News and views

Campaigning for safer pedestrian crossing by the mini-roundabout near Lidl was one of my election commitments. It’s taken time to get progress, but I’m pleased that a camera-based survey of the use of this crossing finally got under way earlier this month. Once the numbers have been crunched, the council will be able to look at what it can do to help make it safer when crossing the road at this point.

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The retaining wooden wall on Hunnycross Way is bowing outwards. I asked Island Roads for their view and they told me that they don’t consider it to be an imminent safety issue. They have said, though, that they will contact the landowner requesting repairs.

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Residents are being asked their views on the use of the green space in Hookes Way and the possibility of installing new play equipment. Sovereign Housing Association, who own the space, are working with me and Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council on this project. Sovereign have set up an online survey for all residents (Hookes Way and beyond) to have their say. There is also a chance to discuss what you would like to see happen in person on Thursday, 23 June, from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. I will be there together with representatives of Sovereign and of the community council.

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UPDATE: the answer was, sadly, ‘yes’. I will be pressing for at least some form of consultation before new invoices go out. _______ Fees for the WightCare service are set to rocket up by 13 per cent under proposals to be considered by the council’s Alliance group cabinet this week (Thursday, 12 May). The plan had been set out in the budget proposed by the Alliance group in February this year. I’d prepared an amendment for a 3 per cent increase but withdrew it when given assurances of consultation and scrutiny. However, the report shows no subsequent consultation has taken place – despite having two months to do so. This is disappointing especially as the Alliance group’s corporate plan sets…

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Today (20 April 2022) was to have a meeting of the full Isle of Wight Council to decide whether to take forward the Island planning strategy to its next stage. However, last week it was announced that the process is being paused. The strategy sets out policies, housing numbers, and land allocations that the council thinks is right for the Island over the next 15 years. For Parkhurst & Hunnyhill ward, last year’s original draft proposed 1,440 houses on four sites in the north of the ward: Ministry of Justice land around the prison (usually referred to just as Camp Hill), at Acorn Hill on Horsebridge Hill, at Noke Common, and on the former Library HQ site off Parkhurst Road….

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Today (23 February 2022) is budget day for Isle of Wight Council. This is the first time that the Alliance Group of independents and Greens have put forward budget proposals since they took over the council’s administration from the Conservatives last May. There are some welcome proposals such as investing in affordable housing and acting on environmental issues. But, due to government underfunding and without a proper “Island Deal”, Isle of Wight Council still has to make cuts. These are not as bad as recent years under the Conservatives. However, three proposals are particularly concerning: charging for video streaming of funerals cutting staff in the council’s contact centre putting up WightCare charges by 13 percent I’ve proposed a budget amendment…

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