Parish Council Minutes
November 2007
Thursday 1st November 2007
Present: - Cllr. Quimby – Chairman, Cllr. Colver -Vice Chairman, Cllr. Jeffrey, Cllr. P. Hemmerdinger, Cllr. M. Hemmerdinger & Cllr. Morris
Community Police Support Officer Ryan & Mr J Dunkelman
2634 Minutes
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held 4th October 2007 were read and endorsed.
2635 Public Question Time – None.
2636 Declarations of Amendment To The Register Of Interests - None.
2637 Declaration of Interest To Items On Agenda – None.
2638 Decisions Taken Under Delegated Powers – None.
2639 Visitor Presentation – None.
2640 Police / Neighbourhood Watch Matters
The Chairman read a letter from Ashby Local Policing Unit, which had been delivered to Parkfield Crescent and Measham Road householders, explaining the proposed ‘no cold calls scheme’. The Parish Councillors offered their help with the distribution of further letters. ‘No cold call’ small signs will be put up in areas where residents have agreed to the scheme. The C.P.S.O. believed it would be a good idea to have larger signs put up in roads that led into the village. The Parish Council agreed to fund these signs.
The C.P.S.O. reported the following incidents which had recently occurred in and around the village i.e. fish stolen from garden pond, money stolen from the Black Horse Inn, criminal damage to the church and bricks thrown through a resident’s window.
C.P.S.O. Ryan informed the meeting the police would support an evening club for the youngsters of the village. Cllr. Morris was considering the cellar room as a possible venue for the club. The Parish Council would fund some equipment if the scheme was to go ahead with monies already set aside to spend on the village youngsters.
The Police are considering a cycle coding day after Christmas.
2641 Planning Consultations
07/01586/FUL – The Old Rectory, 55 Rectory Lane – erection of orangery following demolition of existing structures & conversion of existing office/kennels to residential use – no objections but letter to request building materials are in keeping with existing and character of main house not lost.
2642 Planning Decision Notices
07/01256/FUL – 28-30 Black Horse Hill – erection of porch to side of dwelling – refused
07/01362/FUL – Unit 9, Jubilee Business Park – change of use to storage – granted
07/01344/FUL – Ashlea Cottage, 140 Tamworth Road – erection of first floor & single storey extensions to
rear & erections of extensions to garage to provide ancillary accommodation – granted
07/00114/FUL – 8 Rectory Lane – extensions to form garage, study & conservatory – appeal dismissed – Noted.
2643 Approval of Budget and Financial Statements
1st April 07 to 18th October 07 – Noted
It was agreed to transfer £5,000 from current account to the National Savings account. The clerk was asked to request again a further street light for Appleby Parva.
2644 Accounts for Payment
Karen Stirk – Clerk's Payment – 1st October to 31st October 07 - £290.75
Karen Stirk – Expenses for September 07 - £22.25
Home-Start North West Leicestershire – Donation - £50 (agreed Oct. Meeting)
2645 Allotment Matters
A request had been received from Mr Crane (solicitor) for more details about the allotment land, to continue his work registering Parish Council land. The clerk was asked to reply with the details.
A request had been received from an allotment holder for a character reference, it was agreed to send the letter.
The clerk agreed to try and contact Mr Heward again, as it is believed he may wish to take on an allotment.
It was agreed to increase the rent for an allotment to £10 per annum in the New Year, due to increasing costs. The clerk was asked to write to all allotment holders about the increased rent giving the reasons why, with the revenue being spent on future allotment projects i.e. improving access to all plots also to include a request for allotment holders who have encroached paths and internal roadways to re-instate the correct boundaries.
2646 Footpaths & Hedgerows
The Chairman requested Mr White carry out the annual hedge cutting to the Recreation Ground and around the allotments. Following a recent further request for the land owners to cut back Bowleys Lane hedgerow, it was agreed to put the item on the December agenda.
Botts Lane footpath entrance had been reported to the footpaths officer but as yet no reply had been received. It was therefore agreed to put the item on the December agenda.
It was reported the dangerous kerbstones opposite the Almshouses had been replaced.
2647 Recreation Ground Matters
Cllr. Morris proposed finding a local ‘odd job’ person to carry out various work around the village i.e. sweeping the Recreation Ground play area and stencilling when required. The Chairman agreed to speak to a local ‘odd job’ man.
A resident had asked for the grass to be cut more frequently on the children’s play area on the Recreation Ground. It was agreed twelve cuts per year were normally sufficient and no further action was to be taken.
The clerk was asked to write to the cricket club requesting long standing rubbish be immediately taken away form behind the Recreation Ground pavilion.
The clerk was also asked to write to the football club, following complaints about the amount of litter left behind following football matches and training.
It was agreed to purchase two new basketball ball nets. It was reported that chain link fencing between a resident’s garden and the Recreation Ground and fencing around the hard surface area was damaged, the Chairman agreed to request a quotation for the repairs from Mr Denson, local contractor.
2648 Affordable Rural Housing - Update
The Chairman read an email from Richard Windley, Leicestershire Rural Housing Enabler, stating funding was being sourced and more news was expected early in 2008.
2649 Re-occurring Sewage Blockages – Bowleys Lane Area
David Taylor M.P. had received a reply from Environmental Health at N.W.L.D.C. which stated McDonalds and Ramada Hotel had grease traps that needed cleaning when inspected. Environmental Health intended to monitor the situation with further visits to the premises; the department also requested help from Severn Trent Water in dealing with the problem of blocked sewers in the village. Mr Taylor’s letter stated he would write to Severn Trent Water to request their expertise in dealing with the above re-occurring problem. The clerk to contact Environmental Health to request dates and results of any further inspections.
2650 Parish Notice Board Site Change
It was agreed to meet with Mr Dunkelman at the proposed new site (on his land), to discuss the options, the item to be on the December agenda.
2651 Dangerous Parking
Following many attempts by the Parish Council to stop dangerous parking occurring around the corners of Church Street into Top Street, it was agreed to write to County Councillor Nicholas Rushton at L.C.C. for his assistance with copies to N.W.L.D.C. and Mr Taylor M.P.
2652 Bus Shelter Repair
Following confirmation of part funding from L.C.C. to repair the bus shelter in Mawbys Lane, it was agreed to take up a quotation from ‘Woodworking +’.
2653 Black Horse Hill Kerbstones
Following a complaint about the kerbing / verge work outside 25 and 29 Black Horse Hill, L.C.C. agreed to add to the top soil to the rear of the kerbs.
2654 Ideas for Written Piece - Parish News Line
It was agreed to put in the December / January Parish News Line the following items:
allotment rent increase and date for collection of allotment rents.
2655 Urgent Items
Standards Board for England - Adopting the New Code of Conduct
It was agreed to adopt the Model Code of Conduct including paragraph 12(2).
Planning Consultations
07/01607/ADC – New building, Westminster Industrial Estate, Repton Road, Measham – display of mesh banner sign to building – no objections
07/01613/LBC – Sir John Moore School, Top Street – addition of externally mounted light & handrail at south-west end of building – no objections
Ms K. Stirk (Clerk to the Parish Council)
8th November 2007