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NEWPORT PARISH
COUNCIL
www.newportwight.org.uk

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF NEWPORT PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY, 11TH

APRIL 2011, AT VICTORIA RECREATION CLUBHOUSE, NEWPORT, ISLE OF WIGHT,
COMMENCED AT 6.45pm.

Councillors Present : Peter Whiteman (Chairman), Tony Coburn, Debbie Dixcey,

Steven Falla, Terry Goldstone, John Hobart, Richard Hollis,
Julie Jones-Evans, Lois Prior, Shirley Smart and John Ward
Present: IW Cllr Dawn Cousins, 1 member of the press
Public: 4
Clerk: Mrs Maxine Yule

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME

Mr Page asked about signage for the new tourist information centre at the bus station. The
Chairman said he presumed there would be new ones erected by the IWC. Cllr Jones-Evans
said there would be new signs for the information centre that was to be set up in the Minster
and the other signage would be looked at. Mr Page also asked when the next Tourism and
Transport working party would be held, Cllr Ward said a meeting was overdue and Mr Page
would get an invitation when the date was set. A further question was asked about repairs to
the Guildhall and Cllr Cousins said this matter had been discussed with IWC Property
Services and a new group would be set up to take this forward.
It was reported that the slide in the swimming pool at Medina Leisure Centre had been taken
down. While it was understood that this had to be removed for the Island Games a notice
had been put up saying it would not be replaced. It is understood that this was due to IWC
budgetary cuts. Members were dismayed as this is a popular attraction for young swimmers
throughout the year. This matter was requested to be discussed at the next meeting and Cllr
Cousins said she investigate and give a full report on any financial savings and reasons
behind the permanent removal.
Mr Goodman asked if the parish council could give its support to the cycle route across
Newport. The IWC had promised a link between the two major cycle routes but this had not
happened. Cllr Ward said this would be discussed at the next Transport and Tourism
working party, Cllr Hobart also offered to pursue this matter in his capacity as an IW
Councillor.

520. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received from Cllrs Mary Craven, Geoff Lumley, David Whittaker,
IW Cllr Roger Dixcey and the Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

521. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Smart declared a personal interest in items relating to the Riverside Centre as
a member of the board of trustees.
Cllr Hollis declared a personal interest in matters relating to planning applications
as vice-chairman of the IWC Planning Committee.
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522. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING

The minutes of the meetings held on 14th March 2011 were presented.
 Matters Arising –
Hedge trimmer purchase – it was confirmed that a hedge trimmer had been
purchased. Cllr Hobart was thanked for his assistance.
Free Car Parking – the reply from Cllr Giles was noted. Members were
disappointed that the suggestion had been rejected. It was agreed to
discuss the matter at the next Transport and Tourism working party.
Carisbrooke Halt Plaque – A letter of support in principle had been received
from the Governors of Christ the King College. A meeting is to be arranged
between the Chairman and the school Governors.
Newport Harbour – Cllr Prior said this was discussed at the Newport Rivers
Group meeting and they may pursue this matter.
RESOLVED:
THAT, the minutes of the meeting held on 14th March 11 were agreed and
signed as an accurate record.

523. SAFER NEIGHBOURHOODS TEAM

The SNT were unable to attend.

The Chairman and Cllr Coburn had recently attended a Local Action Group
meeting and reported that this was very positive and the team were keen to
actively engage residents as well as councillors.

524. FINANCE

I. Financial Statement:
RESOLVED:
THAT, the financial statement to the 31st March 11 is noted and accepted.

II. Accounts for payment – members were presented with the accounts for
payment, a copy of which forms Appendix A of these minutes.
Cllr Goldstone suggested better value may be available for the mobile phone
contract. It was agreed to discuss this further when the contract is due for
renewal.
RESOLVED:
THAT, the accounts presented, totalling £5880.58 are paid.

III. Payroll Provision – A letter had been received from the IWC detailing the
increase in the cost of payroll provision charges from £141.12 to £252 per
annum. Members were disappointed that very little notice had been given for
this increase. However, they acknowledged that this contract remained best
value for the provision of payroll and unanimously agreed for it to continue.
RESOLVED:
THAT, the IWC will remain the payroll provider for the parish council

525. PLANNING AND LICENSING COMMITTEE

Cllr Smart, as Chairman of the Planning and Licensing Committee, presented the
minutes of the 3rd and 17th March 11. Cllr Coburn was thanked for standing in for
Cllr Smart at the meeting on 3rd March.
IW Cllr Cousins emphasised that she had no prior knowledge of the details of the
IW Festival licence application when she met with Cllrs Craven and Whiteman
and had only discussed it as a general point. The Chairman fully agreed.

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RESOLVED:
THAT, the Planning and Licensing Committee minutes of meeting held on
3rd and 17th March 11 are accepted.

526. REFERENDUM ON THE AV SYSTEM

Cllr Jones-Evans said that as this was the first referendum in 33 years she
wanted people to be fully aware of the implications. She was not advocating one
way or the other but urged people to read and take note of all the information on
offer and use their vote. The Chairman said he had been advised by IWC
Electoral Services that this would not affect the way parish council elections
would be held. Cllr Jones-Evans said with more power coming to the parishes the
way we choose our MPs was more important than ever. She also felt that any
change to the voting system may filter down in the future.

527. BEACON PAGE

Cllr Jones-Evans opened the discussion by saying she did not support a page
more frequently than once a quarter in the Beacon. This would satisfy the Quality
Status requirements along with a full page for the annual report. The discussion
progressed to whether half a page would be big enough to include the councillors’
details and parish news. A proposal was made for half a page monthly, with a full
page for the annual report. The half page would not include contact details but
would direct readers to look at the website or contact the clerk for councillors’
details; however these would need to be included four times during the year to
satisfy the QS requirements. This was agreed by 8 votes to 3.
RESOLVED:
THAT, the page in the IW Beacon would be reduced to half a page per
month. The annual report would remain a full page.

528. BIRD HIDE PROJECT

The Chairman reported that due to various objections from Natural England and
the IWC, the planning application had been withdrawn. He said this was
extremely disappointing as detailed talks had taken place with the relevant parties
and initial indications were favourable. Discussions had also taken place with
potential user groups including the Medina Valley Centre and the Newport Rivers
Group. This project would have benefited not just bird watchers but visitors who
were disabled, visually impaired and deaf. He said it was still hoped to provide
two information boards at each end of the bridge. These would include Braille and
would detail the area and wildlife. Ian Boyd from Natural Enterprises had agreed
to look at the objections to see if the technical requirements could be overcome.
Members asked if it was possible to investigate another site, perhaps in the Shide
area, but Cllr Prior said the site needed to be in a large area and on wetland,
therefore, Dodnor Pond was ideal.
The Chairman said he would make a further report at a future meeting.

529. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

It was noted that the Annual Parish Meeting would be held on Wednesday 27th
April, 7pm at the Parish Centre. Ray Harrington-Vail from the Footprint Trust will
be the guest speaker.
The Chairman presented the Parish Council Annual Report for 2010/11. The
report forms Appendix B of the minutes.
RESOLVED:
THAT, the Annual Report for 2010/11 is accepted.

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530. IWALC

Cllr Lumley had circulated his report which included the slides from a Planning
Aid presentation on Neighbourhood Plans and Development Orders. Cllr Smart
said these matters would be discussed at the planning committee in the near
future.

531. REPORTS FROM IW COUNCILLORS

Cllr Cousins reported on a number of issues:

 Seaclose Park – a user group had been set up and the project officer is John
Sands. The old pavilion building will be demolished along with the toilets and
changing rooms. A new play area will be built similar to the new Isobel Park;
this will include a new walkway to the area. The netball pitch will be re-laid and
a notice board will be erected. The demolition of the building is still under
discussion but more details will be available soon. The cricket scoreboard has
been gifted to Whitecroft County CC.
 Guildhall – the building is in need of repair and a meeting would be set up
soon to look into issues surrounding the Guildhall. The parish council would be
invited to attend.
 Wightbus – the 39 service would continue until September and ongoing
discussions with Southern Vectis are productive, it is hoped to have more
information soon.
 Cllr Cousins thanked the assistant Clerk, Chris Hougham and the Planning
Committee for all their help with planning matters in her area.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Cousins for keeping the parish council informed and
said the regular meetings that he attended, along with Cllr Craven, were very
useful.
It was noted that the polling station at the Riverside Centre had been replaced by
the old NHS No Smoking office in Sea Street. Suggestions for alternative polling
stations would be appreciated.

Cllr Hobart reported that the swing in the play area on Clatterford Road had to be
removed but it was being replaced with a new swing and surfacing along with a
climbing activity centre. These would be installed at the end of April or beginning
of May.
532. ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA

 Swimming Pool at Medina Leisure Centre

 Donation to Good Neighbour Scheme
 Maintenance of verges at Sylvan Drive
 Milne Memorial

533. DATE AND LOCATION OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday 27th April,
7pm at the Parish Centre, Town Lane.
The next scheduled monthly meeting was confirmed as Monday 9th May 2011 at
the Riverside Centre at 6.45pm. This will commence with the Annual Meeting.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8pm.

Contact : Maxine Yule: 01983 297367/559119 or maxyule@gmail.com

CHAIRMAN

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