Witherley Parish Council
Serving the communities of Witherley, Fenny Drayton, Ratcliffe Culey and Atterton
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 10th March 2016, 7.30 p.m.
At The Parish Rooms, Witherley
PRESENT: Councillors B Conway (Chairman), A Wright, M Simpson, M Cook, G Robinson, R Trivett, A Brittain,
C Harding, A Cartwright, A Forsyth (Clerk). County Councillor I Ould, Borough Councillor K Morrell
APOLOGIES: Councillors A Holder, A Hampshire.
1062: WELCOME AND APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: The meeting opened at 7.30 p.m. The Chairman
welcomed the Councillors and the members of public.
1063: DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr Harding declared an interest in the planning application item.
1064: PUBLIC QUESTION TIME:
 Recent floods have resulted in sewerage and drain water sitting in Mythe Lane. A Parishioner
requested that the Council enquire of Severn Trent the management of drain flow at Bridge
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Lane/Riverside Close to ensure that foul water is not leaked into the Anker. Clerk to enquire.
 On behalf of St Peter’s church, Witherley Liz Betts requested £200 for the staging on 5th June a
celebration for the Queen’s 90th Birthday .
 Another request was made for financial support for Picnic in the Park on 25th June for £250.
 It was agreed that these two applications and the third by Fenny Drayton last month should be
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allocated £250 each from the agreed budget. Proposed by Cllr Robinson, seconded Cllr Harding.
7.48 Cllr Cook entered the meeting
1065: APPROVAL AND SIGNING OF MINUTES: The Chairman signed February’s meeting minutes as
correct.
1066: COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT: Cllr Ould reported on the drastic loss of jobs at Leicestershire
County Council, 900 so far and another 500 more to go. This will undoubtedly result in the Council
being only able to undertake statutory commitments only within 2 years.
Council Tax increases are due to the County’s increasing social care responsibilities which are the main
strain on the finances; the County has fewer younger and a massive range of elderly people with varied
needs, looking after these people in their own homes is becoming more difficult; and will have greatest
impact on those who live in more isolated villages.
1067: BOROUGH COUNCILLOR REPORT: Borough Council has increased the Council Tax charge by £5
per year for an average Band D property.
 Introduced a green charge of £24 per year for all households wishing to have green waste
collected. Sign up online or by calling 01455 238141. It is hoped that all users of the brown bin
scheme sign up as it is the cheapest and most efficient option.
 The Parish & Community Initiative Fund has been very successful this year as the applications
to the fund have exceeded the £100,000 pot. Next year it will be increased by £25,000.
 Parishes Forum meeting will next take place at Norton Juxta Twycross village hall on 23rd
March.
 It was agreed that the Clerk will contact Higham on the Hill PC regarding planning application
15/00037/OUT.
 Cllr Conway asked Cllr Morrell about the flood modelling for the Chapel Lane development. Cllr
Morrell advised that the Environment Agency has requested an updated flood risk assessment
by the applicant’s consultants which would be forwarded to the EA for review.
 Cllr Ould suggested the Council should contact the LCC for the flooding model used for the
Barwell SUE.
 Cllr Morrell suggested the Council request the flooding issue be put on the next Parish Forum
agenda.
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It was agreed to bring item 11 forward to benefit from the Borough and County Councillors opinions.
1068: BUS SERVICES 7, 65, 68: The Parish Council had lobbied Leicestershire County Council,
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Minutes are available at www.witherleyparishcouncil.org/minutes-archive Witherley Parish Council Meeting 10 March 2016
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Witherley Parish Council
Serving the communities of Witherley, Fenny Drayton, Ratcliffe Culey and Atterton
Warwickshire County Council, Arriva and Highways England to assist with the bus stop on the A5 by the
Bull at Witherley and on the opposite side of the carriageway. A letter had since been received from
the bus operator advising that the No 65 service would no longer stop at Witherley in either direction.
Cllr Ould advised he had been given an update by LCC’s Environment and Transport Dept. It was
decided that the Parish Council would challenge the information contained within his email with LCC.
Councillor Cook reported that there should soon be an extension to the No 68 service.
1069: CRIME UPDATE: Cllr Robinson reported that there has been a recent increase in burglary and
criminal damage. He recommended that all members of the farming community should register with
Farmwatch communications line.
1070: UPDATE OF ACTIONS SINCE PREVIOUS MEETING:
Atterton:
 Technical spec obtained from Highways for the construction of passing places.
Witherley:
 De-silting of Witherley Brook application on hold until EA have carried out survey of brook.
 Bus stop – see Bus item.
 Footpath construction – 3 contractors details obtained, prices being sought.
 Lorries using restricted weight routes reported to police, no follow up due to lack of resources.
 VAS ordered, it had been mooted to purchase two in order to build database of traffic speeds.
Cllr Conway proposed to purchase 2nd machine, seconded by Cllr Cook.
 Riverside bin post rotted – replaced this week. Cheque for signature.
Fenny Drayton:
 Filled ditches reported to LCC Highways for investigation.
 Request to LCC and Highways England to remove unwanted signage and sand bags.
Ratcliffe Culey:
 Height of swings tested and found satisfactory, further enquiries being made.
 Visited Shortland Parsley to check the Lane Setting book and previous arrangements.
 All contractual papers returned to Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd, bank account details
forwarded for payments to commence (none received as at 9th March).
Parish:
 Grass cutting contractor meeting took place with Cllr Conway, Clerk and Brian Mee
representatives. They have purchase new equipment, have developed a schedule and feedback
paper system which will be reported to the Council for observation. Clerk to forward Brian Mee
details to Fenny Drayton Councillors for a meeting with them.
 Insurance comparisons circulated for later item.
 Attended Sheepy Neighbourhood Plan 3rd March
 Attended the Audit briefing at LRALC
 Police would like to hold property marking sessions, suitable dates and venues to be agreed.
1071: REPORTS FROM THE VILLAGES:
ATTERTON:
 Drains at the side of the road in Atterton on A444 between Atterton Rd and Old Forge Rd,
Fenny Drayton are in need of gulping as the road had flooded this week. Clerk to request
Highways carry it out.
FENNY DRAYTON:
 Drayton Close grit bin in need of re-filling. Cllr Brittain to refill the Parish bins.
 Cllr Simpson liaising with Severn Trent regarding verges and mud on footpaths.
 Cllr Cook has been asked to request a footpath from Fenny Drayton to The Red Gate. Clerk to
approach the Footpaths Officer, and ask contractors to supply an estimate. Find previous
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Cllr
Brittain
Clerk
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Minutes are available at www.witherleyparishcouncil.org/minutes-archive Witherley Parish Council Meeting 10 March 2016
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Witherley Parish Council
Serving the communities of Witherley, Fenny Drayton, Ratcliffe Culey and Atterton
survey carried out by LCC.
 Clerk to request road sweeper to remove the Dandelions in the gutters of 57-60 Foxes Covert.
 Clerk to request Leic’s Police to use Gatso speed gun in Fenny Drayton.
 Grass cutting contractors brought overgrown foliage in the paths /jitties to the attention of the
Clerk. Clerk to contact property owners
 It was reported that a child was pounced upon by an out of control dog in the playing field. All
residents must keep their dogs on a lead while in the playing field.
 Cllr Brittain requested Drayton Lane have a painted footpath (like a cycle lane) with a chicane
and traffic given priority in one direction. Clerk to investigate.
RATCLIFFE CULEY:
 Goal posts are now in place.
WITHERLEY:
 Mythe Lane raised footpath surface has been dispersed by the flood water and needs reinstating. Clerk to report.
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1072: PLANNING APPLICATIONS:
 1600136 Hill Farm, Ratcliffe Culey – no objections.
9.30 p.m. Chairman requested permission for the meeting to continue to finish the agenda as quickly as possible. Cllr Cook Seconded.
1073: NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN DECISION REQUIRED:
After a discussion the Council agreed to support the formation of a committee to develop a
Neighbourhood Plan. This would be conducted on an individual village basis but brought together as a
parish document. Proposed by Cllr Wright, seconded by Cllr Robinson.
Clerk
1074: COMMUNITY RESPONSE PLAN DECISION REQUIRED:
After a discussion the Council agreed to not develop a Community Response Plan.
1075: INSURANCE RENEWAL:
The Clerk supplied comparisons between 3 insurance quotes. Proposed Cllr Cook, seconded Cllr
Conway.
Clerk
9.40 p.m. Cllr Trivet left the meeting
1076: FINANCE AND CHEQUES FOR SIGNATURE: Councillors authorised cheques for signature:
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A Forsyth (Clerk expenses)
Came & Co (Insurance)
Sclater Landscapes (bin post)
P Richards (dog bins)
Castlemount Ltd (ID Cards)
£41.22
£855.21
£ 90.00
£ 45.20
£ 6.00
1077: ITEMS FOR INCLUSION FOR MARCH’S MEETING: Correspondence.
Meeting closed at 9.50 p.m.
Signed _______________________________________________ Date ______________________
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Minutes are available at www.witherleyparishcouncil.org/minutes-archive Witherley Parish Council Meeting 10 March 2016
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