NEWTOWN LINFORD PARISH COUNCIL

The Parish Council meeting was held on Monday 22nd January at 7.15 pm in the Village Hall.

1 Members present: Councillors, S. Eyre, S Pritchard, R Haylock, S Colebeck, V. Lightfoot, T Pickles, H Cross.

In attendance: Pam McMorran, Clerk to the Council, Peter Tyldesley (Bradgate Park Trust), Three residents.

2. Apologies for absence: County Councillor D. Taylor, Borough Councillor D. Snartt, B Anderson Parish Tree Warden.

3 Confirm and sign minutes of the December meeting. These were approved and duly signed by the Chair.

4 Declaration of Parish Councillor’s personal and/or prejudicial interests on agenda items:

The Chairman represents the Gardening Club on the Village Hall Committee. Councillor Tara Pickles represents the Council on the Magazine Committee. The Chairman is Lady Captain of Lingdale Golf Club whose land adjoins the Parish land. Councillor V. Lightfoot is a member of the Village Hall Committee.

5 Police and NHW reports: - Pam McMorran in her capacity as NHW co-ordinator reported that she had not been informed of any crimes. Sgt Rod Smartt from the Charnwood West Team would be attending the Public meeting on behalf of the Leicestershire Constabulary. The Chief Constable Simon Cole had originally been invited but he had pointed out that parking issues were decriminalized a number of years ago. Charnwood NPA Inspector Dwight Barker had also declined.

The Chair and Clerk will soon consider which lampposts might be suitable for the speed signs.

6. Report by the County Councillor

Ernie White

I am sad to report that a fellow County Councillor passed away early in the new year. Ernie White was the longest serving member of the County Council, having been first elected in 1975. He was re-elected at every subsequent election ever since, an unprecedented eleven times. Ernie was hugely respected in his electoral patch in Stoney Stanton and Croft, as he was across local government and the public and voluntary sectors in the City and County. Ernie was also a member of the Cabinet at LCC so there will be a need for the Leader to make some changes to roles. The funeral will take place on Tuesday 30th January 2018 which I will be attending.

Maplewell Hall Special School, Woodhouse Eaves

Leicestershire County Council is proposing to remove and close the residential facilities that are managed by Maplewell Hall School for its pupils’ use. The full proposal can be viewed on the County Council website: http://leicestershire.gov.uk/school-place-planning or can be obtained from School Organisation Service, Children and Family Services, Room 100, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RF. Tel: 0116 3050970 or 0116 3056661; Email: [email protected]

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From the date of publication of these proposals, any person may object to or make comments on the proposals by sending them to School Organisation Service, Children and Family Services, County Hall, Glenfield, Leicester LE3 8RF or by email to [email protected] The closing date for comments and objections is Monday 12th February 2018.

I have been working hard to prevent this vital service from being lost and I urge you to please send in your comments to these proposals.

Brown Signs

LCC have confirmed that they will remove the new brown sign on the pavement outside the church. We are also waiting for the signs to be reprinted as they were printed incorrectly.

Yellow Lines Consultation

I have received many correspondences regarding the double yellow lines consultation. Not much feedback with regard to the lines going in on Bradgate Road but mainly about the yellow lines on Grey Crescent. I have received both positive and negative responses and I have urged everyone to reply to the consultation. I have asked to be informed following the end of the consultation before a decision is made.

Early Years Review

LCC will launching a consultation on 22nd January 2018 to consider how they look after children from 0 to 19 years old. They are currently four separate services and the plan is to merge into one service. This will include the closure of many Sure Start centres and other buildings with a plan to keep 15 ‘Hub and Spoke’ centres open across Leicestershire. LCC have said that front line services will continue and more work will be done in families homes rather than in centres. Any group work that is needed will mean families travelling to their nearest ‘Hub and Spoke’ centre. The Sure Start Centre in Anstey is on the list for closure.

7. Report by the Borough Councillor

Parking Enforcement.

I am involved with trying to improve the level of parking enforcement by Street Wardens in Newtown Linford, especially on Sunday afternoons when the weather is fine and sunny. Illegal parking is becoming a real issue with inconsiderate and, in my view, dangerous parking by visitors to Bradgate Park. A recent Sunday afternoon was a typical example of indiscriminate parking on double yellow lines and across footways. This problem seems to be on the increase, which may have many contributing factors, including the change of ticket pricing by the Bradgate Park Trust to only issue full day tickets to park in their car parks.

Newtown Linford is the host village to one of the most visited attractions within the East Midlands. Therefore if we are to continue to support more visitors to Bradgate, we need to understand the issues and consequences this brings. In my opinion, we need to tailor the enforcement to high demand, especially when the weather forecast is for fine and sunny weather.

I am pleased that the Newtown Linford Parish Council have arranged a Public Meeting to hear first-hand the views of local residents. In my view, it will strengthen the work of local representatives in their requests for a review about how enforcement takes place and look at opportunities to overcome the current situation.

Traffic Management Consultation.

Following on from the need for parking enforcement, I have received several comments , objections and support for the proposals in the Traffic Management Consultation by Leicestershire County Council, which proposes to install 744 double yellow lines in certain parts of Newtown Linford village. From the information received there seems to be general agreement that the proposals for Bradgate Road are acceptable. There are certainly some differing views with the proposed restrictions on Grey Crescent. In my view, there is a need for some kind of restrictions on this road, especially as in recent years visitors to Bradgate Park have parked their vehicles across driveways which in turn restricts sight lines and a danger to highway safety. Recently, I have received many complaints from residents about this ever increasing problem. Where this exists, it seems to me that there is an acknowledgement that some form of restrictions are needed on Grey Crescent to overcome the difficulties residents are experiencing, especially where the problems are more acute. Others see this as pushing the parking problem to other parts of the village.

I do hope the consultation will come up with a solution and a way forward which satisfies the needs of residents. Newtown Linford has become a honeypot village with ever increasing vehicles parking within the village. It is my view, that if the proposals are not approved a whole village solution must be found before highway safety and amenity issues continue to increase. In my opinion, to do nothing is not an option, therefore I will review the findings of the consultation and proceed accordingly.

Brown Signage.

After receiving complaints about the new brown signs that have been erected around the village of Newtown Linford, I have written to the County Council asking for the removal of the sign outside the Church. This seems to me to have little or no benefit in redirecting traffic to other car parks when the main car park in the village centre is full, which was the purpose for the signs being erected.

Roecliffe Road Vehicle Speed Concerns.

After attending a Parish Council meeting where speeding traffic along Roecliffe Road was discussed, I contacted the Police about using the speed camera van to hopefully reduce speeds of traffic along this stretch of road. I know this has been a major issue for residents living on Roecliffe Road.

In their reply it was stated it had been over one year since speed readings were last taken, therefore they would arrange for a covert speed survey to take place on this 40mph stretch of road. The equipment would be on site for a period of one week. The survey has now been completed and the results show 49% of vehicles were exceeding the threshold. This represents poor compliance with the speed limit.

This issue is now with the Police to look at the best option to enforce the speed limit, either with the speed camera van or the local Police with the speed gun. I have asked that I am kept informed on progress.

The Outwoods

After previously being Chairman of the Outwoods Management Committee I was pleased to hear that around 900 native trees have been planted to help the woodland area flourish. Charnwood Borough Council have planted the trees with the help of volunteers as part of a five year Countryside Stewardship Scheme. The scheme is run by Natural England and the Forestry Commission and aims to preserve the ecology and habitats found in the Outwoods.

The oak trees have replaced non-native conifers which were introduced in the 1940’s. Over the years the conifers have stopped native plants from growing and wildlife from flourishing. Volunteers have been working hard to plant the trees over a two week period.

As the Outwoods are very close to my Borough Ward, I know many local residents get an enormous amount pleasure when visiting the wood, especially when the bluebells are in full bloom. I am pleased further work is being carried out in this designated Site of Special Scientific Interest, which means it is protected by law to conserve its wildlife and geology. For more information about the Outwoods, visit www.charnwood.gov.uk/outwoodsinformation.

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Strategic Growth Plan.

People are being asked to have their say on a plan setting out how the City and County will develop and grow in the future. A draft Strategic Growth Plan is being developed by a partnership formed by Leicester City, Leicestershire County Council, the seven local Borough and District Councils and the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership.

The Plan puts forward proposals for the new housing transport improvements that would be needed to attract jobs and investment to Leicester and Leicestershire from now until 2050. The final version of the plan will provide strategic direction and help shape the local plans that the City, Borough and District Councils are or will be preparing or reviewing . It will also be used to support bids to Government funding to deliver the infrastructure to support the planned growth. The Plan estimates that Leicester and Leicestershire need 96,580 new homes and 367 – 423 hectares of employment land from 2011 to 2031, some of these homes have already been built or planning permission granted.

You may recall Charnwood Local Plan, Core Strategy was adopted in November 2015. This was Charnwood Borough Council’s view where and how new development should take place in the Borough. Therefore, in my view, it is vitally important that local people are involved in shaping our Borough to make sure we take the right decisions for the benefit of future generations. In my opinion, this Plan will certainly influence the way forward when Charnwood Borough Council considers how best to move forward, planning for the future with new homes and land for employment, not forgetting the infrastructure that will be necessary.

I am hopeful I have given enough information for people to take a look at the proposals within the draft Strategic Growth Plan by going to www.llstrategicgrowthplan.org.uk.

8. Village Governance and Residents: -

9. Planning issues:

a. The TPO at 103 has not been confirmed.

b. The Councillors discussed the Strategic Growth Plan circulated earlier in the month.

c. P/17/2603/2 Steel frame ag. building on Priory lane. A Councillor expressed concern over this application. After discussion with a resident present (not connected to the application) who was able to clarify the situation the Chair agreed to draft a submission to Charnwood Borough Council.

Tree matters: - The tree warden had reported no issues with any current consultations.

10. Bob Bown Memorial Field: -

Peter Haddon had supplied the Clerk with a list of the remedial work he will be able to carry out once the weather improves. The Clerk was negotiating with the company that carried out the inspection what the cost would be to source and fit the missing parts. The Councillors also decided to fit a mat in the muddy entrance by the far gate rather than the suggested play bark.

11. Village Magazine: - Councillor Tara Pickles had attended the Magazine Annual meeting on behalf of the Council and had thanked Carole and Julian Heubeck for all their hard work. The Councillors confirmed that the Council would pay £650 towards the running of the magazine. It had been reported that the magazine had made a small profit.

12. Parish Council Website: - Clerk to check that the NHW closed Facebook group is mentioned on their page. 746

13. Village Hall: - The Chair reported that, as the Council (as leaseholder) was ultimately responsible for the village hall, the village hall committee must respond to concerns raised by the Council. The most important matter being to clear all the stored items behind the stage which are a likely fire hazard. Also more diligence on Drama Soc part when it comes to clearing up after events and not to cause problems by turning off the supply to the external power socket which is used to illuminate the Christmas tree.

14. Highways, footpaths and traffic: -

a. report and update on parking issues: - The current Consultation for Bradgate Road and Grey Crescent ends on the 28th January 2018. The Councillors are in favour of most of the consultation.

b. a letter from Ann Carruthers, Director of Environment and Transport at Leicestershire Council in reply to the invitation to attend the Public Meeting had been received. This set out the County Council’s current position where no Council funding will available for any possible car parking surveys or implementation of any parking schemes beyond the current consultation funded by Bradgate Park Trust. Should NLPC consider funding any such scheme a cost of £30-40k was quoted. This produced much discussion amongst the Councillors and Peter Tyldesley. It was intended that the issues raised would be included for discussion in the Public meeting on Feb 1st where representatives from LCC, CBC, the Police and Bradgate Park Trust would be in attendance.

c. The Councillors considered the fee scale for additional traffic wardens. This may be considered in the future and Bradgate Park Trust would be approached to share this cost.

d. fallen conifer at the Jade Tea rooms carpark. – The Clerk confirmed that she had contacted the owner and that they had visited the site and would be employing their own tree surgeon in the near future.

e. Plantscape. The Councillors instructed the Clerk to order again for 2018 at the price of £786 for supplying and watering. Peter Tyldesley asked if one of the planters could be moved to a different post as it grew so well it covered up one of the Trusts signs. The Chair and Clerk to investigate before submitting to LCC for approval.

f. Councillor Holly Cross reported that the Parish Council Notice board on Roecliffe Road was in a poor state. The Clerk to ask Peter Haddon to investigate.

15. Cemetery: - The Clerk reported that the contractor would soon be cutting the hedge on the roadside as there was only four weeks left before bird nesting season begins.

Churchyard – A resident expressed her concern that the tree had been removed unnecessary in order to make work for the tree surgeon. The history and issues with the tree as recorded in previous minutes was carefully explained by the Chair. The state of fungal infection within the tree had been found to be much worse than the initial assessment by Leicester County Council had suggested, confirming the urgency with which the felling was requested by LCC.

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16. Bradgate Park Trust: Peter Tyldesley said he accepted the invitation to the Public Meeting and would be bringing Peter Osbourne, the Chair of the Trust and probably Colonel Martin as well. He intended to speak at the meeting.

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Peter referred to the previous complaint about dry stone walling being replaced with mortar saying that in fact they were not dry-stone walls due to the age and shape.

17. Reports by Councillors/Clerk: - Councillors Stuart Eyre and Rob Haylock had attended the free training by Lance Wiggins of Landmark planning arranged by LARLC and Charnwood Borough Council. Overall they did not feel that this had added greatly to their existing knowledge. They commented that Neighbourhood Plans were still being encouraged with a suggestion that Village Design statements could be bolted on.

18. Correspondence:

19. Items of Interest or for future meetings: -

20. Finance: Authorisation for payment of invoices

TT Village Hall payment of room for Council Meetings 144.00 DD Public Works Loan on Village Hall 2468.06 TT CPRE annual subscription 50.00 TT Clerks January salary 1021,20 TT January Broadband 47.20 TT Inland Rev. Tax and NI 3rd quarter 922.58 TT 2 Commune Annual website, hosting and support 540.00 TT M Brewin – install and removal of Christmas Tree 324.00 TT Arboreco – feeling of tree in Churchyard 3060.00 Tt Baker Ross – plastic files for 2018 22.89

Bank Balances @ 17th January 2018 current 3,350.24 Reserve 54,342.03

57,692.27

20a. The Clerk confirmed that she had submitted the VAT claim for 2017 amounting to £2,694.44.

21. Dates of next three Parish Council Meetings: Wednesday 28th February, Monday 26th March, Monday, 30th April all commencing 7.15 p.m.

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