Minutes of Sheepy Parish Council Meeting

Sheepy Memorial Hall 3rd June 2008

1) Attendance and Apologies

Vice Chair- Kevin Morrell took the Chair in the absence of Jim Aldridge. Mary Beechey, Pat Bingham, Brian Greenfield, Malcolm Greenwood, Andrew Gough, Oz Hall, Brian May, Anne Parkinson

Ivan Ould and 3 parishioners

Apologies: Jim Aldridge, Alf Oliver

2) Parishioners’ Open Forum

Sibson Village Sign -Kay May presented a rough of the artwork for the Sibson Village Sign, which was approved by the Parish Council.

Mobile Youth Project - A presentation was given by Sebastian Mainard of the LCC. He explained that they had received funding from the Youth Opportunity Fund (part of Big Lottery) to set up a mobile youth project, in the form of a converted lorry, which would be taken to rural areas. Villages who wished to take part would need to contribute £400 per year, i.e £20 per session, every other week over a 42-week period. It would be available either on a Tuesday or Wednesday between 5 and 7pm or between 7 and 9pm. There would be two Youth workers in charge but a Youth Committee would decide activities. A Youth Champion from the village would be invited to sit on the Youth Committee. The age range would be between 13 and 19 years old. Clerk agreed to put an article in the Gazette and on the website, asking if any young people would be interested in the mobile project and also becoming a Youth Champion.

The Cattery, Ratcliffe Lane – two residents told of problems with lorries and farm vehicles since work had started on the Cattery and they believed it was in breach of the planning regulations. Kevin Morrell, as Borough Councillor, agreed to take this up with Mrs Forman at H & BBC.

3) Minutes of the last meeting – It was noted under the Crime and Safety Report, it should be Martyn Ball and not Martin Bell, and the minutes were then approved as a true and correct record.

4) Matters Arising from Minutes

Lorries in Ratcliffe Lane -LCC Highways are looking at putting weight restriction signs on Main Road.

Speed Limit outside School – Clerk reported that she had spoke to a Mrs Dunn at the LCC and the Travel Plan will go before Panel at the end of May hopefully for inclusion in 2009/10 budget. Looking at 20mph during school opening and closing times and 30mph other times. Also, there is a review of A and B roads, with regard to speeding.

Village Sign – was now in place in Sheepy Magna. Everyone agreed how good it looked. Clerk to arrange press coverage. The state of the grass around the sign was discussed and the Councillors felt that the Parish Council should look at increasing the mowing around this area. Clerk to get a quote from Clive Blewett.

Ground Maintenance Contract – Due to the quality of Countryside Gardens’ work, a letter has been sent to terminate the contract with effect from 23 June 2008. Brian Mee has agreed to take over contract from this date.

5) Report by County Councillor – Ivan Ould reported on the June Cabinet meeting and the May County Council meeting, where he had bee re-appointed as leader of the Children and Youth Services. He also said that there were problems with grass cutting around the area. On looking at an Assessment System for reducing the impact of traffic, he could find no mention of Sheepy. Clerk to send to Ivan details of letter sent to Police following traffic survey. It was noted that money for Councils from the government had been moved away from the Shires and to more urban areas. Ivan also gave details of Living Leicestershire Grant Programme, with £10,000 of Community Grants available (£1,000 per grant).

6) Report by Borough Councillor – Kevin reported that H& BBC had held their AGM and the new Mayor was Councillor Bannister.

7) Correspondence

The following was discussed:

H & BBC – Home Composting promotion

Play and Open Spaces Consultation – Barwell PC are asking for Section 106 to be paid directly to Parish Council. Councillors agreed with the comments expressed by Barwell PC and the Clerk was asked to write to H &BBC concerning Section 106, asking if Parish Council could take part in discussions and that the money could be paid direct t to Parish Council. A Gough also to bring up at Parish Forum.

Sheepy District Church Council – Domesday Book is not wanted in Sheepy Church. Kevin Morrell to talk to Sheepy Memorial Hall Committee re displaying in the hall.

LCC – Enable Partnership Workshop 3^rd July – nobody wanted to attend.

8) Crime and Safety - Andrew Gough reported that he had been in touch with Robert Kane re parking in Church Lane and he had agreed to inspect this again and talk to residents.

The Forum had held its AGM and Andrew was again elected as Vice Chairman. Concerns were expressed that Brian Greenfield had heard nothing more about the missing nitrate after six weeks; however, it had now been reported to Scotland Yard. The KIN automatic telephone calls had recently left a message about lead being removed from Church roofs, including Twycross. Also, they were warning not to leave keys by door but to take to bed. Police were reviewing priorities and Councillors were asked to let Andrew know if they thought the priorities should stay the same or if there were any concerns they would like to him to bring up. The Forum was also looking at vandal proof screws for number plates, which were being distributed free in North Warwickshire. It was also reported that the Police had concerns about being tied up with unnecessary paperwork as a result of reaching targets.

A no smoking sign had been put up in the bus shelter.

9) Annual Report – this was approved by Councillors and proposed by Malcolm Greenwood and seconded by Andrew Gough and all in agreement that we should go ahead with printing from Barncraft for £88.

10) Risk Assessment

The Clerk informed the Parish Council that the auditors recommend that we carry out a risk assessment on the Churchyard every quarter rather than once a year. Oz Hall agreed to do this at the end of June.

11) Accounts and Signing of cheques

The following cheques were presented for payment:

P Roberts Dog Bins £100

M Bassett Salary/com/tel/windows/post £576.89

A Gough Travel expenses £20.08

H & BBC Emptying waste bins £26.00

12) Planning

The following applications were received without comment

08/00426/FUL Extension 7 Long Row Sibson

08/00462/FUL Extension 25 Riverside Close, Sheepy Magna

08/00453/FUL Extension 147 Main Road, Sheepy Magna

08/00475/FUL Replacement Play Area, Sheepy Playing Fields

It was noted that the following have been approved:

08/00254/FUL Ext and Garage 140 Main Road, Sheepy

08/00258/FUL Ext Oak Barn Hill Top Farm, Wellsborough

08/0409/04 Felling Sycamore tree, Sheepy Road, Sibson

 

13) Any Other Business

Brian May said that the Car Park at Sibson Village Hall had now been resurfaced and when the invoice was received, the Clerk to send to H &BBC to claim 106 money.

The Clerk was asked to request a Duck Sign for near the Lake at Sheepy Parva and also one for Ratcliffe Lane, where it had been removed.

Mary Beechey asked if the Clerk could write to LCC Highways again about our previous request for kerbing at the corner of Orton Lane and Twycross Road.