MINUTES OF APRIL 2010 MONTHLY MEETING (Approved as a true record 19 May 2010)

The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21st April 2010 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Berry (Chairman), Mr Rae, Mr Cringle and Mrs Edds . Apologies were received from Mr Cowin. The Clerk, Mr W I Lowey, was in attendance.

After an amendment, the Minutes of the Meeting held on 18th March 2010 were confirmed as a true record and signed.

The following on-going matters were discussed:-

Risk Matters

It was noted that the Chairman and Clerk would be meeting Mr John Edwin of Edwin McGrath, Health and Safety Advisor, on 23rd April.

Police Matters

The Minutes of the March Meeting of the Southern Policing Partnership were received and noted.

Ballamaddrell Allotments

The Chairman gave a further progress report, advising that the plots were now occupied and that only the installation of the plastic mesh on track and parking area and the erection of the gates and further tree planting remained outstanding.

Community Strengthening Initiatives

Mr Berry advised that he was continuing to pursue the coffee morning idea.
It was noted that Mr Berry and the Clerk had met Mr Peter West of the CHAT community bus scheme. It was agreed that the bus could park outside the Parish Hall and take electricity from the Hall or that, if possible, the Commissioners’ portable generator could be used at other locations.

Municipal Association Matters

Mrs Edds reported that, at the last meeting of the Association, a useful discussion had taken place with Jennifer Chance, Senior Planning Officer. She also advised that the AGM would be held on 27th May at Port St Mary. It was anticipated that all the members and the Clerk would attend.

Streetlighting

It was proposed by Mr Rae, seconded by Mrs Edds and agreed that the contract with the MEA for streetlight maintenance for 2010/11 be signed. It was noted that the cost was unchanged from the previous year.

Ballabeg WI - Flowers at Ballabeg Station

It was agreed to assist financially with the provision of hanging baskets and tubs to the extent of £100 and also to purchase a hosepipe if required.

Parish Crest

A suggestion for a crest design was received from Mr Malcolm Smith of Manx Rockcraft & Celtic Engravings. It was agreed that the design was attractive and appropriate and it was decided to seek further information on the costs involved in adopting it as the official crest.

Newsletter

A draft newsletter was discussed and several alterations and additions were agreed.

Parish Hall Improvements

It was noted that there was a small surplus borrowing in respect of the Parish Hall and Cottages re-roofing scheme and it was agreed to use this sum towards the erection of a stage extension in the Hall.

Budget Report

Income and Expenditure figures, including creditors, debtors and accruals, for the year ended 31 March, were received and discussed. It was noted that the Chairman and Clerk would be meeting the new auditors on 26th April.

Planning Matters

The following planning applications were received:-

- 1000420 – Ballamaddrell Farm – demolition of barn & erection of craft workshop building – no objections
- 1000363 – Ballamaddrell Farm – porch & detached garage – no objections
- 1000447 – Corneil, Ballastrooan – sunlounge – no objections
- 1000137 – Arbory Vicarage – three dwellings in principle (amended plans) – the Board had no objections, but Mr Cringle asked for his continued opposition to this development to be minuted.
- 1000500 - 5 Ballacubbon Close, Ballabeg – increase height of boundary wall – it was felt that the height of this proposed new wall could be intrusive and out of keeping with the character of the estate.
- 1000504 - Ballamoar, Earystane – alterations & extension – no objections
- 1000509 - Ballagarmin, Colby – agricultural building – it was felt that there did not appear to be a legitimate agricultural justification for this building.
- 1000515 – Bayview, Glen Road – conversion of garage to living accommodation & front porch – no objections

The following planning decision was received and noted:-

- 1000167 – 21 Ballacubbon, Ballabeg – alterations & extension – Approved
- 1000172 – 75 Friary Park – dormer – Approved
- 1000310 – Brook Cottage, Main Road, Colby – replacement windows – Approved
- 1000298 – Ballaglonney, Ronague – agricultural building – Approved.

Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters

The following correspondence was received:-

- Parish Walk – letter from organisers seeking assistance with litter. It was agreed to provide wheeliebins at suitable locations .

- A reminder from an Earystane resident regarding his earlier complaint about the continued poor state of the Earystane Road and also about the continued use of a shed for human occupation at Earystane Chapel. It was agreed to contact the appropriate authorities again regarding both of these issues and to add the Commissioners support for remedial action to take place.

- DOI – notification of a new 30mph speed limit on the Ballakilpheric Road – noted.

- Consultation on Race Relations Code – deferred.

- Footpath complaint – it was reported that a Colby resident and his children had been chased by cattle on the Kentraugh to Colby public footpath and that the matter had been taken up by the DOI Footpaths Officer.

- Letter from DOE re demolition of Enveenidel, Main Road, Colby to make space for developments at Arbory School – noted.

Discussions with DOI Minister

Mr Phil Gawne, MHK, the newly appointed DOI Minister, attended part of the Meeting to discuss various aspects of his new role, including highway, planning and the supervision of local authorities.
With regard to highways, Mr Gawne advised that he intended to give the local authorities a greater influence on highway maintenance and improvements in their areas.
Regarding local authorities, he indicated that there were no plans for structural local government reform, but that he would be encouraging authorities to work more closely with central government and with each other, to find efficiencies and cost savings.

Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were passed for payment:-

- Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection April £2,512.95
- DOI - Refuse disposal March £1,077.55
- Sadler Agricultural - Allotments water supply materials £446.03
- CompuTech Services - Virus protection software and installation £97.86
- Island Timber - Allotments water supply materials £147.23
- Groundtech Plant Hire - Allotments water supply £1,024.60
- Billown Quarry - Allotments – liming £185.45
- Sage - Accounting software upgrade £170.38
- MEA - Christmas tree supply £69.71
- MEA - Streetlights to March £1,734.85
- Stephen Garrett - Allotments – plumbing work £102.00
- Southern Amenity Site Board - Quarter 1 payment £5,716.18
- David Cregeen - Grass cutting £412.92
- Manx Telecom - Office phone £48.27

Sundry Matters Raised

The following issues were raised by members:-

Mr Cringle advised that cars for sale were again being parked on the layby at the bottom of Fishers Hill and that a builders caravan and mobile toilet had now been parked at the top of Glen Road for several years. It was agreed to raise these matters with the Police and the DOI.

Mr Rae reported that road markings were becoming faded at several locations, including Cronk y Thatcher entrance, Grenaby Road junction and Ballabeg Shop Corner - agreed to raise this with the DOI.
Mr Rae also advised that he had received a complaint about a smell in the bus shelter at Colby Bridge – agreed to raise with IOM Transport.

It was agreed to invite Mr Noel Cringle to conduct a village walk in Ballabeg as part of National Week in early July.

The Meeting ended at 10.55pm.