IW Council Press Release - Artificial Intelligence Frenzy in Cowes

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FRENZY IN COWES

Artificial Intelligence on the Isle of Wight is the theme of the next Digital Island conference organised by the Isle of Wight Council.

Continuing the digital journey that started last year, experts from across the country will be gathering alongside Island business and technology leaders to discuss how the emerging field of artificial intelligence can drive forward Island industry and services.

Launching the event at Cowes Yacht Haven on 15 November will be national expert Adrian Hopgood, Professor of Intelligent Systems and Director of Future & Emerging Technologies at the University of Portsmouth.

Council leader Dave Stewart said: “This is another major event that supports this council’s commitment to the digital economy and small technology businesses.

“We want to harness the power of artificial intelligence, to make island business competitive across the world.

“This event will give Island firms the chance to meet national partners and really show them what a great place the Isle of Wight is for digital business.”

In a first for the Island, a team from Barclays Eagle labs will be organising an ‘Ai Frenzy’ presentation showing ways that Barclays is supporting the use of artificial intelligence across the country.

Modernising the care industry is an area where artificial intelligence work is rapidly advancing, and the Isle of Wight could be at the forefront of this developing area of business as well. 

The community benefits of artificial intelligence will be explored through IBM’s Watson Care initiative, with a focus on health, social care and well-being benefits.

The Institute of Coding will offer a session on skilling the Island for its digital future, aiming particularly at young people wanting to enter the technology industry.

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IW Council Press Release - IW Council Budget Proposals

ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCIL BUDGET PROPOSALS

The Isle of Wight Council has today published its initial budget proposals for next year as the authority looks to save a further £5.5 million in the forthcoming year.

Preliminary savings have been identified from all council services with 95 per cent coming through efficiencies and income generation and only 5 per cent in cuts to services.

Leader of the Council Dave Stewart said he wanted to highlight budget discussions as early as possible so everyone is aware of what is needed and people can give their views on how the council could proceed.

He also asked other political parties to come forward with ideas to help balance the books and protect and enhance council services. However, he said the council’s reserves cannot be used - as they offer a financial cushion and the money can only be used once – meaning it would be inappropriate for it to be earmarked to run services year after year.

The headline is that the council is proposing a council tax increase of no more than 2.99 per cent for general services - which will cover the current level of inflation.

In previous years, the Government has allowed the council to levy an additional council tax precept of 3 per cent specifically to fund adult social care services but this option is not currently available to the council for 2019/20. The Budget today may give more information on whether this will become an option for the council.

“Just like all councils across the country, this council will have to make financial savings in the next financial year and this will be a challenge,” said Councillor Stewart.

“The administration is not fighting shy of what this means and that tough choices will have to be made, but we have also an opportunity to be innovative and spend some money to make our services more responsive to need and efficient for the future with the use of technology, for example.

“But this is just an outline plan and we want to hear what people think. We want other political parties to give their views and we will listen to them because we’d like to have a joint approach for the good of the Island, and especially those who are vulnerable.

“It must also be stressed this council is now on a much firmer financial footing than it was two years ago. Many people will have heard about other councils, such as Northamptonshire County Council having severe financial difficulties.

“I can assure residents this council is not in that position. We have proposals to balance our budget next year and we move forward with increasing confidence that we can deliver the best possible services to residents while delivering a legal and balanced budget.

“The reserve cushion we have has also allowed the council to pursue a commercial investment strategy which has so far generated an additional income of approximately £750,000 and is expected to deliver a further £150,000 in the next financial year. This means the council is becoming increasingly successful in paying its own way, something that it has to do as government grants reduce.

“However, we must not lose sight of the fact that our medium-term financial strategy still requires a further £11 million of savings even when next year’s budget is agreed and the council must be mindful of this.

“So, we continue to press vigorously our ‘unique island case’ with Government regarding our financial challenges including our exceptionally high costs of Adult Social Care.”

The council has identified substantial efficiency savings and ways to improve its income, which include:
• Savings on the highways PFI agreement relating to changes in the specification, that has been previously reported and will be in the region of £ 1million;
• Reconfiguring our learning disability residential homes to make to allow people to live independently in their own home;
• Revisions to the school bus contract to better match current levels of demand;
• Benefitting from our previous investments in leisure centres which has meant higher levels of demand and therefore more income that originally anticipated;
• Taking a more consistent approach to parking charges across the island, especially in relation to on street parking and night time parking, and this will mean an expansion of charges to help fund services.

Finally, as a result of the council’s prudent approach to revenue budget management the authority will now be able to develop substantial capital budget options, which will be shared publicly later in the year.

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IW Council Press Release - Officer houses hoglets

OFFICER HOUSES HOGLETS

Council empty property officer, Will Taylor, has been involved with a housing issue of a different kind this autumn.

As a volunteer for Isle of Wight Hedgehog Rescue, he recently had a call out to Ryde for an abandoned litter of five hoglets, after a log pile used as nest had partially collapsed.

The hoglets’ mother could not get in due to the collapse, and abandoned them.

Will received the call for help to rehome the hoglets at the end of a working day, went straight to the site and dismantled the log pile while still in his work suit.

“Autumn is the time of year when log piles make perfect nests and we can also assist them by putting out some food such as tinned dog or cat food (not fish based), wetted unsweetened muesli, chopped boiled eggs and a shallow bowl of water,” said Will.

“With a little help and a few simple measures we could become a hedgehog friendly Island which will ensure the future of this endearing little creature. The four rescued hoglets are recovering very well and already weigh about 550 grams.”

Sadly, one of the hoglets died but the other four are doing very well said Will. They will be kept throughout the winter. This is because autumn juveniles often do not survive the winter and they will be released next spring.

With Halloween and bonfire night fast approaching, Will is urging the people to build bonfires on the day they are to be lit to save hedgehogs and other wildlife from suffering.

If this isn’t possible, please check your bonfire carefully before lighting as hedgehogs may use them for nesting.

The British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS) suggests fencing off the area off before you build your bonfire, to prevent it harming wildlife, including hedgehogs.

However, if this is not possible, before lighting:
• lift up the base and listen for any noises;
• completely move the bonfire before lighting, and
• light from one side only – which allows escape for any animals nesting inside.

For more information please visit the BHPS website at: https://www.britishhedgehogs.org.uk/  or if you find a sick or injured hedgehog please contact them on: (01584) 890801.

Alternatively contact the Save our Hedgehogs Isle of Wight Facebook site on (01983) 613145.

Prickly facts about hedgehogs 
• A group of hedgehogs is called an ‘array.’
• They are nocturnal and sleep all day in nests under bushes or in woodland areas.
• Hedgehogs eat insects, worms, snails, mice and frogs.
• A hedgehog has between 5,000 and 7,000 spines.
• They rely on hearing and smell as they have very poor eyesight.
• Hedgehogs got their name from their preferred habitat—garden hedges—and the pig-like grunts they make.
• They have existed for over 15 million years and have survived longer than the sabre tooth tiger and woolly mammoth.

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IW Council Press Release - Ryde Poppy display marks the end of First World War

RYDE POPPY DISPLAY MARKS END OF FIRST WORLD WAR

More than 650 crafted poppies will form part of a display at Ryde Library to honour residents in the area who died during the First World War.

Members of the public have spent weeks making the poppies for the exhibition at the library from 3 to 16 November, marking 100 years since the end of the Great War (1914 to 1918).

Ryde Library supervisor, Jo Dodd, said: “I have been amazed by the community spirit involved in this project. It has involved research by local historians to uncover the names and biographical details of more than 650 Ryde area residents who died during the First World War.

“More than 70 volunteers have given up their free time to place each person’s details on a poppy, which will form part of a larger display at the library. It will mean so much to present-day Ryde residents whose family members died during the war.”

Each poppy bears the name and age of a Ryde resident who fell during the Great War. All the names have been collected and bound in a remembrance book at the library.

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NORTHWOOD RESIDENTS PLEASE NOTE

Quayside Architects, the applicant's agent, have booked Northwood Village Hall for 4pm on the 20th October - to explain the scheme to residents and answer any questions

IW Council Press Release - Mobile App launch for Libraries Week 2018

MOBILE APP LAUNCH FOR LIBRARIES WEEK 2018

A new, free app giving people round-the-clock access to Isle of Wight library service has been launched.

Spydus Mobile enables users to search and reserve books and manage library memberships and accounts.

It also scans barcodes on books, DVDs and other items to help people search for available copies in their local libraries.

Rob Jones, Libraries manager, said: “This new app completes the suite of mobile applications that enables residents to make the best of use of their library service 24/7.

“Please visit our web page www.iwight.com/thelibrary to find information about how to download the others to help you enjoy ebooks, e audiobooks, magazines and newspaper.”

The app, launched in celebration of National Library Week, can also alert people to new book arrivals and personal recommendations.

To download Spydus Mobile for Apple and Android devices, visit the App Store or Google Play and select ‘Spydus Mobile’. You will need your to enter your PIN to use this app.

If you don’t know your PIN, ask in any library or contact the library service on (01983) 823824.

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