Report from I.W. Councillor John Nicholson

Posted by Admin on 27 May 2019, 3:40 pm

COUNCILLOR JOHN NICHOLSON

Ward Member for Northwood & Cowes South
Chairman of Policy & Scrutiny Committee for Adult Social Care & Health

SUNNYSIDE

PALLANCE LANE

NORTHWOOD

PO31 8LT
.
Tel: 07918 757843

.
Email: cllr.john.nicholson@btconnect.com

See the I.W. Councillor’s section

WARD REPORT – MAY 2019

The Report appearing in the June 2019 edition of Northwood News:

Garden Theft & Other Matters

We are alerted, by police, to a spate of garden thefts and advised that even taking the simplest of measures like locking shed doors can be an effective enough deterrent.
.
Whether there is a direct link or not, I don’t know, but the spate of thefts reported earlier this year in the County Press was drug related, in that the goods stolen could be sold to fund drug habits. In this light, it is not only garden stuff that such people would steal; it could be anything that is lying there that could raise cash – bicycles, electronic equipment, ornaments, etc. I guess the message that we really need to heed is just to be more cautious and vigilant about safeguarding our property these days. Not that the Island is terribly bad for this sort of thing; that is one blessing that we have from that stretch of water, but nevertheless, let’s not make it easy for anti-social people to victimise us!
.
.

The Importance of Reporting (road incidents)

There have been some potentially serious incidents in Pallance Road regarding traffic movement. One person had their door ripped off by a passing vehicle, while they were getting stuff out of their car. You can just imagine how breathtakingly shocking this must have been! And, there are other incidents, close misses, too.
.
When a concern on road safety is raised, one of the first things that Highways safety officers do is look to see what records are available. If there are none, then they do not have the necessary evidence to support action. So, it is important to report any and all incidents and serious near misses, so that officers considering safety concerns have a background of evidence that can help them to support people’s wishes.
.

What the Housing Minister Said

At May’s Parish meeting we reviewed a letter from the Housing Minister’s office. The letter quite clearly states that a Local Authority should determine its own housing numbers need and, further, gave examples of Authorities that held requirement restricting the sale of houses in favour of local people and Authorities that levied an infrastructure charge. It all seems quite revealing, and the Parish is asking our local Planning Authority for its comments on the advice given.
.
It is too early to speculate or draw assumptions from the ministerial advice, but it certainly seems explosive on first impression.

Showground Unmissables

The County Show have told Northwood Parish that the household Cavalry will be featuring at this year’s event, on Saturday 30th June, 9am – 5pm. Tickets are priced at £9 online or £10 on the gate, under 16s are free (when accompanied by an adult).
For further details see: https://iwcountyshow.co.uk/
.
All Wight Now are holding their 50th anniversary commemoration of the 1969 Isle of Wight Festival at the County Show Ground on Saturday 31st August, featuring many of the original (still living) artists of the era, including: Wishbone Ash, Pentangle, Richard Thompson, Robin Hitchcock, Dylancentric, Liverpool scene, Edward 2, Julie Felix, Freeway, Blair Dunlop Trio, Banter, Ale Mary’s. Tickets are said to be selling fast and are available at: https://www.ticketline.co.uk/all-wight-now#bio

Asset of Community Value

The historically significant Horseshoe Inn has been successfully registered as an Asset of Community Value by the Parish Council. The first readily available records of the Horseshoe date back 1729, when it was a wheelwright’s, blacksmith’s and public house, and the only building in its area. The pub was a significant post between Cowes and Newport, one where travellers could refresh their horses, and was also known as the Halfway House.
.
Many people feel that we should be doing more to celebrate our local history and culture and Northwood Parish have now become official member supporters of Cowes Heritage, and, as well as sponsoring a Northwood Historic Pub Walk for this year, will be seeing how we can bring our heritage more to notice and life. I have had similar conversations with members of Cowes Town Council too.

.
John Nicholson
Ward Member for Northwood & Cowes South.

See the I.W. Councillor’s section