Minutes of Sheepy Parish Council Meeting

Sheepy Memorial Hall

1^st September 2009

1) Attendance and Apologies

Jim Aldridge – Chair, Mary Beechey, Pat Bingham, Brian Greenfield, Malcolm Greenwood, Oz Hall, Brian May, Anne Parkinson: County Councillor Ivan Ould and Clerk Mavis Bassett

2 parishioners

Apologies: Andrew Gough, Kevin Morrell, Alf Oliver

2) Parishioners’ Open Forum

No comment

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

4) Matters Arising from Minutes

Land Registry – Clerk gave information from Louisa Horton, who said that Parish Council had no legal obligation, even if they mowed the land. It was proposed by Malcolm Greenwood and seconded by Oz Hall and all agreed not to register the small parcels of land around the village.

Emptying Dog Bins – quote received from H &BBC for £56 plus VAT for emptying the 9 dog bins. As this compares favourably with cost of present contractor, it was proposed by Oz Hall, seconded by Malcolm Greenwood and all in agreement that the contract should go to H & BBC. Clerk to find out when they can start.

Notice boards at Sheepy Magna – In the absence of Andrew Gough, the Clerk gave details of the two quotations, which had been received. It was agreed that the quote from Kris Papworth was more competitive but concern was expressed about delivery time. Clerk to ascertain how long delivery would be. Jim Aldridge to ask Alan Brown if he wanted to quote.

Memories of Sheepy Calendar – An email was read from Lyn Percival, who said the Local History Society do not need donation at this stage, as the calendar was being printed free of charge.

Village Signs - the Clerk reported that following a conversation with Ian Papworth, the Upton sign should be in situ within the next two weeks. The Sheepy Parva sign was still awaiting the artwork but it would be in situ by the end of the calendar year.

Compost Site off Fenn Lanes – Jim Aldridge reported that he had received several emails from neighbouring parishes detailing their objections to the site and meetings they were holding with the applicants. The site is to be 70 times bigger than the one at Sibson and there would be a lot of lorry movements. The Clerk said that she had received an acknowledgment from LCC, with regards to the Parish Council objections.

Letter from Sheepy Playing Field Association – following the letter from the Parish Council, a response had been received from SPFA saying that the benches had been removed. Several Co8uncillors reported that parishioners had complained that there was nowhere to sit. Councillors expressed concern that the facilities on the playing field were not accessible to the whole of the Parish and the needs of the older people were not being considered, particularly with regard to the benches. Oz Hall to take Parish Council comments back to the Playing Fields committee.

5) Report by County Councillor – Ivan Ould reported on the meeting that had been held at MIRA and on site between the Parish Councils concerning the Windrow Composting site. He noted that lots of rubble had already been dumped on the site, some of which was hazardous. He was concerned that the site operated within a 30-mile radius, including the West Midlands but not Leicestershire. The composting they would be carrying out includes MDF, which contains formaldehyde. Windrows would be in the field up to 5-mile radius of the site and this would include Sheepy Parish. His objections included an increase in the number of refuse lorries, which are exempt from weight restrictions, and the adverse affect on tourism.

He also said that BOTAT complaints had increased. With the wet weather, there was an increase in the number of vehicles using the BOTATs and the farmers were complaining, as they cannot access their fields. There was also a link with increased burglaries, especially on isolated farms. Ivan believes that there is a strong case that they should be downgraded to bridleways.

The County Councillor said that he was dealing with a complaint from a parishioner concerning school transport. The parent complained as a taxi was picking up the child and taking them to Appleby, where a bus was picking them up to go to school in Ashby.

6) Report by Borough Councillor – no report available

7) Correspondence

The following was discussed:

BT – Red telephone kiosk, Twycross Road, Sibson. Proposed by Brain May and seconded by Pat Bingham and all in agreement that we should keep this box. Clerk to get further details from Bt and Brian May to get more input from parishioners in Sibson.

H &BBC – Citizen of Year Awards – the Councillors agreed to nominate Lyn Percival for the work she had done on Memories of Sheepy Day.

H&BBC- Your Voice Your Choice – information was given on the Forum to be held in October, when bids would be made for the £20,000.

Crown Estate – information on building partnership was passed to all Councillors

Neighbourhood Watch – volunteers wanted for eyewitness research – nobody interested.

The following was available for information

H&BBC – Parishes Forum 21 January 2010

Leicestershire Rural Partnership – Annual Report

Village Voice

8) Crime and Safety - Andrew Gough was on holiday but Graham Andersen had reported to the Clerk that there were a total of 3-recorded crimes up to 27 August. One of a domestic nature, one a burglary and one an outbuilding.

9) Accounts and Signing of cheques

The following were presented for payment in September:

P Roberts Dog Bins £110.00

M Bassett Salary/com/tel/windows £591.57

Brian Mee Grasscutting July £458.33*

Eon Streetlighting for July £23.85*

One Man Went to Mow Grasscutting £25.00

H &BBC Emptying waste bins £26.00

Clement Keys Audit £327.75*

*includes VAT

10) Planning

No planning applications had been notified.

11) Any Other Business

Nothing to report.