Isle of Wight Councillors Report, August 2017

Surgeries:

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

11-11:30am, Friday 4^th August, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

11-11:30am, Wednesday 9^th August, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

12-1pm, Wednesday 9^th August, The Little Gloster, Marsh Road, Gurnard (Extra Surgery)

11-11:30am, Friday 25^th August, Eegon’s, 72 High Street, Cowes.

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

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

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 5^th September, Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

100^th Edition.

This is the 100^th Edition of my monthly Councillors Report. This month, to commemorate this event I am ever hopeful of updating my website to better reflect the hard copy of my newsletter…That is my intention but is reliant upon finding time to do this.

Cowes Week.

As Town Mayor, I have had more opportunities than in the past to be more involved in Cowes Week.

Prior to Cowes Week starting, I also delivered Cashpoint updates to retailers in town which offered me an opportunity to speak to businesses, residents and visitors about their experiences with the event.

From my perspective, I was relieved to see that two of the four cash machines were still operational on Sunday evening, rubbish in the town was far less prevalent than in recent years and apart from one or two exceptions the toilets were being looked after…

During the week, both Cllr Lora Peacey-Wilcox and I had the opportunity to speak to the co-founders of sponsors, Lendy.  In response, after Cowes Week I look forward to discussing opportunities for how the event sponsors may potentially raise their profile within the local community for the next three years.

Parking.  

In Gurnard, cones came in to effect on the first day of Cowes Week.  This resulted in complaints from residents concerning lack of enforcement, which then resulted in further complaints from neighbours being ticketed. Very often, in my experience enforcement takes place as a result from complaints by local residents affected.  

Next year I’ve requested prior notice of the order which I hope to publicise in July’s newsletter.   

Risk Assessments.

Gurnard Green.

A site meeting took place last month.  This followed the Parish Council identifying a risk existed on vehicles potentially rolling down the Green towards the play area below.

In light of a request from residents and the Parish Council, Council Officers have made a suggestion of anchoring boulders to safeguard against this occurring.  Because of how cars park, the gradient of the land and how it falls away, what size the boulders are, officers have promised to look into options and to discuss these and the potential risks with Island Roads.

Another option suggested, is to consider putting in place a safety barrier.  Again, this will be investigated, and assurances given that this mitigates against any risk.

Outcomes from these discussions will be reported to September's Parish Council.

Blackberry Lane.

At the same time of meeting officers to progress current Traffic Orders, I requested Blackberry Lane was risk assessed.  Following this taking place, and following a greater number of pedestrians using this IW Council owned road, I’ve requested a further site meeting and more to be done to mitigate against the risks within this thoroughfare.

The Range.

Planners, The Range and Island Roads are working positively to improve visibility splays from the stores car park.  In addition, pedestrian access is scheduled to be improved by provision of a refuge to be located in Place Road.  This is planned to occur later this year.

Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan.  7am-10pm, Thursday 7^th September, Gurnard Village Hall.

Six years in the making(!) and receiving validation from both Planning Inspectors and the Isle of Wight Council, this will go to referendum 7am-10pm, Thursday 7^th September, for residents to have their final say on Gurnards Plan which will provide the ‘strategic’ planning guidance for the village for the coming years.  All registered electors of Gurnard, are entitled to vote. 

If you questions please let me, or Sue Waters (gurnardparishcouncil@gmail.com) know.  Details can be found at:  http://gurnardneighbourhoodplan.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/10-Final-Draft-Gurnard-neighbourhood-development-plan.pdf

Garden Waste Update.

I am advised that Amey and the Isle of Wight Council are currently modelling opportunities to potentially introduce a Wheelie Bin Subscription Service for the collection of Garden Waste.  If agreed, this will occur within the next year.

Last year, a resident’s survey took place and although this was considered preferable to the collection of Garden Waste by booking the collection of biodegradable bags, the response was not as overwhelming as I expected.

It seems likely that of the two options- only one can be pursued due to one vehicle being required.  Please note that both Amey and the IW Council have to evaluate if two vehicles are used, this significantly increases the cost which could make the scheme unsustainable financially.   

Parish/ Town Council Vacancies.  

Congratulations to ‘new’ Councillors appointed- Anni Adams (Cowes North), Stuart Ellis (Cowes South) and Vanessa Slade (Cowes West), were co-opted to Cowes Town Council last month.

Three vacancies remain on Gurnard Parish Council. Please contact Sue Waters gurnardparishcouncil@gmail.com for further details!  Locally, vacancies also exist on Northwood Parish Council.

Bob Seeley. MP

Last month my Isle of Wight Council colleague, Bob Seeley was elected as new Member of Parliament for our Island.  In the past few months, I’ve been working closely with Bob who is supporting efforts of Cowes Councillors in reinstating a Post Office counter in Town. 

Highways Matters.

Skid Resistance.

Within Gurnard and Cowes improvements have been undertaken in recent weeks to enhance skid resistance to roads in the area.  Particularly welcomed are works to Rew Street and Cockleton Lane following concerns being aired regarding cyclist and pedestrian safety in these roads.

Parklands Avenue.

I continue to find it hard to contain my excitement by the prospect of (most of) Parklands Avenue being resurfaced this month.  Whilst I was on holiday, Island Roads Mobile Visitor Centre visited and spoke to around 20 residents.

Please note that the reconstruction is scheduled to commence on Tuesday 10^th August and will last for three weeks.  After this, carriage resurfacing works will commence for two weekdays from Friday 8^th September.

Also this month:

·         Richard, Island Roads District Steward has been out and about following requests and has been kept very busy trimming hedgerows and brambles that have strayed on the Highway at Shore Road and Place Road.  From 1^st August the Bird Nesting season will cease, which will allow extensive works to take place throughout the Island.

·         I received a complaint from a resident, very upset following a late night noise nuisance complaint being made incorrectly against them. Following comments regarding parking, can I please, please, please ask that residents are certain of who they are making complaints about before notifying any enforcement agency.

·         Next year both the Round the Island Race and the Isle of Wight Festival were scheduled to occur on the same weekend!  Following dialogue, it was the Island Sailing Club have responded and rescheduled dates (which are published in advance, and are subject to tidal conditions) 

·         I attended two awards on the same afternoon at the very fab. Cowes Primary School giving recognition to children for both sustainable travel to school and accreditation for being ‘Good Community’ Neighbours.

·         Meetings took place to fine tune the forthcoming Cowes Traffic Order.

·         Complaints have stopped concerning delivery drivers.  Many thanks to those involved, it is appreciated!  

·         Planners are following up issues for me in Queens Road, Gurnard Pines and Glen Place

·         Discussions have taken place to a positive-(ish) conclusion to stabilise land adjacent to Shore Path, Gurnard.

·         A loose ‘nosing stone’ has been repaired on Gurnard’s sea wall.  

·       One resident finally received their blue badge entitlement; whilst another was successful following a complaint to trading standards. On the third campaign, I’m involved with supporting a resident who lost some of his hedge, I’m making slower progress..