Report from I.W. Councillor Roger Mazillius

Posted by Admin on 22 April 2011, 12:00 am

COUNCILLOR ROGER MAZILLIUS
I.W. COUNCILLOR FOR COWES SOUTH & NORTHWOOD
21 OXFORD STREET, NORTHWOOD
ISLE OF WIGHT PO31 8PT
Tel: 01983 295556
Email: roger.mazillius@iow.gov.uk

REPORT – MAY 2011

PLANNING
The I.W. Council has recently started a six-week consultation process ending on 27th May as part of the Island Plan Core Strategy to provide evidence that our Plan has sufficient suitable land on which residential development could take place between now and 2027. The Council has recently identified sites across the Island for consideration for this purpose. Several of these have been included for Northwood as being deliverable over the next five years.

However, this does not mean that those listed have been actually allocated for development, only that they can be considered for this, subject to the consultation exercise, central government approval and then the actual planning application with further public involvement.

Full details, including a map showing sites offered for consideration are available to view, download and comment at www.iwight.com/corestrategy. Paper copies can be viewed at Seaclose Planning Office or County Hall Reception and at Newport and Cowes libraries.
Comments can be made via email to planning.policy@iow.gov.uk or by post to Planning Policy, I.W.C., Seaclose, Newport, PO30 2QS.

I hope residents will fully avail themselves of this important opportunity to comment and therefore influence the local housing provision for our area between now and 2027 and particularly over the next five years. There are several sensitive proposed sites including behind the west side of Wyatts Lane and the field behind Harry Cheek Gardens, part of which has been designated as a Village Green and also the land behind the Scout Hut. I am particularly concerned about the sites on our rural western boundary which importantly defines the rural nature of that village boundary.

I will be making strong representations against the inclusion of those sites and would urge local residents who have similar concerns to make their views known. I would be pleased to discuss these issues with residents via my usual contact details. In addition, the Parish Council will I am sure be making its own comments.

WASTE COLLECTIONS
As many residents will be aware, the I.W. Council is consulting on proposed changes to our waste collections. Due to new swingeing penalties imposed to deter putting waste into landfill sites which could amount to as much as a million pounds over the next three years if we do not considerably reduce landfill tonnage, more waste must be recycled. Full details can be obtained online at www.iwight.com/wasteconsultation. In addition two public information sessions will be held in the old public health building immediately behind County Hall on Wednesday 27th April from 4-7pm and on Thursday 28th April from 10am-1pm.

Briefly the proposals maintain our weekly collections for food waste and add extra recycling materials to the usual fortnightly collections of glass and paper. This will now include tins and plastic bottles etc., clothing and packaging. All of these recyclables will be placed in a wheeled container larger than the present black box and need not be separately bundled.

Comments can be made by email to WasteCollectionConsultation@iow.gov.uk or by post to Waste Consultation, County Hall, Newport, PO30 1UD. I will be pleased to discuss any issues arising from the consultation with residents via my usual contact details.

In the meantime with public holidays upon us changes have to be made to collection days. However the only changes to our local collections will be that Wednesday and Thursday the 1st and 2nd June will be collected on 2nd and 3rd June respectively, i.e. the day following the usual day.

HIGHWAYS P.F.I.
This exemplar scheme to deliver a highways network fit for the 21st century has been the subject of some ill-informed comment in recent weeks.
May I urge residents who perhaps did not see the whole page article in a recent County Press to access:
www.iwight.com/highways-pfi/docs/CountyPressBriefing29March2011.pdf

The Council continues as the local Highway Authority to progress this important milestone for Islanders which will prove a significant driver for our economic future prosperity. Back issues for the 29th March are usually available direct from the County Press. As usual I will be pleased to discuss any concerns you may have through my usual contact details.

TRAVEL TO ST MARY’S HOSPITAL
NHS Isle of Wight has announced a consultation until 13th May on arrangements for travel to and from the hospital because it has recognised there are significant travel and transport issues for patients, visitors and staff. The consultation document discusses a number of transport options and seeks views on a variety of questions and issues. In particular car parking has been a problem despite the introduction of charges in 2002 and a significant increase in the number of spaces in 2004.

The consultation covers car parking and car sharing; cycling; mobility scooters and motorcycles; patient transport service; public transport; voluntary car services and pedestrian access. The consultation document can be downloaded from www.iow.nhs.uk/yoursay. Copies can be requested by email to travel@iow.nhs.uk or by writing to Travel to Hospital Consultation, St Mary’s Newport, PO30 5TG. I hope residents will find the time and interest to respond.

COMMUNITY BUS SERVICES
Following an agreement between the I.W. Council and Southern Vectis, replacement services for our local Wightbus routes will be operating from the beginning of September when the present Wightbus services will cease.

This has been made possible by the Council funding replacement buses by paying a sum to represent the amount of concessionary fares expected to be payable on such routes and by the use of volunteer drivers (of which I hope to be one) delivered by a scheme initiated by Northwood and Gurnard Parish Councils and Southern Vectis and now being copied across other Island parishes.

The routes will be registered and all concessions presently operating will continue. We are presently in discussion with Cowes Town Council and Southern Vectis about possible helpful changes to the present routes 30 and 32 about which further information will be published by all parties concerned over the next month or so.

Best wishes to all

Roger