Arreton Parish Council Newsletter - April 2022
Welcome to the first Newsletter of 2022. There probably should have been one before this since last time it was “Merry Christmas” and now it’s “Happy Easter”. As you know, we had a bit of a push about the Newsletter and we have had an excellent response – so welcome to all our new readers. The Clerk is sorry that she did not reply to you all in person but there were just too many of you.
Parish Council news
It may have been quiet on the Newsletter front but the members of the Parish Council have been busy. The first task of the year is always to set the budget and therefore the precept that you pay towards the running of the Parish Council. The good news is that there is no increase as far as Arreton is concerned and the precept remains at £10,400. This equates to about £23 per household per annum or £13 per adult – good value at 25p a week! The not-so-good news is that you probably won’t notice as the IW Council, Police and Fire Brigade are all asking for a lot more.
The councillors met with the Project Officer for the Hampshire and IW Wildlife Trust’s Beaver Recovery Project. It was an opportunity to be given information on and to ask questions about the proposed introduction of beavers into the eastern Yar in our neighbouring parish of Newchurch. You may have received a copy of their questionnaire through the post but there is an opportunity for a more detailed response on the front page of their website - https://www.hiwwt.org.uk/
The cherry trees in the Churchyard at St Georges will come to the end of their natural life sooner rather than later. To this end, the Parish Council has purchased and planted six cherry trees, three in the Churchyard and also three at Gore Cemetery. Admittedly they are rather small at the moment but give them time. The members of the Parish Council would like to thank Mr William Hall of William Hall Funeral Directors for his assistance with the project.
The next event will be the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in June and the Parish Council has joined forces with the members of Arreton Cricket Club to organise something for your entertainment. Watch this space, as the saying goes.
The last Parish Plan for Arreton was produced in 2005. The councillors are considering updating it but will need help from residents. As yet, nothing has been decided but this is another space to be watched. Should you wish to look at the original, it is available on the IW Council’s website - https://www.iow.gov.uk/azservices/documents/2777-Arreton%20Parish%20Plan.pdf A Housing Needs Survey was undertaken by local residents in 2013 and also needs updating although, sadly, it is doubtful that needs have changed much and probably not improved.
Annual Parish Meeting
The Annual Parish Meeting takes place every year unless Covid gets in the way, which it did in 2020. This is an opportunity for residents to come and hear what the Parish Council has achieved in the last year, to ask questions, to let the members know what you appreciate (or not!) about the work of the Parish Council and to suggest ideas as to what else they could be doing. This year the meeting will be in-person at the Arreton Community Centre at 7pm on Monday, April 4th and will be followed by the regular monthly meeting. Please note that this is a week earlier than usual owing to the Clerk being inconsiderately unavailable on the correct day. Refreshments in the form of tea and coffee will be served, so please come along and meet your local councillors. Our IW Council Ward Councillor, Suzie Ellis, also hopes to be in attendance.
Events
Community Lunches
Community Lunches happen on the third Thursday of the month and the next is on 21st April at 12.30pm at the Community Centre, Arreton followed by one on May 19th. All are most welcome. There is no charge but a donation is appreciated.
Church Annual Meeting
The Church Annual Meeting will be held in the Coach House on Tuesday 26th April at 7pm. Notice is sent to those on the Church Electoral Roll but anyone interested in what is going on in St George’s Church is very welcome to attend. The Coach House is next to the Churchyard, just up from the White Lion.
Heating oil
Given the inevitable increases in heating oil in the near future, it has been noted that some communities on the Island have clubbed together to buy in bulk. The Councillors would like to know how many residents are reliant on oil for their heating and would there be any interest in investigating bulk buying. There are no guarantees that it will happen but a least we could find out. In the first instance, please let the Clerk know if you or your neighbours do use oil – arretonpc@outlook.com or ring 07587 008183.
Island Roads
Island Roads have produced a factsheet to explain their programme of work for 2022. It is attached as a separate document as it is too long to be included in this newsletter,
IW Coastal Defence Schemes
Also attached is an update from Defra regarding four coastal defence schemes which are due to be undertaken on the Island in the next year or so. Now, we are very obviously not a coastal parish but many residents must visit the coast and particularly at Yaverland, which is the nearest place work is planned.
Oil exploration
UKOG recently announced that they do not intend to appeal against the IW Council Planning Committee’s decision to refuse their application for an exploratory oil well in Arreton. They have decided that the costs of an appeal (potentially half-a-million pounds) could be better spent on other projects. A notification has been received from the Environment Agency that UKOG has withdrawn their application for an environmental permit for the well. However, as the EA is at pains to point out, this does not mean that UKOG cannot re-apply in the future.
Police
The Blue Lamp Trust
The following has been received from PCSO Justin Keefe of the Hampshire Constabulary. “Hampshire Constabulary wanted to share an update with you from our partners, The Blue Lamp Trust, of which our Chief Constable Olivia Pinkney is a Trustee.
The Blue Lamp Trust runs a scheme, which it has done so throughout
and now beyond the current COVID pandemic, called the Bobby Scheme. It provides free home security visits, long-life smoke alarms and advice to vulnerable residents in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, particularly the elderly and victims of burglary and domestic abuse.
Full crime prevention and fire safety survey is carried out by one of their specialist trained, police-vetted, fitters. They will provide both general and specific crime and fire prevention advice to improve resident home safety.
When appropriate their fitters will fit items such as locks, spy-holes, door chains and smoke alarms, etc. This service is completely free.
The Bobby Scheme can also supply and fit police approved key safes for a small donation. The Bobby Scheme is free to those who are vulnerable due to age (over 65), circumstance, disabled, or a victim of household crime.
Anyone can make a referral including individuals, friends, family, doctors, social workers, etc. via the Blue Lamp Trust website - https://bluelamptrust.org.uk/bobby-scheme-landingpage/ - or by ringing 0300 777 0157.”
Scams
Unfortunately, PCSO Keefe also has some information on scams.
“Lots of reports this week about white vans travelling around the Island knocking doors trying to clean roofs. It seems they are targeting elderly residents. If somebody knocks on your door and tries to carry out work on your property, please turn them away. They will be rogue traders who will do a poor job or sometimes nothing at all if they think you can’t check out the roof – and charge a large sum of money for the privilege. Unfortunately, some of our most vulnerable may not be online and have access to this information so if you are aware of somebody near you that might be targeted by these criminals, please share this information with them to prevent them from becoming victims of doorstep crime. No Cold Calling door stickers are available from trading.standards@iow.gov.uk”
“We have seen this scam being reported through the Friends Against Scams social media and although there have currently been no reports on the Island it won’t belong. Reports in other parts of the country indicate that the latest scam is in connection with the Government’s announcement about the £150 fuel rebate that residents may be entitled to. Scammers are calling, claiming to be the Council Tax department asking for your bank details so they can pay the £150 into your bank account – DO NOT give them any information if you are entitled to the refund and pay by DDR it will be paid directly into your bank account. If you don’t pay by DDR you will be sent a cheque. NEVER give out your bank details to anyone you don’t know over the phone.”
Out and about
I have received the following from a gentleman named John Harris who runs a website entitled ‘Walking in England’ and has spent years compiling information on local walks and here he draws attention to walks on the Island. A slight note of caution – some of the walk descriptions are some years old and so directions may be a little dated.
“Time to get walking again!
“At this time of year, we start to think about the mud drying up and getting out to walk in the beautiful English Countryside again but where to find new and interesting walks? “Walking in the Isle of Wight https://www.walkinginengland.co.uk/wight has hundreds of walks to download and print, free; it also has books of walks, details of all the walking groups in the county and much more. Whether you want to walk on your own or with a group all the information is there in one place.
“John Harris (the custodian of the website) says ‘There is so much walking information on the web but it is difficult to find. Walking in the Isle of Wight (part of the Walking in England website) has brought it together in one place so whether you are walking from home, or away on holiday, you will be able to find a walk suitable for you.
“With walks from half a mile to twelve miles plus long, and a note of suitability for pushchairs and wheelchairs, everyone can find a walk to enjoy.
“So, home or away, check out the websites and get walking!
“John Harris”
PARISH COUNCIL CONTACT DETAILS
Chairman: Cllr Martin Kimber – martinkimberapc@gmail.com
Clerk: Mrs Sheila Caws - arretonpc@outlook.com 07587 008183
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