Parish Council Meeting – 21st September 2017

Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held on 21st September 2017 at Norton Juxta Twycross Village Hall, commencing at 19:03

037/17: Present & Apologies

Councillors: A. Davies (Chair), S. Hubbard, A. Taylor Clerk: C. Bailey Apologies received and accepted: W. Nally, M. Large, G. Massey LCC Councillor: I. Ould HBBC Councillor: K. Morrell (absent) Others: 8 parishioners

038/17: Declaration of Interest

None declared.

039/17: Approval of Previous Minutes (July 2017)

July minutes proposed as a true record of the meeting. Proposed by Cllr. Taylor, seconded by Cllr. Hubbard. Unanimously agreed. Minutes signed by the Chair, Cllr. Davies.

040/17: Councillor Vacancies (1 x Norton Juxta Twycross)

The Council have not received any applications for the vacancy and no interest was shown by the Norton Juxta Twycross parishioners attending the meeting. RESOLVED: The vacancy will continue to be advertised.

041/17: Matters Arising from Previous Minutes i. Farm traffic issues: Cllr. Davies advised he has raised the issues regarding farm traffic not driving in accordance with regulations, with the NFU. ii. Social Media Policy: Clerk to create policy prior to the next meeting.

042/17: Public Questions and Comments (10 Minutes)

Issues raised regarding planning application 17/00881/OUT (8 Wood Lane, Norton Juxta Twycross). See minute reference 045/17 (viii): Planning.

No other issues were raised.

043/17: Reports i. County Council (August report circulated prior to the meeting).

• Crime Commissioners meeting: Lord Willy Bach (Police) was reported to be disappointed by the low attendance. Cllr. Ould recommended that the next meeting be held during the evening to accommodate working councillors. Also, to avoid the holiday period.

• HBBC Rural Conference (November 2017): parishes will be updated regarding the new housing requirements for the Borough.

• HS2 route: it is almost confirmed and should not directly affect the parish. Cllr. Ould advised that MP David Treddinick was of great assistance with this. There are concerns about a possible cut to train services for Atherstone/Tamworth/Nuneaton when the HS2 is live.

• A444 white lane markings: Cllr. Ould requested the Council writes to Highways regarding the fading of the lines.

• Planning application for Wood Lane: Cllr. Ould will send a letter to HBBC encompassing all the views he receives from parishioners.

• Ambulance Service: 3 instances in Fenny Drayton of ambulances failing to attend with several more very late arrivals within the local parishes. Parishioners need to report any instances directly to the Ambulance Service (and copy in Cllr. Ould).

Printed on 14/10/2017 P a g e | 1 of 5

• Fairer funding will be available to Leicestershire schools. Cllr. Davies thanked Cllr. Ould for his work on this project. ii. HBBC: no report received. iii. Police: Report available at www.police.uk/leicestershire/NH29

044/17: Correspondence: i. General email correspondence circulated to Councillors for information. ii. Twycross House School requested the Council inspect the trees on the Bottom Green, Twycross, as there are some low hanging branches and dead wood within the tree. RESOLVED: The Clerk will contact the grounds maintenance contractor for advice and report back.

045/17: Planning

Planning Applications

No Ref Subject Date Comments/Action 17/00583/ i. Installation of timber/iron gate – 12 Church St, Twycross. 18/07/17 No comments HOU 17/00778/ ii. Two storey side extension – 44 Main St, . 04/08/17 No comments HOU 17/00771/ Works to 2 cherry trees – St Edith’s Church, Orton on the iii. 15/08/17 No comments TPOCA Hill. Certificate of lawful development for occupation of dwelling to be unrestricted, in breach of condition 2 Council requested that HBBC 17/00849/ iv. (agricultural occupancy) of planning permission reference 21/08/17 fully consider the impact of a CLUE 4472/62 - Boundary Farm, 27 Warton Lane, Orton on the change of use from agricultural. Hill. Prior approval for change of use of an agricultural 17/00842/ building to a dwelling (C3) and associated building v. 31/08/17 As above CQGDO operations - Lea Grange Farm, 11 Twycross Lane, Orton on the Hill. Conversion of agricultural building to a conference and 17/00836/ vi. function room (Retrospective) - Cottage Farm, Cottage 04/09/17 No comments FUL Lane, Norton Juxta Twycross. Change of use and conversion of agricultural building to 17/00838/ vii. holiday let accommodation (Retrospective) - Cottage 04/09/17 No comments FUL Farm, Cottage Lane, Norton Juxta Twycross. 17/00881/ Erection of three office buildings (outline - access and viii. 13/09/17 Objection* (see below) OUT layout) - 8 Wood Lane, Norton Juxta Twycross.

Comments received regarding planning application 17/008881/OUT

Henton’s Factory raised concerns regarding:

• the size of the proposed car park (76 vehicles) which will create a significant increase in traffic. • sewer issues created by the office blocks. • the size and elevation of the offices on the map being incorrect. • the possibility of the office building being converted into dwellings should the offices not be let.

Other parishioners raised similar concerns including the lack of public transport in the locality.

Cllr. Davies stated his opposition to the development:

• due to Norton Juxta Twycross being a rural hamlet which cannot support the scale of such a development. • Wood lane is unsuitable for the increase in traffic and the absence of footpaths is a risk to pedestrians. • it is not to be a sustainable solution, it fails to promote the use of public transport/encourages vehicle use. • concerns that Hentons factory may be compromised.

Cllr. Ould raised additional considerations:

• the strain on local services and amenities. • increase in volume of delivery vehicles and refuse vehicles, etc. • potential light issues for surrounding properties. • environmental report currently outstanding (flooding concerns due to water run off).

Printed on 14/10/2017 P a g e | 2 of 5

Cllr. Davies urged parishioners to contact HBBC with their viewpoints and to copy in Cllr. Ould. Cllr. Davies thanked Cllr. Ould for his support.

*RESOLVED: The Council objects to planning application reference 17/00881/OUT for the following reasons:

1. Norton Juxta Twycross is a rural hamlet which is unsuitable for this form of development. 2. The road infrastructure, particularly Wood Lane cannot support this proposal. 3. The scheme will not encourage sustainable development as it envisages a huge increase in private car use. 4. The scheme jeopardises the future of Henton's factory, a major local employer situated at the end of Wood Lane.

Proposed by Cllr. Davies, seconded by Cllr Taylor. Unanimous agreement.

046/17: Financial Information i. Income, expenditure and signing of cheques

Bank Account Overview (as at 21/09/17) Community £8,923.31 BMM £7,036.44 106 £9,006.33 Petty Cash £250.00 Total £25,216.08

Income (Community Account) Date Reference Payee Details Value 28/07/2017 BACS HMRC VAT Refund £730.52 05/09/2017 BACS HBBC Precept (2nd instalment) £8,301.00

Cheques Raised (Community Account) Date Reference Payee Details Value

21/09/2017 200200 Leicestershire County Council Grounds maintenance £837.74 21/09/2017 200001 Leicestershire County Council Grounds maintenance £272.15 21/09/2017 200002 Grant Thornton External audit Fees £240.00 21/09/2017 200003 C S Bailey Clerk expenses (July & August) £40.95 21/09/2017 200004 Haines Watts Payroll services £66.00 21/09/2017 200005 Garner Canning Solicitors Land Registry title update £20.00 21/09/2017 200006 Playsafety Ltd ROSPA play area inspections £180.60 21/09/2017 200007 HBBC Bin servicing £23.56 21/09/2017 200008 Leicestershire County Council Grounds maintenance £272.15

Petty Cash Account Transactions Date Reference Payee Details Value - - - - - ii. Internet banking: Changes to processes are required to increase security and minimise risk. RESOLVED: Clerk to contacted LRALC regarding alternative banking options. iii. LCC Pension’s ill health policy letter: Further correspondence received recommending that the Council takes out this policy. Cllr. Davies has left message for LCC pensions to enquire as to the cost and will report back. RESOLVED: If the cost is less than £100, the council agree to progress with the policy, proposed by Cllr. Hubbard, seconded by Cllr. Taylor with unanimous agreement.

NOTE: The Council’s Completed Annual Return/Audit has been returned with no comments or recommendations. The document has been uploaded to the Council’s website and posted on noticeboards.

047/17: Purchase of Twycross Play Area & Memorial Site i. Update: Land registry title has been received. The previous lease details are still registered and these need to be removed to ‘clean up the title’ at a cost of £20.00. RESOLVED: Cheque to be raised. Unanimous agreement.

Land valuation: Cllr. Davies is for waiting information regarding a pro bono valuation. RESOLVED: Cllr. Davies to follow up and report back to the Council.

Printed on 14/10/2017 P a g e | 3 of 5

048/17: Policy Adoption/Review i. Insurance policy review: RESOLVED: Cllr. Davies to provide costs of the NJT play equipment and Clerk will request the insurance company include the memorial stone in the policy. ii. Grounds Maintenance Policy: RESOLVED: Clerk to change the dates on the tender/contract to March through October with ‘dates to be confirmed’. The Council agreed to re-contract LCC for grounds maintenance services (subject to matching the service level and cost as per the 2017 contract and accepting inflationary increases). Clerk to confirm this is acceptable in accordance with the Council’s Financial Regulations/Standing Orders.

049/17: Parish Clerk Report i. LRALC updates: Circulated to councillors. Clerk to provide Cllr. Taylor with information regarding the Tree Warden Scheme. ii. HS2 update: Update to be provided by Cllr. Davies. RESOLVED: A consultation response written by Cllr. Davies on behalf of the Council was agreed unanimously. iii. Lamp post poppies: Discussed ordering for the Parish. RESOLVED: Cllr. Taylor will order 10 poppies for Orton on the Hill at a cost of £30. Twycross and Norton Juxta Twycross Councillors did not wish to pursue this for their wards. Proposed by Cllr. Davies, seconded by Cllr. Hubbard, unanimously agreed. iv. Centenary Fields application (for Twycross Play Area). RESOLVED: Due to covenants already on the land it was suggested, due to the cost and legal implications, not to proceed with the registration. This was unanimously agreed. v. Items for consideration at a future meeting. None raised.

NOTED: ‘Nature Spot’ is an on-line initiative to encourage parishioners to log sightings of wildlife within the parish. The website (www.naturespot.org.uk/parish/Twycross) has been linked to Parish Council website. It will also be featured in the Sheepy Gazette.

050/17: Risk Assessments i. Play area inspections: The ROSPA inspections recorded a ‘Medium’ risk for Twycross and ‘High’ risk for Norton Juxta Twycross play areas. RESOLVED: Councillors agreed to look into the report in more detail and consider priorities for rectification work. ii. DSE assessment: outstanding action for the Clerk.

051/17: Parish Improvements Two-Year Plan (2017-2019)

Following a working group meeting on 10th August 2017, Cllr. Davies proposed the following items be prioritised:

• Defibrillators for Twycross and Orton (to be affixed to Twycross Village Hall and The Unicorn Public House, Orton on the Hill). RESOLVED: Council agreed to order from EMAS due to recommendations, training provided and cost (£999 + VAT x 2 = £1,998 + VAT). Proposed by Cllr. Davies, seconded by Cllr. Hubbard, with unanimous agreement. Clerk to organise.

• Maintenance work at Twycross play area (gate posts, fence, basket-ball hoop, bench and signage). RESOLVED: Clerk to contact S. Smith for a re-quote and obtain further quotes.

• Maintenance work at Norton Juxta play area (removal of old slide and sign). RESOLVED: Council agreed to accept LCC’s quote to remove the slide for £1403 as this is a safety issue. Proposed by Cllr. Davies, seconded by Cllr. Taylor and unanimously agreed. A small working group will meet to discuss and report back to the Council. Clerk to request ‘new project’ funds to remove the slide and obtain the current maintenance balance from S106 funds from HBBC. Cllr. Davies agreed to complete a Parish and Community Initiative Fund (PCIF) application for a basket swing for NJT and outdoor gym equipment for Twycross. Approve PCIF application at November meeting.

• No parking sign at Twycross Village Hall. RESOLVED: Obtain an A1 sign for village hall stating ‘parking is for village hall users only–park at own risk’. Cllr. Taylor to obtain a quote, Clerk to approach Nuneaton Signs.

• Village name sign for Orton on the Hill. RESOLVED: Clerk to contact Sheepy Parish Council for information on their village signs. Council to decide on what type of signs to have. Enquire as to whether this could form part of the PCIF grant application.

Printed on 14/10/2017 P a g e | 4 of 5

21:00 - Cllr. Davies proposed 10 mins extension, seconded by Cllr. Taylor and unanimously agreed.

• The Council will consider installing additional equipment in both play areas should any funds remain. S106 funds available to draw from HBBC (as at April 2017) are:

Maintenance for existing projects = £1845.00 Funds for new projects = £2771.60 Maintenance funds for new projects = £2212.00

• RESOLVED: Cllr. Davies to contact Council to establish qualification for the 2018 Parish and Community Initiative Fund.

052/17: Councillor Reports/Local Issues – Orton on the Hill i. Chestnut tree update: Response outstanding from LCC contractors - Clerk has chased this up again. ii. Signage repairs (The Green): Damage reported to the sign on The Green. RESOLVED: Cllr. Taylor to check if resolved. iii. Items for consideration at a future meeting: None raised.

053/17: Councillor Reports/Local Issues – Norton Juxta Twycross i. Items for consideration at a future meeting: None raised.

054/17: Councillor Reports/Local Issues – Twycross

Village Hall i. Land registration update: No further updates at this stage. RESOLVED: Clerk to chase Garner Canning. ii. Village Hall fire regulations: No instances of breaches reported to the Clerk. Issue log previously sent out to Councillors. No further action at this stage. iii. Village Hall parking/access road issues: Discussed ongoing parking issues and alleged damage caused to the access road due to construction vehicles accessing the rear of the Burton Road properties. Cllr. Hubbard to investigate the reported damage and inform the Clerk. NOTED: Any damage caused by the developer would be a civil matter between the developer and Council and not a planning issue. iv. Village Hall Committee update: The Clerk has written to the Village Hall Committee to request details of the committee meetings and to advise Cllr. Hubbard will be attending on behalf of the Parish Council. v. Land on which the bus stop stands: No communication has been received from LCC. RESOLVED: Clerk will chase this up.

Play Area vi. Unauthorised camping on playing field: NOTED: Litter was left, Cllr. Hubbard kindly cleaned it up.

General vii. Update regarding the speed activated road sign: Sign remains inoperative. Cllr. Davies and Cllr. Ould are following this up. viii. Ownership and responsibility for War Memorial: No further updates received. Clerk will include it in the insurance policy. ix. Items for consideration at a future meeting: None.

Next Meeting: 7pm on 2nd November 2017 at Twycross Village Hall.

Meeting closed: 21:10

Chair’s Signature: ______Date: ______

Printed on 14/10/2017 P a g e | 5 of 5