MINUTES OF OCTOBER MONTHLY MEETING
The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 21st October 2009 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Berry (Chairman), Mr Rae, Mr Cringle, Mr Cowin and Mrs Edds . The Clerk, Mr W I Lowey, was in attendance.
The Minutes of the September Meeting were confirmed as a true record and signed.
The following on-going matters were discussed:-
Risk Matters
A letter was received from Mr Jones, confirming that he had arrangements in place and felt confident that he could maintain the refuse collection service in the event of a swine flu pandemic.
Police Matters
The minutes of the September Meeting of the Police Community Partnership Group were received and noted.
Highways Matters
- Speed Limits extension at Arbory School – it was noted that this matter had been referred by the DOT to the Southern Road Traffic Liaison Group for further consideration..
- Further e-mails were received from two residents of Dreeym Balley Cubbon in connection with school pick-up traffic parking and turning in the estate. It was decided to ask the DOT Road Safety Officer for his opinion on the matter.
Allotments
Mr Berry reported that there were no further developments regarding the planning appeal. There was comment on the unsatisfactory length of time involved in the planning appeals procedure in general.
Hall & Cottages Roof Project
It was noted that work was almost complete, but there were issues regarding extra costs claimed by the contractor and regarding painting the exposed new woodwork.
Dilapidated Buildings
A progress report was received from Mr Ian Mansell, DOLGE Environmental Health Officer, regarding various dilapidated buildings in Colby. It was noted that the owners of Ballacarmick and Sea View had indicated that work would commence early in 2010, but this was felt to be an unsatisfactory delay.
Parish Gardens Competition
Mr Berry reported that the presentations would take place at an event to be held at the Parish Hall on Friday 30th October and that there would be an illustrated talk on gardening subjects by Mr Gordon Cottier. Mr Cowin agreed to arrange for photographs of the winning gardens to be displayed. It was agreed that the garden centre vouchers prizes would be at the same level as last year, that is £35, £25 and £15.
Municipal Association Matters
Mrs Edds reported on the September Meeting of the Municipal Association and minutes were received and noted.
Mr Berry reported on the recent seminar on planning enforcement.
Audit Fees
It was reported that the Treasury Chief Internal Auditor, in his response to enquiries made about the tendering process and the fee of £3,000 for the 2009/10 audit, had not answered the specific queries made. It was agreed to pursue the matter with the DOLGE Minister, with copies to the Rushen MHKs, putting forward the opinion that, as a result of recent changes in audit regulations, the level of financial supervision now required for the smaller authorities had become unnecessarily onerous and expensive.
Christmas Event
It was confirmed that the usual Lighting of the Tree/Father Christmas event had been arranged for Monday 7th December.
Corporate Governance
An invitation to a presentation on corporate governance, to be held on Tues 17th November, was received from DOLGE. Members indicated that they would attend.
Village Re-generation
The Clerk advised that no response had yet been received from the newly appointed administrator.
Budget Report
The monthly budget report to 30th September was received and noted.
Audited Accounts
Because the final audited accounts for 2008/09 had been received from Moore Stephens on the evening of the Meeting and therefore there had been insufficient time to give them proper consideration, it was agreed to defer approval until the November Meeting.
Planning Matters
The following new applications were considered:-
- 0901629 Twin View, Douglas Road - alterations, extension & replacement garage – there was concern that the proposed roof terrace above the garage might overlook neighbouring properties.
- 0901602 Arbory Vicarage – alterations & extension – no comments.
- 0901557 Ballacomish, Ronague Road – alterations, extensions, stabling with staff accommodation & home office and landscaping – it was felt that this proposed development made no attempt to echo the vernacular architecture and was totally out of keeping with the Manx countryside.
- 0901621 The Bungalow, Three Roads – dwelling & detached garage. It was felt that this proposed development might be considered un-neighbourly.
The following planning decision was received and noted:-
- 0901413 Croit Veg, Main Road, Colby – alterations & extensions and shared vehicular access – Approved
- 0901391 14 Ballachrink, Colby – chimney stack and additional windows – Approved
- 0901104 132 Friary Park – alterations & extension – Approved
- 0901111 Ballacallow, Glen Road – single storey extension & replacement doors and windows to annexe - Approved
- 0901224 Ballacubbon Farmhouse, Colby – conversion of garage to living accommodation – Approved.
Appeals:-
- 0900334 - Colby AFC Appeal – appeal to be held on 5th November – Mr Berry agreed to attend.
Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters
The following correspondence was received:-
- IOM Government Annual Report 2009 – noted.
- IOM Water Authority – progress on service reservoir project – noted.
- Invitation to Arbory Church 250th anniversary service 1st Nov – several members indicated that they would attend.
- A letter was received from Port Erin Commissioners in connection with their need to purchase a new bin wagon, suggesting that a regional collection service might be again considered. It was agreed to talk to Port Erin Commissioners on this issue, but it was felt to be very unlikely that a regional approach would provide a better service than that already received by the private contractor.
- Chairman’s Meeting with DOLGE Refuse Manager – Mr Berry reported that he and the Clerk and the Rushen Commissioners Clerk had recently met Mr John Wrigley, the new DOLGE Refuse Disposal Manager. The purpose of the meeting had been for Mr Wrigley to introduce himself, but he also indicated that he would be encouraging the local authorities to voluntarily co-operate with regard to such matters as kerbside collection, general collection, and wheelie bin purchases.
- Invitation to the Chairman to attend CRHS Annual Prizegiving – Mr Berry confirmed that he would be attending.
- Invitation to Lezayre Civic Service 25th October - no members were able to attend.
- 3rd Supplemental List 2009 –noted.
- DAFF consultation document on hedgerow management – it was felt that this was not a matter of direct concern to the Board and that there were no comments to make.
- A consultation document on a “private members” Budget Bill was received from Mr Juan Watterson MHK. Consideration was deferred until the next meeting.
- Consultation on Social Services Bill - it was agreed that Mr Berry, Mr Rae, and any other members available would meet to formulate a response to this matter.
- Consultation on Criminal Justice Bill 2009 – it was noted that the section of this Bill that dealt with the role of local authorities in the formulation and implementation of policing strategies was already being undertaken in the form of participation in the Southern Neighbourhood Policing Partnership Group. It was therefore felt that the Bill would have little additional impact. It was agreed to query a confusing section dealing with the combination of authorities.
- Invitation to table-top exercise re major incident emergency response 27th Nov – no members were available to attend.
Accounts for Payment
The following accounts were passed for payment:-
- Manx Telecom - Office phone £46.24
- DOLGE - Refuse disposal Aug (addnl) £248.00
- DOLGE - Refuse disposal Sept £1,321.50
- Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection Oct £2,459.48
- J Clawson Ltd - Hall & cottages re-roofing (second & third payments £9,805.10
- J Qualtrough & Co Ltd - Beach clean materials £45.59
- S Civic Amenity Site Board - Third quarterly payment £5,602.38
- Moore Stephens - Preparation of accounts £862.50
- Moore Stephens - Audit fee £288.65
- MEA - Streetlights maintenance July to Sept £1,492.47
- MEA - Streetlights power to 24 Sept £1,683.78
- MEA - Replacement streetlight, off Glen Road £923.28
- A Cowin - Attendance allowance £180.00
- M Smith - Garden Competition trophies £299.50
Sundry Matters Raised
Mrs Edds advised that trees and bushes were beginning to overhang the roadway on Station Road – agreed to advise the DOT accordingly.
Mr Cowin queried why the road surface at the Ballakeighan junction had been resurfaced in priority over stretches of road in much worse condition elsewhere in the Parish- agreed to enquire.
Mr Rae advised that poor repairs to a hole in the road at the Ballacubbon junction, Colby was becoming a safety hazard – agreed to advise DOLGE
He also advised that there had been two minor accidents at the junction of Glen Road and Costain Close, due to the increased number of vehicles parking on or near the junction – agreed to raise at the next S Road Traffic Liaison Group Meeting.
The Meeting ended at 10.35pm.