IW Councillor's Report: August 2020

Surgeries.

 

   11am-11:30am, Thursday 6^th August, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

11:30-12pm, Thursday, 27^th August, Food Shack & Bar, Gurnard Pines, Gurnard.

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

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 1^st September, IW Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

 

Surgeries Update.

 

I would very much like to place on record my unreserved gratitude to the very lovely Rod Ainge and Karen from Eegons, who has accommodated my last Thursday of the month surgeries for the last five years or so.

 

Rods ear, his ideas, support and free cuppas were very much welcomed throughout this time, and I was sad to discover that the premises where his café had been trading from in the old town had been sold!

 

In response- surgerywise, I am looking for a new venue in the town. This also follows my Little Gloster surgery being relocated to the Café at Gurnard Pines, where a number of residents have requested that I increase my support.  Having spoken to the Café, I am hoping to also hold occasional drop-in’s from Citizens Advice and other support groups.

 

The surgery will take place from this month 11:30am- midday on either the third or fourth Thursday of each month.  

 

Environmental Issues:

 

·         Bonfires.

Several residents contacted me over the build-up of timber at the old Turkey Farm in Place Road opposite Place Side.

 

In response, I approached Environmental Health regarding residents concerns and the landowner cancelled their intended bonfire advising officers they would find another method of disposing of the wood…

 

Following the timber being cordoned off, fire crews were called to extinguish a blaze at the site which was out of control on 26^th July.

 

Elsewhere, regular bonfires in Rew Street has also been reported to officers.

 

·         Security Lighting.

I have provided support to a resident kept awake by a security light in Cowes.  If you have security lighting on your property, please ensure that this does not distract neighbours as very often when I receive a complaint the owners of security are not aware of the adverse impact this has upon those living nearby.

 

·         Trees.

Over the summer, I have been involved with supporting residents who have had issues with neighbours overgrown bushes, hedges and trees.  To note:

 

• There is no general requirement that all hedges should be kept below a certain height.
• There is no limit to the height of a hedge or a tree in a garden.
• There is no law prohibiting the planting of leylandii trees.
• There is no such thing as an automatic ‘right to light’ or a view.

 

For further information please visit:

https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Environment-Planning-and-Waste/Planning/Tree-Preservation-Orders/Trees-and-the-Law

 

·         Waste and Recycling.

Visits to Lynnbottom and Afton Waste sites, remain limited to 30 minute pre-booked appointments only. For details visit:  https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Environment-Planning-and-Waste/Waste-and-Recycling/Recycling-Centres/Lynnbottom-HWRC

 

If you have difficulty putting out your rubbish due to medical needs, you may be entitled to having your waste and recycling collected from an agreed space on your property free of charge.  In addition residents (especially second home owners!) can also apply for rubbish to be removed from a specified place for a nominal fee.  For details please visit:

https://www.iow.gov.uk/Residents/Environment-Planning-and-Waste/Waste-and-Recycling/Household-Waste-and-Recycling-Collection/Other-Collection-Services

 

I continue to receive complaints regarding litterbins being used by residents using bins for household rubbish.  This has been reported and is being monitored by residents, Island Roads and our Environment Officer.

Police Matters:

 

·         Anti-Social Behaviour.

I continue to receive a lot of feedback concerning noise nuisance and anti-social behaviour following gatherings on Gurnard Beach.  From last month’s police report all (4 reported crimes!) related to incidents in Gurnard occurred in relation to during or the aftermath of beach gatherings. 

 

In the meantime, please report all incidents to: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/

or by email to: west.wight.police@hampshire.pnn.police.uk

 

·         Cold Callers.

Age UK Isle of Wight has been informed of a bogus caller who has been door knocking purporting to be from the charity. This person is not employed by, or affiliated to Age UK in anyway.

 

The police advise not to let them in your house, do not give them personal information and do not give them money.  Please report suspicious visits to Age UK Isle of Wight or the police.

 

Please note that doorstep scammers often target older people and those vulnerable. Isle of Wight Trading Standards advise people to use the Stop, Chain and Check method to avert doorstep scams.  If someone unexpected calls, please:

 

·         STOP: Are you expecting anybody?  Do they have an appointment?

·         CHAIN: Secure the door bar or chain before opening the door.

·         CHECK: Ask for and double check the caller’s identity.

 

Please visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/council/OtherServices/IWASP/Introductio14 for details of scams etc.

 

Highways Issues.

 

·         Monterey Close.

Island Roads have advised me that the new development to the north of Egypt Copse, could be called Monterey Close this is to reflect the Macrocarpa (Monterey Pine) Tree opposite within the grounds of The Moorings Residential Home.

 

Although, I’ve made ‘nautical’ suggestions linked to the nearby Egypt Light, I am advised the developer wishes to deviate from the maritime theme of developments elsewhere. 

 

·         Bird Nesting Season.

Bird nesting season is due to come to its end this month.  This will allow roadside, footway and public rights of way hedges to have more of a significant trim.  Please let me know of sites where access is impaired.

 

·         Place Road new Pedestrian Refuge.

At last, the refuge has emerged in Place Road. It was a long time coming, but thank you to residents for their patience!

 

·         Telegraph Pole, Crossfield Avenue.

One organisation, I was surprised to learn that does not accept emails is BT OpenReach (Broadband Internet and Communications Provider), or at least their Pole Objection department!

 

On this, I have been in dialogue with the company concerning placing of new cabling and a pole in Crossfield Avenue. It has been explained that because of recent carriageway resurfacing, cables cannot be sunk beneath the road until 2024.

 

·         Active Travel funding to improve access for Cyclists.

Cowes Isle of Wight Councillors have been contacted concerning ‘Active Travel’ funding from Government.  This follows issues raised during the Covid-19 outbreak regarding improvements needed for pedestrian and particularly cycling access.  In light of this, we were advised of a proposal to reconfigure traffic flows to allow a new town centre cycle route.

 

Following feedback from town councillors, I’ve asked if more can be done to re-route cycles from the pedestrianised town centre, whilst enhancing increased public access to the shoreside.  This is also being looked into.

 

·         Gurnard to Thorness Bay Coastal Path.

The public right of way connecting Thorness to Gurnard remains closed following a landslip that took away a section of the footpath south of Sticelett.  I remain optimistic that the path can soon re-open.  In the meantime the path up to the landslip remains accessible.

 

·         Parking Complaints.

Following complaints from dog walkers, residents who are believed to be parking their vehicles in lay-bys in and around Parkhurst Forest have been reported to Forestry England.  I am unsure what action Forestry England can or will take, however this has been reported.

 

Complaints have also been reported to Parking Services following anti-social parking in Worsley Road, Gurnard.

 

I have received a request to limit parking at the Pallance Road junction, Cockleton Lane. This follows concerns over sight lines exiting Cockleton Lane, as well as restricted access to the bus stop.  This has been forwarded to Island Roads.

 

°         St Mary’s junction.

In recent weeks there has been a number of traffic delays at this junction, this follows work commencing on the more difficult aspect of the scheme.  It is anticipated delays will become more commonplace between now and when the works conclude in December. For updates visit:  http://islandroads.com/newport-st-marys-strategic-junction-improvements/

 

Contacts.

 

If you are intending to ‘write’ to me, please can I ask that you supply details of your telephone number should you do not have an email address. Unfortunately, my elderly printer has met its maker and seemingly, I’ve discovered there is a worldwide shortage of ink jet printers due to Coronavirus.

 

Please note that for the time being my newsletter is only available online until the drought ends… In the meantime this report will be added in its full colour hard copy form from Gurnard Press and Cowes Library.     

 

Toilets.

 

Public toilets at Gurnard Green recently refurbished by contractors on behalf of Gurnard Parish Council have reopened.

 

Although I received one complaint concerning the 20p cost, this charge is necessary to help maintain the toilets and is a small nominal contribution from beach users (rather than just Gurnard precept payers). During consultation on the transferral of toilets to Town and Parish Councils, a number of residents suggested they would prefer to pay a charge than lose toilets all together and where toilets have been replaced often there is a charge.  This has also been a consequence in Shanklin and in toilets planned for Post Office Lane in Newport.

 

Since the toilets have reopened (following the snagging) the large majority of residents welcomed the new facilities. My grateful thanks to Gurnard Parish Council for their efforts on this.

 

Supporting local businesses: Use them or lose them?

 

Following in the aftermath of Coronavirus, there are a large number of local businesses that continue to be impacted by the downturn in custom.  This is particularly relevant to pubs, café’s and small shops- all of which need our support.  Please if you can- shop local, as our community needs all of the support as residents we can offer.  This is not only important for the shops themselves, but also for the many locals who rely upon employment!  

 

Cowes Harbour Commission/ Cowes Waterfront Trust Merger.

 

Meetings of stakeholders have and continue to take place concerning combining the two bodies as a combined charitable trust. This, Councillors were advised would be similar to bodies that oversee Harbour authorities in Chichester and Looe.

 

From my perspective, as part of the consultation with Cowes Town Council I requested that the wider community has an improved voice on any new body through representation via their County and Town Councillors.  At present, there are no IW Councillors involved in the Advisory Committee (The IW Council has instead appointed an officer to fill its vacancy)   

 

For details visit: https://www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/stakeholder_consultation_update_on_harbour_proposals

 

IW Council Meetings.

 

With the lockdown easing, and the technology of virtual meetings being better understood, meetings have returned! Of note are the following:

 

·         Full Council.

°         I supported a motion to delay revisions to the Island Plan in light of Covid-19.  This is particularly relevant to me, given concerns I have over current proposals to increase housing numbers without any prioritisation for local housing need.  

°         Initially I opposed and spoke against a self-congratulatory motion regarding the ‘administrations’ response to Covid-19; Upon revision this received all members support when changing the word administration to ‘Island Community’.  

°         Because of perceived extra costs to Island residents, I opposed an increase in Council Tax for next year to fund the Combined Fire Authority. The reason I supported the merger originally was due to saving rather than increasing costs.

 

·         Scrutiny Committee for Children’s Services.

°         There remains concerns regarding some children returning to school.  I requested that in addition to children and staff returning, parents are also provided with support.  This follows evidence of an increase in mental health issues.  

°         Outside the Committee, I am providing support for parents with concerns relating to Christ The King School, Newport. On this matter, I have referred these issues to the Cabinet Member who has responded to parents.

 

·         Planning Committee.

°         An application was approved for the location of a micro-brewery/ bar in Sandown High Street.

°         Training has been provided to all Planning Committee members on the Oil Well proposed for the Arreton Valley.

°         Advice was sought from the monitoring officer on my involvement as a member of Gurnard’s Planning Committee. Now as a member of the IW Council’s Planning Committee, I will be making the following declaration at each meeting:

 ‘I am declaring a non- pecuniary interest as a member of the Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Committee.

 

Please note that any predisposed view I express tonight is based on the information that has been presented. However, I remain open to listening to all arguments and receiving further material planning information- potentially enabling me to change my mind in light of further information’.

Also this month:

 

·         I continue to receive comments concerning use by the IW Council of the Governments ‘High Street Safety Fund’ on social distancing spots on footways.

·         Concerns have been raised regarding taxi operators not using face coverings.  This has been reported to Licensing Officers.

·         A request has been made to provide and supply artwork to brighten up Gurnard Green.

·         An approach has been made to the IW Council to support a resident who wishes to track down a foster child, brought up in the 1960’s.

·         I attended a meeting of the Anti Poverty Forum.  Two of the major concerns from the meeting is the impact of Covid 19, especially on those with ongoing mental health and financial issues.

·         I continue to lend my support to a resident whose landlord has delayed carrying out repairs to their home.  

·         Following meeting the 70/30 ambassador for the Island, support has been given to the WAVE Trust, an organisation established to support those with ‘Adverse Childhood Experiences. From my perspective, I am one of around half a dozen Councillors (and Bob Seely MP) signed up and campaigning to raise awareness and support for those affected. Details on the 70/30 Wave Trust can be found at: https://www.wavetrust.org/7030

·         A new supply of Face Masks have been provided to Northwood Stores, who has raised around £100 for Mountbatten Hospice from sales.

·         A protruding branch was reported to Island Roads for investigation in Cockleton Lane.

·         Support has been provided to those under 25 unable to retrieve welfare Universal Credit benefits.   

·         I continue to chase up a response from IW Council Officers regarding a residents request to acquire Council owned land off Crossfield Avenue.

·         Support is being provided concerning an illegal encampment off Rew Street.

·         Declarations of Interests have been updated.  These are now on my website, and have been submitted to Councils.

·         Help has been offered to the Board hoping to reopen the Isle of Wight Community Club in the coming weeks.  In the meantime, the Club have assisted some residents on surveying hedgerows and boundaries.

·         Flu Vaccines will be made available to all residents aged 50 and over from this year.