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Minutes of the meeting of Barlestone Parish Council held on the 14th June 2017 at the Pavilion, Bosworth Road.

PresentMr. D. Burchell, Mr. D. Crane, Mrs. C. Rahaman, Mrs. A. Smith, Mr. P. Enston,

Mr. P. Burchell, Mr. J. Kendall

County/Borough Councillor W. Crooks

Apologies Mrs. C. Watkins

The Chairman David Burchell, presented the Revd. Downs with his Citizen of the Year Certificate

This was awarded to him in 2016 in recognition of his work over the years with and for the Community of Barlestone and for reviving St. Giles Church with his style of Ministry.

Councillor Crooks had previously circulated his reports but went on to report that the Good Friday site had lost the appeal and would need to leave.

1Minutes of the Previous Meeting

Proposed as a true record byMrs. Smith, seconded by J. Kendall and all in agreement.

2Matters Arising/Clerk’s update

  • Allotment Fence – D.Crane said he could find chestnut fencing for this job to be done between the allotments and the neighbouring house
  • Trees – now the weather is getting better the Clerk and RFO are to undertake a stock of trees in the village with a view to decisions being made by the council re the maintenance of them.

A Resident had reported that trees in the Bull Piece were very tall and well overgrown, these will be inspected D.Burchell will take a look at this particular problem.

  • Bus Shelter/Stop update – the bus stop has now been moved to outside the Cemetery but we are still awaiting payment for the second bus shelter from our insurers.
  • Spinney – the agent for the Diocese had been in contact on the 5th June and posed these questions as to what the PC would like to do with regard to this land.
  • The outright sale of the land to the Parish Council.
  • The land is subject to a 99 year lease, or thereabouts, in exchange for a premium and a peppercorn rent each year.
  • The current agreement is renewed on the same terms

We are still awaiting a reply with regard to the figures involved.

3Planning

Ref,17/00427/LBC Mortimer House, Barlestone – rear door to new utility room & change to window

Ref. l7/00525/LBC Mortimer House, Barlestone – Replacement timber windows & doors

No objection to the above applications from the members.

Planning Team Policy – (H&BBC) site visits will be taking place by Neil Allen Associates to look at supply and demand of pitches across the borough.

4Finance –

a) Accounts for payment, The list having been circulated were proposed by Mrs. Rahaman, seconded by P. Enston and all in agreement that the invoices totaling £4560.06 are paid.

b) Expense request re Bollards

Following on from discussions with the County regarding parking problems in Barlestone and having the support of the County Councillor it was proposed by P.Burchell, seconded J.Kendall

that 15 bollards are obtained with a view to stopping parking on some verges due to the safety aspect for local children.

c) Request to PC for donation

First Steps had requested a donation to purchase new equipment to help with their funding events. The councilors had considered their statement of accounts and felt that they could adequately cover the costs from their own funds and therefore the PC were not able to help on this occasion.

Other Financial business - Barlestone PC had requested £1000 from Osbaston PC to help cover expenses in the cemetery and other amenities within Barlestone used by Osbaston residents. Unfortunately Osbaston PC did not feel they were able to contribute the full amount as only a small number of their residents made use of Barlestone facilities. This will be taken up with their committee.

5Neighbourhood Plan

Mrs. Watkins had circulated her report but unfortunately the last meeting had been poorly attended. It is very important that this plan continues to move forward as funding required by the PC towards the new building and other things within the village hinges on this.

The meetings are held on the first Thursday of each month in the Pavilion and anyone is welcome to attend.

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6Allotments – update

A number of issues were raised and will be looked into.

7Playing Fields –

  • Fire Extinguishers in Pavilion have been serviced on the 13th June.
  • Snapdragon – this is a free event to be run by the Borough Council on Wednesday 26th July.

11 – 2pm on the playing field. It is thought the theme will be the seaside and all children resident in the village are invited to attend. Flyers are to be supplied from the Borough shortly.

Refreshments can be supplied from the Pavilion, and it is understood the members of the Bowls Club will do this. It is also hoped that members of the Neighbourhood Plan committee will be on hand to talk to the children and any other residents who are there about their wishes for the village.

  • The Chairman reported he had received a grant of £2651 from the Borough towards the repair of the wall around the hard surface play area and the fixing of disabled entry gates to the playing field.

Three quotes had been received for the work, but it was proposed by J. Kendall, seconded by Mrs. Rahaman that the one from Darren Grewcock at £1650 was acceptable.

The other quotations from Darrel Irons and D. Irons were rejected on this occasion.

  • A tree had fallen on the new play equipment but this had been sorted out with no damage to the equipment.

8Cemetery

Request for grave plot from Cathie Goddard (original resident of Barlestone) This was discussed and agreed but the cost would be £650. It was doubtful that the requested plot was available and contact will be made with Mrs Goddard.

9Fun Day

Cathie is appealing for raffle and tombola prizes. BOCA will run them and has provided some as well as the Stall holders PC to donate some prizes obtained by the Clerk.

Cheque was agreed to cover the Licence for the Event and Mrs. Roberts (RFO) will provide this.

The purchase of an event shelter was discussed, the size being 4.5m x 4.5m at a cost of £158

Agreed by all present. It was also noted that gazebos would also be used.

A meeting is needed in July as Mrs. Watkins will not be at the next PC meeting.

10Any other Business

a)On Sunday 18th June Armed Forces Day the flag will be raised at the Roundhouse at approximately 1.30pm. Rev John Downs will be coming to give a short prayer for members of the Armed Forces; all PC members are invited... and then the following Saturday from 2pm to 4pm around the wheel Once, We Were Soldiers are having stalls including a cake stall, raffle, tombola, charity merchandise/publicity, etc – please come and support if possible.

b) Mrs. Rahaman & Mrs. Smith are to attend the service at the Cathedral on Sat.24th June.

This is in their capacity as organisers of the Remembrance Day collections for Barlestone.

c) J. Kendall had visited the school to discuss the possibility of CCTV and he reported that they were very interested in the proposal, and will be contacting the authority with a view to moving forward.

d) Following on from the General Election when the poling station for Barlestone had been at the primary school, there had been comments about the safety when children were entering and leaving school due to the large number of parked cars and also lack of facilities for disabled voters. It is proposed to write to the Electoral Services in Hinckley to put forward the pavilion for future use as there is a car park and also disabled access. It was also not felt safe that children were leaving when strangers were around the school entrance.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30 pm