The minutes of Lezayre Parish Commissioners meeting held on Thursday 6th February 2014, at 7.00pm, The Community Hall, Clenagh Road, Sulby, Lezayre.

Members present: Mr Radcliffe (Vice Chairman), Mrs Quane, Mr K Brew and Mrs Reeve. Mr A Brew (Chairman) was not able to attend and had given his apologies to the Clerk. Mrs Rimmer the Clerk took the minutes. There was one member of the public and no members of the press in attendance.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on the 2nd January 2014, having being circulated, were taken as read and signed as a correct record by the Vice Chairman.

Matters arising from the minutes

The clerk advised the members that the NPRCB had not yet met with Mr Wrigley to discuss the future plans for refuse disposal. The Municipal Association had requested information regarding the cost of a wheelie bin collection (excluding tipping EFW). The clerk advised that she had passed this request onto J Quayle (NPRCB)

The clerk read out the reply received from Chris Lally (IOM Water and Sewerage Authority) in relation to the condition of the Sulby River. The Commissioners were disappointed with the reply received.

It has been recognised that decades of interference with watercourse has done un-measured amount of damage to the ecology on the rivers.

It is now the accepted practice not to interfere with the natural processes of the river. This includes straightening of watercourses and also dredging.

The Land Drainage Act 1935 empowered the Authority to carry out maintenance and repair to the watercourse which included dredging. As mentioned it is now poor practice to dredge watercourses however within our powers to maintain the watercourse and also to prevent flooding to property the Authority will remove certain constraint such as gravel banks where we consider they are a hazard.

The recently introduced fisheries act states that their consent is required to remove river gravels (dredging).

This year will bring the introduction of the Flood Risk Management which will change our emphasis more towards flood risk and will give the Authority greater powers to this end.

So basically if we consider a risk of flooding to properties we will access the hazard and determine any works necessary.

The clerk is to respond asking if the ecology of the river has improved? They remain unconvinced that the flood risk management that they introduce will be of the urgency required for agricultural land.

The clerk was asked to chase up a date from Ms Charter.

Mrs Quane advised that there are still problems with parking on the Churchtown Loop Road. The Police are now looking into this.

The clerk showed the Commissioners a design for the WWI commemorations flag to be flown at the Lezayre War Memorial. Double sided printed £82.40, single sided printed £50.99. Due to varying weather conditions we experience, the flag will need to be replaced over the four years. The clerk was asked to enquire if a more durable fabric was possible. Would we make a saving if we ordered more than one to cover replacements.

The clerk advised the members that Mr A Brew (Chairman) had been speaking with Mr Conti regarding the trees to the front of his property Fernleigh along the Clenagh Road. Mr Bolt of the Forestry department had visited Mr Conti and has been given permission to have the trees taken down. Mr A Brew was looking into ways that the wood can be disposed of for Mr Conti and thought perhaps it could be taken and made use of by bio mass. The Commissioners thought that the wood could be given away for a small donation to the local residents. The Commissioners were pleased with this decision that the trees could be removed.

Properties registered as flats with the rates office – the clerk is to write to the owners advising them that as their property is registered as a flat it has to be registered by the local authority and to make contact with the Environmental/Public Health Unit for this process to be undertaken.

The clerk advised that Mr Barnes (Traffic Technician) was proposing to erect improved 20mph speed safety signs on the Claddagh along with repeater 20mph signs along the road. The Commissioners asked the clerk to inform Pippa Edmonds of the improved signage.

The clerk had received information from Jason Singleton (Enforcement) regarding Sky Hill. The owner was asked to attend a meeting to explain the ongoing works. The clerk was asked to chase this matter to find out the current situation.

Correspondence

Isle of Man Government

Public Consultations

General Registry – Civil Legal Aid and Legal costs Section – Legal Aid Regulations – Any comments to be brought to the next meeting.

Department of Social Care – Special Guardianship Regulations – Any comments to be sent to the clerk prior to the closing date of 21.02.14.

Isle of Man Tourism – Motorsport Team – Additional Quallifying Sessions during TT- The Commissioners have not objections to the additional qualifying sessions during TT.

Department of Home Affairs – Fire and Rescue Service Bill – Any comments to be brought to the next meeting.

House of Keys – Food and Drink Manufacturing – proposed motion by Mr Ronan to request that the Minister for the Environment, Food and Agriculture develop a strategy and action plan to increase GDP from locally grown, sourced and processed foods to 7% by 2025. Very interesting.

Isle of Man Water and Sewerage Authority – Balladoole STW Lezayre – Advising that a topographical survey and ground investigation are to take place on land adjacent to the Northern Civic Amenity site. (for information only) The Commissioners would be interested to know if this new site will impact the water rates at all. Could the commissioners please have information regarding the current plans for Sulby and Ballaugh treatment works.

Office of the Clerk of Tynwald – Tynwald Garden Party – Sunday 6th July 2014 – The clerk was asked to order 2 tickets. Attendees yet to be decided.

Malew Parish Commissioners – Civic Sunday 2nd March 2014

Letters via the Municipal Association –

Changes to the way Pensions and Benefits are paid –

Local Government (Member's Attendance Allowances) Order 2013 -

Request for cost of collecting wheelie bins (see above)

St Stephen's Church – Isle of Man Flower Festival 2014 – The Commissioners agreed to support this event. Some thought is to be given and ideas are to be brought to the next meeting.

Ballaugh Bowling Club – the clerk was asked to reply thanking them for their offer of help, but there are no plans to develop a bowling green.

Isle of Man Motorcaravan Club – Use of car park – The clerk was asked to acknowledge and advise that the Commissioners have agreed to give this request some thought. The clerk is to enquire the cost of motorcaravans parking on the Mooragh Park site with Ramsey Commissioners. Also, would planning permission be required?

Motorhome Parking – Enquiry re parking availability – the clerk was asked to acknowledge and advise that we are looking into various aspects.

Darren Watkinson – Burial Plots – Passed to Mrs Quane.

Rob Walls – Fly tipping – 10-12 large car tyres have been dumped at the bottom of the footpath that leads from the Garey Road down past where the maze field is during the summer. The clerk advised that this email had been forwarded to Ramsey Police for investigation. The clerk was asked to find out if they have been moved.

Mr Morris Newsletters – 140, 141, 143 and 144 - Noted

Any other business

Date for Fun Day – This has been set for Saturday the 28th June 2014 – the clerk is to advise all previous helpers of the agreed day and see if they are willing to help again. The event will be advertised as widely as possible to include, Tourist Board, What's On, Manx Radio, Newspapers, Manx Advertiser and Facebook.

The clerk advised the members that Mr Mcmillan will be meeting with Mr Young to discuss the transfer station on Tuesday 11th February 2014.

Mrs Quane asked if the clerk could report pot holes at Aust Corner on the Andreas Road and by the stone bridge on the Ballamanagh Road. The double yellow lines through the Sulby Village also need re-painting.

Top soil is required for the land to the rear of the Community Hall to continue the improvement works to the land. Mrs Quane advised that she had seen some advertised on Manx Net for £15.00 per tonne. Mr Radcliffe thought this was expensive. The clerk was asked to contact Ellerslie Depot to see if they had anything suitable such as leafy road sweepings. Mrs Quane will also ask at Milntown to see to see if they have any topsoil available. Mr Radcliffe had made enquiries for the cost of planting trees on the eastern boundary of the site. This would be £500 for laurel but less for hawthorn. The Commissioners all agreed to meet at 10am on Saturday 1st March so that they can walk around the site and all agree a plan for the works required.

Date for next meeting

The next meeting was arranged for Thursday 6th March 2014 in the Board Room at the Community Hall at 7.00m.

There being no further business the chairman closed the meeting at 8.35pm.

Signed………………………………………Chairman

Dated......