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MINUTES of a MEETING of WHITWICK PARISH COUNCIL held on THURSDAY 30 AUGUST 2012 at the St John the Baptist C of E School, Parsonwood Hill, Whitwick.
Present: Councillor R Woodward (Chairman) (In the Chair)
Cllrs A Barker, S Colledge, E Easom, T Gillard, D Howe, N Pearson, L Spence, J Straw and L Weaver
Apologies: Councillor D Everitt
In Attendance: Mr P Ellis, Clerk and Mrs L Ellis, Assistant Clerk
2 members of the public
Declarations of Interest:
Councillor S Colledge declared non-pecuniary interests in Minute No 171(d) (Planning Appeal Decision - Application Ref 10/1208/OUTM – “Stephenson Green”) as Chair of Whitwick Action Group; Minute No 174 (Whitwick Ward (Ward 3), Coalville Community Hospital) as petition organiser and Minute No 174 (Woodstock in Whitwick) as Chair of Woodstock in Whitwick
Councillor D Howe declared non-pecuniary interests in Minute No 171 (Planning Matters) as a member of NWLDC’s Planning Committee
Councillor L Spence declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute No 183 (Transfer of Land from NWLDC) as a district councillor
Councillor J Straw declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute No 171(d) (Planning Appeal Decision - Application Ref 10/1208/OUTM – “Stephenson Green”) as Deputy Chair of Whitwick Action Group
Councillor R Woodward declared a non-pecuniary interest in Minute No 171 (Planning Matters) as a district councillor
168. PUBLIC QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSION
A member of the public asked if would be feasible to have grit bins sponsored in a similar way to sponsorship of traffic roundabouts. This could help bring in money for additional bins. The idea was welcomed in principle and it was agreed to ask if the County Council would have any issues with it being implemented.
169. COMMUNITY POLICING
The Chairman welcomed PC 2925 Broomfield to the meeting.
PC Broomfield gave an overview of how the Bardon Hill beat (which included Whitwick) operated. He also gave a breakdown of incidents in Whitwick for the 30 day period up to 28 August.
Members had no issues with noise/unruly behaviour from Whitwick licensed premises to report.
PC Broomfield and PCSO Sorrell would be in attendance with the community beat bus at Whitwick Party in the Park. The next community beat surgery would be Friday 7th September between 10.00-11.00 at the Whitwick Community Coffee Shop. @lpbardon were actively seeking to increase their local following. Any Twitter users in the parish were invited to follow and/or appeal for followers on their behalf. He had also been asked if there were any concerns regarding the proposed street lighting efficiency savings and would welcome an update on this once discussed.
The Chairman thanked PC Broomfield for attending the meeting.
170, STREET LIGHTING EFFICIENCY SAVINGS
The Chairman welcomed Tony Bull, Senior Technician in the Highway Design section at Leicestershire County Council who was in attendance at the meeting to present proposals for a scheme of part-night lighting in the parish. Detailed plans had previously been forwarded to each member by email.
Mr Bull outlined the county-wide project which had been launched in 2009 with the aims of reducing energy costs, carbon emissions and light pollution. The part-night lighting proposals for Whitwick would see the majority of lighting columns switched off between approximately midnight and 5.30am GMT (1.00am to 6.30am BST).
The overall financial savings being sought totalled £800,000 per annum of which £330,000 had been achieved so far this year. This would be the equivalent of taking 490 cars off the road in terms of reducing pollution.
Large-scale plans were circulated at the meeting. Police, Fire and Ambulance Services and the County Council’s Accident Unit were also being consulted. Header columns at junctions serving 20 or more properties would remain on all night as would columns where road safety issues such as traffic calming had been identified. However, he welcomed further suggestions based on local knowledge of sensitive areas, including those liable to flooding.
Members expressed concerns that the proposals would have an adverse effect on the customers of local public houses and food outlets, particularly on Friday and Saturday evenings, on young people going home late at night and on shift workers. People might feel pressured into altering their behaviour due to a perception of reduced security. Specific concerns were voiced regarding the Clarke Close and Peterfield Road estates where most lights would be out overnight; Gracedieu Road and Cragdale which were liable to flooding problems and Green Lane where anti-social behaviour on the park had been a problem in the past.
In response to a suggestion that alternate lights only should be included, Mr Bull replied that in Leicestershire it had been decided that this would not achieve sufficient savings and could also have a hypnotic strobing effect on drivers to the detriment of road safety. Experience elsewhere was that such schemes did not result in an increase in crime, and that any increased fear of crime would soon dissipate. Drivers also tended to reduce their speeds in reduced lighting conditions.
The County Council had no plans for a public consultation but would have the plans available on their website. These were open to review in the light of any feedback and the consultation would close on 23 September.
The Chairman thanked Mr Bull for attending the meeting.
Resolved: That the plans be made available for public inspection on the Parish Council stall at Party in the Park
171. PLANNING MATTERS
(a) Applications
NWLDC had consulted the Parish Council on the following applications:
12/00480/FUL – Erection of single storey side extension with height increase to existing boundary wall – 10 Barr Crescent, Whitwick (amended plans)
12/00516/FUL – Erection of single storey rear extension – 122 Church Lane, Whitwick (amended plans)
12/00535/FUL – Demolition of existing semi-detached property and erection of new double and single storey domestic extensions to side/rear to serve remaining property – 61 Gracedieu Road, Whitwick
12/00557/FUL – Erection of 2m high fence – 37 Coverdale, Whitwick
12/00585/FUL – Single storey rear extension – Waverley House, Church Lane, Whitwick
12/00597/TPO – Works to Ash tree 9 crown reduction) and removal of damaged/diseased branches (tree protected by tree preservation order) – 18 Valley Way, Whitwick
12/00611/FUL – Erection of single storey rear extension replacing existing additions – 109 Hermitage Road, Whitwick
12/00616/FUL – External alterations relating to windows and doors – 5 Silver Street, Whitwick
12/00645/FUL – Erection of single storey rear extension – 24 School Lane, Whitwick
12/00641/FUL – Demolition of existing garage and erection of new detached garage – 35 Silver Street, Whitwick
12/00708/FUL – Single storey rear extension – 92 St Bernards Road, Whitwick
12/00710/FUL – Two storey rear extension – 24 Hermitage Road, Whitwick
Resolved: That no objections be made to any of the above applications
(b) Decisions
The following applications had now been approved by NWLDC:
12/00291/FUL – Addition of external insulation render – 78 Silver Street, Whitwick
12/00464/TPO – Pruning back of overhanging Oak branches – 49 Brooks Lane, Whitwick
12/00480/FUL – Erection of single storey side extension with height increase to existing boundary wall – 10 Barr Crescent, Whitwick
12/00516/FUL – Erection of single storey rear extension – 122 Church Lane, Whitwick
12/00535/FUL – demolition of existing semi-detached property and erection of new double and single storey domestic extensions to side/rear to serve remaining property – 61 Gracedieu Road, Whitwick
Resolved: That the report be received
(c) Proposed Co-op Food Store, Market Place/North Street, Whitwick
The Clerk reported that the Midlands Co-operative Society Limited had confirmed that they were continuing to progress this scheme. They were actively preparing a planning application and had been in discussions with the planners with regards to submitting a full planning application. Until they had had more clarity regarding planning it was difficult to confirm timescales although they were very keen to progress as soon as planning allowed.
Resolved: That the report be received
(d) Planning Appeal Decision - Application Ref 10/1208/OUTM – “Stephenson Green”
The Clerk reported that the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government had dismissed the planning appeal by William Davis Ltd and Jelson Ltd and refused planning permission for residential development between A511 Stephenson Way, Coalville and Hall Lane, Whitwick - the site often referred to as "Stephenson Green". The decision notice had been posted on the Council’s website.
The Chairman reported receipt of a letter from NWLDC’s Leader Richard Blunt and Portfolio for Planning and Engagement Trevor Pendleton expressing their congratulations and appreciation to the Parish Council, Whitwick Action Group and everyone who had worked tirelessly to ensure that the views of local people were heard. They had no doubt that this had contributed to the successful outcome.
The Chairman also thanked Councillors Colledge and Straw for leading the outstanding effort by Whitwick Action Group without which the outcome would have been very different. Other members concurred with these sentiments.
Councillor Straw in turn thanked the Parish Council and district councillors for their support for the WAG campaign. It had been a massive team and community effort with countless local people involved in activities such as leafleting, door knocking, displaying signs and raising £9,500 by fundraising. She extended her thanks also to the solicitor who had provided services free of charge and the planning consultants whose efforts far exceeded the fees they had charged. However, she sounded a note of caution in that two hurdles remained. There was a 6 week period in which the appellants could challenge the decision in the courts. They could also challenge the area of separation and countryside designations at the Core Strategy examination stage. She concluded by expressing the hope that the parish council could inherit and harness the enhanced community spirit generated by the WAG campaign.
Councillor Colledge also expressed her appreciation for the way in which local politicians had put party differences to one side to unite in support for retaining the Green Wedge.
Resolved: That the Council’s appreciation and grateful thanks to Whitwick Action Group for its unstinting efforts be recorded
172. TRAFFIC MATTERS
(a) Talbot Street, Whitwick
At the request of Councillor Spence, consideration was given to making representations to the County Council to take action on speeding and road safety issues regarding access to the cul-de-sac occupied by numbers 69 to 87.
Residents had complained of one accident and several near misses due to speeding and poor visibility splays. He had already raised the matter with the County Council, as had local County Councillor Gillard. This was a long-standing issue and there had previously been petition and traffic surveys. However, the accident record did not meet the necessary criteria. It was hoped that an approach from the parish council might add weight to the arguments.
Resolved:
(a) That County Council officers be requested to attend a site meeting to consider this issue
(b) That the matter also be brought to the attention of the Chairman of the Highways Forum
(b) Hermitage Road/Grove Road, Whitwick
At the request of Councillor Howe, consideration was given to road safety issues experienced by motorists when turning into Grove Road. Several residents had complained of near misses as traffic travelling down Hermitage Road did not slow down even when cars were indicating to turn.
Resolved:
(a) That County Council officers be requested to attend a site meeting to consider this issue
(b) That the matter also be brought to the attention of the Chairman of the Highways Forum
173. WHITWICK WARD (WARD 3), COALVILLE COMMUNITY HOSPITAL
Consideration was given to a letter from Leics. Partnership NHS Trust in response to concerns expressed regarding the future of the Whitwick Ward and changes to the services it currently provides (copy previously circulated and attached to the official copy of the minutes).
The Trust had subsequently sent the latest edition of their stakeholder briefing which included an update on the introduction of Intensive Community Support – “our work to enable more people to be cared for at home instead of being admitted to hospital”. This had been posted on the Reports page of the Council’s website.
A member referred to a ‘Save Whitwick Ward’ petition which had been launched and had already attracted over 500 signatures. She reported that local GP groups were supportive of this. The enhanced care for the 27% of patients the Trust claimed could be treated at home was not yet in place as the necessary staff training had not been undertaken. Staff had been served with notice of potential redundancy which was not consistent with assurances of retraining in community care, though it was understood that many existing staff did not wish to go down this route. Nonetheless, patients would cease to be admitted to the ward from a specified date in September. It was stated that only £440,000 had been allocated for this budget which was woefully insufficient to make adequate provision for these vulnerable patients. The ward was always full to capacity and care at home could not hope to replace the level of care provided on the ward. It was feared that the reality would be only a few short visits per day with no night cover. While there was clearly an agenda to save costs, adequate home care could actually be a more expensive option as it would involve one-to one care rather than staff being able to oversee a whole ward.
Resolved:
(a) That the ‘Save Whitwick Ward’ petition be made available for signature on the Parish Council’s stall at Party in the Park
(b) That Andrew Bridgen MP be advised of the Council’s dismay at these proposals and his support for the campaign be invited.
174. WOODSTOCK IN WHITWICK
Councillor Colledge gave update on 2012 event which had been held at the White Horse public house.
This was the 10th anniversary event and had been built on a continuing ethos of fundraising for the benefit of young and old alike resulting in some £37,500 being donated to local groups over the ten year period. This year, applications had been invited and donations had been made to a broad spectrum of 10 local organisations.
Resolved: That Woodstock in Whitwick be commended for its efforts
175. TRAINING
(a) LRALC Training – “Parish Councils and Social Enterprise”
The Clerk reported that Leicestershire and Rutland Association of Local Councils had commissioned training to be delivered on Monday 15th October 2012 by the CEO of Social Enterprise East Midlands.