Report from I.W. Councillor John Nicholson

Posted by Admin on 24 October 2016, 3:27 pm

COUNCILLOR JOHN NICHOLSON

WARD MEMBER FOR COWES SOUTH & NORTHWOOD

MEMBER OF IW PLANNING COMMITTEE

MEMBER OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY WELLBEING SCRUTINY PANEL

SUNNYSIDE

PALLANCE LANE

NORTHWOOD

PO31 8LT
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Tel: 01983 209642 (evenings best)

Mobile: 07918 757843
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Email: cllr.john.nicholson@btconnect.com

See the I.W.Councillor’s section

WARD REPORT – OCTOBER 2016

Illegal Cars Using Our Highways
The cars that were being moved around and parked in Cranleigh Gardens have gone, but have now been spotted parked in Horsebridge Hill, still without MOT, so the problem has not really been solved and someone is still driving cars on the road that are not MOT’d, and therefore, not insured.
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My question is, what do we have to do to get this prevalent offence and potential danger dealt with properly? I am not the only one who thinks it is totally unacceptable, nor am I the only one disappointed in the lack of resolve in our authorities (of which I am a part), to taking decisive action on what is, surely, a simple and straightforward issue.
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Fixed Link Debate
The question of a fixed link seems to have risen again, with some impetus. There are undoubtedly some very strong arguments for it, especially when considered against the truly extortionate prices that the ferries demand at times. There is an extensive feasibility study, from 1998, regarding a fixed link, available on line https://www.dropbox.com/s/ifz63tfga1xwtpc/1998FeasibilityStudySLR.pdf?dl=0 for anyone to review.
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There is, of course, a strong argument against, as well, and quite valid fears on the unwanted elements that a fixed link might bring, and I quite understand how many people, like me, born and brought up here, and those people who have moved to live here, treasure the isolated status of the Island.
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It seems the biggest argument for a fixed link, apart from the ferry stranglehold, is that the Island economy will not survive without it. Just take the comparative costs of holidaying on the Isle of Wight, which are said to outweigh those of journeying to more exotic locations, or just keeping to the mainland, because of the cost of crossing that stretch of water. The same is said by businesses who rely on mainland and international connections. One major question is, how could we get the best of both worlds; keep our Island feel yet have easier and more direct connectivity at more reasonable cost?
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I was writing, last month, about helping the Island economy, and one thing that I didn’t touch on, and that people have commented to me upon, is how our young people have to move off the Island to go to university and to get a job; for the prospects of doing this, for many, and still live on the Island are not feasible, even when relatively close-by on the mainland, because of the extra time and cost involved. Would a fixed link help resolve that issue by facilitating fast and cheap access, or by helping build and maintain Island industry?
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There is lots to think about, and if we made the decision and found the means to create a fixed link, the Island would, undoubtedly, be changed forever, for better or for worse, or a mixture of the two. Maybe we could control that, if we have control of the link?
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What do you think? – Please let me know.
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Cowes Medical Centre
Under the new practice manager, Cowes Medical Centre is undergoing necessary transformation. With an excess of 15,000 patients and, currently, a depleting number of doctors, whilst there is a national shortage of doctors, they are taking every step to try to make the practice sustainable, and meet patients’ needs.
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One very good move, and I can speak from personal experience, is the engagement of Advanced Practice Nurses, or APNs. These are people that are trained to diagnose and prescribe for common ailments, with the advantage that, should they need a second opinion, they can still call on a practice doctor. This new service, at the moment, is very fast, and my experience was a same day appointment, dealt with in a very professional manner, too.
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Having gone through decades where everything was being centralised, including responsibilities, we have realised that that model is not sustainable, in fact counter-productive, and now we are encouraging the reversal, in localism, and have realised that the best way for people to take care of themselves is for them to take responsibility for themselves, and this includes in health. Gone are the days when we might have come to expect that we can still carry on eating and drinking the wrong stuff, not exercise and just go down to the doctor and get a pill to alleviate the damage and continue to abuse and neglect ourselves, we are now expected to do something about it, ourselves!

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John Nicholson
Ward Member for Northwood & Cowes South.