MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING - DECEMBER 2009
Approved 20 Jan 2010
The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16th December 2009 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Berry (Chairman), Mr Rae, Mr Cringle, Mr Cowin and Mrs Edds (part of Meeting) . The Clerk, Mr W I Lowey, was in attendance.
The Minutes of the Meetings held on 24th November were confirmed as true records and signed.
The following on-going matters were discussed:-
Risk Matters
There were no new risk matters to report.
Police Matters
Mr Cowin reported on the November Meeting of the Police Community Partnership. It was noted that there were no crimes committed in the parish during the previous month. It was also noted that the Police had no views on the possible earlier switching off of street-lighting, except possibly in the vicinity of Colby Glen Hotel.
Highways Matters
Costain Close – it was noted that, following a site meeting with DOT and Police representatives, the DOT had agreed to place a traffic mirror at the junction and also to put carriageway markings on the road.
Ballacubbon, Colby – it was noted that a site meeting with DOT and Police representatives had taken place, and that it had not been felt that the problem of cars parking to pick up children from the school bus was serious, but it was agreed to continue to monitor the situation.
Colby Bridge – there were no comments on a proposed DOT scheme to re-align the carriageways with road markings at Colby Bridge. It was noted that the issue of widening the pavement was being delayed because the adjoining property owner had not yet responded to DOT approaches.
Duck Street – it was noted that re-alignment of the halt was being planned by the DOT but that no detailed information had been received.
Hall & Cottages Roof Project
It was noted that the work had been completed, subject to any minor snagging.
It was proposed by Mr Rae, seconded by Mr Cringle and agreed to draw down the previously-arranged loan from Isle of Man Bank to the extent of £50,000, repayable over 15 years and that the Clerk was authorised to sign the agreement forms.
Dilapidated Buildings
It was noted that work was taking place on Sea View Cottage but disappointment was expressed that the DOT had licensed scaffolding to be erected that prevented persons with prams or wheelchairs from using the pavement.
Allotments
Mr Cringle declared an interest in this matter and took no part in discussions except to advise on agricultural aspects.
It was reported that the second planning application, including sheds and greenhouses, had been approved.
Several aspects of the project were discussed and some doubt was thrown on whether spraying was necessary. It was agreed to seek advice from DAFF and to proceed as speedily as the weather and other factors allowed.
A landscaping/tree planting scheme was received from Prof Maddrell and Manx Woodland Trust and it was agreed to submit this to the Planning Department after seeking the views of the DAFF Forestry Division. It was noted that Prof Maddrell had indicated a willingness to pay some of the cost of the trees and planting, and it was agreed that the Commissioners would contribute £500 towards the scheme.
It was noted that an Island-wide allotments forum had been established by DOLGE and that the next meeting would be on 13th January. It was agreed that Mr Berry and the Chairman or other representative of the Arbory Allotments Association would attend.
Christmas Event
It was felt that the children’s part of the event had been very successful but that the concert had been poorly attended. It was agreed that there should be better advertising if the event was to take place in the same format in 2010. It was also felt that the lighting of the tree would be better held at 6.30, rather than 6.45pm.
Corporate Governance
Further correspondence was received from DOLGE and noted.
Draft Southern Area Plan
It was agreed to defer detailed discussion to a special meeting on January 12th.
Annual Civic Service
It was confirmed that the Civic Service was to be held on Sunday 14th February at Colby Methodist Chapel.
Southern Local Authorities Joint Meeting – Refuse Collection
Mr Berry reported in detail on a joint meeting, held on 8th December. He advised that some authorities appeared keen to join together for refuse collection but that the discussions were general and inconclusive. Mr Berry confirmed that he had indicated that Arbory had no enthusiasm for a joint approach unless it could be clearly shown that the costs and the quality of service bettered those presently being received from the private contractor. It was noted that a further meeting was to be held in February.
Refuse Disposal Costs
It was noted that DOLGE was planning to decrease the central government grant towards refuse disposal costs, effectively meaning that the charge for use of the EfW plant would increase from £10 to £29 per tonne, thereby having a significant effect on the rates for 2010-11 onwards.
Streetlighting
The Clerk reported that, subject to various constraints arising from the timeclocks, the MEA had indicated that a maximum potential saving of approximately £845 per annum could be made by switching off the streetlights an hour earlier. It was agreed to investigate this further.
Budget Report
The monthly budget report to 30th November was received and noted.
Bond Renewals
Mr Rae declared an interest and took no part in this discussion. It was agreed to invite the bondholders to renew their investments for a further year at 3.5 %pa.
Planning Matters
The following new applications were considered:-
- 09/01888 – Ballafodda Cottage (Alices), Ronague - boundary wall – it was felt that a 1.8 metre stone wall would be over-imposing and that an alternative 1.2 metre height should be considered.
The following planning decision was received and noted:-
- 09/01732 – 57 Friary Park – front porch & replacement rear conservatory – Approved
- 09/01709 – Colby Beg, Glen Road – extension – Approved
- 09/01156 – Field 421205 – allotments - Approved
Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters
The following correspondence was received:-
- DOLGE notification of legal procedures training for staff – noted.
- Letter from IOM Friends of the Earth re CO2 emissions – noted.
- Letter from MEA re Christmas lighting – noted.
- Consultation on draft planning policy statements – deferred.
- Consultation on taxation of investment products – no comments
- Invitation to Holocaust Memorial Day service, 24th January – Mr Berry agreed to attend
Accounts for Payment
The following accounts were passed for payment:-
- Manx Telecom - Office phone £53.96
- DOLGE - Refuse disposal Oct £1,018.00
- Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection Dec £2,459.48
- Gill Thompson - Reimbursement Christmas event refreshments £23.42
- R P Hornsby - Hall re-roofing planning supervisor £92.00
- B Rae - Reimbursement re Christmas event £128.00
- J Clawson Ltd - Re-roofing Final Payment £8,876.85
- Rushen Band - Christmas event £50.00
- Bondholders - Half yearly interest 1£50.00
Mrs Edds arrived at the Meeting at this point.
Sundry Matters Raised
The following issues were raised by members:-
- Mr Cowin advised that the Golden Jubilee Trust Team Challenge was proceeding and that the southern heats would be held shortly at Poulson Park, Castletown.
- Mr Cowin advised that a DOT traffic survey was being conducted on the upper part of Glen Road and it was agreed to request a copy of the results.
- Mr Cowin advised that it had been reported to him that B&C Transport was exceeding its licensed usage of the weight-restricted Ballagawne Road. It was agreed to report this to the DOT.
- Mrs Edds reported that a bicycle had been chained to Colby Bridge for some time - Mr Cowin agreed to mention this at the next Police Meeting.
- Mr Rae suggested that a litter bin be sited at the Cronk Cullyn pedestrian access – agreed.
- Mr Berry suggested that the poor state of the Ballagawne Road be again raised with the DOT – agreed.
- Mr Berry reported that the overgrown garden at 30 Friary Park was now in reasonable condition and that he had dealt with a litter complaint at 19 Friary Park.
The Meeting ended at 9.40pm.