Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 10 February 2017, 7:19 pm

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Northwood Parish Council, held in Northwood Primary School, Wyatts Lane, Northwood, Isle of Wight on Tuesday, 7 February 2017

Present: Councillors Chris Riddet (Chairman), David Jaggar (Vice Chairman), Malcolm Nicholson, John Ward
Also in attendance:
Barbara Herbert (Clerk and RFO)
PCSO Derek Howard

There were no members of the public or press in attendance.

147/16-17 To receive and approve any apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Cllrs Paul Fuller, John Nicholson, John Pullen and Derek Smith.
The clerk advised that the last meeting of the Parish Council attended by Cllr Smith was on 1 August. As he had tended his apologies for the evening’s meeting it would be over six months since his last attendance. Regrettably, under the Local Government Act 1972, Section 85, Cllr Smith would cease to be a member of the Parish Council.

148/16-17 Members’ interests
There had been no written requests received for Dispensation on items forming the agenda. There were also no declarations of interest made.

149/16-17 To receive a report on any local safety neighbourhood issues occurring since the last meeting held of the Parish Council
PCSO Derek Howard, a representative of the local Cowes Neighbourhood Police team (NPT) was present and referred to his report, which had been circulated prior to the meeting. This provided particulars of the current Cowes team together with details of the two crimes committed in Northwood, during January, in comparison to the six crimes that had taken place during the same period in 2016.
PCSO Howard confirmed that the Cowes team had moved into their new premises in Cowes Fire station and the arrangement seemed to be working very well. The current community priorities remained unchanged. However, the next PACT meeting was due to take place later in the month when these would be reviewed.
A question was raised regarding the effectiveness of the team, as it appeared to be quite stretched, due to the low number of personnel. PCSO Howard reassured councillors that the team continued to work efficiently and competently

RESOLVED :

THAT the report of the local Cowes Neighbourhood Police team be noted.

150/16-17 To confirm and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council held on 3 January 2017

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the Ordinary meeting held on 3 January 2017 be confirmed and the Chairman authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council.

151/16-17 To receive any matters arising on the Minutes, not requiring a resolution
a. Minute 120/16-17 b Council Tax Referendum Principles – The clerk reminded councillors of the response received from Marcus Jones MP to her letter of 10 December, which had been circulated by email on 3 February
b. Minute 130/16-17 Picnic Table – The clerk advised that she had been informed by HMP Isle of Wight that the second picnic table should be ready by the end of the week.

152/16-17 Town and Country Planning
a. To consider the following planning 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
i. TCP/09468/A 2 Pallance Road, Northwood – Proposed two/single storey side extension.

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises no material planning objections to the application TCP/09468/A at 2 Pallance Road, Northwood.

ii. TCP/18825/D Pear Tree Cottage, Pallance Lane, Northwood – Proposed residential development comprising of three detached dwellings with associated access, parking and landscaping.

RESOLVED :

THAT although Northwood Parish Council raises no material planning objections to the application TCP/18825/D at Pear Tree Cottage, Pallance Lane, Northwood, councillors suggested that the IW Council’s Tree Officer should undertake an inspection of the ‘high amenity tree’ in the south western corner of the site to verify its condition.

iii. TCP/04707/A 94 Pallance Road, Northwood – Demolition of garage; proposed side extension and loft conversion to include dormer windows on north and south elevations.

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises no material planning objections to the application TCP/04707/A at 94 Pallance Road, Northwood.

b. The following decisions taken by the Local Planning Authority since the last meeting of the Parish Council were duly noted:
i. TCP/10406/C Rose Cottage, Pallance Lane, Northwood – Refusal of Planning Permission for the demolition of the garage; outline for detached dwelling with parking (revised plans)(re-advertised)
ii. TCP/32786 Land at BAE Systems, fronting Three Gates Road, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for the proposed change of use of land to a car dealership to include sales area and workshops with associated parking.

c. Application for the proposed hedgerow removal at Skinners Farm, Northwood

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises no valid reasons for objecting to the Application for the proposed hedgerow removal at Skinners Farm, Northwood.

153/16-17 To consider the report of the Northwood WI Working Party
Councillors considered the proposals suggested by the Northwood Women’s Institute (NWI) for an agreement with the Parish Council to lease the NWI hall for a period of 99 years. Councillors, however, expressed their concern, particularly with regard to item 5. This expected the Management Committee to take overall responsibility of the running, maintenance, repair and cleaning of the hall, also keeping it in good order and sound condition, including payment of the Utilities and insurance during the lifetime of the lease. Unfortunately, no financial accounts had been provided setting out the details of the current income and expenditure. During discussion, councillors were reminded of their earlier decision, taken in December, in that no financial implications should fall to the Parish Council.

RESOLVED :

i. THAT councillors are not satisfied of the need for the Parish Council to enter into a lease agreement for the hall;
ii. THAT councillors confirm their decision that no financial costs should be incurred by the Parish Council;
iii. THAT the Parish Council should provide a support role only, as part of the Management Committee;
iv. THAT this matter be deferred for consideration by the new Parish Council in May.

154/16-17 To consider the suggestion of contributing to the provision of an evening Youth Bus Service ticket for Northwood teenagers

RESOLVED :

THAT Cllr Ward agreed to provide a written report on contributing to the provision of an evening Youth Bus Service ticket for the March meeting of the Parish Council.

155/16-17 To consider in detail the proposition to develop a proactive policy to support, encourage and facilitate wealth creation in the Northwood area
In the absence of Cllr J Nicholson, consideration was given to his report and draft Business Survey spreadsheet. Councillors suggested that two additional columns should be added to identify the problems local businesses encounter and as to how they envisage the Parish Council could assist them. Councillors also queried whether this matter actually fell within the remit of the Parish Council or whether the matter was more relevant for consideration by the IW Council’s Economic Development section in liaison with the Chamber of Commerce.

RESOLVED :

THAT In the absence of Cllr J Nicholson, his report be deferred until the March meeting.

156/16-17 To consider making an annual award for the best planning development undertaken in the Parish of Northwood

RESOLVED :

THAT councillors agree that the parish of Northwood was not sufficiently large enough to merit such an award scheme for the best planning development undertaken.

157/16-17 To receive an update on the new Parish Council website and to approve the purchase of a new web address
Cllr Ward advised that the new Parish Council website was now in a position to go live. The inclusion of photographs of the area would be welcomed. Cllr Riddet agreed to forward some onto him. Costs for the domain name were included in the grant the Parish Council received under the Transparency Fund for Smaller Authorities.

RESOLVED :

THAT the purchase of the new Parish Council domain name for the website northwoodparishcouncil.org be approved and for the site to now go live.

158/16-17 To make comment on the proposals for the economic development plan being prepared for the visitor economy of the Medina Estuary
The Department for Communities and Local Government had awarded a grant to the Isle of Wight to establish a Coastal Community team for the Medina Estuary, stretching from the beaches of Cowes and East Cowes to the quay and town centre in Newport.

RESOLVED :

THAT the Parish Council submit an interest to Natural Enterprise for Cllr David Jaggar to represent Northwood Parish Council in the co-ordination and production of the economic development plan being prepared to improve and enhance the visitor economy of the Medina Estuary

159/16-17 To consider revamping the Parish Council logo
Cllr Fuller had advised by email that he would liaise with Mr Adam Gattrell later in the week with regard to the revamping of the Parish Council logo and report back suggestions to the next meeting.

160/16-17 To consider the damage that the Utility Services are doing to our newly resurfaced roads

RESOLVED :

THAT In the absence of Cllr J Nicholson and no report having been received, this item be deferred until the March meeting.

161/16-17 To consider making an appropriate response on the following Consultations
a. The Proposed Revisions to the adopted Affordable Housing Contributions Supplementary Planning Document
RESOLVED :

THAT the Proposed Revisions to the adopted Affordable Housing Contributions Supplementary Planning Document be noted.

b. The proposed Freshwater Neighbourhood Development Plan and proposed Gurnard Neighbourhood Development Plan

RESOLVED :

i. THAT the proposed Freshwater Neighbourhood Development Plan be noted;
ii THAT Gurnard Parish Council and all persons involved in the compilation of the proposed Gurnard Neighbourhood Development Plan be congratulated on such a comprehensive document setting out their vision for the parish of Gurnard.

iii. THAT it be suggested for the new Parish Council, in May, to give consideration to undertaking a Neighbourhood Development Plan for Northwood.

162/16-17 To receive an update on the meeting held on 6 January with Andrew Turner MP and representatives of other local councils, with regard to the closure of Lloyds Bank and HSBC in Cowes and other relevant correspondence
Cllr Riddet provided a brief summary of the meeting between Andrew Turner MP and representatives of the three parish and town councils. The closure of Lloyds Bank and HSBC would leave only one ATM presence in Cowes, which it was suggested, would not be satisfactory, particularly during the peak tourist period. Andrew Turner MP agreed to write to the banks and to the Post Office to ascertain their positon on the current situation.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted.

163/16-17 To receive the report on Community Wellbeing
In the absence of Cllr J Nicholson no report had been provided.

164/16-17 To receive progress reports for information from Working Party leads
a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
Cllr Riddet advised that the Community bus service was working well.
b. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
The clerk advised that some of the tubs and planters were beginning to require some remedial work. Cllrs M Nicholson and Jaggar volunteered to undertake an inspection and weed where necessary.
c. Parish Plan Working Party
Cllr Jaggar highlighted the need for an amendable copy of the Parish Plan. Cllr Ward agreed to investigate if it was feasible to download a copy from the website. If unsuccessful then the purchase of Adobe Acrobat might be necessary.

165/16-17 To receive the report of Cllr J Nicholson, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
In the absence of Cllr J Nicholson, his report was duly noted.

166/16-17 IWALC
The Minutes of the IWALC Executive Committee held on 19 January were duly noted.

167/16-17 Clerk’s Report
Finance
i. The interim budget statement to the end of January 2017 and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 3 were received and duly noted.

ii. Payment of cheque No 000494

RESOLVED :

THAT approval be granted retrospectively with regard to the following cheque:
Cheque No 000494 for ££853.15, Mrs B Herbert, Clerks salary on 10 January

iii. To authorise payment of cheques

RESOLVED :

THAT the following cheques be approved for payment:
000495, £42.30, Mrs B Herbert, Clerk’s Expense
000496, £220, Northwood Community Partnership, to cover the hire of the hall for the Resident Events
000497, £35, Information Commissioner, Data Protection renewal

iv. To consider the following applications for grant funding:
1. Northwood Primary School

RESOLVED :

THAT the grant of £295 towards the purchase of a girls football kit and an outside coach to undertake weekly training sessions at Northwood Primary school, be approved.

2. The Wave Project

RESOLVED :

i. THAT a grant of £100 towards the Wave Project, Isle of Wight be approved;
ii. THAT the application be considered further at the March meeting of the Parish Council, subject to the receipt of any other applications to be determined and the current financial situation.

v. The letter from the IW Council regarding the 2017-18 Tax Base and precept setting was duly noted

168/16-17 Correspondence
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda and updated further at the meeting.

169/16-17 Councillors’ reports
Councillors provided no further reports.

170/16-17 Future Agenda Items
No additional items were indicated.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 7.45 pm

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