Rufus Pickles - Local Democracy Reporter
Rufus is the Local Democracy Reporter for the Isle of Wight, a role he took up in August 2024.
The role, which focuses on subjects such as council meetings, planning applications and matters of democratic interest, is funded by the BBC as part of the national Local Democracy Reporter Scheme - or LDRS.
PETITION TO STOP SOLENT CO2 PIPELINE TOPPS 25,000 SIGNATURES
A petition set up by an Island man to stop ExxonMobil’s Solent CO2 Pipeline has now topped 25,000 signatures. Support for Little Atherfield resident Christopher Davis’s Change.org appeal has shot up by nearly 24,000 signatures since 16th August. The American...
Read moreDetails‘ABSOLUTE DISGRACE’ SAY SANDOWN RESIDENTS OVER STATE OF BATTERY GARDENS
A Sandown retiree has said she and other residents are fed up with the degraded state of Sandown Battery Gardens. Elaine Hayes said they had repeatedly contacted the Isle of Wight Council, asking it to properly maintain Ferncliff Path which...
Read moreDetailsCAN YOU HELP RAMBLERS CLEAR PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY?
A local walking charity has issued an urgent appeal for help with minor maintenance work on Isle of Wight paths. The Isle of Wight Ramblers currently needs volunteers to assist the Isle of Wight Council’s Public Rights of Way service...
Read moreDetailsWEST WIGHT COUNCILLORS FORM GROUP TO OPPOSE SOLENT CO2 PIPELINE
A pair of Isle of Wight Councillors are teaming up to launch a campaign group opposing ExxonMobil’s Solent CO2 Pipeline. Councillors Nick Stuart and Claire Critchinson have said the group will be established with a small committee on 11th September...
Read moreDetailsCOUNCIL ‘WALKED AWAY’ FROM RYDE MAN’S RIGHT TO DISABILITY SERVICES
A 59-year-old man from Ryde has accused the Isle of Wight Council of 'walking away' from his legal right to disability services — but the local authority insists it is trying to help. Former homeless services worker David Moynehan has...
Read moreDetailsINCREASE IN ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR AT LOS ALTOS PARK LEADS TO INTERVENTION
Anti-social behaviour at Los Altos Park in Sandown has led to intervention from a local councillor and Police. Nighttime patrols are being stepped up at the popular park following complaints. Ian Ward, Isle of Wight councillor for Sandown South, contacted...
Read moreDetailsEXXONMOBIL’S ‘VERY INFORMATIVE’ CONSULTATION EVENTS CONTINUE – BUT PLANS STILL BEING OPPOSED BY LOCALS
ExxonMobil has been hosting a series of public consultation events across the Isle of Wight as part of its controversial plans for a Solent CO2 Pipeline. The American multinational oil and gas corporation says the events are for members of...
Read moreDetailsPUBLIC MEETING ON FRESHWATER’S HEATHFIELD DEVELOPMENT GETS HEATED
Freshwater’s Memorial Hall was packed out on Tuesday evening for an impassioned discussion on the proposed mixed-use development at Heathfield Road. Spectators and participants were overflowing out of the entrance to the village hall to listen to and contribute to...
Read moreDetailsRENEWED BACKLASH AGAINST PROPOSED LANDSCAPE LANE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT
Revised plans for a 12-home development on Newport’s Landscape Lane have been met with renewed backlash. The latest in a long line of application proposals from Mrs C. Ferns, of Cotton Trust, has attracted a raft of criticism ranging from...
Read moreDetailsTANKERS DRAFTED IN AS SEWER MAIN BURSTS IN EAST COWES
Dozens of tankers have been drafted in to move East Cowes' waste following the burst of a main sewer in the town. The incident reported by utility company Southern Water has caused the closure of both Newbarn Road and Old...
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