Minutes of Monthly Meeting 16 September 2009
The Monthly Meeting was held at 7.30pm on Wednesday 16th September 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 August Meeting were confirmed as a true record and signed.
The following on-going matters were discussed:-
Risk Matters
There were no new risk matters to report.
Police Matters
The minutes of the August Meeting of the Police Community Partnership Group were received and noted.
Highways Matters
A Speed Limits at School Entrances Order was received from the DOT for comment. It was felt that the speed limit should have been extended farther from the School, to cover the stretches of road where parents park. It was agreed to advise the DOT accordingly.
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 agreed to refer this matter to the DOT but also to visit the junction to check on the extent of the problem.
Allotments
Mr Berry reported on the recent planning appeal, attended by himself and Dr Phil Smith, Chairman of Arbory Allotments Association.
Hall Roof Project
It was noted that work was in progress. It was also noted that small patches of decayed timber had been uncovered and that this was being replaced out of the contingency amount allowed in the tender.
Dilapidated Buildings
Copies of letters written by the Chief Environmental Health Officer on behalf of the Commissioners to four property owners in Colby were received and noted.
Parish Gardens Competition
It was agreed to purchase two tablet-type trophies of the “Ben Nevis” size in green tinted glass, the Chairman and Clerk to decide upon the wording to be engraved and the design, possibly including a fuchsia motif.
It was agreed to hold a presentation at the end of October and Mr Berry agreed to investigate whether a suitable gardening-related speaker would be available.
Municipal Association Matters
Mr Berry advised that he would be attending the planning enforcement seminar on 17th September.
It was noted that the Municipal Association member from Malew had expressed serious concern over the Bishop’s suggestions for re-organising some of the southern ecclesiastical parishes. It was felt that, as it had no bearing on the civil parishes, this was not a matter for the Commissioners.
Audit Fees
A letter was received from DOLGE, advising that the external audit fee for 2009/10 was to be increased from £241 to £3,000. Serious concern was expressed, particularly in view of the DOLGE Minister’s request for local authority expenditure to be curtailed and not exceed the rate of inflation. The Clerk was instructed to seek a detailed explanation of the reasons for this increase.
Christmas Event
It was agreed to hold the usual Lighting of the Tree/Father Christmas event on either Monday 7th December or Wednesday 9th December, depending upon which is more convenient for the Brownies and Ballabeg WI ladies..
Budget Report
The monthly budget report to 31st August was received and noted.
Mr Cowin left the Meeting.
Planning Matters
The following new applications were considered:-
- 0901418 – Sea View, Main Road, Colby – alterations & extension – No comments.
- 0901413 – Ballacarmick, Main Road, Colby – alterations & extensions and creation of shared access – no comments.
- 0901391 – 14 Ballachrink, Colby – chimney stack & additional windows – no comments.
- 0901419/20 – Parville, Ballabeg – renovation works, replacement window, railings & terraces and erection of summerhouse – no comments.
The following planning decision was received and noted:-
- 0901146 – 73 Ballacriy – extension to replace conservatory and creation of patio area - Approved
- 0901119 – Ballamaddrell, Ballabeg – alterations & extensions - Approved
- 0900340 – Fields below Colby Station - Football ground, etc. – Approved.
- 0901242 – Magher Feeailley, Main Road, Colby – dormer windows, roof lights & additional window - Approved
Appeals:-
- 0900340 - Fields below Colby Station – football grounds and facilities. Copies of letters from two residents to the Planning Appeal Inspector were received.
- 0900932 – 23 Ballachrink – alterations & extensions – no further comments
- 0900822 – 6 Ballacriy – fencing (retrospective) – no further comments.
Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters
The following correspondence was received:-
- Consultation documents on the appointment of a Tynwald Auditor General. It was felt that this was unnecessarily adding another costly layer of supervision to an already over-supervised system. There were no comments to make on the details
- Consultation documents on the appointment of a Tynwald Administration Commissioner (Ombudsman). It was agreed that this was a welcome development and that there were no comments to make on the details.
- DOLGE document – Corporate Governance Principles and Code of Conduct for Local Authorities – consideration was deferred until the October Meeting.
- Recommendations of Tynwald Report on the Affairs of Braddan Parish Commissioners – noted.
- Invitation to Civic Service at Braddan 11 October - no members were able to attend.
- Invitation to Castletown Civic Service 4th October – Mr Berry, Mr Rae and Mrs Edds indicated that they would attend.
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- Consultation Paper on Social Services Bill 2009 – consideration deferred until the October Meeting.
- Consultation document from DAFF on a Manx Hedgerow Management Code of Best Practice – consideration deferred until the October Meeting.
- Letter from Port Erin Commissioners, suggesting that the meetings of the Southern Traffic Management Liaison Group be re-structured. It was considered that the present format was satisfactory and that Port Erin’s suggestion would not be supported.
- Consultation document re A Physical Activity Framework for the IOM – there were no comments, it being felt that the document was largely an articulation of the obvious.
- Transport Quarterly Newsletter – noted.
- E-mail from Ian Costain re beach cleaning and health and safety – noted.
- E-mail from IOSH IOM Branch re health and safety seminar for employers – noted.
- Consultation document from DOT re Sewage Amendment Bill – Mr Cringle was concerned over the extent of prior consultation with landowners before heavy equipment being used for sewerage-related work could be taken onto fields.
- Press release re Town and Village Re-generation Scheme – noted. The Clerk was instructed to enquire whether the funding was available for country villages as well as the urban areas.
- Royal British Legion poppy collection dates for 2009 to 2012 were received and agreed.
- Consultation document from MEA on various amendments to the Electricity Act 1996 - no comments.
Accounts for Payment
The following accounts were passed for payment:-
- Manx Telecom - Office phone £57.56
- DOLGE - Refuse disposal July £825.50
- Jones Services Ltd - Refuse collection July £2,459.48
- J Clawson Ltd - Hall & cottages re-roofing (first payment) £28,001.69
- Quine & Cubbon Ltd - Copying £11.50
- CompuTech Services Ltd - Laptop keyboard £136.56
- W I Lowey - Reimbursement – stamps and cartridges £63.39
- David Cregeen - Grass cutting £420.91
Sundry Matters Raised
The Clerk advised that Mr Ian Costain had organised a beach clean in the Balladoole/Pooill Vaaish area on Saturday 26th September. It was agreed to assist with gloves and bags and removal of the collected material.
It was reported that the trimming of bushes was again required at Cronk Cullyn pedestrian entrance and on Ballacubbon Estate, Ballabeg. It was agreed to have this work done.
The Meeting ended at 10.35pm.