Minutes of Monthly Meeting held on Wednesday 22nd July 2009

The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 22nd July 2009 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Mike Berry (Chairman), Mr Brian Rae, Mr Murray Cringle, Mr Cowin and Mrs Kathryn Edds. The Clerk, Mr W I Lowey, was in attendance.

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

The following on-going matters were discussed:-

Risk Matters

There were no risk matters to report.

Police Matters

Mrs Edds agreed to attend the next meeting with the police and to raise the following matters:-

- speeding cars on Station Park
- a complaint about noisy neighbours from a Colby resident
- the gridlock that took place in Ballabeg just prior to the road closure for the Wednesday evening Southern 100 racing.

Highways Matters

Mr Nigel Foster, DOT Maintenance Manager, attended part of the Meeting. The following were amongst the matters covered:-

- hedge trimming - Mr Foster advised that this was the responsibility of the property owners in the case of gardens and that the DOT undertook this work only where there was a road safety issue and, when time and wildlife considerations allowed, on roadside hedges in the countryside. He advised that any specific cases should be referred to the DOT, which, if necessary, would issue warning letters or notices to cut hedges to the relevant property owner.
- road sweeping frequency – Mr Foster indicated that main roads and estates were scheduled to be swept twice in each month and he undertook to check the records to ensure that this was taking place.
- deteriorating road surfaces in various parts of the Parish – Mr Foster explained the funding arrangements and advised that the stretches of road between Colby Bridge and Ard Wooilley and between the Parish Hall and Duck Street corner would be re-surfaced during the current financial year and that surface dressing was to take place on parts of Ballacriy Estate and the Ronague Road.
- mud on the road – Mr Foster explained that the legal responsibility of the farmer or builder was to erect suitable warning signs and to have the road cleaned within a reasonable time, and that, if this did not take place, it would be a police matter.
- road flooding during heavy rainfall, particularly in the Iron Spout area.
- the poor condition of the railings at Ballabeg Shop Corner – Mr Foster agreed that this was a matter for the DOT but could not give an indication when any repairs might take place.
- communications with the Highways Division – Mr Foster agreed that this was not always as good as it should be and undertook to look into making improvements.
- careless use of works signage, leading to motorists tending to ignore signs, thus making them ineffective.

Allotments

Mr Cringle declared a personal interest in this matter and took no part in the discussion.
It was noted that sheep had got into the tree-planted part of the allotments field, possibly by someone connected with the allotments not properly securing the gate, and had caused considerable damage to the young trees. It was confirmed that letters of regret had been sent to Prof Maddrell by the Clerk and by the Chairman.
An e-mail was received from the objector, seeking further information on the second application. It was agreed that, as he had indicated that he would be opposing the application on the principle of change of land use, regardless of any changes of detail that might be made, there was nothing to be gained from discussing the matter further with him.

Hall Roof Project

It was noted that the formal permission from DOLGE to borrow funds had been received and that a pre-contract meeting had been held with the contractor. It was formally proposed by Mr Berry, seconded by Mr Rae, and agreed to award the contract to Jim Clawson Ltd.
It was noted that the work would commence as soon as a shipping date for the roofing material was known.

Grass Cutting at Ballacubbon, Colby

It was noted that the Chairman and Mr Rae had met representatives of DOLGE and the builders and that it had been agreed that, subject to certain minor works being completed, the various plots were in a sufficiently satisfactory state for adoption. It was formally agreed to adopt the plots.

Dilapidated Buildings

Further correspondence on the matter was received from Mr Juan Watterson MHK and explained by Mr Rae. There was discussion on various dilapidated buildings in Colby and it was agreed to ask Mr Howie, DOLGE Environmental Health Officer, to inspect them. It was also agreed to ask Mr Howie to the next Meeting to explain the criteria on which such matters are judged.

Parish Gardens Competition

It was agreed to ask last year’s winners, Mr John Kennaugh and Mr Peter Venables, to judge the Ballabeg gardens and the Colby gardens respectively , the judging to take place during the first week in August, with Mr Berry and Mr Rae acting as judges stewards. It was noted that Mr & Mrs John Kennaugh had donated £100 towards suitable trophies for the competition, and it was agreed to purchase two cups, one for the best garden in Colby and the other for the best garden in Ballabeg, and possibly to call them the Ravenstone Cups.

Ballabeg Station

The Clerk reported that Mr Bob Wright of the DOT Drainage Division had agreed to provide a water supply at the Station for the use of the Ballabeg WI and it was agreed to purchase a suitable water butt.

It was also confirmed that the sewage smell from the pumping station at Ballabeg Railway Station had been reported to Drainage Division and that steps were being taken to cure the problem.

Planning Matters

The following new applications were considered:-

- 09/01104 – 132 Friary Park – alterations & extensions – no comments
- 09/01111 – Ballacallow, Glen Road – single storey extension & replacement doors and windows to annexe – no comments.
- 09/01119 – Ballamaddrell Farmhouse, Grenaby Road – alterations & extension – no comments
- 09/01024 – Ballacomish, Ronague Road – enclosed stables and manege with living accommodation (09/00685 – enclosed stables & manege has been withdrawn.) – no comments
- 09/01025 – Ballacomish, Ronague Road – building to contain a horse walker – no comments
- 09/01026 – Ballacomish, Ronague Road – alterations to driveway and vehicular access – it was felt that the proposed entrance was grossly out of keeping with the surrounding area on this narrow, typically Manx country lane.
- 09/01027 – Ballacomish, Rongue Road - manege – no comments
- 09/01063 – Field 420855, Ballagawne – temporary storage of infill material re new water reservoir – no comments
- 09/01156 – Field 421205, Grenaby Road – creation of allotments, including vehicular access, parking, sheds and greenhouses – no comments.
- 09/01146 – 73 Ballacriy – extension to replace conservatory & creation of patio – no comments.
- 09/00340 - Fields below Colby Station – football ground and associated facilities (amended plans) – it was noted that the amendments involved the moving of the new access road slightly to the east to avoid damaging mature trees and the erection of a bund hedge and planting of bushes immediately adjacent to the railway line to give added screening from Station Park. It was also noted that the lighting on the new access road was to be on six-metre standards and it was felt that this height was excessive and would add unnecessarily to the adverse visual impact of this part of the scheme.

The following planning decision was received and noted:-

- 09/00932 – 23 Ballachrink – alterations & extensions - Refused.
- 09/00888 - Ballamenaugh, Earystane – replacement doors & windows – Approved
- 09/00024 - Ballalona, Ronague - reinstatement of residential use of redundant dwelling & access drive in principle – Approved on Appeal
- 09/00681 – Rambling Rose, Glen Road – replacement garage with games room above – Approved.
- 09/00822 – 6 Ballacriy – fencing – Refused. It was noted that an appeal had been requested
- 09/00839 – Sonnish ny Marrey, Fishers Hill – replacement windows and doors – Approved.

Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters

The following correspondence was received:-

- SITA annual public report - Noted.
- Clarification from DAFF on wildlife conservation – Noted.
- Letter from Comin re war memorial maintenance – Noted.
- Consultation under Water Pollution Act re Ballacomish, Ronague – it was agreed to make the point that cattle would be drinking from the stream into which the reed bed would be discharging.
- Invitation to Friends Provident Global Action Plan launch – no member was able to attend.
- An e-mail was received from a Glen Road resident, suggesting that a seat be provided at the Station Park play area and complaining about speeding traffic on Station Park. The Clerk advised that he had passed this on to the DOLGE Housing Division for comments.

Monthly Budget Report

A report covering the period to 30 June was received and noted.

Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were passed for payment:-

- Manx Telecom office phone 47.20
- DOLGE Refuse disposal May 1,099.00
- David Cregeen Grass cutting 365.91
- Jones Services Ltd Refuse collection June 2,459.48
- IOM Newspapers Adverts re borrowing application 205.76
- MEA Streetlight Maintenance 1,492.47
- S Amenity Site Board Contribution July to Sept 5,602.38
- MEA Street lighting power 1,684.23
- WI Lowey Reimbursement re minor amendments to allotments plan 40.00
- B Rae Reimbursement re ink cartridge 14.99

Sundry Matters Raised by Members

Mrs Edds raised the problem of Japanese knotweed growing on the banks of the Colby River along the footpath from Colby Bridge to the railway line. It was agreed to bring this to the attention of Anna Goldsmith, DOT Footpaths Officer.

Mr Cringle advised that lopping of the trees in the Millennium Wood was required – Mr Rae and Mrs Edds agreed to attend to this.

Mr Berry suggested that congratulations should be sent to the Vicar and the ladies responsible for decorating the church during the recent Flower Festival – this was agreed.
Mr Berry also advised that he had been approached by the neighbouring property owners about the broken state of part of the Friary Park play area fence – he agreed to investigate further.

It was noted that Mrs Edds would be attending the DOLGE Local Authority Induction Course on 5 – 6th August.