At the annual meeting of Newport & Carisbrooke Community Council on Monday, 15 May 2023, I was elected as chair of the council for the coming year. I had been the vice-chair for the previous year.

I’m looking forward to working with all my colleagues and our excellent staff team as we work to deliver services and facilities.

The following extract of the report to the Annual Parish Meeting also on the same evening summarises much of the work we do:

“Work began on the refitting of the council’s property at 64 High Street in late 2022. The building is now in use as an office for its staff. Prospective tenants have been identified for its shoplets, and work on the heritage exhibition is well under way. The building will also be hosting co-working spaces for several months as part of a collaboration with the Building 41 initiative overseen by Isle of Wight Council.

“The community council made a significant contribution to the free parking trial in Newport car parks together with Isle of Wight Council. Data from the trial suggests that this has been well received by residents visiting the town and that there has been an increase in both footfall and dwell time. The council has budgeted for a continuation of the scheme, and is working with Isle of Wight Council and representatives of Newport Business Association.

Community council funding allowed improvements to be made to Downside Rec play park and to the Victoria Rec Pavilion. At Hookes Way, play equipment was installed as part of joint funding by the community council, Sovereign Housing Association, and Isle of Wight Council.

Talking to those enjoying The Day of Christmas event it was obviously very greatly appreciated, with activities both at Newport Quay and the town centre, including market stalls. Particular praise goes to the council’s staff for their professionalism in delivering this event and the many hours they put in before, during and afterwards, to making it a success. All of us who volunteered were delighted to play a part. The festive season again included seasonal lights and trees.

Other community focused events and initiatives over the last year included those for the little chimney sweep, Valentine Gray; and a very well-attended celebration of the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Other council support has gone to the Shaping Newport initiative, and to the High Street Heritage Action Zone. We look forward to being fully engaged with the delivery of the pedestrian zone in Newport town centre. Dialogue has been opened with Isle of Wight Council and Island Roads on pedestrian safety across Newport.

The council continued to provide services formerly provided by the Isle of Wight Council, including public toilets; school crossing patrols; support for voluntary youth services; allotments; funding for the 39 bus service; and the maintenance of Victoria, Downside, Nine Acres and Clatterford recreation grounds. The council has also provided many thousands of pounds of grants to community and sports organisations within the parish.

Isle of Wight councillor, Michael Lilley, has joined the Liberal Democrats. He had been a member of the Alliance Group.

Following Nick Stuart’s tremendous by-election win last November, this takes the Liberal Democrat council group up to three members. It may not be many but as a ‘hung’ council where no party has an overall majority, this means the Lib Dems have more influence.

I’ve known and worked with Michael since we were both elected to Isle of Wight Council in 2017 and I’ve seen how he always tackles issues in a liberal way.

Nick and I are looking forward to working with Michael on the many issues facing Islanders, particularly pressing for action to tackle poverty, to provide housing that is truly affordable to rent and buy, to promote green economic development, and on protecting and enhancing our Island’s environment.

Adapted from an Isle of Wight Council press release.

A consultation is now under way on traffic regulations for the proposed People First Zone in Newport High Street. The zone aims to improve the pedestrian environment making the High Street a more pleasant place to shop and spend time.

The new traffic regulations include more usable pavement space to make walking around the town easier, and feature new planting, seating and cycle parking.

A public consultation last year has led to design changes in response to the feedback, including:

• Introduction of more planting, in larger blocks, to give the town centre a greener feel.
• Improvements to parking for disabled people, with parking on both sides of the road and one extra-long parking bay to allow rear ramps to be used more easily.
• Retention of some general parking, to provide extra provision for disabled people who do not need dedicated bays and short-term parking for other others.

The work is part of the overall High Street Heritage Action Zone funded by Historic England, Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council and Isle of Wight Council. Work is also taking place in partnership with Southern Water to introduce new Sustainable Drainage Systems to reduce combined sewer overflows into the Medina Estuary.

The consultation on the Traffic Regulation Orders closes on May 12. Details of the proposed orders including how to submit your feedback are available on the council website.

On Monday, 27 March 2023, the play equipment at Hookes Way was ‘opened’.

Getting new equipment was one of the issues I promised to campaign for when I was re-elected last year. I’m delighted to be able to deliver on that promise.

My bid to Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council for funding was successful. Sovereign Housing Association then added even more. I made a request to Isle of Wight Council for additional funds and that was successful too.

This has been a great example of a project where councillors, council officers, and Sovereign Housing Association have worked together with local residents and their children. We made sure the children helped in choosing the three pieces of equipment now in place – and one child formally cut the ribbon at the opening.

I will be working to get more equipment for Hookes Way and also to get a similar facility in the northern part of Parkhurst & Hunnyhill ward.

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.

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.

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.

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.

My friend, Nick Stuart, gained the Brighstone, Calbourne and Shalfleet ward from the Conservatives in a by-election yesterday (24 November 2022).

The result is:

Lib Dem	526	53.4%
Conservative	239	24.3%
Green	153	15.5%
Vectis Party	36	3.7%
Labour	31	3.1%

[Adapted from an Isle of Wight Council press release]

A new section on the Isle of Wight Council website has been set up to provide advice and guidance to residents struggling with the cost of living.

The content includes useful information from public, voluntary, charity, government and business organisations.

The pages aredivided into sections for ease of access to information. Those sections are:

• benefits and government support — information about government support including an online benefits calculator;
• money worries — where to get help if you are worried about money;
• support with energy bills — for people who are struggling to pay utilities and other household expenses;
• food — information on community pantries, food banks and access to healthy food;
• health and wellbeing — mental health support and advice on keeping healthy.

A list of warm and welcoming spaces where residents can meet others, take part in activities, get a warm drink or meal, or spend some quiet time away from home can also be found on the website.