July and August Meetings 2003

The Chairman welcomed Mr Steve Cornwell, Development Enforcement Team Leader, to the July monthly meeting of the Council. Mr Cornwell gave a brief description of his role before answering questions relating to compliance with planning conditions at the Knighton motocross site. As a result of discussion it was agreed that a member of the Council accompany Mr Cornwell on a site visit to review the situation.

Miss Cotton reported highlights of a "waste services" meeting that she had attended and Mrs Ashby stated that concern had been expressed to her about the speed of traffic using Princelett Shute and the increasing number of large vehicles using it with apparent disregard for the width restriction. It was agreed to raise the matter with both the Police and Highways.

As the Council’s representative on the Isle of Wight Association of Parish and Town Councils (IWAPTC), Miss Cotton drew the meeting’s attention to several items in the IWAPTC’s Annual Report, copies of which had been distributed to members, focussing on "Parish Plans / Health Checks" and the training that was available for Clerks.

The Council considered six Planning Applications and was provided with three notices of decisions, all approvals.

In response to an invitation to comment on the draft IW Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) Management Plan, it was noted that no policy covering mineral extraction was evident within the document.

The Council had received a request from the Newchurch Parish Sports and Community Association (NPS&CA) for reimbursement of costs relating to the provision of dog bins. It was considered that in its response to previous requests for similar facilities elsewhere in the Parish, the Council had set a precedent not to fund provision or servicing of dog bins, and it therefore declined to accept responsibility for the costs. It did, however, decide to make a donation to the NPS&CA towards this expense in recognition of all that the NPS&CA does for the Parish.

The Council formally approved the accounts for the year ending 31^st March 2003 that had been presented at the June monthly meeting and authorised the Chairman and Clerk to complete the Annual Return for auditing.

Although no monthly meeting was scheduled for August, the Council met on Monday 11^th as a Planning Committee to consider four Planning Applications. It decided to make "no comment" on the proposals for a cattery with mobile home at Lower Knighton, and "no objection" to the other three applications. The Clerk was instructed to inform the Planning Authority that, contrary to the answer provided on the application form, the entrance to the site proposed for additional stables on land adjacent to Mersley Gardens forms part of a public right of way (Footpath NC1).

IT / Internet sessions will recommence on the second Tuesday of term in September in Newchurch Primary School.