Report from I.W. Councillor Roger Mazillius

Posted by Admin on 21 August 2009, 12:00 am

COUNCILLOR ROGER MAZILLIUS
I.W. COUNCILLOR FOR COWES SOUTH & NORTHWOOD
21 OXFORD STREET, NORTHWOOD
ISLE OF WIGHT PO31 8PT
Tel: 01983 295556
Email: roger.mazillius@iow.gov.uk

REPORT – SEPTEMBER 2009

VILLAGE GREEN APPLICATION
My application for the field between Wyatts Lane and Pallance Road containing the public footpath to be declared as a village green will be heard in the Council Chamber at County Hall on Monday 7th September commencing at 10am.

I hope many local residents and of course particularly those from the 40 or so residents who provided written evidence of public use of the field will attend to support the application.

The Report before the Licensing and Determinations Committee recognises the continuous use by local residents in excess of 20 years and I am hopeful that the Committee will determine that at least part of the field be given village green status.

However there are a number of legal and evidential issues which will need to be argued before any decision will be given so I really would appreciate the support of residents on the day.

SCHOOL RE-ORGANISATION
I attended the presentations at Cowes High School by the bidders to take over the delivery of secondary education at the site from September 2010. I also attended another set of presentations in Ryde where similar bidders were involved to see in the round exactly what was being proposed for the future of Island Secondary Education.

In addition, as your Isle of Wight Councillor, I will be attending a separate presentation for Councillors by all bidders at County Hall early in September before the final Council decision at a special Full Council meeting on 30th September.

So far I have been impressed by much of the expertise and dedication shown in these presentations and I am looking forward to reading the advisory report from our education officers after the final presentations are made.

Please let me know if you have any questions about these proposals or have any views on them which you would like me to consider before the important vote on 30th September. As usual you can write to me or email me (addresses above).

SAFER DRIVING COURSES
The Council is running another of its popular six-week Better Driving courses which combines practical and theoretical training to improve driving standards. The course is open to people of all ages and levels of experience.

It is well known that driver error is the main cause of road traffic accidents. The course aims to help drivers become more confident, skilful and most importantly safer, minimising the risk of collisions. The course is run by road safety professionals and costs £25 for the whole course including a final and all-important assessment drive with an instructor. The course begins at Enterprise House, St Cross Business Park, Newport on 10th September from 7.30pm – 9.30pm and continues there for a further five weeks.
For further details or to book your place please contact Mervyn Goldring on 01983 823799 or email mervyn.goldring@iow.gov.uk

I attended this course myself last year and have found it most helpful in driving more confidently and with more consideration for other road users.

HORSESHOE PUBLIC HOUSE OUTDOOR MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
I have received a number of complaints about the volume of live music played in the back garden of this popular village “local” on weekend summer afternoons. I am liaising with the Council’s Environmental Health Department about these complaints.

I know that Council Officers have met both last year and this year with the pub management to give appropriate advice about sound levels and I am keen to ensure that a fair compromise is reached which will protect both local residents and the viability of this well-used village asset. Residents’ views will be welcomed.

NORTHWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL
I know some residents, especially those living in Wyatts Lane, are expressing concerns at the extra amount of traffic which it is thought will be generated when the school increases to take children from the ages of 9 to 11 from September 2010.

In fact whilst it is expected this will increase the school to 210 pupils from the present approx 185, it was only a few years ago that the school in fact had about 210 pupils on the register.

However, I and the school are aware of problems caused by school vehicular traffic during the morning and afternoon “school runs” and we will be updating and improving our School Travel Plan to meet this increase in expected traffic to and from the school.

Any resident or parent who wishes to comment on this matter is most welcome to contact me or the school in the usual way.

There is also a useful thread on this subject running on the village website www.northwoodvillage.org.uk (click on Village Forum).

RECYCLE YOUR OLD BATTERIES
The Council has installed “battery bins” at Lynbottom and Forest Road recycling centres where household batteries including those used in laptops, hearing aids and mobile phones as well as the usual AA, AAA etc. types can be disposed of.

Car batteries can also be left separately at the civic sites.

I am told that in the UK we throw away about 600 million batteries each year so this recycling initiative will I am sure be welcomed by all “eco-Islanders”!

For further information about this and other recycling initiatives please call the Council’s Call Centre on 01983 821000 or online at www.iwight.com/waste.

ISLAND CRIME
The IW Police Performance figures have recently been released showing a continued reduction in crime rates from 2007/8 and 2008/9 with a reduction across all crimes of 9%. Here in Northwood we are fortunate in living in one of the most crime-free parts of the Island. We are helped in this by our local policeman Mark Thomas and Police Support Officer Steve Oatley as well as marvellous support from Cowes Police Station headed by Sgt Julie Cocks and her team.
I must also mention our local Neighbourhood watch team lead by coordinator John Pullen. John is always pleased to welcome new local volunteers and would be pleased to hear from anyone interested. His telephone number is 01983 281250.