HIGHAM ON THE HILL PARISH COUNCIL
Date:Monday 5December 2011
Time:7.30 pm
Present:N Davies (Chairman), D Waterton, T Carpenter, B Golder, S Quilter
D Dickson (Parish Clerk) (from 8.20),I Ould, R Ward,7members of public
1)APOLOGIES
Apologies were received fromZoe Maple who has tendered her resignation with immediate effect.
Dorothy Dickson arrived late at 8.20 and the minutes were taken by Steve Quilter up to that time.
2)MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING
The minutes of the meeting held on 17October 2011 were agreed as accurate by the Parish Councillors present and signed as a true record of that meeting.
3)DECLARATION OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS
No Councillor declared an interest in any of the items on the agenda.
4)QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC
4.1Community Forum Meeting – Stoke Golding
A Community Forum meeting was held at Stoke Golding and no-one from the Parish Council attended. It was suggested that if no-one from the Parish Council was available for these meetings then perhaps someone from the village could attend on their behalf so that the interests of Higham could be put forward.
4.2Damage to Church Shed
The plastic guttering has been pulled off the church shed. This is an act of wanton vandalism. It was suggested that if the culprit is apprehended then perhaps the village stocks should be reinstated as punishment.
4.3Flooding by Gypsy Site
It was noted that following the recent heavy rains that flooding has occurred on the road by the gypsy site. This is due to the drainage being damaged following development of the site.
4.4Fencing around gypsy site
The fencing around the gypsy site was discussed and it was noted that the original plans were for a post and rail fence. Ivan Ould said that council laws now state that fence s should be 6 feet tall to protect children who may be inclined to climb through post and rail fences.
4.5Weeding around village
It was noted that weeding has not been carried out by the Borough Council around the village and there are a number of areas where this needs to be done. A letter to be written to HBBC requesting them to carry out this work. Action: Parish Clerk
5)LOCAL POLICING ISSUES / NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
During the month of October there was no reported crime in Higham:
However it was reported that there was a break-in in a house in Nuneaton Lane and that residents should be extra vigilant over the Christmas holiday period.
6)COUNTY COUNCIL ISSUES
6.1MIRA
There was a landowners meeting held with MIRA with respect to the issue of potential flooding to the northern perimeter of MIRA, where the River Sence meets the River Anker, when the re-development begins. There was no satisfactory answer to this issue from MIRA, so ongoing.
6.2Composting Site
It looks like this planning application will be approved despite all the objections tabled. It goes to a Committee hearing next week even though there is a similar site in existence at Sibson.
6.3Travellers Site
This development to 8 caravans is not feasible given its dangerous location on a bend. However a decision has not yet been made and the County Council want to promote cohesion between the community and travellers so not sure what final decision will be.
6.4Wind Turbine – Orton on the Hill
The villagers have formed an action group opposing this development
6.5Nailstone Colliery
This re-development to a small unit business park has collapsed as there will be no money available until after 2015. Another suggestion is to build 1000 new homes and a country park on the land, local reaction is being sought on this development.
6.6Budget
HBBC are committed to zero council tax increase for 2012; however there will be further cuts in budget due to central government withholding funds.
6.7MIRA Liaison Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for 25 January 2012. The track days finished on 1 November 2011 so there will be less noise on Saturdays until they start up again. More information needs to be given about Sunday events.
6.8Closure of Wood Lane
It was asked if this was still a possibility and it is. We have to put together a Parish Action plan and canvas all residents for their general opinion. Part of the Action Plan to promote the closure of Wood Land would be to include what we propose for Nuneaton Lane, ie speed control, chicane. We may be entitled to a grant if we put forward a Parish Action Plan. Steve Quilter to view documents held by Ann Jenkins over the last ten years or so to see if this would be feasible. Action: Steve Quilter
6.9Village Sign
It was agreed that we would look into a Village sign for Higham on the Hill. Villagers and the school children would be invited for designs. Dawn Waterton and Steve Quilter to look at costings. Action: Steve Quilter & Dawn Waterton
7)BOROUGH COUNCIL ISSUES
7.1Farm Shop, Stoke Lane
It was stated that the Farm Shop between the two bridges at Stoke Golding has been selling produce that it is not licensed to sell. The Enforcement Officer at HBBC has been made aware, but a letter to be sent from Higham Parish Council.
Action:Parish Clerk
7.2Gypsy Site
The capacity at this site in the original planning application was for one family with two caravans. No recommendation has been made by HBBC yet.
7.3Leisure Centre
This is still being evaluated.
7.4Parish Initiative Funding
This is targeted towards young people and the community
7.5Local Development Framework
Sites of special interest should have been identified to HBBC – none were put forward from Higham.
8)MATTERS OUTSTANDING
8.120 mile/h zone (previously 9.1 Matters Outstanding). This is to be considered as part of the Parish Action Plan, see 6.8 above.
8.2Purchase of Glebe Land by the Church (previously 9.2 Matters Outstanding) Awaiting feedback from PCC meeting being held on 12 January 2012.
8.3Christmas arrangements (previously 13.1 Other Matters). The Christmas tree is in place on the Village Green. The lights are being put on the tree on 6 December.
9)CORRESPONDENCE
The following items were viewed by the Parish Councillors since the last meeting:
Clerks and Councils Direct – Sept 11
RCC – Annual Review
The Clerk Magazine – Sept 11
Cadeby Tree Trust – brochure for xmas trees
HBBC – Centre Stage and Arts Update
Bosworth Community Forum – Notice of next meeting
Leics Footpath Assoc – Newsletter Autumn 11
Warks County Council – Waste Core Strategy
HBBC – Comments re gypsy site development
LCC – Draft National Planning Policy framework
LCC – Bus map and guide network map
CPRE – Guide to responding to planning applications
National Planning Policy Framework
Leaflet on Queen’s Diamond Jubilee beacons
RoSPA – Play Area inspection report
HBBC – Areas of Special Character Review and CD
Clerks and Councils Direct – Nov 11
LCC – Branchline Newsletter – Autumn 11
S & W Leics CAB – Request for a grant
10.PLANNING
10.1Composting site
This application goes to committee on 15 December 2011.
10.2Pinehollow Barn Gypsy Site
See 6.3 and 7.2 above.
11.FINANCE
11.1A cheque was approved and signed for Playsafety Limited for £86.40 for annual inspection of play equipment
11.2A cheque was approved and signed for D Waterton for £20.94 for plants
11.3A cheque was approved and signed for SLCC for £61.00 for annual membership for Clerk.
11.4A cheque was approved and signed for M Smith for £855.00 for grounds maintenance and mowing of old sewerage works.
12)OTHER MATTERS
12.1Footpath – Church Farm to Hilary Bevins Close. It has been reported that the dogs from Church Farm have been attacking other dogs on the footpath and this is very intimidating. A letter to be written to Mr Baggott of Church Farm asking him to keep his dogs under control and not let them wander onto the footpath when not being supervised or on a lead. Action: Parish Clerk
Rubbish that had been dumped by the footpath has still not been moved. Dawn Waterton to contact Mr Baggott and remind him that the rubbish needs to be moved.
Action:Dawn Waterton
12.2Zoe Maple has resigned from the Parish Council with immediate effect due to personal reasons. A Casual Notice to be posted onto the Parish Noticeboard asking for interested parties. This is to be displayed until 24 January 2012. If there are more than 10 applications then an election will be held. If less than 10 then the existing Parish Councillors can co-opt a suitable candidate.
Action:Parish Clerk
12.3An application has been sent in for 5 trees to be planted on the grass area alongside the car park on Main Street. Nick Fell of LCC phoned to say that the application was really for private land but that he would look into Highways providing the trees and maintaining them. The trees will hopefully be 3 x Mountain Ash and 2 x Field Maple as these varieties do not grow too tall.
The meeting concluded at 9.01 pm.
The next meeting will be held in the Methodist Chapel as follows:
Monday 9January 2012
Signed______
Dated______
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