1) Attendance and Apologies

Jim Aldridge – Chair, Mary Beechey, Pat Bingham, Andrew Gough, Malcolm Greenwood, Oz Hall, Brian May, Alf Oliver,

13 parishioners

Apologies: Brian Greenfield, Kevin Morrell, Anne Parkinson and Ivan Ould

2) Parishioners’ Open Forum

Flooding- Mr Brown (Main Road) reported that his conservatory had been flooded again. He also said that Severn Trent said they had put two new pumps into the Pumping Station. After discussion, it was decided: Chair to get in touch with Environment Agency to see if they can walk the river again (Mick Brown and Peter Calcott to accompany Jim Aldridge): Clerk to ask Highways to investigate drains on Main Road outside 94 to 100, Clerk also to ask if road closure signs and barriers can be obtained, to be kept at Black Horse Pub and Village Hall car park. Chair also to arrange to purchase more sand and M Greenwood was asked to arrange the purchase of more bags

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

4) Matters Arising from Minutes

Houses in Sheepy Magna (H&BBC Core Strategy) – a parishioner enquired about the houses and the Chair informed the meeting that he had held discussions with the Borough Councillor and a local farmer and an alternative site had been put forward, which H&BBC were looking at. Parishioner asked why other sites were rejected and where the minutes could be seen regarding this matter, he was directed to Borough Council website.

Mobile Youth Facility – the Chair advised that this was now visiting Sheepy Magna every other week and was situated in the lay by on the Main Road. Andrew Gough expressed concern that this had not been publicised enough.

Big Tidy Up – Ian Papworth commented that around 14 people had taken part and they had collected 30 bags of rubbish. Lisa Kirby of H &BBC had been very supportive.

Green Group – Ian Papworth reported that they were finalising their petition.

Village Signs – Ian Papworth reported that the signs for Sheepy Parva and Upton were progressing well but there may be a problem with the location of the Sheepy Parva site due to the finger post nearby. Clerk to arrange a meeting between Ian Papworth and Robert Kane of LCC.

5) Report by County Councillor – no report available.

6) Report by Borough Councillor – no report available

7) Correspondence

The following was discussed

LCC Mineral LDF – Request for Potential Sites

H&BBC – Countryside Alliance Awards

Natural Burial Company – request for potential sites

Eon – Acquisition of ABB

Consultation – Making and enforcement of bye-laws

H & BBC – Core Strategy Local Specific Policies

Allotments – Clerk reported that she had received four requests, asking if there were allotments, which could be made available in the area. Mary Beechey and Kevin Morrell to ask at the next meeting of Poor Pieces Charity, if there was any land available.

Waste Bin for Playing Fields – the Clerk had received a quote for around £250, it was proposed by A Gough, seconded by J Aldridge and all in agreement, that we should purchase a bin to be placed near the new play area.

Voluntary Action Leicester -grassroots funding

The following was available for information:

LDF – Play and Open Spaces Guide

8) Crime and Safety - Andrew Gough reported on the last meeting of the Forum, when Inspector Ball had reported on the number of thefts of metal, particularly from farms. There was also an increase in vehicle crimes, including diesel and petrol. Overall, however, all forms of crime were down by 5.7%. There were now 4 Community Support Officers and 2 Sergeants at Market Bosworth but this was to look after the whole of the South Division of Leicestershire.

The Police priorities were still: speeding through villages: anti social behaviour: scrap metal from farms and HGVs coming through villages.

Anti social behaviour was on the increase in some villages and A Gough asked the Councillors if they felt there was a need to put an article in the Gazette. After discussion, it was felt there was no need in this parish.

9) Accounts and Signing of cheques

A copy of the income and expenditure to date was circulated to Councillors.

The following cheques were presented for payment:

P Roberts Dog Bins £100

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

Odd Job (M Doughty) Stain bench £ 86.00

C Blewitt One Man Went to Mow Grasscutting £25.00

Eon Streetlight maintenance £75.24

A Gough Travel expenses £8.93

Buildbase Sand for sandbags £167.56

Brian Mee Grasscutting August £438.92

10) Planning

The following applications were received without comment:

08/00825/GDO Demolition of Stores at Cool Hill Farm, Sibson Road, Sheepy

08/00775/LBC Replacement windows New House Grange, Sheepy Magna

It was noted that the following ha been approved:

08/00825/GDO Agricultural building Cool Hill Farm, Sheepy Parva

11) Any Other Business

Alf Oliver reported on a new composting site in Fenn Lane, which was subject to a planning application with Leicestershire County Council. Clerk was asked to write to Reg Ward and Kevin Morrell to obtain their views.

Parishioners complained that the Shop was looking dilapidated. The Chair said that H &BBC were in touch with the owners.