MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE METHODIST CHURCH SCHOOLROOM, MAIN STREET, HOUGHTON ON THE HILL, ON THURSDAY 12 th JULY 2018, AT 7.30 PM PRESENT: Members: Cllr. A. Sleath (Chairman), Cllr. R. Hamilton (Vice Chairman), Cllr. I. Hill, Cllr. P. Lutman, Cllr. N. Joyce. : S. Derry Members of the Public: None ACTION 01-07/18 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE None was received. 02-07/18 NOTIFICATION OF DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST Councillor Sleath declared a non-disclosable pecuniary interest in respect of agenda item 9 (allotments). Councillor Hill declared a disclosable nonpecuniary interest in respect of agenda item 17 (Reports from village representatives on external bodies - Houghton Village Hall s106 application). 03-07/18 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 14 JUNE 2018 It was resolved that the minutes be confirmed. The Chairman signed the minutes. 04-07/18 PLANNING APPLICATIONS i) 18/00912/FUL The re-plan of 28 plots from the Reserved Matters Application 17/00257/REM, Land Part OS 8797 (Uppingham Road, Houghton). It was resolved to submit the following comments:- The Parish Council had reviewed the application and considered it as a reasonable compromise between the wishes of the community and viability of the development. It was pleased that Davidsons had communicated and consulted with it in a friendly and helpful manner. The Parish Council appreciated the necessity for changes for the previously granted application for the same development, and that Davidsons had largely retained the housing mix as agreed for the previous application and had also retained most of the other features requested by the Parish Council. The Parish Council would have preferred that the increase in 5-bedroom houses had not been necessary on viability grounds, but this might be partly mitigated by the design of such larger houses permitting easy re-configuration of the
accommodation to allow single-level living on the ground floor. It was noted that the ratio of affordable housing was retained at 40%. However, since the previous application, Hazelton s development (16 dwellings) had received Reserved matters approval, making an off-site contribution for affordable housing, and was now under construction. In the same time interval, Davis development (48 dwellings) had also been approved and was under construction. Between the three development sites there was compliance with Harborough District Council s (HDC) 40% affordable housing target with a total additional provision of affordable housing in Houghton of 35 dwellings and off-site contribution. The 35 affordable dwellings included 12 bungalows. There were no market bungalows on any of the sites. HDC s Housing needs survey of Houghton on the Hill (2015) concluded:- Results obtained showed there was a need in the next 5 years for up to 14 affordable homes and 11 open market (sale) homes for local people enabling them to be suitably housed within the community. The draft Local Plan promoted an overall affordable housing ratio of 40%, although that this should be responsive to local evidence of need. The made Neighbourhood Plan (March 2018) included the results of the HDC housing needs survey and recorded the evidence from community consultations, that:- 1. There is a documented need for 14 affordable houses (HDC Housing Needs Survey, 2015). There are also vacant affordable homes in the village, due to poor take-up by eligible people. 2. A major factor in the take-up of affordable housing is a lack of employment in the NP area, and poor (and under threat of closure) public transport links to anywhere else. 3. There is a need for open-market bungalows or single-level accommodation for senior members of the community to downsize (Houghton NP, Policy H2; HDC Supplementary planning document, 2017, section 5.13). This demand is high, particularly reflecting the age demographic of the community. The Houghton Settlement Profile (HDC, 2015) documented that of the existing housing: 87% of dwellings were owner-occupied, 65% were detached, and 47% were pensioner-only occupation. 25% of the population were 65 or over. The overall summary of the Profile concluded Development would need to be sympathetic to the village s numerous heritage assets, the High Leicestershire landscape setting, traffic concerns and to any specific housing needs of the village.
Both the previous and the current planning applications by Davidsons included 6 bungalows as part of the affordable housing mix. The Parish Council proposes that 4 of the bungalows on the Davidsons site be transferred to open-market purchase to decrease the over-provision of affordable homes for this specific community, and simultaneously satisfy the documented evidence of local need for open market bungalows. This would change the affordable housing ratio for this site to 29%. This request was in line with the spirit of localism in terms of response to evidence of need from the local community as documented in: the Houghton Neighbourhood Plan (2018), the HDC Settlement profile (2015) the Draft HDC Local Plan, in respect to Affordable Housing, (Pages 58-61) the HEDNA, (Page 132, summary of key points for housing mix) The Parish Council therefore requests Officers and Planning Committee to consider the request which was based on evidence and local needs, favourably. It was resolved that Cllr. I. Hill would represent the Parish Council when Harborough District Council was considering the application. It was resolved that Cllr. I. Hill would notify Matthew Sanders of the Davidson Group of the Parish Council s comments. Cllr. IH Cllr. IH ii) 18/01043/NMA Alterations to south-west single storey element to amend form part oak structure to all oak structure (proposed nonmaterial amendment to 18/00409/FUL) (31 Main Street, Houghton}. Resolved to submit a has NO COMMENTS response. iii) 18/01075/FUL - Erection of a two storey rear extension and re-roofing of garage (6 Ingarsby Lane, Houghton). It was resolved to object for the following reasons:- The submitted drawings were inadequate and contained errors. For example, the plans of the existing layout referred to bedrooms 1 and 2 although the proposed plans referred to bedrooms 3, 4 and 5 but had no reference to bedrooms 1 and 2. An area on both sets of drawings was labelled Area not surveyed although it was unclear as to what this meant.
If the garage became habitable, single skin brickwork would be unsuitable. If 4 or 5 bedrooms were being proposed, the parking provision would be inadequate. iv) 18/01083/LBC - Retention of existing works to internal layout at first floor providing an ensuite shower room within existing bedroom (53 Main Street, Houghton). Resolved to submit a has NO COMMENTS response. 05-07/18 STREET NAMING AND NUMBERING Harborough District Council s (HDC) Property Database Administrator had received a Street Naming and Numbering application in respect of the development on land off Uppingham Road being undertaken by Hazelton Homes Ltd. There was one street to be named and Hazeltons were happy for HDC to select a suitable name. In accordance with the Street Naming and Numbering policy, the Parish Council was being consulted. It was resolved to suggest the following street name:- Ash Tree Close At its meeting on 10 May 2018, the Parish Council had suggested the name Stacey Crescent in respect of a new street on the development on land off Winckley Close. Harborough District Council (HDC) had however advised that the road was not strictly speaking a Crescent and a more suitable suffix should therefore be selected. A decision was required in advance of the Parish Council s scheduled meeting and Parish Councillors had been consulted. The consensus was for the name Stacey Avenue to be suggested and the had notified HDC accordingly. It was resolved that the s actions be endorsed. 06-07/18 TRAFFIC AND PARKING Main Street Scheme At its meeting on 14 June 2018, the Parish Council had resolved to remind Leicestershire County Council (LCC) that the white line which had been included in the scheme had not yet been painted. This had been reported on 15 June 2018 although no response had yet been received.
White Lines Worn white lines In the vicinity of the Co-operative store in Main Street and in the vicinity of St. Catharine s Church at the junction of St. Catharine s Way and Main Street had been reported to LCC. The following response had been received:- We have referred your concerns to our Signing and Lining Team who will investigate and decide on the best course of action. Further feedback will be provided shortly in respect of any works ordered or action taken. St. Catharine s Way/Main Street Junction It was resolved to:- request LCC to provide a quotation for the installation of bollards at the corners of St. Catharine s Way where it joins Main Street. Indicate that a Parish Councillor was happy to meet on site to discuss options. Bus Shelter It was reported that repairs to the shelter which had been damaged on 26 April 2018 were likely to be completed by 25 July 2018. 07-07/18 ALLOTMENTS David Sturgis of Sturgis Snow and Astill had written to the Parish Council to enquire as to whether it had considered any further its requirements for replacement allotment land and whether it had yet appointed anyone to act on its behalf. A reply had been sent indicating that discussions concerning the proposal to resite the allotments were continuing and that no one had yet been appointed to act on the Parish Council s behalf. Informal fact-findng conversations had taken place involving Councillors R. Hamilton and I. Hill with Mr. Bettles of the Parochial Church Council. Councillor I. Hill reported that he had been seeking advice and expertise concerning the design and construction of a new allotment site. It had been suggested that Parish Council membership of the National Allotments Society would be advantageous for which a fee of 55 plus VAT would apply. It was resolved to not take up the membership offer at the present time but to continue to make enquiries in conjunction with Houghton Gardeners Club. Cllrs. IH, RH, NJ
08-07/18 CLERK S REPORT The s report was received and accepted. 09-07/18 ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS INCLUDING VILLAGE MAINTENANCE Matters reported to external organisations did not always receive a prompt response and it might be possible for volunteers to undertake some of the tasks. It was resolved that the would prepare a list of outstanding works with a view to seeking the assistance of volunteers to complete them., All Cllrs. 10-07/18 GRASS CUTTING HOUGHTON FIELD It was reported that a meeting had taken place on 5 July 2018 between Nurture s Contract Manager and a Parish Council representative (minute 12-06/18 refers). At that time the grass cutting standard on the field was reasonable. However, Nurture had been sent photographs previously which clearly showed the appalling state of the mound in the children s play area. It was also obvious that the grass area on the tennis court side of the field was poorly cut and the dead grass on the footpath to the courts meant that it was not visible. In contrast, on the other side of the main path where the football pitches were situated, the grass was cut by a representative of Houghton Field Association (HFA) who produced a superior finish. It was suggested by Nurture that the football pitch side should not be cut if the volunteer was already cutting it. It was explained that the contract contained provision for HFA to undertake some grass cutting and the Parish Council would need to consider whether a change to the contract was required. Nurture explained that its operatives would not cut the grass on the football pitch side of the field if they did not think that it was necessary. This was understood although any time saving should allow for a proper job on the mound and remaining field area. This was not happening which meant that the Parish Council was paying for work that was not being carried out. Nurture felt that the mound was too steep and dangerous to cut in wet conditions.
It had not rained for several weeks and the grass was 15 inches high in parts prior to Nurture s visit on 4 July when operatives had been sent specifically to deal with the problem left by the regular team. It was reinforced that the grass should be cut about every two weeks which clearly was not happening. The mound had been seen by Nurture prior to contract signing and its appearance had not changed since then. Nurture had stated that its employees would be provided with crampons. Nurture concluded by stating that it would be made it clear to its operatives that they needed to carry out works to an improved standard in accordance with the contract. 11-07/18 COMMUNITY PROJECTS/COMMUNITY FAYRE It was resolved to:- Delay further consideration of Community Projects until the Community Fayre had taken place on 8 September 2018. Place a dedicated article publicising the Community Fayre in the August edition of Houghton News. Request Houghton News to not include the Councillor recruitment advertisement in the August edition of Houghton News. Prepare a list of tasks to be undertaken in connection with the Community Fayre. Cllr. IH It was resolved that in addition to the expenditure of 50 approved at the Parish Council meeting on 14 June 2018, further funding of 100 be approved. 12-07/18 EMERGENCY PLANNING Cllr. I. Hill had modified the plan following his meeting with John Brown, Resilience Officer. Mr. Brown s comments were awaited and other minor modifications would also be needed. Cllr. IH
13-07/18 747 BUS A meeting of the 747 bus group had taken place on 5 July 2018. The meeting agreed that the group:- must continue to be pro-active and encourage residents along the route of the 747 bus to use it would draft a form of words and a set of stories (profiles) of passengers experiences of using the bus and what it would mean to them if the service ceased. These would then be included in posters, leaflets, village magazines, village websites and social media posts to be created by Group members. would draft a strategy to pressurise Leicestershire County Council (LCC) and Rutland County Council (RCC) to keep the service going beyond June 2019, even if this involved a subsidy. (Note: while the current subsidy for the 747 service was due to end in early January 2019, County Councillor Simon Galton reported that LCC has committed to maintaining subsidised bus services until June 2019 subject to RCC continuing its funding in the case of the 747. The strategy would include: o establishing links with television, radio and print media o emphasising the social good aspect of the service o emphasising the importance of having a bus service on the major A road (A47) o referring to a substantial increase in potential future passenger numbers which are likely to follow the construction of new homes along the A47 in the coming years (Note: extrapolating from existing house numbers in the villages along the A47 and the number of journeys currently made from them, the Group felt that it could be argued that each new house built in the future could equate to an extra bus journey) o the inferiority, unsuitability and expense of alternative services, such as the Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) scheme, to the 747 bus service (Note: the meeting felt that the DRT scheme was particularly unsuited for Houghton and Billesdon) should next meet in October 2018 (precise date and venue to be agreed) with LCC, RCC and Centrebus to obtain a clear view of what they planned to do with the service beyond June 2019. (Note: Centrebus should have a clear idea of passenger numbers for the year by October and SG felt that LCC would be considering the results of the consultation and approving a new policy for subsidised bus routes around this time)
would, in addition to the normal attendees from LCC, RCC and Centrebus, invite Ian Vears (Assistant Director of Highways and Transport, LCC), Blake Pain (Lead Member for Transport at LCC) and a senior member of RCC to attend the meeting in October 2018. It was resolved to:- prepare a contact list in advance of the October 2018 747 Bus Meeting. prepare questions on bus usage request County Councillor Simon Galton to invite key representatives including Ian Vears (Assistant Director of Highways and Transport, LCC) and Blake Pain (Lead Member for Transport at LCC). 14-07/18 FINANCIAL MATTERS a) Invoices received and approval of payment. It was resolved to approve the payments detailed in the Schedule of Payments as circulated by the with the agenda and as itemised in the Appendix. Cllr. IH Cllr. AS b) Quarterly Financial Progress Report It was resolved that the report comprising details of expenditure, income and bank reconciliations for the period from 1 April to 30 June 2018 be accepted. It was commented that the level of reserves suggested that it would be appropriate to again consider adopting a reserves policy. 15-07/18 REPORTS FROM VILLAGE REPRESENTATIVES ON EXTERNAL BODIES Councillor A. Sleath reported on the Annual Parishes Liaison event which three Councillors had attended on 9 July 2018 and which had been disappointing in several aspects including poor acoustics. Parish Councillors views on a Unitary County Council were invited although there had been no prior notice that the topic would be discussed. Councillor I. Hill reported on The Delivery of Community Facilities event which he had attended with Iain Munro of Houghton Rangers Football Club on 20 June 2018. By working with parishes, Harborough District Council was aiming to produce a programme of work which could enable a single team to deliver all the projects and reduce costs over the programme as any issues were identified and resolved in readiness for the next scheme. Councillor I. Hill reported that a s106 application for the Village Hall was being prepared and the Parish Council would be invited to support it at a future meeting.
16-07/18 CORRESPONDENCE The list of correspondence, as circulated by the with the agenda, was received and accepted. The following issues for action were considered: a) An email had been received from Ashleigh Sage, Network Coordinator, Network Management, Leicestershire County Council, who was reminding Parishes to submit sign request forms for remembrance events. It was resolved that Cllr. R. Hamilton would liaise with Dave Mence, representing the Scout movement, to determine whether the Parish Council or the Scout Movement should deal with the request. Cllr. RH 17-07/18 ITEMS FOR INCLUSION IN NEXT AGENDA The following items were agreed:- i) 747 Bus. ii) Allotments iii) Community Projects/Community Fayre iv) Emergency Plan. v) Environmental Matters including grass cutting vi) Remembrance Sunday vii) Traffic and Parking. 18-07/18 RECONSIDERATION OF APRIL 2019 MEETING DATES At its meeting on 14 June 2018, the Parish Council had approved a date of Thursday 11 April 2019 for both the Parish Council meeting and the Annual Parish meeting. Three Parish Councillors had submitted a Notice of Motion to enable the resolution recorded in minute 17-06/18 to be reversed. It was resolved to:- a) Hold the April 2019 meeting of the Parish Council on Thursday 4 April 2019 at 7.30 p.m. in the Methodist Church Schoolroom. b) Hold the Annual Parish Meeting in the Methodist Church Schoolroom on Thursday 4 April 2019 at 6.30 p,m. 19-07/18 DATE OF NEXT MEETING The next meeting will be held on Thursday 9 August 2018 at 7.30 p.m. in the Methodist Church Schoolroom, Houghton. The meeting closed at 9.39 p.m.... Chairman 9 August 2018
Appendix Schedule of Payments Nurture Landscapes Ltd. Grounds Maintenance for June 2018 196.00 Cllr. I. Hill Travel expenses for attendance at S106 and Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) training on 14 June 2018 at Anstey (minute 15-06/18a refers) 9.90 Houghton Village Hall - hire of club room for meeting with Sturgis Snow and Astill 29/5/18 15.00 Mr. S. Derry - Stationery 14.29 Harborough District Council Grounds Maintenance for April to June 2018 477.69 Harborough District Council Emptying dog bins and replacing liners, April to June 2018 75.41 H.M.R.C. s PAYE payment for April, May and June 2018 378.20 Houghton Village Hall - hire of club room for Response Plan meeting 28/6/18 15.00 Turney Landscapes Ltd. Contract mowing of verges for June 2018 269.47 AVAST Renewal of Anti-virus software 49.99 LRALC s106 Training on 14 June 2018 (minute 15-06/18 refers) 35.00