MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE NEWBOLD VERDON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 5TH JANUARY 2015 AT THE PAVILION, ALANS WAY, NEWBOLD VERDON.

PRESENT: Mrs J Crooks (Chair), Mr. M. W. Preston, Mr W Crooks, Mr J Finney, Rev C Fox, Mr C Petcher, Mr R Watson, Mr J Cooper, Mrs D Finney, Mr J Cartwright and Mr R. Bell (Clerk).

Guests: Cllr B Sutton, Cllr R Camamile.

Parishioners: 4

15.1. APOLOGIES:

None

15.2. DECLARATION OF MEMBERS INTERESTS AND DISPENSATIONS:

Mrs J Crooks declared an interest in Newbold Verdon Community Action Group.

Mr J Cartwright declared an interest in Newbold Verdon Cricket Club.

15.3. MINUTES:

Resolved - The Minutes of the meeting held on 1st December 2014 were approved and signed.

15.4. MATTERS ARISING:

·  The tree planting at Lord Crewe Close had been completed. A total of 5 trees had been planted. Once the invoice had been received the application for the approved funding from stepping stones would be submitted.

·  The pavilion caretaker had commenced employment on 1st January 2015. A confirmation letter had been sent to Mrs G Parker and all unsuccessful candidates had been contacted. A contract of employment was signed by the Chair & the Clerk.

·  Parish & Community initiative fund closing date for applications was 6th February 2015. This item had been deferred for further discussed at this January meeting. The clerk was instructed to investigate the possibility of funding towards repairs and maintenance of the hedge at Alan’s Way Recreation Ground.

15.5. PARISHIONERS’ QUESTION TIME:

A question was asked about the Parish Council response to a proposed Solar Farm at Wrask Farm. This was an agenda item at 15.8b however the council decided to discuss at this point.

The clerk read out an email received from Lightsource renewable energy outlining a proposal and asking for views and opinions of the proposal.

Resolved – The PC were of the opinion that comments would be deferred until after a public exhibition after which more information would be available. Concerns were however expressed regarding the number of renewable energy projects being proposed in the Parish and surrounding area. The clerk was instructed to reply to the email asking for details of dates for a public exhibition.

15.6. ACCOUNTS:

To receive and approve payments as detailed in the schedules for December.

Resolved – The accounts for December were unanimously accepted and signed by the Chair.

To consider the proposed Parish Precept for 2015 – 16.

Proposed M Preston Seconded J Cooper that the proposed precept of £61,205 be accepted

Resolved – This was unanimously accepted.

15.7. POLICE REPORT:

None received and no representative in attendance.

15.8. CORRESPONDENCE FOR DISCUSSION

a)  Post Office – Proposed move of premises – Consider response.

Resolved – The clerk was instructed to write to the Post Office asking for more information especially concerning detailed plans for the new premises. Concerns were particularly regarding available space and privacy.

b)  Lightsource Renewable Energy – Proposed Solar farm @ Wrask Farm – Consider response

Resolved – This had been covered in 15.5.

c)  Sovereign Play – Offer of memorial bench – Consider

Resolved – The clerk was instructed to respond accepting the offer of a memorial bench.

15.9. BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:

Cllr B Sutton gave an update on Borough Council matters.

Cllr R Camamile gave an update on County Council matters.

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15.10. PLANNING

a)  14/01103/COU – Wrask Farm, Desford Road, Newbold Verdon – Change of use of Agricultural premises.

Resolved – No comments.

15.11. NEWBOLD VERDON COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP UPDATE

A letter had been received from Derbyshire environmental trust informing The Lafarge Tarmac decision on the funding application for play equipment at Dragon Lane had been deferred from December 2014 until January 2015.

15.12. KING RICHARD 3RD PROJECT

Mrs J crooks reported that the Sports and Social Club had been provisionally booked for a medieval banquet on the night prior to the procession.

Plans were also being made for some form of village possession and pageant to take place through the village and terminate at Dragon Lane Recreation Ground on the morning prior to the main procession through the village.

The clerk had submitted a draft management plan to HBBC outlining possibly activities anticipated.

A draft risk assessment had also been submitted against a possible event at Dragon Lane Recreation Ground.

15.13. NEWBOLD VERDON LIBRARY

Correspondence had been received from LCC regarding timescales for voluntary groups to submit expressions of interest and business plans for any proposed community partnerships.

The friends of Newbold Verdon Library had posted an advert in the Graphic magazine asking for volunteers who would be interested in helping to run the Library on a voluntary basis. Some responses had been received and a meeting was planned at the Library on Saturday 10th January 2015.

15.14. BAGWORTH ROAD/BARLESRTONE ROAD JUNCTION

Added at the request of Mr C Petcher who was concerned at the poor marking around the junction and the lack of visibility especially in darkness.

Resolved – The clerk was asked to write to LCC Highways asking for a joint meeting so that this could be investigated.

Cllr R Camamile also stated that she would raise the matter at the next meeting of the Highways Forum. The clerk to email formally requesting this.

15.15. CEMETERY MEMORIAL GARDEN

The clerk stated that he would be visiting Bardon Quarry sometime this month to investigate.

15.16. ALANS WAY

The next round of Inspired facilities funding was due to close on 8th June 2015. A business plan and bid would be prepared ready to submit. The clerk to arrange a meeting with the finance Sub-committee.

It was also suggested that the Leicester and Rutland Playing Fields Association would be a good source of help, advice and possible funding. The clerk was instructed to contact them also.

15.17. PARISH CLERKS MONTHLY REPORT

The Parish Council needed to be compliant with Auto enrolment pension by March 2016. The clerk would be investigating what was necessary.

15.18. CHAIRMAN’S QUESTION TIME:

Mrs D Finney stated that the Bus Stop along Desford Road was overgrown and difficult to see. The clerk would ask the contractors VAUM if they could trim back and remove the overgrowing bushes.

Mrs J Crooks asked if the dog bin that had been removed from the footpath noppisite the Church to replace the stolen one on Brascote Lane could be replaced. An agreeable siting was required due to a complaint from the adjoining resident for nthe replacement bin. Also it was requested if the existing bins could be raised off the grown to reduce the chances of deterioration.

15.19. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:

The date of the next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Monday 2nd February 2015 at the Alan’s Way Pavilion at 7.30 pm.

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE CHAIRMAN DECLARED THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8:45 pm.

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