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Minutes of February 2010 Meeting
RUSHEN PARISH COMMISSIONERS
Meeting held 7 30pm Wednesday 17th February 2010 at Ballafesson Hall.
MINUTES
Present:- Mr P Gunn (Chairman), Mr D Radcliffe (Vice-Chairman), Mr D Cain, Mr A Tinkler.
Apologies: Mr P Vernon, who had leave of absence.
1. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held Wednesday 27th January 2010, having previously been circulated, were taken as read and agreed a true record.
2. MATTERS ARISING
a) Southern Area Plan.
Mr Radcliffe and the Clerk had spent most of the day after the meeting preparing this submission as it had to be received by DoLGE on the Friday. The Clerk had hand delivered it to Murray House. All Members had received a copy.
Mr Radcliffe and the Clerk were thanked for all their work in preparing this.
The Clerk had finally received the information about the areas of land which had been requested by the owners for inclusion but rejected by DoLGE. She had made copies for the Chairman and Vice-Chairman and this had been passed on to the other Members.
Mr Radcliffe’s brother had put forward two fields of his for consideration so he declared an interest in parts of the Southern Plan which may be affected by that interest.
The Clerk asked if the Members wanted to put any further views regarding these parcels of land but they agreed that they would wait until either the next stage or the Public Inquiry as it was felt that the owners of the land would be appealing against the decision to leave them out of the Draft Plan.
b) Estimates 2010/11
The Clerk had informed DoLGE that the Rate for 2010/11 would be 67p in £ plus £10 ‘per household’ charge. She had also mentioned it to the Examiner and Manx Radio.
The £29 refuse charge increase was going before Tynwald on Tuesday 16th – not as part of DoLGE’s budget but as an individual item.
c) DoLGE/Local Authority Issues:-
Report of COMIN on the Review of the Scope and Structure of the IOM Government – January 2010.
Proposals received which Tynwald Members would be asked to vote on at February Tynwald.
Seven of the nine Departments would be dissolved on 31st March and replaced by new Departments. DoLGE would disappear and local government would be under Department of the Infrastructure but waste management, environmental protection, environmental health would all be under the Department of the Environment.
1. Corporate Governance Principles and Code of Conduct.
Record of Members’ Interests.
2. Changes in Revenue Sharing Agreement
Nothing further received.
3. Auditors
PKF – The Clerk and Ian Lowey, Clerk of Arbory would be seeing someone from PKF at the end of March.
The Clerk had received a letter of request to be signed to enable PKF to access RPC’s bank accounts. The Chairman and the Clerk had signed the letter.
d) Waste Management and Refuse Collection
Bad Debtors – the Clerk had not written to them yet but would do so within the next few days.
Port Erin Commissioners – Joint Meeting on 25th Feb. Mr Tinkler said that he would attend with the Clerk. They were to attend to ‘observe’ what was being discussed.
Wheelie Bins – they had arrived and the invoice received from Patrick Commissioners.
e) Lighting/MEA.
Ballakillowey roundabout/Ballagawne Road scheme. Nothing further.
Light RN051 – Ballafesson ‘road to Fleshwick’. Light beyond repair. Arm and cast iron box were in a bad state due to corrosion. Replacement arm and fitting and rewire – £560 + vat.
It was agreed that this should be replaced.
g) Carrick Bay View.
Carrick Bay View – nothing further on the ‘purchase’.
Plot between pavement and road – DoT had dug out all the plants and had put more plants in – instead of just grass. This plot is DoT’s responsibility and it was hoped that it would be kept tidier than in previous years.
i) Hedges
High Hedges:-
Dragonscroft Honna Road/Tynewydd, Mill Road.
j) Traffic matters – Department of Transport.
Next Meeting Wednesday 24th February. The Clerk would be attending and she was to bring up the various items for Rushen which were already on the Agenda.
Ballachurry Corner – There had been complaints about this. Members had looked at it and they felt that part of the corner had been built out too far into the road. The paint markings in the road were also confusing for drivers. DoT were to be asked to monitor it.
Rushen School – Although work had started the scheme still had not been finished. RPC had been told that once it started it wouldn’t take long to complete. The Clerk was to query this.
Castletown Road & junction. This was believed to have been completed.
Plantation Hill. There had been complaints that traffic was still going too fast on this hill and there had been near-accidents. The speed limit was 30mph and the Clerk asked if it should be requested at 20mph. This was to be discussed at the meeting.
Civic Amenity Site. There was still no mention of a site meeting regarding speed on the road and other matters.
Ballakilpheric nothing further.
The Level nothing further.
Glen Chass – sharp corner & turning circle. Mr Cain reported that nothing had been done yet. He also said that there should be a cul de sac sign on the Chasms Road as vehicles were driving out there and getting into difficulties. The Clerk was to ask what progress had been made.
k) Police
The Clerk had not been able to attend the meeting on 28th January due to preparing the Southern Plan submission. The next one would be Thurs 18th and the Clerk would be off-Island. Mr Radcliffe was to attend.
Southern Communities Partnership Plan 2010/2011. Letter from Inspector Musson. New policing year would start on 1st April. The partnership had been going for 5 years. The detection rate compared to the previous year’s high was slightly down – approximately 47% of all recorded crime was solved. There had been a reduction in recorded crime – this year it could be a reduction of 17%. The policing plan 2010/11 will be produced in March and would reflect issues in the local communities. He asked what issues most affect RPC’s area of responsibility. The plan would be distributed with the rates.
Members felt that there were no problems at present.
Police Consultative Forum 4th Feb, 7 30pm at Castletown Civic Centre. No representatives from Rushen Commissioners had attended.
l) Litter, beach cleans, dog fouling, etc.
As it was not long until Easter the possibility of having a beach-clean was discussed. Colby Football Club were to be asked if they would be interested in doing this for a donation. The Clerk to write to Dickie Gale or to the Chairman, Mr K Skinner.
m) Ballafesson Playing Field, Car Park, The Howe:-
The Clerk said that the Commissioners’ mower would not cut the grass low enough and, not having a collector on it, the grass was getting very thick and hard to cut. Mr Kelly had said that it needed cutting down very low at the start of the season with the grass being taken away. The mower may then cope with it a bit better. It was agreed to ask Port Erin Commissioners if they had a mower which would cut very low and which could be borrowed.
n) Web Site
o) Southern Civic Amenity Site
Site Report 2009 received and copied to Members. This was noted and there was a short discussion on staffing matters and, in particular, the week-end workers.
It was also noted that Board Members were due for re-election in May.
p) Southern Swimming Pool
Mr Radcliffe said there was nothing new to report.
q) Municipal Association.
.Advertising in the Countryside – the Association had concerns about advertising in the countryside and they were to discuss this. They had forwarded some information which the Clerk had copied to Members at the request of the Chairman.
The next Meeting would be on 25th February.
r) Allotments Nothing further.
s) Southern Healthcare Committee
Mr Tinkler, as Secretary to the Committee brought along a copy of their latest Minutes for Members to look at. The AGM would be held on 27th February.
Mr Tinkler said that he had been asked to write to the Secretary of the Rushen Ambulance Committee to ask why they had not had an AGM for two years. Members were puzzled at this as they understood that there had been one in 2009. Mr Tinkler would report back on this.
t) Marashen Crescent
Mr Radcliffe reported that they had a short list of contactors for the work on the approved apartments. With regard to the older part of the Marashen Crescent elderly people’s dwellings, DoLGE had approved that these be demolished.
u) Rushen Ambulance
Mr Vernon was not in attendance.
v) MNH nothing at present.
w) Risk Assessment
Now the weather should be improving the Clerk said she would arrange for the steps to be put in at Tom the Dippers. She had felt it too dangerous to do it in wet weather as the sloping land could become quite slippery. She hoped it would be done before Easter.
x) Land in front of Hillcrest, Cregneash. Nothing at present (actual ownership not known)
y) Golden Jubilee Trust Mr Radcliffe said that there was nothing on this at the moment.
z) Chain of Office and Board for hall with list of all past Chairmen.
Chain of Office – letter from Jeweller (RHS Jewellers) – who had been asked to provide an Insurance Valuation. He had written to say that he could not now find the paperwork on his computer and asked for an appointment for him to call and redo the valuation in situ.
It was agreed that another jeweller, Charles Alexander, should be asked if they could value the Chain and Pendant and then the Chairman could bring it in to them.
Past Chairmen.
aa) Ballakilley Working Party
The Clerk had compiled the submission and asked Members of BKWP to make alterations/additions. The final document had been sent in on 9th February 2010.
ab) Addresses in Rushen. & 30 & 31 Christeens Way.
Christeens Way – erroneous addresses in the Electoral List. The Clerk reported that she had written to MEA pointing out that RPC had requested that the data bank which the MEA compile for use by Government and other agencies should be changed to revert to the addresses 30 & 31 back from Odin’s Way to Christeen’s Way.
ac) Flooding at Surby. Nothing further.
Ad) Housing
The Housing Conference would be held on March 5th. The Clerk to attend. Notice had been received that the lunch would have to be paid for by those attending – the cost was £18 with £15 being paid by the local authority
ae) Flooding on Ballachurry Road.
The Clerk had written to DoT and acknowledgement had been received but nothing further.
The Clerk was to write to Mr Hannay again to ask if anything was being done.
af) Glen Chass – narrow road
Letter from Jim Davidson. ‘I apologise for not reporting back to you following my discussion with Mr Maddrell.
The remainder of this was dealt with in private session as it was felt advisable to do so as certain figures were mentioned and it was regarded as a private matter.
However, it was agreed to write to DoT again as this corner was regarded as dangerous and a problem to larger vehicles, especially the bin wagons.
ag) Contribution to Port Erin Commissioners finances
No letter of thanks for the £850 cheque received from Port Erin Commissioners yet.
Ah) Natural Gas Pipeline.
Mr Radcliffe said that there was nothing to report on this.
RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT:
This is available for inspection at the office of the Commissioners.
7. AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS 08/09.
The Clerk’s Contract of Employment.
Mr Tinkler had spoken to Moore-Stephens the previous day and he was to bring a copy of the Clerk’s original contact together with the update for them to review. The Clerk would make a copy for him.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
Bus Network Review Consultation
‘In October 2008 the DTL commenced a review of the bus network (last reviewed early 1990’s). A subsequent review undertaken around 10 years ago proposed a radical change of the network that would have considerably increased the cost of operation and was not implemented. During the last 20 years there have been considerable changes in demand which have been dealt with by amending the existing network. The Review is to consider the bus network fit for purpose. The outcome of the review is available at http;//www.gov.im/consultations.gov’ Comments by 12th March 2010.
Mr Radcliffe had looked through this and it was agreed that he would give his comments to the Clerk to be submitted before 12th.
Marine Events February – March
Various events including Presentation in Port Erin about Marine Protected Areas – 8pm Friday 26th Feb at Erin Arts Centre, including update on DAFF’s Manx Marine Nature Reserve Project.
Several Members indicated that they would try to attend.
Unsightly Buildings and Land. Local Government (Misc. Provisions) Act 1984, Section 14; and Building Control Act 1991, Section 24.
Letter from CEO – DoLGE
‘The Department has for some time been reviewing the enforcement of the above legislation and, as a consequence, has produced a new procedures booklet which is intended to assist all Local Authorities enforce the relevant legislation.
The booklet includes examples of various standard letters which, hopefully, your Authority will consider using in the future as this will ensure a standard approach throughout the Island. From our experience, if prosecution is necessary, then the use of such letters will also serve as an audit trail of action which could help secure a successful prosecution. You will note that the letters are designed to deal with various degrees of “unsightliness” ranging from minor unsightliness to those cases where more formal action may be required.
The Department believes that “unsightliness” is a local issue that is best dealt with at a local level and that Local Authority officers are more that capable of dealing with such complaints in their districts, as already happens with Douglas and Onchan. To further assist Local Authorities with the enforcement of this legislation the Department, in conjunction with the Attorney General’s Chambers, has also arranged some basic training in Court procedures. This training will enable Local Authority officers, subject to approval by their Authority, to undertake their own prosecution cases.
Finally, in view of the significant level of public and political interest/concern about “unsightliness issues”, the Department would appreciate feedback with regard to the scale of this problem in your district. Consequently, we would be grateful if, by the end of February 2010, you could provide confirmation of the number of complaints that your authority has satisfactorily resolved, without using officers of this Department over the last 2 years.
If you wish any clarification about the contents of this letter or would like to discuss any queries you may have which relate to unsightliness issues, then please feel free to contact John Howie.’
It was felt that RPC could not do much more than they did at present i.e. eventually involve DoLGE after initially writing to the owners of unsightly properties.
The Clerk felt that she had not had the training to decide what was unsightly especially as RPC had, in the past, asked John Howe to look at various buildings and land which they had felt sure were unsightly only to have Mr Howie say that they were not. The decisions must therefore be subjective.
It was agreed that most Local Authorities would have to rely on the professional people in DoLGE to take further action once initial letters had been sent out.
The Clerk was to reply to this effect.
Consultation – Children Bill.
This could be accessed on www.gov.im/consultations. Included in the Bill were some specific questions on proposed legislation where views were sought. Views by 16th April.
This was deferred until the next meeting.
Letter from Phil Gawne, MHK re Transition Isle of Man.
They were holding a meeting at 7pm on Wed. 24th February at Morton Hall, Castletown – subject – ‘Can we afford the future?’
Mr Gunn indicated he may attend this. Mr Radcliffe was involved with this group so would also be in attendance.
Tynwald Annual Report
Report on the parliamentary year 1st October 2008 to 30th September 2009. Noted.
Road Transport Licensing Committee. Applications, Decisions and Notices. Noted.
9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a) 10/0031. Ballanuy, Ballakilpheric. Mr & Mrs W Corrin. Revised drawing received – site and location now show the whole of the existing curtilage.
No objections.
b) 10/0163. The Barns, Strawberry Fields, Croit-e-Caley. Miss J O’Neill. Erection of conservatory to northwest elevation.
No objections.
c) 10/0139. Robin Hill Farm, Cronk-e-Dhooney. Mr & Mrs MacQuillan. Creation of external steps to first floor tourist accommodation.
No objections.
d) 10/0161. Field 414096. Ballaman, Ballnahowe. Cheeseden Investments Ltd. Erection of agricultural building and hardstanding.
Members were concerned about the location of this proposed shed as it was not near the main house or other buildings and in a prominent area. The requirement for such a building was questioned as there was already an agricultural building associated with this holding on the other side of Ballnahowe Road.
10. PLANNING APPROVALS
a) 09/2037. Field 414188. Croit e Caley Dr P Boultbee. Erection of replacement agricultural building. Conditions include – 3. The building may be used only for the storage of equipment, vehicles and machinery in association with the maintenance of the site as defined in the approved plans. 4. Within one month of the completion of the new building all existing buildings and storage containers must be removed from the site, ass described in the application. Decision – Senior Planning Officer. Issued – 4th February 2010.
b) 09/1970. Tradewinds, Surby Road, Surby. Mr & Mrs D Trustrum. Alterations and extensions to dwelling with new vehicular access.
Conditions include 3. The works must include the provision of a new footway crossing along the new access. Decision – Senior Planning Officer. Issued 15th February 2010.
11. PLANNING REFUSALS none.
12. PLANNING APPEALS No date for the 2 Grenea Cottages appeal had been received.
13 COMPLETION CERTIFICATES
a) 04/7122/DEX. Carabas, Mill Road, Surby. (sent to Port Erin Commissioners)
Bathroom extension, conservatory and summer house. Dated 26th January 2010.
14. OTHER PLANNING MATTERS none.
15 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a) The Leigh, Surby Moar.
There had been complaints that the owners had built their driveway outside their boundary onto the verge and put in kerbs. There had been concern that these may be too high and damager the underneath of cars which may have to pull in to let oncoming traffic pass.
Members had looked at this and felt that it was not too high and they were not too concerned at the moment. The Clerk said she would locate the planning application relating to this property to see if they were breaching any plans.
b) Insurance,
The Clerk reported that she had received a call from Kestral Insurance who were contacting all local authorities asking if they could give a quote for their insurance.
It was agreed that this should be looked at more closely.
16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 17th March 2010.
As there was no further business for the public part of the meeting this was closed at 9 37pm.