IW Councillor's Report, January 2025

 

 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Surgeries.

 

4:30-5pm, Monday 6^th January, Cowes Library, Beckford Road, Cowes.

5:30-6pm, Tuesday 7^th January, Isle of Wight Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.

10:30-11am, Thursday 9^th January, Gurnard Press and Bistro, Worsley Road, Gurnard.

11:30am-12:30pm, Wednesday 15^th January, Eegon's, 85 High Street, Cowes. (New Time)

10:30-11am, Thursday 23^rd January, All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.  

 11:30am-12pm, Thursday 30^th January, Eegon’s, 85 High Street, Cowes.

 

Cowes Primary School.

 

Proposals to close Cowes Primary School and five other schools were considered by Cabinet last month. Because of close links through friends and family with Cowes Primary School and support that I gave to parents and staff, following advice, as Cabinet Member I was unable to attend or vote due to having a disqualifying conflict of interest.

 

At the meeting, only Godshill Primary School did not have a closure notice issued.  The reason for this was due to promises made to parents when Chillerton School closed and the fact that in this part of the Island, parents would be required to travel more than three miles to the nearest school.

 

The School closure proposals will be discussed by an Extraordinary Meeting of Full Council later this month.

 

Sustainable Drainage Solutions (SUDs), Gurnard.

 

Work is due to start on proposals to reduce surface water and its impact on outflows and bathing water. This is due to start on 13^th January, and was subject to consultation at an open event last month held at Gurnard Village Hall.  Thank you to everybody who came along, chatted to me and fed back their views to Southern Water’s Team.

 

Proposals include the creation of parking on permeable bays and the creation of rain gardens, and will be put in place in Worsley Road, Albert Road, Solent View Road and Woodvale Road.

 

Improving Pedestrian and Cycling provisions through LCWIPS.

 

The IW Council are consulting on potential pedestrian and cycle provisions within Cowes, Gurnard and other areas. Proposals are likely to be prioritised should money become available through the planning process to encourage residents to travel by alternatives to the car. The consultation continues until 17^th January. For details visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/environment-and-planning/planning/local-plan/supplementary-planning-document-consultations/

 

So far, a number of residents have contacted me concerning the potential for the conflict between pedestrians and cyclists in Cowes High Street and Shooters Hill (currently where a vehicular prohibition remains in place after 10am).

 

To clarify the position, a representative from the consultants posted the following to me:

 

Over the last few weeks I have read many posts referencing the imminent installation of a cycle lane in Cowes High Street. It has been a very frustrating read because, as one of the authors of the document being cited, I know that much of what is being said is incorrect.

So, I thought it would be useful to provide some factual content. I am doing this in an entirely personal capacity with the sole purpose of enabling a proper, informed debate. It is worth saying that everything I am about to write is also contained within the document itself. I would urge everyone to read the full documents so as to be able to have a well-informed view of the matter.

The route in question is in a document called the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP) for the Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood area. The route shown through Cowes town centre is part of a proposed route that would connect the end of the current cycleway on Arctic Rd, and the Floating Bridge, to/through the town centre and onto the sea front. The status, and alignment, of this route is currently just that: a proposal.

If, at some undetermined point in the future, this proposal is taken forward to the next stage and worked up into a more concrete project, then there would be a whole new consultation process surrounding that particular project, enabling people to have their say about the detail, alignment and design of such a route. The feasibility of a route (both in terms of the technical aspect and public acceptability) would need to be thoroughly established before any bids for funding could be considered.

In answer to some of the misinformation I have seen in recent weeks (including in a flier posted in the last few days which appears to have been authored anonymously), I can advise that:

-this proposal is not a live, funded project that is about to be implemented.

-construction work is not about to start on this project in February 2025.

-there is currently no funding earmarked to deliver such a route, be it from local or central government.

-the LCWIP does not recommend a segregated lane (of any colour) through the High Street. Rather it suggests converting the current pedestrian zone to a pedestrian and cycle zone.

The LCWIP is only a high-level document, and the inclusion of a particular alignment or suggested approach does not mean that the route will definitely be delivered that way, as set out in section 6 of the document, which is quoted below:

“None of the routes have undergone comprehensive feasibility assessment work. Their inclusion is based on an initial outline assessment of their potential deliverability …There will often be multiple ways to achieve the same end. Specific proposed improvements are included to demonstrate how a route could be delivered rather than a suggestion it is the only, or best way. Further technical assessment, design and community engagement work will be required before delivering the majority of proposed interventions.”

The content of the LCWIP was informed by community feedback from a consultation process that took place in the spring of 2022, lasted 6 weeks and was promoted/organised as follows:

· An online interactive map where people could place comments on the map or make more general comments about routes and areas. The map and an accompanying video explaining the LCWIP consultation process were heavily publicised, including on numerous occasions on this very Facebook noticeboard. A total of 267 ideas/issues were posted and there was a total of 816 responses to those ideas. 189 individuals participated in some way on the interactive map (be it posting an initial idea or commenting on one of the ideas that had been posted).

· Facebook advertising promoting the consultation and how to give your feedback

· Printed posters and fliers widely distributed, email circulars to local stakeholder groups, information in local school newsletters, adverts on Southern Vectis bus services

· Press releases to all Island media outlets and some print advertising in local newsletters

· Covid-compliant, in person drop-in consultation sessions located in Gurnard, Northwood and Cowes

The production of the LCWIP was part funded by Cowes Town Council, along with Gurnard and Northwood parish councils and the Isle of Wight Council. All funders had continual input to the document and approved the final version.

In terms of the LCWIP more widely, it is worth saying that the Arctic Road/Floating Bridge to Cowes sea front route is only one of a number of walking and cycling routes that are proposed for the Cowes area in the document. The purpose of the proposals in the LCWIP is to map out ways in which better infrastructure can help more people travel safely and conveniently on foot, cycle and wheel in the Cowes area.

To understand LCWIPs on the Isle of Wight more widely, here’s some background information:

Back in about 2018 the government told local authorities that, if they wanted to bid for funding to improve infrastructure for walking/cycling/wheeling (collectively known as “active travel”), they would need to have a strategic plan in place showing priority areas and routes. Government set out a methodology by which plans should be written and produced. The Cowes area LCWIP is this plan for our local area.

Some local authorities chose to do one LCWIP for their entire area, but on the Isle of Wight the council decided it would be better to devolve LCWIPs to local areas and have a series of LCWIPs produced that collectively would cover the Island. In 2021 the local parish councils of Gurnard, Northwood and Cowes got together and decided they wanted an LCWIP for their area. In partnership with the IW Council, they issued a tender for the production of an LCWIP for the Cowes area and the organisation I am part of, People Powered CIC, won that tender and produced the plan in line with the government guidance.

The reason the document is back in the public domain now is that the IW Council is proposing that this LCWIP (and three others that have now been produced for other areas of the Island) be made into Supplementary Planning Documents. This would mean the contents of the LCWIPs become material considerations when it comes to planning matters. With the caveat that I am not a planner, I understand this to mean that if a planning application comes forward (say for new housing), the aspirations for improved walking and cycling infrastructure set out in the LCWIP need to be taken into account and may influence what new infrastructure (or improvements to existing infrastructure) is considered as part of any new development.

For any plan or strategy to become a Supplementary Planning Document, it needs to be consulted upon and hence the IW Council have publicised the LCWIPs and are asking for comments.

If you’ve stuck with the whole of this post, thanks for reading. I hope the information is useful and will help people make an informed response to the current consultation based on what the document actually says.

In the meantime, I have ensured a hard copy of proposals has been made available at Cowes Library. 

 

English Devolution.

 

Like most Councils, the IW Cabinet (alongside Hampshire, Portsmouth and Southampton) has supported ‘being at the table’ with Government concerning the move to create a Mayoral Authorities for our region.

 

To note, Unitary Authorities (like the IW Council) will continue to operate as they always have.  However, Government insists upon having a Mayor in place to work with other Council Leaders to discuss extra powers and funding due to be filtered down from Government. One matter in place elsewhere that I would expect and will be calling to see, is that any of the four Council Leaders retains authority to veto decisions.

 

As a consequence, elections scheduled for 1^st May could be delayed by Government.  I personally do not support this, as the IW Council are due to move to a Committee structure to replace Cabinet from 2^nd May. In addition, there needs to be consistency with Parish, Town and Community Council elections, and as far as IW Councillors are concerned, we were only elected to have a mandate for four years. 

 For Details of Government’s proposals visit:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/english-devolution-white-paper-power-and-partnership-foundations-for-growth/english-devolution-white-paper

 

Gurnard Play Equipment.

 

Gurnard Parish Council are seeking to where appropriate make good or replace the pirate ship and other play equipment at Gurnard Green. With respect to this, the Parish Council have agreed to increase ring-fenced funds to do this. 

 

Flooding.

 

In my capacity as Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding, I continue to receive feedback from residents and with their local Councillors I have a number of site meetings scheduled for this month.  As a result, working with the Island’s Town and Parish Council’s, I am seeking to offer a drop-in to give councillors/ residents support.

 

Locally, I am hopeful that road gullies and drains are kept clear and pavements kept ice free should colder conditions arise. Please let me know if you have witnessed incidents that require action.  

 

Cow Lane.

 

I continue to receive complaints concerning Cow Lane being blocked by vehicles.  To note, the only vehicles that have consent to use this public footpath are Gurnard Primary School and the two properties (Hummingbirds and Kenley House) located in this private lane.

 

Consultations.

 

·         IW Council Budget.

The IW Council are consulting upon its budgetary priorities for this coming (2025/6 financial Year). This consultation continues until Sunday 26^th January. For details visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/budget-consultation-2025-2026/

 

·         Waste and Recycling Survey.

Let the IW Council know your thoughts regarding waste and recycling. This survey continues until Thursday 23 January.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=xAxTJBQhTkW-QFQIoaLuA-bq6tw1RANKnSHAMsph40lUQThVT1o0SkJYOFVYWFpIWkUwQk1RN0xZMS4u&route=shorturl

 Annual Report from the Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding: Summary of Actions.

 

·         Island Planning Strategy.  Liaison /feedback from Councillors. Accepted by Full Council and Submitted to Inspectors.

·         Creation of new Supplementary Planning Documents on Affordable Housing and Infrastructure

·         Liaison with Government re. the reality of new priorities as drafted in new Planning Policy

·         Completion of ‘Award Winning’ Sea defences at Ventnor. 

·         Ongoing Engagement for new Coastal Protection schemes at Shanklin, St Helens and Yaverland.

·         Award given for funding bid for Community Liaison officer from SRFCC.

·         Walk in surgeries for residents at Seaclose. Following its success this has now been rolled out for agents & architects.

·         Target to complete S19 Flood Plans. Most have now been rolled out with work commencing on priorities.

·         Flood Defence and Resilience Committees have been created to enhance community liaison.

·         Leeson Road, Ventnor was opened ahead of schedule following cliff falls.  The road again reopened in November

·         Liaison with residents impacted both at Bonchurch and St Lawrence continued.  I attended several meetings.   

·         Meeting with Flood Defence Agencies has resulted in increased recognition and funding.

·         Southern Water Pathfinder. New SUDS scheme to be introduced at Gurnard with further schemes to follow.

·         Adoption of the IW AONB (Natural Landscape) Strategy.

·         Consultations for Local Cycling Walking Infrastructure Plans. To allow walking/ cycling via developer contributions.

·         Planning Enforcement closer working with Town, Community & Parish Council’s resulting in positive outcomes. 

·         Fast-tracking and processing of Affordable Housing schemes.

·         Rejection of the Solent CO2 Pipeline. This followed widespread objections.

·         Flood Officer recruitment.

·         Continued roll-out of repairs to coastal defences.

·         Roll out of SIFCA’s Patrol vessel, Vigilant.  New vessel has been key to ensuring recent Enforcement matters.

·         Fisheries Drop-In’s introduced.  This has raised SIFCA profile to stakeholders.

·         Improved local authority member attendance within SIFCA following appointment of deputies.

In a nutshell, this month’s report from the Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding:

 

·         I have received calls concerning houses and cars being egged. These have been reported to the police.

·         I met with the recently formed Gunville Flood Group. A number of actions are being followed up by the EA and IWC. 

·         An update was given to residents from Ventnor regarding land stability, and the condition of roads in the area.  There is a follow up meeting being arranged for next month to receive geological information.

·         Government’s annual housing figure for the Island fell from 1104 to 1047.  This number, similar to the number (1045) indicated by the previous Government in 2018, and remains significantly higher than IW Council proposal for 453.

·         Government recently published a consultation, as to how Local Authorities operate their Planning Committees. Visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-reform-working-paper-development-and-nature-recovery for details.  I am liaising with the IW Council Planning Committee Chairman, in the hope of sending a joint response.

·         Due to access issues housing proposals for Landscape Lane, Newport was refused by the Planning Committee.  The Committee also refused to alter Planning Conditions for Birch Close, Freshwater.   

·         A delayed planning application decision was actioned in accordance with revised timescales in Nettlestone.

·         The Footprint Trust gave a presentation at the December IWALC meeting with Cabinet.  It is intended that the meeting scheduled for 15^th January will update IWALC Councillors on recent proposals for English Devolution.

·         I have been advised that The EA have given updates to residents on 32 separate individual flood mitigation plans.

·         I’ve been in contact with residents and Councillors in Whippingham, regarding enforcement action concerning a ditch that was infilled (creating issues) a number of years ago. I am hoping to follow this up with a multi-agency site visit. 

·         In addition, I am hoping to action the same following a collapsed culvert in Shanklin.

·         Reassurance has been provided concerning the future use of airports (specifically, Bembridge) on the Isle of Wight.

·         I am intending to meet a business owner regarding the processing of a former commercial planning application and the impact this could have upon their business.

·         Further landslips have taken place following recent storms at Christmas. This has resulted in further footpath closures across the Island

 

In a nutshell, this month.

 

·         Residents from Gurnard and Northwood have approached me regarding proposals to develop land at Comforts Farm, Pallance Road.  Of concern is the view Pallance Road is dangerous through traffic speeds, and proposals do nothing to address this. Also of concern, lying outside the settlement boundary proposals are not sustainable.

·         Following a question raised I found out the IW Council have no policies concerning scattering of ashes on beaches. 

·         Please let me know your views concerning the levels of care received at St Mary’s Hospital.  One resident raised with me issues concerning patients sleep deprivation on wards at night time, and the impact had on recovery rates.. 

·         Following last month’s newsletter, the IW Council are considering issuing a flat £1 flat fare to under 21 year olds, under the Bus Service Improvement Plan  which the Council on this occasion successfully bid for. Other schemes being considered are lower flat fees for town services, bus prioritisation schemes and proposals for electric buses.