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Councillor Columns

  • February News from Shanklin by Cllr Christopher Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston

    Posted by Chris Quirk and Michael Beston at Thursday, 1 February 2024 12:53

    As working volunteers of the Shanklin Theatre & Community Trust, we have now officially submitted our planning application to build a new performing arts, museum and heritage centre on the site of the former Shanklin library in Victoria Avenue.

  • December News from Shanklin by Cllr Christopher Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston

    Posted by Cllr Christopher Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston at Friday, 1 December 2023 06:00

    A public exhibition was held at the centre on the afternoon of the 19th of November displaying our proposed plans. The exhibition was well attended with a number of the public coming in to view the plans and speak with us. 

  • November News from Cllr Ian Ward

    Posted by Cllr Ian Ward at Thursday, 2 November 2023 10:44

    I frequently get complaints from residents who feel intimidated by individuals and groups of mainly men and youths hanging around the beach and town centre. I recently spoke with a Community Safety Officer and a Youth Officer to discuss exactly this problem we have in Sandown. It is recognised that we do have a problem.

  • November News from Cllr Charles Chapman

    Posted by Cllr Charles Chapman at Wednesday, 1 November 2023 06:00

    Dear Reader, another month has gone by and Christmas will soon be upon us. For me, over the past months, not many, but a few, worrying queries have come into my post regarding the ever growing use of smart machines in our everyday lives. Artificial Intelligence (AI).

  • January News from Ryde. By Councillor Charles Chapman

    Posted by Cllr Charles Chapman at Tuesday, 13 December 2022 13:12

    Dear Reader, welcome to 2023: for us ‘older ones’ the Christmas holiday meant meeting up with friends, some of whom I hadn’t seen for nearly three years. Dare I mention the dreaded ‘lockdown’? word.

  • December News from Shanklin by Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Mike Beston

    Posted by Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Mike Beston at Thursday, 1 December 2022 06:00

    Hampshire Constabulary will now officially be known as Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary. We were delighted to mark the occasion by attending a short ceremony at Newport Police Station at 10am along with The Police and Crime Commissioner - Donna Jones, Acting Chief Constable Ben Snuggs, Kay Marriott - Isle of Wight High Sheriff and other IW Council County Councillors.

  • November News from Ryde. By Councillor Charles Chapman

    Posted by Cllr Charles Chapman at Tuesday, 1 November 2022 06:00

    The year is fast running to its end. Halloween was great with the most amazing exhibited pumpkins I've seen in a long time. My own garden and our local allotments have done especially well this year.

  • July News from Ryde. By Councillor Charles Chapman

    Posted by Cllr Charles Chapman at Friday, 1 July 2022 06:00

    Dear Reader, I'm looking forward to August and the traditional holiday break. It’s the time of the
    year, for me, when I meet up with distant friends and family.

  • May News from Sandown South. By Cllr Ian Ward.

    Posted by Cllr Ian Ward at Sunday, 1 May 2022 06:00

    The town’s Platinum Jubilee “Big Picnic” celebration takes place at Browns Family Golf in Culver
    Way on Sunday 5th June from 12.30pm to 4.30pm. Everyone is welcome and it is hoped that everyone will wear red, white, and blue as we celebrate our remarkable Queen’s reign.

  • April News from Shanklin South & Central by Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston

    Posted by Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston at Friday, 1 April 2022 06:00

    The existing public conveniences located near to the entrance of Shanklin Chine are in very poor condition and the economic viability of it is questionable. However, the Town Council is having a full structural survey carried out on the building to determine the costs associated with structural repair and internal refurbishment.

  • March News From Ryde By Councillor Charles Chapman

    Posted by Cllr Charles Chapman at Thursday, 3 March 2022 14:42

    Dear Reader, it's March and the clock is ticking closer to Easter when the Island opens up its doors and welcomes spring visitors. It's a wonderful time of year when everything is coming into bloom and the Island shows off its inner beauty, that can only be seen at this time of year.

  • December News from Sandown South. By Cllr Ian Ward.

    Posted by Cllr Ian Ward at Monday, 29 November 2021 11:40

    Well what a couple of years it has been with Covid lockdowns, then immunisation programmes, working from home, children off school etc. Let us hope that 2022 really is a year of recovery for all of us, although I doubt that things will ever get back to ‘Normal’ as we knew it. Anyway, as they say – things can only get better. I truly hope that each of you has a better 2022.

  • July News from Shanklin South & Central by Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston

    Posted by Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston at Thursday, 1 July 2021 09:00

    Chris Quirk and Michael Beston were both re-elected as Isle of Wight Councillor and Shanklin Town Councillors for Shanklin South and Shanklin Central respectively, and thank everyone who voted for them.

  • June News from Sandown South. By Cllr Ian Ward.

    Posted by Cllr Ian Ward at Tuesday, 1 June 2021 06:00

    I would like to give my sincere thanks to all those Sandown residents who took the trouble to vote on 6 May, especially those who have kindly continued to support me.

  • June News from Shanklin South and Central. By Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston

    Posted by Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston at Tuesday, 1 June 2021 00:00

    Both Chris and Michael are honoured to have been re-elected to represent Shanklin South & Central respectively on the Isle of Wight Council. We will continue to serve the residents of Shanklin to the best of our ability. We have both also been elected as members of Shanklin Town Council.

  • April News from Lake South by Cllr Paul Brading

    Posted by Cllr Paul Brading at Thursday, 1 April 2021 00:00

    I hope all of my residents are keeping safe and well, and that many of you have now received your vaccinations. The last 12 months have been an extraordinary challenge in so many ways, but I do now feel that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

  • April News from Sandown South. By Cllr Ian Ward

    Posted by Cllr Ian Ward at Thursday, 1 April 2021 00:00

    Due to unforeseen problems the refurbishment of Island Line had been delayed for approximately six weeks so the service won’t restart until mid-May. There are rumours going around that it won’t be finished until September, while that may be accurate as work will continue after the new service re-starts.

  • February News from Central Newport. By Cllr Julie Jones-Evans

    Posted by Cllr Julie Jones-Evans at Thursday, 4 February 2021 15:13

    There’s quite a few things going on despite lockdown, thankfully we can still have video meetings to keep moving things forward. Newport and Carisbrooke Community Council is setting next year's budget this month and I expect a cut in the precept residents will have to pay, which will be welcomed.

  • February News from Ryde North East. By Cllr Wayne Whittle

    Posted by Cllr Wayne Whittle at Tuesday, 2 February 2021 18:05

    There has been much change since I wrote my last report in early December for publication in the January issue, not only did we find ourselves in lockdown number three and quickly put in the highest tier, we also discovered that the South of England Avian Flu had reached Ryde affecting our waterfowl on Canoe Lake.

  • February News from Lake South by Cllr Paul Brading

    Posted by Cllr Paul Brading at Tuesday, 2 February 2021 16:18

    Since the failed appeal against enforcement actions by the owner and his agent nothing at all has happened on the site, which is very disappointing. The land levels remain completely different than before the illegal works happened, and none of the buried materials have been removed.

  • February News from Shanklin South and Central. By Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston

    Posted by Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston at Tuesday, 2 February 2021 16:10

    Anyone who uses the beach regularly will almost certainly have seen jet-ski type craft travelling at high speed dangerously close to bathers; clearly an accident waiting to happen.

  • February News from West Wight by Cllr Steve Hastings

    Posted by Cllr Steve Hastings at Tuesday, 2 February 2021 16:03

    I am very pleased to be able to report that this is the new Right of Way path installed at Compton, which has been brought further inland following extensive erosion along this path.

  • February News from Cowes West and Gurnard by Cllr Paul Fuller

    Posted by Cllr Paul Fuller at Tuesday, 2 February 2021 15:28

    Planning applications have come forward thick and fast with proposals to develop on sites in Baring Road (six dwellings), Place Road (14 dwellings) and Lower Church Road, where proposals for seven dwellings were refused.  A further proposal causing concern is an intention to develop a dwelling in Woodvale Drive.

  • February News from Sandown South. By Cllr Ian Ward

    Posted by Cllr Ian Ward at Tuesday, 2 February 2021 15:10

    There is much speculation why our Covid infection rates have increased so dramatically on the Island and in the Bay area in particular, but it is incumbent upon us all to keep ourselves safe and abide by the rules.

  • February News from Ryde South by Cllr Charles Chapman

    Posted by Cllr Charles Chapman at Monday, 1 February 2021 15:21

    Our gratitude to our health workers over the past months cannot be emphasised enough. I personally, have a great deal to thank them for, not only for the period of this pandemic, but for most of my life.

  • February News from Ryde West. By Cllr Ian Stephens

    Posted by Cllr Ian Stephens at Monday, 1 February 2021 15:06

    My newsletter has been curtailed for some time due to elections, by elections and now the horrendous COVID-19  pandemic, however throughout that time I have continued to tackle issues in the district.

  • February News from Ryde South. By Cllr Karen Lucioni

    Posted by Cllr Karen Lucioni at Monday, 1 February 2021 14:53

    How are you all?  I know this incredibly strange time has been extremely hard for everyone including my family and me.  I miss being with everyone and having conversations with you all.

  • February News from Bembridge. By Cllr Michael Murwill

    Posted by Cllr Michael Murwill at Monday, 1 February 2021 13:12

    It is always good to start the year with some good news. Over recent months, many residents have asked me when the successful Isle of Wight Council (IWC) Community Plastic and Environmental Forum would restart. The old forum that I set up brought together county/parish/town councillors, residents, businesses and environmental groups to discuss environmental matters that concern the Island.

  • January News from Shanklin South and Central. By Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston

    Posted by Cllr Chris Quirk and Cllr Michael Beston at Tuesday, 5 January 2021 12:23

    News from Isle of Wight NHS Trust: Firstly, I want to thank the Island community for their continued support and for the way they have responded to the challenges of the last year.

  • January News from Ryde South. By Cllr Charles Chapman

    Posted by Cllr Charles Chapman at Thursday, 31 December 2020 12:42

    Happy 2021 to everyone. We have all got a New Year filled with hope. Some of us lost loved ones in 2020, whether from a virus, cancer, ill health, accident or otherwise.

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