Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 8 January 2015, 9:07 pm

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, 2 December 2014

Present: Councillors John Pullen (Chairman), Chris Riddet (Vice Chairman), Paul Fuller, David Jaggar, John Nicholson and John Ward
Also in attendance:
Barbara Herbert (Clerk and RFO)
There were no members of the public in attendance

143/14-15 To receive and approve any apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Cllrs Malcolm Nicholson and Derek Smith, and PCSO Derek Howard

144/14-15 Members’ interests
There had been no written requests received for Dispensation on items forming the agenda.
Cllr Fuller, as he was now a member of the IW Council’s Executive, declared a Personal interest in Minute 148/14-15 Town and Country Planning
Cllr Pullen declared a personal interest in Minute 148/14-15 a. i. as he was a friend of the applicant

145/14-15 To receive a report by the Local Safety Neighbourhood Officer, plus an opportunity to discuss local policing priorities
In the absence of PCSO Derek Howard, the clerk read out the report of the Local Safety Neighbourhood (LSN) team advising on matters arising since the last meeting. Particular mention was made of the following:
• Crime Update for November – Three crimes had been reported during this month, being the same as in November 2013;
• The police had stopped two cyclists during the past month. They had all been issued with a verbal warning, together with an educational letter.
• PC Juliet Proctor would be returning to work in Newport station on 1 January
• A Speedwatch activity was held in Pallance Road on 27 November. 88 vehicles had passed through the checkpoint during a 1hr 15 min period, with no breaches of the 30mph limit

146/14-15 To confirm and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council held on 4 November 2014

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meetings held on 4 November 2014 be confirmed and the Chairman authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council.

147/14-15 To receive any matters arising on the Minutes, not requiring a resolution
a. Minute 127/14-15b Seat on Play Park – Cllr Pullen advised that due to the unfortunate recent bout of ill health, no further progress had been made. He anticipated the work being carried out before the end of the year.
b. Minute 127//14-15c Community Highways Fund – The clerk advised that the meeting to discuss potential suggestions for highway schemes to be undertaken in Northwood had been cancelled. This was due to Mr Tony Toynton, the former IW Council’s Interim Highways PFI Contract Manager having left the Local Authority, at very short notice. The meeting had been arranged at Mr Toynton instigation. The clerk was unaware of the ideas that might have been suggested or if any replacement officer had been appointed.
c. Minute 127/14-15d Tubs and Planters – Cllr Pullen advised that the tubs and planters still required re-creosoting. However, the white Northwood signs at the corner of Selman Gardens and on the large planter in Uplands had been repainted.

148/14-15 Town and Country Planning
a. To consider the following planning applications 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/18840/B 14 Wyatts Lane, Northwood – Proposed single storey extension on rear elevation to form lounge and dining room

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises no material planning objections in respect of the application TCP/18840/B at 14 Wyatts Lane, Northwood

ii. TCP/31184/E 58 Pallance Road, Northwood – Pair of semi-detached houses; one detached house; formation of vehicular access and parking and turning area (revised scheme)

RESOLVED :

THAT although Northwood Parish Council considers there to be no material planning objections in respect of the application TCP/31184/E at 58 Pallance Road, Northwood, councillors re-iterated their view that any approval should be conditioned stipulating contractors’ vehicles should be parked on-site while the building work was being undertaken, so to prevent any highway safety concerns and inconvenience to neighbouring properties and road users

iii. A/00137/X Northwood Garage, Newport Road, Northwood – 3 x mesh fascias with internally lighted signage; 1 x internally illuminated totem sign

RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council raises no material planning objections in respect of the application A/00137/X at Northwood Garage, Newport Road, Northwood

b. Councillors noted that the Local Authority had received revised plans for application TCP/31184/D land adjacent to 62 Pallance Road, Northwood – Construction of two detached dwellings; formation of vehicular access and parking (revised scheme)(revised red outline)(re-advertised application), which were considered to be minor and therefore comments were not required

c. The decision taken by the Local Planning Authority since the last meeting of the Parish Council was duly noted
TCP/32021 3 Fieldway Crescent, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for the demolition of porch and garage; single storey side extension to provide dining room, bathroom, wc and additional bedroom

149/14-15 To consider and take decisions with respect to the Service 32, Cowes, Gurnard and Northwood Community Bus
Cllr Riddet provided an oral report on the ongoing situation with regards to the Community Bus service. Due to the lack of training available for new volunteers, any gaps in available drivers have had to be filled by Southern Vectis. Due to budget constraints, the IW Council were no longer able to meet this cost. Training was due to commence again in the New Year, but the course would take approximately three months to complete. It had therefore been suggested that five of the routes should be curtailed, to some degree. At the meeting of the local bus forum on 3 December consideration would be given to funding the cost of a Southern Vectis driver for the 32 route, so to maintain a five day mid-week service. This would commence from 5 January and could cost up to £60 per week.
The change of management at Southern Vectis had decreed that they were no longer prepared to facilitate the current Saturday service, unless the parish/town councils were prepared to cover the costs. As this had not formed part of the original agreement, it was now suggested that, regrettably, this service should be discontinued.

RESOLVED :

THAT an update on the meeting of the local community bus forum scheduled for 3 December, be reported at the next meeting

150/14-15 To approve the revised draft of the Housing Needs survey as a Parish Council document
The draft document had been updated to include comments suggested at the meeting in November, together with some additional typographical errors noticed by the clerk. Once approved by the Parish Council, the final document would be uploaded onto the IW Council website.

RESOLVED :

THAT the final draft of the Housing Needs Survey be formally approved as a Parish Council document.

151/14-15 To consider the report suggesting the provision of picnic tables on the play park area
Cllr Fuller apologised for the lack of information and agreed to provide a report for the January meeting.

RESOLVED :

THAT this item should be deferred to the January meeting

152/14-15 To consider requesting a change, to 20mph, of the speed limit along the whole of Wyatts Lane, Northwood

RESOLVED :

THAT a request be made to Island Roads for a reduction to 20 mph of the speed limit along the whole length of Wyatts Lane.

153/14-15 To consider the suggestions of the Precept Working Party

RESOLVED :

THAT the Precept for 2015/16 be set at £20,000, which includes the Central Government grant of £911, which would be passed over in full by the IW Council

154/14-15 To discuss how best to promote Community Well-Being in the community
Cllr J Nicholson advised of the meeting he had held at County Hall to discuss how Parish and Town Councils, specifically Northwood Parish Council and Cowes Town Council, could consider and raise awareness to improve community well-being. Questions had been raised as to how best to co-ordinate the different organisations and peers who work in the local community at various levels, so that they could contribute to this task. The local scout group had expressed their willingness to be involved in any community scheme. The Public Health section was also keen to promote and address any issues in the community, particularly at a local level, possibly using Northwood as a pilot.
Cllr J Nicholson agreed to take a pro-active lead on this issue, on behalf of the Parish Council.

RESOLVED :

THAT Community Well-Being in the community form a standing agenda item

155/14-15 To receive progress reports for information from Working Party leads
a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
There were no further matters to report

b. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
Cllr Pullen advised that, in his absence, the clerk would make the necessary arrangements to obtain the summer bedding in good time
c. Parish Plan Working Party
Discussion ensued on the updating of the Parish Plan, as it was now over 7 years old. The clerk advised that some small parish councils rather than undertake a costly neighbourhood plan, had submitted their Parish Plans for adoption as Supplementary Planning Guidance. Cllrs Pullen, Jaggar, J Nicholson and Ward volunteered to examine the current Plan and make comments at the next meeting.
d. Emergency Plan Working Party
In the absence of Cllr Smith, no report had been received

e. Northwood Post Office Working Party
It was agreed to defer this matter to item 15, on the agenda

156/14-15 To receive a report on the meeting of IWALC Executive held on 20 November
Cllrs Pullen and Ward reported on the disturbing presentation given by the Leader of the Council, Cllr Ian Stevens and Mr Dave Burbage, the Managing Director, which advised of the critical financial challenge to find a further £13.5m savings in the next financial year, on top of the ongoing savings of £28m. Cllr Stevens was due to discuss various options with Hampshire County Council in order to try and find a solution. IWALC’s Finance and General Purposes committee would consider in further detail the implications for members of IWALC. The new look website, due to be up and running shortly, would include more information on the work of IWALC. Any further ideas or suggestions by councillors should be sent to Cllr Ward.

157/14-15 To receive the report for information of Cllr J Nicholson, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
Cllr J Nicholson referred councillors to his report. This covered his work as the Ward Councillor and his responsibilities at the IW Council. Particular mention was made of the following:
• The replacement drainage works that had started in Pallance Road and would take until the end of March to complete
• The lack of any progress in resolving the future of the post office service in Northwood. While the register of interest by the landlord of the Travellers Joy had not been officially declined, there had not been any positive response made either. The current postmistress had offered to continue in post on a three day per week basis. However, again no written response had been received from the Post Office Ltd to this suggestion. The clerk was requested to write to Post Office Ltd to seek clarification of their intentions for Northwood and to request the assistance of the MP in this matter
• Cowes Week Parade Village – the concerns and wishes raised by Cowes Town Council had been largely taken on board by the event organiser, with requested improvements agreed
• A constructive meeting had been held with planning enforcement and environmental health officers regarding the seemingly unreasonable upholding of single complaints made about the level of noise against long established pubs providing music. A review of the complaints system would be undertaken

158/14-15 Clerk’s Report
a. Finance
i. The interim budget statement to the end of November and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 76, were received and noted

ii. To authorise retrospectively the payments made with regard to the clerks salary:

RESOLVED :

THAT approval be granted retrospectively of the following payments:
The clerks salary, 000380, £739.22, Community Action IW on 14 November and
Repair of the clerk’s computer, 000381, £125.00, Compuwight on 20 November

iii. To authorise payment of the following cheques:

RESOLVED :

THAT the following cheques be approved for payment
000382, £40.80, Mrs B Herbert, Clerks expenses
000383, £265, Gorgeous Gardens, Cost of tidying the two flower beds in Uplands Road, which included the need to purchase an additional 2.5 tonnes of gravel

iv. Local Government Pay agreement

RESOLVED :

THAT it be agreed to pay the clerk the agreed 2 year pay offer of 2.2% for Local Government staff, wef from 1 January 2015 together with a one-off non-consolidated payment of £32.99

159/14-15 Correspondence
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda and updated further at the meeting.

160/14-15 Councillors’ reports
Cllr J Nicholson referred to a motion he had put to the Full Council, some time ago, proposing an increase in the use of Complementary Medicine. He advised that the Director of Public Health had held meetings with government officials, who appeared to be very much in favour of this course of action. Copies of a leaflet promoting the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) were circulated for councillors’ information. The CNHC had been set up by the government to protect the public by providing a UK voluntary register of complementary therapists, who met national standards

161/14-15 Future Agenda Items
No additional items were requested

162/14-15 To undertake a brief review of the meeting
No comment made

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 8.40pm

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