Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 10 July 2011, 12:00 am

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, 7 June 2011

Present: Councillors John Pullen (Chairman), Paul Fuller, Roger Mazillius (also the Ward member for Cowes South and Northwood), Ray Mew, Chris Riddet
In attendance:
Barbara Herbert (Clerk and RFO)
There was one member of the public present.

31/11-12 Apologies
Apologies had been received from Cllr P Bentley and PC Mark Thomas.

32/11-12 Declarations of Interest
Cllr P Fuller declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute No 37/11-12 a, as he was a member of the IW Council’s Planning Committee, and a personal interest in Minute 43/11-12 as he was a member of the IW Council’s Childrens and Young Persons Scrutiny Committee

33/11-12 To confirm the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 3 May and the Extra Ordinary Meeting held on 17 May

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meetings of the Parish Council held on 3 May and the 17 May 2011 be confirmed and the Chairman be authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council.

33/11-12 Matters arising on the Minutes
There were no matters raised.

34/11-12 To receive a report by the Local Safety Neighbourhood Officer
In the absence of PC Mark Thomas, no report had been received from the Local Safety Neighbourhood. A question was raised as to lack of a report due to the demise of the Environment and Neighbourhood officers. The clerk reminded that this service now fell under the remit of the Community Support officers and their quarterly report had been presented at the previous meeting.

35/11-12 To consider the appointment of a co-opted councillor
The clerk advised that today was the closing date for ten residents to call for an election to take place, in the event that two or more persons submit an application to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr John Fuller. The required number had not been received therefore the process to co-opt could proceed. It was agreed to set the closing date for applications as 28 June, enabling appointment at the July meeting.
Councillors were informed that Mr Colin Cramp had tendered his resignation at the end of the previous week. Again the same process had to be followed.
The clerk was instructed to write thanking the two ex-councillors for their past service.

36/11-12 To confirm the Members’ Register of Interests for Cllrs P Fuller, R Mew, R Mazillius, C Riddet are in order and complete

RESOLVED :

THAT it be confirmed that the Register of Interests from Cllrs R Mew and C Riddet were in order and complete. This to be an item on the agenda for the next meeting in respect of the Register of Interests from Cllrs P Fuller and R Mazillius.

37/11-12 Town and Country Planning
Town & 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
Cllr R Mazillius arrived at the start of consideration on the following item of business.

Cllr P Fuller having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following item of business left the meeting chamber.

i. TCP/30564 2 Horseshoe Close, Northwood – Householder Application Single storey extension on front/side elevation to provide additional living accommodation and lobby

RESOLVED :

THAT no material planning objections be raised in respect of TCP/30564 – 2 Horseshoe Close, Northwood

ii. TCP/30317 61 Pallance Road, Northwood – Demolition of dwelling erection of new detached dwelling

RESOLVED :

THAT no material planning objections be raised in respect of TCP/30317 – 61 Pallance Road, Northwood.

Cllr P Fuller returned to the meeting room.

b. The following decisions taken by the Local Planning Authority since the last meeting of the Planning Committee were noted –
i. AGN/10723/L for a polytunnel at Lower Luton Farm, Pallance Lane – These proposals were unable to be considered in accordance with the criteria established under Part 6 of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 and had therefore been rejected. Formal Planning Permission would need to be applied for.
ii TCP/25625/C 36 Coronation Avenue, Cowes, Isle Of Wight, PO318PN – Planning Permission granted for the demolition of conservatory; proposed single storey rear extension to form additional living accommodation
iii. TCP/28535/B 28 Pallance Road, Cowes, PO31 8LN – Planning Permission granted for alterations; single storey rear extension; conservatory; new roof to provide additional living accommodation within roof space (revised plans)

c. The letter dated 19 May in response to the request for consent to remove trees at Squirrels Drey, 64A Pallance Road, Northwood was noted.

38/11-12 To note the progress in respect of providing a further seat on the play park
The clerk referred to an email she had received from Hayley Williams advising that over £1,000 had been raised from the Race Night. The clerk had met with Ms Williams and been informed of the plans to now purchase two seats, one to be placed on the play park and the other in the school grounds. Confirmation that the seat had been ordered and the anticipated timescale was still awaited

RESOLVED :

THAT this item to be included on the agenda for the July meeting, together with consideration of holding an official opening of the play park

39/11-12 To consider writing to Andrew Turner MP, endorsing the comments in the letter by Ms J Pearce
Councillors were drawn to the letter from local resident, Ms J Pearce, which referred to articles in the Times’ Bricks and Mortar section on 1 April 2011. These suggested how the Government’s planned legislation would give property developers almost carte blanche to destroy green fields and open spaces. Ms Pearce had urged Mr Turner to try and persuade the Government to have a rethink, to enable people to protect their home environment.
During the debate it became apparent that not all councillors were supportive of the entire contents of the letter. It was suggested that some of Ms Pearce’s views were misplaced and the articles also speculative. The IW Council, as the Local Planning Authority did safeguard the concept of the island being maintained as a rural area through the development of the Island Plan and other policies and procedures. There was a shortage of affordable housing, but it was erroneous to suggest that mainlanders would be able to queue jump over either local people or those with an island connection. The building of approximately 500 homes per year had been constant for a number of years. However, It was important that these should be built on brownfield sites, not greenfield areas. Following discussion it was

RESOLVED :

THAT the comments expressed in the letter by Ms J Pearce to Andrew Turner MP, be endorsed.

40/11-12 To consider the letter in respect of NHS (Pharmaceutical Services) Regulations 2005 (As amended), specifically Regulation 31: Determination of Controlled Locality – Consultation

RESOLVED :

THAT the Parish Council agrees with the NHS IW PCT classification of the Parish of Northwood as being rural.

41/11-12 To consider any action to be taken in respect of the football pitch on the play area at the Venner Avenue Play Park
Councillors were advised that the IW Council’s Parks officer, Mr Andrew McIntyre had, last year, suggested that the football pitch at the Venner Avenue Play Park should not be played on during the winter period. This would allow the grass to recover or else the area would be ruined. Unfortunately his advice was overruled and his comments were now justified by the poor condition of the pitch. Although the IW Council were the landowners, councillors proposed that investigations be undertaken regarding the feasibility of obtaining funding to enable an all weather surface to be laid. Due to the heavy usage of this area the top soil was gradually being eroded leaving behind a rather stony area, which could cause health and safety issues.

RESOLVED :

THAT the clerk make contact with Mr A McIntyre, the IW Council’s Parks officer to ascertain his views on the laying of an all weather surface on the football pitch at the Venner Avenue playpark.

42/11-12 To consider changes in legislation in respect of the Allotments Act
Cllr Fuller advised that perceived changes to the legislation governing allotments were not now being planned. Therefore it was considered there was nothing to debate.

43/11-12 To consider what response, if any, to make with regard to the following consultations
i. The provision of transport to faith schools

RESOLVED :

THAT this Parish Council supports the proposed action of the IW Council to change its Home to School Transport policy, so that from September 2012 transport to faith schools would no longer be offered, other than to those who remain eligible by law, on the basis of fairness.

ii. The subsidized provision of transport for post-16 students

RESOLVED :

THAT no response be made.

44/11-12 To note the minutes of the meeting of the Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard Community Transport Forum held on 26 May
The minutes of the meeting of the Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard Community Transport Forum held on 26 May were noted. Following a question as to whether a volunteer was being sought to undertake the administration of the scheme, councillors were advised that a possible co-ordinator had been identified by Southern Vectis, who would be permitted to use office space at the Southern Vectis Nelson Road site.

45/11-12 Clerks Report
a. Finance

i. The interim budget statement to the end of May 2011 and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 34 were received and noted.

ii. To authorise payment of the following cheques:
000205, Post Office, Clerks salary for April
000206,£72.13, Mrs B Herbert, Clerks Expenses
000207, £14.63, Chale Parish Council, Photocopying
000208, £200.00, Northwood Gardening Club, for the cost of the supply and installation of a plug socket and light in the brick shed
000209, £25.00, IWALC, non-attendance of Mrs B Clews-Cartwright at a training session on 28 October 2010
000210, £11.00, CommuniCorp, subscription for Clerks & Councils Direct
000211, £59.00, The Society of Local Council Clerks, Annual Subscription
000212, £604.97, Mrs B Herbert, Purchase of computer

RESOLVED :

THAT the above cheques be approved for payment.

iii. Approval was given for the purchase of a copy of the revised First Edition of ‘Standing Orders for Local Councils’ at a cost of £35.00

iv. Consideration was given to the request for grant aid received from Victim Support. Councillors indicated their view that any grant funding provided by the Parish Council should specifically favour locally based organisations only. The clerk was requested to not take any action in respect of the application..

b. Administration
It was noted that Mr S Tester had undertaken the Internal Audit of the Parish Council’s accounts

46/11-12 Report of Cllr R Mazillius, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
The report of Cllr Roger Mazillius was received and noted.

47/11-12 Progress reports from Working Parties
a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
Mention was made of an email from Andy Morris, the IW Council’s Traffic Manager to Rusty Adams, the contact for the local Community Bus scheme. This referred to the receipt of a slightly amended version of the original application, which had been sent under private cover to Mr Morris. Members of the Cowes, Northwood and Gurnard forum had rejected the second application, confirming their support for the original version put forward. Cllr Mazillius provided an explanation as to how the second application had arisen and expressed his disappointment that a private matter had been made public. The misunderstanding would not however delay the submission. The application comprised of one bid for the use of two buses.
The representatives of the three parish councils on the vetting panel for the volunteer driver processing were noted. Cowes Town Council had still to confirm in writing the name of their representative.
b. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
The planters/tubs had been cleared and all replanted with the summer plants obtained from Ryde House Nurseries. The cost of £152.50 left a credit of £147.50 to be used later in the year. The best of the removed plants had been donated to the Northwood Primary school Gardening Club. Thanks were expressed to the Working Party for a good job done.
c. Village Design Statement Working Party
In the absence of Cllr Bentley no report was received.
d. Wards Copse Working Party
An article on this had appeared in the edition of the Northwood news for June. Cllr Fuller had discussed this issue with the partner of an owner of part of the Wards Copse. They had indicated that they did not support the involvement of the Parish Council. The Working Party would continue to investigate options for the future potential management of Wards Copse..

48/11-12 Update on the IW Association of Local Councils
Cllr Pullen referred councillors to his report attached to the agenda.

49/11-12 Correspondence.
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda and updated further at the meeting.
Particular reference was made to Item mm – the draft notice for the IW Speed Limit Consolidation Order No1, in respect of Nodes Road and Place Road. Councillors confirmed that they did not wish to make any representation in this regard.

50/11-12 Councillors’ reports
No reported were made.

51/11-12 Future agenda items
July meeting
Presentation by Age Concern on the ‘Good Neighbour Scheme’
Village Noticeboard

52/12-12 To undertake a brief review of the meeting.
Not too bad.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 8. 45 PM.

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