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M I N U T E S
Minutes of the meeting of Council held on 4th November 2015.
PRESENT
Cllr W BebbingtonCllr C Poole (Chairman)
Cllr R DraycottCllr J Poole
Cllr R EwingCllr C Radford
Cllr T HicksCllr M Roberts
Cllr D HornCllr J Savage
Cllr J Lennie (Vice-Chairman)Cllr G Timson
Cllr B Perkins
Mrs B Snape – Clerk to the Council
Mrs B Blood – RFO/Assistant Clerk
PS 408 Kooldip Johal
PCSO Kelly Davis
Rev Howard Ketton
Matt Jarram – Shepshed Echo
2064PRAYERS
Rev Howard Ketton led Council in Prayers.
2065APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs L Buttarazzi and J Tassell.
2066ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION WITH THE POLICE
Sgt Kooldip Johal introduced himself as the new Sergeant covering Shepshed and Loughborough.
PCSO Kelly Davis furnished the meeting with the crime statistics covering the last 30 days. Due to the amount of car related crime, it was asked if a “Bait” car could be deployed to catch the criminals, as is the case in some areas. Sgt Johal agreed to investigate the possibility.
The matter of heavy farm vehicles travelling at speed along Fairway Road South was discussed. PCSO Davis advised that more information would be required in order to resolve the matter e.g. vehicle licence plate numbers.
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The Police were thanked for their attendance and left the meeting.
2067DISCLOSURES OF PERSONAL INTEREST
Cllr W Bebbington – CBC
Cllr D Horn – Glenmore Centre
Cllr C Radford – CBC, LCC & Town Team
Cllr M Roberts – Shepshed Hind Leys
Cllr J Savage – CBC
Cllr G Timson – Town Team
2068MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9TH SEPTEMBER 2015
The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed as a true record.
2069REQUEST TO SPEAK BY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
None received.
2070REPORT OF THE ESTATES & RECREATION COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 7TH OCTOBER 2015
The report was moved by Cllr M Roberts, seconded by Cllr G Timson.
2017, 2008 Ingles FC – Insurance Members had been circulated with confirmation that Ingles FC have the relevant insurance cover in place. The Clerk had forwarded a copy to Members.
2017, 2008, 2001 Response from CBC A request was made for Shepshed Charnwood Borough Councillors to share any information appertaining to Shepshed with both the Town Clerk and Shepshed Town Councillors.
2018a) CBC – S106 It was reported that CBC had a meeting regarding changes to S106. This information will be delivered to all Clerks in the New Year.
2018d) Mr D Belfield – Playground Legislation Presentation Members were advised that the above presentation will be delivered at 6.45 p.m. on Wednesday 2nd December.
2018d) Luke Dixon – Parkour Confirmation had been received from Luke Dixon that he has formed a Parkour Committee including a Treasurer. It was RESOLVED to support the group and hope that they will be able to apply for funding towards Parkour on Oakley Road.
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2018 – 5 Fencing for Oakley Road Play Equipment The Clerk reported that she is waiting for an additional quotation for the manufacture and installation of railings. They need to conform to ROSPA EN1176 specification.
2018e) Grass Verges – Hathern Road It was noted that due to the number of utility services running under the grass verge outside 2 – 8 Hathern Road, it will not be possible to plant any new trees. The visibility splay for both Lansdowne Road and the residential vehicle access points, also restrict the location of new trees.
2020 Planning Application P/15/1942/2 Demolition of no. 112 Charnwood Road With reference to the above planning application, it was RESOLVED to contact CBC Planning again, requesting a response to the enquiry regarding an archaeological survey and what is their legal turnaround time for responding to enquiries.
2021a) Shepshed Twinning Quiz Due to a lack of interest the Quiz had to be cancelled.
2020 S106 Contributions With reference to CBC consulting Shepshed Town Council regarding S106 contributions, it was noted that the only S106 monies Shepshed Town Council has any jurisdiction is for the provision of youth and adult recreation.
The report was confirmed and adopted.
2071REPORT OF THE FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE MEETING HELD ON 21ST OCTOBER 2015
The report was moved by Cllr R Ewing, seconded by Cllr C Radford.
2080a) Core Strategy The Chairman of Finance made a statement regarding the voting at CBC’s Planning meeting relating to 3200 homes on the Garendon Estate (P/14/1833/2) by CBCllr W Bebbington. In the Conservative Party’s Manifesto it stated he will continue to fight these planning applications. However, he voted in favour of the Garendon development, therefore, going against the wishes of a majority of Shepshed residents.
A question of whether the Conservative Party are going to back Cllr W Bebbington or sack him was posed. CBCllr J Savage supported Cllr W Bebbington’s action. Cllr W Bebbington replied that the people of Shepshed voted/elected him, therefore, let the people of Shepshed decide at the next election.
Cllr C Radford wished it recording that she refrained from making any comment.
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The report was confirmed and adopted.
2072PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED
The following planning applications were discussed and it was RESOLVED to forward comments to CBC’s Planning Department as detailed:-
P/15/2019/2 Site for the erection of 4 chalet bungalows and 11 flats with associated landscaping, access and parking following demolition of factory/warehouse AT 32 Charnwood Road – Express concern at the close proximity of both the Fire Station and Asda Supermarket to the entrance to this development, plus the fact that it is a shared access for both the Bowls Club and Nursing Home. A request is to be made to LCC for a site meeting to discuss the entrance to this proposed development.
Shepshed Town Council is of the opinion that business sites should be retained as business sites and not be allowed for residential development.
P/15/2027/2 Erection of two storey extension to rear of dwelling AT 64 Sullington Road – No comment
P/15/2151/2 Erection of two storey front and rear extensions to dwelling following demolition of existing conservatory AT 18 Wightman Close – No comment
P/15/2160/2 Trim Horse Chestnut tree by 2 metres for clearance of PFS Sign AT Cobblers Shop 2a Leicester Road – No comment
P/15/2161/2 Change of use from retail (Class A1) to nail bar (Sui Generis) AT Hubbits House 25 Britannia Street – No comment
P/15/2159/2 Erection of two storey extension to side and single storey extension to rear and front (revised scheme P/14/2082/2 refers) AT 21 Cumbrian Way – No comment
P/15/1759/2 Iveshead Road In her capacity as CBCllr, Cllr C Radford advised the meeting that Bloors has reduced 2 of the detached dwellings and replaced them with 4 terraced dwellings with car parking to the rear. The provision of car parking to the rear of properties has always been a problem. CBC has requested that this be decided by delegated powers, therefore, it was RESOLVED to write in support of the two Ward Councillors for the matter to be referred to the Planning Committee.
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2073CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
a) Town Team Resignation – Cllr D Horn Following the resignation of Cllr D Horn from the Town Team, it was RESOLVED that Cllr J Lennie be elected as a replacement Town Council representative.
Concern was expressed at the proposal made by the Town Team, for a one-way system in Shepshed. It was noted any proposal for a one way system would be the decision of LCC and a full consultation would have to be made. The Clerk noted that the Town Team has a very poor attendance record, other than for Councillors, Officers and one/two members of the public.
b) Loss of Number 4 Bus Service Members were advised that with effect from 24th December 2015, the number 4 bus service run by Paul Winson will be terminated.
The following statement received from Winson’s was read out by the Chairman of Council:-
“The reason for this decision is purely and simply because this service is no longer viable and is losing money on a daily basis, therefore, we had to make a decision about the future of the service and unfortunately there is no alternative than to cease the operation.
Over the last few years we have seen a downturn in passenger numbers on this service and we believe there are many reasons. Many people are no longer coming into Loughborough because of the pedestrianisation, we know this for a fact because when this was introduced we were inundated with calls from Shepshed residents telling us they will no longer travel because of having to walk. Additionally, Shepshed is now served by many large supermarkets which is another factor which prevents residents having to travel to Loughborough for shopping. Also, the competitor bus company has increased their frequency to and from Shepshed and unfortunately there isn’t enough business for both companies. Finally, people are still reluctant to travel by bus instead of car; this is evident because we have a nearly empty bus travelling to Loughborough which struggles to keep on time because of heavy traffic.
No one is more disappointed about the performance of this service than ourselves. We have always invested in new buses and at the beginning of 2015 we spent a lot of money trying to give the service a facelift by rebranding the timetable, improving the bus stops with new timetable cases and passenger information material to try and attract new passengers, but I am afraid this was all to no avail.
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I fully understand that people will be affected but sometimes difficult business decisions have to be made and I am sure you will agree that we can no longer operate a service which is costing more money to operate than it is generating.”
Members expressed concern at the loss of this service which is the only bus to serve the Northwood Drive end of Shepshed.
In her capacity as County Councillor, Cllr C Radford agreed to liaise with Nicky Morgan MP to see if one of the other operators would be able to cover the loss.
RESOLVED that the Clerk writes to Nicky Morgan MP and LCC expressing concern and enquire if LCC has cut its funding.
The Clerk agreed to contact the SSCB to enquire if they may be able to assist.
Chairman ………………………………………………………….. Date ..……………………………………….