Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 9 November 2015, 8:41 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, 3 November 2015

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

There were no members of the public or press in attendance.

121/15-16 To receive and approve any apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Cllr Derek Smith

122/15-16 Members’ interests
There had been no written requests received for Dispensation on items forming the agenda.
No declarations of interest were made at this stage of the meeting.

123/15-16 To receive a report on any local safety neighbourhood issues occurring since the last meeting held of the Parish Council
a. Cowes Neighbourhood Police team
In the absence of any representative of the Local Safety Neighbourhood team or prior report submitted, there was no update information available.
b. Perceived Speeding along Nodes Road
It was reported that a Speed Watch event had not taken place in the vicinity of Nodes Road/Place Road.

124/15-16 To confirm and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council held on 6 October 2015

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2015 be confirmed and the Chairman authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council.

125/15-16 To receive any matters arising on the Minutes, not requiring a resolution
a. Minute 104/15-16 Picnic Table – The clerk advised that unfortunately due to the demand from the internal prison market, HMP Isle of Wight were unable to produce a picnic table at the current time. Although it was appreciated that the Parish Council was not in a particular rush, due to the prison’s current workload it would not be possible for them to manufacture and supply the table for between 6 to 9 months. If, after this time, the Parish Council still required a picnic table from them then a further order should be submitted. Councillors were in agreement that the quality of picnic table that HMP Isle of Wight could provide, merited the wait.
b. Minute 105/15-16 Transparency Fund for Smaller Authorities – A funding application for £1,082.62 was submitted to the Secretary of IWALC, prior to the deadline of 14 October. This was then passed onto NALC. Money for successful bids should be released by 30 November.
c. Minute 106/15-16 Venner Avenue Football Pitch – The football area had now been re-seeded and the posts moved to a new position, at no cost to the Parish Council.

126/15-16 Town and Country Planning
Cllr Fuller entered the meeting room at 6.35 pm.

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/32318/A 6 Greenways Close, Northwood – Continued use of property as mixed use, as residential and provision of childcare

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raised no material planning objections to the application TCP/32318/A at 6 Greenways Close, Northwood for the continued use of the property as mixed use – as residential and provision of childcare.

ii. TCP/14203/H Chawton Farm, Chawton Lane, Northwood – Variation of condition No 2 on TCP/14203/E to allow an extension of 5 years

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council, having regard solely to the material planning considerations relating to the application TCP/14203/H at Chawton Farm, Chawton Lane, Northwood, considered there to be no material planning objections to the application.

iii. TCP/31788/A 43 Venner Avenue, Northwood – Demolition of porch and hall; single storey side extension to provide kitchen and dining room

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish raised a number of objections to the application TCP/31788/A at 43 Venner Avenue, Northwood. These being that the proposed extension by reason of its flat roofed design would be:
• an intrusive development, particularly to No 41, the ground floor maisonette;
• have a detrimental impact on the street scene and surrounding area;
• was out of scale and character with the prevailing pattern of development in the locality and would therefore be contrary to Policy DM2 Design Quality for new Development of the Island Plan Core Strategy.

b. The following decisions taken by the Local Planning Authority since the last meeting of the Parish Council, were noted:
i. TCP/32378 29 Pallance Road, Northwood – Conditional Planning permission for the demolition of wc, single storey rear/side extension to provide additional living accommodation; alterations to vehicular access; formation of new vehicular access and parking area.
ii. TCP/29443B Skinners Farm, Pallance Road, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for the change of use of land for siting of 3 mobile homes for tourism accommodation and associated landscaping (revised plans).

c. The decision of the Planning Inspectorate to refuse the appeal against the refusal of planning permission for TCP/31184/E at 58 Pallance Road, Northwood, was duly noted.

127/15-16 Declarations of Interest – Cllr P Fuller
Cllr Fuller declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 126/15-16 Town and Country Planning, being the IW Council’s Executive Member for Planning, Licensing, Public Realm and Local Engagement;
Cllr Fuller declared a prejudicial interest in Minute 132/15-16 Grounds Maintenance contract, being the IW Council’s Executive member with responsibility for Parks and Public Spaces;
Cllr Fuller declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 133/15-16 funding opportunity advised by the Local Access Forum (LAF), being the Vice Chairman of the LAF;
Cllr Fuller declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute 135/15-16 Medina Valley Action Plan, as he was the Chairman of the meeting held.

128/15-16 To consider the letter from Mr R Springett of Lightsource Renewable Holdings Ltd
The clerk advised that Lightsource Renewable Holdings Ltd were offering a one-off community benefit payment of £5,000 to be applied toward a project(s) to benefit the local community. Mr Springett had confirmed that if the offer was accepted, the Parish Council would be under no obligation to object or to support the planning application for a 5 year extension in the planning permission period of Chawton Farm Solar Farm. In addition, Mr Springett had stated that should the Parish Council have not formally accepted the offer and a decision of approval had been granted by the Local Planning Authority, the offer would not be automatically withdrawn but remain available.

RESOLVED :

THAT Mr R Springett, of Lightsource Renewable Holdings Ltd, be advised that Northwood Parish Council wished to accept the kind offer of a one-off community benefit payment of £5,000 to be applied toward a project(s) to benefit the local community.

129/15-16 To consider the future of and potential Parish Council involvement in the Community Partnership
Cllr Pullen indicated that the attendance of the delegated councillor representatives at meetings of the Community Partnership had not always been very regular. It had frequently fallen to him to provide an un-prepared report on Parish Council activities. Councillors considered it to be of value to attend these meetings, particularly as representatives from the Community Partnership assisted with the planting and maintenance of the tubs and planters around the village and provided a valuable resource in the village with their Residents Day events. Generally about 20 residents attended the events. However, it appeared they were running out of momentum due to the lack of financial resources. In discussion, it was highlighted that disappointingly no application had been submitted to the Parish Council for financial assistance. The number of active members of the Partnership was also diminishing.

RESOLVED :

i. THAT Cllr Pullen be appointed as the Parish Council’s representative at future meetings of the Community Partnership;
ii. THAT Cllrs Pullen and Fuller liaise with the Community Partnership to investigate how best the Parish Council could support the continuance of the organisation.

130/15-16 Village Improvements
a. Bench on Venner Play Park
The bench on the playpark, which had been donated many years ago by Roger Mazillius, was in need of urgent repair. Cllr Pullen advised he had made inquiries and to remove it would cost £30, or £150 to effect it’s repair. The IW Council had subsequently suggested that they were looking into the matter and if viable would undertake the repairs, or if not, take it away. They promised to keep the clerk informed.

b. Wooden Posts at the junction of Uplands Road/Nodes Road
The IW Council had advised that in their opinion the posts were installed by a neighbourhood group and as such they were not the responsibility of the IW Council or Island Roads. As the posts had been in situ for at least 22 years, councillors were unable to confirm this fact. At least eight of the twenty nine posts could be removed easily, the others were all beginning to rot. They would take some effort to remove or replace as they were cemented in place.

RESOLVED :

i. THAT quotations be obtained to (i) remove the posts and make good where installed and (ii) to replace like for like;
ii. THAT Cllrs Nicholson and Fuller to advise the clerk of an appropriate contractor to enable quotations to be presented to the next meeting of the Parish Council.

131/15-16 Parish Council Precept for 2016/17
Councillors were informed that the IW Council had arranged for two meetings to take place to enable discussion on what possible activities could be further devolved to town and parish councils and the terms for their devolution. The meeting for the smaller and more rural authorities was scheduled to take place on 4 November. One potential budget saving option that the IW Council had indicated they might have to consider, was to not pass on the local council tax support grant to town and parish councils. In 2015/16, this amounted to £911 for Northwood Parish Council. IWALC had written to the Leader of the IW Council reminding that the Department of Communities and Local Government suggested that it was essential that this money should be passed on.
It was suggested for the Precept Working Party to meet, to enable a draft Precept for 2016/17 to be presented to the next meeting for consideration.

132/15-16 To note the quotations received for the grounds maintenance of Venner Avenue play park
The clerk referred to the report for information setting out the two quotations received to date for the grounds maintenance of the Venner Avenue play park. The clerk to Cowes Town Council had advised that an advert should appear in the County Press, within the next two weeks, requesting tenders for a combined Grounds Maintenance contract covering the whole of Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood areas. Although, the cost could be below £50K, and according to their Financial Regulations, they might not have to follow this process.

133/15-16 To consider the funding opportunity advised by the Local Access Forum
Councillors were referred to the report setting out a potential funding opportunity for local green space projects. There was no match funding requirement to be able to access the grant, although the Parish Council would need to comply with certain set criteria. The first funding round would close on 30 November. In total there would be six rounds, ending in May 2018. Councillors considered that further investigation was merited, suggesting that a potential project could be to open up a local footpath, to provide bridleway access to Parkhurst forest.

RESOLVED :

THAT a Green Space Project Working Party be established comprising of Cllrs Ward (lead councillor) and J Nicholson to investigate the potential funding opportunity advised by the LAF.

134/15-16 To receive a report on the joint meeting with Island Roads held on 28 October
A copy of the notes of the joint meeting held on 28 October had been circulated prior to the meeting. A series of questions had been raised by councillors and sent in advance to Island Roads. Some of them were answered at the meeting and the remainder would be responded to by email. Unfortunately, the meeting was not chaired and degenerated into a slight free for all, lacking focus and management. The main criticism made at the meeting was the perceived lack of communication from Island Roads. Richard Baker, the District Steward for the Cowes wider area received praise for his assistance with local problems. Small cluster meetings were viewed as an ideal forum to meet with Island Roads and discuss mutual issues.

135/15-16 To receive an oral report on the meeting of the Medina Valley Action Plan held on 28 October
Cllr Jaggar referred to the notes of the meeting that had been circulated earlier. Councillors attention was drawn to para 2 and the anticipated timetable of events, culminating in the Plans being formally adopted by the end of 2016. The formal consultation would begin on 6 November. Councillors were urged to look carefully at the documents prior to the next meeting. Cllr Fuller made a specific point regarding the Settlement Boundary for Northwood.

136/15-16 To receive an oral progress report on the “Welcome to Northwood” booklet
Cllr Riddet advised that the draft still remained with his proof reader. The booklet required the approval and comments of the Parish Council. A copy would be included on the agenda for the December meeting.

137/15-16 To receive an oral update on the Big Pathwatch initiative
Cllr Pullen suggested that this was now a national initiative, which had been taken over by Country File. Relevant updates would be reported under councillors reports

RESOLVED :

THAT the Big Pathwatch Initiative no longer forms a standing item on future agendas of the Parish Council.

138/15-16 To receive a report for information on Community Wellbeing
Cllr J Nicholson suggested that the Parish Council should do more to engage with the local parishioners. The Resident Day events organised by the Community Partnership could provide a good sounding board to determine any concerns and opportunity to increase engagement with the local community. Both the My Life a Full Life initiative and it’s driver the Asset Based Community Development scheme were valuable initiatives, which necessitated councillor support to be successful in Northwood. Cllr Jaggar requested a copy of a template he could circulate to residents in Medham, so to provide them with the opportunity to take part in the scheme.

139/15-16 To receive progress reports for information from Working Party leads
a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
There were no further matters to report.
b. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
Forest View Nurseries were the preferable supplier for the winter planting. Cllr Pullen would confirm the order with them by the end of the week.
c. Parish Plan Working Party
A meeting of the Working Party would be organised to review the document prior to it being uploaded onto the new website.

140/15-16 To make comments/amendments/additions on the draft Emergency Plan
Councillors welcomed the draft Emergency Plan. Cllrs Smith and Pullen would complete the relevant sections outstanding, prior to it being uploaded onto the website.

RESOLVED :

THAT the draft Emergency Plan be approved, subject to the minor additions/amendments required.

141/15-16 To receive the report for information of Cllr J Nicholson, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
Cllr J Nicholson referred to his report. Particular mention was made of the following:
• A local resident had emailed him regarding the forthcoming firework night celebrations. It was alleged that in the past rockets set off in the scout field caused a potential danger when landing in neighbouring gardens. The scouts had assured that they did take safety responsibly, and took a balanced view on the risks involved. There was no firm evidence to support the claim that they were the culprits and the celebrations would continue, as normal.
• The lack of co-ordination and control of Utility Services causing many incidents of disruption to the Highways, that appeared to be through lack of planning or proactive maintenance.

142/15-16 Clerk’s Report
Finance
i. The interim budget statement to the end of October 2015 and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 87 were received and duly noted.

ii. To authorise payment of the following cheques:

RESOLVED :

THAT the following cheques be approved for payment:
000431, £38.10, Mrs B Herbert, Clerk’s Expenses
000432, £240.00, Tony Hewitt, pruning and maintenance of the Parish Council’s gardens
000433, £161.96, Forest View Nurseries, winter planting

143/15-16 Correspondence
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda and updated further at the meeting.
Particular mention was made of the following:
ii. The letter dated 28 October from Northwood WI – This to form an agenda item at the December meeting. The clerk to write requesting further information in writing that set out the WI’s views on how the Parish Council could assist
jj. Email passed on from the Highways PFI team advising that an enquiry had been received from a local resident regarding the ten bollards on the Venner Play park. As these were not on the project network, it therefore fell to the Parish Council to decide if they were necessary and then to undertake the work. Cllr Pullen to investigate and report back.

144/15-16 Councillors’ reports
Cllr M Nicholson reported cases of “window knocking”, at 1.45am and asked if anyone else was aware of this occurring. It was felt this should be reported to the police on 101.

145/15-16 Future Agenda Items
No further items were requested.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 8.10pm

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