BOARD MEETING

 

The MINUTES of a BOARD MEETING held in the Board Room, Town Hall, Derby Road, Peel on Thursday 19th October  2006 at 7.00p.m.

 

Present                         Mr. D J Lace (Chairman)

                                    Mrs. T M Birkett  

                                    Mr. T M Crookall

                                    Mr. R Gimbert

                                    Mrs. P Hardman

                                    Mrs. P Pugh

                                    Mr. J E Lightfoot

                                    Mrs. P S Sweeney

 

Apologies                     Mrs. C A Moughtin

                                   

In attendance                Mr. P G Leadley (Town Clerk)

                                    Mrs. C Horton (Librarian)

                                    Mr. R Baker (Curator)

 

MINUTES                   06/254               The Minutes of the meeting held on 21st September 2006 were taken as read and CONFIRMED.

 

WARD LIBRARY       06/255               Members noted receipt of the Ward Library

REPORT                                               report for the quarter ending September 2006.  It was pleasing to note that despite the good summer weather the number of books loaned out had increased on the previous year.  Mrs. Horton referred to books donated to the library and indicated that it was specified that the library had the right to dispose of such books at its own discretion. 

 

                                                              Reference was made to the next meeting of the Library Centenary sub-committee scheduled for 14th November 2006 and it was suggested that consideration might be given to the organisation of some form of a street party as part of the Centenary celebrations in 2007.   Budgetary consideration would be required with this item. 

 

LEECE MUSEUM      C06/256            The quarterly report for the Leece Museum was NOTED.  The Curator referred to the recent new acquisitions given to the Museum and upon enquiry from Mr. Lightfoot indicated that more or less everything that was offered as a donation to the Museum was accepted.  At some point the issue of storage would become critical and Mr. Baker suggested the provision of a mezzanine floor to provide additional space for storage purposes. 

 

                                                              Reference was made to the Ghost Walks around the Town which were becoming very popular and it was AGREED that a letter of thanks be issued to the two organisers in this respect. 

 

                                                              Mrs. Horton and Mr. Baker left the meeting at 7.20p.m.

 

RATES                        06/257               Reference was made back to Minute 06/215

DEFAULTERS                                     and the Town Clerk confirmed that after speaking to the Town Clerk in Ramsey it had been established that lists of those in default on their rates could be published publicly provided a Court Execution had been granted.  NOTED

 

MARINE                     06/258               The Town Clerk referred back to Minute

PARADE                                              06/222 and reported upon further damage to the skateboard park on Marine Parade.  It appeared that over the previous weekend youths had broken the floodlight columns and as a result caused damage in excess of £2000.  The matter had been reported to the Police who were making enquiries.  It was noted that the floodlights had been turned off and the power would not be reconnected on health and safety grounds.   It was noted that the blocking off of the exposed columns had been tampered with by youths who were poking sticks down the column towards the power cable.  After discussion Members AGREED that a sign be erected indicating that use of the skateboard park after dark was at the individuals own risk. 

 

THE HOUND              06/259               The Town Clerk referred back to Minute

OF THE BASKERVILLES                   06/223 and indicated   that a decision had yet to be made regarding the request of the Isle of Man Arts Council to stage the Hound of the Baskervilles play in St. Peters Churchyard.  Clarification would be sought via e-mail as to  the parking arrangements for this production together with the exact location of the proposed market stalls during the event. 

 

                                                              Mrs. Birkett enquired as to whether an enquiry could be made of the Arts Council as to whether there was any buskers/street entertainers available to provide entertainment in Peel during the run up to Christmas.

 

IRIS SCHEME            06/260               Mr. Crookall expressed his horror at the recent Press articles concerning the decision of Central Government not to progress at the current time with the proposed connection of the IRIS Scheme from Peel through the central valley to Meary Veg.  It now appeared that regional treatment farms were under consideration which was the original suggestion of many some years ago. 

 

                                                              Reference was made to the water quality in Peel Bay and it was requested that copies of the report be obtained with the Commissioners being placed on the circulation list.

 

DEPARTMENT          06/261               Mr. Lightfoot referred to a number of items the

OF TRANSPORT                                 responsibility of the Department of Transport namely sewerage the resurfacing of Michael Street and the lopping back of trees in Patrick Street together with the ongoing problems of the Marine Parade footway and suggested to Members that there was an urgent need to meet with the Minister of the Department and Mr. Hannay to discuss the various matters outstanding with regard to Peel.  It was AGREED that a request for such a meeting be made.

 

ST. GERMANS           06/262               Members noted receipt of a letter of thanks

CATHEDRAL                                       from Canon Kelly with regard to the Commissioners gift of a Celtic tray consequent upon his retirement from St. Germans Cathedral.  NOTED

 

MANX VINTAGE      06/263               Members noted receipt of a letter of thanks

MOTORCYCLE CLUB                       from the Secretary to the Vintage Motorcycle Club with regard to the Manx Rally held on 28th August 2006 which had been well supported.  The club would be looking to hold a similar event in 2007.  NOTED

 

 

 

 

BRITISH LEGION      06/264               Members noted receipt of a letter from the

POPPY APPEAL                                  Head of the Poppy Appeal indicating that the Poppy Appeal would commence on the 28th October 2006.  NOTED

 

                                                              Arising therefrom the Town Clerk indicated that the Royal British Legion had written by letter dated 14th October 2006 with regard to the National Service of Remembrance to be held at St. Johns Royal Chapel at 3.00p.m. on Sunday 12th November 2006.  Members confirmed that they would be unable to attend as the Remembrance Service in St. Germans Cathedral would commence at 2.30p.m. preceded by a procession from Market Place to St. Germans Cathedral for a Service at 3.00p.m.

 

ISLE OF MAN            06/265               The Town Clerk advised that a Strategy Review

SPORTS COUNCIL                            of the Isle of Man Sports Council had been forwarded.  The Report was available for perusal by Members.  NOTED

 

CHRISTMAS              06/266               Consideration was given to a letter from the 3rd

2006                                                      Peel Beaver Scout and Cub Group concerning the Christmas lights turning on ceremony scheduled for 2nd December 2006.  The group enquired at to whether they could sing at the event and also fund raise with a bucket collection to enable the repair and upgrading of the Scout Hall.  AGREED

 

PEEL CARNIVAL      06/267               Consideration was given to a letter from the 3rd

2007                                                      Peel Beaver Scout and Cub Group requesting permission to run a float in the carnival and also undertake a bucket collection.  It was AGREED to refer the request to the organisers of the carnival for their consideration.   Members had no objection to the Scout Group raising funds at this event.

 

PEEL CAMPSITE       06/268               Consideration was given to a letter from Mrs. Stockdale of Tynwald Road, Peel requesting permission for her son to park his campervan  over the winter period in the camp field.  Members had concerns about the proliferation of this type of request and felt it appropriate to refuse it. 

 

                                                              Arising therefrom Members noted receipt of a letter from the Department of Education giving approval to use of the adjacent field for overspill camping during the TT fortnight.  NOTED

 

THIRD                         06/269               Members noted receipt of the 3rd Supplemental

SUPPLEMEMNTAL                            Valuation List received from the Treasury. 

VALUATION LIST                             

 

REGULATION           06/270               Members had received copies of the lengthy

OF SURVEILLIANCE ACT                draft codes of practice under the Regulation of

2006                                                      Surveillance Act 2006.  Mrs. Birkett indicated that she had read the document and found that there was little to offer concern about.  It was AGREED to make no comment on the draft. 

 

CIVIC SERVICE        06/271               Members noted the holding of the Civic Service in Lonan Parish on Sunday 5th November 2006 at 11.00.a.m.  The Chairman indicated that he would attend the event. 

 

RNLI AGM                 06/272               Consideration was given to a letter from the Secretary to the RNLI Peel Branch which wished to hold its Annual General Meeting in the Boardroom of the Town Hall on Thursday 9th November 2006 at 8.00p.m.  AGREED

 

ISLAND IN                 06/273               The Town Clerk referred to the Island in Bloom

BLOOM 2006                                      Competition and indicated that notification had been received from the Department of Tourism showing that the Town of Peel had been awarded a special prize at a ceremony to be held on Friday 10th November 2006 at 2.00p.m. in the Villa Marina.   It was AGREED that the Chairman and Town Clerk attend the event. 

 

CHRISTMAS              06/274               It was AGREED that leaflets be produced to

LANTERN COMPETITION                advertise the Christmas lantern competition which would be judged on the 2nd December 2006 at the Market Place, Peel prior to entrants proceeding up Michael Street to the switching on of the Christmas Tree lights ceremony at Atholl Place.  AGREED

 

LITTER ACT               06/275               The Town Clerk referred to an initiative

1972                                                      undertaken by the Town Warden to issue Fixed Penalty Notices in respect of litter offences such as dropping cigarette ends and other small items of litter.  To date three persons had been served with £50 Fixed Penalty Notices for disposing of cigarette ends in Michael Street.  NOTED

 

WEB CAMS               06/276               Reference was made to the provision of web cams and it was noted that the Manx Radio web cam was now online.  A request had been made to provide the necessary link to the Commissioners website to utilise this webcam.  It was noted that the representative from Eye Spy Limited was scheduled with meet with Mr. Brandon Ellis of Manx National Heritage at the House of Manannan on Monday 23rd October 2006 to progress the provision of a web cam at the House of Manannan. 

 

ST. GERMANS           06/277               Reference was made to the work undertaken to

PLACE                                                 provide either a turning circle or parking places at St. Germans Place.  It was noted that only one resident had expressed an interest in a reserved parking space and as a result it was AGREED that the area by converted into a turning circle only with the provision of hardcore and quarry dust as opposed to tarmac. 

 

PEEL SCOUT             06/278               Mr. Lightfoot requested that the area of land

HUT                                                      owned by the Commissioners around the Scout Hut be trimmed as the grass had grown very high.  It was noted that Mr. D Leece of the Cadet Force had previously indicated that he would undertaken this work but had not proceeded accordingly. 

 

                                                              The history of the Scout Hut was discussed.  The hut was built by the Scout Troop on land belonging to the Commissioners in return for a peppercorn rent.  No lease was available and the Town Clerk indicated that he would wish for a new lease to be prepared now that the Scouts were intending to reoccupy with additional use by the Army Cadet Force.  It was requested that the two redundant gas bottles be removed on safety grounds. 

 

                                                              With regard to the Scout Hut Mr. Crookall indicated that there was a lot of documentation and other memorabilia that would be worthy of keeping.  It was AGREED that this be investigated by the Curator.  Mr. Gimbert referred to a defective street light in the rear lane to North View between North View and the Scout Hut and it was AGREED that the Technical Officer investigate it’s possible replacement.

 

MICHAEL STREET    06/279               Mrs. Birkett urged that every effort be made to

LIGHTS                                                ensure the replacement street lights were installed in Michael Street before Christmas.  NOTED

 

SHIPPING IN             06/280               Mrs. Birkett referred to a three masted sailing

PEEL                                                     ship which had been berthed for a short period in Peel.  It was noted that no notification had been given to the Commissioners as to the arrival of the ship and it was suggested that the Harbour Master be requested to advise accordingly in the future. 

 

COMMISSIONERS   06/281               Mrs. Pugh referred to the distribution of the

NEWSLETTER                                     Commissioners newsletter where it was located on the counters of various Newsagents around the Town.  It was suggested that a specific box with a notice “Please take one” be made for the newsletter in future.  In discussing its distribution some comment was made that the distribution via the Courier although not completely satisfactory was better than leaving it on shop counters for collection.  It was suggested that the Scouts be contacted to see whether they would be prepared to deliver the newsletter and a donation given for upkeep and repair of the Scout Hut. 

 

                                                              This part of the meeting ended at 8.20p.m.