DRAFT MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING WED 16TH JULY 2008

Subject to amendment/approval by the Board

The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16th July 2008 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Rae (start and later part of the Meeting), Mr Cringle, Mr Cowin, Mrs Edds and Mr Berry. Mr Berry took the Chair.

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

The following on-going matters were discussed:-

National Week Event & Photographic Competition

It was noted that these events had taken place successfully and Mr Berry thanked all who had helped.

Risk Matters

A copy of the MEA Health and Safety policy appertaining to the maintenance of streetlights contract was noted.

Mrs Edds arrived at the Meeting.

Traffic Matters

Mr Cowin reported that at a recent meeting of the traffic group at Arbory School, Mr Derek Sewell had put forward several possibilities for improving road safety for children travelling to and from the school. These included narrowing with painted red lines the road outside the school and pavement pontoons near the Parish Hall to enable safer crossing at that point and the widening of the downside pavement at Friary Park entrance. There were reservations expressed and it was agreed to invite Mr Sewell to a meeting with the Board to discuss this and other matters in the Parish. Mr Cowin also advised that the feeling of the meeting at the school had been that there should be more enforcement by the police to act as a deterrent.

Mr Rae left the Meeting.

Cringle Quarry Proposed Development

Mr Martin Davies of CSA Group attended part of the Meeting to explain and discuss the proposed plans for the quarry for the next forty years. He also invited the members to visit the quarry if they so wished.

Police Matters

PC Adrian Brookes attended part of the Meeting to discuss the issue of persons parking cars for sale on the layby at the bottom of Fishers Hill. He suggested that the DOT should be requested to introduce parking restrictions and he advised that the police authorities were seeking to change the law to make such activity an offence whether or not it was in the course of business. The Commissioners agreed to approach the DOT to discover whether parking restrictions could be introduced with minimal signage and lines and also to support the this change in the legislation.

A copy letter was received from Mr Juan Watterson MHK to Mr Derek Sewell of the DOT regarding speeding along Duck Street. It was agreed to raise this with Mr Sewell.

Annual Audit

The Clerk reported that the accounts had been submitted for audit. It was noted that the auditors had agreed to reduce the pre audit accountancy work fee back to £200 in view of the completeness of the accounts submitted.
The Clerk confirmed that he had attended a workshop given by Pannell Kerr Forster on changes to accounting procedures for the year commencing 1st April 2008. He reported that as part of the new regulations it would be necessary for him to have a formal contract of employment and he was instructed to prepare this for consideration of the members at their next Meeting.

Budget Report

The Budget Report for 1st April to 30th June 2008 was received and noted.

Arising from a general discussion of the budget, it was agreed to look again at refurbishing the Colby Clock and installing a new public clock at the Parish Hall.

Arbory School Jubilee Football Tournament

Mr Berry confirmed that he had represented the Commissioners at the event on 15th July. It was noted that the number of children participating was lower than normal.

Planning Matters

The following new applications were considered:-

08/01159 – Ballaglashen, Ronague – Variation on conditions (upvc windows) – no comments.
08/01196 – Colby Croft, Glen Road – Variations on approved application – no comments.

Mr Rae returned to the Meeting.

08/01261 – Ballacannell, Glen Road – Alterations & extensions. It was agreed to express concern over the proposed two storey building immediately adjacent to the road and the modern appearance of the link building, particularly bearing in mind that the site was in the Conservation Area.
08/01251 – 132 Friary Park – Solar collector – no comments.
08/01236 – 42 Ballacriy – Removal of window & installation of doors – no comments.
08/01266 – Ballabeg Shop – Reserved matters re erection of retail unit with accommodation over – no comments.

The following decisions were received and noted:-

08/00882 – Cregmount, Main Road, Colby – replacement windows – Approved
08/00777 – Cottage, Ronague (Oates) – conversion of redundant cottage to dwelling - Approved
08/00919 – 5 Cronk Cullyn – conversion of garage to living accommodation – Approved
08/00950 – 79 Friary Park – porch – Approved
07/02055 – Field 424828, Colby – football ground, etc - Refused
08/00853 – Ballacarrick, Balladoole – garden shed & greenhouse – Approved
08/00854 – Lower Ballayack, Earystane – gable window – Approved
08/00976 – Ballacubbon Farm, Ballabeg – replacement windows – Approved.

Mr Rae agreed to represent the Commissioners at the forthcoming appeal in respect of the football training ground at Colby.

Sundry Correspondence

The following correspondence was received:-

- E-mail from the resident of 22 Ballacriy in connection with several problems with the footpath from 27 Ballacry to the Moaney Lane. The Clerk advised that this had been passed to the DOT for attention. It was agreed that culverts needed attention before the autumn rains and that perhaps a camera could be used to investigate the state of the culverts.
- E-mail from the resident of 84 Ballacriy enquiring whether there are any allotments in the Parish. It was noted that under the Allotments Act 1928 it was the responsibility of local authorities to provide allotments if it was felt that there was a demand. It was felt that there probably was such a demand at the present time and it was agreed to investigate whether any suitable sites existed in the Parish.
- Letter from the DOLGE Environmental Protection Unit inviting comments on a proposed sewage treatment plant to serve Ballayelse, Ronague. Advice was received that this would not affect the tributary of the Silverburn and it was agreed to make no comments
- A consultation document in connection with the Council of Ministers Working Group looking at the establishment of a body for the preservation of the Island’s war memorials. This was noted.
- Invitations to Civic Services at Laxey and Onchan. No members were available to attend.
- A copy letter from Mr Phil Gawne MHK to Mrs S Shelbourne in connection with general planning matters. This was noted.
- E-mail from the resident of 1 Ballacubbon, Ballabeg claiming that the bin men had scratched his car. The Clerk reported that that the damage was very minor and had cost £45 to repair. It was also noted that Mr Jones had advised that his men had denied causing the damage but the Clerk considered that the damage was so minor that it could well have occurred by accident without the men being aware of it. It was agreed to reimburse Mr Harding.
- A telephone complaint from the resident of Ballabeg regarding her neighbour having a bonfire when the wind was blowing in her direction. It was noted that DOLGE Environmental Section had a standard letter for such cases and it was agreed that if there were further such complaints, the matter would be referred to DOLGE
- E-mail from the Health & Safety Directorate advising that a course for small event organizers was to be held in October. Mr Berry and Mr Cowin indicated that they would like to attend.
- Notification was received from the British Legion of the dates of the poppy collection in 2009.

Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were passed for payment:-

Jones Services Ltd Refuse - collection June - £2,333.47
David Cregeen - Grass cutting - £695.66
IOM Govt - Refuse disposal June - £1,129.80
WI Lowey - Reimbursement stamps & Pobble - £71.05
Kennaugh & Skinner - Minor jobs - £599.49
MEA - Streetlights maintenance - £1,402.95
MEA - Streetlights power - £1,387.10
Colby Chapel - Hire hall Colby Walk - £15.00
K Edds - Reimbursements – catering Colby Walk - £35.00
Manx Telecom - Telephone - £49.41

Sundry Matters Raised by Members

Mrs Edds raised the matter of the proliferation of Japanese knotweed on parts of the banks of the Colby River below the railway line. It was agreed to bring this to the attention of the DAFF Wildlife Section.

Mr Rae advised that he had received a complaint from a resident of Ballacriy regarding the new streetlight by Number 51 shining across the road into his house. It was agreed to ask the MEA whether it was possible to change the angle of the light slightly.

Mr Cringle raised the matters of a dangerously sited hut near Ballacross entrance in connection with a car rally and the need for hedge trimming on the country lanes. It was agreed to raise these matters with the appropriate authorities.

Mr Berry expressed concern over the use of and damage to the Grenaby Road by heavy vehicles during the increasing number of road closures on the Southern 100 course and also the slowness of the Southern 100 organisers in removing sandbags and notices after the event. It was agreed to raise these matters with the appropriate authorities.