News and views

The following is adapted from an Isle of Wight Council press release with my comment added at the end. _______ Isle of Wight councillors are looking at whether to change council decision making from the current Cabinet model to a committee based system. At their Full Council meeting in July 2023 the council agreed to start work on changing its governance and the way elected councillors make decisions on local matters. At present, whilst some decisions are made by Full Council the majority of decisions are taken by a Cabinet, of 8 councillors, appointed by the leader of the council. This can mean that the remaining councillors can feel excluded from the decision-making process under this system. A working group…

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Island Roads annual customer survey is under way with a closing date of 28 February. The short survey invites residents to give feedback on the range of highway services delivered by Island Roads such as highway maintenance, road and pavement resurfacing, winter services, street cleansing and lighting, verge and grass cutting. The feedback from the survey helps identify those services deemed to be performing well and also those where it is felt improvement are needed. The survey can be accessed online with paper copies of the survey including large print versions available on request, by emailing info@islandroads.com

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The planning application for 203 homes at Acorn Farm on Horsebridge Hill was passed by planning committee members last Tuesday (23 January 2024). No councillor voted against the scheme. I’m not a member of the committee so didn’t get a vote. In my remarks to the committee as ward councillor I highlighted: I said to the committee that, although it is regrettable that a greenfield site is lost, having a site used for housing that is much more likely to help Islanders who need affordable homes to rent or buy makes this scheme acceptable. It isn’t a perfect scheme though. In particular, having urged the committee to consider the highways impacts it was disappointing that they didn’t discuss these at…

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I have noticed that the pedestrian crossing on Forest Road seems to be acting as though the button is permanently pressed. Traffic is being held up when there is no-one waiting to cross. I’ve alerted Island Roads, reminding them this has happened before. On one occasion this was, I understand, due to a microswitch that had been affected by the very cold weather.

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A resident alerted me to the return of the water leak in Hampshire Crescent near the junction with Forest Road. Leaks are never good and with icy weather this could be hazardous. I took this up with the council and they’ve confirmed that Southern Water have been informed. An inspector was due to visit yesterday (Wednesday, 17 January 2024). This post will be updated when I have more information.

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The following is adapted from an Isle of Wight press release …. ______ Eligible Island residents can now get free upgrades to make their homes more energy efficient. The scheme is first come, first served so apply now by visiting the Warmer Homes website or calling the freephone number on 0800 038 5737. People can also email: retrofit@warmerhomes.org.uk. These upgrades are worth up to £38,000 per household and could include insulation, air source heat pumps and solar PV panels. The money comes from the Home Upgrade Grant and aims to help lower income households whose home is not very energy efficient and not heated by mains gas. Energy saving measures could include solar panels, solid wall insulation and air source heat pumps which can…

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