Northwood Parish Council

Posted by NPC Admin on 4 April 2012, 10:12 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 6 March 2012

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

In attendance: Robert Blezzard (Locum Clerk)
                        IW Cllr Roger Mazillius, the Ward member for Cowes South
                        and Northwood
                        PCSO Steve Oatley
                        Dr John Yelland representing residents in respect of the Camp
                        Hill Wind Energy Proposals
                        Mrs Ann Thwaites, Chairman of Northwood House Trustees

There were 27 members of the public present at the commencement of the meeting.

200/11-12 Apologies
Apologies had been received from Cllr D Smith

201/11-12 Declarations of Interest

Cllr Fuller declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute 203/11-12 as he was a member of the Isle of Wight Council’s Planning Committee and in the interests of balance it was important for him not to be present as he had withdrawn from the counter proposals by Mr John Mills the previous month.
Cllr Bentley declared a personal and prejudicial interest in Minute 203/11-12 as he lived close to the Camp Hill Wind Energy site.
Cllr Ferris declared a personal interest in Minute 203/11-12 as Rob Sauvern of Vestas is a personal friend.
Cllr Fuller declared a personal interest in Minute 204/11-12 as he knows Mrs Ann Thwaites and is a Trustee of Northwood House.
Cllr Fuller declared a personal interest in Minute 209/11-12 ii as he is a member of the Northwood Community Partnership.

202/11-12 To receive a report by the Local Safety Neighbourhood Officer, plus an opportunity to discuss local policing priorities
Councillors agreed to bring forward the report by PCSO Oatley as he was currently on duty.
PCSO Oatley reported that February had been a very good month with only eight calls to the village of Northwood and one reported crime, the theft of a bottle of milk. There were problems at Lutons Farm where fences and horses had been moved at the area near the pond. This is not currently being treated as a criminal matter but is causing some concern. The Police would welcome any information from the public about this matter.

Prior to the next item of business Cllrs Bentley and Fuller left the meeting chamber.

203/11-12 To receive a presentation by Dr John Yelland on a resident’s perspective of the Camp Hill Wind Energy Proposals
Councillors agreed to bring forward this item as Mrs Thwaites had been delayed.
The Chairman welcomed Dr John Yelland, a resident of the Camp Hill area who was to make a presentation on the Camp Hill wind energy proposals.
Dr Yelland, with the aid of a power point presentation and scale models explained his concerns about the Camp Hill wind energy proposals. The proposed wind turbines with a height of 410 feet would be higher than Big Ben. The turbine blades would be 295 feet in diameter and would totally dominate the area. The proximity to residential properties is unacceptable. In Denmark and New Zealand wind farms must be set back at least 2KM and there are similar guidelines in Scotland. In Germany the clearance is 1.5KM. Eon imposes a 750M clearance on its developments and Vestas Operations Manual requires a 400M clearance. In England there is currently no legal limit although two bills are before Parliament which would deliver a 2KM clearance. The two proposed turbines would be much closer to residential properties.
Dr Yelland then turned to the issue of flicker and noise. Flicker can be mitigated by switching off the turbines for an hour at Sunrise and Sunset but this will be expensive for the company. The problem of noise can only be solved by adequate setback. Existing guidelines on noise are sixteen years old and out of date as turbines are now much bigger and there is more infrasound. A couple from Lincolnshire successfully sued EDF Energy for £2.5 M due to excessive noise. The noise for nearby properties is equivalent to a road drill or chainsaw. Dr Yelland used models to demonstrate the dominance of the turbines over nearby properties and also using a picture taken from Rew Street one and a half miles away from the proposed wind farm site.
Dr Yelland referred to the impact on wildlife: birds, red squirrels, great crested newts, badgers and bats. Whilst figures of birds killed in the UK is anecdotal the figures in the USA amount to 440,000 per year. There are also more bats (with flight heights of 10 to 120 metres) killed than birds by wind farms.
Dr Yelland then highlighted a range of disagreements with the presentations made on behalf of the applicants, one of which had resulted in the applicant’s representative revising his estimate and issuing an apology. Doubts were expressed about the effectiveness of the applicant’s consultation process.
Dr Yelland drew attention to the dangers of fire and blade throw. If a turbine caught fire which does happen, burning debris the size of a small bus could fall in Parkhurst Forest. A picture showing the effect of a dislodged blade was shown. It was pointed out that the tip of the blade when rotating can travel at 193 mph. A dislodged blade has been known to travel 1.4KM.
Finally, Dr Yelland stated that he was not against turbines, just against them being sited in the wrong place.
Councillors and members of the public raised a number of questions to which Dr Yelland responded.
The Chairman thanked Dr Yelland for his very informative presentation.

Councillors Bentley and Fuller rejoined the meeting.

203/11-12 To receive a presentation on Northwood House from Mrs Ann Thwaites, Chairman of Northwood House Trustees
The Chairman welcomed Mrs Ann Thwaites, Chairman of Northwood House Trustees who gave a presentation on Northwood House, with additional comments from Mrs Liz McKenzie and Mr Philip Thwaites.

Mrs Thwaites referred to the progress made since the Trustees had taken over Northwood House. The Rotunda car park had been a mess with free parking on the approach road and in the car park, often by people not using the house or park. The car park has been cleaned up and parking bays have been marked. A management company has been appointed for a set fee to manage the car park and issue penalty notices. After the payment of the management fee all income comes to the Trust. The previous free parking for the first hour arrangements have been replaced with a 50p charge.
There are now six trustees appointed who do not take any pay or expenses. There are also a number of unpaid advisers who bring specific skills to the organisation. There are two paid employees, a house manager and an administrator. Cleaners and security staff are brought in as needed on an agency basis. The trustees are looking to transfer responsibility for the operation to a limited company and negotiations on this matter are ongoing with the Charity Commission.
Councillor raised a number of questions which the visitors answered.
The Chairman thanked Mrs Thwaites and her colleagues for a very informative presentation.

204/11-12 To confirm the Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on 7 February 2012

RESOLVED:

That The Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 7 February 2012 be confirmed and the Chairman authorised to sign them on behalf of the Parish Council.

205/11 -12 To receive any matters arising on the Minutes not requiring a resolution
Minute 194/11 -12 a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party: Members had before them a response from Peter Hayward, Head of Highways at the Isle of Wight Council in response to concerns raised about traffic hold-ups caused by road works in Newport Road and the absence of diversions. The reply stated that due to the road works moving from Stag Lane/Noke Common to the prisons/hospital area a diversion would only have been useful for a limited period. Whilst the works are preparatory prior to this year’s surface dressing and should progress quickly the scope for diversionary routes will be looked at. The response was noted but see also Minute 211/11-12.
Minute 189/11-12 To consider participating in the Green Street project: Councillor Ferris reported that she had obtained the Green Street flyer.

206/11-12 Town and Country Planning
a. To confirm the Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held Tuesday 21 February 2012.

RESOLVED:

That The Minutes of the Meeting of the Planning Committee held on 21 February 2011 be confirmed.

b. To consider the following 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/30771/C BAE Systems (Defence Systems) Ltd, Newport Road, Cowes – New stairway and walkway to existing test tower.

RESOLVED:

That this Parish Council raises no material objections to application TCP/30771/C BAE Systems (Defence Systems) Ltd, Newport Road, Cowes – New stairway and walkway to existing tower.

ii. TCP/30771/B BAE Systems (Defence Systems) Ltd, Newport Road, Cowes – Proposed replacement mast and equipment enclosure.

RESOLVED:

That this Parish Council raises no material objection to application TCP/30771B BAE Systems (Defence Systems) Ltd, Newport Road, Cowes – Proposed replacement mast and equipment enclosure.

iii. A/00137/W Northwood Garage, 341 – 351 Newport Road, Cowes – Internally illuminated totem sign; 2 internally illuminated service signs; non-illuminated entrance gate

RESOLVED:

That this Parish Council raises no material objection to application A/00137/W Northwood Garage, 341 – 351 Newport Road, Cowes – Internally illuminated totem sign, 2 internally illuminated service signs; non-illuminated entrance gate.

c. The following decision taken by the Local Planning Authority since the last meeting of the Parish Council was noted:
TCP/30768 land rear of 7 and 9 Pallance Road, Cowes, Isle of Wight PO31- Conditional Planning Permission for proposed chalet bungalow with detached garage chalet bungalow, formation of access off Selman Gardens (revised plans).

207/11-12 To consider any action following the decision on the three applications submitted for matched funding under the IW Council’s Economic Development Fund
The Chairman reported that the applications to the Isle of Wight Council’s Economic Improvement Fund for £1,600 towards the cost of replacement flooring to the Chapel at Northwood Cemetery and £750 towards the costs of planting and watering the 28 tubs and planters around the village had been approved. However, the application towards the cost of a Housing Needs Survey had been rejected. Members considered that the Housing Needs Survey was a vital part of the regeneration of Northwood. It was noted that Gurnard Parish Council and Ventnor Town Council had been given two weeks grace to submit further information in respect of initially rejected applications.

RESOLVED:

That the Locum Clerk contacts the Isle of Wight Council with a request for two weeks grace to re submit the application for Economic Improvement Funding for the Housing Needs Survey.

208/11-12 To receive an update on Youth Representation on the Parish Council following the meeting with Cowes Enterprise College
Councillor Riddet reported on a meeting he had attended with Councillor Fuller at the Cowes Enterprise College to discuss youth representation on the Parish Council. It was suggested that a Year 10 student at the College, preferably living in Northwood could be asked to attend Council meetings and to get involved in the Housing Needs Survey.

RESOLVED:

That a Year 10 student at the Cowes Enterprise College, preferably living in Northwood or the near vicinity be invited to become involved in working with the Parish Council, and specifically on the Housing Needs Survey.

209/11-12 Clerk’s Report
Finance

i. The interim budget statement to the end of February 2012 and the bank reconciliation with Statement No 43 was received and noted.

ii. To authorise payment of Cheque No 000256, £150, Northwood Community Partnership, Grant towards the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

RESOLVED:

That payment of cheque No 000256 be approved.

210/11-12 Report of Cllr R Mazillius, the IWC Ward Member for Cowes South and Northwood
The report of IW Cllr R Mazillius, tabled for information was noted. Cllr Mazillius added that the Cowes Town Council Diamond Jubilee concert is going ahead.

211/11-12 Progress Reports for information from Working Parties
a. Traffic and Transport Issues Working Party
Councillor Riddet reported that the Bus Group finally has a bank account, although it is not currently known how much money the Group has and the promised grant from the Isle of Wight Council has not yet been received. The community bus is running well and there will now be two daily journeys via Rew Street which the drivers will monitor. One journey has been cut out altogether because of the tight timings. The new arrangements will become operational on Monday 2 April.
With regard to the issue of road works members drew attention to the delays caused by ongoing works. It was considered that fundamental mistakes had been made in the IW Council not setting up diversions and it was also noted that the signage was of a very poor quality.It was understood that the works in Mill Hill Road and Newport Road Cowes were due to the replacement of gas mains and this was outside the control of IW Council. Members considered that it would be helpful if more notice could be given of proposed road works.

b. Northwood in Bloom Working Party
The Chairman reported that the £4,000 funding by the Isle of Wight Council has been put back into the budget for the coming year. There is also Wightlink sponsorship of £2,000. Grants to individual groups have been cut down from £300 to £200. Plants are now available through a mainland nursery owned by the John O’Connor Group which has now won a contract with the Isle of Wight Council. Members expressed disappointment that plants are no longer being supplied through Ryde House Nursery.

RESOLVED:
That the Locum Clerk writes to the Isle of Wight Council expressing concern that Ryde House Nursery is no longer being supported by Wight in Bloom.

c. Neighbourhood Plan Working Party
No report was given. It was considered that it is too early to be working on a Neighbourhood Plan given that information on the requirements is still very sketchy.
d. Parish Plan Working Party
Members considered that the priority was to get funding for the Housing Needs Survey.

IW Cllr Mazillius left the meeting.

212/11-12 Update on the IW Association of Local Councils
Cllr Pullen’s report, circulated with the agenda for information was noted.

213/11-12 Correspondence
Correspondence received was listed in the report circulated with the agenda was noted.

214/11-12 Councillors’ Reports
No reports were given.

215/11-12 Future Agenda Items
April Meeting
The Annual Report of the Parish Council
Wendy Pareara, to talk about the Housing Needs Survey
A Future Meeting
Ann Thwaites for a further update on Northwood House.

216/11-12 To undertake a brief review of the meeting
Did well given there were two presentations.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN CLOSED THE MEETING AT 8.40PM
Signed…………………………………….. Dated…………………………….