Report from I.W. Councillor John Nicholson

Posted by Admin on 19 May 2020, 1:59 pm

COUNCILLOR JOHN NICHOLSON

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

SUNNYSIDE

PALLANCE LANE

NORTHWOOD

PO31 8LT
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Tel: 07918 757843

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Email: cllr.john.nicholson@btconnect.com

See the I.W. Councillor’s section

WARD REPORT – MAY 2020

The Report appearing in the June 2020 edition of Northwood News:

Pallance Road Safety Measures Update
Some may have already noticed that the hard-fought-for pedestrian safety measures proposed for Pallance Road have started to be delivered with the appearance of pedestrians in the road signs. This is most welcome, and I wish to publicly thank all those who have contributed to getting here. The measures are being funded from money allocated to the Parish from Development (called S106 money). The measure that has not been agreed is the shadow pavement on the South side of the road, basically because the Authority is concerned on the liability it might have in giving people a false sense of security. I don’t understand that argument and will keep pressing for some form of demarcation for pedestrians along that side, as I believe anything is better than nothing, but I am grateful for what we have gained.
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Place Plan Update
The Cowes/Northwood joint Place Plan is underway, its launch having been delayed because of this Coronavirus thing! People can access the rolling initial questionnaire on the Parish and Village websites or directly via this link: Place Plan Questionnaire, also on Cowes Town Council’s websites. Printed copies might be available, if required.
The questionnaire simply seeks people’s thoughts on the area, and will run for the whole development period, as it did for Newport and Ryde. Our Place Plan, however, is at a higher starting level already, as we have the involvement of the Health Service, and, having learnt from Ryde and Newport’s experience, have already reached out to other influential local organisations, to give us a head start for a most comprehensive Plan.
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Health Update

Hospital Still Open for Other Services
I have been asked to remind people that the hospital is still open for normal medical visits and procedures. If you have an appointment, please keep it, it is important, and it is a safe place to go.
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Coronavirus on the Island
In comparison with the rest of the Country, we have been lucky, it seems, and may have got away lightly, with far less people than expected being infected, and this, I am told, is because we shut down just at the right time to prevent mass contagion, so, whilst we still need to observe sensible precautions, I think the Isle of Wight can let out a sigh of relief and give itself a big pat on the back for being such a pro-active community. I have long believed what the government has finally come to realise, that where the Isle of Wight goes, the rest of the Country will follow!
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Covid 19 App (available at www.covid19.nhs.uk)
If you haven’t already downloaded the App, please consider doing so. I am assured (by an ex-Met cyber crime expert) that it does not compromise your privacy, and it is completely safe and brings the benefit of notifying you, as an anonymous person, if anyone you have had significant contact with has contracted the virus. You, then, get the opportunity to apply for a home test kit, and the results should be with you within 48hrs. It does not use phone Data, but you do need to keep your Bluetooth switched on.
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Return to Work / Opening Up
There is a cautious return to work and opening-up of services. People, I believe, need to embrace this in a measured, level-headed, and rational manner. Our economy has suffered a huge impact and there is risk, even probability, that it will take a long time and much effort to restore, but we can’t do it alone, we need to work together to generate confidence and enable our lives to start to restore to some form of balanced normality – everyone has a part to play in this, as they have with stopping the virus.

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John Nicholson

Ward Councillor for Northwood & Cowes South
Chairman, Policy and Scrutiny Committee for Adult Social Care & Health

See the I.W. Councillor’s section