Report from I.W. Councillor John Nicholson

Posted by Admin on 22 March 2018, 8:43 pm

COUNCILLOR JOHN NICHOLSON

Ward Member for Northwood & Cowes South
Chairman of Policy & Scrutiny Committee for Adult Social Care & Health Committee

SUNNYSIDE

PALLANCE LANE

NORTHWOOD

PO31 8LT
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Tel: 01983 209642 (evenings best)

Mobile: 07918 757843
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Email: cllr.john.nicholson@btconnect.com

See the I.W. Councillor’s section

WARD REPORT – MARCH 2018

The Report appearing in the April 2018 edition of Northwood News:

Business and the Regeneration Initiative

Northwood Parish Council has voted to secure what amounts to be a bit of a coup; being first in line for an innovative local business survey through the IW Council’s Regeneration Programme. The survey is ready to start and will look at operational and employment aspects as well as frustrations, resources and potentials. It was agreed that Northwood lent itself, especially, to be such a starting point for this pilot which hopefully will go on to encompass Cowes in its next stage (subject to Cowes Town Council’s vote). Northwood may not have much in public assets and amenities, but it has more than its fair share in number and diversity of businesses, from an enterprising milkman, to two pubs, the Island’s largest glazing company, garages, transport and logistics companies, small shops and an international supermarket, and a significant MOD contractor, amongst many more businesses operating across all sorts of industries and platforms.

We can only guess what this initiative will deliver for the Community and the Island, in enhanced employment offers, linked development, local sponsorships and asset-based community development. It has been a realisation that I have been encouraging for some time now, so am very pleased that this has come along, just as the Parish was embarking on a research project to the same end.

Helping Drive Improvement Through Healthcare Scrutiny

Local Authority Scrutiny Committees have an important role in questioning and testing function and operation, not only in the Local Authority, but in external service providers too. Health Scrutiny is unique in this regard because Health Authorities and Commissioning Groups have a duty to report to it, and the Health Scrutiny Committee has the unique powers to summons and refer concerns to the Secretary of State. But Scrutiny is not just about stick, it can serve well to identify and support good practice, especially when emergent, as this can give energy and reinforce initiatives for improvement, like in our NHS Trust.

Scrutiny also has the ability to act as a powerful champion in representing legitimate frustrations that patients or workers have regarding Health Service experiences, especially when they feel that their concerns are not or will not be constructively recognised and dealt with through other official or non-official channels. Personal accounts often show examples of good and bad experience and practice and can act as vignettes to highlight wider traits. I am encouraged by the more progressive Health chiefs to continue collecting and delivering accounts of the issues and concerns that people report to me, and it is particularly gratifying when such reporting manages to unblock an issue or frustration and deliver beneficial results for someone.

So, please, if anyone feels that they have an issue they are getting nowhere with, or don’t want to make a fuss and bother, but just want to see that such experience doesn’t happen to others, let me know; don’t underestimate the power of your story, or the way that Scrutiny can use it for betterment.

Bringing Our Culture and Heritage to Life

Being a lover of Spain, its culture and history, and how it seems that every resident actively participates in its celebration, even in the most remote locations, I have been embarked on an exercise to try to do the same here; joining up with friends who have shared interests and expertise, including local historians, we are producing a series of cultural walks that focus on our pubs and beers and what lies around them and in between. You may notice the official launch of our Shanklin Walk on March 24^th, and we are currently working on a West Wight Walk, which has attracted the interest of Natural England. The Walks feature on the local CAMRA Website www.wightwash.org.uk, in the Beer & Buses Festival, and on Visit Isle of Wight.

We are always pleased to hear feedback from people regarding these walks, or, even better, offers of help and involvement. One thing I would like to do is give greater life and involvement to Cowes Heritage, and the Anchor and Ale House, amongst others, share this desire, and if anyone has any ideas or wish to be involved in locally promoting Northwood in this regard, please contact me..

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John Nicholson
Ward Member for Northwood & Cowes South.