Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 4 March 2011, 12:00 am

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Northwood Parish Council, held in Northwood Primary School, Wyatts Lane, Northwood, Isle of Wight on Tuesday, 1 February 2011

Present: Councillors John Pullen (Chairman), Paul Fuller (Vice Chairman), Pat Bentley, Colin Cramp, Roger Mazillius (also the IW Cllr for Cowes South and Northwood), Ray Mew, Chris Riddet

In attendance:
Barbara Herbert (Clerk and RFO)
PC Mark Thomas

There were two members of the public present.

158/10-11 Apologies
Apologies had been tendered by Cllr John Fuller.

159/10-11 Declarations of Interest
Cllr P Fuller declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute No164/10-11 as he was a member of the IW Council’s Planning Committee and a personal interest in Minute No 163/10-11 as he was a bus service user.
Cllr C Riddet declared a personal interest in Minute No 163/10-11 as he was a bus service user.

160/10-11 To confirm the Minutes of the meetings held on 4 January 2011

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 4 January 2011 be confirmed and the Chairman be authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council.

161/10-11 Matters arising on the Minutes
a. Minute 128/10-11 Street Trading Licence for Julies Ices – The clerk advised that this application had now been granted. The objection raised by the Parish Council regarding the adverse effect the sale of confectionary could have on local businesses was not considered, as this did not form one of the objectives of the licensing statement included in the street trading policy.
b. Minute 144/10-11c Additional bench – The clerk advised she had still not received a response from the Parents Teachers Association of Northwood Primary school and would now chase this matter up.
c. Minute 144/10-11 e Northwood Primary School Lunchtime Gardening Club – Cllr J Fuller had spoken twice to B&Q to ascertain the feasibility of the Lunchtime Gardening Club in obtaining a grant from them. The procedure had been tightened up recently and new guidelines were expected by the end of February. Cllr J Fuller would email all councillors with an update, when known, and would also advise Mrs Toms who had submitted the application for funding.

162/10-11 To receive a report by the Local Safety Neighbourhood Officer
PC Mark Thomas presented the report of the Safer Neighbourhood Officer on events that had taken place since the last meeting. January had again been a very quiet month, with virtually no crime of any note within Northwood. Particular mention however, was made of the following:
• One incident of a person arrested on suspicion of a drug offence. As this case was still under investigation PC Thomas was unable to advise of any further details.
• There had been no more reported thefts from motor vehicles in Northwood.

Councillors unanimously agreed for the following item of business to be brought forward on the agenda.

163/10-11 To receive the notes of the meeting of the Cowes, Northwood, Gurnard Community Transport Forum
The notes of the inaugural meeting of the Cowes, Northwood, Gurnard Community Transport Forum held on 13 January, were received and reference was made to the action points agreed. Although confirmation had initially been received that the Wightbus was due to be withdrawn as of 31 August, at the meeting of the IW Community Transport Forum held on 27 January, Andy Morris, the IW Council’s Transport Manager, had intimated that this could take effect as early as 31 July. He was holding discussions with Southern Vectis and would seek to clarify the timescale. Mention was also made of financial subsidies, which could be available for community transport schemes. However, it was imperative that any application for funding would need to be able to prove a need for a replacement service. It was important that residents were encouraged to lodge their concerns.
The second meeting of the Cowes, Northwood, Gurnard Community Transport Forum was due to take place on 4 February, when Mr Marc Morgan-Huws of Southern Vectis had agreed to attend. Cowes Town Council had now appointed a deputy representative, who should attend future meetings if the nominated councillor was unavailable.

164/10-11 Town and Country Planning
Cllr P Fuller having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item of business left the meeting room prior to any discussion or decision thereon.

a. Consideration was given to the following applications received and comments made in accordance with the guidance for material planning considerations listed at
http://www.iwight.com/council/departments/planning/appsdip/MakingCommentsInfo.aspx
i. TCP/30130/A 42 Oxford Street, Northwood, Isle Of Wight, PO318PT –
Householder Application Demolition of conservatory proposed single storey rear extension to form kitchen/breakfast room (revised scheme)

RESOLVED :

THAT this Parish Council raises no material planning objections to the application TCP/30130/A 42 Oxford Street, Northwood

ii. TCP/30407 67 Green Lane, Northwood, Cowes, Isle Of Wight, PO318QG – Proposed single storey side extension to enlarge lounge
RESOLVED :

THAT this Parish Council raises no material planning objections to the application TCP/30407 67 Green Lane, Northwood, Cowes.

Cllr P Fuller returned to the meeting chamber.

b. To note the letter from the IW Council’s Planning Services regarding new arrangements for planning applications and decision notices
The clerk advised that since receipt of the letter setting out the new arrangements and following representations made by IWALC, the Chief Executive of the IW Council had now confirmed that paper copies of all planning applications, including maps, would continue to be delivered to clerks on a weekly basis. There would also be no need to return them to the Planning Department.

164/10-11 To give consideration to holding an official opening of the new play park
In discussion, it was agreed that an official opening of the new play park should be held and it was suggested for this to be tied in with the installation of a new bench on the play area. Cllr C Riddet advised that he was to visit Northwood Primary school at the end of the week and would ascertain the best person for the clerk to contact regarding the new bench proposals.

RESOLVED :

THAT this item be placed on the agenda at a later date when more details were available.

165/10-11 To evaluate the benefit of continuing with councillors surgeries
In general, it was councillors’ view that holding councillors’ surgeries had met with little success, although it did provide an opportunity for any resident to meet with a parish councillor in private. It was suggested that details be put in the Northwood Forum, Village Talk and a thread put on the Northwood Forum, to advertise the scheme.

RESOLVED :

THAT the benefit of continuing with councillors’ surgeries be reviewed again at the meeting in April.

166/10-11 Consultations
a. IW Council’s Statement of Licensing Policy

RESOLVED :

THAT no comment be made.

b. A New Chapter – A fresh direction for the Island’s libraries
Councillors expressed their concern over the proposals, suggested as part of the budget pressures faced by the IW Council. Mention was made of the meeting held at the Riverside on 26 January, when this matter formed the topic of one of the workshops arranged.

RESOLVED :

THAT an objection be raised to the IW Council’s proposals, as set out in A New Chapter – A fresh direction for the Island’s libraries, established to create savings from the current library service. Northwood Parish Council suggests that the IW Council should look at opportunities enabling the wider community to access other, additional IW Council services under one roof within library buildings

167/10-11 To receive the Community Support Officers quarterly report for the period covering 1 October – 31 December 2010
The quarterly report of the Community Support Officers was noted

168/10-11 To note the extract from the Minutes of Gurnard Parish Council
Councillors noted the views of Cowes Town Council, as reported to the meeting of Gurnard Parish Council on 11 January 2011.

169/10-11 To note report of the meeting of Northwood Community Partnership held on 25 January 2011
Reference was made to the report of the recent meeting of the Northwood Community Partnership.

170/10-11 Clerks Report
a. Finance
i. To approve replacement signatories on the Parish Council’s bank accounts

RESOLVED :

THAT it be agreed for Cllr Pat Bentley to be an authorised signatory on the Parish Council’s accounts held with the Lloyds TSB, Newport and the Scottish Widows Bank.

ii. To consider the re-investment of the maturing £4,000 Bond held with the Standard Life

RESOLVED :

THAT it be agreed for £4,000 to be re-invested in a Standard Life guaranteed 2.00% rate bond, fixed until 19 July 2011.

iii. The interim budget statement to the end of January 2011 and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 30 were received and noted.

iv. To authorise payment of the following cheques:
000183, Post Office, Clerks salary for December
000184, £42.90, Mrs B Herbert, Clerks Expenses
000185, £8.01, Chale Parish Council, Photocopying
000186, £35.00, Information Commissioners Office, Data Protection renewal

RESOLVED :

THAT the above cheques be approved for payment.

b. Administration
i. To consider arrangements for the Annual Meeting of the Parish and to suggest a key note speaker

RESOLVED :

i. THAT the Annual Meeting of the Parish be arranged to take place on Tuesday, 17 May 2011 commencing at 6.45pm;
ii. THAT councillors give consideration as to the appointment of a key note speaker and for this to be discussed further at the next meeting.

ii. To approve Mr Sven Tester, as the internal auditor for the 2010/11 accounts

RESOLVED :

THAT it be approved for Mr Sven Tester to undertake the internal audit of the financial accounts for the year 2010/11.

iii. To consider the need for any action in respect of the damage to the glass in the community notice board
Councillors were reminded of the damaged notice board, which had now deteriorated to such a condition that it would cause a danger to the general public, if the situation got any worse. The noticeboard was actually the property of the Community Partnership but they had not taken any action to undertake the repair of the glass.

RESOLVED :

i. THAT the clerk obtain a quotation for the replacement glass;
ii. THAT the Chairman seek the approval from the Community Partnership for the Parish Council to make good the damage to the pain of glass in the section used by the Parish Council.

171/10-11 Report of Cllr R Mazillius, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
The report of Cllr Roger Mazillius was received and noted. Reference was made to the reduction received from the Government in the grant for concessionary bus fares. The miscalculation in grant to all Unitary Authorities had been acknowledged. However, the IW Council had just been advised that only a further £4,470 was to be granted not the £898K anticipated. The IW Council were entitled to take the matter to a judicial review and were consulting with other effected local authorities. Mention was also made of the number of expressions of interest, which had been received from various parties in taking over the running of some libraries at risk of closure.

172/10-11 Progress reports from Working Parties
a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
An update had been provided earlier in the agenda.
b. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
Cllr R Mazillius offered to make enquiries at the IW Council to determine whether the Wight in Bloom scheme was to continue again during the coming year. Several councillors offered their services to assist in the planting and general tidying up of flowerbeds and planters, when the Working Party convened to do this.
Reference was made to the inspection of the Parish Council’s assets, which had been undertaken. Cllr J Pullen had supplied a local resident, on a temporary loan basis, with one of the litter pickers.
As the planters had suffered badly due to the inclement weather this year, it was duly

RESOLVED :

THAT Cllr J Pullen make enquiries as to the cost of a good quality timber preservative to enable the planters to be refurbished prior to the summer planting.

c. Village Design Statement Working Party
Cllr P Bentley had organised a meeting with the IW Council’s Planning Policy team to seek their advice on the production of a Village Design Statement or possibly a Neighbourhood Plan.

173/10-11 Update on the IW Association of Local Councils
Copies of the minutes or outcomes of recent meetings had been circulated by the clerk. The next meeting was scheduled to take place on 17 March 2011.

174/10-11 Correspondence.
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda and updated further at the meeting.

175/10-11 Councillors’ reports
Cllr R Mew advised that a resident, who lived in the vicinity of Stag Lane, had recently approached him. Following an episode of heavy rainfall, shale from the lane opposite, had been washed down across the main road into his garden and house. Cllr R Mazillius advised that the best course of action would be to send complete details to the IW Council’s Highways department who would undertake a full investigation and act accordingly. It was also suggested that details be sent to IW Cllr Richard Hollis, the ward member for that area.
Cllr R Mew reported concerns of some residents of Coronation Avenue in respect of the footpath at the bottom of the road that they use to access Northwood Church. It appeared that this had been churned up by horseriders making walking very difficult. Cllr R Mazillius agreed to take this matter up with the appropriate department at the IW Council and to also clarify whether the path was designated a footpath or a
bridleway.
Cllr C Riddet advised that he had attended the workshop on 26 January and taken part in the session on the future of the youth service.
Cramp advised that he also had attended the same workshop, but taken part in the session on suggestions for the future of the library service.

176/10-11 Future agenda items
March Meeting
Supplies of No Cold Calling Stickers
177/10-11 To undertake a brief review of the meeting.
A good meeting.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 8.20 PM.

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