GENERAL MEETING

The MINUTES of a GENERAL MEETING held in the Board Room, Town Hall, Derby Road, Peel on Thursday 21^st April 2005 at 7.00 p.m.

Present Mr. T M Crookall (Chairman)

Mrs. T M Birkett

Mr. R Gimbert

Mr. D J Lace

Mr. J E Lightfoot

Mrs. C A Moughtin

Mrs. P Pugh

Mrs. P S Sweeney

Apologies Ms. P Hardman

Mr. S Knight (Town Member)

In attendance Mr. T E Leece (Town Member)

Mr. P G Leadley (Town Clerk)

Mrs. C Horton (Librarian)

Mr. R Baker (Curator)

CHAIRMAN’S 04/524 The Chairman welcomed the Press and Public to

WELCOME the last meeting of his tenure as Chairman of Peel Town Commissioners. As this was his last Board meeting he wished to thank his wife Carol and family for their support during the year. In addition he wished to thank the Members of the Commissioners including the new Members who had supported him throughout the year together with the Town Clerk and the staff both within the Town Hall and outside. The Chairman welcomed the resurrection of the Peel Chamber of Trade as an active organisation and also wished to congratulate the Peel Charity Shop on passing the figure of £100,000 raised. Mr. Crookall in conclusion highlighted two different aspects of Peel in that the recent criminal damage in the Cathedral grounds had caused a great deal of concern and a lot of upset to people in Peel whereas on the other hand a recently widowed lady wished to indicate that her friends in Peel had been of a great help in her time of need.

DISC PARKING 04/525 The Chairman answered a number of queries from certain residents who had attended the meeting regarding the Department of Transports proposal to introduce extended disc parking within the lower area of the town. It was noted that the Department of Transport sought views from the public and that these matters would be considered. The Chairman indicated that the proposals as outlined in the Press notice included significant areas of lower Peel. It was noted that the Board was due to meet with Mr. Hannay of the Department at the next meeting.

MINUTES 04/526 The Minutes of the meeting held on 16^th March 2005 were taken as read and CONFIRMED.

WARD LIBRARY 04/527 The annual report of the Ward Library copied of

REPORT which had been previously circulated was discussed. The Librarian Mrs. Horton was pleased at the increase in numbers of members of the Ward Library. Mrs. Horton enquired as to the possibility of leasing new shelving to replace the old high shelves. It was AGREED that this matter be investigated and costed. It was also AGREED that costings be obtained in up grading the current computers within the library. Mrs. Horton was given permission to place a further book order for the new financial year.

Mr. Lightfoot enquired as to the Ward Library Centenary celebrations in 2007 and enquired as to whether the size of the library was sufficient. Mrs. Horton favoured a more centralised larger premises at some point in the future. When queried as to whether some of the old books should be removed Mrs. Horton indicated she preferred to retain the existing book stock.

In conclusion Mrs. Horton indicated that all libraries on the Island had been approached by the BBC for possible lottery trust funding and it was AGREED that an approach be made.

LEECE MUSUEM 04/528 Mr. Baker, the Curator presented the annual

REPORT report for the Leece Museum and it was noted that 862 visitors had visited over the winter period. This number had reduced due to the Library being closed for re-painting. Mr. Baker also enquired as to a possible up-grade of the computer system which was now 5 years old. It was AGREED that the costs of such an upgrade be investigated.

Arising therefrom Mr. Baker indicated that in conjunction with Mr. Simpson he had arranged for the Department of Transport to replace the barometer at the Weatherglass Corner. NOTED

PEEL CARNVIAL 04/529 Mr. Baker was asked regarding the extent of the

ROAD CLOSURE road closure sought for the carnival and he tabled an appropriate map showing the reduced number of streets that would be affected this year. NOTED

MAXN TRI-CLUB 04/530 The Town Clerk referred back to Minute 04/482 and referred to a letter of thanks from the Organisers for the Commissioner’s permission to allow use of the campsite facilities for their event. NOTED

DOG BINS 04/531 Reference was made back to Minute 04/497 and it was noted that some six extra dog refuse bins had been allocated to the town and all of which were being used and hopefully making some different to the level of dog fouling in the town.

ISLAND IN 04/532 The Town Clerk indicated that the usual letter of

BLOOM 2005 invite and application for the Island in Bloom competition had been received. Noting Mr. Quayle, previous Commissioner, interest in this subject it was AGREED to make contact with Mr. Quayle to see if he was prepared to coordinate the town’s application for 2005.

PARISH WALK 04/533 Consideration was given to a request for use of the Town Hall and Philip Christian Centre facilities for this year’s Parish Walk. AGREED

HONDA DAY 04/534 Consideration was given to a request for Peel and District Support Group to take part in Honda Day. It was noted that they had operated a stall in 2004 and after discussion it was AGREED as a charitable group that they be allowed to operate in 2005.

CROSBY AND 04/535 Consideration was given to a request from the

DISTRICT SILVER BAND Secretary to the Crosby and District Silver Band seeking permission to play Christmas carols in Michael Street on each Saturday in December between 10.30am and 12noon. AGREED

RED ARROWS 04/536 Members noted a letter from the Department of

DISPLAY Tourism indicating that the Red Arrows display in Peel on Thursday June 9^th 2005 would be at 6.30pm instead of the previously suggested 7.00pm. NOTED

ROAD TRAFFIC 04/537 The Board noted a draft Order from the

REGULATION ACT 1985 Department of Transport which would impose a no waiting restriction on a section of Patrick Street, Peel. NOTED In addition two Orders from the Department prohibiting vehicular traffic along a section of Station Road and imposing a temporary one-way traffic system along a section of Patrick Street whilst crane work was undertaken. NOTED

FIRST 04/538 Members noted receipt of the first supplemental

SUPPLEMENTAL VALUATION valuation list of 2005 it was noted that the

LIST rateable value had increased by £4118.00. NOTED

FLAG DAY 04/539 Consideration was given to a request from the St. Johns Ambulance to hold a flag day in Peel on 14^th May 2005. AGREED The charity had raised the sum of £220.85 in its flag day collection in 2004. NOTED

A request for a flag day from Victim Support had also been made and it was AGREED to permit the charity to hold a flag day towards the end of June 2005.

PLANNING 04/540 The following planning applications had been

APPLICATIONS (FOR COMMENT) received from comment:-

PA 05/00601/B Conversion of existing roof space into additional living accommodation with installation of dormers and roof light, Sharnbrook, 8 Queens Drive, Peel. RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.

PA 05/00607/B Demolish existing garage and construct single storey erection to rear of property to provide sun lounge, 19 Market Street, Peel. RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.

PA 05/00610/B Installation of uPVC sliding sash windows with external glazing bars to replace existing to front elevation, 6 Glenfaba Road, Peel. RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.

PA 05/00620/B Erection of a conservatory on rear elevation of 5 Mourne View, Peel. RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.

HOUSING (FLATS) 04/541 The Town Clerk advised that the Environmental

REGULATIONS 1982 Health Division had recommended registration of the following flats:

1, 2, 3, 4 Close Beg, Ballawattleworth, Peel

26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 Magher Breek, Ballawattleworth, Peel.

After consideration of the recommendation the Commissioners AGREED to register the above mentioned flats.

CAMPSITE 04/542 Consideration was given to a placement of the

ADVERTISING usual advert in the Isle of Man guide organised by the Department of Tourism. It was AGREED that the Peel Campsite advert be renewed for 2006 in the same format as previous years.

LOCAL 04/543 The Town Clerk referred to an E-mail from the

GOVERNMENT REFORM Clerk to Lezayre Parish Commissioners seeking the views of all other authorities as to the provision of funding to prepare and publish a united response to the Department of Local Government and the Environment’s publicity campaign in the local press regarding local authority reform. The matter was discussed at some length and it was felt that not all local authorities held the same views. It was suggested that it was encumberant upon the Department to supply funding to enable appropriate replies.

PEEL HARBOUR 04/544 The Town Clerk indicated that a further meeting

LIAISON GROUP of the Peel Harbour Liaison Group had been arranged for Monday 23^rd May 2005 at 5.30pm. NOTED

PEEL KART RACES 04/545 Consideration was given to a letter from the Department of Transport seeking the Commissioners views on the proposed road closures required for the Peel kart races scheduled for 29^th June to 2^nd July 2005. Some comment was made over the request that a parking suspension on part of the promenade from Weatherglass Corner to Empire Garage apply from Midnight on Saturday to 10.00am on Sunday. This proposal was to enable the organisers to erect the boarding along the promenade without fear of damaging parked cars. NOTED It was AGREED that the Order be supported.

VOTERS LIST 04/546 Consideration was given to a letter from Doctor M C Hannan regarding the format of the voters list. Certain anomalies had arisen with the current voters list where some street names had been misplaced within the list. Mr. Hannan suggested that if the Commissioners wished to make representation to the Economics Division of the Treasury who are responsible for drawing up the lists it was possible that the list could be prepared on a strict surname alphabetical list rather than by streets. The matter was discussed and members felt that there was benefit in a list being prepared in both formats and it was AGREED to make that request to the Treasury.

WEST VIEW 04/547 Mr. Gimbert enquired as to whether the springs

PLAY AREA on the gates to the West View play area would be replaced. He also proposed that the goal area be re-grassed. However this was likely to cause a problem as the goals could not be easily removed to another location.

CAR PARKS 04/548 Mrs. Moughtin enquired as to when the re-painting of the car parking spaces would be completed in the Douglas Street/Market Place car park. The Town Clerk advised that the matter was with the Technical Officer who had contact Colas over this matter. Mr. Lightfoot suggested that we obtain a line marking machine and complete the work ourselves.

COMMUNITY 04/549 Mr. Lightfoot proposed that the plot of land

SITE, BALLAWATTLEWORTH earmarked for community usage at Ballawattleworth be considered for the provision of a small indoor play area. At this stage it was suggested that a feasibility study and costings be prepared. AGREED

This part of the meeting ended at 8.35pm.