GENERAL MEETING

 

The MINUTES of the GENERAL MEETING held in the Board Room, Town Hall, Derby Road, Peel on Thursday 21st June 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. J E Lightfoot

                                    Mrs. P Pugh

 

Apologies                     Mr. D J Lace

                                    Mrs. C Moughtin

                                                                

In attendance                Mr. P G Leadley (Town Clerk)

                                                                

CHAIRMAN’S           07/063               The Chairman welcomed the public to the

WELCOME                                          meeting and indicated that preparations were underway for the Viking Festival on Peel beach.  In addition the Hounds of the Baskerville was due to be held in Peel from 20th – 24th June 2007 and the Parish Walk would take place on 23rd June.

 

                                                              Mrs. Sweeney thanked residents for keeping the roads clear for the recent Peel Bay Festival which helped traffic around the Town.  She expressed some concern that the recent submission of a publicity release to the local papers listing the various events for the summer had not been printed by the local Press. 

 

MINUTES                   07/064               The Minutes of the meeting held on 17th May 2007 were taken as read and CONFIRMED.

 

WESTERN CIVIC      07/065               Mr. Gimbert referred back to Minute 07/021

AMENITY SITE                                   and indicated that reference to school waste related specifically to electronic waste and fluorescent tubes.  NOTED  Government had deemed education waste semi-commercial which would be reviewed in April 2008.  Mr. Gimbert confirmed a meeting was awaited to discuss this matter.  Mr. Lightfoot commented on the position and expressed his opposition to the rate payers paying for school waste through the civic amenity site. 

 

PEEL BEACH             07/066               Mr. Lightfoot referred back to Minute 07/023(b) and expressed his concern at the working practices by the contractor preparing and setting up the Viking village.  Mr. Lightfoot enquired whether a method statement had been submitted to the Commissioners and Mr. Gimbert indicated that he was unaware whether this had been the case.  Mr. Lightfoot confirmed that the area where the tractor was working had not been taped off from the public as would be required under a risk assessment.  It was AGREED that these matters be referred in writing to Mr. Gimbert as the event manager.

 

REAYRT AALIN        07/067               The Town Clerk referred back to Minute

RE-PAINTING                                     07/031 and indicated that of the three tenders submitted the lowest had been provided by Cedar Developments Limited in the sum of £98,055.26.  The Commissioners accepted this tender and the Town Clerk undertook to advise Karen Horncastle, Architect and Contract Supervisor.

 

PROPERTY                07/068               Mr. Gimbert referred back to Minute 07/037

INSULATION                                      concerning insulation of the properties and the Town Clerk confirmed that the Department of Local Government and the Environment was proactive in taking suitable measures to increase insulation of local authority properties. 

 

ACCOUNTING          07/069               Reference was made back to Minute 07/032

OFFICER                                             concerning the qualification and ability of finance and accounting officers for local authorities.  An appropriate letter had been sent to the Department and the Chairman confirmed that under the new Accounts and Audit Regulation Act the Commissioners themselves were required to carry out an internal audit.  NOTED  The Board AGREED that Ms. Bampton be recommended as accounting officer for the Commissioners with appropriate backup assistance being provided by Mr. Ian Begley of PKF Limited.

 

POPPY                        07/070               The Town Clerk referred to a letter from the

APPEAL                                               Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal in which it sought permission to hold a street and house to house collection between the 1st and 8th November 2008.  AGREED

 

 

WATER                       07/071               The Town Clerk referred to a letter from Mr.

SEPERATION SCHEME                     Peter Winstanley, Director of Drainage

PHASE TWO                                       detailing the arrangements for Phase 2 of the Peel Surface Water Separation Scheme.  This would involve the laying of a surface water sewer in Derby Road from the school entrance to the crossroads at the Police Station.  Mr. Gimbert indicated that the Department would need to liaise with affected residents and businesses to ensure minimal disruption.  As at today’s date the commencement  date of the scheme was unknown. 

 

BUSINESS                  07/072               Consideration was given to a proposal from

CONTINUITY MANAGEMENT        Marsh Limited regarding business continuity management in which a proposed plan for all Commissioners on the Island could be implemented with individual authorities paying a fee relating to a banding proposal depending on the amount of rates received by each authority.  Peel fell within band C which would relate to a proposed fee of £1000 plus VAT for the business continuity plan.  The matter was discussed and Members felt that it would not provide value for money and therefore decided not to accept the proposal. 

 

                                                              Mr. Lightfoot suggested that contact be made with Martin Blackburn, Emergency Planning Officer for free advice in this area. 

 

13 PATRICK              07/073               The Town Clerk referred to the signing of a

STREET                                                Deed of Easement relating to Mr. & Mrs. Moughtin of 13 Patrick Street, Peel with regard to a previous approval granted by the Commissioners for the owners of 13 Patrick Street to obtain access and egress from the rear of their property onto the high road.  NOTED

 

ONCHAN                   07/074               Members noted receipt of an invitation from

CIVIC SUNDAY                                  Mr. A T W Norton, J.P., Chairman of Onhcan District Commissioners regarding Onchan Civic Service scheduled for 3.00p.m. on Sunday 22nd July 2007. 

 

                                                              The Town Clerk also referred to another invitation from Mrs. Elizabeth Godby, Chairman of Laxey Village Commissioners inviting the Chairman and Members to Laxey Civic Sunday Service also on Sunday 22nd July 2007 at 11.00a.m. 

 

                                                              It was noted that both these services clashed with the revised Peel Civic Service scheduled for 22nd July 2007.  The Chairman indicated that she would be unable to attend.

 

PUBLIC                      07/075               Members expressed their dissatisfaction at the

RELATIONS                                        current level of Press reporting with regard to Commissioners meetings.  It was noted that a recent Press release via Manx Radio involving the Chairman and Mr. Lightfoot had been well received.  Mrs. Pugh voiced her concern that there was not enough coverage for Peel and the West.  The Chairman indicated that a recent Press release forwarded to the local Press for inclusion in the western news had not been published.  It was AGREED to comment upon this fact on the Commissioners website and make it known that the Commissioners were unhappy at the current level of Press coverage for the west and Peel in particular.

 

GOSPEL                     07/076               Approval was given to Mr. Gary Woods to

PREACHING                                       carry out gospel preaching on a number of days during the summer season on the Promenade. 

 

INSPIRATION           07/077               Consideration was given to a request from

THEATRE COMPANY                        Jooles Newton, Director of the Inspiration Theatre Company for the Commissioners to sponsor one presentation of its forthcoming production “Oliver” scheduled for the Centenary Centre, Atholl Street, Peel between 29th August and 1st September 2007.  It was AGREED as in the previous year that £200 sponsorship be provided for this local theatre company. 

 

PLANNING                07/078               The following planning applications were

APPLICATIONS FOR COMMENT    considered by Members:

 

                                                              PA 07/070142/B Replace existing roof tiles with slate, 30 Stanley Road, Peel.  RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.

 

                                                              PA 07/01076/B Creation of two pedestrian access points, Peel Clothworkers School, Derby Road, Peel.  RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL.

 

ROAD TRAFFIC        07/079               Consideration was given to a draft Order

REGULATIONS ACT 1985                 providing for a reserved parking space on the southern side of Westlands between numbered spaces 20 and 21.  Members had no objection to the draft Order.

 

MANX                        07/080               The Town Clerk referred to a letter from Mr.

DISABILITY SPORT                           Dave Callahan, Disability Sports Development Officer in which he was in the process of setting up a kayak club for those children and adults with additional needs.  It was his intension to use suitably safe sites around the Island for basic tuition by qualified instructors and had indicated that after carrying out a risk assessment Peel Bay was the most suitable for their needs.  Members noted that the bay would be used for this purpose. 

 

PEEL ELIM                 07/081               Members considered a request from the Pastor

COMMUNITY CHURCH                    John Powell of Peel Elim Community Church to set up a stall on Peel Carnival Day, 12th August 2007 to disseminate items of information.  No selling would take place.  AGREED

 

                                                              A further letter from Pastor Powell invited the Chairman and Commissioners to a Service of Blessing at St. Germans Cathedral on Saturday 7th July 2007 at 2.00p.m.  Refreshments to be served in the Corrin Hall after the Service.   The Chairman AGREED to attend the Service.

 

TRAFFIC                    07/082               The Town Clerk advised that the next meeting

MANAGEMENT LIAISON                 of the Western Traffic Management Liaison

GROUP                                                Group had been fixed for Wednesday 18th July 2007 at 9.30a.m.  NOTED

 

TT 2007                       07/083               The Town Clerk read out a letter from Carol Glover, Chief Executive of the Department of Tourism and Leisure regarding her Department’s appreciation to all local authorities and others that had contributed to ensuring a successful TT during its centenary year.  NOTED

 

CROSSROADS          07/084               Consideration was given to request from Mr.

CARING FOR CARERS                      Bettridge the Young Carers Development Worker regarding a weekend camp for around thirty young people from 17th to 20th August 2007.  It was AGREED that a specific area be set aside for the Crossroads Group and that a discount of 50% be levied with regard to the campsite fees.

 

 

HOUSING (FLATS)   07/085               Upon recommendation from the Environmental

REGULATIONS 1982                          Health Inspector it was AGREED that Flat 1, The Wharfside, Station Place, Peel be registered as a ground floor flat for permanent occupation. 

 

PARKING IN PEEL   07/086               Members noted the contents of an e-mail from Mr. K Horne concerning the recent clearways set up for the Peel Bay Festival.  Mr. Horne had indicated that this measure appeared to solve the parking problem in Peel which was noted by the Members. 

 

OFF-SHORE              07/087               Members considered a letter from the

AGGREGATES                                    Department of Trade and Industry seeking consultation with local authorities over off-shore aggregate extractions and the need for appropriate prospecting licences thereof.  It was AGREED that if any Members had views on the matter to pass them onto the Town Clerk for onward transmission to the Department of Trade and Industry.

 

TOMMY KELLY        07/088               The Chairman suggested to Members that

SHIELD                                                whilst Mr. Jonathan Irving had previously been awarded the Tommy Kelly Shield for renovation of properties in Peel that he might be worthy of consideration for the award as a result of his organisation and promotion of the Peel Bay Music Festival.  Members AGREED to the proposal and it was AGREED that the Town Clerk contact Mr. Malcolm Kelly accordingly.

 

                                                              Arising therefrom and referring to the Peel Bay Festival it was AGREED that a letter be sent to Central Government requesting that the future of the Peel Bay Festival be secured with a undertaking from Government to underwrite the event. 

 

PEEL                           07/089               Mrs. Pugh indicated that at a recent inter-

CLOTHWORKERS SCHOOL            agency meeting the new head teacher, Mrs. Lund indicated her wish to meet with the Commissioners with a view to discussing safe ways that children might gain access to and from the school.  It was AGREED that a meeting be arranged in due course.

 

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