Surgeries.
10:30-11:30am, Friday 3rd
November, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
6-6:30pm, Wednesday 8th November, The
Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
3-3:30pm,
Wednesday 15th November, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield
Avenue, Cowes.
11:45-12:15pm, Wednesday 22nd November, The
Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
6-6:30pm,
Wednesday 29th November, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
12-12:30pm,
Thursday 30th November, Eegon’s, 72 High Street, Cowes.
10:30-11:30am, Friday 1st December, Gurnard
Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
Place Road: Update
Second Phase.
Following
a letterdrop which took place to about 150 properties in Tuttons Hill, Baring
Road, Place Road, Place Side Highfield Road and Broadfields Avenue about 20
residents attended the drop-in pre-application session for the second (final)
phase for this development.
Issues
that were discussed included affordability, boundary treatments and
destiny.
There
was some apprehension from residents concerning the increase in numbers,
however there seemed to be a consensus from those residents who did attend that
with he improved layout of 92 dwellings seemed preferable to the 86
approved. Another (non-planning) issue
relayed, was concerns over the ‘affordable’ housing element being outlined as
rented accommodation. However, residents
seemed reassured housing would be prioritised to those with a local
connection.
According
to the Agent, the developer hoped to submit the new application with revisions
this month. Once this is submitted, I
will update my report with timescales.
Parklands Avenue.
Delays
reopening Parklands Avenue has continued, initially following Southern Water
needing to replace connecting ‘conn’ pipes in the road which became damaged
following reconstruction works last month.
This
is as a consequence of funding for utility mains not being aligned to the PFI
contract. Similar issues have occurred
elsewhere, most notably in Shore Road when the companies were not in a
financial position to upgrade what they deemed adequate infrastructure.
Further
delays also occurred following the replaced road surface material showing signs
of failure, needing to be replaced.
Island Roads (in a letter circulated to residents) anticipates this work
will take three weeks, and the road will reopen around 22nd
November. In the meantime, I would like
to express my appreciation to residents for their patience, and trust these
extended works will be worth the wait!
IW Council Call Centre.
The IW Council’s
Scrutiny Committee received an update regarding progress following complaints
last year, and earlier this year on response times.
Following increasing
the call centre advisors in the past year, to 23 Full Time Equivalent members
of staff, improving the on-line interface and reducing demand waiting times
fell by around 1/3rd from 364 seconds in July 2016 to 254 seconds in
July 2017.
It is worth noting
that there are spikes in calls, particularly when Council Tax is issued, or
when there are changes to waste collections on both these matters, demand has
fallen. The average waiting time in
August was 173 seconds.
In response to
specialist call centre operators, there are ‘silver lines’ which the IW Council
operates, these are:
Adult First
Response and Safeguarding
Adult Social Care
Council Tax
Housing
Housing Benefit
Parking Services
Waste Service
|
814980
823340
823901
823040
823950
823714
823777
|
Cowes Medical Centre.
Cowes Medical Centre
continues to hold drop-in sessions for residents requiring flu jabs. The next scheduled date is 1-3pm, Tuesday 7th
November. These tend to continue
throughout October and this month, and once I am aware of future dates, I will
publicise these.
In the meantime, I am
ever so grateful to those residents who have contacted me with respect to
joining the Centre’s Patients Forum. I
know of the five residents that approached me to join, one person (the first!)
was appointed.
The next meeting is scheduled
for November, please let me know if there is anything you wish me to feedback!
Abandoned Cars.
The abandoned
vehicles in Cliff Road and Mornington Road has for the timebeing been resolved.
It is assumed that there may be as many as two residents (one living locally)
that continues to leave vehicles on the highway, as part of an unlicensed
business
Have Your Say On Waste and Recycling.
The annual residents recycling and waste survey is
now open and will run to Friday 15 December 2017 and is an opportunity for
householders to put forward suggestions for future improvements or ideas on how
the Island can reduce our waste and recycle more. For details please visit: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/IOW_waste_survey_2017
Southern Water Conference.
Following the above,
last month was not a good month for Southern Water. Following Parklands Avenue, there were
further incidents that occurred following increased pressure on water mains. This resulted in four burst mains including
those in Watch House Lane, York Street and Mill Hill Road. This is an issue that I know has been
addressed by all four IW Councillors for Cowes.
Coinciding with this
unforeseen disruption, both Cllr Peacey-Wilcox and I had volunteered to attend
a workshop which was set up to liaise on Southern Water’s Plan. Fortunately, both Lora and I shared a table
with the local manager for the Island, Keith Herbert who continues to be
proactive and receptive to the needs of residents.
It was interesting to
note that beneath a fairly slick regionally focused and self-congratulatory
event, there were a number of issues that required further scrutiny. This included penalties that had been levied
against the company for its performance relating to customers and developers
(which in my opinion was played down, and not really responded to).
During the event, I
raised concerns over Southern Waters local interaction and engagement. In
response although events took place with some local schools, none are scheduled
to take place this year. One other issue raised loud and clearly was Southern
Water’s ability to repair leaks. This
was a priority for attendees.
English Coastal Path
Natural England are
hosting drop-in sessions for coastal landowners & tenants with grazing
rights. These take place:
3-7pm, Thursday 9 November Community Hall of Yarmouth & District, St James St., Yarmouth
PO41 0NU
3-7pm, Thursday 16th
November at Newport Parish Centre, Town Lane, Newport PO30 1JU
6-8pm, Friday 17th
November at Scout Hall, North Street, Brighstone. PO30 4AX.
6-8pm, Wednesday 22 November at Isle of Wight Studio School, Grange Road, East Cowes, PO32 6EA
Full Council.
The purpose for last
month’s ‘Extraordinary’ Meeting was to agree the IW Council’s Corporate Plan.
This Plan defines the
new administrations priorities for the current term, and very closely mirrored
the Council’s Conservative led administration’s Manifesto Commitments. Although, I was mindful of supporting most of
the objectives included, I raised concerns on three aspects of the Plan. These being:
1.
The
removal of raising educational standards as a corporate priority.
2.
The
removal of safeguarding vulnerable adults as a corporate priority.
3.
The
inclusion of party political references within the context of the document.
For this reason, I
was very reluctantly one of 10 Councillors that did not support the Plan. (4
Councillors abstained, whilst 21 supported adoption).
Although there are
policies within the proposals that do focus on Education and Adult
Safeguarding, I felt very strongly that these should have been corporate
policies which underpin the IW Council’s Plan.
Particularly given, the level of savings required for the coming years
and having the knowledge that policies which are not corporate priorities have
often fallen by the wayside…
The six corporate
priorities are as follows:
·
Creating opportunities for all
|
·
Delivering economic growth and prosperity
|
·
Preserving our environment
|
·
Planning for our future needs
|
·
Providing sound financial management
|
·
Protecting our community
|
Full details can be
found: www.iwight.com/Meetings/committees/mod-council/18-10-17/agenda.pdf?%20636444423765406862
Solent Forum.
I attended a meeting
of the Solent Forum and was updated on the following:
· Due
to ‘Brexit uncertainty’, Tranche 3 of the designations for Marine Conservation
Zones is delayed until 2019.
·
Initial
positive signs on the restoration of oysters at three sites on the Solent.
·
I
received an update on Marine Aggregates, and received safeguards on seabed
recovery following extractions of aggregates from the seabed. Concerns were raised regarding housing
pressures upon wharfs.
·
An
update was provided on conserving HMS Victory, and works underway to slow down
the 5mm annual degradation of the ship.
It was noted that the life of the Victory was considered not needing to
exceed 50 years.!
·
I
discovered 87% of bananas entered the UK from Portsmouth Harbour!
·
An
update was provided on works taking place on Portsmouth Harbour to accommodate
HMS Queen Elizabeth. Dredging ‘straight’ channels, the installation of
navigation aids and discovery of mines were discussed.
·
The
Marine Management Organisation provided an interesting insight on its position
issuing licenses for works. Due to the
local interest of this an officer has offered to speak to a future meeting of
Gurnard Parish Council.
·
An
update was given on research underway concerning Microplastics in the Solent,
and the impact these are having upon the marine food chain.
·
A
representative from Natural England was unsuccessful in getting attendees
excited by mud.
Fireworks.
Most years, I am
asked a number of questions concerning Fireworks. As a code to good practice, if you are having
a Firework, please let your neighbours know as some pets (and residents!) can
be petrified by fireworks!
Lifted from the Ask
the Police website (visit: www.askthe.police.uk), I have retrieved
the following information:
It is an offence to:
§ possess
adult fireworks (all fireworks except party poppers and sparklers)
in a public place by anyone under the age of 18;
§ possess
category 4 fireworks (professional display fireworks) by anyone other than a
fireworks professional;
§ it
is illegal to supply adult fireworks to those under 18;
§ throw
or cast or fire any firework in or into any highway, street, thoroughfare or
public space (this would include throwing or firing from a private place into a
public place, street, highway etc);
§ to
discharge any firearm or firework (without lawful authority or excuse) within
50 feet of the centre of a highway which consists of or comprises a
carriageway.
There is a curfew on the use of adult
fireworks between 11pm and 7am, except on:
·
Bonfire
night (when the curfew is between 12midnight and 7am);
·
New
Years Eve (when the curfew is between 1am and 7am);
·
Chinese
New Year (when the curfew is between 1am and 7am);
·
Diwali
night (16-23rd October 2017 when the curfew is between 1am and 7am).
The penalties for using fireworks outside the
hours of 7am and 11pm are imprisonment (maximum 6 months) and a substantial
fine. Please note, you could also commit offences if they were being used to
cause a nuisance.
Island Roads...Nearly Five Years On. What exactly do they do?
In April 2013, in
partnership with the IW Council who oversees the contract) Island Roads took
over managing, upgrading and maintaining the Island’s highway network. This has
resulted in the current programme to use additional government and private
funding to improve roads, pavements, town footpaths and cycleways as well as
replacing street lighting, undertaking street cleansing (including dog poo & dead animal removal!) and winter gritting.
Island Roads are also
responsible for maintaining bridges, drainage, CCTV, car parks and street
furniture. This includes litter bins, signage, seating, bus shelters and
ongoing maintenance until 2038.
If you see any issue
regarding the above, please let me know or call Island Roads 24 hr helpline on 01983 822440.
Mayors Report.
I’ve attended a Cowes
Business Association networking event, and a meeting of Cowes Shoreside
Committee. This follows attending a
meeting with Councillors who expressed concern over next years Cowes Week event,
and how involved Cowes Town Council and the wider community will be involved in
shaping and supporting the 2018 event.
Although the next
meeting does not take place until Spring, I’m anxious to raise the presence of
our Town Council and ensure the Council is kept appraised of matters.
During October, the
latest Cowes Town Council newsletter was circulated to Cowes residents. Please let me know if you have not received
yours.
In this report,
residents are being asked for their views on next years precept, and whether
the Council is spending your money in the best way it can! Please note this is YOUR local Town Council,
and YOUR representatives need to know your views on where your money is
spent!! Again on this, please let me
know your views.
Also
this month:
·
Long
overdue congratulations to Community Bus Driver, John Berry and Gurnard Village
Hall Association Chairman, Carolyn Sibley for receiving Age Friendly
Contribution to the Community recognition!
·
Work
has commenced on the treatment of Japanese Knotweed. I have spoken to landowners, residents and
experts and understand that a course of treatment has been agreed by parties
concerned..
·
Residents
from Glen Place have purchased street nameplates, this follows a stalemate
between the developer and Island Roads on who should pay for these works…
·
A
Planning Application was approved and signed off in Albert Road. Although
concerns were raised from neighbours regarding privacy the Planning Officer
agreed to impose a condition which reflects views expressed.
·
A
renewed application has been submitted at another plot in Albert Road, which
proved to be controversial when advertised earlier this year. The new application, has scaled down the
height and seems more in keeping.
·
A
request was followed up regarding the blocking by parked cars of junctions to
Westbrook Lane and Glen Place in Worsley Road.
·
Gurnard
and Northwood Parish Council’s still require Parish Councillors. If interested please let Sue Waters know at: gurnardparishcouncil@gmail.com
·
Planning
Enforcement Officers are undertaking a number of investigations currently. These include several matters in Cockleton
Lane.
·
(Again!) It has been necessary for me to contact
the Planning Department following complaints received over security lighting at
The Range, which is adversely impacting households nearby.
·
The most weathered of the seaward railings on Cowes
and Gurnard are currently being repaired. The repairs taking place are to
ensure the damaged railings are health and safety compliant.
·
I initiated a meeting taking place between the
Footprint Trust and the Cabinet Member for Adult Services, Cllr Clare Mosdell. This will be followed up by the Cabinet
Member joining the Trust on one or two home visits.
·
I am supporting a resident getting a nearby belisha
beacon obscured.
·
Rock Armour (licensed by the MMO) has been located
in Cooks Bay and is being monitored by officer.
·
I have been asked to take action following parental
parking blocking driveways and obscuring sight lines on the Crossfield Avenue
Estate. If you are collecting children
from Cowes Primary School or Cowes Enterprise College, please can I ask that
residents are mindful of where they park.
·
I continue to await a response on timescales
for the new pedestrian refuge in Place Road opposite The Range. This is being
chased up by Planning Officers!
·
I understand that proposals are nearing a
conclusion for a development in Queens Road, which may adversely impact upon
residents in Marine View Close. Following
involvement of Planning Consultants, I have requested a construction management
plan ensuring access for local residents remain safeguarded throughout works.
·
Following Planners deciding not to consider
allocating Shore Road a Conservation Area in its own right, with local
residents, I am exploring the potential of an Article Four Direction. Such a direction could restrict Permitted
Development Rights..
No comments:
Post a Comment