MINUTES MONTHLY MEETING HELD 16TH JUNE 2010
The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16th June 2010 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Berry (Chairman), Mr Rae and Mr Cowin. Apologies were received from Mr Cringle and Mrs Edds. The Clerk, Mr W I Lowey, was in attendance.
The Minutes of the Meeting held on 19th May 2010 were, after amendment, confirmed as a true record and signed.
The following on-going matters were discussed:-
Risk Matters
There were no new issues.
Traffic and Highways Matters
In connection with traffic passing The Cottage, Glen Road, it was noted that Mr Berry had arranged a site meeting with representatives of the DOI and the Police. The general opinion had been that, with the re-opening of the road at Ballagawne Reservoir and when the building works in the vicinity had finished, the problem would not justify yellow lines. Although sympathy was expressed with the owner of The Cottage, it was not felt that the Commissioners could take any further action.
Mr Berry advised that he had received a complaint from a Colby resident about cars speeding through the villages. It was agreed to ask the Police to make speed checks more frequently.
Police Matters
Mr Cowin reported on the last meeting with the Southern Neighbourhood Police. Amongst the matters discussed were children crossing the road at Vicarage Close entrance and it had been agreed that an officer would liaise with the School with regard to giving road safety training.
Ballamaddrell Allotments
It was noted that the scheme was largely complete, except for a few minor matters.
Community Strengthening Initiatives
Mr Berry advised that he and Mr and Mrs Rae had met Mrs M Porter of the Southern Befrienders and were taking forward the idea of regular coffee mornings at Colby, probably commencing in September.
Streetlighting
Regarding the re-timing of the lights switch off, it was noted that Mr David Faragher of the MEA had advised that a few lights on spurs in cul-de-sacs had simple time switches and that those lights would have to go off at midnight every night. It was also noted that a small number of lights at junctions such as Ballakeighan and Ballabeg Corner would remain on all night.
Unsightly Properties
It was noted that the hedges at Ballacarmick were overhanging the pavement and it was agreed to pursue the matter with the owners.
It was noted that a complaint had been received concerning the state of Bridge House, Colby and it was agreed to write again to the owner.
Photograph Competition
Twenty four entries were received and judged. It was decided to award the prizes in cash rather than vouchers and Mr Cowin agreed to make the presentations to the winners of the Arbory School section during an assembly. It was also agreed to put the winning entries on the website.
Gardens Competition
It was agreed to invite Dr Phil Smith and Mr John Atkinson to judge the gardens during the week commencing 12th July.
National Week Event
It was noted that Mr Noel Cringle had agreed to conduct a walk in the Ballabeg area at 6.30pm on Wednesday 7th July, starting at Ballabeg Sunday School.
Colby Bridge Plaque
A report was received from the Manx National Heritage, advising on the alternatives for treatment of the plaque. It was agreed to consider this further at the next meeting.
Insurance
Mr Berry advised that he and the Clerk had met Mr J Faragher of Kestrel Insurance Brokers to discuss the possible transfer the Commissioners business. It was agreed that, in view of the imminent renewal date, the business be left with Pearsons but that the matter be reconsidered during March or April 2011.
Planning Matters
The following planning applications were received:-
1000726 - The Pound, Ballabeg – seven dwellings and estate layout. Mr C Goldsmith, the applicant, attended part of the Meeting to answer any queries on this application. Copies of letters of objection were received from three parties. It was felt that assurance was required from the drainage authority that drainage and sewerage in the area was adequate. It was also felt that the entrance via the lane jadjacent to Ballabeg Chapel should be blocked off from the development and that the proposed windows could be made more cottage-like and more in keeping.
1000771 – Field 425091, Ronague – field access and temporary road (retrospective) – no comments.
1000784 – Ballacannell, Earystane – two additional windows & eight rooflights – no comments.
1000773 – Silverbeech, Glen Road – fence (retrospective) – no comments.
1000807 – Ballacomish, Ronague Road – demolition of existing dwelling and outbuildings & erection of replacement dwelling. No comments. It was noted that a representative of the developer had offered to meet Commissioners at any time to discuss and explain the timetable and progress.
1000723 – 4 Croit e Cubbon – dormer – no comments.
1000722 – The Coach House, Ballabeg – detached garage/coach house – it was felt that the location and finish of this proposed development could be visually obtrusive and out of keeping near the centre of the village.
1000663 – 132 Friary Park – alterations & extension (amended) – no comments.
1000577 – Gahelen, Station Road – alterations and extension (amended) – no comments.
1000755 – Colby Chapel – alterations and extensions – there was concern that this proposed development might have a detrimental impact on the neighbouring property on Station Road.
1000850 – Barn by Brook Villa, Glen Road – demolition and erection of dwelling and garage – it was noted that this property was located in the Conservation Area and there was uncertainty whether the proposed development would be in keeping with the area.
1000814 - 24 Friary Park – Alterations & extensions – no comments.
1000789 – 11 Ballachrink – replacement porch – no comments.
The following decisions were received and noted:-
1000504 – Ballamoar House, Earystane – alterations and extension – Approved.
1000515 – Bay View, Glen Road – conversion of garage to living accommodation & replacement porch – Approved.
1000137 – Arbory Vicarage Gardens – three dwellings in principle – Approved.
1000420 – Ballamaddrell Farm – demolition of barn & erection of craft workshop – Approved.
1000500 – 5 Ballacubbon, Ballabeg – increase height of boundary wall – Approved.
Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters
The following correspondence was received:-
- Letter from DOI re local authorities. It was agreed that the Commissioners would be represented at the proposed seminar on local government functions.
- Invitation to Peel Civic Service, 11th July – no members were available to attend.
- Notes on the presentation of Petitions for redress – Noted.
- Letter from Port Erin Commissioners concerning joint refuse collection. It was noted that Castletown and Malew Commissioners had withdrawn from consideration of a joint collection arrangement, but that Port Erin and Port St Mary Commissioners were to proceed with further discussions, and that it had been agreed that this would not be an appropriate time to involve Arbory and Rushen Commissioners any further.
- Notice from Mr Henry Costain concerning ownership of the Legga Lane, Ronague – Noted.
- Royal British Legion – collection dates to 2014 – Noted.
- DOI – queries on informal leisure places for young people.
- Water rates query from S Cregeen - Noted that the Water Authority had advised that water rates were payable on domestic properties within 300 metres of a water main, whether the property was connected to the main or not.
- Complaint re tar on road at Ballacriy - Agreed to bring to the attention of the Highways Department the poor condition of the surface dressing on parts of Ballacriy.
- Copy of complaint re diversion of footpath at Ballacomish - Noted.
- Complaint re possible layout of scrambles track in field near Ballaquinney Corner. The Clerk advised that the Planning Enforcement Officer had been alerted to this by a resident of the area.
- Invitation to the signing of a new Covenant for Mission by the Island Churches. Mr Berry indicated that he would probably be attending.
- Notification of Armed Forces Day on 27th June – Noted.
Accounts for Payment
The following accounts were passed for payment:-
Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection June £2,595.87
DOI - Refuse disposal May £1,389.43
Prof S Maddrell - Trees - Allotments £478.53
Manx Telecom - Office£45.53
Data Protection Office - Annual fee£50.00
IOM Municipal Assn - Annual subscription £254.72
Colas (IOM) Ltd - Duck Street sign £56.17
Aardvark Home & Garden - Hanging of gates – allotments £240.00
Kennaugh & Skinner - Erection of waste bins £91.79
Sadler Agricultural - Sundries re allotments gates & grass seed £271.67
Quine & Cubbon - Newsletters £287.00
J Qualtrough & Co Ltd - Stakes for allotments £100.46
J M Pearson & Co Ltd - Public and employers insurance premium £379.14
J M Pearson & Co Ltd - Fidelity insurance premium £134.88
Sundry Matters Raised
The following issues were raised by members:-
Mr Rae advised that sycamore saplings were again growing in and undermining the walls of the Colby River near to the Colby Bridge – agreed to advise DOI Drainage Department.
Mr Berry advised that trees in the Friary Park play area were overhanging neighbouring properties – agreed to consider further in the Autumn.
The Meeting ended at 10.40pm.