IW Councillors Report April 2017

Surgeries.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 4^th April, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 4^th April, Sports Bar, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

11-11:30am, Friday 7^th April, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 13^th April, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard. (Please note reconvened timing...!)

1-1:30pm, Wednesday 19^th April, Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm, Thursday 27^th April, The Portland, Gurnard.

11-11:30am, Friday 28^th April, Eegons, 72 High Street, Cowes.

Elections, Thursday 4^th May.

This month’s report will be very much a whistle-stop tour of work being undertaken during this month.  This is due to me attempting to tie up all loose ends before my pre-election canvassing which takes place over the next few weeks.

As I mentioned last month, I have submitted my nomination papers and look forward to campaigning for re-election over the coming weeks.

For me, door-stepping is a really important aspect of the work which I undertake every four years as this affords me the opportunity to speak to a very wide range of residents- rather than those who track me down!!

If I miss you, please do not hesitate to call me between 6 and 9pm when I eventually return home on Friday.

Post Office closure and consultation.

At the time of writing The Post Office has advised that the Temporary facility at Cowes will close 6pm, Tuesday 25^th April.  The new Post Office will be relocated to the Co-Op at 155 Mill Hill Road, Cowes on 1pm, Friday 19^th May. The Post Office advises that although ‘the decision has already been made to move the Cowes branch’, a 6 week ‘consultation’ will take place on the suitability of the new location.

This consultation takes place until 11^th April. If participating online via the: http://postoffice.views.co.uk/, please enter the branch code: 19592599

You can also comment by:

·         email to comments@postoffice.co.uk

·         through the customer helpline: 03457 22 33 44, Textphone: 03457 22 33 55.

·         Freepost Comments, Post Office Ltd.

On this matter all four Cowes Councillors (and the MP) have alongside me voiced their concerns over the length of the closure, and the fact the new Post Office is not centrally located and accessible to the Town Centre for both residents and businesses.

Following initial concerns raised, in the meantime the Post Office has agreed to extend opening hours at Pallance Road, which was originally due to close at the end of this month.

Planning Updates:

·         Dottens Farm.

I am advised this application will be one of the first applications to be considered by the new Planning Committee appointed following local elections.

·         Coach House, Queens Road

I’m seeking a condition to utilise Queens Road instead of Marine View Close for access by Construction Traffic. In addition I’ve supported residents’ requests to improve visibility splays from Marine View Close to Egypt Hill.

·         13 Shore Road.

The Planning Appeal for this application has again been dismissed by the Planning Inspectorate.

·         Albert Road.

Thank you to the numerous residents who contact me concerning this application!  I am currently awaiting an update from the Planning Officer, on how this matter is progressing!

Planning Enforcement.

An opportunity arose last month to speak to one of the owners of Gurnard Pines.  In the discussion which I had, I was advised that in ‘planning terms’ there was an acceptance of the site continuing as a Tourism/ Holiday use site.

However, as I am sure residents, owners and the Council would agree the practicalities of how the site operates need to be re-looked at and potentially improved.

Prior to the new Range store opening on Friday 14^th April, there remains a number of outstanding planning issues relating to flood lighting, soft lanscaping and noise which I am still attempting to resolve through the support of officers. 

New development, Place Road- Resident’s Forum.

Issues remain ongoing regarding the new housing development off Place Road.  In the meantime, given the amount of disruption that is likely to occur in the coming months and years, I am suggesting facilitating regular meetings between the developers and residents.  

In the conversations had to date, I know it would be helpful to understand what works will be undertaken, at what time and the rationale for these taking place.

Highways Updates.

Both Princes Esplanade and Egypt Esplanade were resurfaced last month. Subsequently, I’ve received a positive response from residents concerning improvements to both the road and footway.

In the meantime, please share your thoughts on the Footway linking Gurnard with Cowes.  I have been asked (and am) supporting efforts to make this path easier to use for mobility impaired pedestrians. Subsequently, I've made representations to both Island Roads and Coastal Protection Officers.

Unfortunately, as this work took longer than anticipated, and as a consequence the reconstruction of Parklands Avenue (scheduled to commence this month) has been yet again delayed. Like residents of Parklands Avenue, I am not happy regarding this and subsequently I’ve arranged a meeting with residents and officers from Island Roads on site will take place before Easter to ensure slippage is minimised.

A request has been received to Yarnbomb Gurnard in July.  This initiative has my full support, and I’ve been in liaison with Island Roads to ensure this event can and will happen!

Following a storm event, it has been necessary to remove a tree, in Solent View Road.  I’m advised this tree will be replaced before the end of April.

Many thanks to Richard our diligent District Steward from Island Roads who promptly assisted in resolving damaged paving on Cowes Parade and monitoring the raised ironworks which is again becoming an issue in Shore Road.

Elsewhere, I’ve also requested support on resolving the spring (or perhaps a broken water main), which comes to the surface on the junction of Market Hill and Sun Hill, Cowes.

I have been in discussion with two residents who have asked me to bring pressure to bare in respect to improving mobility access to Park Road, which is considered difficult for the disabled.  On this matter, I’ve requested an update from Island Roads who incorporated this two years ago as a priority within the Highways Integrity Register. 

Repair to Slipway, Gurnard.

Many thanks to the resident who took on the repairs to the slipway located at the southern edge of Shore Path. On behalf of residents, I wish to relay my grateful thanks for undertaking this work which I know is much appreciated!  

Also this month:

·         I continue to talk to residents of Glen Place now that all properties on this new development are now sold.  A Management Committee is in the process of being formed, however in the meantime I am supporting residents in getting loose ends tied up.

·         Following exploring alternatives at All Saints Church, Gurnard Pines, Tuttons Hill, Baring Road and Marsh Road Vodaphone and Telefonica have agreed to erect a 15m telecoms mast at Cliff Farm, Rew Street.  According to surveyors this is to improve 2G, 3G and 4G coverage in the area.

·         A meeting takes place this week to resolve outstanding Beach Hut issues with owners at Gurnard Green.

·         Following feedback from residents, I have been asked and will be supporting the new Floating Bridge to be named Floaty McFloat Face. 

·         I attended the most recent meeting of Cowes Medical Centre’s Patients Participation Group.  Items that were discussed included the recruitment of new participants and proposals to improve medical care and signposting at the practice.

·         With the onset of Council Tax bills arriving, I have received a number of requests from residents for support.

·         My Annual Report was delivered in March. Please let me know if you have not received yours. 

·         If I am privileged to be re-elected next month, I am looking forward to expanding my weekly surgeries to have participation from more outside agencies who have offered to attend in order to provide guidance and support to residents.  I am hoping the first of these surgeries will commence in June.

REPORT FROM THE CHAIRMAN OF SCRUTINY COMMITTEE TO THE MEETING OF FULL COUNCIL

ON WEDNESDAY, 22 MARCH 2017

The final meeting of the Scrutiny Committee before the elections took place on 7 March 2017. An update was provided on the anticipated 2016/17 revenue budget outturn. It was indicated that there was a forecasted overspend of £250,000.

There were no further developments on devolution and the Leader gave his views on partnership working.

In dealing with the items being considered by the Executive members noted the analysis of school attainment for 2016. This showed an improving picture and there was a concentration on those areas, such as mathematics, where further work was required.

The committee endorsed the special purchaser of land at the former Barton Primary School in Newport. The proposal to vary the current lease of Sandham Gardens to Sandown Town Council so to enable redevelopment proposals to come forward members highlighted the need to protect the existing open space and involve the local members and residents.

There was support for progressing with the harbour revision order for Newport Harbour. This is an issue that has been the subject of discussion over a number of years and it is positive to see that progress is being made.

The adoption of the proposed revised affordable housing contributions supplementary planning document were discussed and debated by members. This lead to the committee not agreeing to the recommendation and urging the Executive to agree a tariff percentage of more than the 2% proposed.   Subsequently, at Executive this led to a tariff agreed at 3%.

This being my last report to Full Council, I would like to thank all members both past and present for their support on both the Scrutiny Committee, and the Task and Finish groups which has been established and fed back since the beginning of this Council’s term.  I would also like to thank the support of Executive members and officers for the meaningful dialogue between both Scrutiny and the Executive.

It goes without saying, and I’m sure that my predecessors would agree, that that  the support of Paul Thistlewood for his advice has been invaluable and greatly appreciated!  

Councillor Paul Fuller, Chairman of the Scrutiny Committee

Promoted by Paul Fuller of 74 Wyatts Lane, Cowes, Isle of Wight. PO31 8QA.