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Minutes of April 2010 Meeting
RUSHEN PARISH COMMISSIONERS
Meeting held 7pm Wednesday 21st April 2010 at Ballafesson Hall.
MINUTES
Present: Mr P Gunn (Chairman) Mr P Vernon, Mr D Cain. Mr D Radcliffe arrived later at 8.55pm due to a prior engagement.
Apologies - Mr A Tinkler who had been unable to return to UK from Spain due to the ban on flying because of the volcanic ash.
The Meeting commenced at 7pm to enable Mr Blackford from MNH to discuss their planning application regarding changes they want to make to the car park at The Sound Café. He provided plans of the proposal and brought along a sample of the bound granite blocks they intended to use as part of the surface and that they had consulted the Planning Authority before deciding to use these. They were very durable. He said that approximately 70,000 vehicles per annum use the car park. A discussion took place on this proposal and the Sound area in general. They were intending to phase the work, starting in Autumn 2010 and then the remainder possibly the following Spring. However, this was all reliant upon funding being available.
After further general discussion about The Sound Mr Blackford left the meeting.
1. MINUTES
The Minutes of the Meeting held Wednesday 17th March 2010, having previously been circulated, were taken as read and agreed a true record.
2. MATTERS ARISING
a) Southern Area Plan.
Nothing further at the moment.
i) DoLGE/Local Authority Issues:-
Department of Infrastructure – the name of the new Department which was to handle some of the functions which DoLGE dealt with previously:-
- Local Government Unit including Petition applications and processing;
- Planning and Building Control including conservation;
- Estates and Architecture including housing maintenance;
- Waste Management Unit;
- Health and Safety.
Chief Executive will be Ian Thompson who will be based at the Sea Terminal.
Department of Environment, Food & Agriculture (handling with the following which DoLGE dealt with previously):-
- All Environmental Health/Public Health/Food Safety;
- Environmental Protection Unit.
Director of Environment will be Martin Hall; Chief Executive will be Ken Kinrade, St Johns.
Department of Social Care – (handling the following which DoLGE previously handled):-
- Local Authority Housing (including housing deficiency)
- First Time Buyers
- Home Grant Assistance.
Chief Executive – Chris Corlett, Hillary House, Prospect Hill.
Swimming Pool Boards would be part of ‘Community, Culture and Leisure’
ii) Corporate Governance Principles and Code of Conduct.
Record of Members’ Interests.
The Clerk had brought the book so that Members could complete their entries with regard to declaring all their interests.
iii) Court Training for Clerks – further email – forwarded to Members on 14th.
The Department of Infrastructure had arranged for this to take place 19th May and will be an all-day course starting at 10 30am. This would be training re court prosecutions and court proceedings.
Although it had been felt previously that there was no need for the Clerk to undertake this training she said that Roy Corlett, DoI, had suggested, when she and Mr Radcliffe met with him regarding the High Hedges case 2, that she should go on this course. The Clerk said that she may go on it but it was the day of the AGM.
d) Waste Management and Refuse Collection
Bad Debtors – Mr Tinkler was absent but had indicated that he had not had a chance to visit the people concerned.
Port Erin Commissioners – They had held another meeting of Clerks but the Port Erin Clerk had previously contacted RPC Clerk to say that they felt that it may be a waste of the time of the Clerks for Rushen, Arbory and Santon as they all use a Contractor and the meeting would be discussing costings for their own refuse wagons/collections/etc. This was noted.
John Wrigley – Waste Manager. The Clerk had not arranged for him to come to a meeting as Mr Blackford from MNH was attending the April meeting. She asked if she should arrange it for the May meeting, but that would be the AGM. It was agreed that this should be left and that he could possibly be invited in the future.
Refuse Collection – The proprietors of the Sound Café had asked for weekly collections now that they were open in the evenings. The Clerk had discussed this with Ian Jones and he was willing to do it but there would be an extra cost – which RPC would pass on to the proprietors of the Café. The amount was not known yet. He had made an extra collection and the Clerk had asked him if he could weigh a collection so that she could send them more accurate invoices now that they would be having extra refuse. He was to use his weigher wagon for a collection within the next few weeks.
e) Lighting/MEA.
Ballakillowey roundabout/Ballagawne Road scheme. Nothing further.
Timing of lights – Surby Road (Mr Tinkler had queried re lights on until 2/3 am). The Clerk had asked MEA to check the timings and they said that they were going off at 12 30 am and coming on in the morning at 7am.
At one time these lights were on until 3am as they are on the same circuit as Fairy Hill – which were getting left on until late as there had been vandalism and damage carried out at night. This timing had been changed in 2009.
New Contract – dated 16th March 2010 – in effect from 1st April 21010 and to expires 31st March 2011. MEA state ‘Despite significant increases in cost in almost every area we have managed to maintain the existing maintenance charges at the same level for yet another year. We hope that this will go some way towards offsetting the changes in the electricity tariff.’
Included is the Pricing Schedule and schedule of rates for streetlight works
Pricing Schedule – As of the 1st April the unit cost of energy is 14.64 pence per unit plus the fuel cost adjustment and VAT as applicable at the time of invoice. The MEA will calculate energy consumption based on the number and type of streetlights, the lighting regime and wattage in use at the time of the invoice.
Maintenance charge per lamp, per 3 month period shall be £6.97 per installation. The maintenance charge per clock, per 3 month period shall be £3.16 per installation:-
22 clocks @ £2.16 = £47.52 +vat 135 lights @ £6.87 + £940.95 + vat.
Total is £988.47 plus VAT.
Rates for streetlight works –
Replacement clock – £207; replacement fitting – £330; pole mounted arm and fitting – £500; pole mounted arm, fitting and clock – £730; replacement 5m or 6m column and fitting – £2,700; replacement 8m column and fitting – £3,000; period fitting – £940; period column – £3,600; repainting column – £120 (including materials)
It was agreed that the Contract should be signed by the Chairman and Clerk and returned.
g) Carrick Bay View.
Carrick Bay View – nothing further on the ‘purchase’.
i) Hedges
High Hedges:-
Dealt with later in the evening once Mr Radcliffe arrived. Reported in this part of the Minutes.
Dragonscroft Honna Road/Tynewydd, Mill Road.
j) Traffic matters – Department of Transport and other DoT matters.
Email from Hugo McKenzie, DoT, who attends the Traffic meetings. He had forwarded a letter from a resident of The Howe to Phil Gawne MHK regarding speed of traffic on The Howe; also enclosed his reply to her and his request to DoT to look into having a speed limit on that road. A copy of these had been forwarded to all Members.
Re: Traffic meetings:-
Ballachurry Corner letter from Keith McArd regarding the incorrectly laid out pavement, the water that was now lying at the side of the road also large vehicles going the ‘wrong’ side of the bollards
Rushen School - the school traffic speed signs were not installed yet.
Plantation Hill. .(see ‘Ballakillowey Roundabout – below)
Civic Amenity Site. The Clerk of the SCAS had sent an email regarding the meeting they had with DoT – see ‘Amenity Site’
Ballakilpheric – the speed advise sign was not yet installed.
Rural Roads (Speed Limits) on the B44 Ballakilpheric Road. A copy of the Order had been received.
The Level nothing further.
Glen Chass – sharp corner & turning circle. Nothing done yet. The Clerk brought a copy of an email she had sent to Mr Almond of DOT on 16th July 2009 asking if they could do something about this ‘quickly’
Other DoT matters:-
Glen Chass Road – narrow corner. Nothing from Jim Davidson.
Ballakillowey roundabout – The Clerk had not yet written to DoT re RPC’s views that the money would have been better spent in doing something with the Plantation Hill narrow road as she thought that, now Mr Gawne was Minister of DoI, which includes Planning and Roads, it may be relevant to contact him about several issues.
It was agreed to write to Mr Gawne, both as Minster and MHK for Rushen, regarding several issues – Plantation Hill, speed on Howe Road, Glen Chass and Ballachurry Corner.
k) Police
Mr Radcliffe had told the Clerk that some elderly people in Fairy Hill had been concerned about an incident regarding what they thought were UK police and a gun and drugs. She had brought this up at the Police Meeting but they knew nothing about it and said that if UK police were on the Island they would know about it. Mr Radcliffe was going to speak with some of the people in Fairy Hill to find out more so that, if nothing had happened, the Police could reassure them.
There had been no reported crimes in Rushen during the previous month.
l) Litter, beach cleans, dog fouling, etc.
Colby Football Club – no reply yet from Ken Skinner.
Chasms Car Park – the Clerk asked if Members were sure that they wanted a litter bin there as well as the existing dog bin. She had been to look at the dog bin over the Easter period and it was not full 2/3 days before collection date. There were a couple of sandwich wrappers in besides the dog waste. She had ordered two new litter bins as she had none in stock and pointed out that they were very large. Mr Cain said that a lot of people walk there.
It was agreed that a litter bin should be installed by the dog bin.
m) Ballafesson Playing Field, Car Park, The Howe: Nothing at present.
n) Web Site
Mr Vernon was now dealing with this and Nick Thornley was coming to his house to give him some advise on updating the site.
o) Southern Civic Amenity Site
Invoice for April/May/June quarter received – £4,705.85.
Also received a copy of a leaflet re the charging policy for domestic users and other information.
They had started recycling for plastic bottles.
Also received from the Clerk of SCAS was an email giving details on what options were discussed at the site meeting with DoT :–
‘Generally the road complied with the regulations but the entrance didn’t as there was not enough room to pull in.
Suggested options are:-
Clear Way; double yellow lines (but not effective as you can pull up on these and Police tend to give benefit of doubt; alter entrance – major work; moving part of wall to get better view; cutting back trees to get better view; painting yellow lines on area between gate and road and leaving outer gate open; signs outside Site possibly electronic; painting white lines at entrance DoT’s responsibility if they have adopted the road.
DoT have agreed to paint the white lines when they are free to do so and are still thinking about the rest of the proposals.’
This was noted.
p) Southern Swimming Pool (dealt with when Mr Radcliffe arrived)
Mr Radcliffe said that there was not much to report. The admission fees were going up.
q) Municipal Association.
Mr Gunn had attended the monthly meeting. Jennifer Chance, Senior Planning Officer was there to give information and to deal with questions. The AGM would be in May and Port St Mary Commissioners were hosting it this year. Venue was not known yet.
r) Allotments
Mrs Rodgers from Mount Gawne Road had been to see the Clerk with copies of letters from Port St Mary Commissioners and her replies. She was concerned about some aspects regarding the Allotments. Mr Radcliffe had been given copies of these and had been to see her so that he could discuss any problems at the Allotment Committee meeting.
Mr Radcliffe said that there had only been one meeting and that was last year. He had been asked by the Deputy Clerk of PSM Commissioners what date would suit him for the next meeting. He had heard noting further and had contacted her as there were several things needing sorting out. Ms Meadows had broken her arm and that may be the reason no meeting had been arranged yet. He hoped it would be soon.
Information received from PSM that Chris Burton had resigned as an independent representative on the Committee. They asked for nominations and as only Mr Cain had made a suggestion – Frank Harrison – this was put forward. However, Mr Cain subsequently contacted Mr Harrison and he said he did not wish to be considered.
s) Southern Healthcare Committee
Mr Tinkler was not present and therefore nothing to report.
t) Marashen Crescent
Mr Radcliffe had not arrived yet.
u) Rushen Ambulance
Mr Vernon said there was nothing to report.
v) MNH
Sound Car Park – proposed planning application – Mr S Blackford, MNH had attended at the start of the meeting – reported at the beginning of the Minutes.
w) Risk Assessment
The Clerk reported that there was nothing new to be dealt with and consequently no further risks to be taken into account.
x) Land in front of Hillcrest, Cregneash.
Not done yet.
y) Golden Jubilee Trust.
Mr Radcliffe reported that he had gone along to the heats for the competition on the afternoon of Saturday 10th April. There were to be nine young people picked. However, despite there supposed to have been 125 young people taking part only three turned up. He expressed his disappointment at the lack of enthusiasm as a lot of work had gone into organising this.
z) Chain of Office and Board for hall with list of all past Chairmen.
Chain of Office – The Chairman had taken this to Charles Alexander on 14th April. He had left it there and they were going to have to find out more information regarding this.
Past Chairmen. Nothing further on this.
aa) Ballakilley Working Party
Letter received from Port St Mary Commissioners, to whom the Clerk had sent a copy of the BKWP submission regarding the Southern Area Plan and they warmly endorsed its contents.
ab) Addresses in Rushen. Nothing further on this.
Ac) Ballafesson Hall – Rent.
Letter of acknowledgement received with thanks for the rent and appreciation of the increase.
Af) Bus Network Review Consultation
Acknowledgement of views sent in by RPC.
Ai) Unsightly Buildings and Land.
Views had been sent in but no acknowledgement had been received.
Aj) Consultation – Children Bill.
Deferred from February meeting. The Clerk had not received any views from Members since the February Meeting to submit. She asked if Members wanted to consider the Bill again.
However, this was declined and no views were to be sent in.
Ak) Criminal Justice Bill
This email had been copied to Members on the day of the March meeting. It was just for information purposes and was now to be taken off the Agenda.
al) Insurance,
The Chain of Office was being re-valued. The insurance would be due for renewal in July.
RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER’S REPORT:
This can be views at the office of the Commissioners,
7. AUDIT OF ACCOUNTS 08/09.
The Clerk’s Contract of Employment. Mr Tinkler, who was dealing with this, was not present.
Report on Local Authorities who had not sent their audited accounts to DoLGE (from last meeting). Further reply from Yvette Mellor – email forwarded to Members on 19th March:-
‘…I did not receive a copy of your account from the Auditors until 10th march 2010 which was long after the date for inclusion in the report but I can agree that they were signed in accordance with the timescales you mention in your email. The system has always worked in previous years but seems to have fallen over this year and, whilst I can sympathise with your Commissioners’ annoyance that they have been quoted wrongly in the report, the responsibility for sending he Department the signed accounts sits with the Commissioners and the Auditors.’
This was noted.
8. CORRESPONDENCE
a) 1st Supplemental List.
The Clerk was to contact the Rates division and ask for the criteria used when valuing properties as ‘agricultural’.
b) Electoral Register.
Received a copy – applicable from 1st April 2010. Noted.
c) Age Concern – CHAT Bus (Community, Health, Advice & Training)
Invitation to Chairman and Clerk to attend the launch of the Bus – 12 noon Friday 30th April at the Hilton car park. (RSVP by 23rd April) Mr Gunn said that he would attend and would RSVP. The Clerk did not know if she would be able to and offered her invitation to Members but none of those present indicated that they would like to attend.
Age concern had also sent some information and photographs of the new Bus and they indicated that they would like the bus to be in various parts of the Island
d) Consultation – Public Sector Code – obligations re Race Relations Act 2004.
Email copied to Members on 14th April. Received draft code of practise which related to the obligations imposed on all Public Authorities under the Race Relations Act 2004. ‘Any observations you feel would assist in making the final version of the code both legally sound and yet easy to follow’– comments or observations by Friday 21st May.
Members had no comments on this Code.
e) Rural Roads (speed limits) Order 2010.
This was the change in speed limits on the Ballakilpheric Road – ‘impose a 30mph speed limit on a section of the B44 Ballakilpheric Road in the Parishes of Rushen and Arbory.’
This was noted.
f) Parish Walk.
Was to be held on Saturday 26th June. The organiser had written (general letter to all local authorities) to ask if RPC could assist with waste management – the amount of waste left behind was increasing. They would be grateful if RPC could supply them with additional bins or suggest any alternative method on how to manage it in our area.
RPC already provide tow wheelie bins on the Sloc but these usually have very little rubbish in them. The Clerk was to write to point this out but to ask if they still wanted these provided.
g) Manx Classic Rally
The Sloc Hillclimb was to be held on Friday 23rd April and the Club had applied for a road closing order. Roads would be closed from 9 15am to 4 30pm – A36 Sloc Road 1,000 metres north of its junction with the B44 Ballakilpheric Road to its southern junction with the D60 Dalby Lhag Road. Beforehand two large noticeboards would be placed on the approaches to the roads being closed.
This was noted.
h) Lombard.
Information regarding finance and leasing available. Noted.
i) Road Transport Licensing Committee.
Applications, decisions and notices. One of the Notices gives details of the new tariffs.
Noted.
Mr Radcliffe arrived – 8.55pm
9. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
a) 10/0387. Kentraugh Mill, Croit-e-Caley. Canon John Sheen. Remove chimney stack, retaining a balance with the remaining house stack and the lower cottage stack.
No objections.
b) 09/0806. Majolica, Ballagawne Road, Colby. Dr J Brewis. In Principle Erection of dwelling in rear garden. Now received – drawing showing alternative driveway.
Note – there had been various objections from neighbours and several had been to see the plans.
The Clerk asked if Members wished to re-consider their views but they did not and did not have any objections to the alternative driveway shown.
A letter had been received from the owners of Woodlands – very disappointed in RPC’s views on the application. A reply to be sent to her stating that RPC were sympathetic to their concerns but that they felt that the matter would be better dealt with when a full planning permission application was received.
c) 10/0437. 2 Carrick Bay View, Ballagawne Road. Dr & Mrs N Ogilvy. Alterations including formation of a recreation area in the existing garage and erection of a replacement garage and entrance hall.
No objections.
d) 10/0468. Sandfield, Mount Gawne Road (Allotments). Port St Mary Commissioners. Erection of shed (of wood, metal or plastic construction) and/or greenhouse (each structure not to exceed 2.4m long 1.8m wide and 2.1m high maximum) sited on N.E. corner and oriented North/South on 79 allotment plots.
Members objected to the number of sheds and greenhouses which may be erected on the field and they also objected to the possibility that these may be substandard. They felt it would be better to have some larger sheds of a better standard of construction which could be shared by allotment holders in which to store their equipment, etc.
e) 10/0249. Part field 414140, Glendown Farm, Truggan Road. Mr & Mrs D Cain. Erection of detached agricultural worker’s dwelling. Amended site/location plan received regarding the boundary (to take in the area where the Klargestor would be situated).
Mr Cain declared an interest in this matter and took no part in the discussion.
There were no objections.
10. PLANNING APPROVALS
a) 10/0163. The Barn, Strawberry Fields, Croi-e-Caley. Miss J O’Neill. Erection of a conservatory to a dwelling house.
Decision – Senior Planning Officer. Issued – 31st March 2010.
b) 10/0139. Robin Hill Farm, Cronk y Dhooney, Ballakilpheric. Mr & Mrs MacQuillan. Creation of external steps to first floor tourist accommodation.
Decision – Senior Planning Officer. Issued – 31st March 2010.
c) 10/0272. Bridge House, Surby Road, Surby. Mr A Crowther. (retrospective). Levelling of upper garden to creat off road parking and vehicular access.
Decision – Senior Planning Officer. Issued – 14th April 2010.
d) 10/0321. Greenhill, Ballagale Avenue, Surby. Mr J Lister. Extension of trading times of nursery from two to four days per week (variation of condition 2 of PA 07/1979).
Conditions include – 2. This permission relates to the use of the premises as a residential dwelling with the operation of an outlet selling plants grown on the premises. This business may only be open to visitors between 11am and 4pm on four days per week and between 15th April and 15th September. The business may only be operated by Mr J Lister whilst he is resident at Greenhill, Ballagale Avenue.
Decision – Senior Planning Officer. Issued 20th April 2010.
11. PLANNING REFUSALS
12. PLANNING APPEALS
2 Grenea Cottages appeal was to be held on 23rd March. Mr Gunn and the Clerk and Mr Radcliffe attended the hearing. Mr Gunn spoke for the Commissioners. Mr Peter Kelly of the Isle of Man Victorian Society also spoke at the invitation of RPC.
The applicant was there, together with her architect and a neighbour. Jennifer Chance, Senior Planning Officer was also there. The Inspector was Mr G Self.
The outcome of the Appeal was awaited.
13 COMPLETION CERTIFICATES
a) Cert No 99/7479. Lynhurst, Howe Road. Mr R Best. Minor roof alterations and roof lights. Issued – 19th March 2010.
b) Cert. No 07/7578. Castruan, Cregneash. Manx National Heritage. Refurbishment.
Issued 9th March 2010.
It was not known if they had complied with the Note given in the planning approval 5/12/07
‘Note: Rushen Parish Commissioners recommend that the applicant consider the implications of removing the existing porch in terms of the protection it presently provides from the prevailing weather and whilst in no way opposed to the removal of the porch, would recommend that the applicant consider creating a lobby to improve the insulation of the property and reduce heat loss.’ Decision made by Planning Committee. Cert. issued 9th March 2010.
c) Cert. No 07/07489. 10 Ballakeyll, Colby. Mr D Williams. Alterations to provide a new bedroom by converting part of the existing garage, a shower room and a utility room.
Issued 13th April 2010.
d) Cert. no. 10/7048. Greystones, Cregneash. Manx National Heritage. Removal of existing fireplace and installation of multi fuel burning stove. Issued 14th April 2010.
14. OTHER PLANNING MATTERS
15 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
a) Mount Gawne Road – construction vehicles.
This road had been badly congested for months with construction vehicles associated with the new house at The Dolphins. The Clerk reported that there had been at least 9 and sometimes 11 vans there most of the day and large wagons blocking the road.
There had been an email from Mr Surgenor of Mount Gawne Road (18th March and forwarded to Members) who was concerned that he wasn’t able to get his car out of his driveway on several occasions and there has been aggravation with owners of construction vehicles when asked to move so people could get out of their driveways.
There had been damage to the road surface and people in the area had spoken to the Clerk about this saying that it should be for the builders or owners of the property to pay for repair and not the taxpayers. The Clerk pointed out that the sides of the road had been damaged by the vehicles parking there. She asked if Members agreed with what the people had said with regard to responsibility but some felt that the roads are public and vehicles are entitled to park there, therefore the owners of the vehicles should not be responsible.
The Clerk also pointed out that, when writing to DoLGE re the proposed apartment construction at Motorlands regarding RPC’s concern re construction traffic, they were told that ‘this is not a planning matter’. She asked if Members thought that it should be. It was agreed that, in future when considering planning applications, the congestion and damage which may be caused by construction traffic should be taken into account.
There had also been concern expressed by people on Mount Gawne Road regarding the speed of traffic on the road as it now seemed to be used more by vehicles travelling to and from work.
b) Concert – Children in Song
Mr Cain had been talking to Maggie Richardson, Head of Music at Department of Education, who was organising a concert on June 26th at theVilla Marina. He had a copy of the press release she was sending out regarding this . The concert would consist of music and poetry. There would be a poem about the Thousla Cross and she had asked him if someone from the Thousla Trust/Commissioners could read this.
The Chairman, Mr Gunn agreed to do this.
c) Shore Road – access to shore.
The Clerk had been asked to enquire from DoT when the steps at the bottom of Mount Gawne Road down to the shore would be cleared – the boulders there had not been moved so people could not get down safely. The boarding at the Shore Hotel slipway had not been taken away for some years.
She was to write to the Harbours Division of DoT (now Department of Infrastructure) asking for these to be done.
d) Sloc Sites
This had been missed off the Agenda by the Clerk. She said she had been to see it and asked if it was more urgent that the other plot which has been planted with trees for the Millennium project which was open to the road and was very overgrown should be tackled first as people can see this from the road. Both areas were to be strimmed.
e) Seats on road to Chasms.
Mr Cain asked if Mr Kelly could strim the grass, etc from around the two memorial seats on the road to the Chasms.
16. DATE OF NEXT MEETING Wednesday 19th May 2010 and this would be the AGM.