Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 8 May 2017, 9:41 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, 2 May 2017

Present: Councillors Chris Riddet (Chairman), David Jaggar (Vice Chairman), John Nicholson and John Pullen
Also in attendance:
Barbara Herbert (Clerk and RFO)

Public Forum
There was one member of the public in attendance who referred to problems caused by inconsiderate parking on the estate, particularly in Horseshoe Close. On occasions cars in this area were being parked on double yellow lines preventing easy access to properties. It was suggested that this could have a potential, detrimental effect on Public Service vehicles responding in a timely manner to any emergency situation arising towards the end of the Close. Councillors were questioned as to how this matter could be resolved.
Cllr Nicholson advised that, while out canvassing for the forthcoming elections, he had observed parking problems in the vicinity of the junction of Wroxall Close and Venner Avenue. It was generally considered that increasingly, residences these days, had more than one car. However, the properties in this area tended to only have the ability to park one car off road. Several large work vehicles were also being parked in the locality.
Fortuitously, Cllr Nicholson had raised similar concerns in his Ward Councillor report, which was to be considered later in the agenda.
The local resident was thanked for bringing the matter to the attention of the Parish Council.

211/16-17 To receive and approve any apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Cllrs Paul Fuller and Malcolm Nicholson.

212/16-17 Members’ interests
There had been no written requests received for Dispensation on items forming the agenda.
There were no declarations of interest made at this stage.

213/16-17 To receive a report on any local safety neighbourhood issues occurring since the last meeting held of the Parish Council
In the absence of representatives from the local Cowes Neighbourhood Police team (NPT) and the clerk not being in receipt of any report, this item was deferred without comment.

RESOLVED :

THAT the report of the local Cowes Neighbourhood Police team be deferred until the Annual meeting of the Parish Council

214/16-17 To confirm and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council held on 11 April 2017

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the Ordinary meeting of the Parish Council held on 11 April 2017 be confirmed and the Chairman authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council.

215/16-17 To receive any matters arising on the Minutes, not requiring a resolution
a. Public Forum – Cllr Nicholson and PCSO Steven Anker had met with Mr Percival to discuss his concerns regarding the alleged speeding traffic along Nodes Road.
b. Minute 196/16-17 Picnic Table – The clerk reported that HMP Isle of Wight had advised that the first picnic table was to be totally refurbished. This would involve the removal of the damaged finish and it being re-sprayed with a suitable water based preservative to give a lasting protection. To achieve this the bench was to be completely taken apart and all finishes removed so that it could be re-sprayed and continuity kept with regards to the colour etc. The clerk also advised that, on two separate occasions, while on the play area she had been requested to pass on compliments to the Parish Council on the installation of the picnic benches. Cllr Nicholson advised that similar praises of the picnic tables had been made to him during the past month.
c. Minute 208/16-17 Parish Council vacancies – The clerk advised that she had advertised the four forthcoming Parish Council vacancies at the Post Office, the newsagents, the noticeboard, Northwood News and both websites. Unfortunately, to date, no responses had been received. The closing date had been set as 5 May.

216/16-17 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
TCP/30771/G BAE Systems (Defence Systems) Ltd, Newport Road, Northwood – Prior Notification for the demolition of Building 48

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises no material planning objections to the application TCP/30771/G BAE Systems (Defence Systems) Ltd, Newport Road, Northwood – Prior Notification for the demolition of Building 48

b. The following decision taken by the Local Planning Authority since the last meeting of the Parish Council was duly noted:

TCP/10406/C Rose Cottage, Pallance Lane, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for Outline planning for a detached dwelling with access and layout being considered (revised scheme)

217/16-17 To consider the purchase of Adobe Acrobat Pro
Cllr Nicholson had managed to open the pdf of the Parish Plan in Word, using Office 365. The document required some minor amendments to the layout to bring it into line with the original. The Aims of the Plan, from pages 41 to 44, however, appeared to be a little trickier and more time consuming to alter. The clerk advised that she would await a firm decision as to whether these pages were to be retained, before proceeding further. The cost of Office 365 ranged from £5.99 per month for one computer to £7.99 per month to cover 5 computers. At this present time, councillors considered there to be no need to purchase either application, although this could change at a later date.

218/16-17 To consider the Tubs and Planters in the village
The clerk referred to the quotation obtained for replacing the planters, which formed part of the agenda and to the subsequent quotation received by email after its circulation.
Cllr Pullen volunteered to undertake an inspection of the tubs and planters in the village to identify the condition of them all. This would enable a decision to be taken at the next meeting on those found to be substandard, as to whether they should be removed, replaced or repaired.

RESOLVED :

THAT further consideration of the tubs and planters in the village be given at the next meeting of the Parish Council.

219/16-17 To receive the Annual Report of the Chairman for 2016/17
Cllr Riddet presented his Chairman’s Annual Report for 2016/17.
Councillors briefly discussed the questions raised in the report and suggested that further consideration should be given at a future meeting on whether the Parish Council was effective in providing value for money. Mention was made of the achievements of the Parish Council over the past year, that had not been included in the report. These included the continuing success of the Community Bus service 32, the number of grants made to worthy causes, the maintenance of the attractive tubs and planters and improvements to facilities on the play area.
Councillors expressed their gratitude to Cllr Riddet for his service to the parish of Northwood since his co-option onto the Parish Council in January 2011 and tenure as Chairman, since 2015.

RESOLVED :

i. THAT the Annual Report of the Chairman be noted:
ii. THAT further consideration of the questions raised in the report be given by the newly appointed council, at a future meeting.

220/16-17 To receive any further update on the proposals to relocate the Post Office Service in Cowes
Cllr Nicholson stated that he was aware a Central Food-store was due to be located in Cowes High Street. On the mainland, Central Food-stores were the host to nearly 40 local post offices. A representative of Central Food-stores had apparently been in contact with the Post Office Ltd inviting discussions on the suggestion to facilitate the relocation of their service within the town. However, the Post Office Ltd had been very dismissive of the proposal. Cllr Nicholson advised of his intention to write to the Post Office Ltd, with a copy to the County Press and the local town and parish councils, requesting that this opportunity to retain Post Office services within the heart of Cowes, be investigated as a matter of urgency.

221/16-17 To receive the report on Community Wellbeing
Cllr Nicholson advised of his attempt to organise a meeting between relevant parties to discuss mental health issues. However, he had been advised by the Chief Executive of the IW Council not to do so during the current pre-election period.
Cllr Jaggar questioned if there was an “Idiots Guide” available, setting out the hierarchy of the service, the cascade of roles and responsibilities of officers and where best to seek help if required. Cllr Nicholson volunteered to investigate.

222/16-17 To receive progress reports for information from Working Party leads
a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
Cllr Riddet advised that there were no matters to report. Councillors should be congratulated on the continuance of the well-used service. Cllr Nicholson mentioned the incident of Clancy Docwra being fined for dumping spoil on the roadside.
b. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
Cllr Pullen agreed to obtain three quotations for the summer bedding in time for the next meeting of the Parish Council.
c. Parish Plan Working Party
No further update was provided.

223/16-17 To receive the report of Cllr J Nicholson, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
The report of Cllr Nicholson was duly noted. Particular mention was made of various highway, traffic and parking problems around the village. Cllr Nicholson agreed to collate these into a separate report for consideration by the new Parish Council.

224/16-17 Clerk’s Report
Finance
i. The interim budget statement to the end of April 2017 and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 6 were received and duly noted. The clerk highlighted the balance of £15,676 uncommitted funds held in Reserves.

ii. Payment of cheques

RESOLVED :

THAT approval be granted retrospectively with regard to the following cheque:
Cheque No 000507 for £802.47, Community Action IW, Clerks salary on 11 April

iii. To authorise payment of the following cheques:

RESOLVED :

THAT the following cheques be approved for payment:
000508, £38.20, Mrs B Herbert, Clerk’s Expenses
000509, £250.00, IW Age UK, Donation
000510, £108.00, The Society of Local Council Clerks, Annual Subscription
000511, £10.00, Association of Local Council Clerks, Annual Subscription

iv. To approve the transfer of £10,000 from the Lloyds Treasurers Account to the Lloyds 32 Day Notice Account

RESOLVED :

THAT the transfer of £10,000 from the Lloyds Treasurers Account to the Lloyds 32 Day Notice Account, be agreed.

v. End of 2016/17 Year Accounts for submission to the External Auditor
The clerk circulated a copy of the Bank Reconciliation statement for submission to the External Auditor.

RESOLVED :

i. THAT the Annual Governance Statement for 2016/17 be approved and the Chairman and clerk be authorised to sign the Statement on behalf of the Parish Council;
ii. THAT the Accounting Statements for 2016/17 be approved and the Chairman and clerk be authorised to sign the Statements on behalf of the Parish Council.

v. To confirm the Internal Control Tests to be used by the internal auditor

RESOLVED :

THAT the Internal Control Tests to be used by the internal auditor be approved.

vi. To consider the grant application for £50 from Victim Support

RESOLVED :

THAT a grant of £50 towards Victim Support be approved.

225/16-17 Correspondence
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda and updated further at the meeting.
Reference was made to the following:
item c – A list of s106 monies raised through planning applications of each Parish and Town Council. Unfortunately, this incorrectly identified the £15K from the application TCP/25671/A as belonging to Newport Parish Council rather than Northwood Parish Council. Mr Ollie Boulter, Planning Team Leader had agreed to make the necessary changes.
Item d – Councillors considered that further clarity was required from the IW Council on planning considerations and pre-planning advice.

226/16-17 Councillors’ reports
Councillors provided no further reports.

227/16-17 Future Agenda Items
Annual Meeting
Update on the Post Office – Cllr J Nicholson

Future Meeting
Parking and Highway problems in Northwood – Cllr J Nicholson

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 7.45 pm
Signed ……………………………………………. Dated ……………………………..