Surgeries:
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 4th November, Cowes Library,
Beckford Road, Cowes
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 4th November, Sports Bar, IW
Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Thursday 13th November, The
Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
1-1:30pm, Wednesday 19th November, The Little
Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.
3-3:30pm, Wednesday 19th November, Cowes
Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Wednesday 26th November, The
Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 2nd December, Sports Bar, IW
Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
IW Council Budget.
Residents
are being encouraged to help shape the IW Council’s spending and priorities for
the year ahead – by taking part in an online budget survey launched on the
iwight.com website. Information about
current council priorities, projects, and facilities has been prepared, along
with current budget figures, to help consider options. Options can be found at: http://www.iwight.com/Council/OtherServices/Financial-Management/Budget-Consultation.
The survey, which can accessed directly at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/budget_engagement, is among a series of consultation exercises being undertaken by the council as it prepares its budget choices for 2015/2016 and future years.
Also being staged over the next two months are a variety of public forums, taking place at the following venues across the Island. Each event starts at 6.30pm and finishes at 8.30pm.
The survey, which can accessed directly at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/budget_engagement, is among a series of consultation exercises being undertaken by the council as it prepares its budget choices for 2015/2016 and future years.
Also being staged over the next two months are a variety of public forums, taking place at the following venues across the Island. Each event starts at 6.30pm and finishes at 8.30pm.
•
Wednesday 12 November – Newport – Riverside Centre, The Quay.
• Thursday 13 November – Ryde – George Street Centre, George Street.
• Monday 17 November – Freshwater – All Saints' School, School Green Road.
• Tuesday 18 November – Cowes – UKSA, Arctic Road.
• Monday 24 November – Ventnor – St Francis School, Newport Road.
• Wednesday 3 December – Sandown – Main Hall, Broadway Centre.
• Thursday 11 December – East Cowes Town Hall, York Avenue.
• Monday 15 December – Shanklin Theatre, Prospect Road.
• Thursday 13 November – Ryde – George Street Centre, George Street.
• Monday 17 November – Freshwater – All Saints' School, School Green Road.
• Tuesday 18 November – Cowes – UKSA, Arctic Road.
• Monday 24 November – Ventnor – St Francis School, Newport Road.
• Wednesday 3 December – Sandown – Main Hall, Broadway Centre.
• Thursday 11 December – East Cowes Town Hall, York Avenue.
• Monday 15 December – Shanklin Theatre, Prospect Road.
Paper copies of
the survey are available from Libraries & Council Help Centres. This
consultation ends on 17 December. In the meantime, I welcome any comments
and suggestions!
Fostering.
The IW Council are seeking
Foster Carers, who are able to provide children with a secure and loving
home. Foster Carers can greatly help in
children developing their self-esteem and learn that they are valued. Foster Carers not only help change the lives
of children in their care, but can also give families involved personal
fulfilment.
While fostering can be very rewarding you will at
times face difficulties. We offer a strong support team and do everything
possible to help our carers. You will be working with a totally professional,
experienced team of people, providing you with quality support and guidance. As
an IOW foster carer, you will be provided with the challenging opportunity to
add change and direction to a child’s life.
The type of
fostering placement required depends on the particular needs of the child in
question. Different types of placement include:
·
Short term.
|
·
Bridging and assessment.
|
·
Multi-cultural.
|
·
Long term.
|
·
Respite and holiday.
|
·
Parent and child.
|
·
Emergency placements.
|
·
Sibling groups.
|
·
Preparation for independence.
|
For further
information, please contact 0845
6030 5620
Future
Consultations.
Within my Executive Role, there are two
consultations associated with Licencing, pending this month. The first will review the Council’s Taxi Policy, whilst the second seeks to
views on a policy relating to Tables
& Chairs, and A-Boards located on the Highway. The latter is a long-standing issue for a
number of towns on the Island, which requires a resolution through this policy
Flu Jabs.
I have approached Cowes Medical
Centre, to request morning flu jab appointments for residents unable to access
the medical centre during the afternoon/ early evening. This has been arranged for 8am-12:30pm on Friday 7th
November.
My grateful thanks to the Doctors and Staff for reacting
positively! I am also advised that
special appointments can be arranged, should times allocated be inconvenient.
For further information, please call Cowes Medical Centre on 295251.
Planning
Appeals Update.
The Appeal to extend a chalet at Horn Hill
off Rew Street was dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate, last month.
In
contrast, the Planning Inspectorate’s decision to uphold the Planning
Committee’s refusal for Hamlet Court, Queens
Road, Cowes in 2013 has been quashed by the High Court
Island Roads Update:
Baring Road.
I can advise following October’s report, that
resurfacing Baring Road is
imminent. Letters have been delivered to
all residents, and confirmation has been provided by Island Roads that work will
be carried out during the night.
A site meeting took place last week between
myself, residents and Island Roads to discuss installing a zebra crossing
outside Gurnard Primary School. (There was no consultation on this proposal
between the Council, myself, the school or residents). Because residents
were not persuaded that the crossing would make it safer outside the school, it
was agreed not to pursue this. In the
meantime, I am in the process of arranging a further meeting with the school
and Island roads to investigate the opportunity of introducing a 20mph speed
limit outside the school as an alternative.
Island
Roads Update: Rew Street.
Early last month, I helped to arrange a
meeting with the District Stewart and a drainage engineer from Island Roads and
local residents in Rew Street following ongoing complaints regarding flooding
in the road. It has been argued that this situation was exacerbated by the Isle
of Wight Council when Rew Street was resurfaced (and raised) in 2003.
Following the meeting, Island Roads have
agreed to:
In the
Short Term.
This work is scheduled to take place in coming weeks:
·
Clear
ditches. This will occur each year. (This will be monitored by residents via
the local Councillor!)
·
Kerbstones
will be repaired.
·
The
accesses to the dairy and the farm will be ramped to ensure rainwater run-off
from the road is lessened.
In the
Long Term
(April-July 2019). The extent of works will depend upon how successful the
short term schemes are.
·
On
site it was suggested that a replacement scheme could see additional gratings,
gullies and widening of existing pipework.
Former
Playing Field and Orchard, Gurnard Primary School.
With Parish Councillors, I undertook a
consultation with local residents over the future use of the former School
Playing Field and Orchard site, this followed a letterdrop to 100 residents of
Cockleton Lane and Hilton Road, whilst there was further publicity in Gurnard
News and through the banner promoting the Consultation event being placed
outside Bucklers View.
From the consultation on the Open Spaces
project, 42 residents responded. Of
these, 6 residents were against. 36 residents were in support of Gurnard Parish
Council taking over management of the site, with 21 leaving their details to
participate in a Committee to oversee future use of the site.
The most important aspect within this
project, was the proposed ‘Community Growing’ element of the scheme. Should Gurnard Parish Council support taking
this project on, I will be seeking to call an inaugural meeting with interested
parties mid to late November.
Isle
of Wight Council Consultations: Waste Contract.
The IW Council are
seeking views on the waste and recycling service received or purchased and
steps that can be taken to improve the service for the future.
The closing date
for this survey is the 7th November 2014. Once the closing
date for the survey has passed, the information will be collated and used to
monitor the operation of the current service.
ALSO THIS MONTH:
·
I
attended a Zumba Class at Cowes Enterprise College’s Celebration week. Next
month, I’m hoping to arrange a tour of the college for local residents.
·
I
helped resolve a resident’s Parking issue for a local resident and tradesman.
·
I
attended Cowes Business Association’s recent meeting, and supported Cllr Paul
Bertie’s Brand Cowes campaign.
·
I’ve
been approached by a local resident, who has aired concerns over pollutants in the
Solent. This information has been passed
to the Environment Agency.
·
At
Full Council, Cllr Baker-Smith was narrowly appointed to Chair the Planning
Committee 18 votes to 17 with 2 abstentions. In addition Full Council supported
the principles of the Basic Living Wage for staff. I supported both motions.
·
I
met on site with the developer of land adjacent to Gurnard Village Hall. This meeting followed a complaint regarding
the temporary removal of parking on Worsley Road. During this meeting, I requested
updates on progress. These reports will be issued in the Gurnard News. In the meantime, I am more than happy to
liaise between residents and the developer.
·
I
attended English Heritage’s Stop the Rot event at Northwood House.
·
Following
representations from the Sandown community, I took action which led to a
Section 125 Notice being served on owners of the Savoy. In addition to this, an
application to construct a new hotel on the site of the Grand Hotel was
approved under delegated powers.
·
I
attended a meeting to discuss opportunities to regenerate East Cowes, Sandown,
Shanklin and Bembridge Harbour.
·
I
joined Friends of Frank James on site and supported efforts to secure the
building.
·
The
Planning Committee approved a new Holiday Park at Woodside, Wootton, the
committee supported a dwelling at a cherry orchard, Godshill and turned down a
new car wash at Tesco’s, following concerns of how this would impact on
businesses nearby.
·
With
Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox, I attended a meeting to regenerate for housing
derelict buildings.
REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER
FOR PLANNING AND LICENSING TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY 15
OCTOBER 2014
Development
control
The Planning Committee considered a report in
respect of the Navitus Bay Wind Farm planning application at its meeting on 22
July 2014 and submitted formal comments to the Planning Inspectorate. The
council attended the preliminary pre-examination meeting on 11 September 2014
at Bournemouth. At the meeting the officer confirmed that officers of the
council will attend the following sessions of relevance to the council’s
submitted comments (known as the Local Impact Report). The sessions include:
Noise;
Seascape;
Landscape;
Visual
impact; and
Socio-economics.
Much of the proceedings will involve
discussion of pre-prepared statements allowing the inspector to question
various parties upon the evidence.
It is currently understood that the inspector
will make recommendations upon the scheme in the spring of 2015.
The lead officer from planning service also
attended a meeting with other local authorities to agree the process for
completing statements of common ground to be submitted prior to the public
sessions. I will be signing off the content of the statements of common
ground.
A revised application for an 80 bed Premier
Inn at Merrie Gardens, Lake has been approved following refusal of an earlier
application by the committee. I believe this is a far superior scheme to that
refused by the committee and the approach by the developer to renegotiate the
scheme rather than appeal the refusal was a positive and welcomed approach
within the spirit of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Appeals
The Planning Committee refused an application
for the redevelopment of the Hamlet Court site in Cowes. This was subject to a
planning appeal which was dismissed by the planning inspector. The decision of
the Planning Inspectorate was referred to the High Court by the appellants. The
court has upheld the appeal and quashed the inspector’s decision. This will
therefore be subject to a further Inquiry. Costs were awarded against the
secretary of state.
Policy
development
Officers are continuing to draw out from the
responses to the discussion documents the key matters that will inform the
three area action plan documents. Officers are working on the preparation of
the draft documents for the three Area Action Plan areas for publication early
in 2015.
Draft
Brading Neighbourhood Development Plan
The draft neighbourhood plan was advertised
for consultation on 29 September 2014 for a period of six weeks.
Licensing
Designated
Public Places Order (DPPO)
The new DPPOs in Lake and Sandown will
commence on 14 October 2014; there are already existing orders operating in
Newport, Freshwater, East Cowes and Ryde.
These orders permit a police officer to
remove alcohol from any person who they reasonably believe has been consuming
alcohol, or intends to consume alcohol in a designated public place and is
likely to cause anti-social behaviour. The purpose of the legislation is not
intended to disrupt peaceful activities, rather to address nuisance or
annoyance associated with the consumption of alcohol in a public place.
Events
The Licensing Department is currently
collating information from all agencies regarding the major events held on the
Island this summer. The information gathered will be then shared with all
agencies, the event organisers and used to assist in the planning for next
year’s events.
Scrutiny Spotlight:
Paul Fuller, Executive Member for Planning and Licensing
Responsibilities:
· Building Control.
· Licensing. Licensing
Policy and the processing of applications for The Licensing Act, Street Trading, Boats/Boat Men, Skin Piercing, Tattooing,
Charitable Collections, Animals, Zoos, Scrap Metal, Gambling Act, Caravans,
Taxis – Drivers, Taxis – Vehicles and Service Requests and Sex Establishments.
· Planning. Planning Policy, Planning Development and
Enforcement, AONB, Conservation and
Ecology (including Trees, Woodlands, Hedgerows)
1. Is the 2014-15 revenue budget on track?
Yes.
Both Planning and Licensing monitor budget at a monthly mini service
board. This looks at the current position and end of year forecasts. The review
looks at income streams and end of year income targets. Both services are
anticipating an end of year underspend.
In licensing it must be recognised that
underspends cannot offset overspends in other council areas, any underspend
will go into a licensing reserve account.
In light of ongoing corporate budget
pressures and the need for Council savings in 2015/16 and onwards the service
has controlled its expenditure via a very careful review of the need to
backfill in year staff vacancies.
2. Will all the savings agreed
by full council be delivered in full?
Yes.
3. What are the key pressure areas where
overspends are projected?
No overspends are predicted. The most volatile areas are fee income
associated with Planning applications and Building Control. Both are currently performing well. For planning fee income a significant
percentage of the budget target is received via major applications. Monthly meetings look at known likely new
applications that are expected to be received during the year to inform the
year end forecast.
4. What steps are being taken to address the
budget for 2015-16 and subsequent years?
The service has been heavily engaged
in inputting to the Budget review groups.
A considerable effort has been made to focus on those statutory elements
of the service, and highlighting savings where the powers are permissive (i.e a
power rather than a duty to undertake the activity)
5. What performance measures are currently in
amber and red and what actions are being taken to correct these?
There is currently one performance
indicator which is red in Planning. This relates to the percentage of planning
appeals that are allowed by government.
Last year the Council’s performance at appeals were better than the
national average. However, I anticipate our Council’s success rate may fall,
following the underlying trend elsewhere.
I believe this may be due to Planning Authorities and members
interpretation of sustainable development within the context of the National
Planning Policy Framework.
A full report is due to be taken to
Planning Committee in November.
There were no performance indicators
on amber.
6. Are
all the existing strategies and policies fit for purpose given the challenges
faced by the council over the next three years?
Until decisions are made as to the
future shape of the Councils budget this cannot be accurately answered. An
example of this is the Council has a current agreed Planning Enforcement policy
which was agreed in 2008 following external consultation. Reduction in
resources available to the enforcement function will require a review of the
standards set within the policy. The
service is also the Development control authority. It has government set
targets for speed of determination of planning applications. These targets are
reviewed at the monthly mini service board. Any significant reduction in
Development Control staffing levels
could impact upon meeting these targets.
In
licensing, officers are currently reviewing all policies and procedures.
Recently the Policies required under the Gambling Act 2005 and Licensing Act
2003 have been updated and approved. The same has been completed for Street
Trading. Early in 2015 a Taxi Policy and a Street Licensing Policy will be
presented for approval by the Executive.
Officers
continue to review all policies and it is envisaged that in the New Year
further policies will be produced and presented to the Executive for approval.
7. What
progress is being made with the root and branch review and what evidence is
available to demonstrate that this is leading to service efficiencies and
effectiveness?
Following my appointment to this
position I have been regularly discussing the review with the Head of service
and I look forward to presenting this report to the Executive in January.
In licensing, the service continues
to minimise costs by introducing efficiencies and ensure that full cost
recovery continues through the relevant fees structures where set by the local
authority.
Service efficiencies include
development of the web site including on line applications.
8. What
partnership working is already in place and what is being investigated and what
are the benefits arising?
There are limited partnership working
taking place in Planning as many of the activities do not lend themselves to
this approach. That said many of the activities that are undertaken have laid
down processes for community engagement and the involvement of statutory
consultees which include local Parish and Town councils.
From my perspective this is an area,
which I would like to see progress on.
Since taking on my role, through ‘partnership working’, the Council has
assisted in securing buildings that are ‘at risk’, and I look forward very much
to strengthening links and engaging local councils, interest groups the
voluntary sector and listening to partners views on how best the Council can
assist in growing our Island’s Economy.
In Licensing the department works in
partnership with Other Council departments, the Police, the NHS, Elected
Members, Town & Parish Councils, local businesses and event organisers
9. What
do you think the key risks facing the council in your service areas are and how
are these being addressed?
I sense the most critical concern is
of how savings from our budget may impact upon the level of service which the
Council is able to provide. From my perspective, and from the perspective of
members and residents who contact me Planning Enforcement and how we protect our
Heritage Assets are an important facet of planning, that requires continued
focus and attention.
Other areas that cause concern
include the need to invest in IT, and ensuring that our technology available is
fit for purpose for users.
In licensing, officers are in the
process of drafting a new policy for
the enforcement and charging for Table
and Chairs and other items on the Highway. Officers are reviewing the table of
fares for taxis and continue to monitor and review policies around Hackney
Carriages, Private Hire and Convictions.
In Planning Policy, the completion of
the Island Plan’s Area Action Plans remains of priority, and continues to be
monitored, to ensure timescales are met.
It is worth highlighting that members of our staff, who underpin both
departments, are recognised and valued for their dedication and commitment,
through what is difficult times for our Council.
Garden Bonfires: Information for Residents.
What’s
Wrong with Bonfires?
·
Air Pollution
Burning
garden waste produces smoke- especially if that waste is green or damp. This will emit harmful pollutants including
particles and dioxins. Burning plastic,
rubber or painted objects creates noxious fumes that give off a range of
poisonous compounds.
·
Health Effects
Air
pollution can have damaging health effects, and people with existing health
problems are especially vulnerable, e.g. asthmatics, bronchitis sufferers,
people with heart conditions, children and the elderly.
·
Annoyance
Smoke
smuts and smell from bonfires have long been a source of a significant number
of complaints to local authorities.
Smoke prevents neighbours from enjoying their gardens, opening windows
or hanging washing and reduces visibility in the neighbourhood and on roads.
·
Safety
Fire
can spread to hedgerows, fields, fences or buildings.
Exploding
bottles and cans are a hazard when rubbish is burned. Piles of garden waste are
often used as a refuge to animals, so it is important to look out for sleeping
pets and hibernating wildlife!
What’s the Alternative?
·
Composting
Rather
than burning garden waste or putting food waste in the dustbin, where it will
be incinerated a compost bin will produce useful soil conditioner, saving money
on commercially available products. The Isle of Wight Council’s contractor does
this via their weekly refuse collections.
Woody
waste can be shredded to make it suitable for mulching or composting. Shredders
can be purchased, whilst some allotment associations have their own. If using a shredder be considerate- as they
are very noisy, so don’t swap one nuisance for another!
·
Recycling
Household
waste should not be burnt. Most items
can be recycled or reused. For
information on what services are available locally please contact the Isle of
Wight Council on 01983 821000.
Burning
old furniture can cause particular hazards, as some materials can release toxic
fumes when burnt. If furniture is in
reasonable condition charitable organisations can collect and reuse unwanted
items.
Bonfires
and the Law
·
When and Where Can I have a bonfire?
It is a common
misconception that there are specific byelaws prohibiting garden bonfires or
specifying times they can be lit- There aren’t!
However, this is not a licence for indiscriminate burning! Occasionally
a bonfire is the best way to dispose of woody or diseased waste that cannot be
composted. And bonfires are used to mark
traditional celebrations like 5th November.
Under
the Environmental Protection Act 1990, it is an offence for people to dispose
of their domestic waste in a way likely to cause pollution of the environment
or harm to human health. In practice you
should not burn waste that is likely to create excessive smoke or noxious
fumes. If only dry garden waste is burnt
your bonfire should not cause a problem.
Most bonfire
problems are addressed under nuisance legislation. Under the Environmental
Protection Act, a statutory nuisance includes ‘smoke, fumes or gases emitted from premises, so as to be prejudicial to
health or a nuisance’. In practice a fire would be a recurrent persistent
problem, interfering substantially with neighbours’ well-being, comfort or
enjoyment of their property.
If a bonfire of
industrial or commercial waste is emitting black smoke, it is dealt with under
the Clean Air Act 1993- This includes the burning of material in your garden!
Under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act it is illegal to dispose
of waste that is not from your property- for example from your workplace or
from a neighbour. For example small
tradesmen are not permitted to burn waste from site at home.
How do I complain about a bonfire?
If bothered
by smoke, approach your neighbour and explain the problem. You might feel awkward, but they may not be
aware of the harm they are causing and it will hopefully make them more
considerate in future. If this fails Environmental Health can be contacted on 01983 823000.
Environmental
Health must investigate your complaint and must issue a notice under the
Environmental Protection Act if they consider a nuisance is being caused.
The Act
also allows householders to take private action in the Magistrates Court. However, if a fire is a one-off it may be
difficult to prove a nuisance.
Similarly, if you are troubled by bonfires from different neighbours,
each only burning occasionally, a nuisance action would be difficult as there
are several offenders.
In this
situation encourage them to consider alternatives. Give them a copy of this
leaflet!
Finally,
under Section 16A of the Highways Act 1980, anyone lighting a fire and allowing
smoke to drift across a road faces a fine, if it endangers traffic or causes an
injury. Contact the police if this is the case.
Barbecues
Barbecues can also cause and odour problems- Especially
when using lighter fuel. Again, be
considerate. Warn your neighbours, and
don’t light up if they have washing out. If it is windy make sure smoke won’t
blow in to neighbouring properties.
But I like Bonfires…
A bonfire can be a useful way of disposing of garden
waste that cannot be composted, or perhaps you want to have a bonfire for fun! Bonfires
have traditionally been used to mark events.
Currently the main bonfire tradition is Bonfire Night. If you do have a bonfire, or on bonfire night
warn your neighbours, and they are less likely to complain.
To assist, follow the Bonfire Guidelines below.
Bonfires Guidelines:
·
Only burn dry material.
· Never burn household rubbish, rubber tyres or
anything containing plastic, foam or paint.
· Avoid lighting fires in unsuitable weather
conditions- smoke hangs in the air on damp, still days. If it is too windy, smoke blows into
neighbours’ gardens and windows and across roads.
·
Avoid burning when air pollution levels are
high or very high. You can check air quality on 0800 556677 or at http://uk-air.defra.gov.uk
· Keep your fires away from fences, trees,
hedgerows and buildings.
· Never use oil, petrol or methylated spirits
to light a fire. You could damage yourself, as well as the environment!
· Never leave a fire unattended or leave it to
smoulder.
For
further information on Garden Bonfires and the law, contact the Isle of Wight Council’s Environmental Health team on 01983 823000.
For
details on Waste Collection &
Recycling please contact the IW Council on 01983 821000
Further advice on composting and
recycling is available from:
Straight Ltd,
No1 Whitehall Riverside, Leeds, LS1 4BN.
Tel: 0844 571 4444
or Email: info@straight.co.uk
Information
Department, Garden Organic,
Ryton Gardens,
Coventry, Warwickshire CV8 3LG
Tel:024 7630 3517,
Email: enquiry@gardenorganic.org.uk
This
leaflet has been produced by: Paul Fuller,
Independent
IW Councillor for Cowes West & Gurnard.
Please feel free to copy and share this information.
For
further information please visit: paulfullercc.blogspot.com
Please
call me on 01983 289595 or email: paulfulleriw@gmail.com