Sharnford parish council Clerk: Karen Leck Brambles, Parsons Lane Sharnford Leicestershire LE10 3PY Tel: 07818 062867 Email: [email protected] -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- PARISH COUNCIL MEETING Minutes of a Virtual Meeting of Sharnford Parish Council held at 7:30 on Thursday 15th October 2020, via Zoom. Present: Cllr M Shirley (Chairman) Cllr J Feast (Vice Chairman), Cllr G Peryer, Cllr L Martin, Cllr M Dalton-Brown, Cllr S Stanley, Karen Leck (Clerk) Also, Present: Cllr M Wright (Leicestershire County Council) Absent: None 20/123 Apologies for Absence Cllr I Hewson (Blaby District Council) 20/124 Declarations of Interest Pecuniary and Non-Pecuniary Cllr Stanley – Youth Club Treasurer Cllr Shirley – STAG Secretary, Environment Group Treasurer 20/125 Minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 17th September 2020. Resolved that, the minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council held on 17th September 2020, a copy of which had been circulated, to each member, is a true recording of the proceedings. 20/126 Public Participation None 20/127 Clerks Notes 20/005 Community Emergency Store Scheme – Current refurbishment ongoing, including solar light to be fitted, replacing the window frame and glass and deposit paid re-roofing. Rosemarie Simpson has volunteered to coat the structure. 20/093 Volunteering in the Village – After communication with Cllr Dalton-Brown and Paul Coates (Neighbourhood Services, Blaby Council) and Luke Clements (Waste Management Officer, Hinckley and Bosworth BC) regarding the Brook clearance, any work carried out needs to be in accordance with the Environment Agency guidelines and they will help with clearing any green waste. However, waiting for approval before asking for volunteers. 20/093 Tree Inspection - Inspection carried out, two trees in churchyard, one to come down the other requires repair work, however a Faculty is required from the church Diocese. Climbatize to be contacted for quotation. 20/094 Ministry of Housing Communities & Local Government - Consultation to be submitted by 29th October 2020. Sharnford Parish Council to forward comments.. Cllr Wright (LCC) stated that agenda to be published on Friday 16th October with updates of Blaby full council meeting on the 27th October. Potential increase in housing stock across county and country has detrimental effect on the Neighbourhood Plan. 20/094 S106 Offsite Open Space Contribution - Initial survey for Youth Club fence and St. Helen’s Church path now allows the Parish Council to obtain quotes. However, Youth Club gate and notice boards can also be included. Chairman’s Initials 20/128 Cemetery – G Sellers contacted regarding survey on churchyard, re monuments and topple test. War Memorial already had restoration work carried out. 20/128 Information Update Resolved to purchase a mobile phone for Parish Clerk 20/129 District Councillors Councillor Iain Hewson Councillor Hewson is Chairman of Blaby District Council Thanks to Cllr Hewson for providing a report in his absence. The latest from your Council Bouskell Park dig date announced. The much-anticipated community dig at Bouskell Park in Blaby will take place in April 2021, as part of Blaby District Council’s renovation of the Ice House. A community archaeological dig on the site will be the first opportunity for the park’s history to be uncovered, and the project will be in partnership with the University of Leicester’s Archaeological Services team. Taking place across the weekend of Saturday 17, and Sunday 18 April, the Council is keen to hear from local volunteers and schools about joining the project to help on the dig. Along with the Ice House project, a community dig had been originally scheduled for the summer, before the recent pandemic delayed plans. The Council is excited to welcome anyone who wants to take part in the community dig. Those interested in joining are asked to register with the project team to ensure volunteers receive the latest updates and information by emailing [email protected] or call 0116 275 0555. For more information click on link or go to Sharnford Parish Council website: https://www.sharnfordparishcouncil.co.uk/news/2020/10/bouskell-park-dig-date-announced Charging points coming to district 24 electric vehicle charging bays will be installed across the district after securing £77,000 in grant funding. The project is hoped to be completed by spring 2021 and forms part of Blaby District Council’s commitment to developing a comprehensive electric vehicle charging infrastructure, a key point in the Council’s Carbon Neutral Action Plan. For more information click on link or go to Sharnford Parish Council website: https://www.sharnfordparishcouncil.co.uk/news/2020/10/charging-points-coming-to-district Blaby Business Boost Latest news for local businesses, including the New Job Support Scheme, Covid-19 restrictions for business and information regarding the Kickstart Scheme – The £2m scheme putting young people at the heart of economic recovery. For more information click on link or go to Sharnford Parish Council website: https://www.sharnfordparishcouncil.co.uk/news/2020/10/blaby-business-boost New Covid information Your guide to the latest restrictions following Tuesday's announcement With the rest of the country seeing a rise in coronavirus cases, Blaby District has seen a significant increase over the recent weeks. Our rate is so high that we're at risk of additional measures. We must do everything we can to avoid a second lockdown as seen in the North West, North East, Wales and Oadby and Wigston. For more information click on link or go to Sharnford Parish Council website: https://www.sharnfordparishcouncil.co.uk/news/2020/10/new-covid-information 20/130 County Councillor Councillor Maggie Wright Councillor Wright is Deputy Leader and Finance & Assets Portfolio at Blaby District Council. Councillor Wright is also a councillor on Leicestershire County Council representing Stoney Stanton & Croft. Chairman’s Initials S October County Council Report 2020 COVID 19 - The County Council in for the “long haul” in the fight against the virus. The council says there remains a rising trend in the number of positive Covid-19 cases across Leicestershire. However, at the time of writing 23/9/2020, the latest data shows that Oadby and Wigston’s rate has dropped to 94.6 per 100,000 but there has been increases in Blaby District to 72.7 and in Charnwood where figures are 42.7. In parts of Charnwood and Blaby, the Council is now delivering thousands of leaflets to people’s homes and businesses as well as contacting GP surgeries to highlight the need for people with symptoms to get a test. Mike Sandy’s, the County Council’s director of health said, “Although we welcome the government’s new restrictions, the clear message remains that it’s up to us all to fight the virus.” We all need to wash our hands regularly, use a face covering when social distancing is not possible and try to keep your distance from those not in your household. The Government has given councils new powers to help prevent, contain, and manage local COVID 19 outbreaks – this means councils can impose prohibitions, requirement or restrictions in relation to individual premises, events and public open spaces. Businesses across Leicestershire are also being urged to create an NHS QR code poster to make it easier for their customers to check-in to the national “test and trace” system. ww.gov.uk/create-coronavirus-qr-poster Business Recovery Fund Leicestershire County Council launched the fund of £750,000K in the summer and have given out grants of up to £10,000k to 16 companies to help them recover from the effects of COVID 19. Small businesses are still being urged to apply for their share of the fund. To find out more and apply visit www.oakleaves.org.uk/leicestershire-business- recovery-fund. Applications can be made for grants between £2,000 and £10,000 to ensure business recovery, through projects to help the business diversify, improve skills, or new technology or equipment. There is currently no deadline for applications but businesses should apply as soon as possible as funding will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Heritage Centres reopened Heritage sites across Leicestershire welcomed back visitors w/c 7th September. These include Bosworth Battlefield heritage Centre, Harborough Museum, the 1620’s House and garden at Donington-le-Heath, Melton Carnegie Museum and Charnwood Museum. Visitors to all sites will need to pre-book a timed slot. For details of opening days and times and to book a slot online, please visit the individual websites: www.bosworthbattlefield.org.uk/ or call 01455 290429 www.doningtonleheath.org.uk/ or call 01455 290429 www.harboroughmuseum.org.uk/uk or call 0116 3053627 www.meltonmuseum.or/ or call 0116 3053860 Hinckley – Rugby Road Improvement Scheme A scheme to improve two key junctions on Rugby Road, alongside a range of improvements to existing cycling and pedestrian routes in Hinckley, will begin in Spring 2021. Work on the £5m scheme was due to start this summer, however, plans have had to be rescheduled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Details of the traffic management requirements and programme of work will be issued once finalised. Government letter to kickstart unitary bid The Government will be asked to invite Leicestershire to put forward unitary plans as part of an East Midlands devolution deal. The proposals agreed by the County Cabinet on 18th September will include an update of the business case to reflect the White Paper, be discussed at scrutiny commission and at full council by the end of the year. An independent research company will be brought on board to seek the views of stakeholders on the revised business case. Cllr Wright also mentioned the email regarding the school bus and the different costs to families depending on what part of the village they live in.