The Parish Council met on 28th January at Niton Youth Club building. Members discussed a draft budget prepared by the Clerk. It was agreed that a minimum emergency reserve of £3,000 should be retained, which can be used as a contingency for training etc. Other sums identified in the draft budget for Training, Contingency, Grants and Donations were brought together to form a General Youth Fund (£850 in 2013/14), thus giving the Parish Council the opportunity to support local young people. The level of the 2013/14 Precept was set at £14,500, which is an increase of £300 over last year. This represents a 3% increase per Band D household, taking the cost per month from £1.19 to £1.23.

The state of repair of Rectory Lane was discussed and it was agreed that the Isle of Wight Council should be asked if the lane was to be included in the PFI contract with Ringway Island Roads and asked to define its responsibility of ownership for the lane as an Urban Footway.

The Parish Council has been working with Councillor Dave Stewart (Isle of Wight Ward Councillor) and local residents towards the routine treatment of the Niton to Rookley road in icy conditions, preferably with grit rather than salt to prevent washing away due to surface water. It’s great to be able to tell you that on 16th January, Councillor Pugh, Leader of the Isle of Wight Council, announced that the road would be included in the winter treatment programme with immediate effect.

The Isle of Wight Council has now made a decision on the designation of Conservation Areas in Niton Village and Niton Undercliff and the Delegated Decision Report relating to the proposed designations has been published. The full report can be read on the Isle of Wight Council website or you can follow the link from the Parish Council website.

The Election of Parish Councillors takes place on 2nd May along with the Isle of Wight Council election. If you wish to stand for election as a Parish Councillor for either the Niton Ward (six Councillors to be elected) or the Whitwell Ward (four Councillors to be elected), you must submit your nomination paper and consent to nomination to the Returning Officer at County Hall by noon on Friday 5th April. Further information on these elections is available on the Isle of Wight Council website at:

http://www.iwight.com/council/electoral_services/Local_Elections_-_May_2013/

or contact Electoral Services, Isle of Wight Council, County Hall, Newport, Isle of Wight, PO30 1UD, tel: 01983 821000, e-mail [email protected]