1) Attendance and Apologies

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

10 parishioners, Ivan Ould

Apologies: M Greenwood: A. Parkinson

2) Parishioners’ Open Forum – nothing to report

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

4) Matters Arising from Minutes

Waste Bin – this had now been purchased for Playing Field

Flooding – It was noted that an Action Group had been formed and Mick Brown gave a report. He said that a positive response had been received from the various Agencies. The Environment Agency were looking at the feasibility of setting up a model to look at flooding in the area, they believe it is more of an engineering job rather than removing debris. The Action Group, however, still felt that the debris needed to be cleared. After discussion, it was felt that Sheepy Greens may be able to help with this but it was pointed out that this would still need the permission of the riparian owner. The Action Group also felt that the road drains were not functioning properly and is in touch with LCC. Mick Brown asked for details of anyone who had been affected by the floods. The Chair read a letter from H & BBC stating that a Community Flood Plan is being developed for Sheepy and asking the Parish Council to nominate a Flood Warden. Mick Brown agreed to take on this role and Andrew Gough and Oz Hall agreed to be Parish Council representatives. Brian May said that Sibson had also been affected by flooding and agreed to advise the Clerk of the name of a warden for Sibson. The Chair also advised that sand was available on Memorial Hall car park and the Playing Fields and Malcolm Greenwood would be providing more bags.

Core Strategy – Local Development Framework –the Chair advised this was now available for Consultation at Market Bosworth Library or on H &BBC website, www.hinckley-bosworth.gov.uk. Reference was made to Sibson as a "Rural Hamlet" and stated that development would be confined to infill housing development, local choice schemes and conversion of agricultural buildings to employments uses. Sheepy Magna was a "Rural Village" and the four main issues the Core Strategy would address were: allocate land for the development of a minimum of 20 new houses; support proposals to reopen the village shop; address the deficiencies in quality and accessibility of green space and play provision and deliver safe cycle routes. It was noted that the responsibility of delivery for improving green space provision and reopening the shop was the Parish Council. It was suggested that the Parish Council could write to H&BBBC telling them that a lot of work had already been done on trying to re-open the shop and ask for their suggestions on where to go from here.

Responding to a question on location of the new development in Sheepy Magna, Councillor Morrell said that sites are to be discussed at H &BBC Council meeting and once a decision has been made it will go out to consultation but he hoped a decision would have been made by the Parish Council December meeting.

Mick Brown asked if the infrastructure had been considered in relation to a further 20 houses in the village, especially in view of the recent flooding problems. Councillor Morrell said that the Environment Agency and Severn Trent had been consulted. He also said that Witherley had their development deferred due to Highways not being able to cope at the moment.

The agreement in the meeting was that extra 20 houses would overload the sewerage system and push it to the limit. It was agreed that a letter should be sent from the Chair of the Parish Council to Severn Trent and the Environment Agency asking how they would cope with the extra water.

Sheepy Greens – Ian Papworth reported that an Energy Road Show was being held at Sheepy Memorial Hall, with various guest speakers, on Tuesday, 18 November, at 7.30pm

Poor Pieces Charity –Mary Beechey reported that two extra people had been approached to sit on the committee.

Village Signs – Ian Papworth reported that he hoped the signs for Upton and Sheepy Parva would be completed before Christmas.

Composite Site – the Clerk read a letter from Reg Ward saying that he would be objecting to this site.

5) Report by County Councillor – Ivan Ould reported on the LCC Cabinet meeting, which included climate issues and the Council’s requirement to have two waste disposal sites. The planning application for the green composting site near Fenny Drayton was also discussed and Ivan thanked Alf Oliver for his support and local knowledge. Ivan also discussed Bosworth Community Forum: the Healthy Schools programme/School Meals take up: meeting with secondary head teachers re BSF funding: Borough Councils Champions meeting: Children’s Centre opening in Desford and the Rural Scoping event. With regard to local matters, he reported on a meeting with Highways and their confirmation that the speed limit outside the school would be reduced to 30mph: there was still money available in the Living Leicestershire Grants Programme: the A5 near Atherstone by pass would have lane restrictions and night time closure for 5 weeks: Sutton Cheney Wharf was being sold to British Waterways: Ivan was also still looking into departure times for the school bus and the Mobile Youth Centre was discussed. Comment was also made on the flooding in Shenton Lane and the Highways Forum.

Andrew Gough asked about money for Sheepy Friendship Club and Councillor Ould said that there is a problem as they are not a registered charity.

The Chair thanked County Councillor Ould for such a comprehensive and informative report.

6) Report by Borough Councillor – Kevin Morrell reported on MIRA’s report on the Open Composting site and H &BBC’s £230,000 overspend on concessionary fares.

7) Correspondence

The following was discussed

H&BBC – Civic Carol Service – 14 December – no one to attend

H & BBC – consultations on planning applications to go electronic

Sheepy History Group- the Clerk informed the meeting of this group which was being set up to look at the history of Sheepy and other villages/hamlets in the Parish and asked the Parish Council for their support. All Councillors agreed to support the group, which would be a sub committee of the Parish Council.

Code of Conduct for Local Authorities – consultation – Chair to read and comment

Virsa – rural enterprise and community shop development – after discussion, it was felt that there was no need to talk to this organisation at the moment

LCC - Trees in Ratcliffe Lane and Sheepy Parva, had now been cut down

H & BBC – Community Initiative Fund for 2009 – for capital grants – the meeting advised that these grants were now available, to a limit of £10,000 per Parish Council.

H & BBC – Local Development Framework Core Strategy for Consultation

The following was available for information:

East Midlands Regional Plan – Partial Review

8) Crime and Safety - Andrew Gough reported that Leicestershire Police were interested in motorists driving round with tinted glass on their cars – 75% of light is the permitted use. He also said that witnesses were being sought for a recent accident at Cadeby Lane and that the Smart Water Detection kit was being used in the Church.

9) Accounts and Signing of cheques

A copy of the bank reconciliation at the end of September was circulated

It was noted that a grant of £2,500 (Community Initiative Fund) has been received from H &BBC re village signs.

The following cheques were presented for payment:

P Roberts Dog Bins £110.00

M Bassett Salary/com/tel/windows/website reg £610.14*

Brian Mee Grasscutting in September £362.18*

Sheepy Playing Field Ass Pub Liability insurance £670.82

Broxap Litter bin for Playing Field £170.38*

One Man went to Mow Grasscutting £25.00

*includes VAT

10) Planning

The following application was received without comment:

08/00971/FUL Hay & Tractor Store, south of Rye Hills Farm, Watery Lane, Sheepy Magna

It was noted that the application to fell Horse Chestnut tree at Wembrook Coppice had been approved

11) Any Other Business

Clerk was asked to report some old trees in Ratcliffe Lane and on B5000, which may be hazardous.