Surgeries:
11:30-12:15pm, Thursday 1st June, The
Pavilion, Gurnard Pines, Gurnard.
4:30-5pm, Monday 5th June, Cowes Library,
Beckford Road, Cowes.
5:30-6pm, Tuesday 6th June, Isle of Wight
Community Club, Park Road, Cowes.
3-3:30pm, Tuesday 13th June, Northwood Village
Hall, Newport Road, Northwood.
5:30-6pm, Wednesday 14th June, The Portland,
Worsley Road, Gurnard.
10:30-11am, Thursday 22nd June, Coffee &
Chat, All Saints Church, Tuttons Hill, Gurnard.
5:30-6pm, Wednesday 28th June, The Portland,
Worsley Road, Gurnard.
11:30-12pm, Thursday 29th June, Eegons, 85
High Street, Cowes.
Cowes Primary School
Cowes
Primary School, is one of four (out of 38) primary schools across the Island that
are under consideration of closure in July 2024. With respect to the consultation, please also
let me know your thoughts!
This comes
about as a result of falling pupil numbers on the Island. Over the next five years pupil numbers are due
to fall by about one third. This in turn will result in schools struggling to
balance books at a time of rising costs and the national issue of schools
recruiting staff.
Any
consultation for closure is very sad, and talking to the Head Teacher Stephanie
Praetag, I know that these decisions are not taken lightly given how important
our primary schools are for the communities they serve. On this, I’ve spoken to staff and parents and
urge residents to engage in the consultation.
In the meantime, I am in dialogue with Councillors and Groups from
Chillerton, Ryde and Wroxall.
Of further
concern to me, is that should it be agreed to move forward with school
closures, given falling numbers these inevitably will not be the last schools
to potentially close.
For details
visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/news/proposals-put-forward-to-tackle-surplus-school-places/
Grass Verges.
As residents
may be aware, to save money in 2019 the IW Council agreed to renew its contract
with Island Roads. As a consequence it was agreed at that time by the then
Cabinet that not all roads would get resurfaced, and also the cutting of grass
verges would be kept to the statutory minimum of four cuts per year…
With the
introduction of No mow May also in place (to help pollinators!!), this has
meant that roadside verges have looked more wild than usual. I am advised that local verges are a priority
to be cut on the first week of June with all works scheduled to be completed by
12th June.
Anti-Social Behaviour.
With the
onset of summer, so does complaints of anti-social behaviour. In previous
years, I’ve received of criminal damage of both of woodland and of private
premises between Gurnard Sailing Club and Gurnard Luck.
If you and
your family are planning to have beach fun this summer, please make sure they
stay out of harm’s way!
Jet
Ski (Personal Watercraft): New Legislation.
Legislation has been introduced to prevent
dangerous misuse of watercraft such as jet skis. New Powers mean that:
·
Anyone riding a jet ski recklessly or causing harm to others could now
face up to 2 years in prison and an unlimited fine.
·
Maritime and Coastguard Agency to be granted more powers to prosecute.
·
In addition the Maritime Police Unit also has powers under local the
local bye-law.
Full Council.
I’ve been
reappointed to serve on the IW Council’s Cabinet. In line with the IW Council’s structural
reorganisation, there are now 8 cabinet positions as opposed to 10.
My
responsibilities now include Coastal Protection and Flooding and formalises my
position as Cabinet Member responsible for supporting Parish Councils. In
addition, I maintain my portfolio for Planning and Enforcement.
A new
political group consisting of three Independent Councillors and one former
Conservative Councillor has been formed. This new group has meant that the Alliance
Group, which I am a member comprises now of 13 members.
At Full
Council, a referral to Cabinet was made on the potential costings to move the
Council’s Governance from a Cabinet model to a Committee model. Having experience both, I am tentatively supportive
of a Committee model, which I personally found to be more inclusive. However, before considering options I will
need to see details.
£2 Single Fares Extended.
Introduced earlier this year, the Government funded scheme to allow a £2
single bus fare on most bus routes has been extended to 30th June
2023.
Noise Complaints.
I have recently received complaints regarding
noise nuisance. Although I am happy to
assist on this, Environmental Health asks that residents email them direct: environmental.health@iow.gov.uk, or call 01983 821000.
This ensures officers can fully understand the harm anti-social
behaviour impacts. In the meantime, to assist officers please keep a log of
incidents and when (and where) they occur.
Parked
Vehicles.
I’ve had a number of calls concerning haulage
trailers and vehicles being left in Three Gates Road and Place Road. Because
the vehicles were parked legally, there are limited powers that the IW Council
had to request vehicles were parked elsewhere. However, speaking to Planning colleagues
a request was made for the Director of Regeneration to intervene to support the
hauliers who had out grown their site following expansion of their
business.
Southern Water: Water Butts.
Southern
Water are calling door to door in eligible roads with their ‘slow the flow’
Water Butts. If you still haven’t receiver yours, please visit: https://www.gurnardpc.co.uk/free-water-butts-now-available-from-southern-water/
Litter Bins.
Sad that I am, I
continue to monitor waste bins. In the
last month, damaged bins on Princes
and Egypt Esplanade have been made safe before being replaced.
Although bins
now are emptied on a daily business, please ensure bins are not overfilled and if you cannot take litter home, please
leave refrain from leaving your rubbish in a bin less full. Finally, further complaints have been
received by residents witnessing household,
holiday home and holiday waste being deposited in litter bins…
For second home
owners, and those unable to leave their rubbish out, the Council provides their
Collection Plus Service allowing householders to agree a safe collection point
for their refuse. For details, call 01983 823777 or visit: https://www.iow.gov.uk/recycling-and-waste/additional-household-services/paid-for-waste-services/
Gurnard Pines Update.
Last month I had
the opportunity to meet with the owner of Gurnard Pines. During the meeting, (scarily for me) I was
shown around the recently refurbished Gym
facilities, function suite plus
the office and potential retail spaces currently available for commercial
purposes. I am ever hopeful that the shop may reopen in the future with a
plan to be considered to (at this moment, very possibly) reopen the pool which hasn’t been decommissioned.
As Planning
Officers seem unhappy with proposal for new Eco-Chalets, I have requested a site meeting with them to discuss
proposals. On this dialogue continues.
Following noise
nuisance complaints, the owner has agreed to close the top field to Quad bikers using the top field.
Last month, I
stepped up pressure on the Royal Mail to get on with replacing the Cockleton
Lane postbox removed last year. The
loss of this postbox has had an impact upon residents and I’m anxious to see
its reinstatement.
Gurnard Green.
I am supporting
beach hut owners who reported to me slippage of Gurnard Green behind the huts.
I understand that a survey has taken place and am awaiting details of the IW
Council’s action plan concerning this.
Anti-Social Parking.
A request has
been made for Civil Enforcement Officers to ticket bad parental parking at
Gurnard Primary School.
I
have received complaints regarding parked vehicles on The Green, Crossfield
Avenue. This stopped last year following
a campaign led by residents opposed to motorists using the Green as a
thoroughfare.
Hedgehog
Corner: Helping your Garden’s Friend.
Though hedgehogs are known as the gardeners’
friend it’s not always a two-way relationship. Many of us help hedgehogs in the garden. But an unwary gardener
can cause a whole host of problems for our prickly friends in summer.
Slug pellets can poison hedgehogs,
strimmers, lawnmowers or a careless fork in the compost heap can injure them
and they can so easily become trapped in netting or a badly designed garden
pond.
Our gardens can be a sanctuary for
hedgehogs in summer, but without proper thought, they can be a death-trap
too.
Verification
of Documents etc.
As a magistrate, I can authorise/ verify
documents. This I am happy to do this at no cost during my
Councillor surgeries. Please note,surgeries are prioritised to
support ward matters first and limited to 30 minutes. Given the unpredictable
nature of surgeries I cannot always guarantee to verify documents within the
time available.
If you wish documents to be authorised etc, please contact me
beforehand.. Please ensure you have all your documents including
originals. Should you wish me to verify, sign and date three copies
of original documents or more, please write the following on each copied page:
‘I
hereby confirm that this is a true copy of the original document’.
This allows me more time to reference your original documents, and
to sign and date copies as required. I request this, as it is so important to
allow sufficient time to verify documents correctly..
As an alternative, please note other professions can verify
documents (i.e legal advisors, bankers, doctors, ministers, teachers etc). The
Magistrates Court, Sea Street, Newport may be able to help. The
Court can be contacted on 01983 535100.
Report
as Cabinet Member for Planning, Coastal Protection and Flooding.
·
Planning Enforcement.
Cabinet recently adopted an updated Planning Enforcement
Strategy. Under the new scheme the Enforcement Team will continue to
investigate every alleged breach across the Island and then assess and
prioritise harm.
The new strategy includes an opportunity for
local Town, Parish and Community Council’s to expand the service beyond the IW
Council’s core function. This has been
piloted with support from Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council where
properties in Newport and Carisbrooke High Streets are being tidied up.
Across the Island, three Enforcement Notices
have been served so far this year with more in the pipeline.
Following feedback, I’ve been mindful of
raising residents’ awareness of the work of the Enforcement Team, and look
forward to information being shared wider within the Council’s website and
within weekly planning lists.
·
Statement of
Community Involvement. (SCI)
In the coming weeks the IW Council will be
consulting on a Statement of Community Involvement. The SCI explains how the IW
Council will involve local communities, businesses and other stakeholders when
preparing policies and determining planning applications.
·
Strategic Planning
Documents.
Strategic Planning Documents are being
finalised and include the Newport and Ryde Shopfront Design Guide. Cabinet are
also soon to consider LCWIPs (Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans)
for Ryde and Newport, with others (Cowes) due to be considered soon.
·
Island Planning
Strategy (IPS).
The journey of the local Planning bible, the
IPS has been delayed. With proposed changes to National Planning Policy and its
transitional arrangements, we are unclear but am hopeful for a positive
response from government. This particularly applies to proposed changes to the
Island’s exceptional circumstance criteria.
Once we know more, Cabinet can feedback to Full Council on moving
forward.
·
Full Council
Appointments.
Cllr Warren Drew was appointed as the new
Chairman of the Planning Committee, with Cllr Chris Quirk taking over as
Vice-Chairman. Both Councillors, are
members of the IW Councils Conservative Group demonstrating the IW Council’s
Leadership commitment to work cross-party.
·
Worsley site,
Wroxall.
I have been supporting efforts from the local
community in Wroxall to see redevelopment of this site. I am ever hopeful that discussions with
Natural England will have a positive outcome in the coming weeks.
·
Local Nature Recovery
Initiatives.
LNR initiatives,
are a priority for Government. In the
past few weeks I have been working with officers to develop a local strategy
that enables the IW Council to support proposals that provides environmental
enhancements.
·
Former School, Yarmouth.
I have had
discussions with Councillors on exciting proposals for the former Yarmouth
School site.
·
Planning Improvements Steering Committee.
A further
meeting of the Steering Committee was held to action outcomes from last year’s
peer review. One of the key discussion
points was to implement a customer feedback survey to monitor outcomes from
stakeholders.
·
Voting Records at Planning Committee.
Isle of Wight
Councillors who sit on the Planning Committee recently had their biases
assessed at a recent meeting of the Planning Committee. Although Councillors are entitled to be
predisposed, questions on pre-determination were raised, this in my opinion,
has led to disquiet upon some Councillors on their voting records.
·
Coastal Protection.
In the last few
weeks, I have received briefings on intended coastal protection schemes for Yaverland, Shanklin, Bembridge and the current scheme to re-enforce
breached coastal defences at Ventnor, which
has been reinstated ahead of schedule. A
major concern for me locally is the condition of the concrete groyne, Gurnard and the defence at Queens Road, Cowes which has been categorised as very poor.
Schemes to take remedial action at these and other locations will take place
this year.
·
Unauthorised Sea Defences.
Following work
being undertaken at Gurnard, Blue
Slipper has now become exposed on the beach between the Gurnard Luck and
Gurnard Sailing Club. This has caused
concerns for householders in Solent View Road, where action is intended by the
Marine Management Organisation.
Elsewhere, I understand similar breaches have taken place at Wootton Creek.
·
Parish, Town and Community Council Liaison.
I am looking
forward to hosting a roundtable meeting between the Isle of Wight Association
of Local Councils and the Isle of Wight Council on where best IWALC can provide
support retaining discretionary services.
Gurnard Parish Council
Chairman’s Report.
·
It was a
considerable honour to be re-elected as Chairman of the Parish Council for a
second year. I remain ever hopeful that my time as an IW Councillor will become
much less onerous this coming year, and I am really happy to be supported by Cllr Penny Acton who has stepped up and
replaced Cllr. Mark Franklin as Vice-Chairman. Being at the Head of the Parish Council is
very much being part of a Team and I feel blessed that with all of our active
Councillors and Richard as our Clerk, in Gurnard we are very fortunate.
·
Complaints were
received concerning dogs off leads
at Gurnard Beach, this has been reported and appropriate action taken.
·
The Old School
Meadow Committee has requested that the Parish Council re-tenders the Ground Maintenance contract for the Meadow. In addition the Council resolved to create a new sprung gate between the main field
and the dog free zone area of the old school playing field. Finally, the Council resolved not to agree to
the Meadow being used as part of a Forest
School initiative. The sticking
point for this was the no fires restriction that remains in place.
·
It was agreed to
update Gurnard’s Emergency Plan. The IW Council’s Emergency Planning Officer
has offered to support the Parish council on this.
·
An offer’s been
made from the Meadow View developer
to meet the Parish Council. Having received consent for his development in
Cockleton Lane, he’s anxious to discuss mutual access concerns to/ from Old
School Meadow. He also wishes to discuss
the link between Meadow View and Cockleton Lane.
·
The Parish
Council has been requested to plant a commemorative
tree to remember a local resident.
·
Drain clearance
from the Public Toilets was actioned
following a blockage.
·
Many thanks to
Cllr Mark Franklin for his efforts with our clerk Richard Shaul to update the parish
website.
Also This month.
·
Southern
Water has confirmed to me that they will not be issuing Water Butts to
residents of The Dottens. This is due to the fact that developers have
built in a number of features to the development (i.e balancing ponds,
attenuation tanks) that already slows the flow of storm water leaving the site.
That said, I am continuing to liaise with Island Roads and the IW Council on finding
a solution to the issue with drains.
·
Two
incidents were reported of so-called abandoned cars one in Churchill Road, the other in Cliff
Road.
·
Senad
Adams our now longstanding Environment
Officer has been redeployed to Cowes and Northwood. I remain hopeful that
enough pressure has been applied to allow Senad also to represent Gurnard. With
respect to this Senad has helped me in the last month deal with rubbish bin
issues and dog poo matters.
·
Promotion
is about to start for new Community Bus
Drivers recruitment. John Berry readily accepted the request to be again,
the poster boy for the campaign!
·
The
Footprint Trust reported that in the last 12 months, it’s saved Cowes residents
a whopping £18,000.
·
A
request was made to remove the The
Deauville Twinning sign in Northwood.
·
I am
continuing to receive comments concerning increasing Council Tax levels for Holiday Home and Second Home owners. From feedback received I have had 17 enquiries
in favour of the Council doing this and now 6 opposed. Although no decision has
been made to pursue increasing charges at this time subject to a decision from
Government. In the meantime, please
continue to let me know your views
·
Agreement
was made by Cabinet for the creation of an Island
Dementia Hub at Parklands in Park Road. The purpose of the Hub will be to
offer short stay day respite.
·
Following
feedback from residents of Hilton Road, the IW Council has confirmed that Waste
Services will risk assess and notify individual householders where a problem
exists on unmade roads.
·
I
attended a meeting of the newly formed Cowes Traders Group.
·
A
very big thank you to Mrs Floyd who captured in a jam jar for me, a rather
scary 2 inch hornet in her
garden. It was absolutely massive and
gave me, my bee/ wasp/ hoverfly phobia and the members our Cabinet the
heebeegeebees. Thankfully the hornet was
a European Hornet and not the killer Asian variety. So scared was I, that I had to request the
Council’s Emergency Planning to release the creature.
·
Permission
has now been granted for six dwellings in Cockleton Lane. As a result a permissive path will now connect the development to the south of
Cockleton Meadow to Place Road via Deauville Avenue. As yet, there has been no agreed path to link
these to Tuttons Hill aiding connectivity for residents.
Donkeys Years following the creation of the Police’s State
of the Art Netley Call Centre, I am
still receiving calls from residents on the service. The latest issue, I’ve received calls on are
the call centre operators not knowing place names on the Island, the reference
to people calling 999 instead of 101 (as callers claim these are not dealt with
quickly enough) and finally.. operators not knowing that the Isle of Wight has
a motorway… Beggars belief
