BILLESDON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of Billesdon Parish Council held at
8.00 pm in the Chapel Room, Billesdon on Monday 28th October, 2015.
Present: Parish Councillors P. Collins (Chair), N. Sedgwick, S. Ford, R. Thrift, P Francis and C. McLaren.
Also in attendance: Parish Clerk P. Camm.
ITEM / ACTION
  1. PUBLIC FORUM
    One of the twomembers of the public present mentioned the ongoing problem of the water
    constantly flowing over Leicester Road. He was advised that the Council is doing all that it can, and had been pressing LCC for action over some years. This has been promised by LCC before the end of the year.

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
County Councillor K. Feltham and District Councillor S. Modha.
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None at this point.
4 and 5 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING AND MATTERS ARISING
The Minutes of the meeting held on 24th August, 2015, having been circulated prior to
the meeting, were accepted as a true record and signed by the Chair.
Cllr. Francis reported that the fence on the village green has been satisfactorily repaired. Cllr. Sedgwick reported having responded to HDC on its Open Spaces strategy.
6. MISCELLANEOUS CORRESPONDENCE
Changes in Fire brigade provision: The various changes being proposed were discussed and whilst recognising that not only Billesdon would be affected, it was felt that an effort should be made to retain the full service in Billesdon due to its centrally remote location, and its proximity to a known accident black-spot on the A47 trunk road.
New Local Plan being presented by HDC: details of this had been received at short notice prior to this meeting but it was considered sufficiently important to formulate a response from Council before the deadline of 30th October, 2015, especially as the Neighbourhood Plan is so new and could be impacted by the provisions of a new Local Plan. It was decided that Councillors should read the documents and present thoughts to the Chair early tomorrow, for consolidation into a formal reply broadly urging that any additional housing be targeted to more urban areas, where it is more relevant.
Billesdon ping pong: requesting funding for an outdoor table. To be discussed under item 9. / Cllr. Sedgwick
All Cllrs.
7. WEBSITE AND COUNCILLORS’ PROFILES
The Clerk reported that a deadline to create the new website has been missed, but work is well advanced. Some Councillors’ profiles are still required and a meeting with 2commune Ltd. is scheduled for early November.
/ Clerk
8. LEASED GARAGES
The Clerk confirmed that the balance of sale money (i.e., for the second garage) has still not been received and, as advised in earlier correspondence, two transfer documents are needed by Land Registry. These were signed by the Chair and Cllr. Sedgwick, and witnessed by the Clerk who will forward these to Council's solicitor.
/ Clerk
9. COUNCIL SUPPORT FOR LOCAL INITIATIVES
A number of applications had been received in response to Council advertising, in the Parish magazine and on the notice boards, the possible availability of funds for local projects. As reported in the previous item, not all of the money expected to be available has yet been received, and it was agreed that there would be no allocation of funds until all of the money has been received in full, and any associated legal costs paid in full. A short list of potential beneficiaries had been drawn up and each one was considered. Agreement was reached as to the amount, if any, to be allocated. In some cases, further investigation and/or formal applications were considered necessary. The following were agreed :
The Coplow Centre: £10,000 approx.*
Billesdon Ping Pong: £750
Defibrillator(s): £2,000
Trustees of the Billesdon Old School: £1,000
*The money offered to the Coplow Centre will be offset by a £500 reduction in the annual grant provided by the Parish Council, effectively making it an interest-free loan payable over the next 20 years.
It is anticipated that, following these allocations and payment of all associated costs, approximately £6,000 will remain in Council hands for use going forward, but in a similar way to benefit other local causes deemed worthy.
10. BILLESDON PLANNING ADVISORY GROUP
Cllr. Ford reported the rejection by HDC Planning of the anaerobic digester, and approval of the Coplow barns conversion, and Knights Close demolition. Also reported were revised plans for the Kates Hill development, which the Group had already supported. It is expected that a formal planning application will go forward to HDC from the developer on this revised basis.
11. VILLAGE DIRECTORY AND WELCOME PACKS
Nothing to report.
12. THE COPLOW CENTRE
The Chair reportedplans for a Valentines Ball in February. The solar panels are in place, as is the majority of funding for them. There will be more emphasis on volunteer work to keep costs to a minimum.
13. PLAY AREA/YOUTH PASSTIMES
Cllr. Thrift reported the arrangement of some required work following the H&S report. The question of a new litter bin has been taken up again with HDC.
/ Cllr. Thrift and Clerk
14. ALLOTMENTS
Still awaiting topsoil.
  1. WILDLIFE AREA
    Cllr. McLaren had already received and circulated confirmation that the SBG has now found the funds for its new shed and is no longer looking to the Council. Moreover, a donation to pay for a new seat has also been received. A problem with dog fouling has been resolved. Work on hedging in the grounds continues, and a meeting has been arranged with Severn Trent to consider the problem of weed removal from the pool. A wooden gate needs some remedial work.
    Offers of funding to the Group have gone unanswered so far but it was resolved that Council's annual donation to the SB Group, started with £300 last year, should continue, and a cheque will be drawn at the next PC meeting.
/ Clerk
16. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
Nothing to report.
17. STREETLIGHTS RENEWAL WITH LEDs
Held over until the next meeting.
/ Clerk
18. RAINWATER ON LEICESTER ROAD
Cllr. Francis has reminded LCC Highways that urgent action is required. Despite their promise of action before Christmas, nothing has happened and the flow of water is markedly increasing. It is thought to be only a matter of time before someone is injured as a result of this hazard, especially once the frosts start.
19. DEFIBRILLATORS
As funding has been agreed, Council will proceed to purchase and fit one in a suitable location once the money becomes available, regardless of whether one is fitted into the old phone box by a third party.
/ Chair
20 PARISH NOTICE BOARD
It was resolved to erect a new board to replace the old one at The Old School, subject to planning approval and investigation of land ownership. It is thought that the land to the side of the Old School might be a more suitable position for a new board.
/ Clerk
21 ROAD SALT BINS
It was felt that this matter should be pursued again with LCC as, despite their assertion that the road is gritted, evidence suggests that this is not sufficiently effective. More details of the gritting criteria is to be sought.
/ Clerk
22. JOINT BURIALS COMMITTEE
Cllr. Ford reported that a budget has been agreed for 2016/17, with the Committee looking for £2,000 from the PC.
23. FINANCE
The accounts were discussed briefly, with the Clerk advising that a draft budget for 2016/17 will follow in a few days.
Receipts since last meeting other than bank interest:
Precept pt 2£ 7,417.50
Garage Sale/deferred rent£ 9,240.00
Western Power Wayleave£ 30.45

Paid since last meeting / Due for payment:

Harborough DC (land rental) £ 137.50Came and Co (annual insurance)£ 958.81Billesdon and Rolleston Joint Burials Cttee precept£ 2,500.00P. Francis (fence repairs on village green)£ 320.00HDC (bin clearing and grass cutting):Bins£ 140.42Grass£1,173.74HDC Total £1,314.16£ 1,314.16 P. Camm (Clerk's salary)£ 266.79P. Camm (Clerk's expenses)£ 84.90P. Camm Total£ 351.69£ 351.69

Balances after all income and payments shown

Parish Council Current a/c£ 100.00
Parish Council Reserve a/c£ 38,276.40
Total £ 38,376.40

Sinking funds and other retentionsPlay Area £ 1,691.00Wildlife Area £ 1,600.00Streetlights £ 2,475.00NHP / Planning Advisory Group £ 1,491.00New Homes Bonus £ 1,226.00Garages sale £ 9,000.00Contingencies/ Reserve £ 3,650.00Total £ 21,133.00£ 21,133.00Balance available to Council £ 17,243.40Resolved: That the accounts and payments due be approved.

24. COUNTY/DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ ADDITIONAL MATTERS
Nothing to discuss.
25. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Monday, 7th December, 2015 at 8.00 pm in the Chapel Room, Billesdon. There being no other business, the meeting closed at 10.15 pm.

Signed………………………………..………Chairman Date………….