Many thanks to Mark for getting the notes through so promptly. There were many items of great interest discussed last night which we will be picking out and reporting on separately. Full notes below. Ed
Ventnor Town Council Full meeting and Planning Committee meeting notes 11 February 2008.
Apologies: Maureen Cawley, Colin Elvers
Declarations of interest: Susan Scoccia, Val Taylor, Johnny Fitzgerald-Bond all declared an interest in the Education Reform agenda.
As it turned out, only Susan Scoccia kept quiet in this part of the meeting, except to call order.
Johnny Fitzgerald-Bond inquired whether those speaking wanted a two or three tier system, and Val Taylor delivered passionate and eloquent remarks on the impact of the changes on children. She also had to vigorously defend Medina High School from a challenge and attack by Robbie Mew, as well as his comments on the parents of children attending St Margaret’s (he felt could easily drive to Wroxall).
Val Taylor is believed to be the most experienced member of the TC involved in the education system in the context of governorship. More on education below.
Police and Town Centre Manager Report:
Sgt Richard Stapleton reported that Crime and Anti Social Behaviour was down now to a very low level.
A recent combined plain clothed and unformed police operation was very successful.
Two suspects have been arrested in connection with the damage at Ventnor Middle School and two more are in the process of being “brought in”.
Rob Reed, Town Centre Manager reported three developments, and provided a hand out:
1. Fixed Penalty Notices
As from 1 April he will be able to issue fixed penalty notices (FPN) for various environmental offences.
It has been identified through Resident Surveys that many issues high on the list of concerns can be enforced by the use of FPN’s.
A fixed penalty notice is the 1st Stage of enforcement for a number of environmental offences.
FPN’s provide a quick, effective way of dealing with environmental offences and are an alternative to prosecution.
A fixed Penalty is not a fine. Payment of the notice by the recipient discharges his or her liability to conviction for the offence for which the FPN was issued.
It does not constitute an admission of guilt BUT removes the possibility of the offender obtaining a criminal conviction if paid, (as with a parking ticket).
Table of offences as at 1 April 2008:
Depositing Litter
Failing to remove dog faeces forthwith
Graffiti
Fly Posting without authority
Failure to comply with a waste receptacle (domestic)
Failure to comply with a waste receptacle (commercial)
Failure to produce documentation – Waste Transfer Notes
2. Ventnor Help Centre
Rob has met with Maureen Burge from IWC Customer Services on 29 January with regard to the possibility of a Help Centre being available in Ventnor, at least one day a week (to offer Ventnorians the opportunity to discuss Council issues, which is currently enjoyed at 6 other Island locations). Maureen was very optimistic that this could be achieved and is waiting on the outcome of a feasibility study that is being undertaken.
3. Pound Lane development
Rob has met with a representative from Southern Housing Group who are due to complete a property 3 storeys high and consisting of 21 units, which will house approx 60 people.
The new property will replace the old coaching garage on the corner of Pound Lane and the entrance to Somerfield’s Car Park.
The start date for this work will be 25 February when scaffolding will be erected to remove the roofing.
Ryde Demolition will demolish the building between 3 and 17 March and the road will be closed during this period (access to Somerfield Car Park and Pound Lane Car Park will not be affected).
A banks man will be provided at the Somerfield end of the road to direct the traffic.
No disruption to essential services is anticipated.
The Medical Centre have been consulted with regard to access to the rear of their premises.
It is hoped that the building will be completed 12 months after start date.
There has been some concern over wildlife that may be nesting in this property and a wildlife expert is visiting the site on 12 February to assess the situation. It is rumoured locally that Bats may have made a home with in the building. A similar concern exists for the building targeted for Tesco.
Rob also handed out a report and quote, from the Ventnor Enhancement Fund to the Ventnor 2008 team regarding the detailed work and cost of restoring the Trinity Road bus shelters. The estimated cost is £1600. Southern Vectis are now being approached to confirm the scope of their support.
Robbie Mew proposed that the TCM be given a budget (from the IWC) with which to expedite local repairs and fixes, via local trade’s people, without having to work through central IWC resources. Brenda Lawson seconded this. John Farrant is to write a letter to the IWC.
IOW Education reform
Consider proposals from the Isle of Wight Council and a letter from the IOW association of local councils.
A general and heated discussion took place. Which Brian Lucas repeatedly tried to steer in a direction that decided whether a two or three tier system was desired, and then having agreed that, how best to get to that point.
Robbie Mew proposed Option 1
Val Taylor said Option 1 would be disaster, principally on the basis that by 14 a child will already be in year one of GCSEs and a move to another school would not be helpful.
She also argued that the topography of Ventnor alone was a major challenge for young families. The town centre to VMS or St Margaret’s is under the two mile zone needed for buses to be provided.
She was very concerned at the idea of a valuable piece of land being handed over to the Church of England. She said the same was happening at Carisbrooke and wanted to know who or what was behind this proposal.
Val Taylor would vote for Option 3 but with many caveats only
Steve Milford said none of the options provided much and was also concerned about Wroxall.
Steve proposed that the TC vote not to agree to any of the proposals, this was seconded by Val Taylor.
Val Taylor supported a two tier system.
Brian Lucas supports Option 3.
Buster Bartlett was dismissive of the current leadership in the IWC and wished the old guard was back and in charge.
Brenda Lawson agreed with rejecting all options, but also said that every town and every village will say it is different.
Val Taylor suggested that as the Local Council meeting was discussing this topic on 18 February, then the output from that be brought back to the Ventnor TC for special meeting after the next Planning meeting on 25 February, for final discussion.
That was the agreed plan ahead for the moment.
CCTV
Proposals for the improvement of the CCTV Network across the Island. Letter from the Head of Service, Safe Neighbourhood Partnership.
Please see the notes on VentnorBlog from a previous TC meeting on 13 August 2006 that relate to this item and provide some background.
The Council are cancelling the current tender invitation for the control room re modernisation.
A new tender invitation is being published to cover the control room, a CCTV system in Ventnor and two others and a new maintenance agreement.
We will see CCTV in Ventnor in the autumn of this year.
No mention made of who is paying for the maintenance. No mention of costs either in the letter.
The view of the TC was one of approval, and as no costs were mentioned (nothing factored in the budget it seems), and then the topic was swiftly closed.
Ferry Fares Campaign
Letter from Andrew Turner asking the Town Council (s) to support his campaign requesting that the Office of Fair Trading investigate Isle of Wight Ferry Services to establish whether a fair deal is being offered to Islanders.
Unanimous and immediate support agreed to be given.
Beach Cleaning and Public Convenience Cleaning
Letter from Operational Manager (Mr Boswell), Engineering Services, Isle of Wight Council.
Contracts for both are due to expire on 31 March 2009.
Looking to go to tender for both together ideally.
Town Council decided it wants to see a copy of the draft tender invitation before it is published. The reason being it’s concerned to ensure that the opening and closing times reflect a longer season.
Johnny Fitzgerald-Bond is very concerned that walkers in Bonchurch do have a lavatory to use, when they need one, out of season.
Questions:
Robbie Mew reported that he had now addressed the repair/change of some 20 public benches and was currently very concerned about the state of the eastern cliffs and the paths down to the esplanade. He highlighted that shabby state of much of the area on the cliff faces after a walkabout with Rob Reed the Town Centre Manager.
Planning Committee meeting chaired by Val Taylor
As usual please click on the hyperlinks to go to the application files.
All information, as usual, is courtesy of and copyright of Isle of Wight Council
This is what was on the agenda:
TCP09823/D, P/00149/08
HSBC Bank 2 High Street Ventnor Isle of Wight PO381SB
Installation of ATM cash machine
Councillor: Jonny Fitzgerald-Bond
The thinking behind the application is worth reading
Look at the application form.
Approved
TCP/17272/H, P/02812/07
Lark Rise The Undercliffe Drive Ventnor Isle of Wight PO381XX
Alterations proposed extensions and conversion of garage to provide additional living accommodation to include balcony on south elevation conservatory pergola on east elevation proposed fence and entrance gate
This application has come to the attention of the AONB people.
Councillor: Susan Scoccia
Approved
TCP/05111/B, P/00178/08
Hadley Whitwell Road Ventnor Isle of Wight PO381LJ
Conversion of roof space into additional living accommodation to include 2 dormer windows on front elevation
Councillor: Susan Scoccia
Approved
Additional end points:
John Farrant advised the meeting that the Tesco application had now been approved with 18 conditions. The plan cannot be implemented until the traffic plan is approved by planning.
It appears from listening that the good news is that IWC Planning appears to have listened to the concerns of the Ventnor TC.
What was not clear from the meeting is how long this process is going to take.
Steve Milford reported that the owner of the Central Pub on the High Street and Market Street, was very concerned as to whether any Isle of Wight Councillor had advised the Town Council, to name and shame (her) regarding the shabby state of the Central. She takes exception to any disparaging remarks about the building.
No one volunteered any meaningful comment.
Robbie Mew reported that despite being ordered to remove the ATM in New port Road, Upper Ventnor. The Spa had not complied, and traffic was being stopped blocking the pavement and crossing.
It was agreed to ask the local police to investigate the situation vis a vis traffic safety prior to communicating with planning enforcement.
Robbie Mew proposed that Maureen Cawley be voted thanks for managing the Winter Gardens so effectively during the transition between the two managers over the recent period. The Midge Ure concert was reported to be a sell out, and Val Taylor reported the next major artist appearance would be Rick Wakeman in April.
