Northwood Parish Council - Parish Councillor Vacancy

PARISH COUNCILLOR VACANCY

PLEASE DON’T DELAY,

APPLY TODAY!

There is one vacancy on Northwood Parish Council.

If you feel you have one/two hours a week to spare and want to make a difference locally, please submit an application in writing, by 22 August, to the Clerk, Mrs Barbara Herbert of 11 Wyatts Lane, Northwood, PO31 8QB or contact her on 01983 290086 or clerk@northwoodparishcouncil.org to find out more details of what would be involved.

The Parish Council would welcome hearing from any persons who are interested in standing as a parish councillor, providing they fulfil the eligibility criteria* set out below. 

If two or more applications are received then prospective candidates will be asked to make a short presentation on how they can contribute to the Parish Council and the community of Northwood.  This would be immediately prior to the meeting scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 3 September 2019.

* A local councillor must be 18 years of age or over and a British subject or citizen of the Irish republic.  He/she must also be a local government elector of the Parish or a person who has:

i.             During the whole of the 12 months before nomination, occupied land or premises as owner or tenant in the parish or,

ii.         During the same period resided in the parish, or within 4.8 km   thereof or,

iii.     During the same period had his/her principal or only place of work in that area.  

IW Council Annual Report 2018/19

COUNCIL ANNUAL REPORT FORMALLY PRESENTED

The Isle of Wight Council’s annual report — highlighting services, projects and achievements in 2018/19 — will be formally presented by council leader Councillor Dave Stewart today (Wednesday 24 July).

Councillor Stewart will introduce the document during his report to the Full Council at County Hall, Newport.

The report features highpoints and progress across a range of council activities, including improvements in Children’s Services receiving an Ofsted recognition with a ‘good’ grading, as well as regeneration projects such as the Newport Harbour redevelopment.

Councillor Stewart said: “The annual report is designed to give Islanders a flavour of the many activities and initiatives we are undertaking on their behalf — and I would encourage people to take a good look so they can see for themselves what we have been doing.

“Throughout the year we have tried to keep residents up to date with all that is going on — and the annual report brings many of these things together in one document.”

The report can be accessed via the following link: https://www.iow.gov.uk/Meetings/committees/mod-council/24-7-19/PaperC-AppendixA-IsleOfWightCouncilAnnnualReport2018-2019.pdf

Councillor Stewart said: “At the heart of our record of achievement remains our ambition to deliver our strategic vision ‘for the Isle of Wight to be an inspiring place in which to grow up, work, live and visit’.

“As leader of the council, my personal ambition is also to ensure that the commitments we have made to our local community at the time we were elected to serve remain at the heart of our decision-making.

“We will continue to: provide sound financial management; deliver economic growth and prosperity; preserve our environment; protect our community; plan for our future needs; and create opportunities for all.

“The report includes some clear measures of success for each of the council’s main priorities and how we are performing against those measures, demonstrating to Islanders that we are on track and in many places exceeding our targets already.”

END

St Mary's Roundabout Layout Image

IW Council Press Release - St Mary's Roundabout Junction Improvements

ST MARY'S ROUNDABOUT JUNCTION IMPROVEMENTS

The Isle of Wight Council is close to finalising a major scheme to reduce traffic congestion and improve access for pedestrians and cyclists at one of the Island’s busiest junctions.

Construction of the scheme will transform the approaches to — and access across — St Mary’s roundabout in Newport.

The scheme is designed to reduce congestion now as well as ‘future-proofing’ the junction given expected growth in traffic movement and the possibility of developing land nearby for new homes and economic regeneration projects.

The project is the largest of a package of schemes to improve traffic flows through Newport which have been financed largely by a government grant of over £9 million, supplemented with developer contributions.

The works will involve replacing the roundabout with two linked traffic light-controlled junctions.

There will also be enhanced features to improve bus journey reliability and accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

While the design has been independently assessed by Hampshire County Council as the best possible approach to the improvement of the junction, the programming of the works has yet to be finalised.

The council is working to integrate the scheme with planned statutory utility works in the area to minimise disruption which could mean a start date at the end of September.

Once the scheme has been formally commissioned with Island Roads, full details including the start date will be confirmed by the council.

Such is the scale of the project, the council is advising motorists to expect delays during construction which is likely to take 15 months.

Work will take place during the day and — at times — at night when it is sensible to do so.

Councillor Ian Ward, the council’s Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said: “It is important to be clear from the outset that a scheme of this nature, although bringing long-term benefits, is of such a scope and scale that some disruption to travel is inevitable.

“I think this project demonstrates the ability of the council to attract new government money to support schemes that will benefit the whole Island. I am particularly pleased the work will also bring about enhanced features not just for cars but for pedestrians and cyclists also.”

During the work there will be various temporary traffic arrangements in place which will enable it to be undertaken as quickly and safely as possible. Traffic lanes will be reduced temporarily, and contraflows introduced as well as short-term speed reductions.

To assist access to the Riverway and Dodnor trading estates, parking will be suspended in both Manners View and Riverway.

A comprehensive communication strategy has been prepared giving further details of the scheme and the likely impact of the works; it will be launched as soon as the works programme is finalised and covers each stage of the construction process.

Separate discussions have already been held with St Mary’s Hospital and the emergency services to ensure all blue light responders are not unduly compromised by the works, as well as the Isle of Wight College and B&Q.

END

OPTIO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

OPTIO VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

ISLE of Wight based voluntary car service, Optio, is in need of new volunteers.

Across the Island, Optio has a network of volunteer drivers who give their time freely, using their own cars to provide a door to door service.

Passengers are taken to and from medical appointments, shopping, or to much needed social activities, and the service has existed for more than 20 years, providing essential transportation for members who are unable to access public transport.

A spokesperson for Optio said, "We have a team of over 40 drivers across the Island who undertake trips for people who live in their local areas.

"We have new members joining the scheme every week, but with over 350 members across the Island, we urgently need more drivers to meet all the requests we have for trips.

"Volunteering as an Optio driver is a great way of helping people in the local community, and our drivers get a great deal of satisfaction working in this role."

Optio always try to find a driver who lives near the member requesting a trip to cut down on driving distances, and currently need drivers in all areas of the Island except Cowes and East Cowes

Volunteers can drive as little or as much as they wish each week to fit with their existing commitments, and are reimbursed at a rate of 45p per mile from their home for the whole journey until they return home.

Anyone with a valid driving licence that is fit to drive can contact Optio on 01983 522226

IW Council Press Release - New Bridge Proposed for Newport Harbour

NEW BRIDGE PROPOSED FOR NEWPORT HARBOUR

A brand-new foot and cycle bridge across the Medina is one of the features of the Newport Harbour Masterplan.
After two years of consultation the Isle of Wight Council has put forward the latest plans to redevelop the harbour and quay area in the heart of the Island’s historic county town.
Options under consideration include restaurants, housing, commercial space, new car parking, higher education resources, a rebuild of the existing Riverside Centre, a new hotel and a cultural venue.
The project is intended to increase connectivity to the existing town centre, attract visitors, and ensure the future of the harbour by providing for maintenance and investment in harbour facilities.
The new proposals are mostly on the eastern side of the estuary, keeping the Medina itself available for boats and leaving more commercial functions on the west, including the existing marine and boating activity.
The plan aims to keep and reuse buildings where possible, to help conserve and enhance the historic and marine heritage of Newport Quay.
Plans have been drawn up in the light of suggestions from harbour users, residents and businesses, and as a result the new proposals include a smaller residential area as a gateway to the green space, the chance to create places where people can both live and work, and a potential new focus on creative industries.
The proposed lifting bridge is for pedestrians and cyclists, linking Seaclose Park with destinations such as the Isle of Wight College and St Mary’s Hospital, as well as the many shops and businesses at Dodnor.
This would be in addition to any possible future vehicle bridge, which is not included in this plan.
The proposals could be adopted as planning policy, which will then be the framework for development over the next 20-25 years with the first projects on the ground in the next two or three years.
Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Business Development: Councillor Wayne Whittle said: “Our historic county town drives the economy of the Island, and the Newport Harbour masterplan gives us a chance to see some serious investment in the future of the town. 
I’m confident these plans will be the blueprint for some exciting and innovative improvements to the whole of Newport – and I’m looking forward to seeing the new businesses and visitors arriving.”

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Summer Skateboard Sessions