HIGHAM ON THE HILL PARISH COUNCIL

HIGHAM ON THE HILL PARISH COUNCIL Date: Monday 20 April 2015 Time: 7.30 pm Present: B Golder (Chair), S Gayton, C Molyneux, A Jenkins, D Waterton, J Robinson Ivan Ould, Reg Ward, Karen Pegg, 5 members of the public 1) APOLOGIES All members of the Parish Council were present 2) Karen Pegg Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Karen Pegg from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council attended the meeting to discuss the options available to the Parish Council with regard to 106 monies. A Play & Open Space guide was tabled by Karen Pegg. The 106 monies available at this time are 6545.40, and this must be spent on the playing field. Three quotes to be sent to Karen Pegg. When a decision has been made on which quote will be accepted the monies will be released to the Parish Council accounts. When the initial money has been allocated the Parish Council can then apply for maintenance money. This must be used over 10 years and is a sum of 6048. No 106 monies have so far been accrued for the Hilary Bevins development. 3) MINUTES FROM PREVIOUS MEETING There was a change to section 9.10 regarding the weather vane. This was A grant had not been applied for only a quotation had been received. Following this amendments, the minutes of the meeting held on 9 March 2015 were agreed by the Parish Councillors present, and then signed as a true record of the meeting. 4) DECLARATION OF INTEREST FROM MEMBERS No declaration of interest. 5) QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC 5.1 The issue of dogs in the playing field was raised. It was agreed that the No dogs sign will not be removed but that, through the Outlook, owners will be encouraged to pick up their dog s mess and that dogs should be kept on a lead at all times. Owners that do not pick up their dog s mess will be fined. The Dog Warden is still coming to the village once a week. 5.2 Water leak on Main Street. Severn Trent have been contacted and the leak reported. 1

5.3 Lorries accessing Hilary Bevins site. The lorries are still ignoring the access hours. They were reported picking up top soil at 07:15 on 20 April 2015. Craig Isen and Craig Allinson, Enforcement Officer to be contacted to advise then Action: Brian Golder 5.4 The road sweepers have been filling up on Main Street, this is reducing the pressure in Station Road and Hilary Bevins Close. Severn Trent have been advised of this. Reg Ward to talk to Steve Atkinson at HBBC. Action: Reg Ward 6) LOCAL POLICING ISSUES / NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH Nothing has been reported. Online crime reporting has not been updated since January 2015. 7) COUNTY COUNCIL ISSUES General Divisional Issues: 7.1 I managed to attend 12 out of the 13 parish councils held in March. 7.2 My letter to the Chief Constable was answered promptly. As a result I have telephone numbers for Superintendent Martin Ball and Inspector Everleigh. For the Parishes of Witherley, Sheepy, and Twycross, the area has been given Waymark status by the police due to the number of rural crimes involving theft that have been taking place. This means that there are at least 3 police patrols through these areas daily. The time and location is recorded on the central police computer, either through the officer s radio or the transmitter on the car itself. As yet no response has been made by the police and Crime Commissioner. 7.3 Crime figures have been discussed at length at nearly every meeting I have attended. Whereas the majority of Parish Councils take the view that it is a waste of police time to attend a parish meeting just to discuss the crime figures, there is widespread concern at just how difficult it is to use the neighbourhood watch website to obtain these figures when parishes have more than 1 postcode to investigate. 7.4 It was my privilege to represent the Market Bosworth Division at the Ceremony of the Soils held at Fenn Lane Farm that marked the commencement of the activities leading up to the reinterment of King Richard 111. I was also asked to represent the Division at the events held at Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre. This included laying a wreath for the village of Sutton Cheney at the Sundial, where other more important people than me had laid white roses. However the wreath took pride of place and I placed it directly under the gnomon of the sundial. This was a unique occasion to be part of and witness to. All the reports that I have received speak very highly of the events held at Dadlington, Sutton Cheney, and Market Bosworth. I was sorry to miss these events but went where I was asked to be, at the Battlefield site and then the Heritage Centre for the day. 7.5 The number of incidents involving East Midlands Ambulance Service failing to respond within a reasonable period of time has now risen to 5, of which 2 are in Witherley and 3 in Market Bosworth itself. These have been raised through the Health and Wellbeing Board, of which I am a member, and are now being processed. It is very worrying when relatives have to take their loved ones into hospital their selves because the ambulance has turned up when required, or 2

when you wait from 6.45 in the evening until 4.45 the following morning to quote but 2 examples. Please continue to let me know of any other issues involving ambulances. 7.6 The Chairman of the Board of the George Eliot Hospital, where I represent the County Council on the Patients Advisory Forum, has asked to meet with me on 9 th April. A report from this meeting will be given in my next report. 7.7 I am seeking a meeting with the owners of Twycross Zoo to establish the implications of their proposals for a 55M investment over the next few years to enable them to double the number of their visitors from 500,000 to 1M per year. This proposal will clearly have implications on the road network, as well as local communities. 7.8 On 1.04.15, I met with Nick Fell at Market Bosworth Country Park to discuss the future plans for the Country Park itself, and any current issues. Despite the weather, it was a very productive visit and I am better briefed as a result. 7.9 In March I attended the MIRA Liaison Meeting to hear the latest developments planned for the site. Much of what we hear is confidential but all appears to be on target to allow the 2,000 jobs to become available over the next few years. 7.10 There have been 21 new constituents issues since my last report, on a wide variety of matters. 7.11 There was a Cabinet Meeting on Monday March 16 th. Decisions were taken on the future strategy for library services; the development of the Extra Care housing strategy in Leicestershire; the draft Local Transport Plan implementation strategy; the Leicestershire North West Major Transport project; the Local Transport Plan Phase 3 for Hinckley; the proposed reopening of Regent Street, Hinckley; a proposed traffic improvement scheme for Ravenstone; re-procurement of drugs substance misuse treatment; our policy revisions for admission to Leicestershire s Schools; and the proposed dates of future county council meetings. The full details of the papers are available on the County Council website. 7.12 On Wednesday 25 th March, a full meeting of the County Council took place. One of the items of interest is the fact that the Boundary Commission are investigating the current workloads of county council Divisions. The Market Bosworth Division is 16% above the average, and well outside the + or of 10% from the average figure. There will be some changes proposed to make the Division smaller by removing one parish council area equating to about 1,500-2,000 registered voters. I have not seen their current considerations so I cannot comment further. 7.13 Due to both the Borough Council and Parliamentary elections, it is unlikely that I shall be able to attend many parish council meetings for the month of April. 8) BOROUGH COUNCIL ISSUES 8.1 The Site Allocation document will be available in September 2015. This is for 2026 2031. 8.2 Reg Ward has agreed to object on behalf of the Parish Council to the proposed development at the rear of the Oddfellows Arms 8.3 Barwell SUE Draft documents from the recent meeting will be available shortly. Brian Golder, Christine Molyneux and Ivan Ould attended the meeting. 8.4 Reg Ward will talk again the David Wilson Homes re site management. 3

9) MATTERS OUTSTANDING Action: Reg Ward 9.1 Village Sign (previously 9.1 Matters Outstanding) A letter has been sent to Carol Riddington asking her for the drawings back. This will then be finalised and given to Janet Robinson for her to give to Carol. Action: Dawn Waterton 9.2 Vehicle Activated Signs (previously 9.2 Matters Outstanding). Stoke Golding have issued a report on the results from their vehicle activated signs. Higham is to produce a similar report. Action: Steve Gayton There is a planned development by the Triumph factory which is for 800 houses. Higham needs to have a traffic impact assessment carried out because of this. 9.3 Village Issues (see separate issues for previous listings) 9.3.1 Right turn out of Wood Lane. Sign has still not been erected. It has been agreed to contact LCC again. Action: Ivan Ould 9.3.2 Pavement along Nuneaton Lane to A5 (previously 9.3.1 Matters Outstanding). (Ref: 7103954-45632612326). This is part of the Highways inspection held recently 9.3.3 Wooden Balustrade on Main Street Car Park (previously 9.3.2 Matters Outstanding). This is to be removed when all works have been completed 9.3.4 Repair of Carriageway (previously 9.3.3 Matters Outstanding). Reference 8087274 (58078133558). This is part of the Highways inspection held recently. 9.3.5 Verges along Wykin Lane (previously 9.3.4 Questions from Public). This is part of the Highways inspection held recently. 9.3.6 Pavement along 14 24 Main Street (previously 9.14 Matters Outstanding). HBBC have been contacted and are addressing this issue. Logged as Enquiry number 544256. 9.4 Closed churchyard (previously 9.4 Matters Outstanding). Work completed. This item is now closed. 9.5 Replacement dog waste bins (previously 9.5 Matters Outstanding). The two existing bins have been replaced and a new bin installed in Barr Lane. This item is now complete and has been closed. 9.6 Play Equipment (previously 9.6 Matters Outstanding). 9.6.1 Three quotes have been received for a path all round the playing field, they are: Chalky - 7672.47; Mark - 8400.00; WPS Landscapes - 6395.00 all plus VAT. These quotes have been sent to Karen Pegg at HBBC for allocation of 106 monies. 9.6.2 Goalposts. The bottom goal post is to be dug out. 9.6.3 A check is to be made that the football club have their own liability insurance. Action: Steve Gayton 4

9.7 Provision of defibrillator (previously 9.7 Matters Outstanding). The defibrillator has been purchased and received and training is to be arranged on its use for the volunteers. Action: Steve Gayton 9.8 Parish Council Elections (previously 9.8 Matters Outstanding). All information has been posted in readiness for the elections on 7 th May 2015. 9.9 Replacement weather vane for Church (previously 9.9 Matters Outstanding). This issue is ongoing. Action: Ann Jenkins 9.10 Automation of Church Clock (previously 13.1 Other Matters). A grant to be applied for from the Parish Initiative fund. Action: Ann Jenkins 9.11 Cash machine (previously 13.2 Other Matters). Unfortunately no business is interested in providing this service. This issue is complete and now closed. 9.12 Fisher family grave. Paul Fisher has emailed the Parish Council asking for assistance with the restoration of the Fisher family grave. Awaiting quotes and grants towards this restoration. 10) CORRESPONDENCE Correspondence has been received via email and forwarded to Parish Councillors as appropriate. 11) PLANNING 11.1 A letter was received from John Reddington, Chief Executive of David Wilson Homes. This letter was responding to a meeting held between John Reddington, Brian Golder and Ann Jenkins. In response to a question regarding the possible planting on additional land which is not included in the development. John Reddington s response was as follows: DWH do own the additional land I would be delighted to talk to you about planting a tree copse and wild flowers etc. Whilst writing this letter, I did think of an opportunity for both Higham on the Hill and DWH. The additional land area is considerable, and alongside the above planting there may be an opportunity to add an additional 4 or 5 homes to the rear of the land in return for a considerable contribution paid direct to Higham on the Hill Parish Council. My initial thoughts would be 50,000/private plot x 5 = 250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand pounds). I appreciate this may not be popular with everyone, but could make a significant difference to the village. Please let me know if you want to explore this further? Following contact with Steve Atkinson at HBBC it has been confirmed that this offer is legal and can be accepted. It was agreed by the Parish Council that a note would be placed in the Outlook advising the village of this offer, and that this would be discussed at the next Parish Council meeting. 12) FINANCE 12.1 The accounts for the year 1 April 2015 to 31 March 2015 were presented to the Parish Council. The Annual return for this financial year was presented and the Accounting 5

Statements and the Annual Governance statement were agreed by the Parish Council and signed by the Chairman and Responsible Financial Officer. 12.2 The first half of the precept, 5756.86 was received 12.3 A cheque was approved and signed for British Heart Foundation for 400.00 for the purchase of a defibrillator. This is to be added to the insurance policy (value 1200.00). 12.4 A cheque was approved and signed for D Dickson for 39.38 for clerk s expenses. 12.5 A cheque was approved and signed for Michael Smith for 290.00 for grounds maintenance. 12.6 A cheque was approved and signed for RP Richards Environmental Services for 35.00 for dog waste collection for March 2015. 12.7 A cheque was approved and signed for P Richards Environmental Services for 416.88 for provision and installation of 3 dog waste bins. 12.8 A cheque was approved and signed for Leics & Rutland Playing Fields Assoc for 22.00 for annual subscriptions. 12.9 A cheque was approved and signed for Leics Footpath Association for 5.00 for annual subscription 12.10 A cheque was approved and signed for LRALC for 202.47 for membership fees for NALC and LRALC for 2015 12.11 A cheque was approved and signed for RCC for 50.00 for membership for 2015. 12.12 A cheque was approved and signed for CW Technologies UK Ltd for 220.20 for a box for the defibrillator. 13) OTHER MATTERS 13.1 Arriva to be contacted to ask if the route of the scheduled bus could be increased to add Station Road into the pick-up points. Action: Ann Jenkins The meeting concluded at 9.20 pm. The next meetings will be held in the Methodist Chapel as follows: Monday 21 st May 2015 Annual Parish Meeting Monday 1st June 2015 Parish Council meeting Signed 6

Dated 7