GENERAL MEETING

 

The MINUTES of a GENERAL MEETING held in the Board Room, Town Hall, Derby Road, Peel on Thursday 17th April 2008 at 7.00p.m.

 

 

Present                         Mrs. P S Sweeney (Chairman)

                                    Mr. I Baker

                                    Mrs. T M Birkett

                                    Mr. R M Gimbert 

                                    Ms. P Hardman

                                    Mr. D J Lace

                                    Mr. J E Lightfoot

                                    Mrs. C A Moughtin

                                    Mrs. P Pugh

 

In attendance                Mr. P G Leadley (Town Clerk)

                                    Mr. R Baker (Curator)

                                    Mrs. C Horton (Librarian)

 

CHAIRMAN’S           07/464               The Chairman welcomed the Press to her

WELCOME                                          last meeting and indicated that following funds raised at two end of year Commissioners parties a significant sum of money had been raised through two raffles which had enabled cheque of £120 to be presented to the local scout, cubs, brownies, beavers, rainbows and to Mr. Baker the organiser of the children’s Christmas party. 

 

                                                              Mrs. Sweeney and Mr. Lace presented cheques to the organisers of these groups. 

 

                                                              The Chairman wished to thank all her fellow members during the past busy year along with the Town Clerk, Technical Officer, Town Hall staff and the outdoor staff for all their hard work.  She wished the Town Clerk to pass on the condolences of the Board members to Mr. Quayle following the recent loss of his father. 

 

                                                              Following the Commissioners presentation to  Chief Executives and politicians in April 2007 the determined approach by the Board to develop Peel commercially had continued and Mrs. Sweeney was sure that this would progress under the Chairmanship of Mrs. Birkett.  Over the past eight years a number of changes had taken place in Peel and she felt these were for the betterment of the Town.  Mrs. Sweeney wished to thank all members of the Board who were retiring at the same time as herself and particularly referred to Mr. Lightfoot who had completed twenty eight years service as a Commissioner.

 

                                                              Mrs. Moughtin wished to associate herself with the Chairman’s remarks and also indicated her appreciation to Mrs. Sweeney not only as a friend but as a leader of the Commissioners during the past year.  Mrs. Moughtin concluded that the Town had a rosy future and was keen for the new Board to continue its drive to improve Peel. 

 

                                                              Due to another commitment Mrs. Moughtin left the meeting at 7.20p.m. 

 

                                                              The Chairman concluded her remarks by indicating that her last appointment would be to represent the Commissioners at the opening of the extension to the Peel Clothworkers School on 23rd April 2008. 

 

MINUTES                   07/465               The Minutes of the meeting held on 20th March 2008 were taken as read and CONFIRMED. 

 

WARD LIBRARY       07/466               Mrs. Horton presented the Ward Library annual report and indicated that following a successful centenary celebration in 2007 membership had increased significantly.  At the request of the Chairman it was AGREED that the new Board review the amount of funding for the purchase of books.  Mrs. Horton indicated that the total for the last year’s book expenditure had not been fully spent.  Bearing in mind the increased costs of books it was AGREED that a review take place. 

 

                                                              It was confirmed that the refurbishment by the outdoor staff of the Ward Library had been successful and improved the appearance of the library without detracting from its character.  It was further AGREED that the former flat above the library be inspected with a view to possible improvements.  At the present time the former flat was used for storage purposes.  A proposal from Mr. Gimbert that the Ward Library join the all island inter-library loan system was seconded by Mrs. Birkett and carried unanimously.

 

                                                              Mrs. Horton indicated that a publicity campaign to launch the National Year of Reading would commence the following week.  NOTED 

 

                                                              The Chairman wished to extend her thanks to the Librarian for her submission of concise reports over the past eight years.  NOTED

 

LEECE MUSEUM      07/467               Mr. Baker the Curator presented his quarterly report and it was noted that visitor numbers for the winter period since January 2008 was in excess of 500 which was an increase on previous years. Reference was made to the proposed alteration to the central heating system and the Town Clerk tabled a written quotation from Mr. Dawson, plumber in the sum of £4,670.00.  It was AGREED that this new system be installed which would provide additional exhibition space for the museum. 

 

                                                              Members noted that the Leece Museum Trustees were applying for charitable status.  Mr. Baker confirmed that a display would take place during the TT fortnight as in previous years.

 

VIKINGS OF              07/468               Consideration was given to a letter from Mr.

MANN                                                 Baker of the Vikings of Mann indicating the specific details for its day of entertainment on the 10th May 2008 at Peel Campsite.  In addition the group wished to raise funds to be able to provide continued heritage entertainments of this nature and requested a flag day on 10th May.  AGREED  The Vikings of Mann also wished to sell certain items on the day and it was AGREED that a street trading licence be issued at a cost of £5. 

 

                                                              Mr. Baker and Mrs. Horton left the meeting at 7.35p.m.

 

HEAVY GOODS        07/469               Reference was made back to Minute 07/430

VEHICLES                                           and it was noted that the issue of HGV traffic in the town particularly Church Street had been discussed at the recent meeting of the Western Traffic Management Liaison Group. It was noted that Mr. Sewell of the Department of Transport had indicated likely objections from rural residents if heavy goods vehicle traffic was required to by-pass Peel by taking the coast road via Kirk Michael.  Members still felt the rural objections should be outweighed by objections from more residents within the town.  Mr. Lace also enquired as to whether his suggestion that the Fenella beach car park be extended by blasting the adjacent hill face could be pursued.  The Town Clerk advised that the matter had been referred from Captain Brew of the Harbours Division to Mr. Christopher within the Department although it was previously noted that the Department was not in favour of such a scheme.      

 

PROMENADE            07/470               Upon enquiry from Mr. Gimbert the Town

KIOSK                                                 Clerk referred back to Minute 07/440 and confirmed that the temporary tent to be erected alongside the kiosk on the occasion of special events and the Peel Beach Mission holiday would be removed between such events.

 

ROAD GULLIES        07/471               Mr. Gimbert referred back to Minute 07/444 and indicated that certain road gullies were still blocked.  In particular he referred to the one at the top of Stanley Road.  Reference was made to the Department of Transport scheme for gully clearance and it was AGREED that a request be made to view the schedule of cleaning. 

 

EDUCATION BILL    07/472               Members gave consideration to a draft Bill

2008                                                      entitled Education (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2008.  Mrs. Birkett indicated that the draft appeared practical and dealt appropriately with certain issues.  Mr. Lightfoot indicated that the current Board of Education was a body elected by public vote and indicated that if the Bill became law the panel of governors would replace the Board and be elected by the Department.  It was Mr. Lightfoot’s view that if matters were not “broken they did not need to be fixed”.  It was suggested that a letter be sent to the Department of Education copied to Mr. Crookall, MHK querying the reason for change and what benefits would accrue from this piece of legislation. 

 

FIRST                          07/473               Members noted receipt of the first

SUPPLEMENTAL VALUATION        supplemental valuation list for 2008. 

LIST                                                      NOTED

 

 

 

 

VIKING                      07/474               Members approved a request from the Viking

LONGBOAT RACES                           Longboat Race organisers in its application for a road closure order to the Department of Transport.

 

ONE WORLD             07/475               Consideration was given to a letter from the

CENTRE                                               One World Centre which wished to display decorative plaques on building hoardings around the Town during the summer months commencing July 5th 2008.  AGREED

 

CROSBY AND           07/476               Consideration was given to a request from the

DISTRICT SILVER BAND                  Crosby and District Silver Band to perform Christmas carols in Michael Street during December 2008 in the lead up to Christmas.  AGREED  It was also indicated that a request be made to the band to play carol music at the Christmas lights switching on ceremony. 

 

TYNWALD                 07/477               The Town Clerk referred to an invitation to the

GARDEN PARTY                                Commissioners for a representative to attend the Tynwald Garden party on Sunday 6th July 2008 at The Nunnery.  Mrs. Birkett indicated that she would give consideration to the invitation and her possible attendance.

 

ABATEMENT             07/478               The Town Clerk referred to a letter from Mr.

NOTICE                                               Shakespeare of Street Heritage Limited which updated the Commissioners on work carried out to remove the various items of refuse required under the issue of the recent abatement notice.  NOTED

 

TT ROAD                    07/479               Upon request from the Road Safety Unit of the

SAFETY UNIT                                     Department of Transport permission was given for the erection and display of an 8ft by 4ft bill board to promote road safety during the TT and Manx Grand Prix periods to be displayed at Peel Campsite. 

 

VINTAGE                   07/480               The Town Clerk indicated that the Vintage

MOTORCYCLE CLUB                       Motorcycle Club would hold a run on “Mad Sunday” 1st June 2008  and wished to terminate it around lunchtime in Peel.  It would coincide with the Peel entertainment day and was likely to be extremely busy on the Promenade.  The Vintage members would look to terminate on the outskirts of Peel possibly in the region of the Ballawattleworth Estate with the participants being advised of the attractions on offer in Peel and left to make their own decisions about attending.  It was also AGREED to extend an invitation to the Vintage Club members to attend Peel on Thursday of TT Week when the sand racing took place. 

 

 

 

GOLF CLUB               07/481               Mr. Lace as representative on behalf of the Chairman wished to extend his thanks to Peel Golf Club for their kind invitation for him to attend the gentlemen’s dinner. 

 

                                                              In addition Mr. Lace wished to extend his thanks to the people of Peel who supported his nomination to stand again as a Commissioner for the next four years. 

 

PEELONLINE            07/482               Mr. Lightfoot wished to comment on the press

WEBSITE                                             article in which his comments about the delay in placing the Board agenda on the Commissioners website had been misinterpreted and as a result he had spoken to Mr. Littler to rectify the situation. NOTED

 

NURSING HOME      07/483               Mr. Lightfoot referred to the new nursing home being built at Ballatessan Meadow and indicated that rumour in the Town was such that there would be no staff to operate the facility.  If this was true then the developer should make a suitable statement. 

 

PLANNED                  07/484               Mr. Lightfoot referred to the Glenfaba

MAINTENANCE                                 Road/North View refurbishment scheme and indicated that to date none of the tenants had been advised of the intended programme and its time scale.  The Town Clerk indicated that he would liaise with the contract administrators to ensure information was delivered to the tenants at the appropriate time when a contractor had been appointed. 

 

PEEL                           07/485               Mr. Lightfoot enquired as to when the wooden

PROMENADE                                     boards erected alongside the railings on Peel Promenade were to be removed.  The Chairman stated that the Department of Transport had indicated that they would be removed prior to the May Day bank holiday.  NOTED

 

NATIONAL                07/486               Mr. Lightfoot referred to recent publicity over

SPORTS STADIUM                             the euphoria concerning the proposed building of a national stadium in Douglas.  As Government owned land in and around the West particularly the St. Johns area it was suggested that this central location could provide a much better site for a sports stadium.  It was AGREED that an appropriate letter be sent to the Department of Tourism and Leisure and copied to German Commissioners and Mr. Crookall, MHK in this respect. 

 

PICNIC                       07/487               Mr. Gimbert enquired as to when the picnic

TABLE                                                  table to be replaced on the headlands would be installed.  The Town Clerk undertook to refer the matter to the Technical Officer for installation of a new table prior to the summer season.  

 

CASTLE                      07/488               Mr. Gimbert requested that an assessment of

STREET GARDENS                             the effectiveness of the solar light in the Castle Street garden be undertaken. 

 

                                                              Arising therefrom Mr. Gimbert enquired as to the time frame for installation of the beach shower and groyne on Peel beach.  The Town Clerk undertook to provide a time frame in due course.  Mr. Gimbert referred to the gate leading up to Peel Hill and indicated that it had been damaged by the fish processors.  It was AGREED that the gate be assessed as to damage and likely replacement or otherwise.

 

BALLAQUANE          07/489               Mr. Lace referred back to Minute C07/424 and

ROUNDABOUT                                  indicated that both he and Mr. Quayle, Technical Officer had visited the location to assess the possible solution to the visibility difficulty.  It was noted that staff at the Department of Transport were exploring various options to improve safety at this location and it was AGREED that a letter be issued to Hazel Fletcher of the Department asking for the outcome of the recent Department of Transport survey.

 

BALLWATTLE-         07/490               Reference was made back to the agreement that

WORTH ESTATE                                the Department of Transport would look to reduce the height of the speed humps in the Ballawattleworth Estate to enable bus access.  It was AGREED that a letter be sent to the Department of Transport and copied to Mr. Crookall, MHK seeking an update on this work.

 

                                                              This part of the meeting ended at 8.25p.m.