Surgeries.
4:30-5pm, Tuesday 6th October,
Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 6th October,
Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
3-3:30pm, Wednesday 14th October,
Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.
1-1:30pm, Wednesday 21st October,
Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.
6-6:30pm, Thursday 29th October,
The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
Gurnard Playing Field and Orchard Update.
The land has
now been transferred to Gurnard Parish Council who has agreed to oversee the
management of both the playing field and orchard.
On two dates
last month a selection of apples from the orchard were picked and distributed
to attendees of Gurnard’s Harvest Show.
Many thanks to Martin Bilson, Ben Cooke, Jenny Schofield, Sue Waters and
members of the Green Gym who attended the apple picks.
There will
be a further apple pick in the coming weeks to take away further apples and the
cooking apples that had not ripened. In addition to this in the coming days
Brenda Schofield (who helped to nurture the orchard for the school) will be
returning to the village to assist with mapping of trees within the orchard.
In the short
term the Working Party will next meet at 7pm,
Wednesday 30th September at the Garden Room of All Saints
Church, Hilton Road.
In the medium
term, it will be necessary to remove overgrowth from both the orchard and the
two ponds. There is also a requirement
to remove some fruit trees that have died.
It is anticipated that this work can be undertaken by the Green Gym and
is likely to take place this winter. At
the meeting, discussions will need to take place on agreeing a cutting regime
for the former playing field.
Another
issue, of concern is the amount of dog mess that has been left by one dog
walker in the orchard. This will be
required to be removed following the next apple pick.
Planning Applications.
·
Land adjacent to Dottens Farm.
I am
awaiting confirmation as to when this hearing takes place. This application will be required to go to
Planning Committee regardless of any recommendation unless the application is
withdrawn. This is a constitutional requirement due to the applicant being linked
to an Isle of Wight Councillor. As yet,
I am unaware of what timescales are in place for the hearing.
·
Planning Decisions and Appeals.
Planning
Consents have been granted for proposals at 76 Worsley Road, Gurnard and 22
Battery Road, Cowes. On both these
applications it was considered that given the nature of the street scene and
overlooking issues being overcomeable in both cases by planning conditions a
refusal could not be justified.
Elsewhere an appeal has been lodged to the
Planning Inspectorate against the refusal at 61 Marsh Road, Gurnard.
NHS
Dentists.
I have been asked to support local residents
who are struggling to find NHS dentists locally. At the moment, I am in the process of
gathering feedback from residents about their experiences and will be relaying
these to Andrew Turner MP in the coming weeks.
Flu Jabs.
Cowes Medical Centre, Newport Road are holding walk-in Flu clinics on the
following dates this month:
4-7pm, Wednesday 7th
October.
8:30-Midday, Saturday 10th
October.
4-7pm, Monday 19th
October.
My grateful
thanks to the surgery in making this year’s dates more convenient and
accessible for residents who are reliant upon the Community Bus.
Jet Skis
As summer drew to a conclusion, I received
complaints from a number of residents with respect to jet ski’s coming into
conflict with bathers on Gurnard Beach.
Subsequently, I’ve passed on details of the Marine Police to residents
who have complained to me.
It is noted, there is a bye-law in place
which restricts the speeds of jet-skis to 8 knots and limits use to depths of
in excess of 2 metres. For details please contact the Marine Police on 02380
236753.
Cowes Post Office.
Once again,
Cowes Post Office is threatened by closure should a location for the temporary
post office not be found. A site is still
required from 15th October, and I’ve spoken with the IW Council who
seem tentatively supportive to relocating to one of their car parks or on land
which they own within the town.
Unfortunately, following a meeting which took place between Council
Officers and the Post Office, I understand sites identified (both temporary and
permanent) seem unacceptable to the Post Office.
I hope to attend
a meeting with the Post Office and representatives from the Town Council to
discuss whether this is logistics of moving and relocating this facility.
School Parking.
With the onset
of the new academic year, I’ve been the recipient of complaints from both
Parents (about parking availability) and from residents, at all three local Schools.
I know this continues
to be an ongoing frustration for staff and governors from both primary schools
that instigate patrols to ensure children are safe. What I consider is wholly unacceptable is the
fact that staff and residents have been subjected to varying degrees of verbal
abuse from those collecting and dropping off children. Should I receive further complaints of this,
without hesitation I will report incidents and details of those responsible to
the police.
In the meantime,
I’ve received a very proactive email from Mrs Praetig, Head of Cowes Primary and
look forward to meeting up with the new Head Teacher from Gurnard Primary
School to reinvestigate longer term measures.
In the meantime, I’ve requested further parking patrols are undertaken
by the Council’s Parking Enforcement Officers.
Construction Traffic Parking.
I’ve requested that contractors working in
and around Worsley Road are
sympathetic to where they park, and whether it’s possible to park on site. Although this may not always be possible,
I’ve raised this and hope this situation can improve.
Elsewhere, I’ve contacted the IW Council on
various sites where residents park on and cause damage to local verges.
Site
Visits with Island Roads.
This month, with Cllrs. Peacey-Wilcox and
Nicholson, I’m looking forward to catching up with Richard the District Steward
for Island Roads. Issues which, I will
be addressing with him includes Parklands
Avenue (and the need to fully resurface this road) kerbing at Ward Avenue, sight lines/ resurfacing
in Shore Road, litterbins and white
lines in Princes Esplanade and a
dodgy manhole cover in Park Road.
Gurnard
to Thorness Cliff Path.
This important footpath is due to reopen once
fences have been repaired, a new access has been created and a boardwork is built
to bridge one of last year’s landslips.
I would like to place on record my thanks to
landowners who have worked proactively with Rights of Way to see this path
reopened. I know this is very much appreciated by residents.
Cowes
Breakwater: Rock Deliveries.
Residents have contacted me over the last
month to complain of rocks being unloaded for the new breakwater.
I’m told that understandably the contractor
wishes to get the job done quickly, and this has resulted an inevitable
trade-off between limiting construction hours and the overall length of the
job.
I understand from Environmental Health that
discussions are ongoing between themselves, the Cowes Harbour Commissioners and
the contractor. Following witnessing the
deliveries of large rock Environmental Health requested work to finish no later
than 9pm (rather than 11pm) with a start time, in exceptional circumstances of
7am on weekdays and Saturdays. In light
of this, Environmental Health has stepped in to request 9am start times and 8pm
finish times.
I’m assured this situation continues to be
monitored and reviewed.
Isle of Wight Classic Buses, Beer and Walks Weekend.
Following the success of the 2014
event, the Isle of Wight branch of CAMRA and the IW Bus Museum are to hold
another Beer and Buses event on the Isle of Wight on 17/18 October 2015. Please
visit: http://iwbeerandbuses.co.uk/ for
details!
Mornington Woods.
There seems to be some good news for
volunteers who are looking after this important bit of woodland. A few months ago, it was discovered that the
pond in the woodland had been infilled several years ago was in fact a
balancing pond.
Since this occurred, surface water flooding
within the local area has increased.
This was alerted to me earlier this year by Cliff Road residents and
subsequently I’ve now had confirmation from both the volunteers and the IW
Council that a new pond will be established to deal with the run off, and I
hope can and will be a haven for wildlife.
Many thanks to Martin Bilson and the
volunteers for their perseverance on this matter!
Rubbish Update.
Next month see’s the commencement of the new
Waste Contract which was awarded to AmeyCespa in July.
On this subject, a resident from Cowes contacted
me regarding the collection of refuse, particularly for households that have
limited space. Because this enquiry and
the response was helpful to many householders from Cowes North where I am a
Town Councillor, I have copied this below:
What is going to happen to those of us who
don’t have space for wheelie bins?
Amey will be conducting a new survey of all properties during
the period November/December, to establish the suitability of each property for
bins.
Properties that are not suitable for bins will be provided with
a gull-proof reusable sack to put their waste bags out in on black bag day and
put recycling sack out in on recycling day. During the week the gull-proof
sacks can either be folded and put away or used to store waste bags in.
The Gull-Proof sack are weighted to prevent them blowing away,
residents will be encourage to put and address label (luggage tag style)
in-case it goes walkabout - so that it can be returned. Although they are
branded Gull-Proof sacks, they are a proven deterrent to other urban wildlife
and will reduce litter and detritus on the streets on bin day.
Should a resident feel they are allocated the wrong receptacle
type, they will need to contact the call centre and allocations will be
reviewed on an individual basis.
Union Road and Sun Hill are classic examples
of houses where it is impossible to store those awful bins.
It is noticeable that many houses in Cowes need sacks as is noticeable on clear sack weeks. It would be interesting to see just how many green bins are presently in use in Cowes.
It is noticeable that many houses in Cowes need sacks as is noticeable on clear sack weeks. It would be interesting to see just how many green bins are presently in use in Cowes.
3271 properties in Cowes are currently allocated to 240 litre
Green Recycling bins
150 properties in Cowes are currently allocated to 140
litre Green Recycling bins
2284 Properties are currently on a clear sack allocation in
Cowes
Assisted
Collections.
I know there are a large number of residents
who struggle leaving out their refuse before this is collected each week. For these residents there remains a provision
to apply for assisted collections whereby the waste contractor will collect
refuse from a mutually accessible point for the resident, when and if their
mobility is impaired. This service, is
free to residents who are entitled.
To apply, please contact the Isle of Wight
Council on 01983 821000.
Groyne
Repair, Gurnard Marsh
During this summer repairs took place to a
groyne which became weathered and damaged and required restoration.
Although this work did not receive formal consent,
this however was sought prior to commencement and prior to rocks being
displaced on the beach. I am advised
from the coastal protection engineer that because of the improved protection to
the new sea wall the Council would not have objected.
Given cuts to council budgets and difficulty securing
government coast protection funding assistance, it will be necessary for this
kind of self help by frontagers to see homes protected. So while there is no
doubt that the proper consent process was in this case not followed I can see
the benefit these works afford to homes and properties in the area.
Litter Bins.
New litter bins
are being sought to replace those which have mysteriously vanished over the
passage of time on the Esplanade between Cowes and Gurnard.
Following some
detective work by Sue Waters Parish Clerk for Gurnard, Island Roads have agreed
to replace the bins which are thought to have been lost (and not replaced)
following inclement winter weather.
Council
Tax Support Consultation.
The IW Council
is seeking views on proposals to offer Council Tax Support for
residents. For details visit: https://www.iwight.com/Residents/Benefits-Council-Tax-and-Business-Rates/Local-Council-Tax-Support/test3
Solent Forum.
Last month I
attended the Solent Forum Meeting held in Southampton.
At the meeting
there was a presentation on the Bathing
Water Directive on local beaches. Of
the 28 beaches being monitored 18 were rated Excellent, 6 were rated good and 4
sufficient, with none failing.
I asked the
question, as to how local authority saving may impact upon next year’s results,
in line with more stringent testing. The
view of the Environment Agency was in their view, they did not foresee this was
likely to be a problem, given their testing related more to water borne
pollutants rather than litter deposited.
Within the Forum
there were also presentations on the use of dredgings which are being considered to protect salt marshes from erosion
locally on the Western Yar (I’ve also referred to the potential enhancement of
Newtown Harbour spit which is breached during high tide)
There were also a
presentation from the Royal Yachting Association, highlighting members concerns
over Licensable, Non-Licensable and
Exempt Activities for Recreational Boating Organisations and individuals
and an update from Natural England on the progress of Coastal Access which commenced on the other side of the Solent last
month.
Other issues raised
included a disappointing conclusion to Oyster
stock recovery in the Solent, the
utilisation of Coastal Community Funding
within the Manhood Peninsula (Selsey) and the imminent upgrading of Portsmouth Harbour.
Full Council.
At Full Council, though supported by the
majority of Councillors, I voted against the appointment of a Chief Executive
due to the salaried cost of this position.
I supported the motion to retain Island Line
within the South Western Train Franchise and supported the Hampshire/ Isle of
Wight Devolution Bid, due to this initiative being pushed by Government. It was
emphasised within the debate, should the Isle of Wight Council not support
working closer with other Local Authorities, this could leave the Council
looking vulnerable should it not be at the table to negotiate future funding
opportunities. For further information please visit: https://www.iwight.com/Meetings/committees/mod-council/2-9-15/Paper%20C.pdf
Energy Help Warms Up On The Island.
The Footprint Trust are offering free
training to anyone who works in the community so they can help Islanders with basic
energy-saving tips. The Trust have staff available to visit people in their
homes for further money saving ideas. Ray Harrington-Vail and Mark Russell,
from The Trust, have been appointed ‘champions’ by the Big Energy Saving
Network. They deliver free, fun, informative 45 minute sessions to any group of
six or more people. Ray Harrington-Vail said:
“We
cover basics which people working in the community find when they work or help
people especially in their homes.
“In
our session, people will find out how to check that someone is on the right
tariff, information about switching, how to save £140 off electricity bills,
and how to make sure the most vulnerable people get help if the electricity
supply fails. We are happy to talk to groups such as health or community
workers, or clubs, associations or social groups. We want to get the message
out that there are simple ways of saving energy and money”.
Thanks
to funding from the ScottishPower Energy People Trust, The Trust can save
Islanders thousands of pounds each year, following one of their free visits.
For details please call: 01983 822282 or email: don@footprint-trust.co.uk.
The
Footprint Trust is a local charity founded in 2002. It assists over 2,000
people a year through its work in energy conservation. The charity also
involves people in a whole range of projects that enhance the environment.
The Trust are holding an event 11am-3pm, Friday 30th October
at the Riverside Centre, Newport,
whilst I’ve arranged for a local event to take place 5:30-6:30pm, Thursday 5th November at the IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
Also this month:
·
I
continue to chase up connection to superfast broadband for residents of Rew Street and Hillis.
·
I’ve
contacted Southern Vectis regarding overfilled
buses from Rural Areas who recently had services cut.
·
I’ve
forwarded requests for affordable/
social housing for residents.
·
A
compromise was negotiated, as to the name of the new road opposite Gurnard Village Hall.
·
I
attended Gurnard’s Harvest Show, and
have subsequently resolved a number of local issues for residents.
·
I’ve
assisted a resident requesting support for Council
Tax support.
·
The
Wightfibre cabinet in Church Road has
now been re-wrapped!
- I’ve supported a vulnerable adult which neighbours alerted me to. This adult is now receiving support following being discharged from hospital.
- I’ve received a reassurance that Temporary Traffic Lights located at Northwood Garage will be removed before October.