Latest news with #KarlLove
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Isle of Wight council leader to 'finish the job' on devolution
A council leader who survived a narrow re-election has said he is motivated to "finish the job" he started on Phil Jordan stays in charge of Isle of Wight Council following a tied vote on Ed Blake, leader of the Conservative group of councillors, received the same amount of support but lost out on a casting Cowes Councillor Karl Love was ousted as chair of the council after being replaced by Binstead and Fishbourne's councillor Ian Dore. Mr Jordan, the head of County Hall's Alliance group, has been a keen supporter of devolution and local government changes will transfer powers and funding away from central government and allow decisions to be made and Southampton city councils, along with Hampshire County Council and the Isle of Wight, voted to accept the government's offer to create a combined mayoral authority earlier this year. Mr Jordan said it was "vital" to maintain "consistency and continuity in our relationships and establish the best deal for our island in our negotiations with government".He continued: "This is a pivotal moment for our Island, and we have less than a year to get the best outcomes, the best funding, the best transfer of powers and the key asks I have already made, such as oversight of the ferries and additional funding for the island in a fair funding settlement."It is not the moment for someone to be learning on the job or having doubts about the past two years of intense work."Our island comes first, before personal wishes or aspirations and I am confident, and best placed, that I can deliver the best outcome for the Isle of Wight." You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
New fire station planned for East Cowes after old one demolished
Plans have been lodged for a new fire station on the Isle of Wight after the previous one was demolished due to structural Cowes has been without a fire station since May 2024 when it was forced to close due to safety for the site in York Avenue, lodged with Isle of Wight Council, also include a new fleet maintenance Cowes councillor Karl Love described the plans as a "victory for safety in the making". Mr Love said: "East Cowes simply cannot be without a fire and rescue station, given our strategic location on a peninsula and with heavy engineering, shipbuilding and an important Island transportation gateway. "We also have an active power station, a large residential population and marinas." Mr Love thanked the crew of East Cowes station for "staying strong, unified and loyal to their community"."It would have been so easy for them to walk away from the service and that would have made it so much harder to campaign to keep this station open," he said.A design and access statement prepared by Boyle and Summers on behalf of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service (HIWFRS) said: "Maintaining an operational fire station in East Cowes is essential, as it provides critical fire coverage to the northeast of the Isle of Wight, an area with significant marine, industrial and heritage risks."The nearest alternative stations - Newport, Ryde and Cowes - are over 15 minutes away, exceeding HIWFRS's target response time of eight minutes."The statement said the station was demolished because it was "structurally unsafe, beyond economic repair, and contained asbestos", adding that the Fleet Maintenance Centre at Newport Fire Station had also "reached the end of its economic life". You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
11-02-2025
- General
- BBC News
Isle of Wight: New generators for chain ferry 'essential'
Plans for new generators for an island's floating bridge have been welcomed, but a councillor has urged its replacement to be built of Wight Council chair Karl Love said he supported spending £35,000 but the council "must get on" with replacing the chain ferry on the River Medina, between Cowes and East Cowes, is often pulled from service and is set to be replaced. The council said the generators would "deliver a more dependable and efficient service" in the future. Floating Bridge 6 has been plagued with problems, with the most recent suspension at the end of last month due to a generator and battery of Wight Council said the original generators had been in operation for eight years and had "reached the end of their working life". Maintenance and finding parts was "increasingly challenging", it added. Councillor Love, who represents East Cowes, said: "The replacement of the generator is essential but one cannot help feeling that the snail like approach to replacing the Floating Bridge is not helping the situation."Please will the Isle of Wight Council get on with replacing it to save funding and spend the ring-fenced funding which diminishes all the time with inflation pressures."The council's cabinet unanimously agreed to replace the £3.5m ferry in March last November the council announced a Spring 2025 "engagement process" with the "public and key stakeholders" on the new bridge. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X, or Instagram.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Athletics club celebrates year's Island successes with awards night
THE Isle of Wight Athletics Club (IWAC) celebrated its most successful season in many years. At the club's recent annual awards night, athletes and volunteers were recognised for their achievements at the Riverside Centre in Newport. Club chairman, Nick Groocock, led the presentation, with medals awarded by Island councillor Karl Love, Sam Woodman and Martin Gulliver. The club's success in the Wessex League was highlighted, with all athletes, from the U11s to those up to the age of 19, received commemorative medals. Ray Scovell Rising Star Award winner Amelia Riggs and Isle of Wight Council chair, Cllr Karl Love. (Image: IWAC) Members who represented the club in the Wessex Cross Country League were also awarded medals. A touching moment of the night was the farewell to Paul Simpson, the club's endurance coach, who is leaving after putting in many years of service. He was honoured with a special award and gift from his previous group. The athletes are now focused on the first Wessex League track and field match on April 13. The night also acknowledged athletes set to compete in this summer's Island Games, including Skyler Brown in the shot put, Sophie McCallum in the 100m, Jacob Patey in both the 110m and 400m hurdles, and Archie Pearson in the 1500m. Emily Fry received a special mention for her performance at the European Masters Championships last September, where she placed sixth in the long jump. Derek Frost Trophy winner Jack Lloyd with IW Council chair, Cllr Karl Love. (Image: IWAC) She is also the British champion in the 60m indoors and long jump. The club celebrated discus ace Nick Percy's appearance at the Paris Olympics last summer, where he became the first male member of the club to represent Great Britain at the prestigious event. "The club is looking forward to another successful season," said Nick Groocock. It is currently seeking additional volunteers and new team managers for the coming season. Those interested in volunteering can contact iowathleticclub@ A report will appear in this coming Friday's County Press. AWARD WINNERS Wessex League Manager's Award — Szymon Paraszewski and Alesia Riga; Quadkids Manager Award — Amelia Riggs, Sienna Katirawa and Alex Reese; Cross Country Manager's Award — Theo Foster; Ray Scovell Rising Star Award — Amelia Riggs; junior sprinter of the year — Ruby Sergent; junior endurance of the year — Seb Foster; junior middle distance — Ollie Donovan; junior thrower — Noah Cherry; junior jumper — Kinsley Hang; senior sprinter — Sophie McCallum; senior middle distance — Maisey Kent; senior endurance — Archie Pearson; senior jumper — Isaac Phillimore; Masters Athlete of the Year — Garry Newton; Spirit of the Club Award — Janice Bartlett (coach); Derek Frost Trophy — Jack Lloyd; Pascha Burgoyne Young Sprinter Award — Remy Deegan; Rose Scovell Volunteer Award — Kirsty Wallace; Female Athlete of the Year — Skyler Brown; Senior Thrower of the Year — Skyler Brown; Male Athlete of the Year — Jacob Patey; outstanding achievement (female) — Emily Fry; outstanding achievement (male) — Nick Percy.
