GODSHILL PARISH COUNCIL
Clerk Gareth Hughes
Westfield House, Shore Road, Ventnor, Isle of Wight PO38 1RF Tel 01983 853232
A MEETING OF GODSHILL PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD AT THE VILLAGE HALL, GODSHILL AT 7.30 PM ON MONDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER 2016.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Councillors Banks,Button,Child, Diment, Dyer and Thrower.
ALSO IN ATTENDANCE: G Hughes (Clerk), IW Councillor Downer and six members of the
public..
7.00pm to 7.30pm time allocated for residents of Godshill Parish to speak to the Council on
Parish Council matter
..
126/16 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None
127/16 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None
128/16 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 25TH JULY 2016.
On the proposition of Mrs Banks, seconded by Mrs Button it was -
RESOLVED: That the minutes be approved.
129/16 LOCAL COORDINATOR ROLE
On the suggestion of the Chairman it was agreed to bring this item to the start of
the meeting. Heather Rowell and Jenny Boulton of the Local Area Coordination Team
were in attendance for this item and made a presentation detailing the role and work
of the team. Exemplifications were given as to how members of the community had
been assisted and the resultant community involvement. Mrs Button asked how the
role fitted with the ‘My Life a Full Life’ programme to which it had links. It was
suggested that the Godshill Community Bus may be an area with which the
programme could be involved. It was agreed that the Clerk would use the Village
News, the noticboard and website to publicise the programme.
RESOLVED: The scheme be supported and the Clerk to discuss potential areas of use
with Jenny Boulton.
130/16 MATTERS ARISING
The Chairman reported that she had conducted a staff appraisal with the Clerk, the
record of which would be circulated to all Councillors. Mr Diment advised that
current Standing Orders provided that the appraisal should be carried out by the
Council. It was suggested that this was something that would form part of the
forthcoming review of Standing Orders.
The Clerk reported that he had discussed the situation of the slide at May Close
with the Councils insurers and again with the Safety Inspector who had previously
recommended its removal from the site. The Chairman welcomed comments by Mrs
Rann and Mrs Eastgate on the current situation and the popularity of the slide with
users of the site. Mr Leigh Smallman was in attendance and he had carried out a
repair to the arm of the slide which was of a good standard. The Clerk advised that
the Safety Inspectors advice was that due to its basic design failing to meet health &
safety requirements, that the slide should still be removed regardless of its condition
and the standard of effected repair. The Clerk would seek confirmation of this
advice and obtain a second quote for its removal, Mr Smallman offered to try and
investigate alternative use or removal of the slide. In the meantime signage would
again be placed advising of danger and that the slide should not be used.
The Council expressed its thanks to Mr Smallman for his work and input to the
meeting.
131/16 FINANCE – ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT
On the proposition of Mrs Banks, seconded by Mrs Button the following cheque
payments were approved –
CHEQUE NO PAYEE AMOUNT
£
0001176 G HUGHES – EXPENSES (TWO MONTHS) 168.26
0001177 TOP MOPS – CONTRACT PAYMENT 528.53
0001178 TOP MOPS Re Drain Clearance 196.15
0001179 P BUTTON – COSTS AT BUSY BEE 15.00
132/16 PLANNING APPLICATIONS
The following planning application was considered –
TCP/07826/M:Little Dolcoppice Farm Dolcoppice Lane Whitwell Ventnor Isle
of Wight. Variation of condition 2 on TCP/07826/L alterations
to approved holiday accommodation
RESOLVED: To make no objection to the applications.
133/16 PLANNING DECISIONS
The following planning decisions had been circulated –
1.TCP/32716: Sandford Methodist Church, Sandford. Change of use from church to
Residential. Refused.
2.TCP/20518/C: 5 Ternal Mead, Godshill. Single/two storey side extension. Refused.
RESOLVED: That the decisions be noted.
134/16 PUBLIC CONVENIENCES
The Clerk circulated a report updating Councillors regarding aspects of the operation
of the public conveniences. The report included the following items –
1.The signs advising of the Councils management and future refurbishment of the
public conveniences had been completed and would be placed in the public
conveniences in the coming week.
2. Soap dispensers were being filled but there was a problem with the dispensing
mechanism in the gents, the Clerk had advised Wallgate of this fault.
3. Mr Read had been asked to cut back the tree overhanging the path to the ladies.
4. The IW Council as part of the proposed transfer of the freehold of the premises,
was proposing an option whereby it could repurchase the public conveniences for
the sale price of a £1 for up to a 21 year period. The IW Council had advised that
this was necessary in order that it could satisfy legislative requirements of ‘Best
Value’ Many local councils had indicated that this was not acceptable or
consistent with the proposed partnership working with local councils. It was
agreed to seek a meeting with the IW Council prior to any further action on the
transfer of freehold.
Mrs Button advised that visitors had called in The Smithy to say that the Disabled
Toilet was locked. The Clerk advised that the disabled toilet was one that was
a locked facility and only accessible by a key which was available on a generic
basis to fit all conveniences with such locks.
It was suggested that potential financial savings could be achieved by closure of
the public conveniences in the winter months. This could however attract costs
arising from the suspension of ongoing works and may need changes to the
contract already agreed with Top Mops. The Clerk would investigate the potential
for this option and report to the October meeting of the Council.
RESOLVED: The report of the Clerk be noted and a meeting be arranged with the
IW Council to discuss aspects of the proposed transfer of freehold
of the public conveniences, to include the grassed area adjacent to
the public conveniences.
135/16 CENTRAL MEAD
The Garden Group continued to meet on Wednesday morning at Central Mead. The
Chairman expressed her thanks to all attending and in particular
Mr Thrower & Mr Cantelo for their recent input.
.
136/16 PLAYING FIELD & CHILDRENS AND YOUNG PEOPLES CHARITY
The Chairman reported that Nikki Collinson was continuing to work on plans for
future playground provision and it was anticipated that full public consultation on
future provision would take place early in the new year.
It was noted that there had been speculation and rumour in the village regarding
future plans for May Close and Central Mead. The Parish Council valued both sites
and the benefit they bring to the community and no changes to the current situation
would be considered before the full public consultation.
Having regard to earlier discussion (see minute 130/16) it was agreed that a decision
on the future of slide should be ratified by a meeting of the Childrens & Young
Peoples Charity trustees.
137/16 STANDING ORDERS
The Clerk had circulated by e mail a copy of a document based on a NALC template.
Having regard to the length of the document it was agreed to defer detailed
consideration until the October meeting. The Clerk would supply members with a
paper copy of the document well in advance of the October meeting. Mr Diment
advised that all Councillors should be provided with a paper copy of current Standing
Orders.
RESOLVED: That the review of Standing Orders be deferred to the October meeting
and the Clerk supply a paper copy to all members requesting such.
138/16 SHEEPWASH LANE RESURFACING
Mr Diment had expressed his concern at the impact of works on local residents. It
was recognised that the Island Roads programme would have an impact on all island
residents at some stage. Island Roads were contacting all local residents prior to the
commencement of works in their locality in order to minimise disruption and
residents were invited to contact Island Roads with any concerns or local
requirements.
RESOLVED: That the works be noted.
.
139/16 SOLENT COMBINED AUTHORITY
A consultation document from the IW Council had been circulated regarding a
proposed combined authority for the Isle of Wight Council, Portsmouth City Council
and Southampton City Council. A proposed submission document for all people
wishing to comment was introduced by the Chairman, the closing date for
submissions being the 18th September. The proposed new Authority was set to be
headed by a locally elected Mayor and it was advised that this would bring funding of
£900 million over a thirty year period, the sum to be spread over the current area of
the three current Councils concerned.
The Clerk had distributed for information details of a number of submissions already
made to the IW Council by other local councils. It was generally felt that £30 million a
year with no details of the mechanism to be used for its distribution was insufficient
for the council to support the proposal. After discussion it was –
RESOLVED: 1. That each member of the Council be encouraged to make a personal
response to the consultation.
2. That comments be sent to the Clerk in order that he is enabled to
compile a response from the Parish Council. The draft response to
be circulated for comment prior to being made.
140/16 PUBLIC RIGHTS OF WAY – IW COUNCIL CONSULTATION
The Clerk had circulated a lengthy consultation document which was largely based
on the strategy that had been approved some years ago. It was noted that the IW
Council was still the responsible body for the upkeep and maintenance of Public
Rights of Way. No proposed amendments to the document were made and it was
therefore –
RESOLVED: To note the proposed strategy document.
141/16 CONCLUSION OF AUDIT 2015-16
The Annual Return had been signed by the External Auditor and there were no
matters arising from the audit that affected the content of the Annual Return.
He had however advised that the Parish Council was not fulfilling the requirements of
the Charity Commission in that the Parish Council was not registered as a Trustee on
the Charity Commission website. Individual Councillors (rather than the Parish
Council as a corporate body) have always been registered with the Charity
Commission. The Clerk would clarify requirements with the Charity Commission.
RESOLVED: That the audited Annual Return for 2015-16 be approved.
142/16 REPORT FROM IW COUNCILLOR
Councillor Downer reported on progress with the proposed 20mph speed limit. He
read an e mail received from the IW Council detailing the necessary process prior to
implementation of the proposed limit. Councillors expressed their disappointment at
the length of time inherent in that process. He reported on the water hydrant
placement at Whiteley Bank and updated on the site condition at
Freemantle Gate where it was agreed to request a sign re depositing of litter.
The Chairman had previously reported on the hole in the bridge on the public
footpath at Bridgecourt. The Clerk and IW Councillor would follow up with the
Rights of Way staff at IW Council.
.
143/16 QUESTIONS FROM CURRENT MEETING
Mrs Button asked re bunting in respect of the forthcoming Isle of Wight Day, she had
noticed in the IW County Press that some Parish Councils had received bunting for
the occasion. The clerk would enquire regarding its distribution.
It was agreed to arrange a site visit at Bridgecourt Cemetery and to hold a site visit at
the May Close Playground at 9.30am on Wednesday 7th September (this week). A
quotation would be sought by the Clerk for a sign at May Close depicting the
location of the playground.
144/16 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Council would be held in the Parish Room
on Monday 3rd October commencing at 7.30pm.
The meeting concluded at 8.53
CHAIRMAN
3RD OCTOBER 2016