GENERAL MEETING

 

The MINUTES of the GENERAL MEETING held in the Board Room, Town Hall, Derby Road, Peel on Thursday 22nd September 2005 at 7.00 p.m.

 

Present:                        Mr. J E Lightfoot (Chairman)

                                    Mrs. T M Birkett

                                    Mr. T M Crookall

                                    Mr. R M Gimbert

                                    Ms. P Hardman

                                    Mrs. C A Moughtin

                                    Mrs. P Pugh

                                     

Apologies                     Mr. D J Lace

                                    Mrs. P S Sweeney

                                                                                                                                               

In attendance                Mr. P G Leadley (Town Clerk)

                                                                                                                       

MINUTES                      05/187                The Minutes of the meeting held on 18th August 2005 were taken and CONFIRMED.

 

QUARTERLY                05/188                Further discussion ensued over Minute 05/136

NEWS LETTER                                        and in particular the Chairman enquired as to the likely cost to circulate a quarterly publication.  Mrs. Pugh indicted that it could be sent by post at a probable cost of £500 per issue or via the Isle of Man Courier.  It was AGREED to check out which method provided the best value. 

 

PEEL CAMP                  05/189                Reference was made back to Minute 05/137 and

SITE                                                          it was noted that youths had carried out further damage to the camp site block the previous weekend.  This followed the throwing of a bottle through the Town Clerk’s window the weekend before.  The Chairman indicated that up to 50 or 60 youths were in the habit of congregating outside the Town Hall on a Friday and Saturday night.  It was noted that the Police were in attendance but failed to disburse the crowd.  The Chairman was particularly concerned about the disturbance to nearby householders and was firmly of the opinion that the Police needed to take stronger action with regard to this matter.  It was suggested that the Minister for Home Affairs, the Honourable John Shimmin, MHK and/or the Chief Constable be invited to a meeting to discuss this particular problem. AGREED

 

ANIT-LITTER                05/190                The Town Clerk referred back to Minute 05/138

CAMPAIGN                                             and indicated that the Peel Branch of the Royal British Legion had kindly donated £50 towards the cost of the campaign.  NOTED

 

                                                                  Members discussed the various slogans for the sponsored stickers that would be attached to the waste litter bins.  Members expressed their preference for one of these slogans with a minor amendment.

 

THIRD                            05/191                The Town Clerk indicated that a third

SUPPLEMENTAL VALUATION            supplemental valuation list for 2005 had been

LIST                                                          received that day.  The list was available for perusal by Members.  NOTED

 

AUDIT BILL                  05/192                The Town Clerk referred back to Minute 05/151

AND AUDIT REGULATIONS                 and read out a draft response to the Treasury request for comments on the draft Audit Bill and Audit Regulations.  Members approved the draft and it was AGREED that it be sent accordingly.

 

                                                                  Arising therefrom the Town Clerk reported that Moore Stephens had been appointed the local authority auditors for the three year period commencing April 2005.  NOTED

 

PLAY AREAS                05/193                Mr. Gimbert referred back to Minute 05/156 and indicated that he would liaise with Mr. Quayle, Technical Officer over the production of a playground report listing possible improvements to the various facilities. 

 

                                                                  The Town Clerk indicated that there maybe an opportunity to lay some wet-pour safety matting in the West View play area around the slide if the costs were favourable.  NOTED.  Arising therefrom the Town Clerk reported upon damage to an item of equipment whereby the rope encased around a cable had been cut.  To replace the whole item would cost in the region of £1000 and concern was expressed over this wanton vandalism. 

 

 

CHARITABLE               05/194                Mrs. Birkett referred back to Minute 05/157 and

FUND RAISING                                       indicated that the sum of £235 had been raised towards the Tommy Clucas Memorial Fund. 

 

MICHAEL STREET       05/195                Members noted receipt of a petition from certain traders in Michael Street concerning theeir objection to changes to the closure times for Michael Street.  NOTED.  The Chairman indicated that he had reservations on how the signatures had been gathered but in any event the petition was directed towards the Department of Transport, Highways Division with a copy to the Commissioners for noting.  Mr. Gimbert indicated that in his opinion Michael Street needed to be totally pedestrianised and Mr. Crookall suggested that a petition with three to four times the number of signatures could be produced with those in favour of increased closure times for vehicles in Michael Street. 

 

                                                                  Reference was made to Mr. Prescott’s proposal for replacement lights in Michael Street and after discussion the Commissioners favoured the street light produced by Cast Iron Company in the sum of £8,640.00.  It was also noted that a price had been received from Brew and Corkill Limited to take down and replace the existing fixtures in Michael Street.  After discussion it was AGREED that Mr. Prescott be charged with progressing the scheme. 

 

VINTAGE                      05/196                Members noted receipt of a letter from the

MOTORCYCLE CLUB Secretary to the Vintage Motorcycle Club with regard to the Manx Rally held on 29th August 2005.  The Club wished to thank the Commissioners for their assistance and support for the event.  NOTED

 

PEEL CAMPSITE          05/197                Members noted receipt of a letter from Mr. Tony Howard, Cub Scout Leader for the 1st Ballaugh Scout Group in which he wished to thank the Campsite Attendant, Mr. Quane and the Commissioners for their support in the camping weekend held over the weekend of Peel Carnival.  NOTED

 

 

BOUNDARY                 05/198                Members considered a letter from the Chief

REVIEW                                                   Secretary’s Office in which the Boundary Review Committee sought all Authorities views with regard to a review of the existing boundaries in so far as House of Keys and by extension Isle of Man Board of Education elections took place.  After discussion Members were of the opinion that due to the growth of Peel there was a need for two seats within the Town boundary.  The Chairman indicated that there may also be a need to look, not only at the numbers of members per constituency proposed, but also whether the number of constituencies themselves required adjustment.  It was AGREED that an appropriate response be made to the Boundary Review Committee emphasising the need for additional representation in Peel due to the significant increase in the size of the Town.

 

CLIMATE                      05/199                Members considered a letter from the Minister

CHANGE                                                  for Local Government and the Environment concerning climate change and the challenges faced by the Isle of Man in the years ahead.  The Minister invited the Commissioners to take part in the project in which Consultants had been appointed to undertake a report concerning the impact that climate change will have on the environment, society and the economy.  NOTED

 

SIGNAGE                      05/200                Members noted a letter addressed to the

THE QUAY                                               Department of Transport and copied to the Commissioners from Peel Heritage Trust dated 5th September 2005.  Peel Heritage Trust indicated that with the commissioning of the new footbridge there was a need for additional signage indicating the whereabouts of the House of Manannan, The Manx Transport Museum and Moores Kipper Yard.  Members discussed the matter in general and were supportive of additional signs in particular fingerpost signs and enquired as to who would pay for such signage.  Mr. Gimbert also suggested that some form of coverage on the website and via leaflets and posters would be of benefit. 

 

 

STREET                         05/201               Consideration was given to a letter from the

LIGHTING                                                Manx Electricity Authority in which two street lights at 29 Queens Drive and 3 Ballaterson Road were badly corroded and in need of replacement at a cost of £1,270.00 plus VAT each. 

 

PEEL                              05/202                The Town Clerk referred to a letter from Mrs.

CLOTHWORKERS SCHOOL                 Saunders, Head teacher at the Clothworkers School in which she sought additional parking provision at the school whilst the school underwent major building works over the next two years.  It was likely that the school grounds would be severely restricted with regard to parking and a request had been made as to whether the hardstanding at the campsite could be used during that period.  The Commissioners had a difficulty with regard to use of the hardstanding for parking especially during the camping season and it was AGREED that the matter be acknowledged with an indication that the request was being investigated.  One suggestion was making use of the Commissioners car park alongside Shoprite Store and also the possible use of the field behind the campsite now in the ownership of the Department of Education.  

 

BALLAUGH                  05/203                The Town Clerk referred to the holding of

CIVIC SUNDAY                                      Ballaugh Civic Sunday on 2nd October 2005 at 10.30a.m.  The Chairman indicated that he unfortunately would be unable to attend and it was agreed to advise the Chairman of Ballaugh Commissioners accordingly.

 

DISC PARKING            05/204                Mr. Gimbert referred to the issue of residents parking permits following the recent placement of an official notice indicating that pay and display provisions would apply to three of the Commissioners car parks and seeking public comment thereon.  The Chairman indicated that the matter would be discussed at some length by the Commissioners in the light of the responses received and that a considered response would be made in due course. 

 

                                                                  The Chairman indicated that residents were entitled to resident parking permits in the designated area within the Town and that these permits were available from the Department of Transport.

 

CONSERVATION        05/205                The Board gave consideration to Mr. Gimbert’s

AREA                                                        motion seconded by Mrs. Birkett that a reduction of the Conservation Area in Peel be sought from the Department of Local Government and the Environment.  It was noted that this would result in the matter going out to public consultation in conjunction with the Conservation Office.  Members were of the opinion that any conservation funding/grants available could be concentrated on a smaller area and less properties.  Upon a suggestion from Mrs. Moughtin it was AGREED that a copy of the town plan with the current limit of the Conservation Area showing be sent to all Members to enable submission of their proposed reduction.  It was further AGREED that the Town Clerk write a letter to Mr. McCauley, Director of Planning indicating that the Commissioners were of a mind to support the reduction of the Conservation Area for the reasons given. 

 

                                                                  This part of the meeting ended at 8.10p.m.