Councillor Ed Blake

Annual Report 2024

Councillor Ed Blake – Ventnor and St Lawrence

Since being elected in December 2023, I’ve been getting stuck into the various issues affecting the area. I have had some successes so far including securing a Community Use Agreement with a User Group being built into the lease of Rew Valley Sports Centre, getting the reinstatement of review meetings with Ventnor Botanical Gardens, and a calling-in on free parking in Ventnor High Street being rescinded.

At the moment, Ventnor and St Lawrence finds itself in very tough times. Landslips, landslides, and collapsing of retaining walls have closed many roads and caused some residents to have to leave their homes. Doing what I can to protect and prevent more hardship on residents is at the forefront of my daily workings.

Unfortunately, we still have some remaining challenges with four road closures still in place. Most frustrating of these are Bath Road and Lower Gills Cliff Road where it is hard to understand why remedial works have not been progressing faster. We must also get Leeson Road reopened as this A-road is a crucial to the area’s functionality.

In the year ahead, I want to start some schemes to facilitate youth development. As someone who has spent all their life in Ventnor and St Lawrence, I have experienced what it’s like growing up in this town. At times it’s hard to find recreation and entertainment. To that end, I am looking into what facilities and opportunities can be brought into Ventnor.

I currently do not offer a surgery for residents to meet with me, but I do knock on doors regularly to hear residents’ thoughts and concerns. My email address is the best way to contact me – ed.blake@iow.gov.uk, you can also write to me at County Hall.

Here’s to the rest 2024 being a more fortuitous time!

Ed Blake

April 2024