1 Higham on the Hill Parish Council
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HIGHAM ON THE HILL PARISH COUNCIL Date: Tuesday 7th March 2017 Time: 7.30 pm Present: B Golder (Chair), A Jenkins, D Waterton, C Molyneux, S Gayton D Dickson (Clerk), 6 members of the public A minute’s silence was observed following the death of former Chairman and Councillor Mr Harry Cheshire. 1) APOLOGIES Apologies were received from Councillor Robinson who had prior commitments. Apologies were also received from the County Councillor Ivan Ould. 2) MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING It was noted that the date of the last meeting was incorrect, it should have read 7th March 2017. Following this amendment the minutes from the Parish Council meeting held on 16th January 2017 were agreed by the Parish Councillors present, and then signed as a true record of the meeting 3) DECLARATION OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS There were declarations of interest by any member. 4) LOCAL POLICING ISSUES / NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH 4.1 There is a speed/clearway sign at the start of Nuneaton Lane (from the A5) which has a very small “end” sign underneath. This is causing confusion. Ivan Ould has taken up this issue and will reply at the next meeting. Action: Ivan Ould 4.2 A car has been stolen from Nuneaton 4.3 There was a break-in on Main Street A reminder was given for everyone to be vigilant. 5) COUNTY COUNCIL ISSUES The County Councillor did not attend the meeting but sent the following report. 5.1 Monthly Report for February 2017 Local Issues – Individual Casework Current total is 14, and 3 were successfully resolved during the month. 1 Local Issues – Parish Council Areas I attended 5 parish council meeting in February. Adult social care and highways issues have again been the main issues this month. County Hall Meetings: In February I attended the following meetings: 6th: Leicestershire Education Excellence Partnership meeting 7th : Strategy Co-ordination Group (SCG), followed by Cabinet Briefing, followed by an all member briefing on the Housing and Economic Needs Assessment (HEDNA) until 2036, followed by the Lead Member meeting. 10th: OFSTED briefing to Cabinet, followed by Cabinet Meeting, followed by an in-depth assessment of the OFSTED outcome. 13th Media briefing regarding the OFSTED Report into Children’s Social care, followed by an All Member briefing on the same subject, followed by the Lead member meeting. 14th SCG, followed by a meeting with Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector for the East Midlands to discuss OFSTED Report. 15th Children in Care Junior and Senior Council meetings. 16th Meeting with staff of First Response to discuss OFSTED comments about First Response 21st SCG and cabinet briefing 22nd Meeting with Leader re Medium Term Financial Strategy, followed by Lead Member meeting, followed by full County Council. 24th Meeting with Ed Agar, M.P. for Charnwood. 28th SCG, followed by Lead Member meeting External Meetings 1st Highways inspection walk round Higham on the Hill, followed by visit to Supporting Leicestershire Families Team at Hinckley Hub 9th School Forum meeting at Beaumanor Hall 20th House of Commons briefing for 70 M.P.s by F40 Group that I chair regarding proposed national schools funding formula 24th Meeting with Principal of Bosworth Academy County Council This was a single item agenda, i.e., the Medium Term Financial Strategy. ( No amendments were proposed by any of the opposition groups, although they did not support the proposals.) This set council tax at 3.9% for the next four years, subject to any Government changes. Cabinet 2 First item was the Medium Term Financial strategy. This set the proposals for the full county council meeting. The second item noted the proposals for School and High Needs funding. These will be formalised at the Cabinet meeting in March. The third item made minor amendments to the schools admission policy. The fourth item concerned the development of a rail strategy for Leicestershire, including an amendment that I proposed that there should be no diminution of rail services to London on the West Coast Main Line following the completion of HS2. The fifth item concerned the introduction of average speed cameras into Leicestershire. The sixth item referred to planning applications in Melton Borough villages. Finally the integrated commissioning of mental health recovery and resilience services consultation outcome was agreed. 6) BOROUGH COUNCIL ISSUES 6.1 The new budget has been set, there will be an increase in the Council Tax by £5 across the board. 6.2 The New Homes Bonus is uncertain at present and could put pressure on the Council Tax 6.3 HBBC are required by Government to reduce Council house rent by 1% for the next 4 years. 6.4 The rate support grant has been reduced in the last 2 years and it is to be reduced for another 2 years, it will then stop. 6.5 Barwell SUE – going ahead – imminent details should be sent to Council. 7) MATTERS OUTSTANDING 7.1 Village Sign (previously 7.1 Matters Outstanding) – The deposit has been paid and the sign is being worked on. It was agreed by all Councillors present that the sign will be erected by Craig Brown. Mr Brown to supply invoice to cover cost of sundries and supply copy of liability insurance. 7.2 Village Green 7.2.1 It has been confirmed that LCC own part of the village green and no-one owns the remainder. 7.2.2 A proposal was made by Councillor Molyneux to write to LCC to ask about Higham on the Hill Parish Council having full ownership of the village green. This was seconded by Councillor Golder. A vote was taken and all present were in agreement. 3 Action: Councillor Molyneux to write to LCC 7.3 Recreation Ground It was requested that future inspection reports regarding the play equipment are to be sent to all Councillors. 7.3.1 Repair of surface in toddler area (previously 7.2.1 Matters Outstanding). A quote from another company, Nomow, has been received for artificial grass. This is for £5921.87 + VAT. This quote to be sent to the insurance company. Action: Parish Clerk Michael Smith, grounds maintenance, to be asked to jet wash the moss from the surface of the toddler area. Action: Parish Clerk At the last meeting on 16th January 2017 the following proposal was made: It is proposed by Councillor Jenkins and seconded by Councillor Molyneux that an application be made to the Parish Initiative Fund for equipment for the toddler area and repair to the surface. 7.3.2 Basketball backboard (previously 7.2.2 Matters Outstanding). The replacement basketball ring and net has been installed. However it was put on upside down. This is to be rectified. The payment for the ring and net has been made. This can now be closed. 7.3.3 Tesco grant (previously 7.2.3 Matters Outstanding). A grant of £2000 has been awarded. Councillor Jenkins thanked for her hard work in obtaining this grant. 7.3.4 Section 106 monies - maintenance allocation (previously 7.2.4 Matters Outstanding). A separate closed meeting to be arranged to discuss how to allocate the 106 monies, eg what equipment to purchase. Action: Parish Clerk 7.3.5 One of the swings is unsafe (previously 7.2.5 Matters Outstanding). The swing has been removed. A proposal was made by Councillor Jenkins to replace the swing and bolts etc by Wicksteed. This was seconded by Councillor Gayton. A vote was taken and all present agreed. Action: Parish Clerk 7.3.6 Parish Initiative Fund. Waiting for outcome of application. Action: Councillor Jenkins 7.4 Fisher family grave (previously 7.3 Matters Outstanding). The application to the Heritage Lottery fund was unsuccessful. 7.5 Neighbourhood Plan (previously 7.4 Matters Outstanding). It was agreed that this would not go ahead at this point due to lack of available funds. 7.6 Road Safety (previously 7.5 Matters Outstanding). 7.6.1 Chicane in Nuneaton Lane (previously 7.5.1 Matters Outstanding). A detailed survey has taken place, waiting for results. 4 7.6.2 Vehicle activated signs (previously 7.5.2 Matters Outstanding). There is a sign outside the school. When the chicane has been installed in Nuneaton Lane it was agreed that the sign in Nuneaton Lane would be moved to Station Road. Action: Councillor Gayton 7.6.3 Speeding through village (previously 7.5.3 Matters Outstanding). Waiting for 20 mile/h roundels to be painted onto the road. A walk around the village was organised following a number of issues that had been raised. This was attended by Jack Horsley – HBBC, Councillor Golder, Councillor Jenkins and Councillor Ould. The issues raised were: 1. The car park on Main Street was used as a storage for equipment and materials for the provision of cabling to the sub-station built at the end of Wood Lane. The surface is in a pretty dire state as a result and residents and the Parish Council feel this should be restored to an appropriate standard 2. The footpaths down Main Street and Station Road and the old section of Hilary Bevins Close were dug up to provide electric cabling to the new development. As a result many of the pavements are in a poor state and the camber is dangerous and the surfaces unacceptable. 3. As a result of increased vehicular activity connected with the new housing development the verge at the top of Station Road has been driven over countless times and is in a poor state. 4. The wall erected on Spring Hill Farm by David Wilson Homes at the top of Station Road has one pier that makes the visibility to the right down Wood Lane very precarious.