IW Councillor's Report, March 2019

Surgeries:

10:30-11am, Friday 1^st March, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 5^th March, Cowes Library, 12-14 Beckford Road, Cowes.

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

11:45-12:15pm, Wednesday 13^th March, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

6-6:30pm, Wednesday 13^th March, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

3-3:30pm, Tuesday 19^th March, Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

6-6:30pm, Wednesday 27^th March, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

10:30-11:30am, Thursday 28^th March, Coffee and Chat at All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.

12-12:30pm, Thursday 28^th March, Eegon’s Café, 72 High Street, Cowes.

4:30-5pm, Tuesday 2nd April, Cowes Library, 12-14 Beckford Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 2nd April, Sports Bar, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

Highways Issues.

·         Meeting with Director of Neighbourhoods.

°         Park Road Crossing.

I was joined by the Head Teacher and representatives of Cowes Primary School in addressing concerns over the long term future of the crossing patrol in Park Road. This follows reassurances from the IW Council, since funds were withdrawn in 2016. The Director is addressing concerns, and will feedback on solutions to meet the existing funding gap.

°         Developers (Section 106) Contributions for Community Projects.  

Locally, concerns have been expressed that following the volume of developments that have occurred in Gurnard nothing has been ring-fenced for projects that will mitigate upon the impact that new developments will have.  Several years ago, officers advised that Town and Parish Councils and ward members would have greater involvement in the allocation of funds.  This has not happened. 

In discussing this I’ve requested better involvement, as has Gurnard Parish Council, the IW Association of Local Councils, and nationally through the NALC. If this does not happen there is scope under the Localism Act to accrue funds through a different mechanism.

°         Traffic Regulation Orders, and implementation timeframe for Cowes proposals. 

This was advertised last year and was not implemented owing to delays caused by ‘resource issues’.  The Director seemed to agree that this was unacceptable, and once recruitment of staff takes place this would be given high priority.

·         Abandoned Vehicles.

Vehicles (this includes an abandoned boat trailer) have been taken away from the highway at Shore Road and Princes Esplanade. In addition, vehicles have been reported and notices served to registered keepers of cars seemingly abandoned in Granville Road and Baring Road.

·         Signage and hedgerows

Road signs have been reconfigured in Rew Street.  Also in Rew Street prior to the nesting season, hedges have been thinned and trimmed, whilst minor tree takes place to prevent trees overhanging the footway in Worsley Road.

·         Water Leaks and Drainage.

Following complaints to and from Gurnard Parish Councillors a water leak has been reported in Cockleton Lane. In addition, I continue to report concerns over ponding and insufficient drainage in Ward Avenue.

Bonfires.

With spring arriving early, I have received reports of bonfires in the valley of the spring in Baring Road.

Please advise neighbours if you plan to have a bonfire, as I’m reminded this can cause distress.  If you are unable to dispose of garden waste sustainably, please ensure fires do not cause a nuisance and are not left unattended!

For information on Green Garden Waste please visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/iwforms/form.aspx?k=GreenWasteSub2019

Watch House Shelter, Cowes Parade.

Last year, Cowes Town Council agreed to uplift the IW Council’s cost to remove the shelter in order to safeguard and retain this amenity for residents and visitors. 

During the winter there was further deterioration and movement of the structure, resulting in repairs being unviable.  This is something I share resident’s concerns over, and am hoping following feedback from officers on options.

Island Planning Strategy.

As Ward Councillor, I have raised concerns over the Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Strategy.  In summary the concerns raised are as follows:

·         The annual number (641) of new dwellings proposed, the fact this is too high and cannot be substantiated.

·         The need for a greater reliance upon social, affordable homes and local homes for local people.

·         Opposition to the Housing Allocation west of Baring Road, the impact this will have upon and within the Jordan Valley, and the fact that there are other developable sites which would have lesser impact upon the landscape.

·         The need to protect the Jordan Valley from further development and the impact this would have upon coalescence between Cowes and Gurnard.  This applies to both the south of Tuttons Hill as well as the north.

·         Within the strategy, no mention has been made of the impact upon medical services and highway infrastructure.

·         The requirement to protect the countryside and environment where mainland utility connection points are located.

·         The need to protect the green space/ green buffer at Spencer’s Copse/ Gurnard Cliff Wood. 

Bucklers View.

Pre-application discussions continue between Southern Housing, existing residents and neighbours on proposals to create a further 12 so-called ‘lifelong’ dwellings at Bucklers Views. This follows a public exhibition of proposals which took place last month.

Concerns being raised include the overdevelopment of the site, the perceived impact the complex may have on existing adult care and medical infrastructure, the loss of green space and the impact upon nearby trees.  That said, officers have advised that proposals are in general accordance with planning principles which allow older residents to downsize.

The formal planning application is due to published this month.  Once I know more, I will feedback this information.

‘Ancillary’ accommodation.

In recent months, I have received a number of enquiries concerning dwellings that were constructed, and given permission on the proviso that use is ‘ancillary’ to that of a neighbouring dwelling.

Concerns being raised, is that in most cases these dwelling are being lived in independently, and are therefore contrary to planning use.  This continues to be monitored, and action being taken when breaches occur.  Following concerns raised, Planning Officers have been asked to monitor an ancillary accommodation off Rew Street.  

Blackberry Lane.

Contractors working nearby recently caused damage to the condition of this thoroughfare, owned by the IW Council.

I have asked for the Council to address concerns, and requested for the lane to be restored to its original condition prior to commencement of works.

On this the contactor has been notified and I am awaiting what steps are due to be taken.

Beach Huts.

Despite proposals to increase beach hut fees, incorporated within the IW Council’s 2019/2020 (which I continue to strongly oppose), I have asked the following questions put by owners.  These being:

1 The legality of a Council Member to take forward proposals?
2. Why two sets of tariffs don't seemingly tally with hut sizes.
3. What do Beach Hut owners for their ground rent?
4. What happens after three years, when and if this option is chosen?
5. How can the top tariff (equal to a band A house) be justified?
6. What are figures being used by the IW Council being based upon?

English Coastal Path Update.

I am still awaiting a response from Natural England regarding my request to see the new trail being diverted from Worsley Road via Spencer Copse (or Gurnard Cliff Wood to give it its proper name!) and Shore Path.

In order to support my request, I have sought the support of the Local Access Forum (the statutory body responsible for overseeing Rights of Way) and Isle of Wight Ramblers, as well as having support in principle from Rights Of Way and in practise from Beauty In Perpetuity.

In the meantime, Beauty in Perpetuity are gathering evidence of support for this path to become a definitive right of way following the offer for purchase the woodland formerly owned by the Spencer Family.

Local Council Vacancies.

Gurnard Parish Council and Cowes Town Council have vacancies for local councillors.  Please contact clerks, Katie Riley gurnardparishcouncil@gmail.com and Debbie Faulkner townclerk@cowestowncouncil.org.uk, for details.

Cold Calling.

In February, I received a number of calls from residents concerned by Cold Callers selling goods on the doorstep.  As Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood is a designated No Cold Calling zone, this should not happen.

If it does, politely ask uninvited sellers to leave and let me and Isle of Wight Trading Standards (01983 823371) know. 

With respect to the seller, who was cold calling as a ‘work creation hawker’ initiative, in place on the mainland I have asked that Trading Standards investigate further and responds to this initiative. 

In the meantime, if you stickers please let me know! 

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership Meeting.

At the recent Partnership meeting, of interest the following matters were discussed:

·         Dark Skies. Data received from Island Roads is in the process of being analysed concerning dimming and trimming of street lighting in rural areas. Also, if the Back of the Wight Dark Skies Park is approved, what criteria will be in place to extend this further to initially include the AONB? 

·         Brexit and Funding.  Because of uncertainties and Government priorities over Brexit, future funding for AONB’s by the DFE is uncertain.  In response to this a review (the Glover Review) is taking place to ascertain the importance of AONB’s and National Parks to the wider community.  A discussion also took place concerning safeguards being needed to support the sustainability of farms.

·         Retrospective Sea Defences.  These were approved against planning officers and statutory stakeholder advice in Binstead by the Planning Committee.

·         Island Planning Strategy.  Concerns were raised by the impact of tentative proposals for a ‘garden village’ in the West Wight. Questions were also raised concerning both the future of Military Road and the Undercliff and improved affordable housing and employment provision in rural areas?

·         Tourism.  Although 2.3m visitors came to the Island in 2018 (the same number as 2017) visitors spent 9% more. It was reported that the number of short stays reduced, in favour of visitors remaining for 5 days or more.  It is indicated that increased capacity on ferries, dark skies, English Coastal Path and biosphere designations proposed will open up opportunities for Tourism.

Public Toilets.

Both Cowes and Gurnard Parish Council’s support repair and where appropriate replacement to Public Toilets to be given a high priority.  Please let me know your thoughts concerning this?

Great British Spring Cleans.

Gurnard Parish Council’s organised Village Tidy-Up takes place at 10am, Saturday 30^th March from Gurnard Village Hall, Westbrook Lane.

In addition a further spring clean has been planned to take place 10am, Wednesday 3^rd April at Northwood Recreation Ground in Park Road by Cowes Town Council.

IW Council Budget 2019/ 2020.

At its meeting last month, the Isle of Wight Council was recommended to increase Council Tax by 2.99%. 

In response to the consultation which took place last year, which received 427 responses:

·         86% of respondents agreed the Council should charge for those services that users choose to utilise such as leisure centres, beach huts and harbours.

·         85% supported an increase in Council tax to pay for priorities, whilst 37% supported an increase of 3% or more.

·         Respondents prioritised increased spending in regeneration and business development.

Despite making suggestions proposed to me with the support of residents that I passed on (and were disregarded!) I voted against proposals, as I felt would savings proposed would adversely impact upon the Island’s most vulnerable residents.  This was, in my view particularly relevant considering the level of reserves that the IW Council has accrued.  In addition, I shared the views put that in-house ‘transformation’ initiatives does not demonstrate the best value when funds could be deployed elsewhere supporting frontline services. 

It was also noted that last year for every £7 incorporated within the savings forecast £1 had not been duly met.  

Please visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/Meetings/committees/mod-council/27-2-19/PaperD-BudgetCouncilTaxSetting2019-20AndFutureYearsForecasts%20.pdf for details.

Mayors Report.

·         Code of conduct training took place for Councillors with Monitoring Officers of IW Council.  Of particular interest are potential changes to take place to re-enforce the requirements of prejudicial interests for local councillors.

·         Flood Defence Information is being updated for local residents.  Cllr Peacey-Wilcox reported Cowes’ is being promoted as an exemplar of Good Practice to other local councils.

·         A commitment to complete the Cut initiative has been given for the 2020 season. The Cowes Business Association will be working in partnership with the Town Council on this initiative.

·         Discussions are to take place in working with the IW Council on a fit for purpose parking strategy for Cowes.  

·         It is with sadness that Councillors Roger and Jean Bartrum has left Cowes Town Council for personal reasons.  On behalf of the Council, I have expressed my gratitude and overwhelming appreciation to these Councillors for their enthusiasm and hands-on approach to resolving issues.  Both Jean and Roger’s involvement will be missed.

Also this month:

·         I know that at least four households have been successful in receiving a tax rebate from the Marriage Tax Allowance.  For further details, please visit:  https://www.gov.uk/married-couples-allowance

·         Following moving home, I’ve updated my Register of Interests.  These will be appear on my website.

·         I met with supporters of light rail proposals to attempt to retrieve necessary formal support to potentially improve rail connections on the Island.

·         I have raised concerns regarding the expansion of Lanesend School, and the impact this is likely to have upon schools and parental choice in the Cowes area.

·         Within the Licencing Committee, following years of freezing fees, taxi fares are due to increase.  This follows consultation with taxi operators, and takes account of increased costs to operators. In light of the increase in taxi fees on the Island these have risen from 213^th to 90^th out of 359 licensing authorities.

·         I attended a meeting of the Council’s Audit Committee.  Items discussed included fraud, housing benefit subsidies and the mitigating the ongoing financial risks of supporting the Floating Bridge and Christ The King School.

·         The Planning has now agreed to proposals to build 66 homes on land south of Oxford Street in Northwood.

·         Following perseverance, steps now seem underway to implement the pedestrian refuge linking the Range to bus stops in Place Road.

·         I am supporting tenants in Cowes disputing charges being imposed by landlords to clear drains within newly constructed homes.

·         Groundworks took place outside Bucklers View in Worsley Road.  This was due to a ruptured gas main beneath the pavement.

·         Bollards have been repainted by Island Roads in Gurnard, in advance of this year’s Village Of The Year.