AND WHITWELL PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF NITON AND WHITWELL PARISH COUNCIL HELD REMOTELY ON MONDAY 26th APRIL 2021 AT 7:15 PM

PRESENT: Councillors T Addison (Chairman), B Attrill, S Biles, J Boileau Goad, S Burridge, P K G Fradgley, A Logan, L Sheerin and J A Stotesbury

IN ATTENDANCE: Councillor D Stewart ( Council) and Mrs V J Ford (Clerk to the Council)

APOLOGIES: None received.

M01/04/21 DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

There were no declarations of interests.

M02/04/21 MINUTES

RESOLVED: that the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 22nd March 2021 be taken as read, confirmed and signed as being an accurate record of the proceedings.

M03/04/21 FINANCE

Members had before them a schedule showing a cashbook balance of £109,602.70 in the General Funds, £25,488.56 in the Public Sector Deposit Fund and £6,361.21 in the Bequest Account. A schedule of accounts for payment was also before the meeting.

RESOLVED: that the Financial Statement to 20th April 2021 be received and noted.

* Already paid; for ratification only Cheque Payee Details Amount Number £ DD* The Information Commissioner Data protection renewal fee 35.00 E Wight Computers Ltd AVG anti-virus and Office 365 yearly 71.99 Trans* subscriptions E Royal British Legion Industries Unknown Tommy pair 350.00 Trans* Ltd E Whitwell Garage Diesel for CRAB Land Rover 20.33 Trans* E Top Mops Limited Daily cleaning for Niton public toilets 672.00 Trans* DD* EDF Energy Electricity for Niton public toilets 19.00 E Trans Top Mops Ltd Consumables for Niton public toilets 65.94 E Trans V J Ford Clerk’s salary: April 2021 728.42 E Trans K L McLaren Training 207.80 E Trans Mr G W Hughes Internal Audit fee 2020/21 150.00 E Trans V J Ford Clerk’s expenses: April 2021 56.80 Total 2,377.28

RESOLVED: that the Parish accounts as listed above be approved for payment.

Page 1 of 5 M04/04/21 STATEMENT OF RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS AGAINST BUDGET 2020/21

Members had before them a statement of variance against budget for the year ended 31st March 2021.

RESOLVED: that the statement be received and noted.

M05/04/21 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS AND INTERNAL AUDIT 2020/21

Members had before them internally audited accounts for the year ended 31st March 2021. The Internal Auditor’s report was discussed and it was noted that there were no recommendations arising from the audit.

RESOLVED: that the annual accounts be adopted and signed.

RESOLVED: that the Internal Audit Report 2020/21 and Annual Internal Audit Report (AIAR) be accepted.

M06/04/21 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

Members had before them four Niton and two Whitwell planning applications.

RESOLVED: that the Clerk be asked to submit to the Isle of Wight Council the comments set out in the Appendix which forms part of these minutes.

M07/04/21 PLANNING DECISIONS

Members were notified of the following planning decisions:

1. 21/00207/FUL: Demolition of garage; proposed detached bungalow; alterations to vehicular access at Sea Wynds, St Catherines Road, Niton: GRANTED

2. 21/00211/HOU: Demolition of conservatory; proposed single storey extension at Downlands, Newport Road, Niton: GRANTED

3. 21/00036/ARM: Approval of reserved matters on P/00395/17 for appearance, landscaping and scale on Land Rear Of 15 To 18, Priory Walk And Adjacent 17, Chatfeild Road, Niton: GRANTED

4. 21/00360/HOU: Proposed two storey side extension at Jolliffes Farm, Nettlecombe Lane, Whitwell: REFUSED

M08/04/21 APPOINTMENT OF NEW CLERK

The Chairman welcomed Mrs Karen McLaren to the meeting and invited her to address the Parish Council. Mrs McLaren said she was very excited at the appointment and looking forward to working with the Parish Council.

RESOLVED: that the decision of the Interview Panel to appoint Mrs Karen McLaren as Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer to the Parish Council with effect from 1st June 2021 be ratified.

RESOLVED: that the present Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer, Mrs Vickie Ford, be asked to continue in post until Mrs McLaren’s appointment comes into effect.

Page 2 of 5 M09/04/21 CASUAL VACANCIES

RESOLVED: that the two vacancies arising in the Whitwell Ward post-election be filled by co- option at the Annual Meeting; the Clerk to advertise accordingly.

M10/04/21 NITON RECREATION GROUND

The Chairman explained that, since there were no byelaws to prevent the exercising of dogs within the Recreation Ground, the notices banning such practice could not be enforced. Therefore, some members of the public had chosen to exercise their dogs in the Recreation Ground.

RESOLVED: that improved signage asking members of the public not to exercise their dogs in the Recreation Ground be erected.

A request for seats and benches to be re-sited away from the garden fences had been received. Councillors recognised that the newer benches were being moved around by members of the public. They also stressed that skateboarding on top of the tables was regarded as vandalism.

RESOLVED: that the Clerk investigate provision of anchor points for the newer benches.

Disappointment at the increase in acts of vandalism on items of play equipment was expressed. This had been reported to the Police and all users of the Recreation Ground were being encouraged to be vigilant.

Due to the growing problem of excess litter, Councillor Boileau Goad asked if either an additional waste bin or a larger one could be provided. Councillor Stewart undertook to ask Island Roads to empty the litter and dog waste bins as a matter of urgency; and also to enquire if both bins could be emptied more frequently.

M11/04/21 SOUTHERN VECTIS NUMBER 6 SUNDAY SERVICE, WINTER 2021/22

The Chairman explained that, over the forthcoming winter, and and Parish Councils had stated they would not be providing financial support for the service at the levels of previous years. The Chairman and Clerk had met with Southern Vectis to explore options. For winter 2021/22 only, Southern Vectis had offered to provide the same service at the cost equivalent to Niton and Whitwell Parish Council’s contribution over the past winter (£2,457); the remaining costs to be met through external funding sourced by Southern Vectis.

RESOLVED: that the Parish Council move forward with Southern Vectis to secure the service.

RESOLVED: that Chale and Chillerton and Gatcombe Parish Councils be asked to confirm in writing, post elections, if they would be making a contribution.

The Parish Council wished to express thanks to Southern Vectis for its help to maintain the service.

M12/04/21 PREPARATION FOR RETURN TO FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS FROM MAY

The Chairman stated that, up to the present time, there had been no extension to the Coronavirus legislation permitting remote Council meetings beyond 7th May 2021. The Parish Council was therefore obliged to consider arrangements for a Covid-safe return to face-to-face meetings.

RESOLVED: that the face-to-face meeting risk assessment prepared by the Clerk be accepted and the recommended measures put in place for the Annual Meeting.

Page 3 of 5 RESOLVED that, in view of the continuation of Coronavirus social measures, the Parish Council’s Zoom licence be extended for a further year to allow informal meetings to take place remotely.

M13/04/21 REQUEST FOR GRANT FUNDING

A request had been received from Niton Womens’ Institute for funding to support the maintenance of flowers in the brick planters in Niton village.

RESOLVED: that a grant of £55 be awarded and the Parish Council’s thanks conveyed to the WI members.

M14/04/21 SUPPORT FOR HIGH STREETS – WELCOME BACK FUND

The Isle of Wight Council had requested suggestions on how the Government Funding might be best utilised in the Parish. It was noted that several suggestions in the letter were already happening within the Parish.

Councillor Boileau Goad said that the Parish Council was trying to support vulnerable people and businesses. He suggested there was a need locally for dropped kerbs and a safe crossing in Rectory Road, Niton, near to Norris’ Stores, and possibly a pinch point near Rectory Lane. The Chairman said it was very important to re-open Undercliff Drive and that he would like to pick up the issue post-election.

RESOLVED: that the Parish Council present, post-election, a business case to Mr Bob Seely MP for the reopening of Undercliff Drive.

RESOLVED: that the Clerk convey the Parish Council’s thoughts to the Isle of Wight Council.

M15/04/21 ISLE OF WIGHT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Councillor Stewart thanked the Clerk for her work over the past year; the Community Response And Back-up (CRAB) team, stating that they had genuinely kept people alive; the Parish Council, adding that it did not sit back but did its best; and the South Wight Youth Partnership (SWAY), which was doing wonderful work.

Councillor Stewart reported that the Isle of Wight Council was looking at vehicle speeds. He encouraged everyone to have their vaccinations.

M16/04/21 CLERK’S REPORT

The Clerk informed all present that the power used to purchase the Royal British Legion “Tommies” was s137 of the Local Government Act 1972, which should have been noted at the time of the resolution: minute M16/03/21 refers.

M17/04/21 COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS

Councillor Burridge questioned the meaning of “contaminated” rubbish, as mentioned in the recently delivered household rubbish booklet.

Councillor Boileau Goad reported that improvements to public footpath NT21 would begin later in the week.

Councillor Sheerin had received complaints about the road surface on Institute Hill, Niton. Councillor Stewart asked for further details and undertook to pursue.

Page 4 of 5 Councillor Logan reported that she had attended a meeting of the South Wight Locality Health and Wellbeing Forum. She said it had been very interesting: people were having problems when trying to book an appointment with their GP.

Councillor Fradgley raised the lack of planning permission for new oil storage facilities on the Island. He requested Councillor Stewart’s help to progress.

Councillor Fradgley stated that this would be his last meeting as a Parish Councillor. He thanked the present Council and Clerk; all members and the Clerk thanked Councillor Fradgley for his 34 years of service to the Parish.

Councillor Stotesbury enquired if there had been any progress with the Parish Council’s proposal to reinstate the cycle path and re-wild the verge along Road. The Chairman said he was very disappointed that projects were not being taken forward. He suggested it may be possible to agree a response protocol with the Isle of Wight Council through the Isle of Wight Association of Local Councils (IWALC) and he would pursue this after the election.

At the Chairman’s suggestion, all members agreed that a letter should be sent from the Parish Council to Mr James Attrill, congratulating him on his appointment as High Sherriff. The Chairman expressed his personal thanks to Councillor Fradgley.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8:50 pm

Signed………………………………………. Date…………………….

APPENDIX TO MINUTES

1. 21/00453/HOU: Proposed single storey extension on rear elevation; single storey extension on front elevation at 56, Bannock Road, Whitwell: NO OBJECTIONS; the proposed development is in keeping with the street scene.

2. 21/00500/HOU: Proposed replacement of 1m fence with 1.8m fence at Graytiles, St Catherines Road, Niton: OBJECTION; the proposed height of the fence is not in keeping with the surrounding area.

3. 21/00614/LBC: Listed Building Consent to refurbish and restore existing building at St Catherines Hall, Barrack Shute, Niton: No further comment

4. 21/00678/HOU: Proposed single storey rear extension at The Mount, Newport Road, Niton: NO OBJECTIONS; recommend approval.

5. 21/00689/FUL: Partial change of use of land to mixed agricultural and equestrian use at Southford Mill, Southford Lane, Whitwell: NO OBJECTION

6. 21/00691/CLEUD: Lawful Development Certificate for retention of three single storey structures forming one C3 residential use, converted garage, timber cabin and new roof and cladding on former east wing of residential property at Puckaster Close, Puckaster Lane, Niton: NO OBJECTIONS; recommend approval.

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