Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 7 June 2012, 3:22 pm

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of Northwood Parish Council, held in Northwood Primary School, Wyatts Lane, Northwood, Isle of Wight on Tuesday, 1 May 2012

Present: Councillors John Pullen (Chairman), Pat Bentley (Vice Chairman), Judith Ferris, Megan Moore, Chris Riddet and Derek Smith
In attendance:
Barbara Herbert (Clerk and RFO)
IW Cllr Roger Mazillius
There were six members of the public present

1/12-13 To elect a Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year

RESOLVED :

THAT Cllr John Pullen be elected as Chairman for the ensuing year

2/12-13 To receive and sign the Chairman’s declaration of acceptance of office

RESOLVED :

THAT the signed declaration of acceptance of office from Cllr Pullen be received

3/12-13 To elect a Vice Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year

RESOLVED :

THAT Cllr Pat Bentley be elected as Vice Chairman for the ensuing year

4/12-13 To receive and sign the Vice Chairman’s declaration of acceptance of office

RESOLVED :

THAT the signed declaration of acceptance of office from Cllr Bentley be received

5/12-13 To appoint councillors to the following Outside Bodies

RESOLVED :

THAT the following appointments to Outside Bodies, be approved:
Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils – Cllr J Ferris, with Cllr C Riddet as her deputy)
Management Committee of Cowes Youth Centre – Cllr C Riddet
Northwood Community Partnership – Cllr D Smith, with Cllr J Pullen as his deputy
Councillor to the IW Council’s Steering Committee for Northwood in Bloom – Cllr J Pullen
A communications councillor – Cllr C Riddet
Island Waste Management Committee – Cllr J Ferris

6/12-13 To appoint members and the lead councillor to serve on the following Committees/Working Parties for the ensuing year

RESOLVED :

THAT the following appointments to Committees/Working Parties be approved:
Planning Committee – All councillors of the Parish Council with Cllr P Bentley as the Chairman of the Planning Committee
Northwood in Bloom Working Party – Cllr J Pullen as the lead councillor, along with Cllr D Smith
Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party – Cllr C Riddet as the lead councillor, along with Cllr P Fuller
Parish Plan Working Party – Cllr P Bentley as the lead councillor, along with Cllrs P Fuller and J Pullen

7/12-13 To receive and approve any apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Cllr R Mew, Cllr P Fuller and PCSO Oatley

8/12-13 Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest made at this stage

9/12-13 To receive a report by the Local Safety Neighbourhood Officer
In the absence of PCSO Oatley, no written report had been received from the Local Safety Neighbourhood (LSN) team. However, the Chairman reported verbally that April had again been a very quiet month, with virtually no crime of any note within Northwood. A member of the public advised of one incident of burglary that had taken place

10/12-13 To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 3 April 2012

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 3 April 2012 be confirmed and the Chairman authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council
11/12-13 Matters arising on the Minutes
a. Minute 219/11-12 Local Housing Needs Survey – As requested at the last meeting of the Parish Council, the clerk had made enquiries with Wootton Parish Council to ascertain as to how much they had set aside to undertake a Housing Needs Survey. Although they had not any absolute figures for the carrying out the survey, as the tender documents had not yet been sent out, they had planned to work within a budget of about £5,000.
b. Minute 233/11-12 Youth representation on Parish Councils – Mr Mason confirmed the commitment of Cowes Enterprise College to the scheme, although he was unable to confirm when they could begin to enlist appropriate students to support the Parish Council’s needs. As the exam period had now commenced, the College was unable to take the matter forward at this present time. Mr Mason had also become increasingly involved with curriculum planning and as such had now passed the information to a colleague, Assistant Principal Rob Thompson, who had the responsibility for community liaison and public relations. The clerk had responded to the effect that the Parish Council would await to be contacted by the College.

12/12-13 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
TCP/30985 former landfill site, adjacent Coal Yard, Medina Wharf, Artic Road, Cowes – Proposed asphalt plant together with associated ancillary facilities including a mobile cold asphalt recycling plant, mobile crusher, weighbridge, offices, lorry park, storage bays, workshop and access
Copies of two emails received from residents in East Cowes were tabled for information
A member of the public, who lived in East Cowes addressed the Parish Council with his concerns. A local resident from Medham Farm Estate also addressed the Parish Council endorsing the previous comments and highlighting his own particular concerns

RESOLVED :

THAT this matter be deferred until the meeting of the Planning Committee scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 15 May, commencing at 8.15pm or on completion of the Annual Meeting of the Parish, whichever is the later

b. To note the decisions taken by the Local Planning Authority since the last meeting of the Parish Council:
i. TCP/28442/B Land at 66 Nodes Road, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for the demolition of porch and garage. Proposed detached dwelling
ii. TCP/30771/B BAE Systems (Defence Systems) Ltd, Newport Road. Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for the proposed replacement mast and equipment enclosure
iii. TCP/30771/C BAE Systems (Defence Systems) Ltd, Newport Road, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for a new stairway and walkway to existing test tower
iv. P/00203/12 Northwood Garage, 341 – 351 Newport Road, Northwood – Conditional consent to display advertisements. Internally illuminated totem sign, 2 internally illuminated folded facia signs, internally illuminated service sign; non-illuminated entrance gate
v. Land north of units 27-32 Somerton Industrial Park, Newport Road, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for the replacement of planning permission (P/02044/08 – TCP/21271/Z: construction of light industrial workshop with office accommodation at first floor level; new access roads and parking) in order to extend the time limit for implementation
vi. TCP/30909, 30 Coronation Avenue, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for Alterations; single storey rear extension to provide enlarged kitchen and dining room
vii TCP/30912, 32 Coronation Avenue, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for Alterations; single storey rear extension to provide enlarged kitchen and dining room
viii. TCP/30922, 57 Pallance Road, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for the demolition of bungalow – proposed detached chalet bungalow

13/12-13 To confirm the adoption of Standing Orders

RESOLVED :

THAT the Parish Council’s Standing orders be re-affirmed without any amendment

14/12-13 To confirm the adoption of Financial Regulations

RESOLVED :

THAT the Parish Council’s Financial Regulations be re-affirmed without any amendment

15/12-13 To confirm that all Members’ Register of Interests are in order and complete

RESOLVED :

THAT it be confirmed that the Register of Interests from Cllrs Bentley, Ferris, Moore, Pullen, Riddet and Smith were in order and complete. The Register of Interests from Cllr R Mew and P Fuller to be an agenda item for the next meeting

16/12-13 To approve the Risk Assessment Schedule and authorise the Chairman and the clerk to sign that the information provided is a correct record

RESOLVED :

THAT the Risk Management Schedule be re-affirmed and the Chairman and clerk be authorised to sign as being a correct record

17/12-13 To re-consider the decision taken at the last meeting of the Parish Council regarding the proposed The Isle of Wight Council (Various Streets, Isle of Wight) (Width Restriction) Order No 2 2012
Councillors were referred to the additional information, received from Kevin Burton, of the IW Council’s Highways & Transport section, that sought to clarify the proposed changes.

RESOLVED :

THAT having read the further information supplied, it be agreed to revoke the previous objection to the advertised Order and to approve the planned proposals as set out in the IW Council (Various Streets, Isle of Wight) (Width Restriction Order No 2 2012)

18/12-13 To note the response from Peter Hayward and to consider any further questions/concerns that councillors wish to raise
As requested at the previous meeting, Mr Peter Hayward, the IW Council’s Strategic Manager of Highways and Transport had been invited to attend the June meeting to discuss councillors concerns over road closures and the numerous roadworks taking place in the Cowes wider area. Mr Hayward had replied that unfortunately he could not practically resource attending all Council meetings, as a matter of routine, suggesting that he be provided with a list of specific questions which members would like to raise. He would then ensure a written briefing on those issues, in advance of the June meeting

RESOLVED :

THAT no further additions be made to the list of questions set out in the agenda and that these be sent to Mr Peter Hayward for his attention

19/12-13 To note the response from Cllr E Giles and to consider any further questions/concerns councillors wish to raise
As requested at the previous meeting, Cllr Edward Giles had been invited to attend the July meeting to discuss the new waste collection arrangements, as detailed in edition of the County Press dated 30 March. Councillors had expressed a number of concerns in this regard. CIlr Giles had responded that if there were issues councillors wished to raise it could be more helpful if they be sent to him now to address, rather than for councillors to wait for nearly 3 months for a response

RESOLVED :

THAT no further additions be made to the list of questions set out in the agenda and that these be sent to Cllr E Giles for his attention

20/12-13 Clerk’s Report
a. Finance

i. The interim budget statement to the end of April 2012 and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 45 was received and noted. A question was raised on the cost of emptying the dog bins identified in the budget. Councillors were advised that this figure had been agreed as part of setting the Precept for 2012/13, in January. The cost was to finance the emptying of the three dog bins provided by the Parish Council.
ii. To authorise the Chairman to sign the Statement of Accounts and to approve the Annual Governance Statement for 2011/12 for submission to the Audit Commission
The clerk advised that Mr S Tester, the Internal Auditor, had completed the Internal Audit of the Parish Council’s accounts and had found no cause of concern.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Statement of Accounts and the Annual Governance Statement for 2011/12 be approved and the Chairman and clerk be authorised to sign the Statements on behalf of the Parish Council

iii. To consider the request for financial support from Victim Support

RESOLVED :

THAT on this occasion the request for financial support be refused

iv. To confirm payment of cheque 000261, £40.50, Gurnard newsagents, for the costs of 20 leaflet holders from the Community Bus account
It was noted that written authority had now been received from Gurnard Parish Council and Cowes Town Council to spend monies from the bus donations received, on any matters relating to the provision of the community bus service, without their prior approval

RESOLVED :

i. THAT payment of cheque 000261, for £40.50, to Gurnard Newsagents be confirmed;
ii. THAT Cllr Riddet be thanked for all his hard work in respect of the Community Bus scheme

v. To authorise that payment could be made prior to the next meeting of the Parish Council in respect of the order for the 230 Jubilee Mugs @ £2.75 per mug (plus VAT) intended for presentation to pupils attending Northwood Primary school

RESOLVED :

THAT it be agreed for payment to be made in respect of providing jubilee mugs for the pupils at Northwood Primary school, prior to the next meeting of the Parish Council

vi. To authorise payment of the following cheques:
000262, £66.76, Mrs B Herbert, Clerks Expenses
000263, £11.48, Chale Parish Council, Photocopying
000264, £11.84, Mr J Pullen, Anchor Bolt for seat on playpark area
000265, £299.93, IW ALC – Annual Subscription
000266, £70.00, SLCC, Annual subscription
000267, £12,000.00, Northwood Parish Council, transfer to Scottish Widows Account

RESOLVED :

THAT payment of the above cheques be approved

b. Administration
The legislative changes to the Members’ conduct and the registration and disclosure of their interests (England) under the Localism Act 2011 were noted. The IW Council had advised they were to draft their own code of conduct, to be very similar to the existing code. This will then be circulated to all parish and town councils on the Island for their comments, and so that councillors could then consider if they wish to adopt it for their own local council

21/12-13 Report of Cllr R Mazillius, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
IW Cllr Mazillius provided a verbal report, making particular mention of the following:
• The Planning Application TCP/30985 former landfill site, adjacent Coal Yard, Medina Wharf, Artic Road, Cowes – Proposed asphalt plant together with associated ancillary facilities;
• The proposal by the IW Council to merge the Planning and Licensing departments to form one regulatory committee, under one chairman;
• The report of Peter Griffiths, Principal Planning Officer – Housing at the IW Council, after having walked and looked at the proposed SHLAA sites in Northwood, was to be available shortly. Councillors of the Parish Plan Working Party had accepted Mr Griffiths invitation to attend the proposed sites with him on 25 May.
• The IW Council had agreed to provide additional funding, this financial year, of £20K towards the community bus schemes across the Island;
• Dog fouling – perhaps needed to raise awareness of the problem
• The Diamond Jubilee Charity Concert at Cowes Yacht Haven on Friday, 1 June at 7.30pm. the concert to feature the IW Youth Orchestra, the combined IW Youth Wind Band and Concert Band as well as solo musicians and singers. Tickets available from Cowes Town Council or himself.
Councillors raised questions on the proposed asphalt plant. Specifically as to whether there were any other sites across the Island suitable to accommodate the asphalt site and as to why an Environmental Impact Assessment had not been deemed to be required. Cllr Mazillius advised that they were questions he himself wished to raise and would do so when he met the Planning Officer, Mr M Gildersleeves, the following week

22/12-13 Progress reports for information from Working Parties

a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
Cllr Riddet advised that the new timetable appeared to be working well, with the exception of the previous Thursday when the bus was late, causing a few problems for residents. The extra funding from the IW Council had been most welcome. The bus co-ordinator had expressed his concerns over the number of available volunteer bus drivers. Since the scheme began a number of drivers had now left, leaving a possible shortfall as the new volunteers had still not completed their training. It was suggested that a further recruitment campaign be instigated.
Councillors also agreed that Cllr Riddet, as the lead councillor for the Working Party, should replace Cllr Pullen on the Management Committee. The clerk was requested to advise Cllr Ian Ward of the change.
It was also noted that three senior managers had in recent months left Southern Vectis, leaving a large void in those at the company who had knowledge of the Community Bus scheme. It was suggested that a letter should be sent to IW Cllr E Giles expressing concern over their departure and the gap in knowledge that resulted, advocating that the IW Council should address this situation, as a matter of urgency. Personnel at Southern Vectis should be apprised of the importance of the scheme to all local communities across the island.

b. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
A call was awaited from Ryde House Nurseries as to when the summer planting would be available for collection. The tubs/planters were to be cleared shortly in readiness. Two bags of compost remained from the previous year. It was agreed that further supplies should be bought, if necessary.
Cllr Mazillius volunteered to clear the three planters adjacent to the Gateway sign along the Newport Road.

c. Parish Plan Working Party
There were no further matters to report

23/12-13 Update on the IW Association of Local Councils
The Minutes of recent meetings would be circulated in due course. The Coastal Communities Grant Fund had been the subject of much consideration. However, due to the tight deadline no further action had been undertaken on the proposal to submit an umbrella application for funding on behalf of all members of IWALC

24/12-13 Correspondence
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda and updated further at the meeting.
Particular reference was made to item v the letter from IW Age UK inviting a representative of the Parish Council to attend the next Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard area Good Neighbour Scheme Volunteers meeting, on 17 May. Unfortunately no-one was able to attend the meeting.

25/12-13 Councillors’ reports
There were no reports submitted

26/12-13 Future agenda items
No items were raised

27/12-13 To undertake a brief review of the meeting
The meeting was considered to be ‘not too bad’.
THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 7.50PM.

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