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Gurnard/ Cowes Seafront Parking approved by IW Council’s Cabinet.
Despite widespread opposition, the IW Council’s
Cabinet saw fit to approve proposals to implement charges on the seafront.
I wish to place on record my very grateful
appreciation to the 449 objectors who wrote to the IW Council, the thousands of
residents who signed the petition (3074, at the last count), the businesses, experts,
legal advisors and Councillors who stood shoulder to shoulder with us
throughout the campaign. Thank you!
As you can read from the texts below, everything
that could be put into the campaign was.
From the viability of charging, to offering the Council a more
sustainable means of raising revenue (This was supported last year, the case by
financial officers); from legal challenges, to arguments that the proposals
were out of context with the Council’s Corporate and Wellbeing Strategies the
Team behind the campaign seemingly left no stone unturned.
A. Corporate Scrutiny. (Resolution put to Corporate Scrutiny 12th
January). Motion Fell For: 3, Abstain: 1
Against: 4
Corporate Scrutiny requests that the
Cabinet reconsiders charges proposed for Cowes/ Gurnard Seafront on the
following grounds:
1.
Within the
report there is no evidence to counter concerns over the adverse impact charges
will occur to local businesses and organisations such as Gurnard Sailing Club.
Given concerns over broader opportunities to invest outlined by businesses, we
consider proposals are contrary to the IW Corporate Plan’s priorities which
support economic regeneration and businesses after COVID. Within the context of
the Corporate Plan priorities, we are further concerned over the impact charges
are likely to have upon residents physical, social and mental well-being.
2.
The
Committee has concerns over how costs accrued from charges will be sustainable
given the ongoing maintenance from sea air, regular flood damage and subsequent
corrosive action. In light of the £66,000 Revenue Stream proposed,
noting that 2019/20 parking revenue was limited, we ask for a Full Impact
Assessment to consider future maintenance programme and related Officer time on
the costings for enforcement.
3.
It is
noted that under S 122 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act, Highway Authorities
powers to charge should relate to the need for Public Safety, Reduce Congestion
(or allow for traffic to pass freely) and to enable access to
property. Within the report none of these matters are addressed as grounds
to comply within the framework of the Act. In response to this
proposals unpopularity, the Committee asks for charges to be
reconsidered. This is relevant in light of updating and re-assessing
long and short stay Town Centre parking and should be a focus of the Council’s
Parking Strategy where need, demand and justification for charges in compliance
with the RTRA is greater.
B. Cabinet (Letter sent to all Cabinet members) 14th
January. IW Council approved charges:
For: 10 Against: 0.
(The Cabinet comprises
wholly of members of the Council’s ruling group)
Dear Cllr
Stewart and Cabinet Members,
Thank you
for allowing me to reflect the views of those opposed to seafront car parking
charges between Cowes and Gurnard.
For many
years, as a Ryde Isle of Wight Councillor, and then as a Cowes Town Councillor,
myself and many long standing members will recall one of my predecessors, Cllr
John Effemey speaking against the madness of parking meters located in Queens
Road, Cowes and how meters year on year failed to create a revenue source
for the IW Council due to the corrosive action which salt from the sea air
played on machines. Although this was 20 years ago, I can report
that in 2019/20 the machines in that more sustainable area of Queens Road and
Mornington Car park before costs made less than £6000 Revenue for the Council.
Despite,
Cllr Effemey’s efforts, and by the Council arguing with John that Queens Road
and Mornington Road were close to Cowes and all the facilities that the Town
afforded there is no evidence here to suggest the annual £66,000 revenue will
ever be met. One elderly resident, pointed out to me for those 42
weeks, when nobody parks out of season; He will continue to sit in
his car, drink from his flask and read from
his paper and if he views an emerging parking attendant he will just
begger off, drive around the corner and park again when they’ve gone.
Please
note, last year Parking failed to balance its budget for the IW Council. If
Newport, Ryde, Sandown, Shanklin and Ventnor with its numerous shops, bars,
tourist facilities, harbour, sandy beaches, restaurants, travel hubs etc fail
to make revenue, what chance is there for Gurnard its pub, ice cream van, a
kiosk, sailing club and Light.
Knowing
that Gurnard’s unique selling point is the sea gets closer to our Car Parking
provision than elsewhere, it remains of concern that meters will not only be
prone to the sea air but will also spend around 21 days of the year immersed in
sea water. Can this seriously be considered good value for our Council Tax
payers, when machines costing over £3,000 each requires maintenance and
replacing up to every three years?
Within
the report officers have flagged up the fact that just 449 residents objected to this consultation... Please
note that besides the 449 objectors, over 3050 have now signed Adam Provis’
petition. The derogatory comments concerning this feedback, is not only
disingenuous to all those who responded, but shows a real disregard to those
members of our community who took time to comment.
I know
that the IW Council recognises that there was real potential for Cowes/ Gurnard
seafront, in the last year alone there was reinvestment by Gurnard Parish
Council in new toilets, there was potential for a new cafe, with local
businesses intending to further invest. Locally this investment
could and would have brought over £1m into our local community.
Since
then and since these proposals came to light, I hear from local
businesses prepared now only to invest criticism for our
Council. One business owner stated on the week charges were
advertised, ‘it’s as though the Council wants to put themselves first and then
kick local businesses when Covid pushed them to their knees’.
As local
member I would make the point that proposals are at odds with our Corporate
Plan which seeks to regenerate our economy, as well as offering opportunities
to enhance physical, social and mental wellbeing
My final
point. And this, is more a point of legal clarification which I
raised last week. To note when implementing car parking charges,
under section 122 of the Road Traffic Act (1984). I am advised, that charges
should only be levied when there is a clear public safety, access or traffic
flow requirement to do so. From the Report, officers are clear that
the primary role for implementing charges is to raise revenue, which has been
pointed out to me by people more legally qualified this remains at odds with
the Act. Please note, there have been successful Judicial Reviews concerning
this such as the High Court ruling against the London Borough of Barnet in
2013.
As a
Councillor facing these unpopular proposals, surely it makes more sense, to
improve, enhance and update vehicular access to regenerate our Tourist and Town
Centres within our Parking Strategy, rather than entering into conflict with
our local businesses, residents and communities, which I consider will be an
inevitability should these proposals go ahead.
On this,
I stand by counter proposals whereby car parks in central locations in our
towns could be put to greater use sharing short stay with long stay use. Residents have argued for a long time that
car parks are not utilised to capacity, and if people are prepared and happy to
pay a premium to do this, doesn’t this make more sense that installing meters
that are not properly utilised as I guarantee will be the case for most of the
year on Cowes/ Gurnard seafront.
At Cabinet
it was emphasised that the decision was considered lawful. However, there was much greater emphasis put
in a response to meters providing consistency and fairness rather than being
seen as an income generator.
C. Cabinet Call-In (Deadline: Monday 25th January)
Following
feedback, a request was made to Call-In the decision taken by Cabinet. This was made in response to, mirrored and
provided detail to suggestions made by the Chair of the Scrutiny Committee
during the debate. Believing this was
better than the Final Recommendation agreed by Cabinet, the following appeal
was made:
Councillors
ask Cabinet to rethink its decision on implementing charges on Cowes/ Gurnard
seafront on the following basis:
1. Reconsideration of parking charges between the Woodvale
and the Pumping Station.
2. Reconsideration of parking charges out of season between
the Pumping Station and Egypt Light (during the winter, when meters could be
covered to sustain their lives)
3. Ongoing arrangements for the maintenance of Isle of
Wight assets. (i.e The Sea Wall, Meters, Railings, Egypt Light, public
slipways and steps to the beach).
This
proposal was rejected by the Corporate Scrutiny Chairman in liaison with the IW Council's Monitoring
Officer.
As far
as I and many residents are concerned, the fight goes on.
Whatever
your opinion on parking charges, the decision at the very least shows flaws
whereby a Council’s Scrutiny Committee doesn’t work effectively when dominated
by members of the Council’s ruling group.
Rosie’s
Bench
A new
picnic bench has been agreed to be located next to Gurnard Green in memorial of
Rosie Jardine who sadly passed away last year, and was subject to fundraising
by friends and family. In addition, Gurnard Parish Council are also
positioning a further picnic bench, following a thumbs up from the IW Council.
Coastal Path.
Following a further landslip
the coastal path between Gurnard and Sticelett has been formally closed.
Please note the landslipped
section will not be rolled back and reinstated until ground movement
stabilises.
Elections: Thursday 7th
May.
At the
moment, there will be elections for Isle of Wight Council and Local Town and
Parish Councillors, as well as this elections are also being held for our Police
Commissioner.
I say
at the moment, but I hold the view that when the election timetable commences
mid-March, safety will inevitably be compromised. This is particularly relevant given most
residents will not have been vaccinated by then, raising an issue over
fairness. I personally believe that Elections are more likely to take place
during the Autumn.
In the
meantime, you can register to vote on the following link: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Planning Updates.
·
Land adjacent to 77 Place Road. Ref: 20/02229/OUT.
As
reported last month, an outline proposal has been submitted to develop on the
old poultry farm site in Place Road, opposite Place Side. This application comprises of 14 dwellings
for the first phase (which this proposal relates to) and 27 further dwellings
planned for the second phase.
Under
current proposals, the second phase will comprise of 14 ‘affordable’ dwellings. As an ‘outline’ application this proposal is
to consider the principle of development, with details to be submitted at a
later stage if approved.
A
letterdrop to 50 neighbouring households of Deauville Avenue, Place Road
and Place Side took place in mid
January. Surprisingly, this large-ish
development has not been met with the same opposition as some others..
·
Single dwelling, Woodvale Road. Ref: 20/02048/FUL.
Both
myself and Gurnard Parish Council have received a number of calls concerning
this application located in Woodvale Drive, at the junction of the unmade road
leading to The Stables and The Kennels.
Concerns
have been raised about the setting of the dwelling, and conditions concerning
access to the site and retaining the rural characteristics of this special area.
Planning
Enforcement
Further
enquiries are ongoing concerning a property being used for residential use in
Gurnard, whilst two incidents were reported regarding the removal of a
hedgerows during the winter.
Public Inquiry: Stopping
Up of Hardstanding, off Charles Road.
This
inquiry follows a request made by Island Roads to stop up a concrete
hardstanding where Charles Road, Mountbatten Avenue and The Green on the
Crossfield Estate.
Because
parking is of a premium in this area the Management Company responsible for
Flats on The Green considers that the ‘stopping up’ to be unnecessary. Also, because when the first application was
made, there was no issue raised by Island Roads the company has made this
appeal to the Department for Transport.
From
my perspective, in light of no feedback from residents, I had hoped this minor
matter could have been resolved through negotiation without the need to spend
public money, on what to me is a very minor matter. In light of this I have notified the DFT to
oppose stopping up which will result in the reduction of residential parking
spaces.
E-Scooters
I
continue to receive negative feedback from residents concerning the roll-out of
E-scooters in Cowes
Areas
that Beryl agreed with the IW Council prior to any consultation were:
|
Cowes
West |
Gurnard |
|
Reynolds Close Ward Avenue (junction with Crossfield
Avenue) Baring Road (junction with Egypt Hill) |
Princes Esplanade (East of Pumping Station) Church Road (junction with Cockleton Lane) Church Road (junction with Worsley Road) Place Road (junction with Broadfields
Avenue) Place Road (The Range) Cockleton Lane (junction with Pallance
Road) |
From
my perspective I will not support this roll-out until assurance can be provided that the e-scooters will be used
safely, lawfully and will be rigorously enforced.
Cowes Floating Bridge.
At
last month’s Scrutiny Committee, an announcement is anticipated on the Floating
Bridge in February. The Council Leader
that mediation concerning the Bridge’s design and build should be resolved ‘shortly’.
Dog Poo Audit.
Following several complaints
that have been forthcoming on social media, I am undertaking an audit of dog
poo and of areas that are prone to fouling.
Please let me know of regular hotspots where there are issues, and then
I can request our Environment Officer to initiate patrols in the hope that
those responsible are dealt with.
Full Council.
Please accept my apologies for a very moany report this month!
Under
the Council Leader’s Report, it was highlighted during the debate that extra funding offered to the Island through both the Fair Funding Review and an Island
Deal had again not been forthcoming, as a consequence difficult decisions will
be taken at next month’s budget meeting.
There
were two key votes at Full Council, the first related to the Council’s Pay
Policy for Staff, whilst in contrast the second related to Local Council Tax Support.
In
recent years, Government has given local Council’s the ability to consider how
much Council Tax support they offer to residents. This of course, is in light of local Councils
facing year on year savings and additional pressures. From
our Government’s perspective older residents on very low incomes receive Full
Council Tax support capped at 100%, whereas working families support has been
cut from 100% to a lower level.
This
year IW Councillors took the decision to cut support from 70% to 65%. From my perspective, I felt that I could not
support sleep at night supporting any further cuts to my residents who are
struggling- not only with lockdowns arising from Covid, but with low
incomes. Instead, reluctantly I
supported Cllr Andrew Garratts to retain the 70% threshold (I would have
personally preferred 75%). Sadly Cllr
Garratt’s motion was defeated by the administration.
Bonfires.
Following calls from
neighbours in close knit and residential areas, I still receive a large number
of complaints from people who are regularly affected by those lighting garden
bonfires. Please, please, please- if
you have no other choice than to have a bonfire let your neighbours know
beforehand. Again, at this time of the
year damp vegetation being burnt unsupervised can cause considerable smoke and
harm to those with breathing difficulties!
Please note that if you live
adjacent to dips in the land, smoke can linger longer. In certain locations (dips in Baring Road, as
well as the Jordan Valley and the Luck Valley), I regularly receive calls from
distressed residents.
As a rule of thumb, depending
upon what is being burnt more than one bonfire per month may constitute
becoming a ‘statutory nuisance’
Smoke-Free Shelters.
Last month, I was asked to
relay concerns over people smoking in bus shelters. Of most concern locally are shelters adjacent
to Bucklers View in Gurnard and at the Roundhouse. In light of this, I have
requested stickers reminding smokers of the 2007 Smoke-Free Act.
Cowes Week 2021.
At Cabinet is was reported that Cowes Week would be 5G powered in 2021 with cameras on
many boats. It was reported that spectators would be able to log on and become
immersed and fits with the Digital Island Strategy and superfast fibre rollout
putting the island on the map with one of the fastest broadband speeds in the
world.
Cold Calling.
Gurnard
Parish Council has become the first of our three local Council’s to replace No
Cold Calling signage at gateway locations to its community. In light of this, I know that both Cowes and
Northwood are also considering doing likewise.
Reduction
in Bus Services.
Due to
reduced passenger numbers during lockdown, Southern Vectis has reported that it is reducing
some services. Locally, the Cowes Community Bus (Service 32) will
for the time being operate only on Saturdays and Tuesdays, whilst evening and
Sunday services have been cut back.
Cowes Medical Centre.
I
continue to receive feedback from residents concerning communication with Cowes
Medical Centre. From the perspective of
E-consult, the response is generally positive.
However, those residents without access to a computer continue to find
it difficult to get through to the Centre via the phone line which hangs up
after three minutes.
All
four IW Councillors attended a recent Health and Wellbeing Scrutiny Meeting
where feedback was shared with Cowes South and Northwood Councillor, John
Nicholson.
Since
the meeting, there was an issue concerning a Saturday drop-in at Cowes Medical
Centre with those patients unable to receive their first Covid vaccination at
Carisbrooke Medical Practice. It seemed
as though, everybody attended this!! In
response to, the Medical Centre has issued the following statements:
Covid
Vaccinations - 26 January 2021
We are pleased to say
that we are now vaccinating our housebound patients, and hope to have completed
this within the next two weeks.
Covid Vaccinations – Saturday, 23 January 2021
To save our patients
having to travel to the vaccination hub in Carisbrooke, we set up a Saturday
clinic as we had Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine, which is transportable.
While we had
additional staff on hand to support the clinic on Saturday, we did not
anticipate the number of enthusiastic patients who arrived very early, which
lead to a long queue in the morning. Our afternoon clinic ran smoothly with
very little queuing.
We are very sorry
that patients had to wait outside in the cold, and we will of course do our
best to ensure this does not happen again. We would like to remind patients
that it is really important they arrive no earlier than five minutes before
their booked slots.
To date our practice
team have done an excellent job running over 20 vaccine clinics at
Carisbrooke, and one trial run here at Cowes, which have run smoothly and have
received really positive feedback.
Top Tips from the Footprint Trust to help you
keep Warm & Safe this Winter.
·
Talk to your energy company. Are you on the best deal? Can you get the
£140 Warm Home Discount?
·
Keep safe in a power cut or water
failure. Join the free Priority Service
Register call 0800 294 3259 or visit www.ssen.co.uk/psr/southernwater
·
Lag your water pipes
·
Save £200 per year on utility costs! Talk to
the Warm Island team at the Footprint Trust on 01983 822282 or email: info@footprint-trust.co.uk.
·
Phone 0800 027 0800 and ask about the
Watersure tariff if you have a disability or high water use due to illness.
·
Make sure your torch is charged, and you have
spare batteries.
·
Keep a supply of tinned and non-perishable
goods in case extreme weather prevents you going out to the shops
·
Make sure you have enough medicine; don’t
leave re-ordering to the last minute.
·
Keep important phone numbers on your fridge.
Useful Helplines:
°
If
you are worried about your Fuel Bills call The
Footprint Trust on 01983 822282.
°
Islehelp for
advice and information on benefits, money issues, rent concerns. Telephone:
01983 823859/ 823898; Website: www.islehelp.me;
Email: enquiries@iwcab.org.uk
°
Isle
of Wight Council Covid-19 Support Telephone: 01983 823600
°
Struggling on your pension? You may be
entitled to more money. Pension Credit
helpline 0800 991 234.
Isle of Wight
Council’s Exceptional Hardship Fund.
The
IW Council has a fund to support those on low income, who struggle to pay
Council Tax.
According
to the Citizens Advice Bureau, Council Tax debt is of greatest concern to
residents on low incomes. However, support may be received support through:
https://www.iow.gov.uk/Council/OtherServices/Local-Council-Tax-Support-Entitlement/Exceptional-Hardship-Fund
To note, awards are discretionary, and from
support given to residents in the past the bar is set frustratingly high.
St Mary’s Junction:
Access to Cowes from St Mary’s Hospital.
I
continue to receive questions from both hospital workers and patients
concerning vehicles returning to Cowes from the hospital. On this, I have received the following
response from Island Roads:
Hi Paul
Thank you for your email regarding options
available to drivers leaving the hospital. There has been no change to
the arrangements initially communicated.
Those drivers who feel confident enough to do so,
can undertake a U-turn at the traffic lights at the Forest Road Junction. On
exiting the hospital they can get into the right turn lane to go into forest
road, and when the lights are green, there is enough room for cars and small
vans to undertake a U-turn safely as no other traffic flow is on a green light.
This U-Turn manoeuvre has previously been
highlighted in Isle of Wight Council press statements, so nothing has changed
with these options.
However, as has been the case since the scheme was
first discussed, this U-turn manoeuvre would not be signed posted positively,
but also would not be prohibited, and that the signed route would be for
vehicles exiting the hospital to go through the Forest Road junction, then onto
the slip lane to go round the B&Q roundabout, and then up to and through
the new St Marys signals and travel back northbound towards Cowes.
Also, it is in no way signed, but those staff
working at the hospital, or those visiting the hospital may be aware that they
could exit the hospital to the rear onto Dodnor Lane and approach the new St
Marys junction via the B&Q roundabout, and then take the correct lanes back
towards Cowes.
So there are still options available for drivers to
get to Cowes after visiting the hospital.
Also
This Month.
·
Environmental
Health has been asked to contact a resident concerning an overpowering security
light. Please check yours to ensure they
are not causing a problem to your neighbours.
·
Six
residents have volunteered to join Speedwatch.
Please let me know if you are interested in joining.
·
I
have now invested in Zoom Pro. This
means that I am no longer cut off after hosting meetings (This has happened on
a number of occasions during calls that I have hosted). Please note that my license has been funded
by me on a personal basis, and is at no cost to the Isle of Wight Council.
·
An
overgrown hedge obscuring site lines at a junction has been reported to Island
Roads.
·
I
have been appointed as Chairman to the Isle of Wight Local Access Forum. Items discussed at our last meeting included
an update on the opening of the Islands Coastal Path, action being pursued at
Parkhurst Forest and concerns over the Forthcoming Diamond Races and the impact
this has on local Rights of Way.
·
At
Cowes Town Council, the Finance Committee supported CCTV in Northwood Cemetery
and supporting the transferral of the Beckford Centre (as a community asset) to
Cowes Heritage.
·
Northwood
Parish Council has raised an objection to develop housing on land in Pallance
Road west of the junction with Pallance Lane
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