IW Councillor's Report, November 2016

Surgeries:

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 1^st November, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 1^st November, Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

12:30-1pm, Tuesday 8^th November The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Wednesday 16^th November, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

1-1:30pm, Friday 18^th November, The Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 24^th November, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

In recent months, I am increasingly finding that my surgeries are not long enough to deal with the volume of enquiries that are coming forward. Subsequently, in the last month two surgeries have been extended to over one hour to resolve issues. In discussing concerns raised, this seems to be as a result of residents being unable to speak swiftly via the Call Centre as well as an increased number of enquiries which I’m attempting to resolve as both a Parish/ Town Councillor and member of the IW Council’s Executive.  In response I will be increasing surgeries from up to 6 per month to 8.

I am hoping to use two new ‘central’ venues in both Cowes Town and Gurnard.  Following feedback, these surgeries are likely to take place late Friday mornings.

Solent Deal:

Last month the IW Full Council narrowly voted against (17 votes against to 16, with 2 abstentions) to the Solent Deal paper, which relates to the combined authority for the Isle of Wight, Southampton and Portsmouth.

At Full Council, concerns were raised by Councillors that a ‘Deal’ was ‘being rushed through’, comments were also made of the perceived powers of the ‘elected mayor’, the impact that the decision would have upon Hampshire County Council who seem opposed to the Solent Deal and the level of responses from the Solent deal Consultation*. (* Less than 1% have responded to this and other similar consultations. That said, it was noted that the Solent Deal was better represented than all others, and response rates from the Isle of Wight were the best from our region!). Cross-Chamber comments were also raised about the mistrust of Government when it came to decisions which relate to future funding for the Island…

In light of this, it has been made very clear by Government and from ministers, that the only offer available to secure the Isle of Wight’s financial certainty, was through this life-line.  It was made very clear from Government that should devolution not be accepted, future funding opportunities for our Island would be limited, and the ability to shape our future was likely to be lost, should we walk away at this stage!  Subsequently, since the decision taken by Full Council a number of key businesses, organisations and public sector stakeholders have questioned how this would impact upon our community.

At Executive, the point was made that although the Council may not like the final decision- it was important to remain at the table to help negotiate the terms of the Solent Deal.

From my point of view, I supported the Solent Deal at Full Council.  However, I used my Executive vote to echo the final view of Full Council.  As an Executive member, it has always been for me a matter of principle to listen to, empathise, reflect and represent the views of others, which I may not always support!

Planning.

·         Enforcement Issues.

Officers have provided reassurance to both myself and local residents concerning a new build in Church Road, Gurnard and issues regarding the new Range development at Place Road.  Elsewhere, I am following up feedback from Enforcement Officers on residential use at Gurnard Pines, the location of a container in facing Magdelen Crescent in Cowes, whilst a retrospective planning application has been received in Baring Road following complaints being received on behalf of neighbours.

·         Planning Applications.

Officers have taken on board the views of Gurnard Parish Council when evaluating a planning application in Worsley Road. This application has been scaled down and conditioned to reflect views.  Elsewhere, in Tuttons Hill I have supported an application to extend and alter the configuration of a property.

Place Road development.  

Many thanks again to those residents who responded to the request for ideas for street names.

The road names (in alphabetical order) that have been shortlisted, in liaison with Gurnard Parish Council are:

·         Cordelia Close.

·         Jennys View.

·         Mermaid Avenue.

·         Spencers View.

·         Sunset Close.

In addition to the five above, I have added Deauville Drive to the above list, given that a number of residents felt that it was appropriate to name a road, reflective of the links to Cowes’ Twin town.

These suggestions are under consideration by developers.

Gurnard Village Green.

Following last month’s Parish Council meeting and my recent report, things have gone quiet concerning progress on pre-application consultations for any proposal to reconfigure toilets and potentially add to beach huts on land on and adjacent to Gurnard Green. 

Subsequently, following the parish meeting I’ve been asked to find out more about restrictions that remain in place for the Green which is protected from any future development.  In addition to the Village Green status, I understand that there are covenants, which further restricts what can occur in the future.  This would make it problematic for any scheme progressing.

What has happened elsewhere on the Island, is that following demands for Beach Huts (and for the need for the IW Council explore new revenue streams!) some sites have been identified.  At Colwell Bay last month, an application was approved to construct 20 new beach huts.

Meeting with Island Roads.

Each year myself and Councillor John Nicholson (who represents Cowes South and Northwood) endeavours to pull our ongoing highways issues together when we jointly meet with Island Roads.

This offers us both the opportunity to work together to address outstanding issues.  One matter that has caused both ourselves and Cowes Town Council some concern is the ongoing lack of progress on the potentially new Traffic Order to restrict traffic flows in the pedestrianised Town Centre.  I am hopeful this meeting will allow us to make headway on both this and other Traffic Regulation Orders/ amendments for the Cowes area.   

Parking Matters.

I continue to receive negative feedback from parents and local residents concerning appalling parking outside Gurnard Primary School. Following numerous complaints, I have forwarded details (and photographs) to parking services who stepped up their recent patrols.

I’ve also continued to nag the Executive Councillor for the need for a new traffic order for the Cowes area.  This is an issue that he is investigating, and I’m hoping that a request will go out to Town and Parish Councils requesting the prioritisation of local schemes.  On this subject, I have approached Gurnard Parish Council to list the schemes, which they suggest should be shortlisted.

In Gurnard, roads that I am mindful of including are:

·         Woodvale Road (between the junction with Woodvale Drive and Baring Road) No loading between 8am and 10am and 2pm and 4pm

·         Church Road (west of Worsley Road junction)

·         Marsh Road (Swapping the parking restriction currently in place at the entrance to the Little Gloster)

In Cowes, roads that I have been requested to include are:

·         The entrance to Briary Court, Egypt Esplanade.

·         Park Road (junction with Parklands Avenue)

Also in Cowes, I have been asked to take action to reduce the volume of long stay parking on the Crossfield Avenue Estate and within Ward Avenue.  On this matter, I have been asked to consider making a request for a Residents Parking Zone- However, because of the concentration of off street parking availability these roads do not meet the RPZ criteria.

Cowes Medical Centre.

With Councillors Peacey-Wilcox and Nicholson I attended a meeting with managers at Cowes Medical Centre. 

Like most other General Practitioner centres, Cowes Medical Centre are finding it a real challenge to recruit doctors, due to retirement.  It was noted that the three full time equivalent deal with 46 patients each day.

In response to this, the surgery has appointed Advance Nurse Practitioners to support the team at Cowes who have over 15,000 patients.

A Nurse Practitioner/Advanced Practice Nurse is a registered nurse who has acquired the expert knowledge base, complex decision-making skills and clinical competencies for expanded practice, the characteristics of which are shaped by the context and/or country in which s/he is credentialed to practice.

A further change that has occurred at the surgery, is that reception staff are being asked to navigate calls to ensure that patients receive the very best advice.  In light of this, the Medical Centre has asked that residents are patient and supportive as these new changes are rolled out.

Also this month:

·         I’ve undertaken a letter drop to residents who were affected by the loss of electricity.  Whilst door knocking, I’ve taken up a number of related (and unrelated) issues up on residents’ behalf.

·         I’ve supported a resident who is having ongoing issues with their personal budgets for care.

·         I’ve been reminded recently, that the IW Council offers residents and their agents a pre-application service.  This is something, which I can’t emphasise enough as important to undertake should you intend to submit a planning application.  Whilst I mention this, again I request that residents to please talk to their neighbours before submitting applications… This can save a huge amount of anxiety for all concerned!    

·         Following recent fly tipping, I’ve supported a resident in getting communal waste issues resolved.

·         Cowes Town Councillor, Jean Bartrum and I became a Community Waste Champions!!

·         I attended and have supported the objectives of the 20’s Plenty Conference held by Newport Parish Council.

·         I attended a meeting with local residents to discuss future flood alleviation measures for Gurnard Marsh.

·         I’ve approached the IW Council following concerns being raised by residents over the potential restriction of access between Jordan Close and Woodvale Drive following the erection of a gate without the permission of neighbours…

·         The Medium Term Financial Strategy was unanimously supported by Full Council.  This allows for Council’s to extend the length of time to accrue savings. This will mean that for the next Financial Year, the Isle of Wight Council will need to find £8.5m of savings rather than £12.5m.  That said, it will continue to be difficult to achieve this without further pain.

·         I received, and forwarded a request from a resident to join the Governors of Cowes Primary School.

·         Last month I posted my Financial Interests online.  These can be found on paulfulleriw@gmail.com

REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE MEMBER FOR ENVIRONMENT, SUSTAINABILITY AND LOCAL ENGAGEMENT TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL ON WEDNESDAY 19^th OCTOBER 2016.

Waste Update.

I’m advised that in the coming weeks the Commercial Waste area and the further 6 bays will be opened and fully operational at Lynnbottom.  At present, I am aware that delays occur from 11am-2pm on weekdays and during weekends. Until works are complete, I request that residents are patient during busy times.

In recent months missed collections have fallen below the Benchmark of 35 missed collections per 100,000, whilst diversion from landfill remains just below 60%

Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.

I attended my first meeting of the Southern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority.  As the IWC’s representative, I supported the introduction of the Solent Dredging and Bottom Towed Fishing Gear byelaws which have been consulted upon with stakeholders in the last year. For further information, please visit:   http://www.southern-ifca.gov.uk/. 

On enforcement matters at a recent Solent Forum it was reported that last year SIFCA pursued successfully all 21 of its prosecutions in the last year.

Warm Up Wight.

Warm Up Wight is being delivered by J&J Crump which has been able to secure vital Energy Company Obligation (ECO) funding to deliver the new scheme for the benefit of Island residents. The scheme will provide insulation and heating improvements to residential properties across the Island that meet the required criteria. Each property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) will be checked, upon request for home insulation improvement, to identify appropriate insulation and heating improvements.   

The scheme is currently offering free cavity wall insulation for all properties. Free loft insulation will be undertaken where possible and as required following a check of the property’s Energy Performance Certificate (EPC). Low income households may be entitled to free or significantly reduced replacement boiler systems. 

For a free, no obligation survey, call Free 0800 032 8322 or go online to: www.warmupwight.co.uk.

Budget 2016/7.

I have attended my first budget discussions with officers regarding what savings can be identified the services that I have left within my portfolio.

In the coming days and weeks, I will be discussing options with heads of service and exploring further opportunities to work in closer partnership with Town and Parish Councils and other Service Providers.

With Town and Parish Council’s looking to set their precept for next year, I remain very mindful of the importance of early dialogue.

Solent Forum.

At last week’s Solent Forum meeting, there was a full update on action being taken by the Forum, particularly in respect of the beneficial use of dredgings in the Solent (BUDS) group.

Presentations were also made in connection with the ‘A Piers Tale’ initiative for Yarmouth Pier, by the Hampshire and Wildlife Trust, SIFCA, Perpetuus Tidal Energy, the Solent Enterprise Partnership whilst updates were offered by Natural England on both the English Coastal Path and Marine Conservation Zones. For further details of the Solent Forum’s work please visit: http://www.solentforum.org/

Since my last report:

·         A meeting of the Waste Contract Board was called to update members.

·         I attended the Isle of Wight Association Of Local Council’s Executive Meeting

·         I chaired the most recent Sustainability Forum meeting.  Presentations were provided by the Footprint Trust on Fuel Poverty.  Further details on the work of the Footprint Trust supporting those in Fuel Poverty can be found at: http://www.footprint-trust.co.uk/warmer-wight-plus.html.

·         In addition a presentation was made by the IW AONB on its Biosphere Bid. Please see: http://wightaonb.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Biosphere-for-Sustainability-Forum.pdf

·         I attended Newport Parish Council’s 20’s Plenty Workshop.

·         I have provided an update to Ryde Town Council on ongoing issues concerning waste collection and Flytipping in the town.

·         In Newport Town Centre I have been approached by and am supporting local members to address similar issues to Ryde. 

·         I met with Ryde Aspire, and saw some amazing examples of how this organisation reduces what is sent to landfill.  I was particularly impressed by Aspire’s Community Repaint initiative, their Cycle Recycle initiative, their Men In Sheds and utilisation of Books and Food redistribution to those in need within the Ryde community. Following my visit I am seeking support from both Amey and the IW Council to seek opportunities for a closer working relationship between this charity and the local authority.

·         Between forwarding this report and Full Council, I am looking forward to attending the Executive Meeting of Solent Transport, the AONB Steering Committee, ‘graduating’ from Amey’s Recycling Champions Training Event and hope to attend the Isle of Wight Cycle Forum.

·         I continue to speak frequently with some Town and Parish Councils on the transferral of Public Conveniences, although accepting there is still some way to go I am heartened by the positive dialogue and support from Local Councils.