IWCouncil Press Release - Council service changes over the Isle of Wight Festival

COUNCIL SERVICE CHANGES OVER ISLE OF WIGHT FESTIVAL

While the Isle of Wight Festival is taking place from Friday 22 June to Sunday 24 June, the following council services are affected:

Register Office 

The Isle of Wight Council's Register Office Marriage Room will temporarily move to County Hall in Newport during the festival. From Friday 22 June until close of business on Saturday 23 June, all civil ceremonies will be held at County Hall, Hight Street, Newport. The civil ceremonies will be back at Seaclose Park from Monday 25 June.
All birth, death and marriage notice appointments will remain at Seaclose offices throughout the festival. Seaclose offices will be closed on 21 June from 12 noon and all day on 22 June. Telephone enquiries will continue to be handled via the existing number, (01983) 823233.

For further information, please call the Register Office on (01983) 823233.

Coroner’s Office 

The Coroner’s Office will operate from Seaclose offices as usual, although there will be no provision for personal collection of paperwork from Thursday 21 June at 1pm until Monday 25 June. telephone enquiries will continue to be handled via the existing number, (01983) 823010.

Crematorium 

The crematorium will be operate at its usual opening hours over the weekend of Saturday 23 June and Sunday 24 June, from 10am to 2pm.

Planning/ICT offices 

The council’s Planning Services office will be closed to the public on Thursday 21 June, Friday 22 June, and Monday 25 June. In the days leading up to and after the festival there will be public access but parking will be extremely limited so customers are advised it may be better to avoid the Seaclose office, unless it is to attend a pre-arranged meeting. The office will be open as normal to the public from 8.30am on Tuesday 26 June.

Customers can check information and use the online services available on the council website at https://www.iwight.com/Residents/Environment-Planning-and-Waste/Planning/

Leisure centre/theatre 

Customers are advised that 1Leisure Medina will be closed for the duration of the Isle of Wight Festival from 2pm Thursday 21 June and will re-open at 7am on Monday 25 June. Westridge at Ryde and The Heights, Sandown will be open as normal throughout this period. Swimming lessons at Medina are cancelled from Wednesday 20 June to Saturday 23 June. The lessons will resume on Monday 25 June.
For further information, please email medinaleisure@iow.gov.uk or telephone (01983) 823880.

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IW Council Press Release - Consultation on Combined Fire Authority with Hampshire

CONSULTATION ON COMBINED FIRE AUTHORITY WITH HAMPSHIRE

Plans for a 12-week consultation into creating a new combined fire authority for the Island and Hampshire look set to move ahead.

The Isle of Wight Council’s Cabinet is being asked to accept the detailed business case and give the green light for the consultation when it meets on 14 June.

The new body, if eventually approved, would bring together the governance of the Island’s fire authority – which is currently the council – and the Hampshire Fire Authority, which includes the Portsmouth and Southampton areas.

Following the consultation and Full Council consideration, the proposal for a combined authority will go before Cabinet to approve. The final decision will rest with the secretary of state.

Cabinet member for public protection, Councillor Tig Outlaw, said: “In March this year our Full Council accepted an outline business case for a combined fire authority but at that time we felt it was right and necessary to ensure the Isle of Wight community was presented with the detailed business case prior to consultation. 

“This is the next stage in that process as we, and Hampshire, look at the case to combine the overall governance of our two authorities. No change to the current operations of our fire and rescue service is envisaged in this report.

“The Cabinet will now assess the comprehensive version and look to undertake a thorough 12 week consultation involving key stakeholders, including unions, town and parish councils and the Isle of Wight public.

“This is about achieving what is best for our Island community, ensuring the future resilience of the service and the safety of our residents.

“We already have a strategic partnership agreement with Hampshire. This has brought improved capacity, shared expertise and significant career development opportunities for firefighters and officers. That current agreement comes to an end in 2020 and the proposed combined authority is the next potential step.”

Since the partnership began in 2015 there has been combined working between the Island and Hampshire in strategic leadership, fire control and mobilising, health and safety, fleet and equipment maintenance, and other areas.

“This new comprehensive business case explores the risks and benefits of a new combined authority, with public safety paramount alongside a focus on efficiency, effectiveness and economic factors," said Councillor Outlaw.

“The report suggests a combined authority would improve levels of service, including in key preventative areas such as community and business safety initiatives. It would enhance capacity and help toward future improvements and development. This consultation will now give us the opportunity to listen to our community’s views on the proposal.”

If approved by the council’s Cabinet, the consultation would begin during the summer, with a similar process taking place in Hampshire. A report back on the findings would be due in the autumn.

Cabinet report: https://www.iwight.com/Meetings/committees/cabinet/14-6-18/agenda.pdf? 636638923185105186

Factfile:

•         The detailed business case indicates the council could make savings of £270,000 in central support costs and transfer some financial liabilities to a new combined authority, including for annual property maintenance (£520,000), and short-term vehicle replacement (£1.8 million).

•         A combined authority would provide increased capacity and resilience for the Island through shared resources in areas such as maritime response, extrication and trauma, hazardous materials, and terrorism incidents.

•         A combined authority would also give the Island access to Hampshire’s wide range of community initiatives.

•         The Island’s fire authority serves a population of 140,000 (Hampshire 1.83 million).

•         The Island has 69,600 domestic properties (Hampshire 754,000), and 6,630 non-domestic properties (Hampshire 51,500).

•         The Island’s fire and rescue service has ten fire stations (Hampshire 51), 13 fire appliances (Hampshire 78), 76 wholetime firefighters (Hampshire 679), 86 on-call firefighters (Hampshire 496), and 19 corporate staff (Hampshire 256). The existing combined fire control has 31 personnel.

•         In 2017/18 the Island’s fire service attended 1,349 incidents (Hampshire 20,299), including 306 fires (Hampshire 3,891).

•         It is envisaged the Isle of Wight Council would have one representative on a new combined fire authority, alongside representatives from Hampshire County Council, and Southampton and Portsmouth city councils.

•         While the Isle of Wight Council is the Island’s fire authority and responsible for the local fire and rescue service, in Hampshire the fire and rescue service is separate from direct local authority control, although council representatives sit on the governing fire authority.

•         The element Island council taxpayers currently contribute annually towards the fire and rescue service is estimated at £62. It is expected the switch to a combined fire authority would mean a replacement annual figure similar to the current Hampshire Fire Authority precept of £66.

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IW Council Press Release - Chinese Delegation Greeted on the Isle of Wight

CHINESE DELEGATION GREETED ON THE ISLE OF WIGHT

A partnership was forged between the Isle of Wight and the city of Enshi in Western China, when a delegation from the office of the Mayor of Enshi visited the Island today (Wednesday).

The Chair of the Isle of Wight Council, Lora Peacey-Wilcox, greeted the Mayor of Enshi Su Yong and other Chinese officials at a civic reception in County Hall.

A memorandum of agreement was signed to outline the proposed partnership, which will focus on sharing knowledge, promoting collaboration between the two territories, and looking to develop a programme of exchange between businesses, students and organisations.

The link with Enshi came through mainland firm Cambridge International Education Ltd whose primary role is arranging student study and exchanges.

Whilst planning a visit to the UK, officials from Enshi became interested in the Isle of Wight.

In particular they expressed an interest in the island’s ability to accommodate and host large events such as music festivals and Cowes Week; along with the strong and diverse tourism offer.

The Enshi officials made contact with the Isle of Wight Council, and as a result the Mayor was invited to visit the Island by Council leader Dave Stewart.

Wayne Whittle, Isle of Wight council cabinet member for business development, regeneration and tourism, said: “As an island we have begun an ambitious programme of regeneration and we are very keen to share our experience with others involved in a similar journey, and to learn from them.

“We have specific priorities to build on our successful digital industries and to attract students to choose the Isle of Wight as a place to further their studies when based in the United Kingdom.

“I was very proud to show off our wonderful Island to the Mayor and his colleagues, and I look forward to a productive relationship with the city of Enshi.”

Mr Xiong Zhu, director of the Enshi bureau of tourism and development, said: “We are delighted to be able to visit your beautiful island and promote it as a place to stay for Chinese visitors - we also hope to develop links on lots of other issues that are important to us both.” 

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IW Council Press Release - Supporting the Island's Nature Reserves

SUPPORTING THE ISLAND’S NATURE RESERVES

Island countryside charity Gift to Nature has published a new Trail Guide Pack, with maps and illustrations by local artist Alan Rowe.

The charity manages most of the Isle of Wight Council’s nature reserves and countryside areas, and the new publication features many popular Isle of Wight Council-owned landscapes.

Areas covered include Brading Down, Sibden Hill, Afton Marsh, Golden Hill Country Park, Bonchurch Landslip, Pig Leg Lane and many more.

With activities, suggested walks, wildlife tips and brand-new maps of the areas; the packs are intended to encourage everyone to explore and enjoy some of the Isle of Wight’s most popular local green areas.

Sales of the new pack will also raise funds to go directly towards managing the wildlife and nature sites.

Cabinet member for environment and heritage, councillor John Hobart, went to the launch of the Trail Guide and the new Gift to Nature Supporters Scheme. He said: “I am delighted to see this new fund raising initiative, especially with such an attractive and informative pack.

"The council owns countryside across the island that is a really important part of life for locals and visitors alike.

"The Gift to Nature team works hard on our behalf keeping these well-loved areas safe and free for everyone to use – but they need to raise the funds to do so, and this is a great way forward.”

Gift to Nature fundraising co-ordinator Vanessa Langley said: “We look after some of the most beautiful landscapes on the Isle of Wight on behalf of the Isle of Wight Council, town and parish councils, and more.

 “We know that countryside and wildlife is something that people on the island really value – and with help from our volunteers and supporters we can raise the funds to keep these wonderful green places open for everyone.” 

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IW Council Press Release -Tthe Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2018

QUEEN'S AWARD FOR VOLUNTARY SERVICE 2018

Four voluntary groups on the Island who work in the community have been honoured with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for voluntary groups in the UK.

The four groups that were successful this year were: Northwood House Charitable Trust, the Isle of Wight Foodbank, Needles National Coastwatch and Ability Dogs for Young People IW. 

The recipients are four of 250 volunteer-led groups to receive the prestigious award this year. The number of awarded groups has increased again this year, demonstrating the continuous expansion and value of the voluntary sector in today’s society.

This is the highest award given to volunteer groups across the UK to recognise exceptional service within their communities. The recipients of the award are announced each year on 2 June - the anniversary of the Queen’s coronation. 

This year’s awardees are incredibly diverse, innovative and impactful, ranging from FISH Neighbourhood Care, an organisation committed to combating loneliness and social isolation in older and vulnerable people living in Barnes, Mortlake and East Sheen in Greater London to The Monday Night Club, providing social opportunities and sporting activities for adults with learning disabilities and autism in Worcestershire.

The Island groups will receive their awards from Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of the Isle of Wight later this year who has said that this once again demonstrates the outstanding quality of voluntary groups on the Island.

Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport and Civil Society, said: “Everyone who has received this award should be incredibly proud. Their service, commitment and care has a profoundly positive impact on communities throughout the country and I am delighted they have been recognised with this prestigious award.

“The record number of recipients this year is testament to the strength of the voluntary sector and I am sure this trend will continue into the future. If you know any organisations that deserve to be  recognised, make your voice heard and nominate them for next year.”

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service Independent Committee chair, former broadcast journalist Sir Martyn Lewis said: "This year’s record number of Queen’s Award awardees are a powerful testimony to the remarkable achievements and innovative ideas which characterise volunteering in the UK. They prove that, more than ever, volunteers beavering away at grassroots level are the active lifeblood of our communities, identifying all kinds of problems and issues and tackling them with enthusiasm, talent and a high degree of success.

“The recipients of the Queen’s Award are at the very top of a formidable volunteering movement in the UK involving millions of our citizens, and going from strength to strength.”

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IW Council Press Release - Don't Get Stung by a Scam

DON'T GET STUNG BY A SCAM

A “don’t get stung” message has gone out to Islanders as part of National Scams Awareness Month (June).

The warning has come from the Isle of Wight Against Scams Partnership (IWASP) scheme – which involves council trading standards and partner groups offering support and advice.

“Scams come in various different forms, postal, telephone, online - all of which are designed to make victims part with their money and personal details by intimidating them or promising cash, prizes, services and fictitious high returns on investment,” said Cabinet member for community safety and public protection, Councillor Tig Outlaw.

“It is important to remember that no matter what type of scam, all scams are crimes. Over June, we are highlighting the work of IWASP and asking residents to look out for each other and continue to report any potential doorstep scams, rogue traders or suspicious email or phone contact to out trading standards team.”

Scams are the product of organised criminals who cleverly gain the trust of unsuspecting victims and then steal their money.

Did you know:
• about 3.2 million people fall victim to scams each year;
• the average age of a scam victim is 75;
• scams cost the UK economy between £5 billion and £10 billion each year.
• it is estimated only five per cent of these crimes are ever reported.

Councillor Outlaw said: ”These statistics make for quite frightening reading and with an increasing elderly population on the Island , it is more important than ever that, as an Island, we continue to look out for each other and make the Isle of Wight an environment in which rogue traders and scammers will be found out and exposed.”

The council is also supporting the National Scams Team in trying to enlist one Million Friends Against Scams by 2020, to join the fight and become a friend against scams. Visit their website at www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk

For further advice and support relating to scams go to www.iwasp.org.uk or call trading standards on (01983) 823000 or email trading.standards@iow.gov.uk  

Storeroom 2018 May 2018 newsletter