Tuesday 12 November 2019

IW Council Press Release - Recycing and Waste collections will be made a day earlier next week

Revised Recycling and Waste Collections from Tuesday 19 to Saturday 23 November 2019

Due to the sad loss of a long standing and well respected member of our waste and recycling collection crew, there will be no waste or recycling collections on the 19 November to allow staff to attend the funeral.
Recycling and Waste Collections will be made a day in hand as follows:
Normal Collection Day
Revised Collection Day
Monday 18 November
NO CHANGE
Tuesday 19 November
Wednesday 20 November
Wednesday 20 November
Thursday 21 November
Thursday 21 November
Friday 22 November
Friday 22 November
Saturday 23 November

Friday 8 November 2019

IW Council Press Release - Christmas shoppers to enjoy free parking

Christmas shoppers to enjoy free parking

Christmas shoppers can enjoy ‘free from three’ parking in Newport on selected Thursdays in the run-up to the big day.
Shaping Newport is supporting Newport Business Association’s late-night Christmas shopping events by providing free parking.
The offer applies to short-stay car parks only, from 3pm (maximum stay three hours), on the following dates — 28 November, 5 December, 12 December and 19 December.
The Shaping Newport programme — a partnership between the Newport Business Association (NBA), the Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council and the Isle of Wight Council — has contributed £1,500 to cover the costs of the potential lost parking revenue.
In addition, the Isle of Wight Council is offering free parking in short-stay car parks in Newport on Saturday, 30 November and Saturday, 14 December. The offer applies from 12 noon and has been provided to help support businesses during the St Mary’s junction improvement works.
The council will also celebrate Small Business Saturday on 7 December by offering free parking in all its long-stay car parks across the Island from 12 noon.
Association chairman, John McLoughlin, said: “Newport Business Association is delighted to be working collaboratively with the Isle of Wight Council’s regeneration team on organising late-night shopping in Newport.
“The Shaping Newport project has enabled us to have input into changes that are being made in our county town and to put forward our suggestions for initiatives such as this as well as to be part of working towards positive change.
“I really hope that the free parking will encourage people to explore the independent shops in Newport and shop local this Christmas.”
A Shaping Newport survey of more than 3,000 people highlighted many issues and local priorities for change and parking provision ranked eighth as a priority for locals with 409 comments on the topic.

IW Council Press Release - Winter discount offer for cars on the Floating Bridge

Extra winter discount offer for cars on floating bridge

A special extra winter discount offer is being introduced for cars using Cowes floating bridge from 11 November.
The offer, which will run until 31 March next year, will see the cost of a crossing reduced from £2 to £1.80 for saver card holders and from £2.60 to £2.40 for non-saver card holders.
The new discount is in addition to the offer of free saver cards during the St Mary’s improvement works.
Cabinet member for transport and infrastructure, Councillor Ian Ward, said: “We are bringing in this additional scheme to further encourage use of the floating bridge during the winter, as well as during the St Mary’s improvement works.
“We are promoting the discount to businesses in both Cowes and East Cowes, and are also contacting existing saver card holders – as well as the usual social media messages for the public.”
You can collect a saver card by visiting Hall’s Premier Stores in East Cowes and Rashley’s Stores in Cowes, as well as asking the crew on the floating bridge. Details on how to top up your saver card can be found at www.iwfloatingbridge.co.uk

IW Council Press Release - General Election Writ now received

General election writ received

The Island has officially received the ‘writ from the clerk to the crown’ for the general election.
This official part of the process for a general election was overseen by Geoff Underwood, High Sheriff of the Isle of Wight and returning officer for parliamentary elections, and Claire Shand, acting returning officer.
The writ is issued by the Lord Chancellor and commands that an election be held for a member of Parliament for the Isle of Wight Constituency.
Once Parliament is dissolved, writs are hand delivered by Royal Mail managers to every constituency in the UK. Receipt of the writ on the Island was taken at 12.30pm on Thursday 7 November.
Once the count is complete following the general election on 12 December, to formalise the result, the returning officer must write the name of the winning candidate on the writ and return it to the clerk to the crown, who is based in the Houses of Parliament.
The day-to-day arrangements for the election on the Island are discharged by the acting returning officer.
Registering to vote
If you wish to vote in the general election, you will need to make sure you are registered before the deadline of Tuesday 26 November 2019. If you have already registered to vote for a previous election, you will already be on the electoral register and will not need to register again.
The simplest and easiest way to check if you are registered register is online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and filling out the form, which takes around five minutes.
You will need your date of birth and national insurance number when completing this process to register.

Thursday 7 November 2019

IW Council Press Release - Free travel on the Floating Bridge on Remembrance Sunday

Free travel on the Floating Bridge for Veterans on Remembrance Sunday.

The Isle of Wight Council will join other Island travel operators and offer free travel this Sunday (10 November 2019) on the Cowes Floating Bridge for members and veterans of the Armed Forces.
The travel offer for foot passengers and those traveling by car will be available to those wearing their military uniform, displaying medals or showing their military ID card.
Cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, Councillor Ian Ward, a veteran himself, said “Our veterans and Armed Forces have given so much that we may live in an open and free society. 
“We do what we can to support our community and assist those that have made a significant contribution.  I for one am honoured to have served, and delighted that we can support those who helped protect us, on this national day of reflection and remembrance.”

Wednesday 6 November 2019

IW Council Press Release - Budget Consultation launch

Have your say on council spending

Islanders are being invited to give their views on how the Isle of Wight Council should spend its money next year.
The council has launched its budget consultation today (Tuesday 5 November) — and residents, businesses, the voluntary sector and town and parish councils are being encouraged to have their say on spending and service priorities for 2020/21.
Councillor Stuart Hutchinson, deputy leader and Cabinet member for resources, said: “The input of Islanders is valuable to the shaping of our spending and service priorities for the year ahead.
“We welcome views from all contributors as we develop an innovative and workable budget — and one which will allow us to continue to provide sustainable services in the future, within a stable financial environment.”
Council leader Councillor Dave Stewart added: “My experience so far is that when called upon people on the Island will step forward with thoughts and ideas and I encourage everyone to give us their support.
“We have already been undertaking a thorough analysis of all our spending as part of the budget process – but it is vital we develop and enhance this with the input of all sectors on the Island.
“We are determined to deliver a robust, workable and forward-looking budget.”
You can give your views online over the next six weeks by visiting: https://www.iow.gov.uk/Council/OtherServices/Financial-Management/Budget-Consultation