Minutes of Sheepy Parish Council Meeting

Sheepy Memorial Hall

3^rd March 2009

1) Attendance and Apologies

Jim Aldridge – Chair, Mary Beechey, Pat Bingham, Brian Greenfield, Andrew Gough, Malcolm Greenwood, Oz Hall, Brian May, Kevin Morrell.

7 parishioners

Apologies: Alf Oliver, Anne Parkinson and Ivan Ould

2) Parishioners’ Open Forum

LDF Framework – Core Strategy – A parishioner, Mr Green, commented on the proposed housing development at Sheepy Magna and asked the Parish Council their views. Mr Green pointed out that the present affordable homes were on a flood plain and the new houses would also be built on a flood plain, which he believed would cause flooding in the village. The Chair responded that the Parish Council had written to the Environment Agency, Severn Trent and Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, expressing their concerns that the infrastructure with regards to sewerage and storm water would not be able to cope with the new development. The responses to the letters suggested that the organisations were aware of the location of Sheepy in the river system and any development would pay particular attention to drainage and flooding issues.

Councillor Morrell commented that there would be an opportunity for parishioners to make comments at H&BBC Core Strategy Presentation on Thursday, 19^th March at Dixie Grammar School, Market Bosworth. There would also be Question and Answer drop in sessions at Market Bosworth Library on Thursday, 26^th March.

3) Minutes of the last meeting – The minutes were approved as a true and correct record.

4) Matters Arising from Minutes

Mobile Youth Project – Andrew Gough commented that he understood that an average of 4 people attend these sessions.

Composting Site near Fenny Drayton – the Chair informed the meeting that the planning application has been withdrawn. However, neighbouring Parish Councils, in particular Witherley, felt that it would be re-submitted in the future and the Chair of Witherley Parish Council had suggested a meeting to discuss this and other local issues. Brian May to attend on behalf of Sheepy Parish Council.

Reducing Speed in Ratcliffe Lane –Andrew Gough commented that he had been in touch with Highways, who said they would carry out a covert operation to assess the speed in Ratcliffe Lane.

Playing Field Notice – the Chair commented on a meeting held between himself, Councillor Gough and the Playing Field Association to discuss a "disclaimer" notice for the Playing Field, particularly in view of the new play equipment. The Playing

Field Association agreed to look into this. It was proposed by Jim Aldridge, seconded by Andrew Gough and all in agreement that the Parish Council should pay for this notice.

5) Report by County Councillor – Ivan Ould was not present at the meeting but had sent a message to say that the increase in Council Tax would be 2.9%.

6) Report by Borough Councillor – Councillor Morrell said that the Council tax increase for the Borough Council was also 2.9%. He also said that certain items, such as loss of interest and over-spends in travel concessions, means that there would be a cut back by the Council this year. Discussions on voluntary redundancies were taking place and the Leisure Centre had been shelved. On the positive side he said there was funding of up to £20,000 to be made available for organisations.

7) Correspondence

The following was discussed

LCC - Building and Improvement Lines, Sheepy, these were to be removed and no comment was made.

Voluntary Action H & Bosworth – it was noted that the services previously provided by this organisation would now be provided by a mew central infrastructure organisation Voluntary Action Leicestershire (VAL).

Market Bosworth Community First Responder Scheme – Annual Report and request for donation. Proposed by Brian Greenfield, seconded by Oz Hall and all in agreement that a donation of £100 should be given.

VA H& B – representative for Older People’s Forum, as no Councillors wished to attend, Councillor Morrell said that he would report back to the Parish Council as he attended on behalf of H & BBC.

Community Forum – Councillors were asked to note that the next Forum would be held at Norton Juxta Twycross Village Hall from 7 – 9 pm on 26^th March.

Sheepy School PTA – request for donation for Summer Festival – proposed by Kevin Morrell, seconded by Oz Hall and all in agreement, that a donation of £1000 should be given. The Clerk was asked to obtain confirmation that the money would be spent on that event only and PTA were to understand that this is a once off donation and cannot be guaranteed in future years.

H& BBC - Street Cleansing in Sibson, Upton and Wellsborough – copies of letter to be sent to appropriate Councillors plus Sheepy Greens and Clerk to then collate responses to pass to H&BBC. Discussion then took place about the amount of litter on the lay by on the B585 and the Clerk was asked to write to the Borough Council, asking if it was possible for a litter bin to be put in this location.

The following was available for information

Warwickshire CC – Minerals Core Strategy

8) Crime and Safety - Andrew Gough commented that within the last 30 days, up to 1^st March, there had been two offences in Sheepy Magna. A burglary from the Church and one assault, where the suspect had been dealt with. The Chair reported on a suspect car, which had been seen on the Playing Field, and the youths were seen trying to get into the containers. Although Andrew Gough had reported this, no acknowledgment had been received. Councillor Gough to follow up and to suggest that Inspector Martyn Ball may like to attend a Parish Council meeting to comment on the fact that Police now have to follow up every incident with a visit. Brian Greenfield also reported that thieves had stolen electric fences and  a number of feed blocks had been taken from farms around the area.

9) Accounts and Signing of cheques

The following will be presented for payment in March

P Roberts Dog Bins £110.00

M Bassett Salary/com/tel/windows/travel £620.68

Eon Electricity for streetlights –January £23.85*

Sheepy Magna Memorial Hall Hire of Hall £300.00

A Gough Travel expenses £9.39

H &BBC Emptying litter bins £26.00

*Includes VAT

10) Planning

The following application was discussed and no objection was made:

09/00120/FUL Extension to Nursery for Gift Shop and Tea Room

Bridge Farm, Twycross Road, Sibson

It was noted that an application for planning has been received by LCC to demolish the existing mobile classroom and install a new one with an ancillary staff-room facility.

It was also noted that there was a public meeting at H &BBC on 6 March to discuss the new access at Elmsdale, Ratcliffe Lane, Sheepy.

11) Any Other Business – nothing to report.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sheepy Parish Council

Minutes of Extraordinary Meeting held

11.00 am. 24^th March 2009

1) Present:  Jim Aldridge (Chair), Mary Beechey, Andrew Gough, Malcolm Greenwood, Oz Hall

Apologies: Anne Parkinson Kevin Morrell

  2) Purpose of Meeting

The Chair explained that the meeting had been called to discuss the Local Development Framework, Core Strategy, which was out for consultation.  As the Strategy only affected Sheepy Magna, it was decided that only the Councillors from the Sheepy side of the Parish should be involved.

  3) Background Information

  The Local Development Framework Core Strategy had been discussed at the last Parish Council meeting in March but no official response had been agreed upon by Sheepy Parish Council.  Following the meeting Councillors Morrell, Aldridge and May plus Dave Green, a parishioner, attended an H &BBC Workshop on the Core Strategy at Dixie Grammar School on 19^th March.  During the meeting Mr Green said his objections were not the positioning of the new houses but the number and the effect on flooding in the village. It was explained that the Authorities would examine the infrastructure before building commenced.  Mr Green also asked if the Parish Council would be making any comments on the plans, as the closing date for comments is before the next scheduled Parish Council meeting.

  4) Actions from Meeting

  Those present at the meeting discussed the Core Strategy at length and, following a vote. It was unanimously agreed not to comment.