Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 5 February 2014, 8:38 pm

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting of Northwood Parish Council, held in Northwood Primary School, Wyatts Lane, Northwood, Isle of Wight on Tuesday, 7 January 2014

Present: Councillors John Pullen (Chairman), Chris Riddet (Vice Chairman), David Jaggar, Derek Smith and John Ward

also In attendance:
Barbara Herbert (Clerk and RFO)
PCSO Lisa Paul
PCSO Steve Anker

There were no members of the public in attendance

173/13-14 To receive and approve any apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Cllrs Fuller and Nicholson

174/13-14 Members’ interests
There had been no written requests received for Dispensation on items forming the agenda.
Cllr Riddet declared a prejudicial interest in Minute 178/13-14 as he knew the applicant socially and he had been a signatory on his nomination form
Cllr Jaggar declared a prejudicial interest in Minute 182/13-14, advising that after introducing the application he would withdraw from the meeting prior to any discussion or decision thereon
The clerk advised that she had the authority to grant dispensations to Cllrs Pullen, Jaggar and Smith with regard to Minute No 181/13-14, so that a decision could be taken to set the Precept for the year 2014/15

175/13-14 To receive a report by the Local Safety Neighbourhood Officer, plus an opportunity to discuss local policing priorities
PCSO Lisa Paul presented the report of the Local Safety Neighbourhood (LSN) team, on events that had taken place since the last meeting. Particular mention was made of the following:
• The Speed Watch, which had taken place on 18 December in Pallance Road and other local areas A couple of vehicles had been recorded of just exceeding the speed limit, but none were sufficient to warrant a letter of caution being sent. A further event was planned for Friday, 10 January at 2.30pm outside of the Travellers Joy. Councillors noted that a similar exercise conducted along Rew Street, Gurnard resulted in 7 or 8 letters being sent out to speeding drivers. Speed Watch was a continuing exercise with three more dates planned in the Gurnard/Northwood areas.
• Pleasingly there had been very little crime committed in Northwood since the last meeting. A couple of incidents of door to door selling had been reported. This had been committed by a small group of family members, who no longer lived on the island.
• Mention was made of a supply of gun shells, which have now been disposed of.

Cllr Ward raised a question with regard to the type of equipment being used in the Speed Watch exercise. He had viewed a car travelling in the vicinity of a school in Carisbrooke, at a time when the 20mph limit was in force. However, although the monitor had registered the speed as being 30mph, it also confirmed that it was within the speed limit. PCSO Paul agreed to report the information back to the police roads unit.

176/13-14 To confirm and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the previous meetings of the Parish Council held on 3 December and the Special Meeting held on 16 December 2013

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meetings held on 3 and 16 December 2013 be confirmed and the Chairman authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council.

177/13-14 To receive any matters arising on the Minutes, not requiring a resolution
a. Minute 149/13-14 – Local Safety Neighbourhood Team – As requested the clerk had been in contact with PCSO Derek Howard with regards to the content of his report to the December meeting and the failure of any mention of plans limiting the opening times of Cowes Police Station or the timescale of the proposed move to the site of the Cowes Enterprise College. Acting Sgt Gary Knight had provided a detailed response, which had been circulated by email to councillors
b. Minute 158/13-14 – ID Badges – The clerk apologised for omitting this item from the agenda. However, she had obtained quotations for identification badges and lanyards, which she would include on the agenda for the next meeting. Councillors were requested to furnish the clerk with a passport sized photograph, which would make producing individual ID Badges easier.

178/13-14 Town and Country Planning
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/09778/H rear of 34 Wyatts Lane, Northwood – Proposed bungalow with parking and turning areas
Cllr Riddet having declared a Prejudicial interest in the following application left the meeting room prior to any discussion or decision thereon. Cllr Smith having realised that he too knew the applicant personally, declared a Prejudicial interest and also left the meeting room prior to any discussion or decision thereon

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises concerns in respect of the application TCP/ 09778/H rear of 34 Wyatts Lane, Northwood due to:
i. The tightness of the area to accommodate any further development;
ii. The precedent effect should approval be granted;
iii. The potential for a series of backland development
iv. The lack of information regarding the disposal of Waste Water and Sewerage

Cllrs Riddet and Smith returned to the meeting room.

ii TCP/31712 95 Pallance Road, Northwood – Demolition of single storey rear extension; single storey rear extension, two storey side extension and extension at first floor level to convert existing bungalow into a house to include dormer windows on front and rear elevations

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises no material planning objections to the application TCP/31712 at 95 Pallance Road, Northwood to convert the existing bungalow into a house

b. To note the decision taken by the Local Planning Authority since the last meeting of the Parish Council
i. P/00239/13 Northwood County Primary School – Conditional Planning Permission for continued siting of a double mobile classroom used as a nursery/playgroup (revised plans)(readvertised application)
ii. P/01305/13 27 Nodes Road, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for demolition of garage, single storey side/rear extension to provide additional living accommodation, decking

179/13-14 To give thought to the taking over of any of the IW Council’s assets or in the provision of services within Northwood
Councillors were referred to the list of discretionary services, which the Isle of Wight Council had invited Town and Parish Councils to enter into joint discussions, so to consider providing an alternative means of their continued delivery. The clerk had written to Cllr Stubbings requesting the past two years’ financial costings and inquired whether pump priming was to be provided. However, no further details had been received.

RESOLVED :

THAT consideration of taking over of any of the IW Council’s assets or in the provision of services within Northwood form a future agenda item, when further details on the implications of so doing had been received from the IW Council.

180/13-14 To consider the response from Mr Lee Matthews regarding the football pitch and play park
Councillors noted the response received from Mr Lee Matthews, Head of the IW Council’s Parks section. Mr Matthews advised that he was happy to support in principal (50%) of the approximate £532.00 costs for the required works. However, he wished to defer making a final decision until the full extent of the required savings his section would need to make, was known.

RESOLVED :

THAT the remedial works proposed for the Venner Avenue football pitch form an item on the agenda for the February meeting.

181/13-14 To agree the Precept for 2014/15

RESOLVED :

THAT the proposed Precept of £15,375 for 2014/15, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda, be approved

182/13-14 To consider the Application for a minor variation to a Premises Licence at Medham Farm, Cowes
Cllr Jaggar introduced the application and then withdrew from the meeting room prior to any discussion or decision thereon.

Councillors were unaware of any existing Premises Licence for Medham Farm. It was suggested that this then could be a new application and not a minor variation of an existing application.

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises concerns in relation to the application for a Premises Licence at Medham Farm, Cowes, namely due to:
i. Public Safety and Protection of Children – The farm house kitchen used for the business was part of a family dwelling. The lack of information to address easy access, without restriction, by children and other persons visiting the applicant during operation of the business;
ii. Prevention of Public Nuisance – The lack of information on vehicle movements covering deliveries to and from the farmhouse and by occasional purchasers
iii. Prevention of Public Nuisance – The suitability of the venue for this type of business due to Medham being a very quiet residential area, situated along a private road.
Cllr Jaggar returned to the meeting room.

183/13-14 To consider if any action could be taken to improve the condition of the roads in Northwood
The clerk explained that this item had been requested by Cllr Mew. However, in his absence the clerk advised that the problem stemmed from the number of large potholes along Oxford Street. The clerk had reported the matter to Island Roads and had suggested to Cllr Mew that he and the complainants should do the same.
In discussion, councillors highlighted the volume of surface water racing down Pallance Road, during the current period of excessive rain. The rain water was causing the top road surface to lift, displacing gravel, which then subsequently blocked the drains, thereby exacerbating the problem. The clerk was requested to report the matter to Southern Water.
Mention was also made of a hole in Wyatts Lane, which had been dug before the Christmas period, to enable access to the gas main. The clerk was requested to make inquiries on the situation. However, no works appeared to be occurring.
184/13-14 To consider the nomination of the Chairman to attend the Buckingham Palace Garden Party on 21 May

RESOLVED :

THAT it be agreed for Cllr and Mrs Pullen to be nominated to attend the Buckingham Palace Garden Party on 21 May 2014

185/13-14 To note that the Parish Council’s interest has been submitted in taking part in the Remembrance Orchards scheme to commemorate The First World War, 1914 -18
Councillors noted that the Parish Council’s interest in taking part in the Remembrance Orchards scheme, had been submitted. An application was due to be made to the Heritage Lottery Fund for grant funding. Information on the outcome was awaited.

186/13-14 To receive an update on the meeting held on 18 December with Wendy Perera, IW Council’s Deputy Head of Planning Services (policy) on the criteria used to set s106
Cllr Riddet reported on the successful meeting he had held with Wendy Perera, IW Council’s Deputy Head of Planning Services (policy). Ms Perera was to draft a set of criteria regarding S106 monies, which would be sent to Cllr Riddet for his approval. Once agreed this would be circulated to all parish and town councils. During the talks, mention was made that £16½K of s106 monies were available to spend on highway related matters in Northwood.
Councillors advocated that inquiries should be made to ascertain if the re-positioning of the large Twinning signs, situated at the entrance to Northwood along the Newport Road, would qualify as a suitable proposal.

RESOLVED :

THAT it be agreed for consideration of re-positioning the large Twinning signs to form an item on the agenda for the February meeting.

187/13-14 To approve attendance at the winter conference organised by The Isle of Wight County Training Partnership entitled ‘Facing the Future’ to be held on Thursday 13th February 2014 at Cowes Yacht Haven 9.00-16.30

RESOLVED :

THAT it be approved for Cllr Ward to attend the winter conference being organised by the IW County Training Partnership, on 13 February at a cost of £25.00 per delegate.

188/13-14 To receive progress reports for information from Working Party leads
i. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
Cllr Riddet advised that he had no further information to report.
ii. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
Cllr Pullen mentioned that he had approached several nurseries with regard to costings for the summer planting. The clerk would investigate the promise of a supply of poppy seedlings.
iii. Parish Plan Working Party
In the absence of Cllr Fuller no report had been received. Cllr Nicholson had advised that Peter Griffiths, Principal Officer – Housing Policy was waiting for the approved budget allocation before the survey could go to print
iv. Emergency Plan Working Party
Cllr Smith informed that work on the Emergency Plan had yet to commence. He would liaise with Cllr Pullen shortly.

189/13-14 To receive the report for information of Cllr Nicholson, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
In the absence of Cllr Nicholson, the clerk read from an email he had sent her. There were no new matters of significance to report. The main issue related to some incidents of property flooding, which Cllr Fuller had assisted in. Cllr Nicholson was awaiting an acknowledgement from Island Roads as to whether the Fibrovia asphalt material they were using was SMA (Stone Mastic Asphalt) or, if not, for an explanation on what was the difference.

190/13-14 To receive the notes of the meeting of Island Waste Services Advisory Group Meeting held on 11 December
Cllr Smith, who had attended the Island Waste Services Advisory Group meeting, made reference to the minutes, in particular to the excellent PowerPoint presentation providing an update on all areas of Island Waste Service operations. The clerk agreed to circulate a copy of the presentation to all councillors.

191/13-14 To receive a report on the meeting of the Local Access Forum held on 5 December 2013
Unfortunately, due to a prior engagement on that day, Cllr Pullen had been unable to attend the Local Access Forum. A copy of the minutes would be sent to the clerk for circulation to all councillors. The next meeting was scheduled to take place on 6 March 2104.

192/13-14 Clerk’s Report
a. Finance
i. The interim budget statement to the end of December 2013 and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 65 were received and noted.

ii. To authorise payment of cheques

RESOLVED :

THAT the following cheques be approved for payment
000344, £39.80, Mrs B Herbert, Clerks Expenses
000345, £19.10, Chale Parish Council, Photocopying
000346, £53.41, Nalc, Local Councils Explained
000347, £300.00, Northwood Parish Church, Advertisement in Northwood News
000348, £35.00, Information Commissioner, Data protection Registration
iii. To consider the application for grant funding received from the Armed Forces Day (IoW)

RESOLVED :

THAT it be agreed to grant the sum of £100 towards the Armed Forces Day (IoW) on 21 June 2014

b. Administration
i. To consider arrangements for the Annual Meeting of the Parish and to suggest a key note speaker
Councillors were reminded of the meeting held in 2013. This had achieved a very poor response and attendance from local groups who had been invited to provide an update on their activities. The meeting had also not attracted any local parishioners to attend.

RESOLVED :

THAT it be agreed to defer organising the Meeting of the Parish due to take place 2014, suggesting that in future consideration should be given to holding this meeting on a bi-annual basis

ii. To approve Mr Mike Cox, as the Internal Auditor for the 2013/14 accounts

RESOLVED :

THAT Mr Mike Cox be approved as the Internal Auditor for the 2013/14 accounts

193/13-14 Correspondence
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda and updated further at the meeting.

194/13-14 Councillors’ reports
There were no matters reported.

195/13-14 Future agenda items
February Meeting
Northwood News
The clerk advised that during the Christmas period she had occasion to speak to Rev Amanda Collinson. As it had been suggested at the November meeting, the clerk had invited her to attend a future meeting if she so wished. Rev Collinson expressed her delight in accepting the invitation and would contact the clerk when time permitted in her busy schedule

196/13-14 To undertake a brief review of the meeting
A good meeting

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 7.40.pm
Signed ……………………………………………. Dated ……………………………..