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MINUITES OF THE MEETING OF RATBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY, 11TH OCTOBER 2016 AT RATBY METHODIST CHURCH ROOMS, CHAPEL LANE, RATBY AT 7.30PM.
‘DRAFT MINUTES FOR APPROVAL’
‘UNADOPTED’
PRESENT:
Councillors: Mrs M B Joyce (Chairman) Mr R Tasker (Vice-Chairman), Mrs A Hunnybun.
Mr K Huynnybun and Miss K Johnson
Members of
Public: Nil
Visitors: 3 from Virgin Media (Kyle Dodd, Paul Scullion, Michelle McQuigg)
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the October meeting of the Council.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
16/87 Apologies for absence were received from Mr and Mrs L J O’Shea who were on holiday, Mr C W Boothby who was attending Planning Committee at Hinckley &
Bosworth Borough Council and Mr P Hancox who was ill.
2. MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
16/88 Minutes of the last meeting having previously been circulated, were proposed by Miss Johnson, seconded Mrs Hunnybun, agreed unanimously and signed by the Chairman.
3. DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL/PREJUDICIAL AND PECUNIARY INTEREST AND DISPENSATIONS FROM MEMBERS ON ANY ITEM TO BE DISCUSSED
16/89 None
The Chairman adjourned the meeting at approximately 7.35pm to allow for public participation.
4. PRESENTATION – VIRGIN MEDIA
16/90 Personnel from Virgin Media gave an overview of the forthcoming installation of Virgin network in Ratby which is due to commence in early 2017. Virgin Media had conducted a survey of rural communities through the UK and Ratby had come 4th.
Virgin’s network for broadband will allow speedy connection to the internet. The cable network will cover the whole village of Ratby and cables will be laid in each street, allowing residents, if they wish to sign up to the Virgin network.
Q. How it would connect to residents’ properties?
A. As cabling is laid in the street it would mean that cabling would be extended across residents’ properties and a small box fitted to the side of house, with cabling entering the property.
Q.Are there proposals to hold meeting for residents?
A. Virgin will set up meeting for residents at venue in village.
Q. Will installation cause any traffic disruption?
A. Virgin has applied for temporary road closure when installation begins.
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Q. What are hours of work?
A. Contractors work from 8am – 5pm. Virgin will forward programme of works
to Council.
Chairman thanked Virgin Media for attending the meeting and giving their
Presentation.
5. REPORTS
16/91 (a) Borough Councillors’ Report (see Appendix 1)
(b) County Councillor’s Report (see Appendix 2)
6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
16/92 (i) 16/00842/FUL –Mr Kane O’Donnell, 130 Markfield Road, Ratby LE6 0LQ –New Build – 3 bedroom detached house – Strong objection – the 3 storey house design is not in keeping with the surrounding area. Also has concerns regarding the dormer roof window which overlooks the street and possibly properties opposite. Even if dormer window was replaced with skylight it could possibly allow occupiers to overlook other properties. It appears that a very ancient hedge at the side of this property has been thinned and instead of the original thick hedgerow it is now very narrow, with gaps through to the Woodland Trust land, which could be seen as giving more land to the applicant. (ii) 16/00854/CONDIT- Mr Ignasi Sospedra, Desford Lane Solar Farm Ltd. Milton Gate, 60 Chiswell Street, London EC1 4AG (The Poultry Farm, Desford Lane Ratby) – Variation Condition 2 planning permission
14/99664/FUL to provide new security system – No objection.
The Chairman reconvened the meeting at approximately 8.20pm
7. ADOPTION OF ANNUAL AUDIT REPORT
16/93 Annual Audit Report proposed for adoption by Mr Hunnybun, seconded
Mr Tasker and unanimously agreed.
8. COMMUNITY GARDEN
16/94 Mr Tasker had measured the area and had produced sketch of new layout which would extend the paved area to the existing seats. Suggestion that any new
paving be set on concrete. Discussion followed – defer to November meeting.
9. ADDITIONAL LITTER BIN – FERNDALE PARK
16/95 Request for additional litter bin adjacent to the MUGA area had been received,
together with a poster designed by a 6 year old girl. Discussion ensued and it was
proposed by Miss Johnson, seconded Mr Tasker that litter bin be purchased and, if possible the poster be incorporated into the design of the bin.
10. FERNDALE PARK – TREE PLANTING
16/96 Further details had been received of the species of tree Robinia psuedoacacia ‘Frisia’.
RESOLVED: Proposed Mrs Hunnybun, seconded Mr Hunnybun and unanimously agreed that this tree be planted at the rear of the newly designed community garden.
11. NOTICEBOARD – STATION ROAD
16/97 Notice board previously removed to allowing building works by Mr Gilmore, who has agreed that this board can be replaced. Site meeting to be arranged.
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12. EXTRA GRASS CUTTING
16/98 (i) Fielding Lane – Small strip of grass presently maintained by Cawrey Ltd.
Approx. 255 sq.m to be taken over by Parish Council
(ii) Station Road/Ratby Lane – Leicestershire County Council has requested that Parish Council take on grass cutting between village entry signs and brook bridge. Area 130m long 2 m. Back on one side and 1mback on opposite side, total approx.
490sq.m. reimbursed at £6.95 per cut, additional £41.76 to annual fee. (Agreement sought via email to this item.)
RESOLVED: . proposed Mr Tasker, seconded Mr Hunnybun agreed unanimously.
13. ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
16/99 (i) List of Payments previously circulated were proposed by Mr Tasker,
Seconded Miss Johnson and unanimously agreed.
14. CLERK’S REPORT
16/100 (a) Dog waste bin-Ivanhoe Trail – County Council happy to grant licence, awaiting same from Legal Dept. (b) Blaby District Council-consultation Local Plan-Development Plan Documentation, runs until 16th November 2016 – www.blaby.gov.uk/local-plan-delivery-dpd/ (c) Film- Climate Change – Friday 7th October at Groby Community College 7.- 9.30pm. (d) Leicestershire Police – Invitation to Intercultural Evening – 3rd November 2016. (e) Remembrance Day
Wreaths – 4 ordered for service at Church/Memorial - £68. (f) HBBC – Cultural
Services Quarterly Report available at office (g) Letter from Air Ambulance thanking
Council for its additional donation (h) HBBC – Community Relations Forum Event –
13th October 2016 – 5 – 8pm. At International Friendship Centre, Hinckley (i) East
Midlands Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. Commemorated 27th January each year enquiry as to whether village will stage an event. After discussion agreed to include
article in Local. (j) National Hate Crime Awareness Week (this week – notification received earlier today from HBBC)
There being no further business the meeting was closed at approximately 8.55pm
Signed as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
______
Chairman Date
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BOROUGH COUNCILLORS’ REPORT – OCTOBER 2016 APPENDIX `1
Dear Residents
Housing Satisfaction Survey
Tenants of HBBC are being sent out a Housing Satisfaction Survey to give us a guide to whether we are, as a local authority up to the mark in terms of repairs, allocations, rent arrears, resident involvement and sheltered housing. HBBC do this every 3 years to give us a steer in terms of how services can improve. We already have various meetings with tenants involved in Together for Tenants and the Working Repairs Group which gives us invaluable insight into how we are performing as a local authority. HBBC are for the first time in some 30 years, adding to its housing stock by building 30 new houses in Hinckley, 9 older persons’ bungalows in Groby and a complete revamp of Ambion Court in Market Bosworth.
Groby Pool
There has been a continuous issue regarding the car park at Groby Pool and the involvement of lewd and inappropriate behaviour in the surrounding bushes by people who wish to engage in this sort of activity. Ozzy as the County Councillor took up this issue over the past 12 months and both Chris and Ozzy have held meetings with the police and are working closely with HBBC’s Endeavour Team and the Police to try and stop this happening. A lot of Ratby residents and children frequent Groby Pool and should not be subjected to the visual activities of people indulging in this type of activity.
Chris as Executive member has attended a site meeting where he has ordered the bushes to be removed to prevent further associations and if this continues both Chris and Ozzy will then look at other ways to put an end to this unacceptable behaviour.
Older Persons Scam
Ozzy and Chris were made aware of a potential scam that involved a handwritten letter being sent to an elderly resident claiming to be an admirer and asking this person to meet them in a bar in town at a specific time on a specific date. We saw the handwritten letter and alerted the Police to this possible scam. We were concerned that if the recipient actually went to the meeting then the house could be targeted to burglary. The Police saw this as a credible threat and executed a plan to possibly capture any persons entering the house. We will keep you updated on this but if anyone else has received a similar letter then please call it in on 101.
Christmas Market the Plough Public House, Ratby
Lisa and Jonny have arranged for a Christmas Market to take place on the car park of the Plough Public House on Saturday, 10th December 2016. The market will be open from 12 noon until 4pm. They invite anyone willing to sell anything- such as crafts, cakes and so on to get in contact with them. Spaces will be free but you must bring your own table for your stall. Please get in touch with Lisa ASAP to book a space. Lisa can be contacted on 0116 239 2630 or email . Come on, this is a great idea for the village, show your support and make it a success.
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Once again. we take this opportunity to thank all of you for your support and remember we are only a phone call away.
Regards
Chris & Ozzy
Working for you
Cllr Chris Boothby Cllr Ozzy O’Shea
Tel: 0116 238 8301 or 07704345637 Tel: 0116 239 4336 or 07808585825
Email: Email:
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COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT OCTOBER 2016 APPENDIX 2
Speed Reduction and Gap Closures A50 Bradgate Hill, Groby
I have campaigned since I was first elected to the County Council to have the speed on the A50 Bradgate Hill reduced from the current 50mph to 40mph, like the two sections of road either side of Bradgate Hill. There have seen several serious and fatal accidents on this section of road over the year. Currently the A50 at Fieldhead is 40mph. My argument was always about Road Safety and consistency. I have worked with residents consistently on this issue. Earlier this year I decided to get our two local MPs involved Ed Agar for Groby and David Tredinnick for Markfield. We held meetings with residents and officers from County Hall leading to a consultation in May this year. This lead to a report going to cabinet on the 16th September that recommended the speed be reduced on Bradgate Hill to 40mph and that all the gaps in the carriageway should be closed in the interests of Road Safety. It also included a proposal I put forward to extend the 40mph back on the North Bound carriageway to cover the Markfield Road slip road Groby on to the A50.
I attended cabinet and spoke in favour of these proposals on behalf of residents and I received cabinet’s unanimous support in favour of all the speed reductions, including the closure of the gaps. I have always campaigned on Road Safety issues as a retired police officer. My next campaign which has already started will be for the introduction of Average Speed cameras along this main arterial route from Markfield to Groby. I would like to put on record my thanks to residents and the County highways officers and our two MPs for their support.
Alert after women trick their way into home to steal cash and jewellery.
Two thieves tricked their way into an elderly woman’s home, they then stole cash, jewellery and bank cards. The women, who are thought to be Eastern Europeans, targeted the woman in her home. I have spoken to the Police Sergeant over this incident as it was first reported to be in Groby. He has confirmed to me that the incident took place in Groby Road, Glenfield at 9am on Sunday 25th September 2016, they knocked on her door claiming to know someone in the house.
Once inside, one asked to use the toilet and stole the valuables while her accomplice distracted the woman.
In a Statement Leicestershire Police said, “Were you visited in similar circumstances or did you see anyone matching the descriptions of the suspects in the area at the weekend? “We’d like to take this opportunity to remind people to never let any visitors into their homes.”
“If they are unsure of their identity, use a door chain and if possible check their identity with the company they are claiming to represent. If any doubt don’t let them in.”
The women are approximately 5ft.6ins and were wearing dark clothing. One is thought to be in her 20s and the other in her 40s.
If you have any information that could assist this enquiry please Contact Detective Constable Robert Taylor on 101, quoting crime number 293945.