IW Councillors Report, May 2020

Surgeries.

5-6pm, Monday 4^th May. Please call:  01983 289595.

9-10am, Thursday 7^th May. Please call:  01983 289595.

5-6pm, Monday 11^th May. Please call:  01983 289595.

9-10am, Thursday 14^th May. Please call:  01983 289595.

5-6pm, Monday 18^th May. Please call: 01983 289595.

9-10am, Thursday 21^st May. Please call:  01983 289595.

5-6pm, Tuesday 26^th May. Please call:  01983 289595.

5-6pm, Thursday 28^th May. Please call:  01983 289595.

Coronavirus Helplines and Support.

Agency/ Supportline	Telephone Number	Web Page.
Isle of Wight Coronavirus Support	01983 823600	https://www.iowcoronavirus.co.uk/
NHS Direct	111	https://www.nhs.uk/
Cowes Medical Centre	01983 294902	E-connect:  https://cowesmedicalcentre.webgp.com/
HM Government Coronavirus Helpline (For businesses/ employers etc)	0800 024 1222	https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/coronavirus-covid-19-helpline
Citizens Advice	0344 411 1444	https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/
Money Saving Expert Consumer Advice	07940 000525	https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/
Isle of Wight Footprint Trust	01983 822282	https://footprint-trust.co.uk/
Isle of Wight Against Scams Partnership	0300 123 2040	https://www.iow.gov.uk/Council/OtherServices/IWASP/Current-Scams
Isle of Wight Police	999 or 101	https://www.hampshire.police.uk/
Ambulance, Fire and Coastguard	999
Samaritans (24hr free helpline)	116 123	https://www.samaritans.org/
National Domestic Abuse Helpline	0808 2000 247	https://www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk/
National Debtline	0808 808 4000	https://www.nationaldebtline.org/
Housing Advice (Shelter)	0300 330 1234	https://england.shelter.org.uk/

Deliveries.

Some local businesses in Cowes have continued undertaking deliveries during the Covid-19 Outbreak. Of note are:

The Butchers (Cowes), Tel: 01983 293129 and Rosalie’s of Cowes, Tel: 01983 298672 visit https://rosaliesofcowes.co.uk/ both are undertaking delivery services, as are Medina Foodservice. Tel: 01983 529840. I understand that the Island Sailing Club and their lovely volunteers are offering support primarily to their members for details call 01983 296621.

With thanks to Briary Court, I managed to retrieve a further list of food shops that deliver!!

Island Foods- Butchers free deliveries over £15	01983 717606	https://www.islandfoodsiow.co.uk
Living Larder- Fruit and Veg.	01983 717164	https://www.livinglarder.co.uk
DW Jarvis Family Butchers	01983 562382	https://www.dwjarvis.co.uk
Barrow Boys- Fruit and veg. Free deliveries over £8	01983 566636	https://barrowboysiw.co.uk
Four Winds Dairy- Milk, cheeses and chutneys	07472 747484	https://fourwindsdairy.business.site/
Age UK: Volunteer shoppers	01983 525282
WW Woodford and Sons- Butchers	01983 872717	https://www.woodfordandsons.co.uk
Socialising Buddies- Volunteer shoppers for the vulnerable	07960 194888

In addition to most supermarkets and the above, the website https://atoztome.com/ also provides the names of businesses that are able to deliver goods and supplies to your doorstep. 

Second Homes?

I was contacted by a resident with a home in Cowes asking if I could campaign to relax rules returning to the Island.  I explained that both infrastructure and our social demographics did not lend itself to do this, and I therefore opposed this.  The resident, I understood then went on to approach our MP and Council Leader…Let me know your thoughts!! 

Planning Applications.

·         The Green.

Last year a Planning Application was approved for two dwellings on The Green, off Crossfield Avenue.  Disappointingly this application did not have any car parking associated meaning that any extra traffic will need to be parked on the Estate, where parking is already at a premium. 

I have been approached by agents acting on behalf of the developer to ask that Highways Officers again look at this, and a request has also been made to ‘stop-up’ the road… Although there are a number of options, I am attempting to find a means of circumnavigating discussions.

·         Westview Road.

I am anticipating a downscaled readvertised application on the Bolwell Barn site towards the far end of Westview Road off Rew Street.

Those residents living locally, and residents with good memories will recall Mr Bolwell’s Barn was approved for residential use as part of a strange anomaly for agricultural buildings several years ago- The Prior Approval.

This piece of legislation basically cut through red tape for the reuse and redevelopment of agricultural dwellings.  On a negative note, this contrasted very much with expectations to implement planning policy (like the Gurnard Neighbourhood Plan) which is and was expected to go through rigorous scrutiny.  This nationally led to abuses of this policy to open up more of our countryside, which otherwise would never have been approved.

I was also approached by residents concerned over the removal of a hedgerow, the hedges condition has been monitored and the tree officer is working in liaison with planners on this matter. 

·         Bucklers View.

The extension to Bucklers View has been further delayed, due to ongoing issues beneath the building.  In last month’s conference call (and with the onset of coronavirus), the need to procure contractors across the region and with other projects, I personally cannot see the prospect of commencement before 2021.  Meetings will take place prior to this. 

English Coastal Path: Isle of Wight Section.

Consultation continues until 12^th May 2020 on Natural England’s proposals for the Isle of Wight section of the English Coastal Path. For details please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-isle-of-wight

In Gurnard proposals include:

·         the permitted path, at the bottom of Horn Hill, Rew Street connecting to CS17 from/ to Thorness

·         Footpaths CS35 and CS36 seaward (inc. the sea wall) of Marsh Road.

·         A direct path through Spencer’s Copse to the beach, and onward to the beach huts via Shore Path.       

Environmental Issues.   

Coronavirus has thrown up a number of issues and instances. These matters are being addressed by Officers.

·         Barking Dogs.

Each year, I receive numerous calls concerning dogs left in houses and gardens. Because so many more of us are enjoying our gardens, please think of neighbours who often find dogs barking continuously distressing.

·         Garden Bonfires.

Again, I continue to receive a huge amount of complaints concerning bonfires.  This is particularly relevant this year, as Lynnbottom Tip remains closed as a ‘non-essential’ service which the IW Council provides.  If you have no other choice than to have a bonfire, please ensure this is supervised with particular caution taken to ensure those living within dips and valleys nearby are not affected.

·         Tools.  Noisy ones. 

Panel Beating, Angle Grinders, Electric Saws are more popular than ever, with the prospect of DIY-ing taking place.  Again, if you have a big job planned that will be noisy please let your neighbours know in advance.  A short letter to let your neighbours know is more often than not welcomed by those living nearby.

·         Dog Poo

I continue to receive complaints concerning owners not picking up after their dogs.  At the moment Cowes/ Gurnard seafront are hot spots where I have requested better enforcement.  I have also been provided with footage of a couple fouling their dog on Thorness Beach.  If bins are full, please take any rubbish home with you.

• Sail GP20.

Sail GP's event for 2020 has been postponed. Details can be found here: https://sailgp.com/

Also This Month.

·         The police have advised me that the drink drive offence occurring at Rolls Hill, has been dealt with by the courts.

·         I remain ever hopeful that following rainfall the Jordan Culvert has been cleansed. This is being monitored.

·         Dog Bins have been requested for Baring Road. This was referred to Cowes Town Council, given Island Roads could not provide these. 

·         I am supporting a street trading getting their ‘license’ suspended during the Coronavirus outbreak

·         I have supported a resident with their claim for a Small Business Grant.

·         As Councillor, I continue to support enhanced PPE and testing for NHS Staff and Care workers.

·         Annual Reports were delivered to Cowes West & Gurnard residents.  In addition to the reports over 300 Coronavirus Volunteer and Help Leaflets were circulated to residents living in outlying areas. Please let me know if you’ve not received your Annual Report (These are still outstanding for certain restricted access households).

·       I have forwarded an enquiry concerning uncollected Back door recycling. Please let me know if this is an issue.

During lockdown, I have sought advice on better use of highway space to permit cycling and walking.  I am discussing suggested options with Cowes Town Council.

IW Councillor's Report, April 2020

Surgeries.

5-6pm, Wednesday 1^st April. Please call 01983 289595.

5-6pm, Monday 6^th April. Please call 01983 289595.

9-10am, Thursday 9^th April. Please call 01983 289595.

5-6pm, Monday 13^th April. Please call 01983 289595.

6-7pm, Thursday 16^th April. Please call 01983 289595.

5-6pm, Monday 20^th April. Please call 01983 289595.

9-10am, Thursday 23^rd April. Please call 01983 289595.

5-6pm, Monday 27^th April. Please call 01983 289595.

9-10am, Thursday 30^th April. Please call 01983 289595.

Coronavirus Update.

The IW Council and its partners have established a helpline to support residents about the Coronavirus crisis.  If you, or somebody that you know requires support please call:  01983 823600 (9am-5pm).

In the meantime myself and Cllr Lora Peacey Wilcox are working as Co-ordinators with IW Community Action to support residents in need. This follows up from thirty local residents offering support.  In light of Government advice, I will be significantly reducing the amount that I am out and about.  However, as a key worker I will be delivering Coronavirus Support/ Volunteer Leaflets (and Annual Reports) to residents living in isolated areas.  At the moment these are planned for Rew Street and Gurnard Pines.   

Updates from the NHS can be found at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/, support for the self-employed can be found at:  https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html, whilst help for businesses can be found at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

With many residents on low incomes, visit: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/ or https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2020/03/uk-coronavirus-help-and-your-rights/

Ideally, under normal circumstances I would prefer to collate all information on to a single paged information sheet. However, this continues to prove difficult due to the fast changing situation concerning advice.

Issues being raised are as follows:

·         Issues relating to loneliness. Volunteers are in place to contact isolated residents by phone when required.

·         Issues relating to Financial Support.  The Universal Credit helpline continues to struggle with demand following residents losing employment.  I’m told this remains a Government priority and extra staff are being redeployed(!)

·         Testing of Frontline NHS staff. Nurses have contacted me who are urging ‘testing’ rather than ‘isolation’ when showing coronavirus symptoms.  This is an issue which (I support) Government being lobbied to change. 

·         Issues relating to second home owners.  Although restrictions apply for holiday accommodation, concerns have been relayed to ‘visitors from London’ relocating to the Island during the coronavirus outbreak. Please note despite reduced visitor numbers there are no restrictions to prevent second home owners returning to the Island.

·         Issues concerning construction work continuing in Baring Road. I am now advised that work on site has reduced, with the need for social distancing between contractors.

Updates:

Cowes Post Office in the High Street has temporarily closed.  This was due to the lack of space to permit social distancing within the shop.  Although I requested the IW Council to intervene to find a solution to this essential service, it should be remembered that whilst providing an essential service it is up to the owners to consider whether it is 1.commercially viable to remain open and 2. Provide the necessary safeguarding for staff and customers. In the coming weeks, inevitably more and more businesses, facilities and services will be affected once coronavirus numbers grow. 

Cowes Community Bus will reduce its level of service from 30^th March to operating only on Tuesday and Saturday.

Cowes Medical Centre has in place an econnect service.  This allows patients to contact the Medical Centre without the need for phoning. For details, please visit: https://cowesmedicalcentre.webgp.com/     

A very very big thank you to everybody who has volunteered and to all the essential workers committed to providing support.  In the coming weeks, your efforts will be invaluable and gratefully appreciated!!

Annual Reports.

These will be delivered once guidance is relaxed.  This can be found at: http://paulfullercc.blogspot.com/

Highways Issues.

·         Carriageway Resurfacing 2020/2021.

Island Roads have advised me of roads ‘being considered’ for resurfacing next year.  These are:

·         Crossfield Avenue	·         Grove Road	·         Terminus Road
·         Stephenson Road	·         Egypt Hill	·         Town Quay
·         Cross Street Car Park	·         Denmark Road	·         Sun Hill
·    Somerton Park & Ride	·         Cross Street	·         Thetis Road
·         Moorgreen Road	·         Park Road

As yet no date has been arranged to resurface Worsley Road, Gurnard.  However, despite this I continue to ask that repairs are made and the roads condition is monitored.

·         Glen Place junction.

Discussions are ongoing on who’s responsibility it is to improve access to and from Glen Place in Worsley Road.  Before the coronavirus outbreak, stem were in place to have a face to face meeting between residents, planners and Island Roads to resolve a way forward.

·         Car Parking Charges.

Because of coronavirus, I have requested a delay should the consultation take place on charging for parking on Gurnard/ Cowes Seafront.  Because of the current impact upon businesses, I have suggested that any consultation would be ill-founded and insensitive at this time.

I remain ever hopeful that with the promise of Island Deals, Fair Funding etc., the IW Council will become overtaken by events.  However, should the consultation remain pending I will ensure this is well publicised- if not by the Council, by me!

Update:  The IW Council has confirmed to me that proposals to charge on Gurnard Seafront are now on hold. Hurrah!!

·         Crossfield Avenue.

Myself, Cowes West Councillors Cllr Christine Bustin and Cllr Paul Taylor met with Island Roads to address concerns raised regarding buses mounting the pavement exiting Cowes Enterprise College.

·         Rolls Hill/ Road.

An update from the police has been requested concerning action to be taken against speeding motorists.

Planning Issues.

·         Baring Road Applications.

I have been advised that the two applications one for 4 dwellings, the second for 6 dwellings are likely to be refused. In response to this, I have requested intervention following trenches being dug in fields.  To date, I have not been advised of what was happening but surmise surveys were taking place.

·         Westview Road.

A new application has been received to develop a residential property in Westview Road, off Rew Street.  This application is outside the Settlement Boundary and will caused concern over precedent.  For this reason, I have called in the application, should officers be mindful of approving the scheme.

·         Supermarket Deliveries.

Because of the exceptional times we are currently in, the IW Council has relaxed planning conditions regarding the delivery of goods to replenish supermarkets and other shops.

·         Planning Applications.

I am advised that although Planning Applications can be submitted electronically by applicants, and these will be available online in the usual way, no new planning applications will be determined for the immediate future.

Because of Government guidance, the Council will not be starting the formal public consultation period due to the need for site visits and the erection of notices.  

Sewage Discharged into the Sea from outfall

Following a call from a local resident this was reported to the IW Council.

Coincidentally, in recent weeks at the Solent Forum I have spoken to individuals about the issue of private outfalls and the impact this has upon the river quality, our beaches and the sea.

In the meantime action has been taken, and the situation continues to be monitored.

Sail GP.

At the moment Sail GP are still intending to hold their event during Cowes Week (not been postponed at the moment!).

I understand that the site plan, schedule and traffic management plan has been postponed (due to Coronavirus) and will be shared by the organisers after Easter. The meeting scheduled to take place on 2^nd April has also been postponed.

Floodlighting: Ward Avenue.

A meeting was arranged with Environmental Health concerning Floodlight spillage, noise and issues concerning the 3G pitch.  Following the meeting, some key questions were raised.  These included:

·         Concerns over the soft landscaping/ arboretum and woodland conditions not being in place.

·         Why is all lighting on at all times- even when pitches are not in use. Can this be restricted?

·         Of the three pitches, why is the one closest to Ward Avenue the most frequently used. Can this be rotated?

·         Can floodlights have ‘hoods’/screens to prevent spillage?

·         Can the potency of lighting be reduced?

·         Why is lighting turned on at a time when natural lighting is good?

·         Can there be a waiting area. As the current space is used creating a noise nuisance to neighbours?

·         Can the raised areas surrounding the pitch be restricted, as tis impacts upon the privacy and amenity?

·         Can the school’s playing field be used during the summer to prevent disturbance?  

English Coastal Path: Isle of Wight Section.

Consultation as stated on the Isle of Wight section of the English Coastal Path. This continues until 12^th May 2020. For details please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/england-coast-path-isle-of-wight

In Gurnard proposals include:

·         the permitted path, at the bottom of Horn Hill, Rew Street connecting to CS17 from/ to Thorness

·         Footpaths CS35 and CS36 seaward (inc. the sea wall) of Marsh Road.

·         A direct path through Spencer’s Copse to the beach, and onward to the beach huts via Shore Path.      

Local Access Forum.

Following winter storms a number of public rights of way temporarily closed.  This include the steps to Alum Bay, and footpaths to Headon Warren, Forelands, Brook, Brambles Chine and Swains Road.

It was reported that Footpath CS35 at Gurnard was closed, However this has now reopened.

With the onset of the Tour of Britain later this summer, and by the fact that the Isle of Wight will bookend the tour in September it was hoped that pressure would be in place to upgrade those roads being used by cyclists.   

The Ramblers Association and the Rights Of Way Department are seeking volunteers to check rights of way each year.  Please let me know if you are interested.

Concerns were raised regarding the issuing of permits for 4x4 users using the Tennyson Trail.  A meeting was due to discuss with the police.

Solent Forum.

The general theme from the meeting was concerning the impact of how nitrates (largely through farming) impact upon water quality and the local environment.  This has had an adverse impact upon seagrass, and thus impacts upon absorption of carbon.   The development of housing upon nitrates entering water courses was also highlighted as an issue, with some Council’s aspiring to reduce housing numbers because of this.

Another issue debated at the Forum was (Eco) Advanced Mooring Systems and discussions taking place with harbour authorities, to use these facilities for yachtsmen to protect seagrass and maerl beds in the Solent.

A discussion took place on coastal archaeology, from CITiZAN working with community groups in Portsmouth, Langstone and Chichester Harbours who are surveying and exploring remains found on the shores of these historic heavily defenced waterfronts.

Environmental and Waste Issues.

·         Household rubbish bins have been left out after being emptied.  This has been reported to the Council’s Environment Officer.

·         I have also requested support from the EO on discarded compostable waste which is left in bins on Gurnard Green. Please note these bins can be (and are regularly) ransacked by the local fox population, and again I ask that rubbish is either taken home, and as if/ where left by second home owners, owners please subscribe to the collection plus service.  For details, visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/news/Collection-Plus-service-available

·         Egypt Esplanade was recently pressure washed to remove algae/ slime.

·         A request has been to Gurnard Pines make safe the fence on its boundary with Cockleton Lane.

·         A request was made to remove a shopping trolley left on Gurnard Green.

·         I’ve requested the replacement of trees removed from Worsley Road, Place Road and Solent View Road.