MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING 19TH NOVEMBER 2008

The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 19th November 2008 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 October Meetings were confirmed as a true record and signed.

The following on-going matters were discussed:-

Risk Matters

There were no risk matters to report.

Highways Matters

A list of sundry highways matters for the attention of Mr Nigel Foster, DOT Manager, was agreed – they included rusty railings at Ballabeg Shop corner, faded halt sign road markings in several locations, dubs in the road by Friary Park entrance and at California Cottage, Glen Road, the untidy state of Duck Street corner, dangerous roadside gullies by Parville, broken inspection covers on Glen Road and near Barn Hey and the breaking road surface on upper part of Ballacriy.

Police Matters

The October crime figures were received and noted.

Allotments

Mr Cringle, as the owner of a neighbouring property, declared an interest in this matter.
The Clerk reported that 29 people from the Parish and 4 from outside the Parish had been in contact to express an interest in having an allotment. A soil report was received from Mr Andy MacDonald, Senior DAFF advisor, indicating that three tons per acre of lime would be required and that phosphorous and potassium levels were low. Mr Rae and Mr Berry reported on their visit to Douglas Allotments and their meeting with Professor Maddrell, who had again expressed his full co-operation and enthusiasm for the scheme. Advice was received that the IOM Water Authority would charge £1,398.25 plus VAT to connect a point at the field gate on Grenaby Road to the water main and that a water meter would be installed. The Clerk advised that he had enquired from DAFF whether any financial assistance would be forthcoming for fencing work and that he had sought a site meeting with Sarah Corlett from the Planning Department.
It was formally agreed to proceed with the scheme and to obtain an indication of the total costs involved. It was also agreed to call interested parties to a meeting in early December.

Parish Hall Roof

Mr Rae and Mr Berry reported on their meeting with Mr Millar and Mr Hornsby. Indications of the various costs involved, totalling approximately £52,000, were received and considered. It was formally agreed to proceed with the scheme and instruct Penketh Millar to proceed to invite tenders.

Earystane Chapel

Earystane Chapel – it was noted that the Planning Committee had served notice on the developer, requiring him to remove the caravan and shed before 9th January or face prosecution.

Christmas Events

Details of the Christmas event, including the garden competition presentation, were discussed.

Eistedfodd

Mr Cringle advised that, because of similar events being held elsewhere in first few months of 2009, it was proving difficult to find a suitable date.

Budget Report

The Budget Report for the period to 31st October 2008 and a report showing the anticipated surplus as at 31st March 2009 were received and noted.

Clerk’s Pension

To formalise the position for audit purposes, it was agreed that the present Clerk has no entitlement to a pension. The Clerk accepted this.

Refuse Collection

The Clerk reported that Mr Jones had expressed concern over the increasing amount of refuse generated and his occasional difficulty in fitting it all into a single lorry load. It was agreed to have a leaflet, requesting householders to make as much use as possible of the amenity site and recycling facilities, distributed.

Energy Saving Presentation

Mr John Rimington and Mr Ian Costain, representing the organisation Transition Isle of Man, attended part of the Meeting and gave a presentation on post oil energy problems and the role that local authorities might play by, for example, encouraging recycling, tree planting, provision of allotments and general awareness of energy saving possibilities in performing all of their functions..

Review of Planning System

This matter was deferred until the December meeting.

Planning Matters

The following new application was considered:-

08/01966 – Ballacomish, Ronague – enclosed manege – there was concern expressed over the possible visual impact of this large shed.
08/01989 – Middle Field, Glen Road – replacement swimming pool roof & orangery – no objections but it was suggested that solar panels be considered.
08/02090 – Cringle Quarry – extension an continued use for quarrying and recycling of inert building material – No objections.

The following decisions were received and noted:-

08/01266 – Ballabeg Shop – reserved matters – Approved.
08/01736 – Land adjacent to Churchyard – two dwellings in principle – Approved.
08/01745 – Ballayelse, Ronague – garage, sheep pens, etc – Refused
08/01817 – Ballafadda Cottage, Ronague – reinstatement of dwelling & extension reserved matters – Approved.

It was noted that Colby FC had withdrawn their Appeal in respect of 07/02055 for a football ground & clubhouse below the railway line and that therefore the refusal stood.

Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters

The following correspondence was received:-

- Further letter from Government Valuer re 11 Ballacriy rates reduction. It was agreed that it was not worthwhile pursuing the matter in view of the small amount involved.
- IOM Water Authority Annual Report – noted.
- SITA IOM Annual Report – noted.
- Education Misc Provisions Bill further draft after consultation – noted.
- Notification of intention to demolish Ballabeg Shop – noted
- Letter from Ian Costain concerning the possibility of increasing the amount of beach cleaning. It was agreed to encourage any likely groups to organize a clean and to assist with bags and gloves and in removing the rubbish.
- Invitation to Port St Mary Christmas Event 5th Dec – noted.
- Information on digital TV switchover – noted.
- Invitation to Port Erin Christmas Event 18th Dec - noted
- Letter from the IOM Childrens Centre in connection with a community development development programme and a southern consultation meeting to be held on 3rd December. Mrs Edds and Mr Berry agreed to attend.
- Consultation on proposed heavy vehicles licensing – no comments.
- Regeneration of towns and villages – Mr Berry agreed to attend a seminar on 25th November and report back.
- Invitation from 1st Arbory Scout Group to a Christmas evening on 5th December – noted..

Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were passed for payment:-

Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection Nov £2,333.47
Manx telecom - Office telephone £54.20
IOM Govt - Refuse disposal October £1,368.50
David Cregeen - Grass cutting (9th cut) £347.83
Quine & Cubbon Ltd - Stationery £32.86
Paul Hornsby - Health & Safety annual review £23.50
S Swimming Pool Bd - Annual payment £4,908.75
Lombard Manx - Annual rental wheeliebins £58.75
IOM Newspapers - Adverts (to be reimbursed by
S Swimming Pool Board £326.55
JM Pearson & Co Ltd - Insurance £50.91
S Civic Amenity Site Board - Qr 3 contribution £5,310.51
B Rae - Reimbursement clock tubes £7.05
Royal British Legion - Poppy wreath £50.00
Moore Stephens - Audit & preparatory work £566.36

Commissioners Bonds

It was noted that the bonds became due for repayment on 31st December and it was agreed to invite the holders to renew their loans for a further year at the prevailing rate of interest.

Sundry Matters Raised by Members

- Mr Edds suggested that the Colby notice board would be more looked at if placed by the new bus stop on the Ballacubbon side of the road – agreed to have this done.
- Mr Berry advised that the pavement on the main road between Friary Park and the Shop Corner was in need of sweeping – agreed to advise DOT.
- Mr Rae suggested that polite letters be written to two householders in Colby regarding their very untidy and unsightly properties - Agreed.
- Mr Cowin advised that Arbory School is seeking donations for the Hearts of Oak visit to Portsmouth and for a sculpture or work of art to commemorate the forthcoming 175th anniversary of the school. Agreed to await clarification from DOLGE on whether local authorities are permitted to use rate funds for such purposes.