Village Management Committee and Community Partnership

Posted by Admin on 22 October 2007, 12:00 am

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT(John Pullen, 01983 281250)

The Crime figures for our area for September are:
Assault 1, Burglary Non-dwelling 0, Burglary 0, Child Abuse 0, Criminal Damage 2, Domestic Dispute 3, Deception 2, Drugs & Drunkenness 0, Firearms 0, Harassment 1, Indecency 0, Mental Health 0, Missing person 0, Neighbour dispute 0, Public Order 0, Road Related Incident 5, Road Traffic Collision 0, Rowdy & Inconsiderate 4, Suspicious Persons 1, Theft from Vehicle 0.

Northwood Incidents
It has been quiet around the Village the last few weeks. Few incidents reported. On 28th September, once again a window was broken in the Scout Hut in Wyatts Lane and glass broken in a greenhouse in Oxford Street.

There have been some incidents of thefts from motor vehicles across the Island, especially in Cowes. Please do not help the thieves; keep your car locked and windows secure when unattended and never leave valuable items in view.

No Cold Calling.
Two of the street signs have been moved to more appropriate locations and the scheme appears to be working well. There are reports of traders doing building, driveways and other work on the Island and charging excessive amounts. If approached by a trader or builder you do not know, contact Trading Standards on 01983 823370, who have an Approved Trader Scheme. They are happy to advise.

The numbers to ring for the Police are:

08450454545 to speak to a police Officer or Staff member or report a crime.

101 to report: Vandalism and Graffiti, Noise Nuisance, Threatening and Abusive behaviour, Abandoned vehicles, Dumping and Fly Tipping, Drunk and Rowdy groups, Broken Street lighting, Drug related Anti-Social behaviour.

999 for emergencies.

We now have a stock of green organic waste bins available as well as the black boxes for Glass and Paper. Please contact me on 01983 281250 if you require one.

FINANCIAL TIP OF THE MONTH (Colin Cramp, Tel: 01983 289996)
You may well be confused by our previous articles under “Consumer Information” in August and “Paying Too Much For Your Services” in September. In August we suggested consumers who pay utility bills etc by direct debit should NOT be given cheaper terms than customers who do not have a bank account. In September we suggested consumers use price comparison sites on the internet to find the best deal. If you are on the internet you are almost certain to have a bank account. If you do not have a bank account I strongly urge you to open one.

The fact is you will get the best deal for gas, electricity, telephone and broadband by doing the following:

1. Use Price comparison sites.
2. Opt for an on-line account (no paper bills for gas etc. – saving suppliers money)
3. Be prepared to submit your own readings (saving meter reading costs)
4. Pay by direct debit (saving suppliers admin costs)
5. Choose the same supplier for both gas and electricity, known as “dual fuel discount”
6. Depending on your usage, choose the same supplier for both telephone & broadband.

You could also save money on car insurance, home and contents insurance, etc. by using these price comparison sites.

NEW IMPROVED BUS SERVICE FOR NORTHWOOD (Paul Fuller, Tel: 01983 289595)
Since the new bus service came into operation in September, I have heard nothing but praise from regular Bus Users.

For those who are not aware, the new service 27, which replaces the old Cowes Town Service link with the Medical Centre and the Gurnard – Cowes Bus Service, operates on an anticlockwise loop between Cowes Co-op, Gurnard, Cockleton Lane, Wyatts Lane, Oxford Street, Cowes Medical Centre and back to Cowes, Service 28 continues to operate on the same route as the Number 30 from Cowes-Gurnard-Northwood-Newport, whilst Wightbus retains the 30 Service during early morning/late afternoon. Unlike the old Service 30, Service 27 and 28 now operates 7 days a week.

BONFIRES (Paul Fuller, Tel: 01983 289595)
As is usual this time of the year please can I request residents poke their bonfires before lighting up for Bonfire night, this saves hedgehogs and other creatures from being cooked!! Also, every year I am asked to advise residents having Firework Parties to be mindful of neighbours with horses and livestock and to advise neighbours with such animals of your intentions.

If you require any further information concerning Bonfires, please see the article in the February 2007 Northwood News, available on-line www.northwoodvillage.org.uk

SCHOOLS ADMISSIONS
If you have children entering schools next year, please note the deadline for Applications for School Admissions is 4.30pm, Friday 30th November. Failure to meet this deadline will result in applications being treated as late, and preferences will not be considered until after those that were received on time.

FLY-TIPPING (Paul Fuller, Tel: 01983 289595)
In the last couple of months, I have been asked to write an article in Northwood News about Fly-tipping; this follows complaints concerning rubbish that has been dumped in Pallance Lane and the footpath to the rear of Wyatts Close.

Fly-tipping is ‘the illegal deposit of any waste on to land i.e. waste dumped or tipped on a site with no licence to accept waste’. Fly-tipped waste generally consists of large items of rubbish that are dumped illegally on land instead of being disposed of properly at a landfill site.

Why is fly-tipping illegal?
Uncontrolled waste disposal can be hazardous to the public, especially when the waste consists of drums of toxic material, asbestos sheeting or syringes.

There can be damage to watercourses, and underlying soil quality from the dumped waste.

Fly-tipping looks unsightly and this can harm investment into an area.

Cleaning up fly-tipping costs taxpayers money.

Most fly-tippers try to avoid paying the landfill tax disposal fee. Household rubbish is paid for through council tax, but other waste is not. A charge generally exists to have this waste removed, alternatively facilities exist locally to drop off the waste at a licensed tip.

What is the legislation regarding fly-tipping?
The following punishments can apply under Sections 33, 34 and 59 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990:

Fly-tipping fines are up to £20,000 and/or 6 months’ imprisonment. Fines are unlimited if the case goes to the Crown Court or up to 2 years’ imprisonment, and up to 5 years if hazardous waste is dumped.

It is also an offence to permit or authorise fly-tipping on land where a Waste Management Licence is not held.

Where fly-tipping involves the use of a vehicle, the driver can be prosecuted, as can the owner of the vehicle.

The police have powers to seize vehicles used for fly-tipping.

What should you do if you see someone fly-tipping?
Never approach the person as they may become violent.

Never touch any of the waste or open containers as they may contain hazardous material.

Report it.

How do you report fly-tipping?
To report fly-tipping you should make note of the following information:

the date, time and place of the occurrence;

what the waste looks like and how much of it there is;

a description of any vehicles involved along with their vehicle’s registration numbers.

You should report the fly-tipping to the Isle of Wight Council on 01983 821000 (Tel: 01983 821105 out of hours) or to the Environment Agency’s National Contact Centre – 08708 506 506 (Mon – Fri 8am – 6pm). You can also report the incident anonymously.

How should you dispose of bulky waste?
The Isle of Wight Council is not obliged to remove any bulky household waste, e.g. fridges, sofas, etc. If you need to dispose of any bulky waste, you must contact your council’s waste collection service. Some local authorities charge to use this waste collection service. Alternatively, you can take it yourself to your local tip or civic amenity site.

SEAGULLS (Paul Fuller, Tel: 01983 289595)
Following the resurgence of Herring Gulls, I have once again been asked by some residents to make a plea to ask that people try to avoid feeding these birds.

As previously mentioned these large birds can not only be dangerous, but also have a tendency to foul on pristine washing lines and cars as well as robbing smaller birds of their catches. We ask that residents bear this in mind before feeding these gulls.

NORTHWOOD VILLAGE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE REVISED SPENDING PLAN
(Colin Cramp Tel: 01983 289996).
At the September meeting of the Village Management Committee, it was agreed to amend the proposals laid out formerly within this year’s precept. Since the budget was set last year a number of suggestions came forward from the community and from our Parish Plan.
The Isle of Wight Council will claw back any funds remaining unspent at 31st March 2008. The Management Committee were also advised by IWC to not start projects that will not be completed by the end of March. The Isle of Wight Council has therefore suggested that funds for imminent projects can be transferred to the Northwood Community Partnership.
The Revised Spending Plan for the Year to 31st March 2008 is now as follows: Secretary’s Fees £1809; Secretary’s Expenses £185; Insurance £130; Meetings/Hall Hire £225; Communications, Publicity and Advertising £300; Contribution to Parish Plan £308; Emptying three of the Dog Bins in Northwood £643; Grants for Good Causes £600; Northwood In Bloom £800; Notice Board Replacement £800; Repair/Replacement of bench in Venner Avenue Park £400; Contributions towards Bus Shelters £200 and Bicycle Rack at Northwood School £300; Neighbourhood Watch Projects £250; Youth Project £200; Village Trail and Map £200; Northwood Community Partnership – Administration £150; Total £7500.

NORTHWOOD PARISH PLAN LAUNCH (Paul Fuller, Tel: 01983 289595).
Many thanks to everybody involved with last month’s Parish Plan Launch. Many thanks again particularly to Julia Neill and her band of volunteers who delivered the plan, on behalf of Northwood Growing Club who are still busy fundraising for Northwood School’s Bike Racks.

If you haven’t yet received your copy of the Northwood Parish Plan, or if your Plan has been eaten by your dog / child etc., please call me for a copy. As we only have a handful of Plans left over, please contact me at the earliest opportunity as the remaining copies will be handed out on a first come, first served basis.

FUTURE MEETINGS

These have also been entered in the NVMC Diary

(Contact: Maxine Yule, 01983 297367 – NVMC / Eileen Palmerton, 01983 282242 – NCP)

Northwood Village Management Committee

Tuesday 6th November at 7.00pm

Northwood School Hall.

Northwood Community Partnership

Tuesday 20th November at 6.00pm

Northwood School Hall.

Northwood Village Management Committee, Planning

Tuesday 20th November at 7.30pm

Northwood School Hall.

Please note the NVMC’s Planning Meeting is dependent on planning applications, contact Maxine for details.