NVMC

Posted by Admin on 14 January 2008, 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 8^th JANUARY 2008

PRESENT: P Fuller (Chair), P Brooker, C Cramp, Mrs P Elford, R Mazillius CC, J Pullen, PC M Thomas (for item 308), Ms Sharon Packer (for item 309).

IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs M Yule (Secretary)

APOLOGIES: C Palmerton and Mrs E Palmerton

306. PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

None.

307. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

Mr Cramp declared a prejudicial interest in item 11i. Mr Fuller declared a personal interest in item 12 and 13 as one of his children attends Northwood Primary School. He also declared a personal interest in the planning application, as he was an advocate for the residents in Place Road at the original application in 2005, when he served on Cowes Town Council. Cllr Mazillius declared a personal interest in item 12 and 13 as a Governor of Northwood Primary School.

308. POLICE REPORT

PC Thomas reported that crime in Northwood was very low and had been since the beginning of December. There had not been any instances of criminal damage.

The burglar prevention initiative was discussed. This is where vulnerable houses are identified and issued with a timing device for lights. Mr Pullen had a supply of these and was looking for advice for distribution. It was suggested that an item could be put in the Northwood News to say these items were available for loan, perhaps when residents were away on holiday.

309. HOUSING NEEDS SURVEY

The Chairman welcomed Sharon Packer, the Rural Housing Enabler from the IWRCC to the meeting. Ms Packer gave a very interesting presentation on Affordable Local Housing and the object of a Housing Needs Survey. The survey would go to every household and is in two parts, the first part looks at the present position, with regard to make up of households in age and size and therefore identifies any need and the second part is completed once the housing need is identified. The local connection system was also explained. This is to ensure that the housing provided is for persons with a strong local connection who have a housing need. Ms Packer gave out leaflets that explained the processes involved and agreed to supply sample surveys. If the survey was undertaken, she suggested that wide consultation was the key to a good response, perhaps with public meetings and leaflet distribution.

It was agreed that more discussion was required once the additional information was available. This would be an agenda item for next month.

310. MINUTES

RESOLVED: That, the minutes of the meeting held on 4^th December 2007, be taken as read, confirmed and signed as an accurate record of the proceedings with the following amendment to minute 299. In place of ‘Mr Miller would reply and compile a feedback report’ will be ‘Mr Miller had already visited one of the residents to discuss and obtain more information on the subject, and would respond to the other letter (handed over by the Chairman) with a copy to be provided to the committee’.

311. MATTERS ARISING

Changeover to Parish Council – The date for the information and guidance evening by Mrs Sue Chilton from the IOW Council Parish Team, was confirmed as 29^th January, 6pm, Northwood Primary School. This is for committee members that may be interested in becoming a Parish Councillor.

312. RESIGNATION OF A MEMBER

Mr Fuller expressed his regret that Mr Miller had resigned and felt that his expertise would be sadly missed and he hoped Mr Miller would continue to work alongside the VMC and attend the meetings as a resident.

The circumstances surrounding Mr Miller’s resignation were discussed at length and it was felt by all members present that action taken by the Chairman was inappropriate. Following this, Mr Fuller felt his position as Chairman was untenable and offered to resign his position. This was accepted.

Mr Pullen took the Chair for the rest of the meeting. The vote for a new Chairman would be an agenda item for February.

RESOLVED: that, a new member would not be recruited, due to the short life left of the VMC. Mr Miller would be asked to attend the remaining meetings for his transport expertise.

313. PLANNING ISSUES

Planning Applications

P/02758/07 – Readers IOW 79 Place Road, Outline for block of industrial units (Class Use B1 Business and B8 Storage and Distribution) with parking, alteration to and creation of vehicular access.

RESOLVED: that, the Committee objected to the application due to the encroachment on to ‘green’ land and the impact on the environment. The proposal is on the top of the ridge and will impact adversely on the surrounding rural environment.

P/02759/07 – Readers IOW 79 Place Road

Demolition of offices and commercial buildings outline for 42 residential units with parking, alteration to and creation of vehicular access.

RESOLVED: that, the Committee objected strongly to this development on the following grounds:

Erosion of the countryside and encroaching on ‘green’ land.
Site lies wholly outside the development envelope
Setting of precedent (to permit development outside development envelope)
Overdevelopment of the site
Lack of amenities and crime and disorder implications
Design implications, over dominate and adversely impact on the surrounding environment
Foul water drainage, the present system would be unable to cope with additional residential units.
Lack of potential for mixed development. The Committee feel that if this development is granted then a selection of dwelling types would be more appropriate both aesthetically in design terms and from a social perspective.
They also request that if this application is granted, the pavements should be extended to accommodate a safe route to school and safe access to the local Post Office.

Planning Decisions

These were received and noted.

2b Coronation Avenue

Correspondence had been received from the area compliance officer, Ms Paula Garry, that a meeting would be taking place in the near future at the property and more information would follow in due course.

314. CORRESPONDENCE

This was received and noted.

315. LOCAL COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Cllr Mazillius reported on the following items:

Speed Reactive Signs – these would be fitted in Pallance Road in February

Pallance Lane – following a visit by Highways to view the ‘ruts’ in the lane, a program will be put in place post April to flatten these. A traffic survey would also be undertaken with a view to reducing the speed limit to 40mph.

Budget Consultation – Cllr Mazillius had attended the IOW Council’s Town and Parish Council budget consultation meeting along with Mr Cramp. Only 10 people had attended. There would be a tough round of budget setting, but Cllr Mazillius had expressed the view that there should not be cuts in valuable front line services, especially concerning the elderly and young people. He hoped that savings would come from corporate service cuts. Other consultation would now take place.

Village green application – A reply had been received regarding the fencing on part of the land and it was hoped that the hearing would go ahead soon. Cllr Mazillius felt it may be difficult to get the whole area designated as a village green.

316. FINANCE

Mr Cramp left the room for this first item.

Accounts for payment

RESOLVED: that, the following accounts are paid:

Mrs Yule – Secretarial services – £167.39

Mr Cramp, stationery – £12.64

Northwood News, 3 months advertising – £75

Transfer to NCP for repair to bench – £150

Zurich Insurance, 3months until 31/03/08 – £43.72

It was noted that there would be further expenditure of approximately £80 for the bench. This would be for metalwork to secure the bench in the ground. This would be approved once the final cost was known.

Financial Report

Mr Cramp returned to present the report. It was noted that there was approximately £1500 left to spend over the next three months. It was suggested that an agenda item should be made for February for members to put forward proposals for spending this amount. An item could also be put in the Northwood News requesting groups to come forward to bid for funding.

RESOLVED: that, the report be received and noted. A request would be made in the Northwood News for groups to bid for funding.

317. FUNDING REQUEST FROM NORTHWOOD SCHOOL

RESOLVED: that, £100 would be donated towards the cost of the Armistice Day Lunch.

318. FUNDING REQUEST FROM THE SUPPORTERS OF NORTHWOOD

A member of the Supporters was unable to attend the meeting, but had conversed by email with the Secretary. However, the members felt they would like someone to attend the next meeting to better understand the priority for spending this large sum of money. A further invitation would be made to the Supporters.

319. BOUNDARY COMMITTEE PROPOSED NAME

RESOLVED: that, the Boundary Committee proposal should be accepted. The new electoral division will be known as Northwood and Cowes South West.

320. TRAFFIC OUTSIDE SCHOOLS

Mr Brooker is to meet the Head teacher of Somerton Middle School, Mrs Marion Smith, on 9^th January to discuss the traffic issues. He would report back in February. Cllr Mazillius said he would also report on the pavements along Three Gates Road.

321. SOMERTON PARK AND RIDE

Mr Fuller brought to the attention of the members that it was felt that the Park and Ride car park was being used by employees of Steve Porter rather than just bus users. Cllr Mazillius has made a formal request for this car park to be re investigated and spot checks will be made.

322. NORTHWOOD COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP

Mr Palmerton was not at the meeting, therefore the update was held over until next month.

323. PARISH PLAN UPDATE

The Parish Plan steering group will meet late January to discuss the remaining funds and will report back next month.

324. SECRETARY’S REPORT

Mrs Yule reported that she had recently completed the training course ‘Working With Your Council’ and had successfully passed all six modules. The next step would be the portfolio compilation for the Certificate in Local Council Administration. Mrs Yule requested a sum of £70 for the registration fee. This training would be completed by March 08.

RESOLVED: that £70 would be paid for the CiLCA registration fee.

Standing orders were suspended to allow the meeting to continue with the final agenda items.

325. FUTURE AGENDA ITEMS

Election of Chairman
Donation to Supporters of Northwood
Housing Needs Survey
Bus Service
Budget spending proposals

326. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Tuesday 5^th February 08 at 7pm.

There being no further business the Acting Chair declared the meeting closed at 9.40pm

Signed…………………………………. Date……………………

(Chair)