The MonthlyMeeting was held on Wednesday 15th June 2016at 7.35pm at the Halley MacLiag. Present were Mrs Glover ( Vice Chairman), Mr Cringle and Mr Gawne. Miss Greenhalgh joined the meeting at 8.10pm. Apologies for absence were received from Mr Cowin. The Clerk was in attendance. Mrs Glover took the Chair.
Risk matters
There were no known new risk matters to discuss.
It was noted that Miss Greenhalgh and the Clerk would be holding the annual risk review with Mr John Edwin in August or September.
Highways – Hedges, sweeping, etc
The Clerk advised that the following work had been done over the month:-
Hedge trimming adjoining pavements - Main Road from Duck Street Corner to Iron Spout.
It was noted that the Grenaby Road hedges would be trimmed before the Southern 100 races.
Ballabeg traffic consultation
It was noted that no further information on the consultant’s report had yet been received.
New local authority responsibilities
It was noted that a meeting of Southern local authority members with Mr Phil Gawne MHK & Mr Chris Thomas MHK, to further discuss social housing and refuse matters, was to take place on Wednesday 29th June at 7pm at CRHS.
The minutes of a recent meeting of the Officer Waste Working Group was received and discussed. The following matters arose from this:-
-it was felt that the suggested compilation and sharing of refuse load weights with all the other local authorities,to facilitate the possible more efficient use of lorries, seemed to be an unnecessary exercise, as this information was already known by each authority and it was already open for the authorities to co-operate in this way if they so wished. There was however no objection to the principle of such sharing of data.
- emergency planning for refuse collection in the event of the Incinerator being out of action for up to three days was considered, and it was felt that it would not be a major issue to defer any affected collections until the Incinerator re-opened and the contractor had rescheduled collection times.
-there was general agreement with the comments of the Peel Commissioners Clerk that collection policies, standards and key performance indicators were the sole remit of each local authority and not a subject for consideration by central government or the waste working groups.
-it was agreed that appropriate schemes to encourage increased recycling of waste would be supported, provided that they were appropriate to a rural and semi-rural area.
Waste Disposal Costs
A copy letter from to the DOI, in response to the questioning of the legality of the availability fee by Douglas Corporation, was received and noted.
Streetlights
It was noted that it had been agreed to have the streetlight at Ballacriy junction replaced at a cost of approximately £1,500.
Sundry Matters
-Website / Facebook - Mrs Glover and the Clerk reported that the Facebook page and the new website were progressing and should be ready within the next month.
-Rates defaulters – it was confirmed that the Coroner for Rushen had been contacted and that his comments regarding the limitations of his powers had been received. It was agreed to pursue the matter.
-Notification of rating objections and temporary reductions in respect of two dwellings near to the Cronk Cullyn development site were received and accepted.
-National Week Concert – Mrs Glover reported that the National Week concert on Saturday 9th July would include Meadowside Choir, an ensemble fron Rushen Band, Ballasalla School Choir, and young people from the Williams and King families. Mrs Glover agreed to arrange publicity.
-Castletown housing land review – information on the proposed sites for the future expansion of Castletown were received. It was noted that none of the proposed sites were in Arbory.
-Garden competition – the organisation and background of the competition were discussed. It was agreed that the 2016 competition would proceed as in previous years.
Planning Matters
New applications:-
-1600342 – Spindrift, Pooilvaaish – first floor extension (amended plans) – no comments.
-1600578 – Field 425118, Glen Road – relocation of field access – no comments.
Accounts for payment
The following accounts were passed for payment:-
- Manx Telecom – telephone 54.62
- Jones Services Ltd – refuse collection - June 3,412.97
- IOM Government - Refuse disposal May 1,475.54
- IOM Muncipal Association - annual subscription 225.00
- Data Protection Supervisor – annual fee 50.00
Sundry Correspondence & Other Matters
-Notification of road restrictions in connection with the Parish Walk – noted that Douglas Road would be one-way.
-Invitation to Onchan Commissioners Civic Service – no members available to attend.
-A suggestion from Hartford Homes that either the new play area at Cronk Cullyn be named after Dwight Beare, who worked on the new houses and had died racing in the recent TT Races, or that a memorial public seat be placed in the play area. It was felt that the public seat would be the most appropriate alternative.
Sundry matters raised by members
Mr Cringle raised the following issues:-
-repair of ColbyBridge flagpole – in hand.
-weed spraying and hedge trimming on Fishers Hill – to be brought to the attention of DOI Highways.
-joint meeting with Rushen Parish Commissioners – agreed to arrange.
The meeting ended at 9.10pm.