested planning enforcement at Cowes Enterprise College, Shore Road and
within a Cowes listed building
·
Flytipping
occurred on Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
Action was taken promptly to remove this!
·
I’m
seeking to call a meeting with the police to discuss/ review gatherings on
Gurnard Beach. As yet, I’m still
awaiting a response from residents on whether they are interested in attending!
·
I’ve
been asked to support local blood doners, following cessation of blood
donations in Cowes.
·
Overflowing
litter bins and discarded rubbish and barbecues continue to be a problem in
Gurnard. This continues to be monitored
and will be discussed by Gurnard Parish Council this month.
·
Gurnard’s
former school site is due to be marketed by the IW Council following July’s
Cabinet meeting. A meeting has been
arranged to discuss disposal of the Playing Field/ Orchard site.
·
I’ve
requested the replacement of ambiguous and weathered signage in Queens Road.
·
New
street lamps have been installed in Crossfield Avenue, Parklands Avenue, Worsley Road and
Tuttons Hill.
·
I’m
supporting a resident’s complaint regarding the discharge of waste from living
accommodation from boats moored on the River Medina.
·
At
Full Council members voted to continue prayers at the start of meetings (As an
atheist, I’m happy to support any form of faith, that fully prepares
Councillors for the ordeal of Full Council!!
·
There
was conflict upon members on whether or not the Town and Parish Representative
on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee be offered full voting rights. Because ‘local’ Councils have much greater
opportunities to run public services than local authorities, I very much
support voting rights…
·
Last
month I also attended two Licensing Committee meetings, two Children &
Young People Panel, A Planning Committee (and site visit), a transport Appeal,
An Economy & Environment Panel and have just joined the Council’s Audit
Committee…