A MEETING OF THE COUNTESTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL WAS HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, STATION ROAD COUNTESTHORPE ON THURSDAY, 14 th APRIL 2011 AT 7.30 PM. WHEN THERE WERE PRESENT: Chairman Vice Chairman Councillors: Mrs A Bates Mrs C Samuels D Ball Rev M Gillespie T Blood, A Collis-Smith, G Farrands, P Holdridge, C James, D Jennings, J Jennings, K Mason, I Paterson and M Smith and J Weatherstone Clerk to the Council Deputy Clerk to the Council There were 5 members of the public present. The Chairman asked members of the meeting to be upstanding to observe a minutes silence in memory of Cllr F Duffield who died peacefully on 25 th March. The Parish Council s condolences have been forwarded to Mrs Duffield. 2011/60. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE were received from Cllrs M Baum, A Clifford and R Daw. 2011/61. DISCLOSURES OF INTEREST ON THE AGENDA Listed below are Councillors who wished to declare an interest in the following:- Planning: Cllr D Jennings (Planning Blaby District Council & Leicestershire County Council) Cllr J Weatherstone (Planning Blaby District Council and 3 Oaks Housing) Village Hall: Cllr D Jennings Chairman of Committee for Registration of Civil Weddings (Leicestershire County Council) 2011/62. MINUTES OF A MEETING held on 10 th March 2011, as circulated by the Clerk, were approved as a correct record, subject to the following: Cllr M Smith was present at the meeting. 2011/63. MATTERS ARISING FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES Blaby District Council (BDC) has confirmed that contractors are responsible for damage to the verge and kerb on Glebe Drive. BDC have asked residents to ensure that entry and exits are left clear on Fridays and all vehicles are on drives to enable refuse vehicles to gain access. Leicestershire County Council (LCC) has completed the road markings in Countesthorpe and Phase 2 of the Part Night Lighting Scheme is to commence early May 2011. 5841
2011/64. POLICE MATTERS Fencing to Leysland Play Area has been damaged by vandalism; police have been informed of the incident. The fence panels are being repaired or replaced by the groundsmen as necessary. Councillors raised concerns regarding the impact of the part lighting scheme. 2011/65. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED a. Resident Part night lighting. It was resolved to ask the resident to forward his concerns to Leicestershire County Council. b. Blaby Additions to Recycling Collection Scheme April 2011 c. NHS Rurality Consultation d. Fields in trust Queen Elizabeth 11 Fields Challenge e. Open Space Society Green Space consultation f. Leicestershire & Rutland Association of Local Councils Newsletter Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service magazine 2011/66. PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED FROM BLABY DISTRICT COUNCIL The Chairman of the Planning Working Party reported on the following: Plan No. Address Description of Application Observation 11/0105/1/PX Land Adjacent 8 Bassett Avenue Erection of 1 bed bungalow (revised scheme) 11/0134/1/PX 4 Bassett Avenue Single storey side and rear extension and canopy to front 11/0149/1/PX 28 Walnut Way First floor side/rear extension 11/0141/1/PX 2 Gillam Butts Replacement garage to front elevation 11/0060/1/LX Workshop r/o 58 Wigston Street Internal alterations and works, including installing insulation and secondary glazing, blocking up an external door and inserting a new external door 11/0098/1/PX 16 Linden Avenue Two storey side, single storey rear extension 11/0168/1/PX 20 Marston Single storey rear Crescent extension 11/0165/1/PX Griffs Bodyworks Ltd 85-87 Station Road Application for permission to extend the time limit for the implementation of existing buildings and erection of 10 semi detached dwellings and 2 Concerns regarding overdevelopment of site Should have a dropped kerb and hard surfaced entrance to car parking area Listed building in a conservation area therefore must be compatible with original building Comments as original application: Concern from neighbours at the rear who feel the buildings would overwhelm their property. Concern also re surface 5842
detached dwellings and associated parking/garages and construction of new access road drainage in this part of the village. The Parish Council would like confirmation that the drainage system will be in order prior to the building works taking place. Parish Council are concerned that there will be a loss of local employment opportunities 11/0055/1/PX 100 Station Road Amendment - revised design Cllr P Holdridge declared a prejudicial interest in planning application 11/0098/1/PX 16 Linden Avenue and left the meeting whilst this item was being discussed. It was resolved to return the observations to Blaby District Council. A member of the Planning Working Party has attended a presentation on the proposed Lubbersthorpe development; notes from the presentation will be available from the Clerk. 2011/67. BLABY DISTRICT COUNCIL PLANNING DECISION Plan No. Address Blaby District Councils Decision 11/0003/1/TY 65 Scalborough Close Application granted to tree works subject to compliance with conditions set out in notification The meeting was adjourned to enable members of the public to raise matters of concern. 2011/68. MAINTENANCE OF COUNCIL PROPERTIES REPORT FROM THE WORKING PARTY (MONTHLY MEETING) The Chairman of the Working Party reported on the following: The Council resolved to pay mileage allowance to the groundsmen in line with LCC. Dale Acre Works to trees are in hand. The new exercise equipment, recently installed, had not been fitted correctly and proposed a health and safety risk therefore danger tape was put in place to prevent its use. The contractors have now returned and tightened the loose bolts and will return to change the rubber stops. The equipment is no longer a health and safety risk. A complaint has been received from a resident regarding golf being played on the recreation area. It was resolved to place notices to prohibit the playing of golf. St Andrews Church Repairs to the church clock have been completed. The church path is due to be completed in July. 5843
Cemetery Foston Road Approval from the Environment Agency regarding the suitability of the land, next to the present cemetery, has been received. It was resolved that once planning consent is received, legal investigations will be made into the purchase of the land. It was resolved that the cost of cemetery plaques would be raised by 10% to cover administration costs, including postage. ROSPA A meeting is to be arranged by the Clerk, with Cllr A Collis-Smith and the head groundsman to organise repairs highlighted in the ROSPA report. Planters It was resolved to order plants, for the Planters, from Glebe Garden Centre. The Clerk was asked to check whether the lamp post hanging baskets have been ordered. 2011/69. REPORTS OF WORKING PARTIES, REPRESENTATIVES, DISTRICT COUNCILLORS & COUNTY COUNCILLOR Cty Cllr D Jennings reported that Arriva had cut services from 15 minutes to 30 minutes and that he had received complaints from residents of Countesthorpe who have been unable to board buses from Leicester due to overcrowding. It had been reported that the 45 service was to continue, however this was not case and a press statement was to be issued by LCC. Cty Cllr D Jennings is to attend a meeting with the service provider and LCC; it was resolved to support his concerns regarding the bus service and his work to improve them. Best Front Gardens Competition Nomination forms will be available in the Herald and on the Parish Council and Glebe Garden Centre websites. Vouchers will be donated by Glebe Garden Centre including 25 vouchers for Chairman s choice and the Working Party Chairman s choice. Judging for will be held on 16 th July for Allotments and the week commencing 18 th July for gardens. It was resolved to change the name of the Chairman s award to the Frank Duffield award. 2011/70. VILLAGE HALL REPORT THEREOF The working party have re-elected their Chairman and Vice-Chairman. The working party are currently investigating internet provision for hirers and installing a projector in the hall. A further quotation has been received for the installation of Solar Panels. It was resolved that the Clerk investigates a Green Policy for the Council. First Aid Courses are being investigated to provide suitable cover for the hall and office. 2011/71. VISION GROUP REPORT THEREOF Christmas Spectacular The Christmas Spectacular will be held on 1 st December on a similar format to last year and will be held inside the church and in a marquee erected outside the church. The working party 5844
are investigating the cost of increasing the coloured Christmas lights at both the church and village hall. The next meeting is due to be held on 24 th May at 10 am. After discussion regarding efficiency methods, it was resolved to forward agendas and minutes to Councillors by email. 2011/72. YOUTHWORK WITHIN THE VILLAGE nothing was discussed 2011/73. PROPOSED COUNTRY PARK A meeting has been held with Mr Senior from BDC, who will be contacting the developers, Permission Homes. It was resolved for Cllr M Gillespie to arrange a meeting with the developers, after which a public meeting would be arranged. The meeting was adjourned to enable a member of the public to speak regarding the proposed skatepark. The Council understands that BDC has agreed to a skatepark, however if the Parish Council become owners there will be a public meeting to discuss the proposal. It was noted that the Parish Council be aware of any covenants on the land. It was resolved to apply, in principle, for ownership of the land. It was noted that both Cllr D Jennings and Cllr J Weatherstone abstained from voting. The vote was unanimous. 2011/74. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS QUESTIONS & ANSWERS there were none. 2011/75. FINANCIAL MATTERS The following accounts were passed for payment:- BDC-Emptying Dog Waste Bins 358.18 Safetyshop-H&S Notices 31.36 Bowers & Freeman-Cemetery Plaque 96.60 LGE-Annual Subscription 478.80 RCC-Subscription 50.00 FuelGenie-Petrol for PUT 358.18 Chapmans-Blades 27.51 Canon-Photocopies 34.22 Espo-Stationery 89.23 ICCM-Membership 90.00 DVLA-PUT Tax 200.00 Open Spaces Society-Subscription 40.00 ICO-Renewal 35.00 BT-Telephone 151.33 Wicksteed Leisure Ltd-Play Equipment 5371.02 HMRC-Tax & NI 1855.29 Staff Wages 5348.38 LCC-Pension 1587.88 Aon-Insurance 5865.2 Mr G Hanna-Petrol Allowance 67.52 Petty Cash 50.00 5845
Audit It was resolved to appoint Mr Wilford as internal auditor, a letter of appointment will be issued. It was resolved to appoint Redwood Prior as internal auditor for the financial year 2011/12. To enable both the Clerk and the Deputy Clerk to administer the accounts, it was resolved that they be signatories on the bank account. 2011/76. MATTERS THAT THE CLERK MAY WISH TO RAISE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY none It was resolved to thank retiring Cllrs T Blood and J Weatherstone, who will not be standing for election to the Parish Council on 5 th May. 2011/77. DATE OF NEXT MEETING 12 th MAY 2011 - agreed The meeting closed at 9.05 pm Signed... Chairman Dated... 2011 5846