MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON WED 20TH AUGUST 2008

The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 20th August 2008 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Rae (Chairman), Mr Cringle, Mr Cowin and Mr Berry. Apology for absence was received from Mrs Edds.

The Minutes of the July Meeting were confirmed as true records and signed.

The following on-going matters were discussed:-

Risk Matters

The Clerk confirmed that the minor matter raised by the play equipment inspector had been remedied.
There were no other risk matters to report.

Highways Matters

Mr Derek Sewell of the DOT attended part of the Meeting and amongst the matters discussed were:-
- proposed new speed limits of 20mph during school hours on the Main Road in the vicinity of Arbory School and 50mph between Ballabeg and Colby.
- a restriction in the width of the carriageway outside Arbory School to slow traffic and a white line in the road off the kerb between Ballabeg and Colby to move traffic away from pedestrians on the pavement.
- a restriction in the carriageway by means of a widening of the pavement outside Hall Cottage East to provide a safer crossing point for pedestrians and particularly children walking to school. Also a proposed extension of the pavement on the south side of Friary Park entrance to provide a safer crossing point for pedestrians, this probably involving the removal of a mature tree..
- the problem of householders not trimming back hedge vegetation overhanging pavements and footpaths.
- the provision of a small layby in connection with the redevelopment of Ballabeg Shop.
- speed limits in semi rural areas in general and the trialling by the DOT of buffer zones whereby traffic speed would be reduced in two stages, to 40mph on the approaches to villages and 30mph in the villages.
- the problem of speeding on Duck Street, Ballabeg.
- the poor state of the Main Road in Colby and the inadequacies of the recent surface dressing. Mr Sewell indicated that the road in the vicinity of the Ballacubbon, Colby development would be fully reinstated in the near future and, although the DOT had no plans to reinstate the rest of the road, he would look again at the stretch between Ballacubbon and Colby Glen Hotel.
- the narrowness of the pavement at the Glen Road/Main Road junction – Mr Sewell promised to look at this problem again.
- proposed cycleway between Castletown and Port St Mary – Mr Sewell indicated that this scheme had the backing of the Chief Minister and was being progressed. It was agreed that, provided the agreement of the landowners concerned could be obtained, a route around the coast at Scarlett would be very much preferable to one via Castletown Byepass and Balladoole Farm.
- alterations to Colby Bridge in relation to the two Colby FC planning applications.
- parking of “for sale” cars on the Fishers Hill layby – Mr Sewell indicated that little could be done about this matter without a change in the legislation.

Police Matters

PC Adrian Brookes attended part of the Meeting, including part of the discussions with Mr Sewell.
Regarding the problem of “for sale” cars being parked at Fishers Hill, he suggested that the Commissioners could perhaps erect a sign requesting people not to do so. It was agreed to give this consideration.

Colby FC Planning Application (Training Pitch)

Mr Rae reported back on the Appeal hearing and the Inspectors decision (see below).

Allotments

The Clerk reported that the MEA had declined for various reasons to permit their field in Ballabeg to be used for allotments but that another land owner was willing to discuss the matter. It was agreed that the Chairman and the Clerk would meet the landowner concerned to take the matter further.

Redecoration of Parish Hall interior

Quotes were received from two contractors and it was agreed to award the work to the lowest tenderer, John Barron Ltd.

Parish Hall Roof

A full specification for the work was received from Penketh Millar. It was agreed to appoint Mr Paul Hornsby as an independent planning advisor to look after health and safety matters and it was also agreed to proceed with inviting tenders.

Pathway into Friary Park Play Area

Two quotes were received for improving and extending the path into the play area and it was agreed to award the work to the lowest tenderer, Kennaugh & Skinner Ltd.

Gardens Competition

Mr Rae advised that , with the agreement of the other members, he and Mrs Edds had undertaken the judging and had decided upon the winners. It was agreed to give prizes of £35, £25, and £15 gardening centre vouchers to first, second and third prize winners respectively and to hold a presentation event, the details of which would be discussed at the September Meeting. Mr Cowin was thanked for taking photographs of the prize winning gardens and for placing them on the website.

Minor Jobs

The Clerk confirmed that Kennaugh & Skinner Ltd had been asked to erect a replacement Ballacriy Park streetsign, and to erect bins at Friary Park Playarea entrance and beside the coast road at Pooillvaaish and to provide two window boxes for the Halley MacLiag.

Budget Report

The Budget Report for the period to 31st July 2008 was received and noted.

Planning Matters

The following new applications were considered:-

08/01364 – 11 Ballachrink – alterations & first floor extension (amended – no objections)
08/01344 – Ballagawne Farm, Ballabeg – two agricultural buildings – no objections
08/01302 – 18 Ballacriy – alterations & extensions – no objections.
08/01589 – Greyney Mooar – BBQ hut – no objections.

The following decisions were received and noted:-

08/01251 – 132 Friary Park – solar collector – Approved
08/01236 – 42 Ballacriy – doors to replace window – Approved
08/00869 – Glendale, Glen Road – widen parking area – Approved
08/01132 – White Cottage, Main Road, Colby – replacement front door – Approved
08/00615 – Fuchshia Cottage, Ballabeg – erections, vehicular access – Approved.
08/01120 – Land next to The Glebe, Ballabeg – culverting of stream – Refused.
08/01159 – Ballaglashen, Ronague – upvc windows – Approved.
08/00507 – Riverside, Glen Road – extension – Approved.
07/02056 on Appeal – Football training ground & associated facilities, Colby – appeal against first stage approval dismissed except for the parts relating to access, landscaping and car park lighting, which were refused and would be subject to another reserved matters application. It was noted that Cubbins Bridge could not be altered without a further specific planning application.

07/02055 – Colby FC main pitch (below railway line) – Appeal lodged by applicants.

Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters

The following correspondence was received:-

- Draft Southern Development Plan – evidence gathering phase – comments required by 24th October – discussion deferred until the September or a Special Meeting.
- Clarification from Miss Sarah Corlett, DOLGE Planning Officer, concerning the planning status of Colby Bridge - noted
- A letter from a Ballabeg resident expressing interest in buying part of the Friary Park play area – it was confirmed that there were no plans to sell any more of the play area land. Mr Berry declared an interest as an adjoining property owner and took no part in the discussion.
- Telephone call from Mr Ian Costain – beach clean planned for second week in September at Pooillvaaish.- it was agreed to support Mr Costain in the usual ways, that is provision of bags and gloves and disposal of the refuse collected.
- Invitation to Castletown Civic Service – 7th September – Mr Rae and Mr Berry agreed to attend.
- Thanks from Arbory Brownies for donation - noted
- DOT consultation paper on proposed changes of legislation re taxis – deferred to September Meeting.
- Erin Arts Centre forthcoming events – noted.
- Consultation document on Island retail sector comments required by 13 October – deferred to September Meeting.
- Consultation document on Superannuation – there were no comments.
- Road closures for MGP - noted
- Request to move streetlight at 86 Friary Park – it was reported that the MEA had quoted a price of £1,607 plus VAT for this work. It was agreed an expenditure of this amount out of public funds could not be justified but that it would be in order if the householder himself wished to pay the full cost.
- E-mail from Mr Ed Pooley in connection with various Earystane issues. The Clerk advised that the Planning Enforcement Officer was pursuing the non removal of various sheds in the Earystane Chapel field. It was agreed to again pass on Mr Pooley’s concerns regarding the activity at the Costain Plantation to the Planning Department.
- It was noted that the school bus drivers had expressed concern over the size of the dropping off point near Ard Wooilley. Mr Rae agreed to look at this again and report back.
- Movement of recycling bins at Colby Glen Hotel away from the shop – noted.
- Notification of the closure of the footpath from Glen Road to Ballacriy or drainage and electrical installation work – noted.
- Formal notification of proposed changes to speed limits in the vicinity of Arbory School and between Ballabeg and Colby – there were no objections..

Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were passed for payment:-

Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection Aug £2,333.47
David Cregeen - Grass cutting (7th cut) £392.23
IOM Govt - Refuse disposal July £1,158.40
Manx Telecom - Office telephone £46.34
Arbory School - Football Tournament trophies £76.30
Southern Civic Amenity Site - Second quarter £5,310.51

Sundry Matters Raised by Members

Mr Cringle advised that he had received an approach from Ballabeg WI regarding combining the WI Christmas Concert with the tree lighting and Father Christmas event – this was agreed and it was suggested that it be held on Monday 8th December. He also agreed that the Laa Columb Killey Princess be invited to switch on the lights.

Mr Cowin advised that the recent surface dressing on the Main Road, Colby had raised the tarmac and created a pothole outside The Garth and also that the kerb at the Little Church had been broken by the road sweeper – it was agreed to report these to the DOT.

Mr Berry raised again the dub outside California Cottage, Glen Road during wet weather – it was agreed to pursue the DOT. He also reported that he had received a complaint about the state of Colby Mill. He also suggested that the DOT Operations Manager be invited to a future meeting – this was agreed.

Mr Rae advised that several years ago the DOT had indicated that complete re-profiling of the Main Road, Colby had been promised – it was agreed to remind the DOT of this and to seek an explanation of why this had not taken place. He also advised that overhanging vegetation on property adjoining the Ballastrooan footbridge required attention – agreed to advise the DOT.