GENERAL MEETING

 

The MINUTES of the GENERAL MEETING held in the Board Room, Town Hall, Derby Road, Peel on Thursday 19th July 2007 at 7.00p.m.

 

Present                         Mrs. P S Sweeney (Chairman)

                                    Mr. I Baker

                                    Mrs. T M Birkett  

                                    Mr. R M Gimbert

                                    Ms. P Hardman

                                    Mr. D J Lace  

                                    Mr. J E Lightfoot

                                    Mrs. C A Moughtin

 

Apologies                     Mrs. P Pugh

                                   

In attendance                Mr. P G Leadley (Town Clerk)

                                                                

CHAIRMAN’S           07/110               The Chairman welcomed the Public and Press

WELCOME                                          to the meeting.  As a significant number of residents had turned up with concern over the proposed implementation of disc parking on the Promenade the Chairman AGREED that item 4 be dealt with first. 

 

                                                              Mrs. Sweeney stated that the Department of Transport, having regard to future road works scheduled for Peel which would disrupt traffic flow, had agreed to defer the implementation of disc parking scheme for Peel Promenade and the lower section of the Town.  Mrs. Sweeney indicated that the Commissioners had recently met with the Department of Transport when the proposal was discussed at length.  In the light of that discussion Mr. Crookall, MHK and Member for the Department of Transport had consulted with the Minister and recommended that disc parking be held in abeyance until all the anticipated road work schemes were completed.  In addition the need for a revised traffic management plan for Peel was noted.  Mrs. Sweeney indicated that additional parking spaces had been identified and the establishment of extra parking would be progressed. 

 

                                                              Noting that Mr. Crowe had written to request a public meeting it was AGREED subject to availability that the Corrin Hall be used for a public meeting on Thursday 26th July 2007 at 7.30p.m. 

 

MINUTES                   07/111               The Minutes of the meeting held on 21st June 2007 were taken as read and CONFIRMED subject to a minor amendment in Minute 07/063 where the word “Press” on the first line was deleted and substituted with the word “Public”.

 

WESTERN CIVIC      07/112               Further reference was made back to Minute

AMENITY SITE                                   07/065 and Members continued to express concern at the all island use of the civic amenity sites.  Mr. Gimbert indicated that this was a Department of Local Government and the Environment decision and concern was expressed over that Department’s directive being issued without any consideration to local authority budgetary requirements.  Mr. Lightfoot expressed concern at the Town subsiding other peoples waste and it was suggested that an invitation be extended to the Waste Disposal Officers at the Department to discuss these concerns.

 

WATER                       07/113               Reference was made back to Minute 07/071

SEPARATION SCHEME                     and it was noted that the contractor Auldyn

PHASE TWO                                       Limited had held discussions with Shoprite Limited, the Peel Medical Centre and the Corrin Home concerning the Phase Two scheme and its likely disruption. 

 

                                                              Mr. Gimbert stated that after discussion with Shoprite officials he suggested that the car park wall between the Commissioners car park and Shoprite car park be demolished to allow access for Shoprite delivery vehicles whilst the road was dug up lower down.  It was suggested that this might create a difficulty as the Planners had already refused planning approval to the Commissioners siting the lack of visibility splay at this car park entrance.

 

                                                              Reference was made to the gate and access into Shoprite car park on Derby Drive and it was suggested that access could be gained via this route.  Mrs. Moughtin confirmed that Shoprite Limited were capable of dealing with the access issue during construction works under Phase Two and had previously used Derby Drive for access in the past.  NOTED

 

PARKING                   07/114               Following the proposed implementation of a

ISSUES                                                 disc parking zone for Peel Promenade Mrs. Sweeney read out a letter from one of the objectors namely Mr. Lodge who was present in the Boardroom.  As a result of the concerns expressed by residents in the area it was noted that additional parking spaces would be actively pursued and that the provision of private spaces payable by an annual fee would be given serious consideration.  It appeared  that the public were now willing to pay for their own reserved parking space, more so than in recent years.  It was suggested that certain spaces could be created in the Derby Road car park as well. 

 

WARD LIBRARY       07/115               The quarterly Ward Library report was tabled and NOTED.  The Librarian tabled a list of items of work required to be done prior to the Centenary celebrations.  Mrs. Moughtin indicated that as Lead Member for Works she would arrange to meet with the Technical Officer and his deputy to discuss the issue. 

 

                                                              Permission was given to the librarian to purchase a “bumper bundle” of large print books at a cost of £250.  The funding could come from the legacy to the Ward Library. 

 

                                                              Reference was made to the fact only one parking restriction sign was in-situ outside the front entrance to the library whereas in previous times there were two signs.  It was AGREED that this matter be referred to the next meeting of the Western Traffic Management Liaison Group for discussion. 

 

LEECE MUSEUM      07/116               The quarterly Leece Museum report copies of which had been previously circulated was NOTED.  Mr. Baker undertook to ensure Ms. Hardman was aware of the next meeting of the Trustees of the Leece Museum.

 

PEEL CAMPSITE       07/117               The annual Department of Tourism grading certificate for Peel Campsite was received and NOTED.  The campsite currently held a two key grade. 

 

VALUATION             07/118               The second supplemental valuation list for the

LIST                                                      current financial year copies of which had been previously circulated was NOTED. 

 

WESTERN                  07/119               Members noted that the Department of Local

SWIMMING POOL BOARD              Government and the Environment had prepared an Order under Section 7 of the Local Government Act 1985 amending the functions of the Boards to include or enable the provision of a new room to be used for general fitness exercise and similar such activities.  The proposed amendment would also enable such a room to be used for meetings and presentations not necessarily directly associated with swimming or other sporting activities.  The Order further amended the functions of the Swimming Pool Board to make provision for and for the continuation of extending the level of refreshment provision at such swimming pools.  A copy of the draft Order was NOTED and whilst such facilities would be welcomed it was suggested that it would have to be at no further loss to the Commissioners campsite area. 

 

                                                              It was noted that a recent planning application had been submitted for a new gymnasium/fitness facility in the Ballawattleworth Estate.  Mr. Baker undertook to make the Boards views known to the Western Swimming Pool Board at its next meeting. 

 

WESTERN                  07/120               Members noted that the meeting of the Western

TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT                 Traffic Management Group had been cancelled

GROUP                                                and rescheduled for the 1st August 2007 at 9.30a.m.   It was AGREED that a letter be sent to the Department expressing concern at the numerous occasions when the meeting has had to be rescheduled. 

 

PARKING IN             07/121               The Town Clerk referred to two letters from

ATHOLL PLACE                                 traders in Atholl Place who wished to limit parking on Atholl Place to 30 minutes with no return within two hours.  The Chairman indicated that these matters could be raised at the public meeting scheduled for the 26th July 2007. 

 

HOUSING (FLATS)   07/122               Upon recommendation from the Environmental

REGULATIONS 1982                          Health Officer it was AGREED that Flat 5 The Wharfside, Station Place, Peel be registered under the 1982 Regulations. 

 

 

 

COMMISSIONERS   07/123               The Town Clerk referred to the Peelonline

WEBSITE                                             website and a suggestion from Mr. Littler the website manager that a link be established with local charities so that they could gain greater awareness on the internet.  Mr. Littler had suggested that each local charity wishing to establish a link with the Commissioners website would be able to do so at a cost to the Commissioners of £50 per charity.  AGREED

 

MUNICIPAL              07/124               The Town Clerk referred to a recent e-mail

ASSOCIATION                                   from the Secretary to the Municipal Association in which it was noted that a new committee had been established with Mrs. Wendy Megson of Onchan Commissioners being the current new Chairman.  Mrs. Megson wished to attend one of our meetings to talk about the association and its future.  It was AGREED that an invitation be extended as requested.

 

PEEL HILL                  07/125               Mr. Lace referred to the path in the vicinity of the memorial tree planting scheme on Peel Hill and enquired as to when the improvement works would be carried out to the path.  The Town Clerk undertook to refer the matter to the Technical Officer for appropriate action.  Upon enquiry Mr. Lace was advised that the West Quay pavement was the responsibility of the Harbour Division of the Department of Transport.  It was noted that a bench was currently missing from this area. 

 

BUS SHELTER           07/126               The Town Clerk was asked to progress the

DOUGLAS ROAD                               erection of a bus shelter by the National Transport Bus Company and in that respect would contact Mr. Les Cannan in due course. 

 

IRIS PUMP                 07/127               Concern was expressed at the state and

STATION                                             condition of the water feature at the Iris Pump Station.  It was AGREED to refer the matter to Mr. Winstanley, Director of Drainage with a request that appropriate work be carried out to bring the feature up to standard.

 

                                                              Arising therefrom reference was made to the dry dock area at the top end of The Quay which was in a poor state.  It was AGREED that this matter be referred to Captain Brew.  

 

 

 

PARKING                   07/128               Mrs. Moughtin indicated that for the benefit of

ISSUES                                                 the Members of the public that were in attendance that all the Members were dedicated to their role as Commissioners and that many had been in place as Commissioners for a significant period of time.  All nine Commissioners did what was best for the Town and a lot of time and effort was put into making the Town a better place.  It was appreciated that parking created difficulties as more and more people were coming to Peel to live.  Mr. Lightfoot suggested that a sheet indicating the Commissioners with their photographs be displayed on the notice board to better publicise who the various Commissioners were.  AGREED

 

DEPARTMENT          07/129               Mr. Lightfoot indicated that the area of land

OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY             earmarked for a new unit for T & J Autos was

SITE – MILL ROAD                            land belonging to the Department of Trade and Industry.  However this area was covered in litter and in need of a clean up.  It was AGREED the matter be referred to the Department for necessary action.

 

PUBLIC                      07/130               Ms. Hardman requested that costing be

CONVENIENCES                               obtained for possible consideration during the budgetary process for an automated public convenience.  AGREED

 

MARINE PARADE     07/131               Mr. Gimbert referred to the proposed erection of a street light at the rear lane to Marine Parade.  It was noted that a trench would be required to be dug prior to the Manx Electricity Authority erecting the light.  Mr. Gimbert requested that the solar light option be explored.  Reference was made to the solar light in the Castle Street gardens.  The costs of relocating such a light were excessive.  NOTED

 

                                                              Mr. Gimbert also referred to the possibility of a light being erected in Factory Lane.  It was noted that the Manx Electricity Authority opposed replacement of such lights on the individual property walls.  Mr. Gimbert indicated that he would raise the matter with the two residents of the Mews Cottages to see if they were prepared to have the light erected between their respective properties.

 

 

 

BEACH                       07/132               Noting that a beach shower had been budgeted

SHOWER                                             for in the current year it was AGREED to explore the cost of possibly providing  a water drinking fountain at the same location. 

 

                                                              This part of the meeting ended at 8.40p.m.