Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 12 January 2014, 8:07 pm

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Northwood Parish Council, held in Northwood Primary School, Wyatts Lane, Northwood, Isle of Wight on Tuesday, 3 December 2013

Present: Councillors John Pullen (Chairman), Chris Riddet (Vice Chairman), Paul Fuller, David Jaggar, John Nicholson and John Ward

also In attendance:
Barbara Herbert (Clerk and RFO)

There were two members of the public present

147/13-14 To receive and approve any apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Cllr Derek Smith. and PCSO Derek Howard

148/13-14 Members’ interests
There had been no written requests received for Dispensation on items forming the agenda.
Cllr Fuller declared a non-prejudicial interest in Minute 154/13-14a as he was a member of the IW Council’s Planning Committee.
Cllr Fuller also declared a non-prejudicial interest in Minute 154/13-14c as he knew the applicant.
Cllr Nicholson declared a non-prejudicial interest in Minute 154/13-14a as he was a member of the IW Council’s Planning Committee.
Cllr Jaggar declared a non-prejudicial interest in Minute 151/13-14 as he lived in close proximity to the area covered within the proposed Area Action Plan for the Medina Valley

149/13-14 Report of the Local Safety Neighbourhood Officer
Apologies had been received from PCSO Derek Howard, the Local Safety Neighbourhood Officer. Councillors welcomed the report he had provided to the clerk, which had been circulated prior to the meeting. However, some concern was expressed as it appeared to be exactly the same as that sent to Gurnard Parish Council some three weeks previously. The report had failed to make any mention of the rumours circulating with regard to plans limiting the opening times of the Cowes Police Station and that also that the proposed move to the site of the Cowes Enterprise College had been deferred until 2015. The clerk was requested to contact PCSO Howard to seek confirmation on the matters alleged.

150/13-14 To welcome Wendy Perera, IW Council’s Deputy Head of Planning Services (policy) to provide advice on the criteria used to set s106 agreements
The Chairman welcomed Mr Ollie Boulter, the IW Council’s Policy & Conservation Team Leader, Planning & Regulatory Services to the meeting, who had agreed to provide information on the use of s106 agreements, in the absence of Wendy Perera. Mr Boulter explained that although he did not have specialist knowledge of s106 agreements he would take any detailed questions back to the office to obtain a comprehensive written response.
In discussion, Councillors raised a number of questions, to which Mr Boulter provided answers. These included:
• Whether there was a specific criteria in place to determine if a planning application should provide s106 monies? – No clear response was provided although it was suggested that there was no criteria in place. Any s106 monies should be attributable to the viability of the scheme and relate to the specific development. This could provide a potential opportunity for IWALC involvement in devising a process.
• The difference between s106 agreements and the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)? – It was explained that both were a form of collecting monies from a proposed development although the IW Council had, to date, decided not to proceed down the CIL route. It was suggested that it was not the intention for the two schemes to be run in tandem.
• Who was the formal deciding body for any s106 agreements? – The Local Planning Authority, although Parish and Town Councils could make a request for a s106 agreement as part of their representations on the proposed development
• Should it not be incumbent on the IW Council to consult with Parish and Town Councils on the best use of s106 agreements in their specific areas and advise them quarterly of any monies available? – No clear response was provided.

RESOLVED :

THAT Cllrs Jaggar and Riddet compile a list of detailed questions to be raised with Wendy Perera in respect of s106 agreements and to report back her responses to the next meeting

Councillors agreed for the following item to be consider earlier than planned on the agenda

151/13-14 To consider making comments regarding the Medina Valley Area Action Plan (AAP), a requirement of Regulation 18 consultation and part of the SA/SEA Scoping Consultation
Councillors were referred to the notes of the information session held on 30 October 2013, to which all elected members within the Medina Valley had been invited. Unfortunately, due to an administrative error Northwood Parish councillors had not been included and Mr Boulter expressed his regret and apologised on behalf of his team.
The Parish Council were informed that the three planned Area Action Plans (AAPs) were to be delivered together rather than staggering the documents as originally intended. The AAP’s would identify the locations for the distribution of development required within the Core Strategy and also develop area-specific policies for the Key Regeneration Areas. It was a requirement that the AAP’s were based on an objective needs basis. Any information over three years old had been declared as ‘out of date’. In order to identify relevant baseline information the Parish Council, as a statutory Sustainable Appraisal (SA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) consultee, was requested to respond specifically to the three questions set out in the letter dated 18 November.
Councillors asked a number of questions of Mr Boulter regarding the process. It was confirmed that as the final document would be a significant change to the agreed policy, it would be subjected to the same process as the Island Plan Core Strategy, going through an examination in public by the Planning Inspectorate.
Mr Boulter agreed to attend the Special Meeting, to be organised to provide a further opportunity for discussion on the matters in the consultation exercise, in more detail.

RESOLVED :

THAT a Special Meeting of the Parish Council be organised to take place on Monday, 16, December commencing at 6.00pm to consider an appropriate response to the Area Action Plans Regulation 18 Consultation and SA/SEA Scoping Consultation

152/13-14 To confirm and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the previous meetings of the Parish Council held on 5 November 2013

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 November 2013 be confirmed and the Chairman authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council

153/13-14 Matters arising on the Minutes
There were no matters raised

154/13-14 Town and Country Planning
Cllrs Fuller and Nicholson, having declared non-prejudicial interests on the following item of business left the meeting room.

a. To consider the following application received and make comments in accordance with the guidance for material planning considerations listed at
http://www.iwight.com/council/departments/planning/appsdip/MakingCommentsInfo.aspx
i. TCP/31430/A 27 Nodes Road, Northwood – Demolition of garage; single storey side/rear extension to provide additional living accommodation; decking

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises no material planning objections in respect of the application TCP/31430/A 27 Nodes Road, Northwood – Demolition of garage; single storey side/rear extension

ii. TCP/25176E 26 Nodes Road, Newport – Proposed extension at first floor level to provide an additional bedroom

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises no material planning objections in respect of application TCP/25176E 26 Nodes Road, Newport – Proposed extension at first floor level to provide an additional bedroom

Cllrs Fuller and Nicholson returned to the meeting room.

b. The decision taken by the Local Planning Authority since the last meeting of the Parish Council in respect of the following application, was noted.
P/01133/13 Hillis Gate Riding Stables, Hillis Gate Road, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for Proposed stable block and tack room (revised description, change of application type)(re-advertised application)

c. The Tree Officer Decision letter dated 18 November in respect of T1 Oak situated at 17 Selman Gardens, Northwood, to be reduced by 30%, was noted.

d. To consider the proposal for the designation of the Newport to Cowes cycleway as a Site for Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC)

RESOLVED :

i. THAT Northwood Parish Council welcomes the proposal to designate the land along the Newport to Cowes cycleway as a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation (SINC)

ii. THAT given the importance of the cycleway as a wildlife corridor, linking existing ancient woodlands and grassland SINCs, the Parish Council requests that the land on each side of the track be also included in the proposed designation, where possible and appropriate

155/13-14 To give thought to the taking over of any of the IW Council’s assets or in the provision of services within Northwood
In accordance with instruction at the last meeting the clerk had requested a list of IW Council assets in Northwood and details of services at potential risk of being reduced or cut. This had been promised by the end of November. Unfortunately, she had been advised by email that this had been delayed and would not now be provided until later in the week.

RESOLVED :

THAT consideration of taking over any of the IW Council’s assets or in the provision of services within Northwood be deferred until the meeting scheduled in January

156/13-14 To consider the result of discussions held with Steve Critchlow, the IW Council’s Parks Officer regarding the football pitch and play park
The clerk advised that she had met on site with Mr Steve Critchlow, the IW Council’s Parks Officer. Mr Critchlow had agreed that works were required to improve the football pitch area. These would be best to take place in the spring. An estimate of the costs totalling £532 had been received, to cover the levelling of the land and the supply and installation of four new sockets to enable the goal posts to be re-positioned on an annual basis.

RESOLVED :

THAT the clerk contact Mr Lee Matthews, of the IW Council to seek confirmation that the IW Council would be willing to provide funding to undertake the necessary remedial works on the Venner Avenue football pitch play area

157/13-14 To consider taking part in the Remembrance Orchards scheme to commemorate The First World War, 1914 -18
Councillors confirmed receipt of the copy of an email from Mrs J Cowley, wife of the mayor of Yarmouth, seeking support from each Town or Parish Council of an initiative to commemorate those men who had died or who had fought during the Great War. Mrs Cowley had registered an interest with the Heritage Lottery Fund for financial assistance towards the planting of fruit and nut trees on community land to create Remembrance Orchards.
Councillors suggested the possibility of joining with Gurnard Parish Council or Cowes Town Council to take part in the scheme.

RESOLVED :

i. That Northwood Parish Council confirms its interest in taking part in the Remembrance orchards scheme to commemorate those who had taken part in the First World War, 1914 – 18

ii. THAT further thought be given to identifying a suitable parcel of land to create a Remembrance Orchard be given at the next meeting in January

158/13-14 To consider all Parish Councillors being furnished with ID cards
The clerk advised that the IW Council would charge £10 for each ID card, plus an additional £20 for each invoice produced.

RESOLVED :

THAT Cllr Pullen bring his digital camera to the next meeting so to produce ID cards for all councillors and to facilitate photographs for the noticeboard and parish website

159/13-14 To note the letter regarding “No Cold Calling” zones
The clerk had made arrangements to collect a supply of 925 ‘No Cold Calling’ stickers from the Trading Standards Service the following day

160/13-14 To note the rural community profile for Northwood and Cowes
The rural community profile for Northwood and Cowes, which had been circulated by email was noted

161/13-14 To receive progress reports from Working Party leads
a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
Cllr Riddet referred to the Community Bus figures for October, which indicated that the passenger numbers for Route 32 had increased very slightly, when compared with the same corresponding period last year. The donations however, had increased by over 37%. The disappointing figures for Route 34, were noted. Cllr Ward had provided a response to the letter of the Chairman expressing concerns in respect of the lack of consistent representation on the Community Bus Management Committee. The response would be considered by the local bus forum and a report in detail would be provided at the next possible meeting of the Parish Council.

b. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
Cllr Pullen confirmed that all the winter planting had been undertaken. It had been noticed that some of the planters owned by the Community Partnership required some level of repair or replacement. Cllr Pullen would undertake a survey of the condition of all tubs and planters and report back.

c. Parish Plan Working Party
The Housing Needs survey form would be submitted to the IW Council for printing, as a matter of urgency. Plans for the distribution and collection of the form would be considered at the next meeting.

d. Emergency Plan Working Party
In the absence of Cllr Smith no report was made. Cllr Pullen, as a member of the Working Party, would liaise with Cllr Smith.

162/13-14 To receive a report on the Executive Committee meeting of IWALC held on 21 November
Councillors were referred to the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 November, which were attached to the agenda. Cllr Ward made particular reference to item 6, the charges quoted by Island Roads to Newport Parish Council for the emptying of a further 4 dog bins, which was double the old rate.

163/13-14 To receive the report for information of Cllr J Nicholson, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
.Cllr Nicholson mentioned his report detailing matters with regard to his role as Ward Member. Particular reference was made to the following:
• The registering of Cowes Week as a trade mark and the implications
• The good works to remove the cars from Place Side
• The success of his Brewery motion at the meeting of Full Council, which had received unanimous support, calling for recognition and support for the islands drinks industry
• The planned trial surface modification for horses, to take place in Brading scheduled for later in the week

164/13-14 Clerk’s Report
a. Finance
i. The interim budget statement to the end of November 2013 and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 64 were received and noted.

ii. To authorise payment of cheques

RESOLVED :

THAT the following cheques be approved for payment:
000339, £54.44, Mrs B Herbert, Clerks Expenses
000340, £15.75, Chale Parish Council, Photocopying
000341, £272.95, Broker Network Ltd, The third year of 3yr insurance deal
000342, £50.00, 1st Northwood Rainbows, Donation towards cost of annual census
000343, £25.00, Royal British Legion, for the Poppy Wreath provided

b. Administration
The letter from the IW Council with regard to the 2014-15 tax base and Precept setting, was noted

165/13-14 Correspondence.
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda and updated further at the meeting

16644/13-14 Councillors’ reports
Cllr Pullen advised that he had attended an assembly at Northwood School the previous week, to receive thanks for the Parish Council’s donation towards the trip by the Gardening Club
Cllr Fuller reported on the delay to the proposed relocation of The Grange store
Cllr Riddet mentioned the omission of the proposed Precept for 2014/15 from the latest edition of the Northwood News. It had now been uploaded onto the Northwood Parish website calling for comments by the end of the year.
Cllr Nicholson advised of another magazine being produced covering all of the Cowes, Gurnard, Northwood area suggesting that discussions should take place to see if there was any scope in the two issues combining, to facilitate a more productive use of funds

167/13-14 Future agenda items
No additional items were indicated for future meetings.

168/13-14 To undertake a brief review of the meeting
Satisfactory, but a rather cold meeting.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT.8.35pm

Signed ……………………………………………. Dated ……………………………..