Northwood Parish Council

Posted by Admin on 26 November 2012, 4:33 pm

MEETINGS

Meetings of the Parish Council are held on the first Tuesday of the month, commencing at 6.30pm.
The meeting of the Planning Committee, if required, is held on the third Tuesday of the month, commencing at 6.30pm.

ALL MEETINGS ARE HELD AT
NORTHWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL, WYATTS LANE, NORTHWOOD

unless otherwise stated.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND.

The comments made in the following articles represent the views of the individual contributors, rather than Northwood Parish Council

Co-option

Mr Simon Boyle was co-opted on the Council to fill the vacancy, caused by the resignation of Miss Megan Moore.
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Northwood Primary School’s Proposed Travel Plan 2012-2015

The Chairman welcomed Sarah Hussey, the Headteacher of Northwood Primary school and Alex Moffat, the author of the Travel Plan to the meeting, to inform and answer any questions councillors wished to raise on the proposed document covering the period 2012 to 2015.

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Mr Moffat addressed councillors to explain the aims, objectives and targets of the Travel Plan, which had been undertaken as part of the 3 year full review. It was highlighted that the extant of the plan had been constrained by the financial resources available from within the school’s budget. The school actively promoted health and safety awareness, both for the pedestrian and for a cyclist, through the various activities available to pupils. The Plan had been tailored to enhance and endorse those objectives realistically achievable.

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During discussion, councillors questioned as to how the Parish Council could support the school and suggested that identifying a safe and sustainable way to travel to school could form part of the revised Parish Plan.

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A member of the public, who was present, circulated a list of 10 potential observations / questions that he wished to raise with the representatives of the school. Mr Moffat provided an appropriate response to each matter in turn.

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With regard to the school applying for academy status, Ms Hussey reassured the meeting that should the decision be taken to proceed with the conversion process, the school would remain part of the Cowes schools cluster and that she would continue to be a member of the board of primary school headteachers.

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Mr Moffat explained that the proposal was for the school to become a stand-alone academy, under the umbrella of an academy trust. The Trust, when established, would be available to other prospective academies and have a strategic role in the running of the school, delegating the day-to-day management to the governing body. Mention was made of the greater freedoms the school could enjoy, particularly in setting the school’s syllabus. However, while technically there were some freedoms, the end need to take the same Key Stage SATs remained. The curriculum would be obligatory to deliver the national requirements. Also, the same level of per-pupil funding received from the Local Authority would remain consistent with a maintained school. The priority was to retain Northwood primary as a village school.

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Planning Application
The Council considered the application for Eurovia Roadstone Ltd, Medina Wharf, Arctic Road, Cowes for a permit to operate an installation for a Roadstone Coating Plant.
After discussion, the Council decided to express their concern in respect of the application for a permit to operate an installation for a Roadstone Coating Plant citing similar objections to those raised in respect of the proposed asphalt plant together with associated ancillary facilities.
• An unacceptable increase in traffic and associated noise/pollution, in particular in the area of Arctic Road
• A perceived unacceptable increase noise/pollution
• The danger posed by emissions in an increasingly populated area
• The potential for pollution/damage to the River Medina
• The nuisance to residents over a wide area from odorous emissions
• Loss of visual amenity to local residents
• Conflict with the Eco Island strategy
• The threat to future inward investment, with particular regard to good quality housing and ‘High end’ industry”

Police Report

In the absence of PCSO Oatley, the clerk presented his report on behalf of the Local Safety Neighbourhood (LSN) team, on events that had taken place since the last meeting. There had been a total of 16 calls to police over the past 30 days for a variety of reasons with the following crimes of note:

• Two incidents of criminal damage to vehicles in Wyatts Lane. Although one person had been arrested, the investigation was still ongoing.

• One theft from a motor vehicle at Somerton Industrial Estate. Four people had subsequently been arrested and the investigation was still ongoing.

Anticipated Underspend of £4,000 to be carried forward from current financial year.

The proposed budget would result in an increase of 3.57% on this year’s Precept.

Any comments on the proposed Precept for 2013/14 should be sent to the clerk, Barbara Herbert, by the end of the year.