Public Question:
MCH raised a concern expressed by residents and understood to be causing concern to the local Pub Watch group, concerning the off licence in Pier Street carrying a new permanent facia with the strap line Discount Booze.
Susan Scoccia said she was shocked and concerned. Val Taylor recommended the matter be reported to Planning for a possible breach of planning regulations for a new facia and also impact on the conservation zone.
Report from Police and Town Centre Manager
The Police were not present, but Rob Reed, our Town Manager was, and he summarised his recent activity.
All weather games area for youth in the town:
* He is liaising with Linda Gorman at the Youth Centre regarding an all weather games area somewhere in the town. This will address the need of youth wanting a kick about area for football, instead of annoying residents. This has led to teaming with Cllr Jilly Wood from Wroxall to find a permanent Multi Use Games Area to be put up somewhere in the South Wight area (SWAGA). Currently three sites appear to be possible.
* The derelict site opposite Londis. He wondered whether Tony Fish the owner might make a gesture to the Town and donate a part of that land.
* The Putting Green area in Ventnor Park, and the lower field in St Boniface School.
Graffiti removal:
* The outside wall and from a Gents cubicle door, of the Cascade toilets.
* The back wall of Market Street toilets.
* Two lots from the La Falaise shelter
* As well as major ones above numerous others and he has personally removed several smaller items.
Liaising with the Police, Traffic Management ,Highways and Utility Suppliers:
* Swapping information and intelligence.
* Joining in patrols.
* Will be facilitating the Ventnor Forum meeting to be held at the Winter Gardens on 4 December.
* Helping to resolve a traffic hazard problem created by the delivery truck for Londis when parking at the top of Madeira Road.
* Corrected a misleading disabled parking sign opposite the Picardie Hotel.
* Ensured the broken car park fencing at the top end of La Falaise Car Park will be made safe for the winter.
* Ensured the loose and dangerous fence on La Falaise Car Park is barricaded off.
* Mr Hook of Kings Bay Road was delighted that the lack of a road sign had been taken care of within a month of observation, after 17 years of complaining!
* Monitoring the poor state of road surfaces in Alpine Road, the junction at the bottom of Tulse Hill and safety concerns about work process for Tesco Express on the High Street.
* Ensuring the removal of old split rusty traffic signs along Dudley Road.
* Ensured a drain cover was repaired on Spring Hill that belonged to Southern Water and had been an outstanding job since June. It was disrupting the business of Hairdressing Salon 442, through noise.
* Worked with various people to appease a resident on the High Street who has been kept awake by night time emergency electricity cabling work.
* Trying to get the broken bandstand lights repaired on Ventnor Esplanade, but there is not much point until a SWAGA is in place though. This is a popular football kick about area.
Environment:
* Submitted a survey with a view to re siting and replacing some of the litterbins around town.
* Looking into who clears waste off the western rocks outside the Haven for the Harbour Master.
* Followed through a complaint from two residents of Spring Gardens that the steps down to Madeira Road had weeds on them that were not being treated by weed killer.
* Fly tipping of beer cans and packaging in bushes on Bath Road dealt with.
* Asked the Royal Hotel to trim back a bush that was obstructing pedestrians on the pavement.
* Reported in damaged walls at both the garden area on the corner of Victoria Street and the High Street and the wall in the section of the bench seating area outside of the Rex Piano Bar on Belgrave Road, which also has a crack in it.
* The fencing has been repaired in the small seating area adjacent to the Hambrough Hotel.
* A dog owner, who failed to clear up after his do in the Wheelers Bay area, has been given a £50 Fixed Penalty Notice. Failure to pay this will lead to a court appearance and a possible £1000 fine. This will hopefully send a signal to the minority of dog owners who do not clean up after themselves.
The Councillors praised his work with the exception of Buster Bartlett, who while thanking the town manager for what he had done, insisted this was role duplication for the town councillors, it was their job to do what he was doing, they knew the town best, and it is another silly idea of the IOW Council CEO, Joe Duckworth. Val Taylor felt his remarks were out of order. He then insulted Val Taylor.
Closure of Post Offices – situation in Upper Ventnor
* A mobile option and an outreach option at the Social Club were discussed.
* It was agreed that both the older population and the large number of South Wight Tenants in Upper Ventnor would be seriously disadvantaged.
* It was agreed that the TC should send in a very strong letter of objection to the closure, but NOT to outline possible alternatives as that would weaken the objection.
* The Town Councillors for the Upper Ventnor area were asked to URGE THE WHOLE UPPER VENTNOR COMMUNITY TO WRITE LETTERS OF OBJECTION BY THE FINAL DATE OF 26 NOVEMBER.
* The meeting was reminded that if Upper Ventnor is saved then that could result in another community Post Office being shut.
Report on various town issues – Susan Scoccia
SS did not read through her report in detail, but did release these comments from her report, to VentnorBlog regarding the progress of the Blue Flag application (Her first objective for the year of mayoral office):
“The final pieces are in place for our application which will be forwarded by the end of this month. May I thank Mark Compton-Hall, and Natasha Dix of the Coastal Visitors Centre for working together on two educational initiatives as our contribution to the five required for the Island (Ventnor leading the way again!) These will be a Beach Use Survey and a Rock Pool Habitat Survey, and will encourage both locals and visitors of all ages to get involved.”
Future electoral arrangements letter from the Boundary Committee
Ventnor will not be affected by the proposed changes.
Casual vacancy – Ventnor Town West Ward, notice of election
The election was confirmed for 13 December, if the vacancy is contested.
Other points:
* With regard to Quality Town status, SS handed out the first TC quarterly newsletter, edited by Val Taylor. This is needed in evidence for Quality Council approval. It is being distributed to every household in Ventnor. In theory four issues need to be out for QC status to be granted. SS feels however that given everything else is either in place, or almost in place, then it may be possible to place an application in time for the original March milestone for completion of this, the second of the three objectives for her year of office.
* Buster Bartlett raised the issue of the failure of “Sigma” to pay their due bills for the Folk and Blues Festival etc. He felt that the Town Council should “sue the buggers”.
* Robbie Mew was concerned about wasting money on solicitors for the £800 owed. The matter will be discussed at the next Winter Gardens meeting on 26 November.
* It was restated that the organisers would not be allowed to book the Winter Gardens ever again, without paying in full in advance.
* Maureen Cawley mentioned that a new community group has been formed to address fund raising for Winter Gardens. This reflects the inability of IOW Council to contribute meaningfully to the cost of upkeep of the building.
* JFB reported a major section of the Whitwell road was planned for surfacing in February, but was sceptical about this actually being carried out in time by Highways.
Planning Meeting:
Planning Applications:
TCP/25167/B – P/02516/07
Overcliffe Kings Bay Road Ventnor Isle of Wight PO381QR
Extension of flint wall and construction of internal boundary fence creation of gated pedestrian access potting shed and log store.
Agreed
A/00999/B – P/02347/07
17-21 High Street Ventnor Isle of Wight PO38
Non illuminated projecting sign
Rejected on basis that it was unnecessary. JFB and BL voted for the sign.
TCP/07632/K – P/02407/07
Taronga Kings Bay Road Ventnor Isle of Wight PO381QR
Demolition of porch alterations two storey extension to provide additional living accommodation and double garage to include balconies on rear and side elevations provision of additional bedroom accommodation within roof space to include dormer windows
Agreed
TCP/08966/J – P/02413/07
Wyndcliffe 16 Spring Gardens Ventnor Isle of Wight PO381QX
Conservatory
Agreed
TCP/13017/F – P/02451/07
The Wedge St. Albans Gardens Ventnor Isle of Wight PO381DF
Three storey side extension to provide additional living accommodation (revised scheme)
Agreed
TCP/17608/F – P/02461/07
Steephill House Steephill Road Ventnor Isle of Wight PO38
Proposed double garage
Agreed
TCP/28109/A – P/02427/07
71 Newport Road Ventnor Isle of Wight PO381BD
Vehicular access and parking/turning area (revised scheme)
Agreed
TCP/28698 – P/02324/07
1 Gloucester Road Ventnor Isle of Wight PO381AT
2 storey extension to provide additional living accommodation
Agreed
Ventnor Golf Club
Stuart Blackmore of the Ventnor Golf Club (The oldest Golf Club on the island) made an informal presentation of their £1.75m plan (funded by Green Tourism) to construct 15 golfing holiday units and take the course up to an 18 hole championship course. The idea went down well with the council. It needs to clear the Golf Club AGM as well as go through Planning.
What was interesting is the plan to completely tidy up the rough and overgrown land off Steephill Down leading up to the Club. This has been historically looked at as a possible community garden area.
Supported in principle
Other points.
Bill Murphy (Head of Planning) is now expected to appear at the next Planning Meeting on 26 November to discuss the principles and concerns of planning, but not specific applications. This is a long awaited visit to the Town Council. The TC agreed to give him a list of issues in advanced that needed discussion.
It is confirmed that both the ATM applications (the one installed in Upper Ventnor and the one planned outside Ventnor Post Office) have been turned down through Highways objections.
