MINUTES OF MONTHLY MEETING 15TH OCTOBER 2008
The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 15th October 2008 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Rae (Chairman), Mr Cringle, Mrs Edds, Mr Cowin and Mr Berry.
The Minutes of the September Meeting were, after a minor amendment, confirmed as a true record and signed.
The following on-going matters were discussed:-
Risk Matters
Mr Berry and Mr Cowin reported on a recent seminar on the health and safety aspects of organising events. There was considerable discussion over the health and safety aspects of the Christmas and Father Christmas event and it was agreed to voluntarily register the event with the Health & Safety Inspectorate. Mr Cringle expressed his disagreement with this course of action.
Also arising from this seminar, it was reported that organisers of events should have a child protection official. Mrs Edds agreed to take on this role for the Commissioners.
There were no other risk matters to report.
Highways Matters
- a report on traffic speeding on Station Park was received, indicating that the speeds recorded showed that traffic calming devices were not required.
- there was considerable concern expressed again over the state of the road surfaces in Colby and the Friary area in Ballabeg, particularly with regard the number of dubs forming and water splashing pedestrians during wet weather. It was agreed to again pursue this with the DOT. Mrs Edds reported that this issue, amongst many others, had been discussed with the DOT Minister and Mr Sewell at a recent IOM Muncicipal association meeting.
Police Matters
It was reported that there had been graffiti painted on the bus stop opposite Ard Wooilley entrance and it was agreed to report this to the Police and look into having the graffiti removed.
Allotments
Mr Cringle, as the owner of a neighbouring property, declared an interest in this matter.
The Clerk reported that 23 people from the Parish and 4 from outside the Parish had been in contact to express an interest in having an allotment. On the strength of this response, it was agreed to take the matter forward. The Chairman, Vice Chairman and Clerk agreed to attend a meeting with Mr Andy MacDonald, Senior DAFF advisor, at the proposed field on Friday 17th October in order to discuss the suitability of the proposed site. The Clerk reported that an official of the Douglas Allotment Association had agreed to show members around the Douglas allotments and to answer any queries about the organisational aspects – it was agreed to arrange such a visit.
Parish Hall Roof
It was noted that Mr Paul Hornsby had requested a meeting with the Commissioners and Mr Chris Millar of Penketh Millar and that this was to take place on Thursday 16th October at the Halley MacLiag. The Chairman and Vice Chairman and the Clerk agreed to attend.
Beach Clean
It was confirmed that the beach clean had taken place as planned and that Mr Ian Costain had been thanked for his efforts.
Earystane Chapel
Earystane Chapel – it was noted that the Planning Committee had given the developer until 23 October to remove the various sheds that had been refused retrospective planning permission in June.
Christmas Events
In view of the high delivery charge for larger Christmas trees, it was agreed to obtain two 15 foot trees.
It was agreed to arrange the members’ Christmas meal, if possible for Friday 12th December at The Whitestone, Ballasalla.
Civic Service
It was confirmed that the annual civic service was to be at the Arbory Parish Church at 10.30am on Sunday 1st February.
Eistedfodd
It was agreed to proceed with this in conjunction with the Laa Columb Killey Committee. Mr Cringle agreed to liaise with the LCK and come back with some suggested dates in late winter/early spring.
Budget Report
The Budget Report for the period to 30th September 2008 was received and noted.
Planning Matters
The following new application was considered:-
08/01817 – Ballafadda Cottage, Ronague – Reinstatement of dwelling & extension – reserved matters – no comments.
08/01790 – Earystane Quarry – extension and final restoration – no comments.
08/01266 – Ballabeg Shop – retail unit with accommodation above (amended plans) – it was agreed to query aspects of the proposed windows.
08/01745 – Ballayelse, Ronague – garage & sheep pens & alterations to renovations and barn conversion – it was felt that this proposed development appeared to be outside the original concept of refurbishing an abandoned modest traditional upland farmstead.
The following decisions were received and noted:-
08/00510 – Ballacannell, Earystane – replacement cottage, conversion of barn, link building – Approved.
08/01589 – Greyney Mooar, Ballagawne – BBQ hut – Approved.
08/01344 – Field 420855 Ballagawne Road – two agricultural buildings – Approved.
It was noted that the Appeal in respect of 07/02055, Colby AFC – football ground & clubhouse – was to be held on 6th November. Mr Rae and Mr Berry agreed to represent the Commissioners.
Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters
The following correspondence was received:-
- Letter from Port Erin Commissioners regarding temporary rate reductions due to disturbances during construction work and the inequity of the local authority having to bear the cost rather than the developer. It was agreed to support Port Erin in lobbying for a change in the Act.
- Consultation on Driving Licenses (Foreign Licences) Regulations 2008 – no comments.
- Invitation to Swimming Pool Official Opening Sat 18th Oct at 5pm – several members agreed to attend.
- Trafalgar Day Service 10am on Tues 21st October at Arbory Church – several members agreed to attend.
- Invitation to Clerk to join DOLGE working group on Code of Conduct for members and officers – the Clerk indicated that he had accepted.
- Request from Phil Gawne MHK to give a presentation on energy self reliance – agreed to invite Mr Gawne to the November Meeting.
- Letter from DOLGE Minister re Maximum Rate Order 2008, indicating that the rate increase would not be capped for 2009/10 – noted.
- Request from CRHS for sponsorship of annual prizes – the Clerk advised that he had been advised by DOLGE that local authorities were not empowered to make such sponsorships out of public funds.
- Invitation to attend Hearts of Oak performance at Arbory School Wed 22nd October – several members agreed to attend. .
- Mr Cowin indicated that a group from the school would be performing the play in Portsmouth next year as part of the 175th anniversary of the school and that financial assistance for this was being sought – the Clerk to enquire whether the local authority would be permitted to donate to this.
- Mr Rae advised that he had been approached informally by Arbory School to enquire whether the Commissioners would be willing to make a financial contribution to the replacement of the school play area safety matting. It was noted that, because the play area was open to the general public out of school hours, the Commissioners had several years ago contributed funds to installation of the equipment. It was agreed in principle that the Board would assist with the new matting if required.
- Invitation to Arbory Scout Group Christmas evening at Arbory School Friday 5th December.
- Letter from Port St Mary Commissioners regarding allotments, asking in particular whether the Board had any objections to Arbory residents holding allotments in Port St Mary – agreed that there was no objection to this.
- Results of Island in Bloom 2008 Competition – noted that Colby Glen Hotel and Mr & Mrs John Kennaugh had won first prizes and would be attending the presentation.
- Invitation from Douglas Corporation to attend kerbside recycling presentation Thurs 16th Oct at 3pm Town Hall – no members were able to attend.
- Letter from a resident of Upper Ballastrooan re faulty streetlight – agreed to report again to the MEA..
- Consultation on ITV news services – no comments.
- Notification of meeting of Island Refuse Collection Forum – the Clerk indicated that he would be attending together with Mr Ian Jones.
Southern Development Plan
This matter was deferred to a Special Meeting on Tuesday 21st October.
Accounts for Payment
The following accounts were passed for payment:-
Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection Oct £2,333.47
Manx Telecom - Office telephone £48.30
IOM Govt - Refuse disposal September £490.50
Colas (IOM) Ltd - Streetsigns £125.43
J Qualtrough & Co Ltd - Beach clean materials £36.31
David Cregeen - Grass cutting (8th cut) £347.83
Colas (IOM) Ltd - Dog bin & pole (Pooill Vaaish) £115.04
MEA - Streetlights to end Sept 2,820.32
Audited Accounts
The Financial Statements for the year ended 31st March 2008 were received from Moore Stephens and approved by the Board. The Chairman and Clerk were authorised to sign the accounts and the Chairman was authorised to sign the Letter of Representation provided by the auditor.
The absence of a valuation of fixed assets by a qualified valuer, a new requirement of SORP 2007, was raised as a management point and it was agreed to have this valuation done forthwith.
Sundry Matters Raised by Members
- Mr Cringle raised the issue of the hours that the streetlights were lit and the possibility of reducing the energy used. It was agreed to discus this more fully at the next Meeting.
- Mrs Edds reminded members that the Remembrance Day Service would be held on Sunday 9th November – several members indicated that they would be attending and Mr Rae confirmed that a poppy wreath had been arranged.
- Mr Rae advised that the heretofor voluntary service for the delivery of specimens from the southern doctors surgeries to the pathology lab in Douglas had been suddenly discontinued by the DHSS and that the Post Office would be undertaking this in future – agreed that Mr Berry would enquire why this had been done and how much it would cost.
- Mr Rae suggested that the DOLGE Conservation Officer be invited to attend a future meeting to discuss the purpose of conservation areas and the seemingly ineffective regulations, this particularly in light of the developments that were being permitted to take place in the Colby Glen Road Conservation Area.
- Mr Rae raised again the problems with the large dub forming on the Glen Road at California Cottage, seepage from the road at Ballacriy entrance and the almost blocked culvert near Ballacriy entrance – agreed to pursue with the DOT.