GENERAL MEETING

 

The MINUTES of the GENERAL MEETING held in the Board Room, Town Hall, Derby Road, Peel on Thursday 18th August 2005 at 7.00 p.m.

 

Present:                        Mr. J E Lightfoot (Chairman)

                                    Mr. D J Lace

                                    Mrs. T M Birkett

                                    Mr. T M Crookall

                                    Mr. R M Gimbert

                                    Ms. P Hardman

                                    Mrs. C A Moughtin

                                    Mrs. P Pugh

                                    Mrs P S Sweeney

                                                                                                                                               

In attendance                Mr. P G Leadley (Town Clerk)

                                                                                                                       

CHAIRMAN’S              05/132                The Chairman welcomed the Press to the

WELCOME                                              meeting and wished to thank the Carnival Committee for the organisation of the successful carnival on 14th August 2005.  In addition the Chairman indicated that he was pleased to attend the Peel Golf Club and present the Peel Town Cup to the winner of the competition. 

 

MINUTES                      05/133                The Minutes of the meeting held on 21st July 2005 were taken as read and CONFIRMED.

 

PREDATORY                05/134                Mr. Gimbert referred back to Minute 05/089 and

SEAGULLS                                               queried the current protected status of seagulls under the Wildlife Legislation.  Mr. Gimbert was of the opinion that the protected status should be reduced and after discussion it was AGREED that a letter be sent to the Wildlife Officer requesting that the matter be given consideration accordingly. 

 

PROVISION                  05/135                The Chairman referred back to Minute 05/093

OF MEDICAL SERVICES                       and indicated that following a meeting with the Minister a joint press release had been prepared concerning the provision of medical services to Peel and the West.  NOTED

 

QUARTERLY                05/136                Mrs. Pugh referred back to Minute 05/092 and

NEWS LETTER                                        indicated that consideration needed to be given to the detail required for the production of a Commissioners quarterly newsletter.  The matter could be put out to tender for production or dealt with in-house and after discussion it was thought that, provided Commissioners supplied enough news items, then the news letter could be prepared and produced from within the Town Hall.  Discussion would be required on the specific format of the newsletter and in that respect Mrs. Birkett referred to the Malew News letter which was of a particularly attractive style and design.

 

                                                                  Arising therefrom reference was made to the provision of a web cam and indicated that costings had been obtained whereby two web cams could be purchased for approximately £1500.  Mr. Lace indicated that it would cost in the region of £900 per annum to run and operate a webcam system. 

 

PEEL CAMPSITE          05/137                The Town Clerk referred back to Minute 05/095 and indicated that for the campsite to move up from a 2 key grading to a 3 key grading a full time warden/campsite attendant would be required on duty.  NOTED 

 

                                                                  Reference was made to ongoing problems at the campsite with late night disturbances. It was noted that the Town Warden and the campsite attendant would attend later at night over a future weekend to try and deal with the problem.  The suggestion that CCTV cameras linked to provide coverage of the swimming pool also was discussed and it was suggested that a further meeting with the Police to raise the concerns was warranted.   

ANTI-LITTER                05/138                The Town Clerk referred back to Minute 05/105

CAMPAIGN                                             and indicated that Mr. Ian Davison had kindly donated the sum of £500 towards the Anti-Litter Campaign.  NOTED

 

PEEL TRADERS            05/139                The Chairman referred back to Minute 05/110 concerning the Peel Traders and indicated that following a recent meeting the Commissioners would shortly look to implement the street light improvement scheme for Michael Street.

 

 

 

FIRE ENGINE               05/140                Consideration was given to a letter from Mr.

PULL                                                         Neil Parsons in respect of a charity fire engine pull from Peel to Douglas on Saturday September 10th 2005.  The Commissioners noted the letter and had no objection to the fund raising event.

 

BEACH                          05/141                Consideration was given to a request from Mr.

MOTOR CROSS                                      John Watterson of the Ramsey Motorcycle Club in which permission was sought for a beach motor cross on September 1st 2005 at 7.15p.m.  After consideration the Board AGREED to the event.  Arising therefrom Mr. Watterson indicated that the RNLI had already been granted permission to make a collection on the same evening.  It was noted that the RNLI would make a donation towards the costs of the ambulance provision from the sum raised.  NOTED

 

NATIONAL                   05/142                Members noted receipt of a covering letter from

CHILDRENS BUREAU the Department of Education with a booklet published by the National Childrens Bureau in England regarding guidance and suggestions on the ways in which young people might be encouraged to become more actively involved in the community.  NOTED

 

JUNIOR FOOTBALL    05/143                Consideration was given to a request from Mr.

LEAGUE                                                   D Gale of the Junior Football League in which sponsorship was sought for the Under 13’s Shield.  After discussion the Commissioners were prepared to sponsor the Under 13 Shield on the proviso that the competition took place in Peel.  If the competition were to be held at St. Johns then it was suggested that Mr. Gale might seek a contribution from German Parish Commissioners instead.

 

2005 CHRISTMAS        05/144                Initial consideration was given to the design of

CARD                                                       this year’s Christmas card and the Chairman indicated that he was progressing the matter and would liaise with the Town Clerk accordingly.  NOTED

 

MICHAEL CIVIC          05/145                Members noted receipt of an invitation to attend

SERVICE                                                  the Civic Service of Michael District Commissioners to be held at Michael Parish Church on 18th September 2005.  The Chairman indicated that he would attend.

 

ROAD TRAFFIC           05/146                A number of draft Road Traffic Orders under

ACT 1985                                                 the Road Traffic Act 1985 were considered:-

 

                                                                  Peel (Various Roads) (Reserved Parking Places) Amendment Order 2005 in respect of a reserved parking place on a section of Victoria Terrace, Peel.

 

                                                                  Peel (Various Roads) (Prohibition of Waiting) (Amendment) Order 2005 in respect of increasing the no-waiting restrictions on sections of Market Street, Peel.  Discussion ensued over this Order and Mr. Crookall objected to the loss of additional parking spaces in Market Street.  It was noted that the draft Order was as a result of residents request due to difficulty in obtaining access to their homes.

 

                                                                  Peel (Various Roads) (Reserved Parking Places) (Amendment Order 2005) which created a reserved parking place on a section of Beach Street, Peel.

 

                                                                  Stanley Road (Peel) (Prohibition of Waiting) (Revocation) Order 2005 which revoked and removed the provision which prohibits vehicles from parking on the West side of Stanley Road between the hours of 11.00a.m. and 2.30p.m. during the period 1st June to 30th September each year.

 

                                                                  Peel (Various Roads) (Reserved Parking Places) (Amendment) Order 2005 which created a reserved parking place on a section of Stanley Road, Peel. 

 

                                                                  The Members approved the draft Orders as requested subject to Mr. Crookall’s objection to Order number two.

 

REVIEW OF                  05/147                Consideration was given to a letter from Mr. D

DOMESTIC RATING SYSTEM              L Cashin, Acting Government Valuer in respect of the Treasury’s proposal to review the domestic rating system to be based on property values with a banded system derived from the current selling price of the property.  The revised system if approved would take effect from a date not before April 2007.

 

                                                                  Members discussed the proposal and noted that a previous response had been forwarded to the Treasury in which the provision for a rate rebate in respect of needy cases needed to be included and taken into consideration when any revision was considered.

 

EMPLOYMENT OF      05/148                Members noted receipt of the Employment of

CHILDREN REGULATIONS 2005          Children Regulations 2005 which would come into operation on 1st September 2005.  NOTED

 

2005 PAY                      05/149                Members noted receipt of a letter from the

NEGOTIATIONS                                     Employers side of the Isle of Man Whitley Council for the Isle of Man Public Service (Manual Workers) which updated local authorities on the current position regarding the 2005 pay negotiations.  The final offer was based on a two year pay deal which provided for an increase of 4.25% with effect from 1st April 2005 and a further increase of 0.75% with effect from 1st October 2005.  A further increase of 3.5% with effect from 1st April 2006 or the retail price index released in March 2006 which ever was the greater.  In addition grade 1 would be subsumed into grade 2 with effect from 1st April 2005 with all existing grade 1 jobs being re-graded accordingly.  The offer was currently subject to a ballot.  NOTED

 

SECOND                       05/150                The second supplemental valuation list for

SUPPLEMENTAL VALUATION            2005, copies of which had been previously

LIST                                                          circulated was NOTED.  A penny rate currently generated the sum of £2,993.08.  NOTED

 

AUDIT BILL                  05/151                Consideration was given to a letter from Mr.

AND AUDIT REGULATIONS                 McGreal, Chief Internal Auditor of the Treasury together with a draft Audit Bill.  It was noted that the draft bill provided for major implications on the financial operations of all local authorities and it was suggested that there may be a need to meet with the Treasury to discuss the matter in greater detail.  Mr. McGreal had requested the Commissioners views on or before 30th September 2005.

 

LOCAL                          05/152                Consideration was given to a letter from Mrs.

GOVERNMENT 2005                              Carol Sutherland of the Department of Local Government and the Environment concerning the Department’s Local Government Bill 2005.  It was NOTED that the Department intended to undertake a formal consultation process with regard to the Bill.  However the current letter summarised the suggested amendments that would be included in the new Bill.  At this stage although there were items that would require a robust response it was nevertheless AGREED to await the formal consultation process before making a response to the Department. 

 

PA 05/00743/B               05/153                The Town Clerk indicated that a request for a

ON REVIEW                                            Review of the Planning Committee’s decision to refuse permission for the demolition of existing buildings and erection of a block of three apartments within the same footprint and of similar appearance at buildings to the rear yard of 23 Michael Street, Peel by Mr. & Mrs. Horne was noted.  The Town Clerk indicated that a letter had been received from a number of residents from Michael Street and Factory Lane all of which objected to the application by Mr. & Mrs. Horne.  The Chairman indicated that he was quite prepared to meet with the residents to discuss their concerns in respect of this application.  The Board AGREED to make no formal comment on the review application.

 

RADIO                           05/154                Consideration was given to a proposal from

ADVERTISING                                        Manx Radio Limited to enter into a twelve month contract for the production and playing of commercial/public notice adverts.  Noting the costs of the contract up to the sum of £2,580 it was AGREED that no such contract be entered into at this stage. 

 

ASBO                             05/155                Members noted receipt of a letter from

PROTOCOLS                                           Superintendent Roberts of the Isle of Man Constabulary regarding the publication of protocols for the management of anti-social behaviour orders.  As a result of recent case law in the United Kingdom with human rights implications it was necessary for Superintendent Roberts to make certain amendments to the protocols.  The Commissioners had no comments to make on the proposal.

 

PLAY AREAS                05/156                Mr. Gimbert referred to a recent inspection of some of the Commissioners play areas and felt that necessary repairs were not being undertaken in a timely manner.  He specifically referred to a hole in the ground adjacent to the swing on the headlands.  The Town Clerk indicated that the play areas were inspected on a daily basis with any broken glass and other litter taken away.  The Chairman indicated that staff resources were limited and action was taken to keep the play areas in a safe as manner as possible.  Arising therefrom it was noted that the provision of a fence, the installation of goal posts and other works had been undertaken at Reayrt Aalin.  Mr. Gimbert indicated that he would refer the matter to the Technical Officer as and when issues arose. 

 

CHARITABLE               05/157                Mrs. Birkett referred to the Peel Football Club

FUNDRAISING                                        fun day and indicated that she would be operating a pop corn stall to raise charitable funds.  It was noted that the recent fund raising on the occasion of Peel Carnival had raised the sum of £290.  NOTED

 

HARBOUR                    05/158                Reference was made to the water/power points

IMPROVEMENTS                                   on the Quay which served the visiting yachts and it was suggested that there was a need for the provision of these services to be up-graded.  It was AGREED that a suitable letter be sent to Captain Brew, Director of Harbours with the Commissioners request. 

 

                                                                  Mr. Crookall referred to the number of large stones/boulders left at the lower end of the harbour as a result of the recent work for the installation of the harbour jetty and foot bridge and indicated whether a request could be made for them to be moved.

 

PEEL CARNIVAL         05/159                Ms. Hardman referred to the carnival the

DAY                                                          previous Sunday and indicated that a number of visitors to the event had tripped over the pedestrian crossing.  The moveable crossing appeared to create something of a problem and it was AGREED that the matter be raised with the Department of Transport at the next quarterly meeting.       

 

                                                                  This part of the meeting ended at 8.00p.m.