Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 11 November 2012, 6:57 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 October 2012

Present: Councillors John Pullen (Chairman), Pat Bentley (Vice Chairman), Judith Ferris, Paul Fuller and Ray Mew

In attendance:
Barbara Herbert (Clerk and RFO)
PCSO Steve Oatley

There was one member of the public present

97/12-13 To receive and approve any apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Cllrs Chris Riddet and Derek Smith and the IW Cllr Roger Mazillius

98/12-13 Declarations of Interest
Cllr Fuller declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute No 103/12-13 Town & Country Planning as he was a member of the IW Council’s Planning Sub Committee

99/12-13 To receive a report by the Local Safety Neighbourhood Officer
PCSO Oatley presented the report of the Local Safety Neighbourhood (LSN) team on events that had taken place since the last meeting. The previous 30 days had been comparatively busy, with 12 calls having been made by local residents. Four crimes of note had taken place. Particular reference was made to these:
• An attempted burglary at the garage in Newport Road
• Two thefts in Pallance Road. These were not linked and had taken place a few weeks apart. One related to the theft of a brand new bike, which had been left securely padlocked outside of the Travellers Joy
• The unusual theft of bulbs from the indicator lights of a car parked in Greenways
On a positive note, no incidents of anti-social behaviour had been reported. However, information regarding the driving of a mini moke in Cranleigh Gardens was to be investigated.
There appeared to be a shift in behaviour pattern of crimes committed. The LSN team were to keep a watchful eye on the increase in theft, with property seeming to be being taken to order.
The member of the public present inquired if any progress had been made in respect of the recent spate of attacks on cats. PCSO Oatley advised that without a witness to the incidents coming forward, they would prove impossible to solve.
Following a question raised with regard to the break in, earlier this year, in Coronation Avenue, PCSO Oatley promised to investigate and supply a progress report in due course.

The following item of business was brought forward on the agenda in order to accommodate PCSO Oatley, who was currently on duty

100/12-13 To receive an update on the requested meeting with Mr Peter Haywood, to consider the unresolved concerns regarding road closures and roadworks held by councillors
Councillors referred to the response of Peter Haywood regarding the nine questions on highways issues raised by councillors. Mr Haywood was of the opinion that questions 2 – 6 related specifically to the Highways PFI and did not, therefore, fall within his remit. These had been passed to Malcolm Smith to answer. The clerk had sent an email reminder to Mr Smith but was still awaiting his response. Mr Hayward confirmed, to councillors’ disappointment, that he was still of the opinion that a joint meeting would not be productive.
During discussion a councillor informed of her recent contact with Mr Haywood following the two separate accidents in Cowes, both at the junction of Victoria Road with Mill Hill Road, when she had requested that a road warning sign be installed. As the accidents had been attributed to driver error, Mr Haywood had advised her that the spending of public money on changes to the junction could not be justified. Cllr Pullen, as the chairman of the Cowes Local Action Group (LAG), volunteered to take this matter forward, to be one of the priorities for the Group.
Reference was also made to the closure of the Newport Road, from the junction with Three Gates Road along to Mill Hill Road. This had resulted in an increase in traffic being diverted along the Victoria Road/Mill Hill Road route. The lack of notice of the twelve week expected closure had also caused serious problems for the No 32 community bus. This had been partially resolved by re-routing the service. The bus now served Seaview Road/Bellvue Road, with this detour having been well received by residents in that area.

RESOLVED :

THAT councillors await the response from Mr Malcolm Smith before deciding on any appropriate action to obtain a satisfactory response to all the questions raised.

101/12-13 To confirm and authorise the Chairman to sign the Minutes of the previous meeting of the Parish Council held on 4 September 2012

RESOLVED :

THAT the Minutes of the meeting held on 4 September 2012 be confirmed and the Chairman authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council.

102/12-13 Matters arising on the Minutes
Minute 76/12-13 iii Eurovia Roadstone – As instructed at the last meeting the clerk had requested Eurovia Roadstone to attend a public meeting of the Parish Council, rather than hold a closed door session. However, since the September meeting an open invitation had been extended to all residents to meet with Eurovia Roadstone at the two sessions, which took place on 28 & 29 September, at Newport Football Club

103/12-13 Town and Country Planning
Councillors noted the following decision taken since the last meeting of the Parish Council
TCP 7 Wyatts Lane, Northwood – Conditional Planning Permission for proposed alterations to roof to provide enlarged accommodation within the roofspace, to include Juliet balcony on south west elevation

104/12-13 To consider the Licensing application for a premises licence for Island Food and Gifts, 10 Westway, Cowes
RESOLVED :

THAT Northwood Parish Council submits an objection to the application for a premises licence for Island Food & Gifts, at 10 Westway, Cowes as it was considered this type of business should more properly be based on a business park and not in a residential premise. The facilities could prove to be a fire risk and potentially trigger vandalism or burglary in the area, due to the nature of the goods proposed to be stored

105/12-13 To consider the report regarding seating along the cycletrack
Cllr Fuller reported on the result of his inquiries with Alex Russell, the Senior Rights of Way officer. Ms Russell had confirmed the IW Council were the landowners along the cycletrack. The Council’s Waste Services were responsible for the maintenance of the area, having to use large equipment to cut back the under growth and grass areas. Ms Russell had highlighted that any obstruction, such as seating, could potentially either hinder or having a detrimental effect when carrying out this procedure. The installation of seating could also potentially lead to a build up of rubbish and dog excrement in the vicinity, as there was very limited dog/litter bin provision along the track.
Cllr Fuller was awaiting a response from Ms Teresa Mitchell, of Waste Services on her views regarding the viability of installing seating along the track, prior to making any investigations into costs and available funding streams

RESOLVED :

THAT the report be noted

106/12-13 To consider the report on the meeting of the Island Waste Management Committee held on 30 August 2012
Councillors were referred to the report on the meeting of the Island Waste Management Committee held on 30 August. Although the meeting had been very informative it had left Cllr Ferris with a lot of unanswered questions over the viability of the gasification plant contract and the recycling process practised on the island. Sight of the financial information on waste management would also be very interesting.
Cllr Fuller, as a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, volunteered to try and facilitate a meeting between Cllr Ferris and Cllr Vanessa Churchman, the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee, so that any concerns could be raised.

RESOLVED :

THAT Cllr Fuller try to facilitate a meeting between Cllr Ferris and Cllr Vanessa Churchman, the Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in order to discuss her concerns of the recycling process practised on the island

Cllr Fuller declared a non pecuniary interest in the following item of business, as he was a governor at Northwood Primary school

107/12-13 To consider the letter from the Headteacher of Northwood Primary school regarding the proposal to register the school’s interest in becoming an Academy within the Department of Education

RESOLVED :

THAT an invitation be extended to the Headteacher, Miss Sarah Hussey, or an appropriate representative of the school, to attend the November meeting of the Parish Council to assist councillors in taking an informed decision on the proposal to register the school’s interest in becoming an Academy.

108/12-13 To establish a Precept Working Party to consider a draft Precept for 2013/14

RESOLVED :

THAT a Precept Working Party be established comprising of Cllrs John Pullen, Paul Fuller and the clerk in order to determine a draft Precept for the year 2013/14, for consideration at the meeting in November.

109/12-13 To consider making a response to the consultation on the Isle of Wight Council’s preferred option following Government Changes to Council Tax Benefit

RESOLVED :

THAT councillors make individual responses to the consultation on the Isle of Wight Council’s preferred option following Government Changes to Council Tax Benefit, if they so wish.

110/12-13 To approve for any members interested in attending the training events organized by either IWALC or the Community Action, Isle of Wight

Cllrs Ferris and Smith had both declared their intention in attending the two Planning training sessions on 7 and 13 November.

RESOLVED :

THAT councillors advise the clerk if they wish to attend any of the training sessions being provided by IWALC or the Community Action, Isle of Wight

111/12-13 To receive an update in respect of the Street Games initiative
Cllr Ferris advised of her positive discussions with Stuart Chatfield, IW Cricket Development Manager and John and Ashley Goldsmith of Northwood Cricket Club. They had agreed to offer fun cricket training to the four local Primary schools, once a week, after school, commencing after the October half term. Funding had also been obtained from ‘Chance to Shine’, to be used as prizes and additional equipment.
However, the preferred venue, the Cowes Muga, was conditioned against ‘private’ use. Although it was believed that a precedent had been set in the past. The correct process involved a formal request to be submitted to Cowes Town Council’s Northwood Recreation Committee. If approved, it would then need to be endorsed at a meeting of the Cowes Town Council. Due to the timescale of meetings this could take until 19 November before any final decision could be taken.
Councillors accepted that the decision making process had to be followed, but voiced their frustration and concern that the enthusiasm for the scheme could wane in the meantime.

RESOLVED :

i THAT Cllr Ferris contact Mr Lee Matthews, the IW Council’s Community Development Manager to seek his advice and support for the project;
ii. THAT the local Primary schools be approached to garner their support for the scheme, to ensure that a strong argument could be submitted to the Northwood Recreation Committee.

112/12-13 To receive progress reports from Working Party leads
a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
In the absence of Cllr Riddet, Cllr Pullen advised of the new buses now provided by Southern Vectis. The number of volunteer drivers was becoming an issue. A resident in Gurnard had expressed an interest and this needed to be followed up. Cllr Riddet had taken a strong stance in the successful re-routing of the 32 bus along Seaview Road.

b. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
Volunteers were required towards the end of the month, so to remove the existing summer bedding in readiness for the winter planting. A number of councillors agreed to assist, subject to their availability.

c. Parish Plan Update Working Party
Councillors had been circulated with an updated copy of the proposed Parish Plan Survey and accompanying letter. Three quotations had been received, with the preferred contractor being Wight365. Their quotation of £250.00 included the design, layout and a print run of 1400 copies. The Survey, once agreed could be produced within a two week timescale.
Councillors discussed how best to circulate the Survey to all the properties in Northwood. It was agreed that to ensure a high return the best option would be to deliver and collect the form by hand. To assist councillors undertake this process, a request for willing volunteers, was to be inserted in the next edition of the Northwood News. Cllr Fuller would also provide a report on the Strategic Housing Land Availability Sites (SHLAA) for the same edition. Additionally, further information on the SHLAA sites would be displayed on the notice board.

RESOLVED :

i. THAT the proposed
ii. Cllr P Bentley be authorised to design the Parish Plan Survey form;
iii. THAT Wight365 be approved as the preferred contractor, to print the 1400 forms at a maximum cost of £250.00;
iv. THAT Cllr Fuller to produce an article regarding the potential SHLAA sites for the Northwood News;
v. THAT a request for willing volunteers also be inserted in the next edition of the Northwood News

113/12-13 To receive the report for information of Cllr R Mazillius, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
The report of Cllr R Mazillius, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood had been circulated by email prior to the meeting.

114/12-13 To receive an update on the IW Association of Local Councils (IWALC)
The report on the meeting of IWALC held 20 September was received and noted.

115/12-13 To note the report regarding the latest meeting of the Cowes Local Action Group
The report of the Cowes Local Action Group held on 12 September was received and noted. Cllr Fuller agreed to continue to provide a copy of the Minutes of future meetings. At the last LAG meeting speeding along the Newport Road had formed one of the priorities. The Chairman agreed to take forward the recent highway issues along Mill Hill Road to the next meeting.

116/12-13 Clerk’s Report
Finance
i. The interim budget statement to the end of September 2012 and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 50 was received and noted.

ii. The half yearly budget statement to the end of September 2012 was received and noted.

iii. To confirm the payment of cheque No 000281, £30.00, Mr W Suttman, volunteer bus driver expenses

RESOLVED :

THAT payment of cheque No 000281, for £30.00, to Mr W Suttman be confirmed to be financed from the bus donations received.

iii. To authorise payment of cheques:

RESOLVED :

THAT payment of the following cheques be approved:
000282, £47.97, Mrs B Herbert, Clerks Expenses
000283, £12.04, Chale Parish Council, Photocopying
000284, £162.00, Audit Commission, Audit fee 2011/12
000285, £800.00, Jason Wadsworth, Watering of planters/tubs

117/12-13 Correspondence
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda and updated further at the meeting.

118/12-13 Councillors’ reports
There were no matters reported.

119/12-13 Future agenda items
The clerk advised of the receipt of a letter from BNRG Renewables advising of their intention to submit a planning application for Chawton Farm to host a solar power development. They advised that they would be willing to attend a future meeting to discuss the proposal further. The clerk to make contact to determine a suitable date.

120/12-13 To undertake a brief review of the meeting
Councillors felt the meeting had been very constructive.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 8.30 PM.

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