BILLESDON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Billesdon Parish Council held
in the Chapel Room, Billesdon on Monday 18th April, 2016.
Present: Parish Councillors P. Collins (Chair), N. Sedgwick, S. Ford, R. Thrift, P Francis and C. McLaren.
Also in attendance: Parish Clerk P. Camm.
ITEM / ACTION
1. PUBLIC FORUM
No members of the public attended this meeting.
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr. Sedgwick declared an interest in any financial aspects relating to the allotments.
4 and 5 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING
The Minutes of the meeting held on 7th March, 2016, having been circulated prior to
the meeting, were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chair.
Cllr. Francis reported that the new drain on Leicester Road is still not clearing excess water properly and continues to become blocked, causing volumes of water to flow over the roadway. He will take photographs if/when this happens again, and the matter will then be
referred back to LCC Highways.
6. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
a) Central village flower tubs: A resident had reported that the tubs are badly worn and in need of replacement. Moreover, the gentleman who used to look after them is no longer able to do so. Council agreed to pay for replacement tubs and materials but before doing so will seek the services of another volunteer to take over the role.
b) Seat on footpath near the Coplow Centre: This is reported to be in disrepair and
Council is asked to replace it. Following discussion, the matter is not regarded by Council as a priority, and neither is ownership of the seat established. The matter will not be
actively pursued for the time being.
c) Western Power – periodic plant growth control: Council has received a request for
permission to trim shrubs and remove trees that may interfere with the electricity
transmission cables. Such work will be in line with previous similar works. It was agreed to grant permission but the Sustainable Billesdon Group will be asked to meet the
contractor on site, to ensure that the works are carried out in a sympathetic manner.
/ Chair
Clerk
7. BILLESDON PLANNING ADVISORY GROUP
Cllr. Ford reported very little activity. Demolition works on two sites have seen little progress. The outcome of objections to a development on Coplow Lane is still awaited from HDC Planning Dept.
8. THE COPLOW CENTRE
There was very little recent activity to report. A New Year Ball is scheduled for December, 2016.
9. PLAY AREA/YOUTH PASSTIMES
Cllr. Thrift reported that the new litter bin has now been installed, and is a big improvement on the old one. A new draft land lease has been passed to and considered by Council. The lease is thought acceptable subject to clarification on the start date. / Clerk
10. ALLOTMENTS
Cllr. Sedgwick reported that topsoil is now imminent for delivery. Council has received a
request for funding towards the allotment set-up costs. This had been agreed in principle at the previous PC meeting and a payment of £1,000 was authorised. / Clerk
11. WILDLIFE AREA
Cllr. McLaren reported that an Energy Efficiency meeting had been held in the village but the attendance had been very disappointing. She is continuing her discussions with the
Sustainable Billesdon Group (SBG) regarding the provision of a dog waste bag dispenser but the whole topic of how best to deal with dog excrement has become very confused. The further comments of the SBG are awaited. A wooden seat, donated by the now defunct Gardening Club, is to be installed, but a picnic table has been declined.
/ Cllr. McLaren
12. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Council was made aware by Cllr. Ford of three recent burglaries in the village. This led to a discussion about the local police officer, and the need for improved networking in relation to crimes being committed in the area. Enquiries are to be made.
/ Chair and Clerk
13. STREETLIGHTS RENEWAL WITH LEDs
Although LCC Highways Dept. has already been instructed to fix LEDs on Council's own streetlights, nothing further has been heard. The Clerk was asked to ascertain from LCC, the likely timescale for the work. (Subsequent correspondence indicates Summer, 2017).
/
Clerk
14. DEFIBRILLATORS
A new defibrillator has been installed at the Coplow Centre and should shortly be ready for use. A workshop, open to the public, on how to use the equipment, will be held in the Coplow Centre in May.
15. NEW PARISH NOTICE BOARD
Cllr. Ford has researched different models and the approximate price for a good quality board is around £1,500. There was some discussion as to whether the proposed site is the correct site for the new board, as the other, but older, main Council board is more favourably sited on the village green. Cllr. Ford will circulate information for consideration.
/ Cllr. Ford
16. JOINT BURIALS COMMITTEE
Cllr. Ford reported that a drain cover, adjacent to the cemetery, has gone missing, the drain currently protected by the relocated green bin.
17. FINANCE
The annual accounts for 2015/16 having been discussed in the prior Assembly meeting, the current accounts were discussed only briefly:
Receipts since last meeting other than bank interest:
VAT refund £ 3,201.72

Paid since last meeting / Due for payment:

AED Locator Ltd (Defib) £ 31.92Billesdon Old School Donation £ 1,500.00Billesdon Baptist Chapel (Room hire) £ 60.00LCC (Land rental) £ 137.50LRALC/NALC (Annual subs) £ 234.86Leics and Rutland PFA (Ann'l subs) £ 30.00Billesdon Allotments £ 1,000.00 P. Camm (Clerk's salary/expenses) £ 357.74Balances after all income and payments shown

Parish Council Current a/c£ 100.00
Parish Council Reserve a/c£ 29,670.28
Total £ 29,770.28

Sinking funds and other retentionsPlay Area £ 1,941.00Wildlife Area £ 1,600.00Streetlights £ 5.975.00NHP / Planning Advisory Group £ 1,741.00New Homes Bonus £ 426.00Garages sale after fees and payments £ 5,020.00Contingencies/ Reserve £ 4,650.00Total £ 21,353.00£ 21,353.00Balance available to Council£ 8,417.28Resolved: That the accounts and payments due be approved.

18. COUNTY/DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ ADDITIONAL MATTERS
Nothing to discuss.
19. DATE OF NEXT MEETING (AGM)
Monday, 23rd May, 2016 at 8.00 pm in the Chapel Room, Billesdon. There being no
other business, the meeting closed at 9.35 pm.

Signed………………………………..………Chairman Date………….