MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE NEWBOLD VERDON PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 2nd NOVEMBER 2015 AT THE PAVILION, ALANS WAY, NEWBOLD VERDON.

PRESENT: Mrs J Crooks (Chair), Mrs D Finney , Mr. M. W. Preston, Rev C Fox, Mr J Finney, Mr R Watson, Mr W Crooks, Mr J Cartwright, and Mr R. Bell (Clerk).

Guests: Cllr R Camamile, PS G Iceton, PC R Cross.

Parishioners: 8

15.173. APOLOGIES:

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr B Sutton (Borough Councillor), Cllr M Surtees (Borough Councillor), Mr J Cooper, Mr C Petcher.

15.174. DECLARATION OF MEMBERS INTERESTS AND DISPENSATIONS:

Mrs J Crooks declared an interest in Newbold Verdon Community Action Group. Mr J Cartwright declared an interest in Newbold Verdon Cricket Club.

15.175. MINUTES:

Resolved - The Minutes of the meetings held on 5th October were approved as a true record and signed by the chair.

15.176. MATTERS ARISING:

 As requested the conifers to the right of the Alan’s Way entrance had been trimmed.  As instructed the clerk had written to LCC regarding parking restrictions on Main Street opposite the Bus Stop by the Sports and Social Club. An acknowledgment had been received and a site assessment was required prior to any decision.  As requested the clerk had written to LCC regarding the grass triangle at the junction of Barlestone Road and Bagworth Road. An acknowledgement had been received and response as follows. “I agree that is a bit of an eyesore, but funds are very tight and at the moment we cannot justify the expenditure to kerb and surface this area. It would also go against our grass verge maintenance policy, where we do not treat defective areas of grass verge unless other works are planned at the same location, or unless others are paying for the work. The good news is that I have got plans for resurfacing this section of road and that will be an ideal time to do this work, so I have made notes against the proposed resurfacing scheme to include this work within the overall package of works.” Timescales for this work are not yet known.  A letter had been received from Ironcraft regarding the new fencing ordered for Alan’s Way. Due to increased demand they had been unable to fulfil orders against original timescales and there was up to a six week delay to complete our order.  The Christmas tree had been ordered and was to be delivered and installed on 21st November 2015.  Information regarding the Parish and Community initiative fund for 2016 has been received from HBBC and funding up to a maximum of £10,000 is available but match funding of 50% is required from the applicant. Closing date for applications is 5th February 2016 with a request for expression of interest forms to be completed by end November 2015.

15.177. PARISHIONERS’ QUESTION TIME:

None

15.178. POLICE – Market Bosworth beat team to discuss traffic speeding concerns.

A discussion took place between residents, councillors and PS Iceton/PC Cross. Residents were concerned at speeding problems on the B582 but councillors pointed out that this was not the only area of concern within the village. A recently conducted police survey had identified that 9.9% of vehicles were found to be speeding in a period between 9 – 16th Sept. An email to residents had stated that this was within expected limits but this was not thought acceptable as it did not identify specific times and was not necessarily a true reflection. Options that may 1 be available are ad-hoc speed cameras, community speed checks and speed awareness sessions. Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, chicanes and speed camera’s would need funding from County Council. A communication detailing requirements for a community speed watch group was presented and PS Iceton agreed to send this electronically to the clerk so that it could be distributed to residents. Resolved – The clerk to forward the details for community speed watch to residents to see if there was enough interest to form a community group.

15.179. ACCOUNTS:

The clerk advised that the VAT reclaim for 04/15 – 09/15 had been submitted and payments received for £15,107 in the monthly income. Receive and approve payments for the October monthly schedule. Resolved – These were unanimously approved and signed by the Chair.

Precept 2016 – 17 – set date for sub-committee meeting. Resolved – The finance sub-committee would meet on Monday 9th November 7:00 pm at the Pavilion.

15.180. CORRESPONDENCE FOR DISCUSSION

a) HBBC – Precept & Council Tax Support Grant – For Information & Comment. A question was asked if this would affect the precept for 2016 -17. The clerk advised that this payment had been used to boost council reserves and was not part of the current precept.

b) Stephen Scown LLP – Lindridge Farm Community Payment Deed of Discharge – For discussion. Resolved – Unanimously agreed that the clerk to sign the documents and return to the solicitors.

c) DET – Dragon Lane Footpath grant application – Decision notice. For information

d) DET – Alans Way Pavilion extension grant application – Decision notice. For information

15.181. BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS REPORT:

Cllr R Camamile gave an update on both Borough and County matters.

15.182. PLANNING

a) 15/01053/HOU – 6 Sycamore Close, Newbold Verdon – 1st Floor side extension & roof light. Resolved – No objections or comments.

b) 15/01087/FUL – Fircroft, Barlestone Road, Newbold Verdon – Change of use & extension. Resolved – No objections or comments.

c) 15/01056/FUL – Hall Farm, Main Street, Newbold Verdon – Installation of 4 GPRS cabinets. Resolved – No objections or comments.

d) 15/01062/FUL – Wrask farm, Desford Road, Newbold Verdon – Installation of 100 kW Solar Farm The clerk advised that he had contacted the applicant and although this was only a small installation they would consider a small community payment if the project was completed before the government subsidies were withdrawn. Resolved – No objections or comments

15.183. NEWBOLD VERDON COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP UPDATE

There was no update from Parish Council representatives. Community group members expressed disappointment at the rejection of the funding bid to Lafarge/Tarmac. 2 Alternative funding sources need to be investigated.

15.184. NEIGHBOURHOOD PLANNING.

The planned October consultation had not taken place and it was thought that this be deferred until the next year. Resolved – To reconsider in January/February.

15.185. NEWBOLD VERDON LIBRARY

A request for funding from the community group “Our Library @ Newbold Verdon”. Resolved – The clerk to ask the community group to give more details on what funding they were looking for. Further details were required.

15.186. CEMETERY

An update had been received from G Seller & Co. The walls had been delivered but on inspection had not been of the standard that Seller’s would have expected. They had therefore asked that they be re-supplied to a better standard. This meant that expected installation was now January 2016.

15.187. ALANS WAY

a) Security Camera’s. Due to recent incidents at Alan’s Way the broken security cameras need replacing. Resolved – The clerk to obtain 3 quotes. b) Pavilion Update. The decision on the grant application to Lafarge Tarmac had been deferred pending it being re-submitted with a lower application. This needed to be done by 14th December 2015. Resolved – New business plan to be discussed at finance sub-committee meeting.

15.188. PARISH CLERKS MONTHLY REPORT

The clerk had met with Cookes of Kirby to discuss several small grounds maintenance jobs that required completion through the winter. This included  Trimming of the Yew Trees in the Church Yard  Height reduction of the Yew Tree by the footpath.  Cut back hedge bordering school fence which has overgrown several graves.  Ringing of Ivy on those trees affected in the Cemetery.  Memorial Area Weed tidy and clear leaves prior to Remembrance Day.  Reduce hedge at rear of swings on Dragon Lane  Raise crowns on all trees at Mallory Close and tidy hedges. Resolved – Unanimously agreed that permission to proceed with this work be given.

15.189. CHAIRMAN’S QUESTION TIME:

Mrs D Finney had received complaints from residents of Dragon Lane who were concerned that Bloor’s had raised some kerbs on the new Heritage Walk estate which was now restricting access to the private road at the rear of the houses on Dragon Lane bordering the new estate. Cllr R Camamile had mention in her report that this had been passed to LCC highways however the clerk was also asked to write to highways to ask what was being done to rectify this. Mrs D Finney asked if there was any further information on the disabled access request into the newsagents. The clerk had written to Martins asking for an update but had not yet received a reply. He would chase this up with Martins. Mr M Preston reported that the private hedge on the corner of Main Street and Desford Road was becoming so overgrown that it was impacting upon the footpath and was a concern for pedestrians. The clerk to write to LCC Highways asking if this could be addressed. Mr M Preston reported that notices had been placed in the Bus shelter opposite the Swan public house. The clerk to contact the swan and offer alternative as this could lead to other notices if not stopped.

3 Mr M Preston reported that the public footpath at the entry to the Cemetery bordering Hall Farm was overgrown. As this was a fairly short section the clerk was asked to contact the ground maintenance contractor to see if this could be cleared. Mr M Preston reported that he had received reports of drug issues on Dragon Lane Recreation Ground and more particularly on the lane between DLRG and Preston Drive where there were several garages. This was HBBC land and the clerk was asked to write to HBBC to inform them of the problem. Mrs J Crooks asked if the Land at the corner of Arnolds Crescent could have some extra work to clear out some small trees and overgrown hedge. The clerk to meet with Mrs Crooks to identify what was required.

15.190. DATE OF NEXT MEETING: The date of the next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Monday 7th December 2015 at the Alan’s Way Pavilion at 7.30 pm. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE CHAIRMAN DECLARED THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9:02 pm.

4