MINUTES OF JANUARY 2010 MONTHLY MEETING (confirmed as a true record by the Board 17th February 2010)

The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 20th January 2010 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Berry (Chairman), Mr Rae, Mr Cringle, Mr Cowin and Mrs Edds . The Clerk, Mr W I Lowey, was in attendance.

The Minutes of the Meetings held on 16th December 2009 and 12th January 2010 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

The Minutes of the December Meeting of the Southern Policing Partnership were received and noted. There were no issues relating to the Parish.

Highways Matters

Ballacubbon, Colby – it was reported that some residents remained unhappy about cars parking in the estate whilst picking up children from the school bus. It was noted that the Chairman, the Police and a DOT officer had visited the area at the relevant time and had felt that the problem did not appear to be a major one. It was felt that, in their role as an intermediary, there was nothing further that the Commissioners could do.
Mr Cringle arrived at the Meeting at this point.
Duck Street – a copy of the proposed re-alignment of the Duck Street junction was received from the DOT and noted.
Traffic flow statistics for the Glen Road were received and it was noted that 92% of traffic was exceeding the 20mph speed limit. It was agreed that the matter should be raised at the next Police Meeting, with a request for some enforcement action. It was also agreed that the DOT should be asked whether there were any proposals to try to slow the traffic.
Arbory School – advice was received from the DOT that seventeen parking spaces were to be marked along the Main Road to the west of the School. It was felt that this was pointless and it was also noted that it would impede field gates.
Highways damage – it was noted that, during and following the recent very cold weather, considerable damage had occurred to the road surfaces, particularly on the upland roads. It was noted that the Earystane Road had suffered particularly badly and that temporary emergency repairs had already taken place. There was concern that the possible excessive use of the Earystane and Ballagawne Roads by heavy lorries may have exacerbated this damage and it was agreed to raise this matter further with the DOT.

Hall & Cottages Roof Project

It was noted that two minor guttering faults remained to be remedied.

Allotments

It was reported that the second planning application had been approved and that no appeal had been lodged. It was also noted that a tree planting scheme had been agreed and that the fencing materials were on site, and that progress now awaited an improvement in the weather.
A draft lease with Professor Maddrell was received and approved.
Mr Berry reported on a meeting of the Island-wide Allotments Liaison Group, and draft minutes were received and noted.

Draft Southern Area Plan

Copies of submissions from landowners and developers for additional areas for residential development were received and discussed. It was noted that these had all been rejected by the Planning Department. The Commissioners considered that there was sufficient space already available within the Parish for any required residential development within the next ten years and that therefore no further residential zoning was required.
The proposal to zone most of the area bordering the Main Road in Ballabeg as a conservation area was discussed. There was considerable scepticism over the usefulness of this proposal, bearing in mind the ineffectiveness of such zoning in controlling development in the Colby Glen Road Conservation Area, but, on balance, it was felt that the Ballabeg Conservation Area would be supported. Mr Cringle was opposed to the proposal. It was felt that more consultation with the affected property owners should take place.

Annual Civic Service – 14th February

Arrangements were confirmed.

Streetlighting

The Clerk reported that an officer from the MEA would be attending the February Meeting to discuss the possibility of reducing the number of hours during which the lighting was used.

Budget Report

The monthly budget report to 31st December 2009 was received and noted.

Estimates of Income & Expenditure for 2010/11

The budget for the forthcoming year was considered and it was noted that, although refuse disposal costs and audit costs were to increase considerably, the extra income provided by increased quarrying activity in the Parish made it possible to hold the rate at 88 pence in the pound for another year. Mr Rae proposed, Mrs Edds seconded, and it was agreed to peg the rate at 88pence.

Planning Matters

The following new applications were considered:-

- 09/02002 – Site at “The Bungalow”, Three Roads – erection of dwelling – it was felt that this proposed development would be un-neighbourly.
- 09/02061 – Magher Feailley, Main Road, Colby – conversion of garage to home office, erection of replacement garage & extension of domestic curtilage – no comments.
- 10/00014 – Round Table House, Ronague – Alterations, extensions, etc – no comments.

The following planning decision was received and noted:-

- Colby AFC – new grounds, etc – approved on Appeal. It was noted that hours of activity had been increased slightly but were not as extensive as requested by the Club. It was also noted that the lighting on the ground and access road had not been agreed and would be subject to further consultation.

Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters

The following correspondence was received:-

- Consultation on student support in higher education – no observations.
- Consultation on Financial Provisions Bill – no observations.
- Website – statistics for the previous year were received. It was noted that, according to the information received, the weekly number of unique hits ranged from 691 to 998.
- It was noted that DAFF Arbor Week would take place on March 1-5th and it was agreed to participate.
- The Third Sector Strategy Group – information and a questionnaire regarding community services were received. It was agreed that the Chairman and Clerk would respond.
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Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were passed for payment:-

- Manx Telecom - Office phone £46.56
- DOLGE - Refuse disposal Dec £1,296.00
- Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection Jan £2,459.48
- MEA - Streetlight maintenance £1,492.47
- MEA - Streetlights power £1,698.40
- DAFF - Christmas trees £109.16
- Penketh Millar - Professional services re Hall roof project £1,150.00
- D Cregeen - Extra grass cut Friary Park Play Area £20.00
- Sadler Agric Supplies Ltd - Fencing materials – Allotments £1,956.73
- Southern Civic Amenity Site Board - Fourth Quarter contribution £5,602 38
- Southern Swimming Pool Board - Annual contribution £4,031.50
- Patrick Parish Commissioners - 20 wheelie bins £398.00
- Chris Littler Annual costs website - £135.00
- Little Church - Hire room £15.00
- Estate Paul Hornsby - Professional services re Hall roof project £260.00
- Quine & Cubbon - Civic Service invitations £41.45
- Colas (IOM) Ltd - Two litterbins £184.00
- Wicksteed Leisure - Inspection of play area equipment £108.00

Sundry Matters Raised

The following issues were raised by members:-

Mr Rae advised that the road surface at Ballacriy entrance was starting to break up and that the upper parts of Ballacriy required the sweeping up of loose gravel, following a recent surface dressing. It was agreed to advise the DOT.

The Meeting ended at 10.15pm.