Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 3 December 2014, 3:32 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, 4 November 2014

Present: Councillors John Pullen (Chairman), Chris Riddet (Vice Chairman), Paul Fuller, David Jaggar, John Nicholson and Malcolm Nicholson
Also in attendance:
Barbara Herbert (Clerk and RFO)
PCSO Derek Howard

There were no members of the public in attendance

123/14-15 To receive and approve any apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Cllrs Derek Smith and John Ward

124/14-15 Members’ interests
There had been no written requests received for Dispensation on items forming the agenda.
Cllr Fuller, as he was now a member of the IW Council’s Executive, declared a Personal interest in Minute 128/14-15 Town and Country Planning, Minute 129/14-15 regarding a contribution towards the IW Council’s Beach Cleaning contract and Minute 130/14-15 the IW Council’s possible proposal to introduce charges for the use of the Cowes floating bridge.

125/14-15 To receive a report by the Local Safety Neighbourhood Officer, plus an opportunity to discuss local policing priorities
PCSO Derek Howard presented the report of the Local Safety Neighbourhood (LSN) team on matters arising since the last meeting. Particular mention was made of the following:
• Crime Update for October – Three crimes had been reported during this month, being the same as in October 2013;
• The police had stopped two cyclists during the past month. They had all been issued with a verbal warning, together with an educational letter. The police had attended a multi-agency meeting with the aim of deciding the best way to move forward in order to resolve/reduce the problem;
• Currently, due to roadworks taking place in St Mary’s Road, traffic was being re-directed through the town;
• There was no further news on the planned relocation of the local police team to Cowes Enterprise College;
• Staffing – PC Juliet Proctor would remain with the Cowes LSN, until at least the end of January;
• The application form for a donation towards the purchase of new Speedwatch equipment had been forwarded to the funding co-ordinator for completion and would be submitted in time for the December meeting;
• Additional volunteers were being sought to undertake training to cover the Speedwatch scheme. Cllr Riddet offered to include an advertisement in the Village Talk section of the County Press

126/14-15 To confirm and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council held on 7 October 2014

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meetings held on 7 October 2014 be confirmed and the Chairman authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council.

127/14-15 To receive any matters arising on the Minutes, not requiring a resolution
a. Minute 105/14-15 a Football Pitch in Venner Avenue – It had been reported to the clerk that, for whatever reason, some local children had cut all the ties to the new goal nets and pulled them out of the clips. The newly seeded grass had taken well, but it was still too early to remove the fencing. With regard to setting up alternative goalpost locations, suitable sockets had still to be sourced to enable any further progress.
b. Minute 105/14-15b Seat on Play Park – Cllr Pullen advised that he had now liaised with Cllr Smith to agree dates for re-furbishing the memorial seat on the play park. .
c. Minute 105//14-15d Community Highways Fund – The clerk and the Chairman had arranged to meet with Mr Tony Toynton, the IW Council’s Interim Highways PFI Contract Manager, on 18 November, to discuss potential suggestions for highway schemes to be undertaken in Northwood. They would gather these together and advise further at the next meeting
d. Minute 105/14-15e Tubs and Planters – Cllr Pullen had started the planned green creosoting of the tubs and planters. Weather permitting he would finish the task by the next meeting. Some tubs also required some remedial work. Cllr M Nicholson offered his assistance at weekends.
e. Minute 110/14-15 Gardens in Uplands Road – The clerk had met with the agreed contractor who would shortly make a start to clear and reduce the plants and shrubs in both beds

128/14-15 Town and Country Planning
a. To consider the following planning applications 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/32052 31 Greenways, Northwood – Proposed extension on side elevation to form hall and lounge on ground floor with en-suite bedroom at first floor level within roofspace, including dormer window on rear elevation

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises no material planning objections in respect of TCP/32052 at 31 Greenways, Northwood

ii. TCP/31184/D land adjacent to 62 Pallance Road, Northwood – Construction of two detached dwellings; formation of vehicular access and parking (Revised scheme)
RESOLVED :

THAT although Northwood Parish Council considered there to be no material planning objections in respect of the application TCP/31184/D at 62 Pallance Road, Northwood, councillors re-iterated their view that any approval should be conditioned stipulating contractors’ vehicles should be parked on-site while the building work was being undertaken, so to prevent any highway safety concerns and inconvenience to neighbouring properties and road users

b. To note the decisions taken by the Local Planning Authority since the last meeting of the Parish Council
i. TCP/32009 25 Wyatts Lane, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for the demolition of single storey rear extension; proposed single storey extension on rear elevation to form kitchen and lounge/dining area on ground floor with en-suite bedroom within roof space; dormer window on front elevation; glazed balcony on rear elevation; alterations to vehicular access and parking area
ii. TCP/31184/D 56 Pallance Road, Northwood 0 Conditional Planning Permission for proposed single storey extension on west elevation to provide utility room; porch; conservatory (revised plans)

129/14-15 The updated list of responses to the letter from Mr A Minns, the IW Council’s Strategic Manager Recreation, Leisure and Public Spaces
Councillors noted the updated list of decisions taken by parish and town councils in respect of the request for a suggested one-off donation towards the IW Council’s Beach Cleaning contract, for the financial year 2015/16.
In discussion, councillors recognised the importance of the beaches on tourism and the prosperity of the island, as a whole. However, they were mindful that the parish of Northwood had no beach frontages, although some local residents could well take advantage of the nearby resorts. Councillors were of the opinion that this contribution was a justifiable compromise, particularly as BAE Systems had so generously provided a one-off donation of £1,000 towards the Parish Council’s contribution to the costs

RESOLVED :

THAT the Parish Council agrees to make a contribution of £1,426.55 in total towards the cost of the Beach Cleaning contract during the financial year 2015/16

130/14-15 Cowes Floating Bridge
Discussion ensued on the letter and attachments received from the IW Council, seeking views on the possible introduction of charges for the use of the floating bridge by pedestrians and cyclists. Councillors highlighted that when fares were tried previously it had proved to be unworkable and cost more than the revenue raised. The present system made a net contribution to the budget. Any changes would require additional staffing costs, which could then prove to be unviable.
Reference was made to the joint bid for funding from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and that the design of the new bridge could secure a reduction in running costs that might well be sufficient to cover any additional associated costs.
Cllr Fuller abstained from the following vote.

RESOLVED :

THAT the reasons provided by the IW Council were not considered to be sufficient to support the implementation of charges for the use of the floating bridge by pedestrians and cyclists. A better case had been made out to oppose any proposed charge. However, the objectives for a new bridge, as set out, were welcomed.

131/14-15 To consider the report suggesting the provision of picnic tables on the play park area

RESOLVED :

THAT, due to the lack of a report, this item should be deferred to the December meeting

132/14-15 To consider the draft Housing Needs survey and, subject to councillors agreement of the survey, approve it as a Parish Council document
Prior to the meeting Cllr Jaggar had circulated a number of amendments, queries and comments to the draft Housing Needs survey. Councillors agreed that reading the document had been rather hard going and welcomed the suggestions made.

RESOLVED :

THAT suggested amendments, queries and comments to the draft Housing Needs survey be forwarded to the IW Council to enable a final revised draft to be considered at the December meeting

133/14-15 To note the new IW Council Speed Limit policy, particularly Section 7, ‘Implementation’, that sets out how applications can be made to change local speed limits

RESOLVED :

THAT the new IW Council Speed Limit policy be noted and consideration be given at the December meeting to request a change to 20mph, of the speed limit along the whole of Wyatts Lane

134/14-15 To receive an oral progress report on the revision of the “Welcome to Northwood” booklet
Cllr Riddet advised that the revision of the “Northwood booklet” was proving to be more time consuming than originally thought. There were numerous changes having to be made and the format amended to enable the finished article to be uploaded onto the website. He was about halfway through and anticipated completing before the end of the year.

135/14-15 To receive progress reports for information from Working Party leads
a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
Cllr Riddet reported on the problems with the Community Bus Service. Due to financial constraints Southern Vectis had cut the training budget by two thirds, placing a temporary halt on the training of new volunteers. Currently, the scheme covered the costs of any Southern Vectis replacement driver should there not be a volunteer available. This was proving very costly and serious consideration might soon be required to ascertain if all routes were viable. The Service 32 continued to be well supported. Cllr Fuller advised that an announcement could be made shortly, from the IW Council on the Community Bus service.
b. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
Cllr Pullen had nothing further to add to the matter discussed earlier on the agenda.
c. Parish Plan Working Party
Councillors agreed that as the Housing Needs survey was nearing completion, a revision of all the information contained within the Parish Plan was required. The original document was produced in 2007.
d. Emergency Plan Working Party
Cllr Smith was still attempting to organise a date for the Working Party to meet
e. Northwood Post Office Working Party
This matter was deferred to the next item on the agenda – the report of Cllr J Nicholson the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood

136/14-15 To receive the report for information of Cllr J Nicholson, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
Cllr J Nicholson referred councillors to his report. This covered his work as the Ward Councillor and his responsibilities at the IW Council. Particular mention was made of the following:
• The lack of communication and requests for information from Island Roads, particularly with regard to the roadworks in Wyatts Lane and the planned works in Pallance Road. A meeting had been held with IW Cllrs Jordan, Lumley and Hutchinson to discuss and try to resolve the situation. Cllr Nicholson had suggested that a cross party meeting of IW Councillors could be required
• The Post Office had visited the landlord of the Travellers Joy. However, the meeting had been very disappointing as the Post Office required the business and future provision of service to be undertaken entirely at the landlord’s own cost. The Post Office had been asked to reconsider their terms and make a realistic offer, providing a viable business model.
Cllr Riddet offered to make enquiries of the clerk at Whippingham Parish Council, as the post office service in Whippingham was due to shortly recommence on a part time basis
• The green “stop” box markings at the Northwood traffic lights junction had been eroded over time. It was suggested that this matter be raised at the meeting with Mr Tony Toynton on 18 November.

137/14-15 To suggest any questions that should be raised with Mr Dave Burbage, Chief Executive of the IW Council at the meeting of IWALC on 20 November
Councillors suggested that at the meeting of IWALC on 20 November, Mr Dave Burbage be asked “if any consideration had been given by the IW Council as to the outsourcing of all council services to Hampshire Authorities?”

138/14-15 Clerk’s Report
a. Finance
i. The interim budget statement to the end of October 2014 and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 75, were received and noted
ii. To authorise retrospectively the payments made with regard to the clerks salary:

RESOLVED :

THAT approval be granted retrospectively of the following payment with regard to the clerks salary:
000376, £739.22, Community Action IW on 7 October

iii. It was duly noted that a ‘stop’ had been placed on cheque No 000375 and a further cheque No 000377 issued for £1,245.50, to Jason Wadsworth, as its replacement.

iv. To authorise payment of the following cheques:

RESOLVED :

THAT the following cheques be approved for payment
000378, £77.05, Mrs B Herbert, Clerks expenses
000379, £182.80, Mr J Pullen, Cost of the agreed winter planting, including an additional charge of £10 for the purchase of three bags of multi purpose compost

v. To consider the request for grant funding from the Hampshire Constabulary for a donation towards the £1,250.00 cost of purchasing new Speed Watch equipment

RESOLVED :

THAT this matter be deferred until the December meeting

b. Administration
To consider establishing a Precept Working Party

RESOLVED :

THAT A Precept Working Party be stabled comprising of Cllrs John Pullen, John Nicholson and the clerk, in order to draft and present to the December meeting a proposed precept for 2015/16

139/14-15 Correspondence
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda and updated further at the meeting.

140/14-15 Councillors’ reports
Cllr J Nicholson referred to the excellent work of IW Age Uk and of a new scheme being proposed to improve the health and well-being of Island residents. He suggested that Community Well-Being should form an agenda item for the December meeting.
Cllr Pullen mentioned the decreasing numbers attending meetings of the Community Partnership, questioning how the Parish Council could assist. It was suggested that if the Parish Council’s appointed representative was unable to attend their meeting then perhaps he should advise the clerk who would try to obtain a deputy.
Cllr Pullen advised that during the weekend of 8 & 9 November, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War, Northwood House would be hosting exhibits about the island and the First World War

141/14-15 Future Agenda Items
No additional items were requested

142/14-15 To undertake a brief review of the meeting
No comment made

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 7.55pm

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