News and views

Isle of Wight Council set its budget last night (22 February 2023). Its council tax is up five per cent, but many services will be cut. This is the result of yet another year in which the Conservative government has underfunded councils across England. For the Isle of Wight, we’re still waiting for an ‘Island Deal’ which covers the extra costs we face for being an island. Together with my Lib Dem colleague Nick Stuart, I put forward an amendment (pdf document) to give the council greater flexibility in its plans to provide affordable homes for people in desperate need. We wanted to divert funding from the amount set aside for new laptops and mobile phones in 2026/27, and for…

Read more…

Worsley Road was dug up – again – yesterday (22 February 2023) in search why water keeps appearing on the surface. When I looked into the hole last night there was a lot of water – picture below. I was told this morning that tests showed it wasn’t mains water from a leaking pipe, so it seems it must be groundwater. I’ll be pressing Island Roads to suggest a solution, particularly as this winter we had a very large area become like an ice rink.

Read more…

It was great to see today (24 January 2023) that work is under way on the Hookes Way play area. The play equipment had been removed in 2020 as it had reached the end of its useful life. This was raised with me several times during the council elections in 2021. I took this issue up after my election, working with Sovereign Housing Association, Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council, and Isle of Wight Council.

Read more…

As I walked along Dodnor Lane today (2 January 2023) I noted a pothole and part of the surface with a ‘ridge’ from where the surface has broken up. I’ve reported to Island Roads for repair.

Read more…

When I walked along Hookes Way today (2 January 2023) I noticed the littering, including what looked like dog fouling bags. I’ve reported this to Island Roads for clearing and will take this up with the council’s dog service. UPDATE: I’ve been liaising with council officers on this who have also inspected to see how bad things are. and to get some clearing done.

Read more…

I’ve again pressed Island Roads on their discussions with Southern Water about the water leaking in Worsley Road by the lane through to Albany Road. It’s frustrating that no progress is being made to resolve this issue. As residents feared, the freezing weather has seen the water turn to an ‘ice rink’ (pictured below) which is particularly hazardous for walkers and cyclists and motorcyclists. UPDATE 13 December 2022: Island Roads have said they will add this to the mini gritter route till the leak issue is resolved.

Read more…