MINUTES OF SEPTEMBER 2008 MONTHLY MEETING

The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 17th September 2008 at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mr Rae (Chairman), Mr Cringle, Mrs Edds, Mr Cowin and Mr Berry.

The members stood in memory of Mr Will Costain, a member of the Arbory Parish Commissioners from 1967 to 1976, who had died recently.

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

The following on-going matters were discussed:-

Risk Matters

Copies of health & safety and related documents were received from Kennaugh & Skinner Ltd in connection with any work done by that firm.
There were no other risk matters to report.

Highways Matters

Mr Berry reported on a meeting of the Southern Traffic Liaison Group, held on 17th September. Amongst matters discussed had been speeding on Duck Street and possible safety improvements at Cross Four Ways.
In response to the Commissioners enquiry, Mr Bill Corlett, DOT Network Operations Engineer, advised that there were no definite plans to re-profile and resurface the main road in Ballabeg and Colby but that he was aware of the problem and would like to have this work done over the next two or three years.
Mr Nigel Foster, DOT Highways Services Manager, indicated that he would not be accepting the Commissioners invitation to attend one of their meetings to discuss highways operations matters but he undertook to deal with any specific issues that were brought to his attention. There was considerable disappointment expressed at this response but it was agreed to draw up a list of highways matters to submit to Mr Foster.

Police Matters

It was agreed to erect a sign on the layby at the bottom of Fishers Hill, stating that parking of cars for sale is not permitted.

Allotments

The Chairman reported that he and the Clerk had visited the suggested field on Ballamaddrell and that it appeared very suitable for use as allotments. He also reported that the owner was enthusiastic and very co-operative about the idea.
It was decided to gauge the demand for allotments by placing an article in the press and by other means and to make further enquiries as to practical issues such as water supply and planning.
Mr Cringle, as the owner of a neighbouring property, declared an interest in this matter.

Parish Hall Roof

It was confirmed that Mr Paul Hornsby was willing to act as health and safety planning advisor and it was agreed to appoint him to that position.
Penketh Millar had indicated that it would charge between £750 and £1,000 to undertake the tendering procedure. The Clerk was instructed to make further enquiries as to this cost before proceeding.

Gardens Competition

It was decided to hold a presentation to the prize winners at the Christmas Event on 8th December.

Beach Clean

It was advised that Mr Ian Costain would be holding a beach clean near Pooillvaaish on Saturday 27th September at 10am. Mrs Edds indicated that she would be taking part.

Proposed Revised Taxi Legislation

A discussion document from the DOT was considered - it was agreed not to make any comments.

Island Retail Sector Survey

A consultants report was discussed and it was agreed to comment on the absence in the report of reference to country village shops/post offices and to emphasise the importance of such facilities to the rural communities.
It was also agreed to express the opinion that new large retail facilities should by preference be in the town centres and not on out of town sites.

Earystane Issues

Earystane Chapel - the DOLGE Planning Enforcement Officer confirmed that he had visited the developer in connection with the non-removal of various structures that in accordance with a planning refusal should have been removed by the end of May and had indicated that he expected that all such structures would be removed by the end of September.
Lorries Parking in the Costain Plantation – The DOLGE Planning Enforcement Officer advised that the Chief Planning Officer would be writing direct to the concerned Earystane resident on this subject.

Bus Stop at Ard Wooilley

Mr Rae advised that he had cleared the vegetation from the bus stop layby but that it was still not large enough to accommodate all the children alighting from the school bus. It was agreed to suggest to IOM Transport that the school bus might instead stop at The Croit entrance opposite to the Cronk y Thatcher junction.

Christmas Event

Confirmation was received from the Ballabeg WI that Monday the 8th December was a suitable date. It was agreed that the childrens part of the event would commence at 6.30pm and the concert at 7.30pm.

Civic Service

It was agreed to hold the annual civic service at the Arbory Parish Church at 10.30am on Sunday 1st February, provided that the Vicar and the Methodist Minister were agreeable to this date.

Wheelie Bins

It was noted that, due to the manufacturers error, the new supply of 50 bins ordered through Peel Commissioners had Peel stamped on the lids. It was agreed that these would be unsuitable and that either a supply of replacement lids or new bins should be sought elsewhere. It was noted that 12 bins had been purchased from Malew Commissioners to meet immediate requirements.
It was noted that a few properties had more bins than appeared necessary and it was agreed that in future this would not be permitted unless justified by particular circumstances.

Budget Report

The Budget Report for the period to 31st August 2008 was received and noted.

Planning Matters

The following new application was considered:-

08/01736 – Land alongside Arbory Churchyard – two dwellings in principle – it was felt that two large two-storey dwellings on this rising ground would be intrusive and would seriously damage the privacy and ambience of the graveyard. There was also concern about the moving of the entrance. It was noted with regret that undertakings that had been given in respect of one of the dwellings on the site being for a curate or retired minister were seemingly not being respected.

The following decisions were received and noted:-

08/08546 – 18 Ballastrooan – Garage, removal of tree – Refused on Appeal
08/01364 – 11 Ballachrink – Alterations & extensions (amended) – Approved.
08/01261 – Ballacannell, Glen Road – alterations & extensions – Approved.
08/01196 – Colby Croft, Glen Road – alterations & extensions (amended) – Approved.
08/01302 – 18 Ballacriy – alterations & extensions – Approved.
08/00997 – Ballagarman House – window alterations – Approved.

Southern Area Development Plan

It was agreed to hold a Special Meeting on 1st October to discuss this matter.

Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters

The following correspondence was received:-

- Malew Commissioners in connection with using the Malew community/dog warden in Arbory. It was felt that the cost involved would not be justified.

- DOLGE Minister’s letter to the Chairman in connection with the Maximum Rate Order 2008, urging the local authorities to exercise restraint in increasing rates and to look to using up any large surplus balances and deferring any non essential large capital projects. It was agreed to advise the Minister that the Arbory Board always acted in this manner and would continue to do so.

- Ballacubbon, Colby – The Chairman reported that he and the Clerk had been invited to view the new houses on the development and had been advised that the dwellings would be occupied within the next few weeks. It was noted that there was quite a considerable area of grass and trees that would require to be adopted and maintained by the Commissioners. Mr Cringle felt that it was unfair that this cost should fall on all ratepayers when it was mainly for the benefit of the residents of the estate.

Mr Cowin left the Meeting at this point.

- DOT consultation on proposed changes to driving licences and tests – it was agreed that it was not necessary to comment.

- The Chairman advised that he had received a complaint about lorry movements at Earystane very early in the morning and that it had been discovered that this was in connection with the over night runway extension work at the airport.

- Internal audit arrangements – a letter was received from the Marashen Crescent Committee in connection with arrangements for performing internal audits and suggesting that a pool of local authority clerks might undertake the work. The Clerk advised that he understood that this suggestion had since been shown not to be feasible, with most of the clerks not feeling willing or able to accept the responsibility involved. The Clerk further advised that Arbory did not require an internal audit, its income being less than the £200,000 limit.

- Information from the Treasury concerning a proposed 15% rates reduction backdated to April 2008 for 11 Ballacriy on the grounds of disturbance due to building work on the Ballacubbon Estate. It was agreed not to oppose this reduction but to advise the Treasury that the building work was now almost finished.

- The Clerk reported that he had received a telephone enquiry from a Ballacriy resident regarding a neighbour keeping hens and that, after consultation with the DOLGE Environmental Health Officer, he had advised that, unless specifically stated in the deeds, there was nothing that could be done unless the keeping of poultry could be deemed to be a statutory nuisance under the Health Act 1990.

- A request was received from the DHSS for details of activities/services available for older people in the Parish – Clerk to reply.

- Invitation to Braddan Parish Commissioners Civic Service on 12th October – no members available to attend.

- Copies of the August and September DOT Highways Monthly brochures – noted

-
Accounts for Payment

The following accounts were passed for payment:-

Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection Sept £2,333.47
David Cregeen - Weed spraying £701.98
IOM Govt - Refuse disposal Aug £1,449.35
Manx Telecom - Office telephone £48.77
IOM Newspapers - Adverts for Swimming Pool Ctee £326.55
(to be reimbursed by Pool Ctee)
A Cowin - Attendance allowance £180.00
Kennaugh & Skinner - Replacements windows Parish Hall £8,248.50
W I Lowey - Reimbursement – Stamps & cartridges £69.78
Malew Parish Comms - 12 Wheeliebins £338.40

Sundry Matters Raised by Members

Mr Berry raised again the problem of flood water off the Parville Road – agreed to include in list of issues for Mr Foster’s attention.

Mrs Edds advised that Station Road had become very muddy due to heavy agricultural traffic over recent days – agreed to ask the DOT to sweep the road urgently.

Mrs Edds also asked that DAFF be reminded of the Japanese knotweed problem along the Colby River below the railway line – agreed.

Mr Cringle advised that splashing from lying water in the road in the vicinity of Friary Park entrance was causing problems to pedestrians – agreed to advise Mr Foster.

Mr Cringle suggested that the Commissioners might organize an eisteddfod in February or March – Mr Rae advised that it had been suggested that the Laa Columb Killey Committee might do something similar – agreed to liaise with the LCK Committee.