Northwood Parish Council

Posted by Admin on 22 September 2014, 12:43 pm

MEETINGS

Meetings of the Parish Council are held on the first Tuesday of the month, commencing at 6.30pm.
The meeting of the Planning Committee, if required, is held on the third Tuesday of the month, commencing at 6.30pm.

ALL MEETINGS ARE HELD AT
NORTHWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL, WYATTS LANE, NORTHWOOD

unless otherwise stated.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC AND THE PRESS ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND.

The comments made in the following articles represent the views of the individual contributors, rather than Northwood Parish Council

NORTHWOOD PARISH COUNCIL NEWS

FROM THE SEPTEMBER 2014 MEETING

FUTURE NORTHWOOD POST OFFICE
Councillors noted that the current postmistress at the Northwood Post Office was due to retire shortly. The Chairman read the letter he had received from her, which advised the landlord of the Travellers Joy had expressed a tentative interest in the Post Office counter being situated within the pub. However, progress on this course of action was at a very early stage. A number of questions required answering with regard to the viability of such a move. Any restrictions, the risks and liabilities all had to be identified and given due consideration, including an evaluation of the premises by the Post Office before a firm offer could be submitted. After this process, if the Travellers Joy landlord was still minded to continue with the move, then the Postmistress had agreed to remain in post until the end of the year and to provide assistance.
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It was decided that a small Working Party comprising Cllrs J Nicholson, C Riddet and D Smith be established to assist in the attempt to bring the retention of the Post Office service in the village to a fruitful and successful conclusion; that Gurnard Parish Council be invited to appoint a councillor to the Working Party and a letter should be sent to the Post Office expressing the grave concerns of the Parish Council should the service be lost to the village.
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VENNER AVENUE PLAY AREA
Councillors were referred to the letter dated 20th August, which outlined those discretionary services put at risk as part of the IW Council’s programme of savings, agreed by Full Council in February 2014. The services under consideration were the Grounds Maintenance contract for the Venner Avenue play area, the Islandwide Beach Cleaning contract and the Environment Officers service. The letter indicated the impact of the savings on these services. A breakdown of optional, suggested levels of funding contribution were set out, based on the population of Northwood, in order for the services to continue in some form. A cost of £4,254 in total, covering all three areas, had been requested in the next financial year. This would result in a 27.66% rise in the Precept for 2015/16, averaging £2.15 per annum, per electorate. It was decided that the Council take over the grounds maintenance of the Venner Avenue play area and the decision on contributing to the costs of the Beach Cleaning contract be deferred until the October meeting.
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PICNIC TABLES VENNER AVENUE
Cllr Fuller outlined an idea for the provision of picnic tables on the play park area, similar in style to those provided along Gurnard beach front. The area was very popular with residents and could be a welcome addition. In discussion, mention was made of the durability of re-constituted plastic picnic tables, although the cost could be prohibitive. If the scheme was to proceed, authority would be required from the IW Council, as the landowner of the play park area. It was decided to find out detailed costings.
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BEST KEPT VILLAGE RESULTS
The marks awarded in this year’s Best Kept Village competition were noted. Although no mark was below “average”, improvements could be made. It was suggested for this matter to form an agenda item for the February 2015 meeting. A working party could then be established to identify areas that required some attention. Cllr Pullen agreed to approach the Community Partnership to seek their support.