Readers of the Malew’s News will recall that in the spring of 2004, I wrote a report in my capacity as chairman of the Malew Parish Commissioners. I am therefore delighted and grateful to have the opportunity, through The Village Guardian, to report to you once again.

Previously the tenure of commissioners has been a three-year term, however the Department of Local Government and the Environment had, on this occasion, extended this period by a further year.

The new complex (referred to in my 2004 report) incorporating Malew parish commissioners’ offices, doctors’ medical centre, health visitor’s centre/office, police station, public lavatories and public car park, has received many favourable comments and is certainly well used. The public, other than the commissioners, often use the boardroom at the commissioners’ office as a meeting venue. Recently a computer with free Internet access has been installed at the office for your benefit.

The medical centre has attracted patients from all over the South of the Island. The health centre is well used and the public car park is in constant use including drivers who have left their cars there and then travelled into Douglas by bus. The only disappointment has been the police station which has been downgraded to a ‘community’ police station. A situation that needs to be addressed.

In May of 2007 David Barron, our then clerk, decided to return to his native Scotland and generously gave your commissioners some three months in which to find a suitable replacement. His dedication, hard work and measured advice over the last few years have been much appreciated and there is little doubt that we still miss him.

A well-attended farewell party was held in July at the village hall when a painting of Monks’ Bridge by local artist Barbara Lace was presented to him. Naturally, David rewarded us with a virtuoso performance on his bagpipes!

After careful consideration, there were many applicants seeking the position of Malew Parish clerk, your board appointed Barry Powell (at that time employed by H.S.B.C.) as our new clerk. Barry, with his banking background, has already shown to be a considerable asset especially in these turbulent times. He has certainly settled in well. His business acumen, quiet polite manner and enthusiasm will obviously serve the Parish well in the future. Barry is backed by talented, loyal and dedicated office and outside staff members.

One of our priorities has been the appointment of a part-time local community warden. After what seems an eternity, a warden was appointed in January 2008. In due course the position will be reviewed and a decision made as to whether an increase in the number of hours of employment would be appropriate.

Sadly we have lost the services of Alfie Lowey, our village hall caretaker, who has been with the commissioners for many years and his hard work, enthusiasm and reliability have been much appreciated. We all wish him and his family well in the future.

In March 2008, Tynwald finally approved Malew General By-Laws. Up to now only Dog By-Laws were in force. You may recall that your commissioners had previously spent a considerable amount of time and effort producing draft by-laws which were approved by the Department of Local Government and the Environment and other public bodies only to be refused at the last minute by the then Minister Mrs Crowe. We trust that these By-Laws will be of benefit to Malew residents.

All over the Island there are continuing discussions on recycling, kerbside collections and waste in general. You may recall that we were the first Authority to commence kerbside collections of newspapers/magazines. Last Spring, after the purchase of orange bins, we extended this collection to include green waste. Unfortunately, due to a change of policy at the Southern Civic Centre Amenity Site, we had to limit this collection to grass cuttings only. However, we are hopeful that this difficulty will be overcome and normal service will resume in the Spring/Summer of 2008

For many years, Malew has operated their bin wagon and recycling services from two rented warehouses, a matter which your commissioners regards as being expensive, labour intensive and not in the best long-term interests of the Parish. Bearing in mind that we have received notice to quit on one of the warehouses, it is obviously fortuitous that the opportunity to centralise these services has occurred. Subject to contract and financial arrangements for finance; from 2009, Malew will be operating from facilities far more suitable than previously has been the case.

We hope that you agree that the Christmas decorations last December at the offices were an improvement on previous years. Santa’s Grotto at the village hall attracted over one hundred little ones with their parents and friends. The arrival of Father Christmas riding in his sleigh on the back of a tractor-drawn trailer always creates a certain amount of excitement. After meeting Santa and receiving a present, suitable refreshments for all were available.

The commissioners’ carol service was held at the Abbey Church; many thanks to Reverend Michael Roberts and the churchwardens. A splendid evening, very well attended, followed by tea/coffee and mince pies at the village hall.

In a direct response to a request by the President of Tynwald, the Hon Noel Cringle, to hold events during Tynwald Week, your commissioners in 2006 organised a tea and concert at the village hall. Many within the community gave of their time – organised catering and took part in the concert when monies were raised for charity.

During the 2007 Tynwald Week, a group of visiting Norwegians – singers and dancers – entertained at the Ballasalla School followed by tea at the village hall. Once again many members of the community were involved.

There have been some adverse comments in Tynwald and reported in the press about the state of the Parish war memorial. Obviously this is a very emotive subject and quite rightly so. Your commissioners have expended monies on the upkeep of the war memorial and are against any proposal that it should be moved to another site.

Your commissioners were bitterly disappointed when the Department of Education closed the village youth club. Although the Island has excellent youth organisations, including the Malew Scout Troop and sport facilities, there are those who do not wish to become involved for whatever reason. Malew is also home to Foxdale Football Club, Malew Football Club and Ronaldsway Football Club. Drop-in centres have proved popular in other parts of the Island and your commissioners have been pushing for such facilities. Discussions have been ongoing for some time regarding a suitable site. Through the Ballasalla Community Project, an organisation comprising government bodies, agencies, local organisations and ourselves; it is possible that such a facility will be made available. However, progress is somewhat slow.

Around the time that Manx National Heritage purchased Rushen Abbey the then commissioners purchased the adjoining car park to meet the needs of car parking in Ballasalla. Since the completion of the new complex with some 35 public car parking spaces available, concern has been expressed regarding the actual need and present use of the Rushen Abbey car park owned by you, the ratepayers of Malew. Your commissioners (not unanimously) agreed to put in a planning application in principle for retirement homes – perhaps a scheme similar to that at St Johns. Unfortunately, whilst I was away on holiday, your Board withdrew the planning application thus denying you, the residents of Malew, the opportunity of deciding the future use of Rushen Abbey Car Park.
The long-running saga of the proposed Poachers Pocket development continues. After a long, protracted and acrimonious planning process, permission was granted. Since the proposed development included work on the Silverburn River, a further inquiry under the 1934 Drainage Act was required and then approved by Tynwald (both of which have taken place). However, a Select Committee has been formed to look into the various aspects regarding the implementation of conditions made by the inspector at the original planning inquiry.

Every year, when ratepayers receive their rates demands, they moan that their rates have risen once again. The conveniently forget that the rate demand includes both water and general rates and it is the water rate which is increasing by alarming amounts, year-on-year, not the general rate. I am delighted to inform you that your commissioners agreed a rate of 149 pence in the pound, the same as last year and the year before! However, your commissioners have no control over the level of the water rates.

On the planning side, there have been numerous planning applications for single dwellings, alterations, extensions, conservatories and the like. In the last year, there have been two controversial planning applications which, had they been approved, would have caused considerable upheaval. One at Derbyhaven for 17 dwellings plus apartment, and the other for 250+ dwellings proposed on land at Crossag Farm, Ballasalla.

Tynwald approved in July 2007 the Island Strategic Plan which sets out aims, criteria and requirements for the future. We understand that this documents is subject to a legal challenge and, as such, the only other Tynwald approved document is the 1982 Order which is over 25 years old and hardly appropriate for the Island’s needs in the 21st Century. Quite obviously your commissioners have considerable difficulties when dealing with planning matters in Malew with documentation so out of date and inappropriate.

I referred in the 2004 report to the many challenges facing our parish, many of which still remain today. The long overdue area plan for the South of the Island (Issues and Options document) is scheduled for Spring 2008 with the final document taking a further two years. Let us hope that the schedule for the area plan is realistic bearing in mind previous government assertions regarding a local plan for Ballasalla.

Regarding the future, Malew is still faced with the prospect of proposed and approved government instituted developments which include the R.E.S.A. and ancillary works at the airport; the proposed Ballasalla by-pass; the proposed development of in excess of 250 dwellings at Crossag Farm together with the proposed new primary school on part of the existing Clagh Vane Estate. All in all, at the very least, Malew residents are facing a potential building site for many years to come. Obviously, your commissioners have grave concerns over a number of issues surrounding these proposed developments and are insisting that they are consulted on a regular basis. Naturally your commissioners will be monitoring developments very closely and, hopefully, safeguarding your interests.

I do hope that you found the foregoing of interest.

Bob Pilling
Chairman of Malew Parish Commissioners

*Taken from Spring 2008 Village Guardian.