At the October meeting of the Parish Council the main topics discussed were:
REPORTED CRIMES
PCSO Derek Howard sent written report. There have been 6 reported crimes in Gurnard during September, compared with 5 last year. Inspector Rob Abel and PCSO’s Lisa Grey and Lisa Paul attended the meeting. They explained that although the crime figures have increased, this is in part due to a new form of reporting where incidents that involve more than one reportable crime were previous only reported as one (the most serious charge), but now all charges are reported. They assured councillors that crimes in Gurnard are of a low level nature, and that those occurring in September were mostly involving people who knew each other.
GRANTS
The Grant Panel met again ahead of the meeting to consider another three grant applications received. The Elephant Club (at All Saints Church) was awarded £200.00.
TOILETS
The public toilet block on The Green is continuing to cost the Parish Council additional funds. The Business Rate demand is now being paid and an appeal has been lodged against the charge to the Valuation Office. The Parish Council will consider the freehold of the property at next month’s meeting. The chair and vice-chair attended a meeting with an agent who is preparing a planning application to turn the existing toilet block into a café with public toilets. Although the plans are at a very early stage, the Parish Council was pleased to hear of a possible proposal to replace the poor quality toilet block at no cost to the Parish Council. Included in the plan was additional development in the area. The question of the Village Green status has been raised which prevents development. Answers to the questions raised by Councillor Fuller (Ward Councillor) should have been responded to in time for the November meeting. The Parish Council has asked that a full proposal is brought to the Parish Council and members of the public at the November Planning Committee meeting fir discussion ahead of the planning application being lodged. The toilet cleaning contract was discussed for 2017/18 and councillors decided to renew with the existing contractor for another year.
WASTE PROBLEMS ON THE GREEN
Councillors discussed both the Biffa bin and litter bins. They decided to increase the budget for the 2017/18 year to enable the emptying schedule to remain as per this year.
FOOTPATH AT GURNARD HEIGHTS
Councillors considered taking on the legal responsibility for Footpath CS5a which runs from Gurnard Heights and obtained a quotation for both the initial required maintenance and future work. Due to the other financial demands on the precept, and not wanting to take on the legal liability, councillors decided not to pursue the project.
SCHOOL CROSSING PATROL
Concerns have been raised since the School Crossing Patrol service ceased at the end of the summer term for Gurnard Primary School. The Parish Council decided to financially support the service, providing that Cowes Town Council also contribute for the first year and that the Parent Teacher Association fund the second year. This two year proposal is dependent on the IW Council overcoming the problem that the previous employee was made redundant.
RAILINGS ALONG THE SEAFROUNT
Councillors were asked to financially support the refurbishment of the railings which run from Gurnard to Cowes.
The decision was taken that in view of the Parish Council already having raised the precept to take on services from the IW Council, they cannot commit any funding towards this project.
FUTURE PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS
The next full Parish Council meeting is at 7.00 pm on Thursday 10 November 2016. Residents are welcome to attend all meetings, which are usually held at the Gurnard Village Hall, Westbrook Lane. Please check the Parish notice board and/or the Parish Council’s website for meeting confirmation and the agendas – www.gurnardpc.co.uk.
QUERIES AND QUESTIONS
If you have any queries or questions that you feel that the Parish Council could help with, please contact the Parish Clerk: Mrs. Sue Waters, telephone 07443 656480 or email: [email protected].
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