MINUTES OF MEETING HELD ON WEDNESDAY 21ST MAY 2008

The Monthly Meeting was held at 8.00pm on Wednesday 21st May 2008 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Cringle (Chairman), Mr Rae, Mr Cowin, Mrs Edds and Mr Berry.

Mr Bill Denard

The members paused in silence to remember former member and Chairman Mr Bill Denard, who had passed away on 8th May.

Appointment of Chairman & Vice-Chairman

It was proposed by Mr Cowin, seconded by Mrs Edds and agreed that Mr Rae be appointed Chairman for the coming year.
It was proposed by Mr Cowin, seconded by Mrs Edds and agreed that Mr Berry be appointed Vice-Chairman for the coming year.

Mr Rae took the Chair and thanked Mr Cringle for his chairmanship over the previous year.

The Minutes of the April Meeting and 1st May Special Meeting were confirmed as a true records and signed.

The following on-going matters were discussed:-

Risk Matters

It was noted that the annual risk review would shortly be due and it was agreed that a meeting should be arranged between Mr Berry, the Clerk and Mr Paul Hornsby.

Police Matters

Regarding the issue of restorative justice following the petty vandalism in Ballabeg and Colby during January, advice was received from the Police that the youths concerned had shown remorse and in one case had made a donation to charity in recompense and that the Police had therefore decided to take no further action. The Commissioners concurred with this action.
It was noted that the Police had spoken to the person who was alleged to be causing problems with dogs and unlicensed vehicles on Station Park estate. The matter had also been referred to the DOT and DOLGE.
It was noted that there had been a spate of persons parking cars for sale on the layby at the bottom of Fishers Hill and that the Police had spoken to the persons concerned. A suggestion was received from the Police that parking might be restricted to four hours and that parking spaces be marked out but this was felt to be undesirable if an alternative solution to the problem could be found. It was agreed to investigate further.

Traffic Matters

Mr Berry advised that he had attended a recent meeting of the Southern Road Traffic Liaison Group and that, amongst matters discussed, were rural speed limits, school travel plans and the proposed cycleway from Castletown to near Port St Mary. It was agreed to send a letter of support for the principle of the cycleway provided that the interests of walkers were not jeopardised.

Parish Hall Roof & Windows

Mr Cringle reported that he and Mr Cowin had attended the Appeal and that he felt that they had been given a fair hearing by the Inspector. The results were awaited.
It was proposed and agreed that, whether or not the red slates be approved, the project should be pushed forward as far as possible immediately.

It was also agreed to replace the rear and gable windows of the Parish Hall.

Weight Restrictions at Parville Road

It was noted that B&C Transport Ltd had been given permits by the DOT to use the road but that this was to be restricted to the existing lorries and to six trips per day.

National Week Event

It was reported that Meadowside Choir were unwilling to perform after the end of their normal winter/spring season but that they could attend on Sunday 15th June. It was agreed, as this was intended to be a National Week event, not to proceed with this.
As an alternative, it was agreed to hold a Colby walk followed by tea and entertainment in Colby Chapel Hall, if available, during the afternoon of Saturday 5th July. Mr Rae agreed to conduct the walk, Mr Cowin agreed to approach Arbory School for country dancing and Mrs Edds agreed to ask Pobble to perform.

Photography Competition

It was confirmed that the competition had been arranged as planned.

Parish Newsletter

A final draft was discussed and several alterations were agreed. It was agreed that Mrs Edds would distribute in Station Park and Glen Road to Earystane, Mr Cowin in Ballacriy, Ballastrooan and the Main Road from Colby Bridge westwards, Mr Rae in Cronk y Thatcher/Cronk Cullyn and Main Road from Colby Bridge to Iron Spout, Mr Berry in Friary Park, Mr Cringle in Ballabeg and Ballacubbon and the Clerk elsewhere.

Road Sweeping in Colby

In connection with the mud and dust on the Main Road coming off the Ballacubbon building site and following an unsatisfactory response from the DOT regarding frequency of sweeping, it was agreed to write to the contractor and also to ask the DOT for a copy of the road sweeping log for the Colby area over previous weeks.

Mr Cowin left the Meeting at this point.

Planning Matters

The following new applications were considered:-

0800919 – 5 Cronk Cullyn – conversion of garage to living accommodation – no comments.
0800882 – Cregmount, Main Road, Colby – replacement windows – no comments.
0800869 – Glendale, Glen Road – widen parking area – no comments.
0800854 – Lower Ballayack – creation of first floor gable window – no comments.
0800777 – Ballafadda Cottage, Ronague Chapel – conversion of existing redundant cottage to a dwelling in principle – no comments.
0800755 – Delfield, Ballakilpheric Road – extension – no comments.
0800853 – Ballacarrick, Pooillvaaish Road – garden shed and replacement greenhouse – no comments.
0800976 – Ballacubbon Farm, Grenaby Road – replacement windows – no comments.
0800950 – 79 Friary Park – porch – no comments.

The following decisions were received and noted:-

0800264 – 11 Ballachrink – alterations & first floor extension – Approved.
0800324/5 – Coach House, Parville – replacement windows & French doors – Approved.
0800339 – Field 424988, Ballagawne – stables – Approved.
0800177 – Southern 100 HQ – extension nto shower block – Approved.

It was noted that the deadline for the Appeal submissions in respect of 0702056 (Colby FC training pitch, etc) was 3rd June.

Attendance at Meetings

It was noted that out of 13 possible attendances during the year ended 31st March 2008, Mr Cringle and Mr Berry had attended 13 meetings, Mrs Edds 12 meetings and Mr Rae and Mr Cowin 11 meetings.

Refuse Collection Forum

It was noted that a refuse collection forum for local authority officers had been formed and was to hold a first meeting on 23rd May. The Clerk indicated that he would attend.

Donations to Libraries

It was agreed to make the same level of donations as last year to the Port Erin and Castletown libraries.

Ballabeg WI – Flowers at Ballabeg Station

It was agreed to pay the full cost of the plants that Ballabeg WI were to place at Ballabeg Station.

Sundry Correspondence
The following correspondence was received:-

- letter from DOLGE requesting comments on the recent local government elections – it was agreed to make the point that the fact that many elections were uncontested did not necessarily indicate apathy but was more likely to suggest a general satisfaction with the manner in which the authorities were operating. It was also felt that the DOLGE publicity campaign did not appear to have been particularly successful and that there should be a close look at value for money if this was ever to be repeated. It was also felt that the holding of all elections on the same day did nothing to engender interest and potentially could have caused serious problems of shortage of experienced election staff.
- notification from Arbory Brownies that they would be holding a 50th anniversary event on 11th June and that members would be invited.
- notification of a local authority induction course – no members to attend.
- notification from DOLGE that the interest rate for new local authority borrowings under the Isle of Man Bank scheme had increased from 0.2% to 0.4% over base.

Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were passed for payment:-

Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection April - 2,333.47
David Cregeen - Grass cutting (3rd cut) - 397.83
Colas (IOM) Ltd - Signs & bins - 170.38
Municipal association - Annual membership - 225.00
IOM Govt - Refuse disposal - 1,166.65
S Civic Amenity Site Board - Qtr 1 payment - 5,310.51
David Cregeen - First gutters spraying (for DOT) - 701.98
Port Erin Commissioners - Donation to library - 500.00
Castletown Commissioners - Donation to library - 300.00
Ballabeg WI - Contribution to Ballabeg Station flowers - 140.00

Sundry Matters Raised by Members

Mrs Edds raised the following matters:-
- bushes overhanging pavements in many locations, including Trafalgar House.
- small branches overhanging the footpaths in the Millennium Wood.
- misalignment of the traffic mirror at Colby Bridge.

Mr Berry raised the following matter:-
- two damaged palings and gate at Friary Park Play Area – he agreed to repair these himself.

Mr Cringle raised the following matters:-
- the stench in the vicinity of the IRIS works at Ballabeg Station.
- the large containers that had been placed for several months at the roadside at the top of Glen Road by builders refurbishing the adjoining property.
- reminder that it had been agreed to place a dog bin on the Pooilvaaish coast road.

Mr Rae raised the following matters:-
- the success of the recent Over 60s tea and concert.
- praise for the helpfulness of the staff at the Southern Civic Amenity Site.