MINUTESof Oakthorpe, Donisthorpe and Acresford Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 16th October 2006 @ 6.00pm, Donisthorpe Community Centre

PRESENT Cllr Hair (Chairman), Cllrs Merry, Warwicker, Hart, Dolman, Matkin, Morris-Chapman. Mr Alan Ingle (Archaeological Rep), PC Sweet, 4 x members of the public

APOLOGIES received from:- Cllr Mole and Cllr Morris-Chapman (late arrival)

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Cllr Merry declared an interest in Agenda item 11a

QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC

Oakthorpe village signs – LCC cannot supply and fit the signage, this has been passed to NWLDC to progress.

DM’s – concern over the future of DM’s – some discussion took place over recent media coverage of DM’s, the feasibility study by DEFRA and general issues. Cllr Warwicker will check with Moira Replan to see if they approve circulation of the Management Team minutes. All queries reference DM’s to be addressed to Moira Replan via Graham Knight on 01283 550196.

Dead tree (struck by lightning) just inside Station Drive, Ramscliffe, Donisthorpe – Cllr Hair to request removal.

Recreation facilities needed for younger children in Donisthorpe – Cllrs suggested children and parents lobby for improved play facilities, the PC will help where possible, there are several funding options, but committees need to be formed to take this forward. Clerk to contact Amy Brooks, Recreational Officer, NWLDC, to attend one of the PC meetings.

Moira Road, Donisthorpe – traffic issues – there is a great deal of concern over this and other roads in the Parish, but Moira Road seems to be causing the most concern with speeding, parking and general traffic problems. Cllr Warwicker is liaising with LCC, the Police and the public to try and find solutions. MP David Taylor and County Cllr Sheahan are also investigating the issues. PC Sweet emphasised that the Police are doing all they can, and have, on more than one occasion conducted speed checks, with low levels exceeding the speed limits. The Parish Council will continue to support any initiatives to reduce speeding and control traffic issues.

First Parish Plan meeting for Donisthorpe – Mr Ingle reported that the meeting was well organised and chaired.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18th September 2006 AND MATTERS ARISING

Cllr Hair signed the minutes of the meeting held on 18th September as a true record of the proceedings. One amendment, 86f – speeding in Ashby Road, Donisthorpe.

Matters arising from the last minutes: Nil

REPORT UNDER CRIME AND DISORDER ACT INCLUDING POLICE REPORT

PC Sweet reported that the junction by the Engine Inn in Donisthorpe will be realigned to try and slow traffic down.

Anti-social behaviour in the Ramscliffe area – Asbo’s have been issued to several offenders.

Speeding in the Parish – the Police are doing all they can to stop speeding in the area. Also, high visibility patrols will be carried out to help stop speeding and anti-social behaviour.

Oakthorpe Community Leisure Centre – vandalism –under investigation.

Vehicles parking along the end of New Street, Donisthorpe are causing poor visibility to other motorists – PC Sweet to investigate.

Motorbikes being ridden down Moira Road, Donisthorpe – on pavements (no helmets worn) – Police to investigate.

Could the Police pilot white lining of footpaths in Moira Road, Donisthorpe, to ensure motorists park within legal limits and do not obstruct the pavements. PC Sweet stated that this should be put to residents for their views.

PC Sweet left the meeting.

All Cllr’s police related queries to be directed to PC Joy Sweet before Parish meetings – contact number is 0116 222222.

88CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

  1. Cllr Hair asked the Clerk to report back on a request to place signage to stop ball games in St John’s Churchyard, Donisthorpe – the Clerk contacted Ashby Burial Board and as the land belongs to the Church and is deemed public land, the PC cannot place signage in the Churchyard.
  2. Cllr Hair thanked Cllr Dolman for purchasing bulbs for the planters – cost of £14.00 – all agreed. Cllr Dolman offered to plant the bulbs in each planter throughout the villages – all agreed.

89REPRESENTATIVE’S REPORT

  1. Cllr Warwicker could not attend the DM’s Management meeting.
  2. Canal Trust – Cllr Hart reported that the Trust is concerned about having to make changes to the towpath in Measham due to the proximity of the travellers site.
  3. Parish Plan – the Parish Council wish to thank Jenny Beebie from RCC for her help and support with the Parish Plan meetings, and also commented that the meeting in Donisthorpe had been well organised, and well chaired by Cllr Hart.

Cllr Hart reported that the first 3 meetings had been well attended – Oakthorpe 40, Acresford 15,

Donisthorpe 110. There is a strong wish for each village to have its own Parish Plan because key

issues differ from village to village. Cllr Hart has all details from the meetings, but will wait for the

questionnaires to be processed before publishing findings.

Cllr Morris-Chapman joined the meeting

Cllr Hart proposed that as RCC have offered £500 for meeting and running costs for the Parish Plan

(if the Parish Council will donate £100), that this be added to the November agenda for resolution.

All agreed.

The second phase of Parish Plan meetings has been arranged, and the third phase is being

organised. Cllr Hart will pass minutes of meetings to the Clerk and Cllrs. Parish Councillors to pass

suggestions and questions for the Parish Plan to the village steering group or Cllr Hart.

90APPROVAL FOR ACTION TAKEN UNDER DELEGATED POWERS - Nil

91PLANNING APPLICATIONS - Nil

Archaeological Rep Discussion – heritage brickworks site in Donisthorpe, Mr Ingle reported that this is progressing well, and if anyone wishes to assist, please contact Alan Ingle or the Clerk. Cllr Morris-Chapman and Mr Ingle have spoken to the owner of the site reference purchasing it – he has no objection to this, and will source a professional to ascertain the true value of the site, there are several other interested parties too.

Cllr Morris-Chapman proposed a resolution from the Parish Council to support the site through a community partnership, with no financial obligations whatsoever. Resolved. All agreed. A discussion took place and it was stressed that the Parish Council has many other community commitments.

One member of the public left the meeting @ 7.06

92DECISION NOTICES

a.Planning Permission for 14 Dawkins Rd Donisthorpe, erection of single storey extension –

Granted. Noted

  1. Planning Permission for Donisthorpe Primary School, garage – Granted. Noted
  2. Planning Permission for 17 Ashby Rd, Donisthorpe, vehicular access – Granted. Noted

d.Planning Permission for 75 Moira Rd, Donisthorpe, re-instatement of bay window – Granted. Noted

93OAKTHORPE COMMUNITY LEISURE CENTRE REPORT

a.Cllr Merry reported that the Development Officer Jo Fairbrother is now in place, with key objectives to follow.

94CLERK’S REPORT - Nil

95CORRESPONDENCE FOR DISCUSSION

  1. Leicestershire Together Conference, 30th October, Oadby – Cllr Hart will look into this.
  2. Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document – Cllr Hart to cc this to Cllrs Morris-Chapman and Warwicker, all to review.

Three members of the public & Mr Ingle left the meeting @ 7.15pm

CONFIDENTIAL – EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC

That in pursuance of Section 1 (2) to the Public Bodies (Admission to meetings) Act 1960 and Section 100 of the Local Government Act 1972, it is RESOLVED because of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, the public and the press are not admitted to the meeting during the consideration of the following items:-

96FINANCE

a)Parish Council Accounts for payment

Resolved: The schedule totalling £3340.63 be approved for payment. All Cllrs in favour

Oakthorpe Rec. Project Accounts for payment

Resolved: The part schedule totalling £978.55 be approved for payment. All Cllrs in favour

Cllr Merry declared a personal interest in the next item

b)Resolved: The payment of £414.29 be approved for payment. All Cllrs in favour.

Total Oakthorpe Rec. Project payments for the month being £1392.84

c)Resolved: Annual home office payment for Clerk of £400.00. All Cllrs in favour

d)Ground Maintenance Contracts – Clerk to request tenders from 5 contractors. All Cllrs in favour

e)Resolved: LCC Rent for part playing fields, Oakthorpe Primary School, £115.00. All Cllrs in favour

Meeting moved out of confidential

Meeting closed @ 7.55pm

The date of the Parish Council Meeting has been arranged for Monday November 20th in Acresford Church Hall 6pm.

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