MINUTES OF 18th MARCH 2009 MEETING

The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 18th March 2009 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr B Rae (Chairman), Mr M Cringle, Mrs K Edds, Mr A Cowin and Mr M Berry. The Clerk, Mr W I Lowey, was in attendance.

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

The following on-going matters were discussed:-

Risk Matters

It was reported that the play equipment in the Friary Park Play Area had been inspected by the manufacturer’s inspector and that all was in order. It was noted that the inspector had recommended that a litter bin be placed on the site but it was felt that the bin at the entrance would suffice.

Highways Matters

Advice was received from Mr Phil Gawne MHK that during a meeting with Mr Bruce Hannay, DOT,he had received indications that two stretches of road in Colby would be improved, that the breaking road surface on Cronk y Thatcher would be attended to shortly, that plans were being drawn up to improve Colby Bridge area and that various jobs raised previously by the Commissioners (Duck Street corner wall, California Cottage road drainage and repainting of road markings) were taking place. Mr Gawne had also raised the poor level of communications by DOT Highways but had not received any assurances and he suggested that the Commissioners and himself should have annual meetings with senior DOT officials to push matters of major concern.
A letter from Mr Nigel Foster (DOT) in response to various issues raised by the Commissioners was received. It was decided to again ask Mr Foster to attend a future Meeting..

Police Matters

There were no new police issues.

Allotments

It was confirmed that a second meeting had been held with the potential allotment holders on 12th March and that all aspects of the project had been discussed. It had been agreed to form an Allotment Holders Association and that eight allotment holders had agreed to form an interim management committee to formulate a set of day to day rules and regulations to be put before the Association.
It was noted that, contrary to previous advice received, an objection to the planning application had been received from an adjoining property owner but that the planning officer had recommended approval. It was reported that all was ready to proceed as soon as the decision had been received but it was recognised that, if approval was obtained but the objector sought an appeal, the project would be seriously delayed.

Hall Roof

It was reported Mr Rae, Mr Berry and the Clerk had met Mr P Hornsby, Planning Advisor and a report of the issues raised was given. It was noted that the tender documents had gone out to interested contractors and that quotes would be available in a fortnight. It was agreed to call a special meeting as soon as the tenders were at hand.

Parish Calendar

Mr Berry confirmed that Mr Mycl Corrin was prepared to provide photographs of the Parish. Prices of various types of calendar were discussed and it was agreed to proceed to obtain 100 A4 sized calendars.

Southern Plan – Community Involvement

It was noted that DOLGE Planning Department had held an all-day community involvement event at the Parish Hall on Tuesday 10th March and that the planning officers had considered it successful.

Earystane Chapel

An e-mail was received from a Earystane resident, expressing concern over aspects of the developments at Earystane Chapel. The Chairman advised that he had visited the site and agreed that the proliferation of sheds was unacceptable and should be brought again to the attention of the Planning Enforcement Officer.

Municipal Association Matters

Mrs Edds reported on a meeting of the Municipal Association and in particular on the responses of the DOT Footpaths Officer to questions posed by the Commissioners.

Annual Newsletter

A first draft of the 2009 Newsletter was discussed and, after several amendments, was agreed for publishing.
The members agreed to distribute the newsletters themselves as normal.

Budget Report

The Budget Report for the period to 31st January 2009 was received and noted.

Churchyard Extension

Rev Peter Robinson and Dr Phil Smith attended part of the Meeting to discuss plans for a churchyard extension. They advised that there was only sufficient space left for the next four to five years and that they would be seeking to purchase another area of land adjoining the existing churchyard in the direction of Ballaclague Farm, sufficient for approximately 127 graves. They also indicated that the church authorities had considered using either the Glebe Field, south of the Main Road, or the Vicarage garden but that these had been found unsuitable for various reasons. They stated that another alternative would be to cease burials at Arbory but that this was felt to be completely unacceptable. The Commissioners agreed that they would fully support the Vicar and Wardens in obtaining the extension required.

Mr Cowin left the Meeting at this point.

Streetlights

An e-mail was received from the MEA advising that a streetlight at the top end of the Ballacriy back passage required new fittings and that, because access to the existing light was difficult, recommending that a completely new standard and light be erected at a cost of £3,250 plus VAT. There was a reluctance to spend this amount and before making a decision it was agreed to view the light to see the nature of the access problem.

Planning Matters

The following new application was considered:-

0900280 – Sea View, Glen Road – demolition of dwelling & erection of replacement dwelling – no comments.
0900233 – 122 Ballacriy – alterations to porch – no comments.
0900000 – Various fields at Colby – creation of football ground with associated facilities to include club house, parking, tractor shed, drainage system, landscaping, lighting and fencing, including new vehicular access with entrance from Main Road and controlled railway barrier crossing – it was felt that the floodlighting on the training pitch should not be used after 9pm and that the lighting on the access road should be as inconspicuous as possible. It was agreed to place the plans on public display at Colby Chapel Hall during the morning of Saturday 28th March.

The following decision was received from DOLGE and noted:-

0900024 – Ballalona, Ronague – reinstatement of residential use, etc - Refused

Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters

The following correspondence was received:-

- Young Persons Working Group – request for information – agreed nil return.
- Southern Civic Amenity Site Board – audited accounts for year ended 31 March 2008 & Secretary’s Annual Report 2008 – noted.
- Douglas Corporation – invitation to drinks 27 March – no member available to attend.
- Island in Bloom Competition 2009 – agreed to enter usual sections.
- First Supplemental List 2009 – noted that the rateable value of Cringle Quarry had increased significantly and that this would impact on the funds available during 2009/10.
- Invitation from DHSS to comment on proposed changes to family income supplement and income support (by 9th April) – no comments.
- Southern Authorities Healthcare Trust Minutes – noted.
- Invitation from DHA to comment on Human Rights (Amendments) Bill (by 17th April) – no comments.
- Correspondence from Lezayre Commissioners on use of parish halls for indoor camping - noted.
- Offer to undertake gardening and van work by Mr Graham Looney - noted.
- Invitation from DOLGE to comment on proposed amendments to Building Control Act (by 30th April) – deferred until the April meeting.
- Invitation from DHSS to comment on new strategy for health services document (by 31st May) – deferred.
- Invitation to Patrick Commissioners Civic Service on 26th April – Mr Berry indicated that he might be able to attend.
- Notification from the DOT that the road at the top of Cronk Cullyn had been adopted - noted.
- Friends & Parents of Arbory School Newsletter – noted.

Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were passed for payment:-

Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection March £2,283.82
IOM Govt - Refuse disposal Jan £1,002.00
Manx Telecom - office £50.22
Manx Print Care - Printer cartridges £37.98
D Cregeen - Grass cutting (£153.89 reimbursable) £365.91
CompuTech Services - Laptop repairs £229.94
Wicksteed Leisure - Play equipment inspection £120.75
W I Lowey - Net Salary for year to 31 March 2009 £5,412.00
IOM Govt - ITIP deducted on Clerk’s salary £1,188.00
IOM Govt - Employers NI on Clerk’s salary £152.04
W I Lowey - Reimbursement re stamps £31.34
IOM Bank - Half yearly Loan repayment £5,715.81
A Cowin - Attendance allowance to 31 March £240.00

Sundry Matters Raised by Members

Mrs Edds advised that there was a car for sale parked on the car park by Colby Chapel and that it had been reported to her that four or five vehicles were frequently parked in the vicinity of 119 Ballacriy to the inconvenience of neighbouring residents. It was agreed to monitor this matter.
Mr Rae advised that the front of the properties Primrose Cottage and Cregmount in Colby were again in a very untidy state.

It was noted that Mr Rae and Mrs Edds would be unable to attend on the next due meeting date and it was agreed to try to arrange an alternative date.