Surgeries.
10:30-11am, Thursday 4th January, Gurnard
Press, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
3-4pm, Tuesday 9th January, Village Hall,
Newport Road, Northwood.
5:30-6pm, Wednesday 10th January, The
Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 16th January, Isle of Wight
Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
10:30-11am, Thursday 25th January, Coffee
& Chat, All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.
11-11:30pm, Thursday 25th January, Eegons, 85
High Street, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Wednesday 31st January, The
Portland, Worsley Road, Gurnard.
Anti-Social Parking.
During
December, I received complaints concerning anti-social parking, that was then
followed up by complaints of over zealous parking enforcement officers.
Outside
Gurnard Church, I received complaints regarding residents parking on double
yellow lines at Tuttons Hill. In the
past I’ve also received complaints from residents of Hilton Road at times when services take place at the church. If this applies to you, please be mindful of
where parking.
On this, I
was reminded that blue badge holders will receive a ticket when their parking
is considered dangerous to other road users, although I know that Parking
enforcement officers have been to date acted with pragmatism!
I’m aware of
complaints concerning parking at Gurnard School collection times, particularly
at Battery Road and Woodvale Road. I spoke to the Chair of Governors with respect to options to improve safety outside the school.
Park Road.
Park Road
will be closed from Tuesday 9th January until Monday 15th
January for carriageway resurfacing between the IW Community Club and Reynolds
Close. From Tuesday 16th
January until Friday 19th January Park Road will be closed between
Prince Street and Victoria Road.
I’ve
contacted Southern Vectis requesting a diversion that provides a not too
circuitous walk for bus users during works.
In addition
to these long awaited carriageway improvements, I am meeting a resident to
discuss traffic speeds in the road.
Water Surface Run Off.
I have asked
for support on surface water run off in two locations (The Dottens and Princes
Esplanade) following the impact of new construction works in the area. This I have taken up, on resident’s behalf.
Play Areas.
Northwood Trust
are seeking support to fund new swings for Northwood Park’s children’s play
area, which is due to cost £11,400. Please visit: https://northwoodhouse.org/event/save-our-swings-appeal/
Meeting with the Police.
Cowes Town
Council has arranged a meeting with Police Commissioner, Donna Jones on Friday
12th January. Please let me
know if there are any matters that you wish me to take up on your behalf!
I have been
advised of further criminal damage which took place on the coastal fringes of
properties in Solent View Road. I’ve requested (and seen that the police step
up patrols) in the area, and am due to meet our new PCSO, Poppy Yeo.
New Postbox for Gurnard.
Last month,
I was pleased to see that the long requested new replaced post box has materialised in Cockleton Lane. I was very pleased to hear the contractors
complaining that the local councillor had been banging on about this for ages!!
Cowes (District 1) Traffic Regulation Orders.
I am advised
that in the coming months Traffic Regulation Orders for the Cowes peninsula
will be considered. From my perspective
the only request that I have requested is to provide access to fields opposite Lower
Horn Hill.
Coastal
Protection and Flooding Cabinet Member Report.
·
On 10th December, the Island saw
its biggest landslip for over 100 years at Bonchurch. A few weeks on and the
ground movement continues to be monitored.
Following the heartwrenching impact this has had upon residents, the
main road to Ventnor, Leeson Road continues to cause concern as this road is now less
than 10m from the cliff edge. As reported only last month it is anticipated
further landslips could arise following storms in October/ November which take
3-6 months for water to permeate through the Island’s geology.
·
With officers, I was scrutinised by the
Policy & Scrutiny Committee for Regeneration and Neighbourhoods on the
Islands Planning Strategy. A number of
concerns were raised regarding the IPS’s compliance with the Tourism Strategy,
concerns raised over outfalls, flooding and the settlement boundary’s proximity
to Parkhurst Forest.
·
New ‘Exceptional Circumstances’ for Islands
appeared in the Goverrnment’s Planning Bible the NPPF. This could potentially be a game changer for
the Isle of Wight in reducing housing numbers. Whether the numbers are as low
as the Island’s defined ‘Special Circumstances’ remains to be seen. Following
the release of the NPPF, I have requested further details from the Council’s KC
and Planning Consultants GL Hearn before being considered by Cabinet.
·
At the SIFCA meeting, members agreed to
increase the annual levy to authorities by 3%. This I could only support after
knowing last year there had not been no increase, and would be one of the
lowest increases in the country. In the
coming year SIFCA has pledged new surveys to monitor scallops, oysters in the
Solent and the impact of drift nets. A new vessel to police the coastline will
come into operation following sea trials in February.
·
Meetings have been scheduled with local
councils to discuss Coastal Protection issues.
·
It has been reported that Government will
increase Planning Fees to 35% for major applications, and 25% for minors. This
will ensure that Planning Authorities can properly fund services they are
expected to finance.
·
Following extra financial support, I expect
to see the LPA improving its Pre-Applications and a manned front desk for ½ day
per week at the planning office.
·
A request has been made to make Planning
Enforcement cases more open. This follows reported action taken by the courts
following a case in Lake. It should be noted cases remain in confidence until
action has been followed. In the
meantime, I am chasing up cases for Local Members at Wootton and East Cowes.
·
A number of residents have sought the IW
Council to take action against non-permeable driveways. With a potential opportunity for match
funding, I have suggested the opportunity to work in partnership with Southern
Water.
·
Following incidents of flooding, I have had
tentative discussions with officers liaising closer with landowners.
Gurnard
Parish Council Chairman’s Report.
·
Following requests direct to the Council’s
PFI Team replacement seating has
appeared at Bucklers View.
·
Gurnard Parish Council are seeking feedback
on both maintenance and upgrading the play area on Gurnard Green. The Parish
Council are currently seeking a new shelter, a roundabout and a new swing and
has money ring-fenced for maintenance and upgrading. Options are due to be discussed later this
month.
·
Gurnard Parish Council are seeking feedback
on both maintenance and upgrading the play area on Gurnard Green. The Council are currently seeking a new shelter, a
roundabout and a new swing and has money ring-fenced for maintenance and
upgrading. Options are due to be
discussed later this month.
·
The Parish Council at its last meeting sought
to update future requests from developer contributions for the Gurnard community. As such these priorities are improving
mobility access to shops, businesses and public transport; Improved access and
frequency of buses; Improved access to footpaths and beaches; Enhancement of
Play Equipment; Footpath access to Northwood from The Range; Support of Local Cycling
Walking Infrastructure Plans (LCWIPS) and improvements to road safety at
Gurnard Primary School.
·
A meeting is due to take place regarding
future management of Gurnard Village Hall.
Also, In a nutshell
last month:
·
Concerns were raised
regarding anti-social parking at the Mill Hill Road Car Park. These were
referred to the ward Councillor for the area.
·
I have supported the re-appointment of a LEA
Governor at Cowes Primary School.
·
I discussed the Draft Island Planning
Strategy with MP, Bob Seely
·
Contact was made with Island Roads concerning
a wrongly installed repeater sign in Cockleton Lane.
·
A resident has asked for me to chase up a
delayed Planning decision notice, as otherwise they couldn’t sell their property.
·
I have offered advice on options to improve a
bus stop.
·
I’ve chased up action concerning an allegedly
unauthorised planning application.
·
Good news for Bus Passengers. The £2 single ticket has been extended until
further notice
·
A resident approached me concerning support
for a school trip they could not afford.
In response, I have put the individual in touch with agencies that can
support families in difficult circumstances.
·
Repairs were due to be carried out in Denmark
Road.
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