DRAFT MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING JUNE 2008
The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 18th June 2008 at Cooill Ghlass, Ard Wooilley, Colby. Present were Mr Rae (Chairman), Mr Cowin, Mrs Edds and Mr Berry. Mr Cringle joined the Meeting at 7.40pm.
The Minutes of the May Meeting and the Private Meetings held on 21st May and 9th June were confirmed as true records and signed.
The following on-going matters were discussed:-
Risk Matters
It was confirmed that Mr Berry and the Clerk had met with Mr Paul Hornsby (Health & Safety and Risk Advisor) for the annual review and that Mr Hornsby had inspected the minutes of the monthly meetings and other documents and had been satisfied with the procedures and that no new risks or health & safety issues had arisen during the year. He did however advise that copies of the method statement and risk assessments of major contractors employed should be obtained.
Mr Cringle joined the meeting.
Police Matters
Mr Cowin reported on the June Meeting of the Southern Policing Group:-
- cars for sale on layby at Fishers Hill – it was reported that the problem was continuing and PC Adrian Brooks had indicated that he would like to call at the next monthly meeting to talk to the Board about the problem. In the meantime it was agreed to suggest to the DOT that consideration should be given to amending the legislation to make it an offence for individuals as well as businesses to partake in this activity.
- speeding on Duck Street – a letter was received from Juan Watterson MHK in connection with a complaint that he had received about speeding – it was agreed that, as traffic calming measures would be difficult because of residents parking and it being on the Southern 100 course, the police should be asked to try to enforce the existing speed limit more rigorously.
- notification that the police were having a summer campaign against under age drinking and that any incidences in the Parish should be reported.
- it was agreed to send a letter of congratulations to Sgt Phil Drowley upon his successful ascent of Mount Everest, he being believed to be the first Manx person to achieve this.
Other Traffic Matters
- Arbory School Plan and speed limit between Ballabeg and Colby – advice was received from John Swindlehurst (DOE) that the Plan had not been progressed any further. It was advised that a meeting of the ad hoc traffic committee of parents and others at the school was to be held shortly and Mr Cowin agreed that he would attend on behalf of the Commissioners.
- traffic speeding on Station Park – it was advised that the DOT were to monitor traffic on the estate to establish the extent of any speeding.
- complaint from a Friary Park resident regarding a broken 20mph sign and speeding on the estate – the Clerk reported that the sign had been replaced and that the issue of speeding in general had been passed to the DOT for consideration.
National Week Event
It was confirmed that the Colby Walk conducted by Mr Rae and entertainments by Pobble and the Arbory School country dance group was to take place as planned on 5th July, commencing at Colby Sunday School Hall at 2pm. Mrs Edds agreed to organise the refreshments.
Photography Competition
The entries were viewed and judged. Mr Cowin agreed to put the winning entries on the website and he was thanked for his work in co-ordinating and publicising the competition. It was also agreed to put the entries on show and to present the prizes at the National Week Event on 5th July.
Road Sweeping in Colby
The Clerk advised that, probably because of TT holidays and the dry weather, the road through Colby had been much cleaner of late and therefore he had deferred pursuing the matter with the contractor and DOT. It was agreed to continue to monitor the situation.
Arbory Brownies 50th Anniversary
Mr Berry and Mrs Edds advised that they had attended the recent Brownies anniversary party. Mr Berry suggested and it was agreed to give the Brownies a donation of £50 in recognition of their anniversary.
Colby FC Training Pitch, etc
It was noted that the Appeal was to be held on 23rd July.
Parish Hall Roof Planning Appeal
It was reported that the Commissioners appeal had been successful and it was agreed to progress the re-roofing work as speedily as possible and to employ Penketh Millar to draw up the specification and any other documentation in time for the August Monthly Meeting.
Annual Audit
The Clerk reported that the auditors had proposed to increase the charge for the pre-audit work from £200 to £550 this year and to £750 next year. This was felt to be unjustified in light of the degree of completeness in which the accounts were presented. It was noted that this work need not necessarily be done by the auditors themselves and the possibility of seeking quotes elsewhere was discussed.
Planning Matters
The following new applications were considered:-
0800507 – Riverside, Glen Road – first floor extension (amended plans) – no further comments.
0801031 – 4 Ballacriy – alterations & extensions – no comments.
0801070 – Ronaldsdene, Main Road, Colby – shed & decking – no comments.
0800997 – Ballagarmin House, Near Colby – window alterations – no comments.
0801120 – Plot adjacent to The Glebe, Ballabeg – culverting of stream and erection of decking over (retrospective) – there were concerns expressed that three fairly small diameter pipes were proposed and that these could easily become blocked and cause flooding in the surrounding area, including the school field.
0801136 – 66 Friary Park – Conversion of garage to living accommodation & replacement porch – no comments.
0801132 – The White Cottage, Main Road, Colby – replacement front door – no comments.
The following decisions were received and noted:-
07/2006 – Greyney Mooar, Earystane – convert garage to tourist accommodation – Refused on Appeal.
07/1687 – Silver Beech, Glen Road – detached dwelling & garage – Approved on Appeal.
0800755 – Delfield, Ballakilpheric Road – extension – Approved.
0800621 – Sycamore Cottage, Main Road, Ballabeg – replacement windows – Approved.
0800401 – The Garelly, Earystane – stable and ménage – Approved
0800546 – 18 Ballastrooan – erect garage, extend residential cartilage, remove tree – Refused. It was noted that an Appeal had been requested by the applicant.
07/2133 – Earystane Chapel Field – retention of caravan & shed – Refused at Appeal (to be removed by 22 June).
07/1829 – Parish Hall & cottages, Ballabeg – re-roofing – Approved on Appeal.
Refuse Collection Forum
The Clerk reported on the first meeting of the Forum.
Sundry Correspondence
The following correspondence was received:-
- E-mail from a Ballabeg resident regarding the broken fence between his garden and the Friary Park Play Area and the manhole cover in that vicinity, suggesting that the existing old chain link fence be replaced by a wooden fence. It was agreed to have the broken fence repaired and the manhole cover reported to the DOT if necessary. It was felt that the cost implications of extending the wooden fence for another forty or more metres would probably be outside the year’s budget.
- Letter from the Rotary Club of Rushen & Western Mann, inviting suggestions for community service projects in the Parish. It was not felt that any suitable schemes were likely to arise this year but some, for example signage on the proposed coastal cycle way, might arise next year.
- Letter from the IOM Public Records Office seeking instructions regarding access by members of the public to the Commissioners minutes held at that office. It was agreed to give the public full access, including permission to photocopy the records.
- Letter from the DHSS Minister to the Chairman, inviting all members to a public meeting on 22nd July at Ballafesson to discuss any aspects of DHSS policy. Most of the members indicated that they would attend.
- Letter from a Glen Road resident concerning the lack of influence that the views of existing local residents, including the Commissioners, have on planning decisions and in particular the developments on Glen Road.
- Letter from Davidson Marsh Barua-Paris regarding suggestions for a suitable site for an eco-hamlet. No suggestions were made.
- Highways Closing Order in connection with the Parish Walk.
- Letter from the CSA Group IOM in connection with extension of the quarrying at Cringle Quarry over the next 45 years. It was noted that the matter would be discussed with the Commissioners prior to any application being made.
Accounts for Payment
The following accounts were passed for payment:-
Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection May £2,333.47
David Cregeen - Grass cutting (4th cut) £370.12
IOM Govt Refuse disposal - May £1,482.35
Quine & Cubbon Ltd - Newsletters £268.00
JM Pearson & Co Ltd - Fidelity insurance premium £125.50
JM Pearson & Co Ltd - Public & employers liability £335.89
MEA - Replacement streetlight Ballacriy £382.71
WI Lowey - Reimbursement – stamps, flag, etc £100.03
Manx Telecom - Telephone £75.45
Data Protection - Annual fee £40.00
Arbory Brownies - £50.00
Cash - Photo competition prizes £140.00
Sundry Matters Raised by Members
Mr Berry suggested that a litter bin should be placed at the entrance of the Friary Park Play area – this was agreed.
Mr Cringle wished to applaud the Ballabeg WI for their floral display at Ballabeg Station. He also mentioned that the Ballabeg Shop remained an eyesore and it was agreed to raise this again with the owner.
Mrs Cowin thanked Mr & Mrs Rae for the use of their home as a meeting place on this occasion in the circumstances of none of the halls in the Parish being available.