Surgeries:
4:30-5pm; Tuesday 5th
October, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes,
5:30-6pm; Tuesday 5th
October, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
10:30-11am; Thursday
7th October, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
5:30-6pm, Wednesday
13th October, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
11:30-12:30pm,
Thursday 21st October, Food Shack & Bar, Gurnard Pines,
Gurnard.
THIS SURGERY IS CANCELLED DUE TO ILLNESS.
10:30-11am, Thursday
28th October, All Saints Church Coffee & Chat, Gurnard.
11:30am-12pm,
Thursday 28th October, Eegon’s, 85 High Street, Cowes.
Speedwatch.
A very big thankyou to the volunteers
involved with Speedwatch.
So far events have been prioritised in Place Road, St. Mary’s Road and Worsley
Road. With regard to the data there
is limited evidence to suggest that speeding is an issue in Worsley Road.
However, in Place Road there were a number of incidents which have caused
concern regarding the speed of traffic. In response to this, I will be using feedback
received to provide evidence to request better enforcement and action to reduce
traffic speeds.
In October a further survey will take place
in Park Road which I hope to join.
In the meantime concerning speeding traffic
in Park Road, the lovely lollypop lady continues making Park Road safe at
school times, but had to take time off in September due to sickness. The patrol continues to be supported by Cowes
Town Council and Cowes Primary School, whilst training continues to be provided
by the IW Council. On this I am making
enquiries regarding the IW Council maintaining a pool of trained volunteers to
assist during sickness and holidays.
Dog
Bins.
I have received a number of complaints
concerning dog owners disposing of household dog waste in bins. When this happens, particularly with big dogs
bins can over-fill quickly which impacts upon those living nearby and genuine
dog walkers who the bins are provided for.
Planning
Applications:
·
Lower Church Road: 7 Dwellings, Land
north of Gurnard Farm. Ref: 21/01492/OUT.
This application has been Refused.
·
Cockleton Lane: 6 Dwellings, Land
south of Old School Meadow, Cockleton Lane.
Ref: 21/01747/FUL.
I undertook a letterdrop to 40 dwellings
adjacent to this proposal to build six dwellings and create a permissive
footpath link to ‘Meadow View’ in Place Road. The deadline for this proposal is
8th October 2021 and was
discussed by Gurnard Parish Council on 29th September.
·
Place Road: 14 dwellings, Former
Poultry Farm, Land adj. 77 Place Road. Ref: 20/02229/OUT.
A modified version of last year’s application
to build 14 dwellings is currently being consulted upon. The deadline for this application is 22nd October 2021 and will
be discussed by Gurnard Parish Council on 13th October.
·
Pine Tree Close: Proposed single/two
storey extension, Chase House. Ref: 21/01833/HOU
Following feedback this scheme has been
revised. The deadline for comments is 22nd October 2021.
Environmental
Health Issues.
·
Security Lighting and
Garden CCTV.
I continue to receive complaints regarding
security lighting within gardens. If you have lighting, please can you ensure
this is directed away from those living nearby as residents can find equipment
invasive.
·
Helicopters.
This is the second complaint received this
year regarding low flying helicopters.
Please note that all complaints should be directed to the Civil Aviation
Authority at: https://www.caa.co.uk/Our-work/Make-a-report-or-complaint/ and not
Environmental Health.
Solent
View Road closure.
It will be necessary to close Solent View
Road, as Southern Water have advised that a water main damaged by tree roots
needs replacing.
Southern
IFCA group (Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority). Visit: https://www.southern-ifca.gov.uk/
·
As
the IW Council’s representative on the Southern IFCA group (Inshore Fisheries and
Conservation Authority), concerns were expressed by high tech. hydraulic crab crushing vessels which
seem to be having an adverse impact upon shellfish and marine life in waters
around Lyme Bay, Dorset. At the moment
there is no legislation in place to inhibit these vessels from using this
equipment.
·
Since
the last meeting, following concerns raised over tankers and cruise ships anchoring off the coast in ‘marine protection areas’ steps are being
taken to add these sensitive areas to Electronic mapping charts. Contact is also being taken by the MMO to
contact the International owners of vessels.
·
Elsewhere
during the meeting discussions took place as to how drones are supporting the efforts and enforcement through SIFCA; An
update was provided regarding the seagrass
restoration scheme on the Beaulieu River, whilst concerns were expressed
concerning the fact there is no cap in place for the disposal of dredgings near the Nab Tower.
Local
Access Forum.
·
An
update was provided on the West Wight
Greenway. This is (for those who
don’t already know) a multi-use thoroughfare between Newport and
Freshwater.
·
Isle
Access provided an update on disabled
access to the Islands Rights Of Way network. In addition support was requested to provide beach access to wheelchair users,
whilst countryside seating and
information on Islandwide public toilet
opening times was requested.
·
Because
of the wet and warm conditions of this summer
overgrown rights of way are of concern.
Work has been carried out to improve access to America Wood.
·
Locally
action was taken against Escooters. Four people were arrested and private
escooters were confiscated.
·
Access
has been restricted to the beach at Thorness Bay. This is due to residents flytipping rubbish
at this location. In response the road
has been obstructed by a locked barrier.
However, I am advised that the Holiday Park has provided an access
adjacent to the barrier to allow for mobility scooters and wheelchairs.
Full
Council
·
A
petition was submitted querying Ryde
Interchange and requesting the scheme is considered as part of the Planning
process. Unfortunately because the
scheme is considered to be a highway scheme this is not necessary. From the perspective of proposals, Cabinet
has delayed its decision due to the consultation which took place during the
summer, as a cabinet member I have spoken to campaigners at surgeries.
·
A
debate took place regarding the nomination of Newport for City status
as part of next year’s Diamond Jubilee celebration. From my perspective in supporting the
proposal any costs for this bid are nominal and if Newport were to be
successful there may be opportunities available to regenerate the Island’s
County Town.
·
I
have supported proposals to reconsider speed cameras which has been referred to
the relevant scrutiny committee.
·
I
supported the Climate and Ecological
Emergency Bill which is progressing through parliament.
Top Tips
from the Footprint Trust to help you keep Warm & Safe this Winter.
OFGEN has reported that for 15 million Energy
Customers, Bills will increase as from 1st October. This follows an increase to the Fuel Cap
which OFGEN negotiates with energy supplies
At the moment to counter these increases a
number of independent search engines can help customers get the best deal.
These include: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ and http://www.uswitch.com/ Tel: 0800
688 8557
In
addition to the above, The Footprint Trust advises:
·
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.
News from Cowes Medical Centre
We are pleased to be able to offer Pfizer booster
vaccines and flu jabs available on the NHS for our patients ‘by
appointment’.
We will contact patients as they become eligible for their booster. Patients who meet the flu vaccination criteria below are eligible now.
Vaccinations are given to those at highest risk as
directed by NHS England for safe and effective protection against the risk of
COVID-19 and seasonal influenza.
A booster vaccine dose helps improve the protection
you have from your first 2 doses of the vaccine.
Most people who can have a booster vaccine are also
eligible for an annual flu vaccine.
NHS England advise that it is safe to have both
vaccines at the same time.
|
Covid
Booster – eligible patients |
Flu Vaccination
– eligible patients |
|
at least 6 months after your second dose ·
those aged 16 or over with a
health condition in a clinical risk group ·
those aged 50 years and over ·
those in long-stay
residential care homes ·
carers aged 16 and over ·
those aged 16 or over who
live with someone who is immunocompromised ·
frontline health and social
care staff employed ·
People who are pregnant and
in 1 of the eligible groups above can also have a booster dose. |
·
those
aged 6 months to under 50 years in clinical risk groups* ·
those aged 50 years and over ·
those in long-stay
residential care homes ·
carers ·
those aged 16 or over who
live with someone who is immunocompromised ·
frontline health and social
care staff employed ·
pregnant women |
*Pre-school children aged 2 and 3 years old or home
schooled children are given a flu vaccine by the Practice – school-aged
children who attend school are given their flu vaccines by the school nurses.
Most people will be offered a Pfizer booster
vaccine, which means your booster may be different from the vaccines you had
for your 1st or 2nd doses. For patients
who cannot have the Pfizer vaccine you may be offered an AstraZeneca vaccine,
but this will be at a different time and likely to be a different venue due to
delivery restrictions.
Planning and Housing Updates.
·
Through
the Draft Island Planning Strategy,
I have now attended most of the 43 Parish Council Meetings/ Library and
Community Group Drop-Ins. In this time,
we have met over 600 residents who have offered feedback on the latest
proposals for what will eventually (Spring 2023?) become the Island’s Planning
Bible.
·
I
am at the moment liaising with officers regarding ‘savings’ for next year’s budget.
Within Planning, there are few additional cuts the Planning Department
can make as services are cut to the bone.
From my perspective despite being a discretionary function, I am
reluctant to in any way touch planning enforcement which remains a corporate
priority for the Alliance administration.
·
I
am discussing altering my Cabinet position
to transfer ‘housing’ to another cabinet role. This follows a perceived
conflict of interest I have when talking to developers and housing
providers. I have asked to be able to
use my role to increase engagement with local Town/ Parish and Community
Councils.
·
As
Cabinet member (apart from the DIPS consultation) I had the opportunity to
attend the Islands Expo Event at
Wootton. At the meeting I met a number
of businesses and discussed the challenges involved exiting the Covid pandemic.
·
Discussions
are ongoing in contending with the Island’s
Housing crisis. In response the IW
Council are investigating options to deal with ongoing issues following
evictions following the loss of 80% of private rentals. One of the options being pursued is the use
of modular homes.
·
With
other Cabinet Members, I met with Vectis
Housing. In addition as part of the
DIPS consultation I met with the Chairman of the Isle of Wights Agents and Architects Forum.
Also this month.
·
Evidence
is being gathered regarding the intended mediation over the Floating Bridge. It is hoped that
following this course of action the long term future of the crossing can be
agreed.
·
I
have been approached by a number of residents who have contacted unable to meet
with their Councillor. Since the Jo Cox
MP murder, Councillors no longer have to disclose where they live and in some
cases contact can be difficult.
·
I
have contacted officers to discuss transferring ‘IW Council assets’ to
individuals. This applies to a grass
verge off of Baring Road and a notice board on Cowes Parade.
·
I’m
still attempting to see the grille removed from the Jordan culvert in Shore Road. This follows flooding from storm
water.
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