MINUTES OF JANUARY 2012 MONTHLY MEETING
The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.00pm on Wednesday 18th January 2012 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Cowin (Chairman), Mr Rae , Mrs Edds, Mr Cringle and Mr Berry. The Clerk was in attendance
The Minutes of the December Meeting, having been circulated, were confirmed as a true record and signed.
The following on-going matters were discussed:-
Risk Matters
There were no new risk matters to report.
Events
It was confirmed that the Civic Service had been arranged for Sunday 12th February at Ballabeg Methodist Chapel.
With regard to the 60th Jubilee of Elizabeth, Lord of Man, it was agreed to liaise with Arbory School, with a view to holding a joint event, perhaps including a street party and entertainments.
Municipal Association Matters
The issue of electoral reform, as being pursued in Tynwald, having been raised by the Municipal Association, was discussed. It was considered that moves to divide the Island into eight constituencies, each with three MHKs and one MLC, were premature, and should await the results of the Boundaries Review Committee.
Arbory School Play Area Refurbishment
At the request of the School, Mr Cowin agreed to attend a morning assembly to present the Commissioners’ donation to the refurbishment scheme.
Planning Matters
The following new applications were considered:-
1200005 – Cringle Quarry – building for maintenance & repair of vehicles and equipment, storage, staff facilities and offices, to replace existing buildings – no comments.
1101781 – Colby AFC New Grounds – lighting scheme for access road and sports pitches – it was noted that the proposed revised lighting on the access road was again on standards, but reduced from 5 metres to 4 metres and of lower intensity. Nevertheless the Board remained of the view that bollard lighting would be more appropriate for lighting a private road through open countryside.
1101761 – 16 Cronk Cullyn – four roof lights – no comments.
1101760 – Cringle Quarry – road frontage security fencing – no comments.
1101768 – 131 Friary Park – replacement garage/store – no comments.
1101734 – Horizon House, Glen Road – extensions, etc – no comments.
1101781 - Colby AFC New Grounds - lighting of parking area – no comments.
1101736 - Legion Hut Site, Colby – dwelling – there was some concern expressed that the proposed new dwelling, because of the rising elevation of the site, would be unduly overlooking one of the adjacent properties.
The following decision was received and noted:-
1101600 – Ballacomish House – pavilion – Approved
1101542 – 7 Ballastrooan – two storey extension – Approved
1101617 – 39 Ballacriy – alterations & extensions – Approved
1101659 – 15 Friary Park – replace window with doorway – Approved
John Donald Collister Legacy
It was noted that the Court had ruled that Mr Collister’s Will had failed in respect of his wish for a heritage centre to be built in his memory at Ballastrooan and in respect of his wish that there should be some benefit from his estate for the people of Colby, and that therefore his total estate, amounting to over a million pounds, was to be received by Manx National Heritage for general purposes.
The Commissioners expressed serious disappointment at this outcome, particularly given that they had made it clear that they would have been willing and able to undertake a local heritage centre scheme, together with other public facilities, on another site in Colby, thereby fulfilling the underlying wishes contained in Mr Collister’s will.
It was agreed to approach MNH in an attempt to have at least some of the funds utilised in Colby.
Annual Estimates of Income and Expenditure for 2012/13
After discussion, it was agreed that no increase in the rates was necessary and that the charge should therefore remain at 88 pence in the pound.
Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters
The following correspondence was received:-
- Castletown Commissioners – to arrange a joint local authority meeting regarding local government reorganisation. It was felt that this would be better left until after the forthcoming elections, but that, if it was to take place sooner than that, the Chairman would be available to attend on any evening between 27 February and 8 March.
- Jones Services – increase in refuse collection charge for 2012/13 by Manx RPI ie 4.7% - agreed.
- Complaints were received from an Earystane resident in connection with the possible encroachment beyond its original position of the newly-replaced roadside wall at Round Table House in Ronague, the storage of demolition rubble at the Cringle Quarry, and the worsening potholes in the Earystane and Ballagawne Roads. It was agreed to take these matters up with the appropriate authorities.
- Consultation on changes to the Weeds Act – it appeared from the consultation document that it was proposed that it would in future be an offence to harbour listed noxious weeds only if a notice had been served on the land owner by DEFA and only if it affected agricultural land. Concern was expressed that this implied that no action would be possible against weed-infested derelict sites or waste land.
- Invitation to Malew Civic Service on 4th March – several members indicated that they would attend.
Accounts for Payment
The following accounts were passed for payment:-
MEA - Streetlight replacement fitting, Ballabeg £402.94
W I Lowey - Reimbursement cartridges £64.50
Manx Telecom - telephone - £49.76
Chris Littler - Annual website fees 135.00
Civic Amenity Site Board – Qtr 4 contribution £6,030.72
DOI - Refuse disposal costs December £1,738.74
Jones Services - Refuse collection January £2,796.90
Rushen Band - Christmas event £50.00
CompuTech Services Ltd - Toshiba laptop & set up £794.93
Arbory School - Contribution to play area refurbishment £1,000.00
Sundry Matters Raised
Mr Berry suggested that, following the felling of several mature trees at the Friary Park Play Area, replacement young trees should be planted. It was agreed to purchase two suitable trees.
Mrs Edds suggested that a street sign indicating the entrance to Station Park would be useful and should be purchased. This was agreed.
The Meeting ended at 9.20 pm.