IW Councillors Report: June 2021

 

Surgeries:

 

10:30-11am, Tuesday 1^st June, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

5:30-6pm, Thursday 3^rd June, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

10:30-11am, Tuesday 8^th June, Benches adj. The Watersedge Café, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

11-11:30am, Tuesday 8^th June, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

11-12pm, Thursday 17^th June, Food Shack & Bar, Gurnard Pines, Gurnard.

11-12pm, Thursday 24^th June, Eegon’s, 85 High Street, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Wednesday 30^th June, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

Cowes West and Gurnard Traffic Orders.

 

Consultation is underway on the new Traffic Orders which are intended to improve health and safety measures throughout Cowes.  Locally the proposed traffic orders are relevant to Cowes West and Gurnard are outlined below.  The deadline for feedback is 21^st June 2021.  If you require maps, please let me know. These can be viewed via the hard copy of my report available from 8th June from Cowes Library, Gurnard Press and the IW Community Club. 

 

·         Part of east section and entire western section of Place Road from 5 Place Road – opp. 22 Place Side, Cowes.

·         North east section of Baring Road from 144 Baring Road to 180 Baring Road, Cowes.

·         Outside 105 Baring Road, Cowes.

·         Opposite 214, 216 Baring Road, Cowes.  Adjacent to Roundhouse junction.

·         Both sides of Woodvale Road from junction with Baring Road to 7a and 10 Woodvale Road, Gurnard.

·         Outside 1,3 Crossfield Avenue and opp. entrance to Cowes Enterprise College, Crossfield Avenue, Cowes.

·         North side of road outside 61-67; 8,9,10 Beachside Chalets and 19 Marsh Road, Gurnard. 

·         Adjacent to pumping station, opp. 13 Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.

·         Junction with Pallance Road, Cockleton Lane, Gurnard.

 

Appeals to Cowes Enterprise College.

 

A large number of families have appealed against the decision to allow Year 6 children to attend Cowes Enterprise College following the decision to reduce the pupil attendance number from 270 to 210.

 

This decision taken by the College is impacting upon this year’s cohort without siblings that live more than 1.569km from the secondary school and is most pronounced in Northwood and arises from less popular Newport schools.  As a result with other Cowes IW Councillors, I met with the Education Authority’s Head of Admissions and am offering my support to parents and councillor colleagues following most appeals being rejected.

 

IW Council Administration.

 

Although there is no single group with overall control on the Isle of Wight Council, the 18 member Alliance Group has taken control of the IW Council.  The Group itself comprises of 16 Independent and the 2 Green Councillors who were elected on 7^th May. Outside the Group, there are three single stand-alone Councillors from the Labour, Liberal Democrat and Vectis Partys who supported the Alliance Group.

 

The Conservative Group and its 18 members are now in opposition.  Mindful of this the Alliance has agreed to make scrutiny fairer by reintroducing reverse proportionality and ensuring that the Chair of Scrutiny is a member of the opposition.  In addition to enhancing inclusiveness within the new administration there will now be reverse proportionality favouring opposition groups on all Policy and Scrutiny Committees.  As well as this the Alliance Group have appointed chairmanship positions to individuals from all Groups. 

 

Within the new administration Cllr Lora Peacey Wilcox has been appointed Leader, whilst I have been offered the Cabinet Portfolio for Planning and Housing. My Cabinet priority in this role, is concluding feedback on the Island Plan and reducing the Annual Housing figure from 1045 homes per annum.      

 

Cowes/ Gurnard Seafront Parking Charges Update. 

 

It was intended to install parking meters from the 4th June.  Following proposals being opposed by myself, Leader Cllr Lora Peacey Wilcox and the Transport portfolio holder, Cllr Phil Jordan proposals are currently 'on hold'. 

Whilst I considered the figures for revenue creation to be dubious, because officers consider there may be a financial shortfall I have outlined measures the Council can take to address this perceived shortfall.

 

 Bathing Water Quality.

 

Concerns have been raised concerning Bathing Water quality.  Following last month’s reassurance from Southern water, I contacted the Environment Agency on this matter and am still awaiting a response.

 

This has recently been highlighted following recent storms and use of Combined Sewage Outfalls during storm surges. Details can be found here: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/water-for-life/our-bathing-waters/beachbuoy

 

With respect to these instances, resulting in the temporary closure of beaches for bathers I am in the process of arranging a meeting with the EA and Southern Water.

 

Please see response below:

 

Dear Paul

 

Thank you for your emails.

 

Gurnard has been designated by DEFRA as a bathing water. The significance of this is that it receives water quality sampling at least every week between May and October by the Environment Agency who are the statutory body who protect land, air and water. I am very pleased to report that the water quality at Gurnard has been classified as ‘Excellent’ for the past 4 years which is the highest category (as have 12 of the 14 Island bathing waters). The last sample taken on 5/5/21 did not detect any Escherichia coli or Intestinal Enterococci at all. All of the data is here. Bathing water quality (data.gov.uk) Bacteriological sampling is sensitive and not solely affected by sewer discharges. For instance, Cowes often fails to achieve ‘excellent’ bathing water status due to high colony counts during Cowes week and other bathing waters are affected by agricultural and highway runoff.

 

The data does not support there being any water quality problems at Gurnard. This is a frustration of mine as unfounded rumours will negatively affect business and amenity in the area unnecessarily.

 

Like all other water companies, we design, build and maintain our sewage apparatus based on permits issued by the Environment Agency (EA). During very wet weather, flow coming into the system will exceed a station’s capability to pump and when this happens, stormwater is released into the environment. This happens to stop homes and business flooding. These stormwater discharges are permitted by the EA over a set flow rate. As such, permitted stormwater releases will always be a necessary part of the wastewater system and we and other water companies will continue to use them to protect our customers and communities.

 

Stormwater is not ‘raw sewage’, rather it is heavily-diluted wastewater and rainwater run-off from roads and gardens, and it is screened (it passes through a metal screen) and ‘settled’ (solids settle in a large tank and only the fluids are released). These necessary releases occur to prevent local homes and other properties, such as hospitals and schools, from flooding with stormwater when the system is surcharged. Sewer networks do not operate as a closed system and the permits issued by the EA take into account the dilution factor during a storm, sensitivity and amenity of the receiving watercourse. Failure to meet these permits is a criminal offence. They are very detailed legal documents that stipulate storage capacity, screen aperture, flow rate, generator requirement and pump availability.

 

All of our wastewater stations have alarms so we can monitor flow and respond to releases. We are legally obliged to keep records of, and report these alarms to, the EA. We are proud to be one of the first water companies to publish all of our releases, and other environmental information on our website.

 

We have to demonstrate value for money and willingness of our customers to pay for improvements. A good example of this is Shanklin. We recently invested £3m in a large stormwater retention tank. This reduced spills from Hope Beach pumping station from 5 consented discharges per summer to 3 for a bathing water that was already classified as excellent quality. In most cases, encouraging properties to divert their downpipes, not flushing wet wipes and not tarmacking over their drive is more effective that large construction schemes. I would also add that 1m3 of water weighs a tonne. The benefit of fewer stormwater releases needs to be offset against the CO2 and financial footprint of pumping predominantly rainwater significant distances to treatment.

 

Should the permits change (via EA or DEFRA), water companies will be legally obliged to comply. In fact, many of the sewage works on the Isle of Wight are currently being upgraded to accommodate Phosphate and flow permits.

 

Regarding the work that has been taking place at Gurnard (Woodvale) pumping station, we are increasing the pass forward rate of the site so it will discharge less and also installing pumping apparatus that will be more resilient to blockages. As Paul correctly says, the site has awful problems with wet wipes and other unflushable items that block the pumps and have the capacity to cause pollutions.

 

Apologies for length, this is a very technical subject – I am happy to field further questions or attend a meeting if you wish.

 

Planning Matters.

 

Planning enforcement matters are being pursued by officers in Cockleton Lane and Woodvale Road.

 

Concerns over replacing a dwelling in Solent View Road still has unresolved issues regarding size, scale and massing. Because there is little difference between the modified and original application, my call-in request remains.

 

With the easing of lockdown, planning notices will reappear close to Planning Applications.

 

Highways/ Transport Issues:

 

·         I continued to persevere regarding the Horsebridge Hill road closure.  As I understand the leak was eventually found and the road reopened to two way traffic at the end of its permitted closure timescale.

·         An extra service on Wednesday will operate on the Cowes Community Bus. 

·         I have undertaken Speedwatch Training.  The first road to be monitored is Pallance Road.  If you are interested in volunteering please let me know.

·         I have recently been approached by residents concerning new traffic orders in Baring Road, Marsh Road and Place Road.  I am also following up concerns raised of access being impeded at Church Road and Princes Esplanade. 

·         I have requested the replacement of a tree in Worsley Road. 

·         Cockleton Lane has been closed to traffic until 11^th June.  I have asked for an update as to why and will feedback once I know more.

 

Cowes Medical Centre See report from the surgery below:

 

·         New Telephone System

We are very pleased to confirm that we are on track for the installation of our new telephone system by the end of June.  This will improve patient experience on contacting the Practice. We apologise for the delay and thank you for your patience.

 

·         Phlebotomy service at the Practice

We are really excited to announce that from this summer we will be offering a phlebotomy service to our patients!  This has been planned quietly in the background, while we increased our clinical space and applied to do the necessary building works. We are now at the stage of recruiting a phlebotomy team ready to start.  Clinics will be run Monday to Friday except bank holidays, from 7.30am to 12.30pm, which allows for the timely delivery of samples to the pathology laboratory at the hospital.  This will be by appointment only.  More news will follow as we get closer to the launch date.

  

·         Providing a safe service - update - 12 May 2021

As we are still in the Covid pandemic, the NHS recommends that we triage or phone back every patient who wants advice from a nurse, doctor or other healthcare professional.

We ask many of the patients we have telephoned, to then come to the Practice for a face-to-face appointment, but due to infection control measures and social distancing, we can only let patients into the Practice if they have a planned appointment.

 

We are keen, as we are sure you are too, to avoid transmission of infection and so to ensure social distancing we are closely monitoring how many patients are in our building, including sitting in the waiting room.  We need to take more precautions than shops, pubs, etc., due to the vulnerability of some of our patients.

 

We know that some of these measures are frustrating for you as they are for us.  We are facing unprecedented demands with a huge increase in the number of calls we are receiving and the need for us all to catch up with the health monitoring of patients which was not possible in the height of the pandemic.

 

I continue to receive feedback from residents and will maintain my support until this is no longer needed.  In the meantime, please let me know of issues arising!

 

Post Covid Restrictions for visitors entering ports and harbours.

 

I have contacted the IW Council following concerns being raised of visitors entering ports and harbours and the potential for them needing to quarantine.  In response, I’ve received the following information:

 

Dear Paul

Thank you for the email that you sent though with the query raised via Cowes Town Council. 

As you will be aware, checks with regard to entry into the UK are undertaken at border control points and are undertaken by the Border Force Agency UK.  They are responsible for applying the UK requirements for restrictions of entry including those relating to covid-19 this includes follow up for those required to self-isolate.

With regard to port health activities any craft arriving from a foreign port (leisure or cargo) must provide a Maritime Declaration of Health prior to their arrival, the declaration is for both crew and passengers and covers a number of public health risks including covid-19. This is sent to our Port Health function which is part of IWC Environmental Health Service, the service is responsible for ensuring that infectious diseases are managed on passenger vessels, ferries, cruise ships and marinas. Should we be required to we can utilise our powers under the Public Health (Ships) Regulations 1979 or the Public Health (Ships)(Amendment)(England) Regulations 2007.

The Environmental Health Team work closely with the ports, and it is predominantly Cowes Harbour Commission who provide advice to vessels on their requirements and the appropriate documentation.  Their website has been recently updated https://www.cowesharbourcommission.co.uk/local_notice_to_mariners_no_22t_of_2021.

If there are concerns and allegations of individuals not complying with the requirements then this needs to be raised with the appropriate agency, Cowes Harbour Commission in the first instance who can then liaise with UK Border Control if necessary. I am also aware that the police have also been assisting UK Border force if required concerning self-isolation.

If you need further clarification on any points then please do not hesitate to contact us.  You will see that I have copied into this email the Strategic Manager for regulatory Services, with direct responsibility for the Environmental Health Team.

Also this month:

 

·         I have undertaken Scrutiny and Safeguarding Adult Training on being re-elected.

·         In have been reappointed to the Solent Forum, the IOW AONB Partnership In addition, I have been appointed to Southern IFCA (this organisation oversees fishery conservation matters) and am deputy for SCOPAC (this organisation oversees matters associated with coastal protection)

·         I have resigned my position as IW Council representative on the IW Local Access Forum.  As the Chairman, I have reapplied for an independent position on the Forum, this I have undertaken to ensure I retain impartiality.

·         I have request for the police patrols between Gurnard Marsh and Gurnard Sailing Club.  This follows an increase of criminal damage in the area.  Please if you witness any suspicious incident let the police know!

·         Feedback from the police regarding recent incidents of increased police presence at Rew Street has been requested.  Following dialogue with residents I am hopeful that a meeting can take place with the potential view of establishing a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

·         There is speculation from residents regarding further delays to extending Bucklers View.  I am meeting with Southern Housing early this month to find out more, and will feed back details in my Gurnard News Report.  

·         I have received an enquiry regarding obtaining Beach Huts in Gurnard.  Although, the IW Council licenses land on where the beach huts are, huts themselves are marketed through local Estate Agents.  From feedback, I know that their availability to acquire are fairly rare given most are passed on by families.

·         Support is being given to applicants who have applied to the IW Council for Green Island grants following the scheme being scrapped by Government later this summer.  If you are a recipient for this grant, and am concerned that work by contractors cannot take place by 31 August, please let me know

• The Coastal Path between Gurnard and Thorness has reopened following the path being rolled back.  Many thanks to the landowners for facilitating this work as I know how important this footpath is.!