NVMC

Posted by Admin on 13 November 2007, 12:00 am

NORTHWOOD VILLAGE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE HELD AT NORTHWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL, WYATTS LANE, NORTHWOOD ON TUESDAY 6^th NOVEMBER 2007

PRESENT: P Fuller (Chair), P Brooker, C Cramp, Mrs P Elford, R Mazillius CC, D Miller, C Palmerton, J Pullen. Mr D Miller joined the meeting at 7.20pm following a previous engagement and Cllr Mazillius left after the Planning item due to another engagement.

IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs M Yule (Secretary)

APOLOGIES: Mrs E Palmerton, PC Thomas

264. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

No questions were raised by members of the public.

265. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Mr Brooker declared a personal interest in the Planning application P/02355/07 as the property is visible from his property. Cllr Mazillius declared a personal interest in the Planning application P/2497/07 as he has knowledge of the applicant. Mr Miller declared a personal interest in the financial item for the Growing Club as his children attend Northwood Primary School.

266. POLICE REPORT

PC Thomas was unable to attend due to police business.

267. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That, the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd October 2007 be taken as read, confirmed and signed as an accurate record of the proceedings.

268. MATTERS ARISING

Parking Restrictions – This was covered in the written report by Cllr Mazillius .
Changeover to Parish Council – Mr Fuller said majority of the Committee had attended the information evening and the item of the draft precept would be discussed later in the meeting. The request for training for new parish councillors would be discussed under Secretary’s report.

269. LOCAL COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

The report fromCouncillor Mazillius was brought forward as he had to leave early for another engagement. Cllr Mazillius had already sent a written report to all members and said the items would also be covered in his ‘Rogers Report’ which was due out in the next week. There were a few extra items:

Speed Reactive Signs – the signs were still on course to be erected in this financial year

Road works at the corner of Oxford Street and Newport Road – Following talks with Iain Thornton and a local resident, the kerb will be brought out to slow down vehicles turning into Oxford Street. It is hoped this would make the road safer for crossing. This work was now in progress.

Closure of Co-op store at Somerton – Cllr Mazillius was concerned about the impact the closure would have on residents and was in discussions with the owner of the site.

270. PLANNING ISSUES

Mr Miller joined the meeting.

Planning Applications

P/02355/07 5 Greenways –Demolition of garage, alterations, single storey extension to form kitchen, alterations to vehicular access.

RESOLVED: that the Committee objected to this application on the following grounds:

Poor Design
The elevation profile would alter the street scene
This would impact on the neighbouring property to the south and would result in their loss of light.

P/2497/07 11 Green Lane – Alterations and extension to existing conservatory

RESOLVED: that the Committee had no objections to this application.

P/02399/07 21 Pallance Road – Widening of vehicular access to include 1.0m high boundary wall and turning area/driveway

RESOLVED: that the Committee had no objections to this application.

Planning Decisions

RESOLVED: The decisions were received and noted

It was requested that the Planning Department be contacted regarding 2b Coronation Avenue. The application for the retention of a balcony had been turned down on 16/06/07 but the balcony remained in place.

Cllr Mazillius left the meeting.

271. CORRESPONDENCE

Mr Fuller had received a letter from Mr Brian Drake thanking the Parish Plan committee for all their hard work and commending the plan.

Mr Fuller also brought the Dog Control Orders to the attention of the Committee and reported that he had written to the IW Council because the VMC had not been consulted. He had not had a reply. It was agreed that this was a worthy byelaw especially for play areas, however enforcing it would be the problem.

RESOLVED: That, the information be received and noted.

272. FINANCE

Accounts for payment

RESOLVED: that, the following accounts are paid:

Mrs Yule – Secretarial services – £132.00

The Growing Club – delivery of the Parish Plan – £200.00

The invoice of £118.69 for the IWALC membership until 31^st March 08 would not be paid, as it was felt that the VMC would not benefit in the short time remaining.

Reference Books

RESOLVED: that the following books would be purchased and would remain the property of the Management Committee and be donated to the new Parish Council on the VMC’s demise.

Local Council Administration by Charles Arnold Baker, £50.
Governance and Accountability in Local Councils in England and Wales a Practitioners’ Guide, £16.99

Financial Report

Mr Cramp reminded the Committee that time was running out to spend the remaining funds.

RESOLVED: that, the report be received and noted.

Draft precept 08/09

RESOLVED: That an extraordinary meeting would be called on Wednesday 14^th November to receive and consider the draft precept and to make recommendations and comments to the IW Council. Mr Chris Mathews, Head of Democratic Services would be asked to attend.

273. BENCH ON VENNER AVENUE PLAY AREA

Mr Pullen reported that the bench was not able to be repaired and he would be sourcing a new one along with Mr Willis. This would be solidly secured to prevent vandalism.

RESOLVED: that a new bench be purchased up to a cost of £400.

274. FUNDING REQUEST FROM NORTHWOOD PLAYGROUP

A request had been received for a contribution towards the purchase and installation of two sun shades for Northwood Playgroup. The total cost of the project was £1370. The Committee requested more information, as there was only one quote and a statement of accounts was not included. It was agreed to contact Northwood Playgroup and ask them to complete the funding application form and produce the required paperwork. This would then be discussed at a future meeting.

275. FUNDING REQUEST FROM NORTHWOOD SCHOOL

Cllr Mazillius had asked for this item to be on the agenda (he was now absent from the meeting). There was not any supporting application or relevant paperwork, therefore, it was agreed that it could not be discussed at this time.

276. FOOTPATHS AND MAINTENANCE THEREOF

Mrs Elford expressed her concern at the overgrown condition of some the footpaths in the village, especially Church Lane and C33. The signage in Church Lane is broken and the hedgerow in both lanes needs cutting back. After a discussion, it was decided to email Cllr Mazillius in the first instance with the details.

277. BOUNDARY REVIEW

It was agreed that no further comment was needed as there was not any change to the recommendations made by the VMC.

278. NORTHWOOD COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Mr Palmerton reported on items from the last meeting on 16^th October. This had been attended by a new person to the village who was keen to help with activities.

Community Action Awards – the ceremony would be taking place on Thursday 8^th November.

No Cold Calling Signs – Thanks was given to John Pullen for getting two of the signs moved. There were still firms trying to cold call and it was suggested that clarification was needed as to the type of calling that should be reported.

Scout Hut – The security lighting was being installed and an invoice to the CP would follow.

Bus Shelters – it was hoped that there would be progress in the next financial year.

Post Office Pallance Road – this was not on the list of closures.

Barrier at the bottom of Pallance Road – this had been repaired.

Bench for play area – Mr Willis had been looking at suitable benches on the mainland

Youth Opportunities Fund – Mr Palmerton thanked the secretary of the VMC and the PCSO as the bid had been successful and £8550 had been offered..

Neighbourhood Watch AGM – this will take place on 13^th November at the Riverside Centre. A member of Special Branch will be attending.

Finance – the balance at the meeting stood at £4651.66

Calor Village of the Year – the application for the next round of the competition was due for completion by 30^th November.

279. PARISH PLAN UPDATE

Mr Fuller reported on a successful launch event that was attended by over 100 people. He had not had any complaints that the Parish Plan had not been delivered. The WI were commended for their refreshments and also Mrs Palmerton for the items and photos on the website. It was agreed that the entire plan should be published on the website. Mr Cramp pointed out that there was still £262 in the budget so asked for all outstanding expenses to be submitted.

280. SECRETARY’S REPORT

Mrs Yule reminded the members of a free training session for Town and Country Planning on 29^th November from 9am – 12pm.

Sue Chilton had offered an information and guidance session to all members who may wish to become Parish Councillors. This would be an intensive three hour session and she had offered to deliver this at Northwood in January. Mr Fuller felt that this should be open to all prospective councillors and suggested putting an advert in the Northwood News. He would write to Mrs Chilton to this effect.

281. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Mr Cramp requested that a meeting should be arranged as near as possible to the end of the financial year to make sure all funds were spent. This was agreed.

Formal adoption of the Parish Plan
No Cold Calling
Increase in Bus service

282. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Tuesday 4^thDecember at 7pm.

There being no further business the Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.25pm

Signed…………………………………. Date……………………….

(Chair)