IW Councillors Report, July 2020

Surgeries.

My availability during telephone surgery times will continue during July, as will my availability outside these times to take calls. In addition, I will be out and about holding surgeries to discuss issues and provide support during this time. Surgeries will accord with Government Covid-19 advice and will be weather dependent*!

Details of surgeries are as follows:

9-10am, Thursday 2nd July. Please call:  01983 289595.   
9-10am, Thursday 9^th July. Please call:  01983 289595.

11am-11:30am, Thursday 9^th July seating at junction with Ward Avenue, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes*.

5-6pm, Monday 13^th July. Please call: 01983 289595.   

12:30pm-1pm, Thursday 16^th July seating beside Bucklers View, Worsley Road, Gurnard*.

5-6pm, Monday 20^th July. Please call: 01983 289595

11am-11:30am, Thursday 23^rd July seating beside Egypt Light, Egypt Esplanade, Cowes*.

5-6pm, Monday 27^th July. Please call:  01983 289595.   

11-11:30am, Thursday 30^th July. Picnic Bench, Gurnard Green, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard*.

I am ever hopeful that the lockdown will have eased to the extent that I can return to regular venues in August.  However, if this is not possible I will be looking out for more exciting out and about venues… 

Local Coronavirus Updates:

I have been chasing up a number of queries concerning the easing of lockdown measures. Locally these include:

·         5^th June: Cowes Week 2020 cancelled.

·         8^th June: Town Centre Parking Charges reinstated.

·         15^th June: Implementation of Social Distancing Road Markings in Town Centres. 

·         21^st June: Extended limited bus services. 6 journeys per hour from/ to Cowes/Newport.

·         Extended limited Service 32 (Cowes Community Bus) operating on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

·         29^th June: Cessation of Free Travel on buses before 9:30 Monday-Fridays for Senior Citizens.

·         29^th June: Reinstatement of Limited Red Jet Service (6 daily return journeys operating only at Peak Times)

·         6^th July. Libraries reopening only for books being returned.  All books will be required to be quarantined for 72hrs.

From 13^th July, the Library will operate a click and collect service. Outstanding items have been renewed until 1^st August

With respect to meetings of Cowes Town Council and Gurnard Parish Council these cannot be held in public due to social distancing and the continued risks that are involved.

Cowes Town Council are holding their first virtual Full Town Council (through Zoom) meeting on Wednesday 16^th July, whilst Gurnard Parish Council will agree a date this month for theirs. In the meantime both Councils have met informally.

It is anticipated that that from the 4^th July, many services will begin to revert to pre-lockdown schedules (?)

National Coronavirus Update:

From Saturday 4^th July:

·         Members of two households of any size can meet each other- either inside or outside.

·         You can meet different households at different times. Overnight stays are allowed, but no more than two households can meet at the same time.

·         Continued social distancing between people not of your household- Ideally at 2m but at +1m if that is not possible.

Town Centre Social Distancing Road Markings.

A number of retailers and residents have contacted me concerning the spots that have appeared in our town centres from Mid-June.  Funding for these measures, I am led to believe came as part of a £700m Government Grant to support Local Council’s taking measures to support the 2 metre (6 feet) social distancing requirements of Government advice.

In Cowes this was introduced early due to imminent weather conditions.  During a meeting with officers, Councillors were advised that the markings used semi-permanent paint and would fade during the next few months. 

Although there are people that believe the markings are terrific way of reminding people of their responsibilities, many that others disagree claiming that the markings are not required, so long as people show common sense…

Watersedge Café.

I have been in dialogue with the café owners following concerns raised over their ability to trade.

In response I have contacted Parks and Beaches, the Planning Department, Licensing and Regeneration hoping that all outstanding issues can be resolved to support the Café during these unprecedented times.  From the feedback that I have received from Council Officers there remains a solid commitment to support the café and its growth.

Little Gloster.

A very big thank you to the lovely Ben, Holly and young Uffa Cooke of the Little Gloster who are moving on to exciting pastures new from September.

Recognising how devoted and community driven Ben, Holly and their extended family at the Little Gloster were/ are to Gurnard for the last ten years, I know they will be sadly missed!

In the meantime, the Little Gloster remains open to guests throughout the summer and into early Autumn.

Bucklers View.

At my last virtual meeting with Southern Housing, I was advised that the Association’s current priority was to undertake works to repair a collapsed drain.  Investigations are currently taking place to agree the least disruptive solution for Bucklers View residents and the wider community of Gurnard.

It is envisaged when work commences (next year?) on the extension to Bucklers View, the remodelling of the ground floor and expansion will take up to a year to complete. For this reason there remains a number of hurdles to jump, prior to contractors being procured, traffic management plans to be agreed and pre construction consultation taking place.

Southern Housing have advised that they will keep me updated every 3 months.

Police Matters.

I continue to receive calls concerning perceived ‘social gatherings’. In dialogue with the police, I’ve been asked to pass on the importance of reporting incidents  direct via: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

In addition, I’ve been advised (and reported) incidents of attempted thefts from a garden plot in Rew Street.

In the meantime, the police ask that residents keep doors and outside storage units secured following opportunistic burglaries that take place during the summer.

Hedgerows.

Overgrown hedgerows have been reported in Cockleton Lane.  In addition, Ive been called upon to support residents in Parklands Avenue and Cowes Road, where neighbouring untended boundary trees are causing distress to neighbours.

It is noted that at present it may take longer to cut back overgrowth due to costs and the Bird Nesting Season.

Barbecues.

Following a fire at Alum Bay, which involved 30 firefighters- the IW Council are supporting calls to ensure that disposable barbecues are properly used and disposed of sensibly.

If disposable barbecues can be avoided all together this would be brilliant! If that is not possible once cooled please ensure barbecues and their debris are taken home or to a safe place to be disposed of after use.

This follows incidents last year where a number of incidents arose where barbecues were left on beaches and caused burns when trodden on, as well as destroying a number of bins. 

Red Jet. 

This month Red Funnel have reintroduced what is a very limited peak time service.  Prior to this, I sought advice following age old concerns that Red Funnel would no longer serve (West) Cowes.

Following their response to my request for details of the resumed service, I was advised that ‘Red Funnel are not planning’ to move all its facilities to East Cowes and ‘will still operate from West Cowes’.  

Ward Wall.

Following concerns raised last month, and inspections taking place by the District Steward, I am advised that there are no prevailing health and safety concerns relating to the old Ward Estate Ward.

However, property owners are reminded by Island Roads that maintaining the condition, maintenance and upkeep of the wall is the responsibility of property owners.

Jet Ski’s

The use of jet ski’s have been reported to the Marine Police, who I pleased to report have continued to monitor their use in waters frequented by bathers.  Please note a local bye-law exists prohibiting ‘Personal Watercraft’ being used faster than 8 knots and in depths of less than 2 metres.

Please report incidents to the police at: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

Face Masks.

Another big thank you to former Cowes Councillors, Jean and Roger Bartrum who have been supplying Reusable Face Masks to Northwood Stores.

100% of the sales from the masks are being donated to Mountbatten.  The Masks are available at the cost of £2 each.

St. Mary’s Roundabout Update.

Work on the reconfiguration of the St Mary’s junction remain on course.  Work scheduled to take place between now and the end of July include:

·         Forest Road one-way eastbound (towards Newport)

·         Slip Lane to Cowes from Forest Road closed.

·         Contraflow in place north of St Mary’s roundabout for traffic travelling from Newport to Cowes.

·         Medina Way one way closed in both directions, south of the roundabout.

·         Hunnyhill and Dodnor Lane remain open to two-way traffic.

·         Westbound traffic follow diversion in place.

Jordan Culvert.

Last month, I continued to receive complaints of discharges into the Bay from the culvert at Gurnard following storms.

Since then, Southern Water considers this may originate from a collapsed drain in Worsley Lane, as well as from CSO’s (Combined sewer overflows) that are used when systems become overwhelmed.  In response to this, I contacted Island Roads who have assured me that their gullies and drains have been cleared to reduce pressure on any outfall.

Cycles: Cowes High Street.

Councillors continue to receive complaints on cyclists using the High Street. Please note here is a prohibition order in place for all ‘vehicles’ in the High Street.  The signs denoting this are legal, and although Cowes Town Council wanted signs to specify no cycles, these would not be lawful given cycles are classed as vehicles.

That said, bollard covers and painted road markings have been discussed.  Alongside this speedwatch volunteers and police have taken action against cyclists.

In my opinion regulars who cycle through the High Street are fully aware of restrictions in place and choose to ignore the prohibition.  I suspect the most effective way to stop cycling is to wilfully enforce.  For the police with limited resources their priorities are elsewhere.  Both the Mayor Cllr Peacey Wilcox, myself, residents and Councillors have requested this is raised as a priority once resources allow.

Also this month.

·         Newly refurbished public toilets (by Gurnard Parish Council) are due to reopen early this month.

·         I continue to discuss boundary maintenance with the IW Community Club.  As a consequence of Covid-19 and associated revenue income, it has not been possible for the Club to be as receptive to requests as in the past.  That said, residents are aware of the situation and are mostly in support of the Clubs position.

·         I am supporting Crossfield Avenue residents who have been advised by BT of the need for extra telegraph poles to service their Open Reach network.

·         The IW Council have been contacted concerning a further car which has been left abandoned in Cockleton Lane.  This is an ongoing issue for residents, and I remain ever hopeful that those responsible will be taken to task.

·         I am supporting a Sovereign Housing resident, who has been awaiting repairs to take place on their home.  These repairs are longstanding and on the face of what I am told is wholly unacceptable.

·         I have been asked, and will support a Newport resident resolving an issue with neighbours excessive tree growth.

·         I am supporting a resident of the Crossfield Estate who has had difficulties with a rogue trader.

·         Contact has been made with the IW Council following concerns raised regarding the use of pesticides near beaches.

·         Following a request, I chased up a welfare issue concerning a resident of Park Road.

·         A referral was made to a neighbouring Councillor concerning parking difficulties in Cowes.

·         I am liaising with a number of residents concerning ‘spoil’ being disposed of on IW Council owned land in Cowes.

·         A request has been made to make safe a navigation aid in Gurnard Bay.  This is being processed by action taken.  

·         Signage has been put in place on litter bins at Gurnard Green (Gurnard PC)/ Seafront (IW Cllr.) requesting rubbish to be disposed of properly.  This follows incidents of the accumulation of rubbish being scattered by foxes and badgers.

·         Concern was raised concerning piles of wood (perceived to be for bonfires) at Meadow View, Place Road.  To assure residents nearby, I have requested the Planners to monitor and take appropriate action.

·         I have requested post lockdown data from Education Officers concerning school attendance.

·         Covid-19 data has been requested and received from Public Health.  It is interesting to note that per 1000 residents, the infection rates for the Island are the 11^th lowest in the country, whilst last month the reinfection rate stood at 0.47. Concerns and safeguards remain in place should a second wave of Covid-19 infections arise.

·         I have received a number of calls concerning the interest in the planning application for the exploration of oil near Arreton. Details can be found on the IW Council’s Planning Portal with the reference number: 20/00513/FUL

·         Following perseverance in light of Covid-19  The Cowes Floating Bridge is now accepting contactless payments. 

·         Action is pending regarding a request made by Island Roads and Planners to ‘stop-up’ an access road for residents of The Green off Crossfield Avenue.  I have, and will continue to support the Flats Management Company against this.

·         An approach has been made to Amey/ IW Waste Services to support the provision of bins in Shore Road.

·         Pine Tree Close is due to have repairs undertaken to the road.  As yet no date has been set to fully resurface both Pine Tree Close and The Orchards.

·         Action continues to be pursued over restricted access to land off Rew Street.  In the coming weeks, I am hoping to speak to the landowner.

·         The Coastal Path between Thorness and Gurnard was closed last month due to a landslip, I am continuing to work with the IWC Rights of Way to see the path reopened. 

·         With the support of Environmental Health I am supporting a resident attempting to resolve issues concerning a neighbours security light in Cowes.

·         Proposals for the Plaza Ices to locate their van daily 11:30am-4pm on Princes Esplanade were approved.