Surgeries.
5:30-6pm;
Tuesday 3rd May, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
10:30-11am;
Thursday 5th May, Gurnard Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
5:30-6pm,
Wednesday 11th May, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
10:30-11am,
Wednesday 18th May, Benches adj. Watersedge Kiosk, Shore Road,
Gurnard.
11-11:30am,
Wednesday 18th May, The Woodvale, Princes Esplanade, Gurnard.
2-3pm,
Monday 23rd May, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm,
Wednesday 25th May, The Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard
10:30-11am,
Thursday 26th May, Coffee & Chat at All Saints Church, Tuttons
Hill, Gurnard.
11:30-12pm,
Thursday 26th May, Eegons, 85 High Street, Cowes.
Island Planning Strategy: Paused.
Further to last month’s report the Island Planning
Strategy has been paused following several questions raised by IW Councillors
during briefings and one to one sessions.
From my perspective as Cabinet Member given
the importance of the Plan, it is important that Councillors feel comfortable
and understand the implications of the Plan and any risks before it moves to
its next phase.
Since the plan was paused, meetings are
proceeding with the MP, individual councillors and group leaders. Once
concluded, any revisions can be added to the Island Plan for its progress to
the Inspector later this summer. From my
perspective it remains important for the Plan, its background papers, feedback
and frequently asked questions is shared widely prior to Full Council making
its decision.
Litter Bins.
Frustratingly, it has been necessary to
continue to chase up the replacement of litter bins on Cowes/ Gurnard
Seafront. In response to previous
requests, the matter is with the IWC who are required to instruct Island Roads
to replace bins. This matter has now
been referred to the Council’s director and Executive Member.
In the meantime, please can I request that
where bins remain- if they are full, either take your rubbish home or find a
bin that is less full, this is all the more important at Gurnard as the area is
frequented by badgers and foxes who target overfilled bins and bins, where
discarded rubbish is disposed of immediately adjacent to recepticals.
Fireworks.
During the Easter Bank Holiday I received a
number of calls from residents complaining of private firework parties’. With the summer fast approaching please if
you are having a party, let your neighbours know as fireworks can send some
pets doolally and this affords the opportunity for owners to take mitigating
action. From experience, a note through neighbours doors is often sufficient!
Cowes/ Gurnard Seafront: SGN Clearance.
Ravens, slow worms, common lizards, red
squirrels, badgers, grass snakes, adders, common frogs, common toads and
palmate newts have all been seen on land recently cleared by SGN. In addition to these species of wildlife, I
am also collating with botanical support species of flora that was witnessed on
the site.
Trees and
Environmental Designations.
Following concerns being expressed
regarding the clearance of woodland clearance on Cowes/ Gurnard seafront, I
have been asked to signpost residents to where environmental designations can
be found. For those who are interested, further
details can be found using the layer link list for the Island Planning Strategy
here: https://iwc.maps.arcgis.com/apps/webappviewer/index.html?id=82005f28da7f4f618baf03369b97ac47
Consultations:
Learning Disability and Autism Strategy.
The IW Council
are seeking to enhance support for those with and supporting learning
disabilities and autism. At present
there is a consultation underway, to participate in the consultation please
follow the following link: https://www.iow.gov.uk/council/OtherServices/Adult-Social-Care-Learning-Disability/Introductio22
This
consultation continues until 31st
May 2022.
New Benches, Gurnard.
I’ve received a number of calls concerning
new seats that are proposed for the seafront opposite beach huts in
Gurnard. Following feedback, locations
have been assessed for access to the mobility impaired. Since plans were put in place for these benches a number of
beach hut owners have complained to me concerning the impact the seats have on
the outlook from huts.
Following concerns, Gurnard Parish Council
has instructed the contractor to relocate benches from where they were
originally intended and in general terms despite a small number of concerns the
benches are being welcomed.
In the meantime, please feedback your thoughts concerning the benches.
Energy
Price Increases.
Energy
prices are soaring. For details and up
to date support visit: https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/ and
http://www.uswitch.com/ Tel: 0800 688 8557.
Alternatively, talk to the Footprint Trust on 01983 822282 or email: info@footprint-trust.co.uk.
Councils
will oversee the repayment of the £150 rebate through Council Tax reimbursements
for A to D properties. To speed up payments residents are being encouraged to
pay Council Tax through Direct Debit. For details visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/news/Energy-rebate-update
Ukraine Appeal.
The Association of Ukrainians in
Great Britain- https://www.augb.co.uk/ and the Red
Cross http://www.redcross.org.uk/ are good
organisations doing great things to support Ukrainians.
Hosts
can register to take in refugees at https://homesforukraine.campaign.gov.uk
IW AONB AGM Meeting.
Headlines of work carried out by the
Isle of Wight Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty at their Annual General
Meeting included:
·
Preparation for the review of the
Management Plan for 2014-2019
·
The moving from their premises at
Branstone Farm
·
Protection- Through their
supporting role with planning applications and through strategy work.
·
Nature
Recovery- At Compton Bay, rewilding at Thorness. Supporting the Reddish Buff
Moth, working with the Local Records Centre, IWatchWildlife ( https://www.facebook.com/iWatchWildlife/), Big Chalk
·
Climate
Change-
Peat Project; seagrass and kelp research.
·
Farmers
and Landowners- IWCSF and FiPL workshops for farmers
on environmentally friendly farming and water resource protection.
·
Access
and recreation/ tourism- USAC events (Crossing the Bar and
Welcome Back walks)
·
Culture- Creative Biosphere
Planning Enforcement.
Across the Island, there is considerable
pressure on the IW Council’s Planning Enforcement Team. In Gurnard and Cowes West alone, I know of 9
referrals being considered.
In light of this, I am in discussions
with the Planning Team and the IW Association of Local Council’s to strengthen
what is a small team, prioritising issues being raised.
Somerton Reservoir.
Proposals to develop on the Somerton
Reservoir site were approved by Planning Committee. Within the 144 units, 15 dwellings will be
‘affordable’, whilst 44 will comprise of assisted living apartments. This
application took four years to come before committee following concerns raised
by officers over affordable housing and highway access.
In supporting the application
conditions were added by Committee. These included conditions prevent any right
turn from the site, maximising roof space for solar energy, electric charge
points, improved cycle access, heritage signage for the Toll House, an ecology
survey, a local housing caveat and assurance over water and discharges.
No Mow May: From Plantlife.
#NoMowMay is aimed at the gardens and green spaces away from the roadside.
It aim is to raise awareness and understanding of the biodiversity opportunity
lost by mowing in early season. Plantlife are asking gardeners and green
keepers to encourage people to think again about grassy spaces and how they
could be richer in wildlife.
If you are fortunate to own a garden or green space, please pause for
thought. No Mow May is changing the way people manage their spaces,
the percentage of those not mowing in May has trebled compared to three years
ago. Why not join them and see what flowers you spot in your lawn or
greenspace in 2022?
Local Shopping and Trading.
With the impact of Covid still
resonating, I continue to receive calls from residents concerned over the lack
of diversity and variety in our towns and villages. Although it is inevitable that our towns will
continue to evolve, it remains so important that our local shops and traders
continue to receive our communities support.
In light of this, I am working with
cabinet members to seek options as to make our town centres more attractive. In
the meantime, shops and tradesmen like so many of our services and facilities depend
on the support of residents to use them, or risk losing them.
Pavement Parking.
Parking on pavements could be banned.
Parking on the pavement is already illegal in the Greater
London area. But changes to the
law are expected in 2022 that will give local councils across England and Wales
the power to issue on-the-spot £70 fines to those who mount the kerb.
Beachbuoy: Outfall updates from Southern
Water
Beachbuoy gives you near
real-time information about releases of stormwater or wastewater at your
favourite spot. On this interactive, online map you can see updates about
releases from combined sewer overflows, so you know what’s happening near you.
For further details please visit: https://www.southernwater.co.uk/water-for-life/our-bathing-waters/beachbuoy
Jet Ski’s.
Last month the use of jet ski’s at Gurnard was
reported to the Marine Police, who continue to monitor waters frequented by
bathers. Please note that locally, a
bye-law exists which prohibits all ‘personal watercraft’ being used faster than
8 knots and in depths of less than 2 metres.
Please continue to report incidents to: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/
Also
this month:
·
Dialogue is ongoing concerning
proposals to develop at the Poultry Site in Place Road.
·
Concern was relayed regarding the
cleansing of slipways at Gurnard and Cowes.
·
I continue to raise concerns over
trees in Pine Tree Close.
·
Support has been given to a resident
over a child safeguarding matter.
·
Feedback has been received and
collated for proposals to enhance countryside access for the disabled.
·
Support has been provided for a resident wishing to gain access to
community facilities.
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