The Yarmouth Isle of Wight
Town Council
Minutes of a meeting of Yarmouth Town Council held at Yarmouth Town Hall on Tuesday 5th February 2013
225/2012 APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllr A Ingram and County Cllr Stuart Hutchinson
PRESENT: Councillors S Cowley, (Town Mayor), R Corbett, S. Mence, P Garlick, B Tongue, C Bennett, S Poston.
IN ATTENDANCE: B Jacobs (Town Clerk), Harbour Commissioner Belinda Walters, and 1 member of the public
226/2012 PUBLIC FORUM:-
i) POLICE MATTERS
A report on current policing issues in Yarmouth was noted.
ii) HARBOUR ISSUES
The Harbour Commission representative reported that the latest phase of the Harbour Redevelopment Programme was two weeks behind schedule, but completion was still expected by Easter.
iii) ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
In the absence of Cllr Hutchinson, no report was presented.
iv) THORLEY ISSUES
Cllr Mence presented a verbal report about recent development work at Thorley Church involving the demolition of the vestry at the west end of the church, and the erection in its place of a community facility involving a kitchen area, toilet and secure area for Church documents. A further £9,000 was required to complete this project, and it was planned to achieve this in sections rather than in one stage.
v)YARMOUTH ISSUES
Cllr Garlick reported that new parking signs at the layby opposite the Common, which state ‘No parking at any time’, had led to confusion as to whether the signs relate to the verge or the adjacent double yellow lines. Parking has continued on the verge and, as a result, the issue of parking tickets had been inconsistent. RESOLVED: The Clerk to bring this to the attention of Highways Department, and request that the new signs be replaced by those with the original legend ‘No parking on verge 8am-6pm’.
Cllr Tongue, echoed by Cllrs, thanked Mike Dorey on contacting the Environment Agency to arrange for the replacement of the sluice gates at Yarmouth Mill and inspection of Thorley Marsh.
Cllr Corbett recorded his appreciation with the recent installation by IWC of ramps for disabled pedestrians in Yarmouth.
Cllr Mence reported that Kevin Shaw has revamped the content for the history page on the YTC website, and will be forwarding this to the Clerk to enable the web page to be amended.
vi) PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
No further questions from the public were tabled, and the Public Forum concluded at 18:40.
227/2012DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL AND DISCLOSABLE PECUNIARY INTERESTS
Personal / Disclosable PecuniaryS Poston / Yarmouth Town Trust (item 232)
S Cowley / Yarmouth Town Trust (item 232)
WWLP / Any issue involving Lee Farm or buses (item 231)
S. Mence / HYPP
Y&T Community Plan C’tee
(Item 231)
B. Tongue / HYPP
Y&T Community Plan C’tee (Item 231)
Yarmouth Institute
P Garlick / Yarmouth Institute / Any issue involving buses (item 231)
228/2012 MINUTES
To take as read and confirm as accurate the minutes of the meeting of the Town Council held on Tuesday 15th January 2013.
229/2012 FINANCE
229/2012.1 Payment of Accounts.
The following payments were authorised for February 2013:
229/2012.2 Bank Reconciliation.
RESOLVED: That the bank reconciliation for January 2013 is accepted.
229/2012.3 2013/14 Budget and Precept
RESOLVED: To approve the change in Council funding, as advised 17/1/13 by IWC, due to Localised Council Tax Support grant.
230/2012 PLANNING ISSUES
230/2012.1 Planning Applications
RESOLVED: YTC objects to the following application on the basis of reduced visibility caused by vertical panels which could cause possible safety issues, although the precise nature of the revised design was unclear from the plans as presented :
Application No / Location / Proposal / DatesTCP/01801/N - P/01935/12
/ 1 to 6 Yar Cottages Mill Road Yarmouth Isle Of Wight PO41 0QZ / Variation of condition no.2 on P/00768/10 TCP/01801/H to allow a revised design of external guarding to raised deck areas / Comments Due By: 08/02/2013
No objections were raised to the following application:
TCP/04134/E - P/01966/12/ The Wight House High Street Yarmouth Isle Of Wight PO410PN / Householder Application Alterations proposed replacement roof covering installation of rooflights on south elevation dormer windows on north elevation to include balcony / Comments Due By: 08/02/2013
230/2012.2 Other Planning issues
Permission Granted:
P/01696/12/ Nestleton, Station Road, Yarmouth, Isle Of Wight, PO410QT / Proposed single storey side and rear extension to provide additional living accommodation
TCP/01801/L - P/01698/12
/ 1 to 6 Yar Cottages Mill Road Yarmouth Isle Of Wight PO41 0QZ / Variation of condition no.7 on P/01336/07TCP/01801/G which relates to the details of the facilities to be provided for the storage of refuse and bicycles
TREES IN YARMOUTH CONSERVATION AREA
The following was noted:
OSSIAN COTTAGE, HIGH STREET, YARMOUTH : Oak situated as detailed in the application to reduce the canopy-crown by 25% and raise the crown to one metre above the top of the wall.
Street Trading Application:
Under Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 Schedule 4, application has been made for: Street Trading Consent for Kaputino, Whole Island. Objections, in writing, by 18 February 2013.
RESOLVED: To object to this application on the basis that it represents unnecessary additional trading in an area already adequately covered by existing businesses within Yarmouth, and its street-based configuration could create a safety hazard at busy times within an urban area.
Permission Refused:
None
231/2012 YARMOUTH & THORLEY COMMUNITY PLAN
The adoption of Yarmouth and Thorley’s Community Plan as a Supplementary Planning Document by the Isle of Wight Council on 14 January 2013 was noted. This now means that planning applications in Yarmouth and Thorley will be determined using the Community Plan as a material consideration and be judged on its own planning merits in accordance with the Island Plan Core Strategy and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).
Mayor Cowley and Cllr Poston left the meeting
Item 4.5: RESOLVED: To advise Chris Matthews of delays in completing the EIF Planters Project
Item 6.2: Concern was expressed regarding the recently advertised 6 month tenancy for a Yarmouth Town Trust house at a cost which could deter applications by local residents. RESOLVED: The Clerk to write to Yarmouth Town Trust expressing concern and requesting details of this advertisement and the reason for the high tenancy cost.
232/2012 USE OF THE ANCIENT SEAL OF YARMOUTH (TOWN CREST) FOLLOWING ITS REGISTRATION AS A TRADEMARK
Cllr Mence gave a verbal report on progress on this issue. RESOLVED: TO defer discussion until the next meeting.
233/2012 WEST WIGHT LANDSCAPE PARTNERSHIP 2013 GRANTS
It was noted that the Council’s project, Yarmouth & Thorley Voices, has been granted 75% of the total cost, rather than the 90% requested as a Partner, so that extra match funding was required in order to avoid reducing the project cost and scope by half (given the WWLP grant management rules). The Council is indebted to the Delphie Lakeman Memorial Trust (DLMT) for agreeing to make up the shortfall and enabling this imaginative project to go ahead as planned.
It was also noted that the WWLP had stipulated that a professional website builder be used to create the website in view of the need to complete this project within the given deadline.
RESOLVED:
· To contribute £1,200 to this project from YTC funds arising from the proceeds from the sale of the History Booklet. Other funding towards the estimated project cost of £12,000 was £9,000 from WWLP and £1,800 from (DLMT).
· To confirm Mrs J Cowley as the project leader.
· To maintain a separate accounting arrangement in the Council’s accounts, and to approve temporary transfers of funds from the main account to aid cash flow should these prove necessary.
Cllr Mence reported that restoration of the Cemetery, which had also attracted a grant from WWLP, had commenced, and considerable improvements to the appearance of the Cemetery were already evident.
Mayor Cowley and Cllr Poston rejoined the meeting
234/2012 WELLOW/THORLEY WIND TURBINE SCHEME - APPEAL
A robust discussion took place regarding a request for a YTC donation to ThWART. Cllr Bennett commented on the opposition of Yarmouth residents to the proposed Windfarm, and Cllr Mence reported a similar view among Thorley residents as voiced at previous Council meetings. Cllr Corbett pointed out that it is not the Council’s normal practice to make donations at this point in the financial year and Cllr Poston questioned whether a donation would be appropriate.
Cllr Mence proposed that the YTC make a donation of £300 to ThWART, and this was seconded by Cllr Garlick. Cllr Corbett asked for a named vote to be taken. The motion was carried by four votes in favour by Cllrs Mence, Garlick, Cowley and Bennett to three against the motion by Cllrs Corbett, Tongue and Poston.
235/2012 LOCAL HEROES FUND
It was noted that the donation of £800 to Yarmouth Town Trust for the restoration of Yarmouth War Memorial had been withheld pending confirmation that this work would proceed.
236/2012 PFI/HIGHWAYS ISSUES
Cllr Mence reported a good attendance by local residents and groups at the recent PFI Roadshow. It was noted the Island Roads had indicated a willingness to support local projects and had asked residents to nominate schemes; further information on this was awaited.
No further news on the remote operation of Yar Bridge had been received, but was awaited.
237/2012 COMMUNITY CENTRE
A written report noted the Clerk had written to the Institute Management Committee and Institute Trustees, as instructed by Council (Minute 164/2012). The replies gave full support at this stage to the proposal of the Working Party that the Town Council takes the lead with such essential preliminaries as, “seeking grant aid for the professional advice required in setting up of a Charitable Trust” and also gave the Working Party representatives, P Scott, S Holloway and D Davies, authority to proceed with such preliminaries while working with Town Council representatives.”
RESOLVED: Council agreed to take the lead with essential preliminaries into the setting up of a Charitable Trust for the purpose of using the Institute site and building for a Community Centre, at no cost to the Council at this stage.
238/2012 DRAFT YARMOUTH COMMUNITY FLOOD PLAN
Cllr Mence presented the draft Plan, and indicated that it had worked well during recent minor tide surges. The Plan had been checked with the IWC Emergency Management team.
RESOLVED: To approve the draft Plan as presented
239/2012 CLERK’S REPORT
239/2012.1 DEBIT CARD FACILITY
It was noted that the card has now been issued and is in the custody of the Town Clerk.
239/2012.2 NEW COMMUNITY MAGAZINE
A written report about the new community magazine, ‘Freshwater, Totland and Yarmouth’, was considered.
RESOLVED: To continue with articles in the Beacon at present, despite its higher charge, due to its wider circulation to households and to contribute an article to the forthcoming issue of the Beacon, covering as many current issues as possible.
239/2012.3 FIELDS IN TRUST
RESOLVED: The Clerk to circulate details to Councillors about joining Fields in Trust.
239/2012.4 CONDUCT IN PRE-ELECTION PERIOD
Advice in a letter from Chris Matthews regarding conduct of staff and members prior to the May elections was noted
239/2012.5 WRITING FOR THE WEB
RESOLVED: To accept the Clerk’s advice and reject sending him on a course of Web writing
239/2012.6 RENOVATION OF TOWN HALL
It was noted that Yarmouth Town Trust have arranged for remedial work to be carried out on the Town Hall, which would include the replacement of all notice boards in seasoned oak, including the YTC ones. RESOLVED To accept that ownership of YTC notice boards will be vested in YTT, and the Clerk to notify YTT that this must not affect our exclusive use of them, and to remind YTT that, there are also map boards on the north and south walls which are also currently in the ownership of YTC.
It was noted that the Clerk had given assent to temporarily moving the bench outside the Town Hall while these works are undertaken.
RESOLVED The Clerk to prepare a report on all the Council’s benches to clarify the responsibility for maintenance during the PFI period.
240/2012 CORRESPONDENCE
RESOLVED: To accept the correspondence list for January as presented.
241/2012 REPORTS ON OUTSIDE BODIES
No further reports were presented.
242/2012 FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS
RESOLVED: To include office lease renewal and the Ancient Seal of Yarmouth in future agendas.
243/2012 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
RESOLVED: To note the date, time and venue of the next meeting, Tuesday 5th March at 6.30pm in Thorley Church
244/2012 EXCLUSION OF THE PUBLIC AND PRESS
RESOLVED: That in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted it is advisable in the public interest that the public and press be temporarily excluded and they are instructed to withdraw.
Signed...... (Town Mayor)
Date......
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