10.04.13 Page 1 of 8
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF RATBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 9TH APRIL 2013 AT 7.30PM AT THE METHODIST CHURCH ROOMS, RATBY
‘DRAFT MINUTES FOR APPROVAL’
‘UNADOPTED’
PRESENT:
Councillors: Mrs M B Joyce (Chairman), Mr K Hunnybun (Vice Chairman),
Mr C W Boothby, Mr P Hancox, Miss K Johnson, Mrs A Hunnybun,
Mrs J O’Shea, Mr L P J O’Shea and Mr R Tasker
C/Cllr. Mr R Fraser
Members of
Public: 1
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
13/32 Apologies for absence were received from PC Katie Harris and PCSO Mo Musa, both of whom were on rest days.
2. MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
13/33 Minutes of the last meeting having previously been circulated were proposed by Mr Hunnybun, seconded by Mr O’Shea, unanimously agreed and signed by the Chairman.
3. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL/PREJUDICIAL AND PECUNIARY INTEREST/DISPENSATIONS
13/34 None.
The Chairman adjourned the meeting to allow public participation at approximately 7.33pm.
4. REPORTS
13/35 (a) Police Report – in the absence of police, the report was read by the Clerk
(See Appendix 1)
(b) Borough Councillors’ Report – (See Appendix 2)
(c) County Councillor’s Report – (See Appendix 3)
The Chairman reconvened the meeting at approximately 8.02pm.
5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
13/36 (a) 13/00221/TPOCA – Mr Martin Page-34 Chapel Lane, Ratby – Works to 5 trees – No objection. (b) 13/00230/HOU-Mr & Mrs Peden, 39 Nicholas Drive, Ratby – Extensions & alterations to dwelling – No objection (c) Mr R Pasch-169 Markfield Road, Ratby – Proposed replacement single storey extension to rear, double storey side extension & front entrance porch with bow window to front of house – No objection.
6. LRALC STRATEGIC PLAN 2013-2016
13/37 Copies of the plan had previously been circulated. Discussion ensued and agreed that this was a comprehensive plan which appeared to encompass all relevant legislation changes and agreed that Clerk submit feedback.
10.04.13 Page 2 of 8
7. REQUEST FOR BUS SHELTER – CHARNWOOD/WOLSEY DRIVE
13/38 Letter received from Mr Marson requesting provision of bus shelter at this location. Lengthy discussion followed and it was agreed that Highways be contacted for permission to erect a bus shelter. Agreed that Arriva also be contacted with regard to numbers of passengers who use the buses from this stage number.
8. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
13/39 (a) List of Payments-previously circulated. Question raised as to subscription for LRALC. Clerk informed meeting that the subscription covered not only membership of LRALC, which involved the majority of Parish Councils in Leicestershire but also covered membership of the NALC. (b) Parish Plan Advisory Committee minutes – tabled at the meeting. (i)Mr Hunnybun apologised for the late submission and informed Council that a draft letter to the Trustees of the Knighton Trust had been prepared regarding access across their land to link up the footpath which he would give to the Clerk. (ii)Dog waste-leaflets had now been circulated to residents adjacent to Ferndale Park. However, some concern was expressed about residents giving their details. Mr O’Shea reassured the meeting that any information given to HBBC would be treated in the strictest confidence. (iii)The replacement of the owl seat was also raised and the meeting was informed that this was still with The Woodland Trust who had previously informed Council that it was a question of finance. (iv)Commemorative plaques – permission was being sought to place plaques in Berrys Lane at houses where William Ewart Astill and Tom Jeyes (Cricketers) lived. Mr Boothby mentioned Dennis Wigglesworth and also a Mr Shipman who played for Leicestershire. Mr Hunnybun agreed to speak to Doug Harwood (Local History Group) about them. (v)Mr Hunnybun informed meeting that he had completed the training as volunteer site administrator for the village website page, which came under Leicestershire Villages and he was proposed to encourage village groups etc., to contribute to the website. Council informed that this website was totally independent of the Parish Council website and that any submissions for Leicestershire Village in respect of Ratby would be edited by him.
9. CLERK’S REPORT
13/40 (i) Stepping Stones - £200 cheque had been received for the project Plant a Tree for Jubilee. (ii) Leicestershire Youth Offending Service – the final IMPACT report had been received (iii) Local Democracy – the All Party Local Democracy Group meeting on 24th April. Rt Hon. David Tredinnik MP had written to the Secretary of State regarding this and had received a response which stated:
“It is Government’s clear expectation that billing authorities will work with parish and town councils to pass down funding so that their precepts can be reduced to reflect reductions in their council tax base.
Precisely how much funding should be passed down will depend on a number of factors, including the design of the scheme and the number of claimants in the local precepting authority area, both of which could change from year to year.”
(iv) Stepping Stones – Annual Partners’ and Stakeholders’ Forum - 16th May at 6pm to be held at Brocks Hill County Park Washbrook Lane, Oadby. Mr Hunnybun expressed interest in attending. (v) Swannington Railway feature. Leicestershire County Council had inspected the site which forms part of Bridleway R115 and is considering the proposal to incorporate the feature into the Railway Inn site, particularly as it is the site of the former ticket office for this railway Several
10.04.13 Page 3 of 8
protocols must be satisfied before this can proceed but the Asset Management Working Group meets on 11th April 2013 and this proposal will be considered then.
(vi) Grit Bins – email received from County Council – still no progress. Discussion ensued and agreed that B/Cllr O’Shea would take this up again and also that the Parish Council would continue to press for the provision of the bins. (vi) Land off 19 Woodley Road – Second solicitor’s letter sent to owners stating that if they do not comply with request to remove path it will be necessary for Council to commence proceedings for a mandatory injunction for the necessary work to be done and a deadline of 25th April 2013 was given. Agreed that this should be pursued. At this point Mr Boothby informed Council that he had met Mrs Senescall and she had stated that she had “no intention of removing the pathway”. (vii) Licensing Panel decision regarding extended hours at Sports Club received. Meeting informed that hours had been restricted to those of existing licensed premises in Ratby and that no alcohol allowed after 11pm in external areas. Late night refreshments were allowed until 11pm Sundays-Thursday, this would be extended to midnight Friday and Saturday.
Condition that operational CCTV be installed and children under age of 16 not be allowed within a 2m. area from the bar. (viii)Next Coronation Carnival meeting Thursday, 18th April 2013 7.30pm Methodist Church Rooms. (ix) Frog springie at Burroughs Rec. in need of replacement. Discussion ensued and agreed that until new lease received any replacement should be held in abeyance and that this item should be painted in the interim. (x) Safety surfacing – repairs to safety surfacing in the new toddler area/rotator/seesaw at Ferndale Park. Surface being lifted. Repairs need to be carried out a.s.a.p RoSPA inspection due May 2013. Agreed.
There being no further business the meeting closed at approximately 8.46pm.
Signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting
______
Chairman Date
Attachment No. / Title / Min.Ref. / Page No.1 / Mins.last meeting / 13/33 / 1
2 / Planning applns. / 13/36 / 1
3 / LRALC Strategic Plan / 13/37 / 2
4 / List of Payments / 13/39 / 2
10.04.13 Page 4 of 8
LIST OF PAYMENTS
Cheques & Direct Debits- Meeting April 2013
C/No. Company Amount Details
£
103762 Kevin Waterfield 40.00 Boiler repair
103763 ICN Computers 55.00 Karspersky security+installation
103674 George Walker Ltd. 70.88 Timber supplies/fencing repairs etc.
103675 Go-Getta CIC 270.00 Youth Workers
103576 ESPO 193.38 Supplies/stationery etc.
103767 Skill-Stone Ltd. 576.00 Supply/installation granite block/plaque
103768 Sutcliffe Play Ltd 108.24 Replacement 2 no. swing seats
103769 Leics.& Rutland Playing Assn. 20.00 Membership renewal
103770 Ratby Parish Church Rooms 64.00 Hire charge for Youth Club
103771 LRALC 529.62 Membership LRALC & NALC
103772 The Post Office (PAYE Mar.13) 675.62 PAYE March 2013
103773 George Walker Ltd 24/86 Timber supplies (fencing repairs etc.)
103774 LRALC 60.00 Councillor training
103775 Richards Environmental Services 192.00 Dog waste service 01-31/03/13
103776 G&G Signs 67.20 Signs (Car park Ferndale)
TOTAL 2946.80
DIRECT DEBITS
British Gas 45.00 Gas
Sita 112.90 Skip Hire-Ferndale
Salaries 1802.75 Salaries March 2013
British Telecommunications 318.27 Telephone bill
TOTAL 2278.92
10.04.13 Page 5 of 8
POLICE REPORT APPENDIX 1
In the absence of police, the report was read by the Clerk.
Crime figures from 1st-31st March 2013 as follows:
Friday 1st March Co-op shoplifting (1 male charged and remanded in custody)
Thursday 7th March Park Road – Theft of motor vehicle
Monday 18th March Fielding Lane – Burglary other than dwelling
Thursday 21st March Wagtail Close – Burglary
Friday 22nd March Overfield Close – Criminal Damage
Sunday 24th March Fielding Lane – Burglary other than dwelling
Tuesday 26th March – Markfield Road – Burglary other than dwelling
Q. Miss Measures – Is this a substantial reduction in incidents from previous months? What time of day did these happen, is it when the lights are out?
A. No reduction from last month (9 incidents) and no information as to what time these incidents occurred.
General discussion regarding unemployment which may well lead to more thefts. Agreed to ask for time frames to be annotated to the following sets of crime figures.
---oOo---
10.04.13 Page 6 of 8
BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORT APPENDIX 2
Plannning Application Geary’s Site New CO-OP and 13 Dwellings
A planning application has come in to develop the old Geary’s bakery site. The application is for a new modern bigger and better CO-OP store to replace the one in the centre of the village. There are also plans for 13 dwellings which are a mixture of houses including a 5 bed house, a 4 bed house 7 x 3 bed houses. The front of the bakery will be retained and that will form a 4 bed house and two flats making a total of 13 units. Ozzy met with the agents and the Chair and Clerk to the Parish Council during the 1st week of April to discuss and view the plans. They look good, but Ozzy has requested a village consultation on the plans and this has been agreed by the agents. Representatives frm the agents will be available in the Church Rooms with the site plans and house types on Thursday 25th April 2013 between 6pm and 8pm. We would urge as many residents to attend and view the plans; we will be there to get your feed back.
Q. Miss Measures – What is the name of the developer?
A. Staniforth Vernum at the Planning Consultants acting on behalf of David Wilson
Update Sacheverell Way Street Light Campaign
I am extremely grateful for the support that both Groby and Ratby residents have given to me over this community safety issue. I am pleased to say that the County Council has taken notice and listened to residents’ concerns over this issue. My meeting with Nick Rushton the Leader of the County Council was very positive and shortly afterwards the Council put a stop on taking the lights out and agreed to a summer consultation with residents. I handed the petition signed by 895 residents of both villages to Cllr David Slater, the Deputy Lead Member on Environment and Transport on Tuesday 2nd April at County Hall. It was disappointing to learn that someone had removed the signed petitions from both the Chemist and Chip Shop in Ratby. We would have had well over 1000 signatures on the petition if we had been able to include the missing ones.
I have now received confirmation from County Hall that the petition has been given to the Director of Transport. I have also been invited to present a copy of the petition to the Hinckley and Bosworth Highways Forum which is scheduled for the 5th June 2013 at 6pm. The meeting will be held in the chamber at the Hinckley & Bosworth Council Offices, Argents Mead, Hinckley. The meeting will be open to the public and I would urge residents to attend and support me. Residents can rest assured I will continue to press for every other light to be turned back on in the evenings until 0030 am each morning and then back on again in the winter months from 0530am until daylight to protect our children walking to school. Kind Regards Ozzy.
Damage to Ratby School Sports Field
There has been considerable damage caused by persons unknown to the sports field opposite the Burroughs Rec. It is assumed the damage was caused by quad bikes or motorbikes. The playing surface has been carved up and ruined any chance of school children playing on this ground. Police have been informed and anyone found riding on this ground will be cautioned and could have their vehicle impounded and possibly crushed under section 59. We ask that residents keep an eye on this land and report anyone on it with vehicles. This land belongs to Ratby School and is for the sole use of the children. Please remember the police telephone number for all Anti Social incidents is 101.