Northwood Parish Council

Posted by Admin on 22 March 2009, 12:00 am

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

Chairman: Cllr John Pullen
86 Wyatts Lane, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 281250
Email: pullenjd@hotmail.co.uk

Vice-Chairman: Cllr Paul Fuller
74 Wyatts Lane, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 289595
Email: paulfuller@onwight.net

Chairman (Planning): Cllr Peter Brooker
28 Uplands Road, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 296958
Email: peter.brooker@waitrose.com

Cllr Colin Cramp
37 Greenways, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 289996
Email: colin.cramp@yahoo.co.uk

Cllr Marie Ely
14 Wyatts Lane, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 299673
Email: the.elys@onwight.net

Cllr Roger Mazillius CC
21 Oxford Street, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 295556
Email: roger.mazillius@iow.gov.uk

Cllr Colin Palmerton
40 Greenways, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 282242
Email: overner@onwight.net

Cllr Eileen Turner-Palmerton
40 Greenways, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 282242
Email: whitecross@onwight.net

Parish Clerk & RFO: Barbara Herbert
11 Wyatts Lane, Northwood.
Tel: 01983 290086
Email: barbara.herbert@sky.com

The views expressed are those of the contributors, and are not necessarily those of Northwood Parish Council.

YOUR Parish Council….. Tell us what YOU think! (Colin Cramp)

Northwood Parish Council would welcome your suggestions and ideas.

(In this month's Northwood News a space was left for readers to write their suggestions and ideas, and to return the slip via post or hand-delivery to the Clerk or any of the Councillors listed above, or to send an e-mail if preferred.)

FUTURE MEETINGS OF NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL:

All meetings are held in Northwood W.I. Hall, where the public and press are welcome to attend. Prior to each meeting there is an opportunity for attendees to ask questions.

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL, 7.45pm, Tuesday 7th April 2009
Agenda Items to include: Restorative Justice scheme & Calor Village of the Year

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL, Planning Committee, 7.45pm, Tuesday 21st April 2009. (To be confirmed – contact Barbara Herbert on 01983 290086 for details.)

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL REPORT (Paul Fuller)
Grahame Deacon, the Environment and Neighbourhoods Officer for Cowes reported that the Isle of Wight Council were continuing extensive surveillance in an attempt to apprehend people caught dog fouling. Several potholes in roads had appeared during the cold weather; thanks to the IW Council most were repaired within 18 hours. Sadly, Grahame leaves his post this month, but will be replaced by Jackie Derby, currently ENO for Ryde.

Lots were drawn for allotments at the Parish council meeting. Most of the 20 plots were allocated to residents expressing an initial interest. The Parish Clerk is compiling a waiting list of residents, in case any of the prospective tenants change their mind. Initially plots are available for the first year as a trial period. In the meantime, rabbit-proof fencing is to be installed by the Parish Council. Thanks were expressed to the owner and Councillors Mazillius and Ely for helping to bring this worthwhile venture to fruition.

Northwood Parish Council has/is taking part in the Big Tidy Up, as reported in March. So far one (!) resident has expressed an interest in taking part in litter picks at 10am, Saturday 21st and 28th March.

The Parish Council resolved not to pursue Quality Council Status. A view was expressed that Quality Status was not a priority when balanced alongside ongoing commitments.

The Parish Council was asked to make comments on the Wightbus Services in Northwood. Although the Parish Council welcomes the existing service, it was felt there was a need for additional afternoon services, particularly on Saturdays and for extra services to Newport.

VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENTS (Peter Brooker)
One of the 'projects' Northwood Parish Council is currently undertaking is to investigate the possible production of a Village Design Statement (VDS) for the community. A Village Design Statement differs from a Parish Plan inasmuch as it is far more focussed on the visual character and distinctiveness of the community and its setting, and how this might be protected and enhanced in any new development. It is applicable to all forms and scales of development; it is about managing change in the community, not about preventing it.

A correctly prepared VDS stands every chance of being adopted as Supplementary Planning Guidance, perhaps even more important now with the current preparation of the new 'Island Plan'. Local Planning Authority guidance on the preparation of a VDS is imminent. The VDSs for four local communities – St Helens, Wootton Bridge, Bembridge and Ningwood – are available on the IW Council's web pages; Chale has recently published its VDS.

Whatever conclusion the Parish Council eventually reaches on the benefits or otherwise of producing a VDS is to be seen. However, the experience of producing the Parish Plan some two years ago is still fresh: ultimately, the production of the Parish Plan fell to an unacceptably small number of volunteers, for whatever reasons. Even if the Parish Council agrees that a VDS for Northwood would be the right thing, it is unlikely to proceed further unless and until there is a clear indication of a sufficient number of motivated volunteers who will commit to structured outcomes and timescales.

Northwood Parish Council needs to be able to gauge potential support from within the community for working on the production of a VDS. If you are interested and/or need further information please contact me.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT (John Pullen)
In the last month there have been no crime incidents of note, with the exception of the wheelchair theft from Oxford Street. This was taken from an insecure garage and recovered later.

There have been reports of a teenage male loitering in Wyatts Lane. This was at approximately 9.10pm on Wednesday 25th February. He was going behind vehicles, glancing up and down the lane, in what appeared to be a furtive manner.

There was an incident of graffiti in Greenways, which was reported to the Council and it has been removed. We hope this is an isolated incident and would ask people to report any further problems.

The police have reported an increase in the levels of scam Emails, which are seemingly from banks asking for confirmation from account holders of certain bank details. These Emails are not genuine! Banks & Building Societies will not ask for personal information in this way. If you receive these Emails delete them straight away! If in any doubt contact your bank.

Trading Standards officers are investigating complaints regarding Bogus Charity Collections. Complaints were received from residents who have received bags and leaflets through their door asking them to donate unwanted goods to a charity called ‘Heartbeat UK’. Leaflets have been circulated throughout Hampshire.

The fliers state that the collections are being made by a company called 500 Ton Ltd. Whilst Heartbeat UK is a genuine charity providing lifesaving equipment to emergency services and hospitals, it is in no way connected to this company.

These leaflets give the false impression that items are being sought for charitable means while in reality, items collected are often sold on for profit. The Association of Charity shops estimates that over £1 million per annum is lost by charities as a result of scams such as these. Residents are urged to only leave out goods for collection for charities they know and trust.

Community Safety Action Week is taking place at The Cut, in Cowes from the 3rd to 9th April. Shed alarms and Smart Water will be available from the police trailer. There will be stalls & trailers offering advice on topics linked with crime prevention, health issues, safety at the home, dog obedience and micro-chipping.

Please ring me if you are interested in Timers, Bulbs or recycling bins.

The numbers to ring for the Police are:

08450454545: to speak to a police officer or staff member or report a crime
999: for emergencies
101: to report vandalism & graffiti, noise nuisance, threatening & abusive behaviour, abandoned vehicles, dumping & fly-tipping, broken street lighting and drugs-related anti-social behaviour.

Remember, you can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.