GENERAL MEETING

 

The MINUTES of the GENERAL MEETING held in the Board Room, Town Hall, Derby Road, Peel on Thursday 16th June 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 S Sweeney

 

Apologies                     Mrs. P Pugh

                                                                                                                                   

In attendance                Mr. P G Leadley (Town Clerk)

                                                                                                           

CHAIRMAN’S              05/043                The Chairman thanked Mr. Lace, Vice

WELCOME                                              Chairman for taking the previous meeting whilst he was on holiday.  Mr. Lightfoot indicated that Honda Day was successful but numbers in attendance were down due to the fact that the first race of the TT festival had been delaye to the Sunday. 

 

                                                                  The Chairman wished to thank Ramsey Motorcycle Club organisers for the successful sand racing held on Thursday 9th June 2005 when large numbers of spectators enjoyed the event. 

 

                                                                  The Chairman was pleased to be invited to the unveiling of the new weatherglass at the Weatherglass Corner and wished to thank Mr. Simpson and Mr. Baker together with the Downey family who had sponsored the purchase and acquisition of the weatherglass.  In addition the Department of Transport had made the hardwood case and Peel Heritage Trust provided the buffet following the unveiling.  It was noted that the possible reinstatement of the original inscription in the stone above the weatherglass would now be looked at.

 

MINUTES                      05/044                The Minutes of the meeting held on 1st June 2005 were taken as read and CONFIRMED.

 

DOG FOULING            05/045                Reference was made back to Minute 05/024 and it was noted that the signs on the Promenade railings relating to dog fouling on the beach would be replaced in due course.

 

KART RACES               05/046                The Town Clerk referred back to Minute 05/023

2005                                                          and indicated that Mr. Hammonds, organiser of the kart races had undertaken to contact the proprietor of the Church Street chip shop regarding access to the shop during the kart races.  NOTED

 

                                                                  It was further noted that the Department of Transport were carrying out necessary road repairs to certain sections of the course.  NOTED

 

TOWN WARDEN         05/047                Members noted that Mrs. Jackie Turner, newly appointed Town Warden, had taken up her duties on 13th June 2005.  A number of notices had been issued on derelict vehicles and efforts were being made to deal with stray dogs. 

 

ROAD WORKS             05/048                Mrs. Sweeney referred back to Minute 05/042 and wished to clarify her remarks in that the Commissioners were quite often unaware of reasons given for road closures as a result of necessary road works.  Arising therefrom the Chairman indicated that current digging of the various roads was to explore deeper than 1m for other possible services prior to the foul and surface water separation scheme. 

 

DISABLED                    05/049                Reference was made back to Minute 05/041 and

PARKING                                                 a general discussion ensued over the re-painting of disabled parking spaces on the Douglas Street car park immediately facing the Veterinary Surgery.  After some discussion it was felt that one space should be provided at this time and that the matter be raised with the Department of Transport for discussion as to the full extent of disabled parking requirements within the town.

 

 

 

CIVIL                             05/050                Members noted the contents of a letter from the

EMERGENCIES                                       Chief Secretary’s Office regarding a training and table top exercise scheduled for the 7th and 8th July 2005 with regard to planning for civil emergencies.  Mr. Crookall was of the opinion that such training was superfluous and not required.  However Mr. Lace and Ms. Hardman felt there would be some merit in attending such training courses and it was AGREED that they put their names forward for the course on the 8th July 2005. 

 

RATING APPEAL         05/051                Members noted a request from Mrs. Allen of 1

COMMISSIONERS                                 Patrick Street, Peel who sought a rate deduction as a result of disruption from the Boilley Spittal redevelopment scheme and the re-surfacing of the Market Place car park which had allegedly affected her business.  The Chairman was of the opinion that whilst the proposed reduction was relatively small there was nevertheless a case in respect of such works taking place throughout the town at various times and that other rate payers could seek similar reductions.  Members noted the Chairman’s concerns in this respect and the ease with which rate reductions were given. 

 

LOCAL AUTHORITY   05/052                Members noted receipt of a report from the

REFORM                                                  Department of Local Government and the Environment into local authority reform.  It was noted that the report appeared somewhat biased and one sided and that it was due for discussion at the June sitting of Tynwald.  In conclusion the Board supported the issue of a letter to Mrs. Hannan, MHK requesting that she vote against the reform proposals proposed by the Department. 

 

PROPOSED                   05/053                Members considered a briefing paper issued by

LEGISLATION – PUBLIC                       the consultant in public health medicine at the

HEALTH (TOBACCO) BILL                   Health Services with regard to the introduction of proposed new primary legislation relating to public health with particular reference to exposure to second hand tobacco smoke in the work place and enclosed public spaces.  The matter was discussed in general by Members and the Chairman was of the view that the perceived drive to restrict use of tobacco products would encourage more young people to try it as it became more restricted in its use in public places.  The Chairman indicated that in his opinion the dangers of over consumption of alcohol posed a greater problem than tobacco smoking.  Mr. Gimbert was of the view that consideration needed to be shown to non-smokers with particular regard to areas where food was consumed. 

 

STREET TRADERS       05/054                Consideration was given to a late application for a street trading licence to Mr. M Wild and Mrs. P A Curphey who wished to sell fancy goods on Peel Carnival Day.  Bearing in mind that other late applicants had been refused Members AGREED to refuse the request on this occasion.

 

VIKING FESTIVAL      05/055                Consideration was given to an application by

ROAD CLOSURE                                    the organisers of the Peel Viking Festival seeking a road closure for vehicular traffic along the East Quay and Promenade to Empire Garage Showroom.  The closure would run from 3rd July from 12.00noon until 5.00p.m.  Members had no objection to the proposal as outlined by the organisers and it was AGREED to advise the Department of Transport accordingly.

 

PLANNING                   05/056                The following planning applications had been

APPLICATIONS (FOR COMMENT)      submitted for comment:-

 

                                                                  PA 05/01024/B Revised two storey extension to rear of property (Re-submission to PA 04/02566) (Conservation Area) 6 Bridge Street, Peel.  RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

 

                                                                  PA 05/01039/B Alterations, extension of existing rear utility, erection of extension on side to form sunlounge and erection of a detached garage (conservation area),  37 Douglas Street, Peel.  RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

 

                                                                  PA 05/01050/R Retrospective application for external alterations and erection of wooden staircase to rear of dwelling (conservation area), 30 Douglas Street, Peel.  RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

 

                                                                  PA 05/01051/B Erection of a conservatory to rear elevation, 5 Links Close, Peel. RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

 

                                                                  PA 05/01059/B Erection of a bedroom extension over existing garage to side of 3 Oak Road, Ballawattleworth Estate, Peel.  RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL

 

ROAD TRAFFIC           05/057                Consideration was given to a draft Order

REGULATION ACT 1985                        entitled Peel (Various Roads) (Reserved Parking Places) (Amendment) (Number) Order 2005 which provided for the creation of a reserved parking place on a section of St. Germans Place, Peel.  Members had no objection to the proposed  Order. 

 

FLAG DAY                    05/058                Consideration was given to a letter from Peel Station Branch of the RNLI which sought permission to organise a bucket collection on the evening of the 1st September 2005 when Ramsey Motorcycle Club would organise a sand racing event on Peel shore.  Members approved the request as sought.

 

VIKING BOAT              05/059                Mrs. Sweeney indicated that a Viking boat from Sweden was scheduled to visit Peel on 15th July 2005 at 12 noon.  The Lieutenant Governor had been invited to Peel breakwater to welcome the Swedish crew and it was AGREED that the Chairman be requested to welcome the Governor to Peel for this visit.  It was further AGREED that an evening buffet be provided at the House of Manannan for approximately 40 guests as a welcome gesture for this visit.

 

PEEL CARNIVAL         05/060                Mrs. Sweeney proposed that the Commissioners

DAY                                                          sponsor a competition for the best decorated float from individual housing estates that would take part on Peel Carnival Day.  AGREED

 

PROPOSED BUS          05/061                Mr. Lace indicated that he had still not had any

SHELTER                                                  contact from Miss Hazel Fletcher at the Department of Transport regarding the proposed siting of a new bus shelter on the Douglas Road.  It was AGREED that the matter be raised at the next meeting of the Department of Transport. 

 

PUBLICITY                   05/062                Ms. Hardman indicated that there was a need for a higher level of publicity releases prior to various events taking place in the town and specifically referred to Honda Day.  It was accepted that the web-site provided a lot of information on what was happening in Peel but it was felt that more could be done through other mediums.  Mr. Gimbert suggested the appointment of a press officer.  However the Chairman indicated that with nine Commissioners able to publicise the benefits of Peel and its various events there was no need for an additional member of staff. 

 

                                                                  Arising therefrom Mr. Gimbert indicated that with regard to the Viking Festival Mr. Irving had AGREED to sponsor a web-cam to film the event.  NOTED

 

PHILIP CHRISTIAN     05/063                Arising out of the recent youth meeting Mr.

CENTRE                                                   Gimbert indicated whether the Philip Christian Centre could be used as a dance class for the Gaiety Theatre.  It was queried whether it was intended to be offered free of charge or the session fee apply.  Mr. Gimbert undertook to make further enquiries. 

 

FLORAL DISPLAY       05/064                Mr. Gimbert enquired as to the cost and value of the annual planting out of the flower beds at the Town Hall.  Noting their relatively short life span Mr. Gimbert was of the opinion that planting perennial shrubs could provide better value for money.  NOTED

 

POLICE                         05/065                It was AGREED that the Commissioners would

MEETINGS                                               meet on a regular basis with Sergeant Lowe and in that respect it was AGREED to meet initially with him on 29th June 2005 at 7.00p.m. 

 

PROVISION                  05/066                The Chairman referred to an E-mail sent by

OF MEDICAL SERVICES                       Doctor Andrew Hudson in which he indicated that he had regrettably resigned from the Peel Group Practice the previous week.  Doctor Hudson had fought for five years for better medical care facilities in Peel and he was now the second general practitioner to resign in five months.  Doctor Hudson referred to the loss of three residential homes, loss of the only nursing home and the fact that ambulance services could not meet response times to Peel.  In addition with the expansion of the towns population and the fact that political pressure resulted in a £350,000 investment in the new surgery in Kirk Michael when financial prudence and common sense warranted a larger resource centre in Peel to cover the identified shortfall in services and the fact that the Social Service Director had identified the West of the Island as chronically under-resourced were reasons given for his resignation.  Members were concerned at the information given by Doctor Hudson and were of the view that the town’s infrastructure with particular regard to the provision of medical services needed urgent attention and investment from Central Government to cater for the expanding town. 

 

                                                                  This part of the meeting ended at 8.15p.m.