Parish Council Meeting
Minutes of the meeting held on 13 March 2017 at 7.15 pm at The Old School,
Grantham Road, Bottesford.
Councillor Bayman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
246.. Opened Public Session – (7.15pm)
Q. A resident asked that the PC please recommend refusal for the same reason as
the inspectors at Melton Borough Council. In August 2015, there was a policy
change “deliverable and intentional starting of work” which went against the applicant
of the Planning Application for 91 Grantham Road, Bottesford.
Q. A member of Bottesford Forum read out a document concerning numbers in the
Melton Borough Council Local Plan.
A. Cllr Bayman suggested she attend the next Neighbourhood Planning meeting. He
stated they had to make the decision whether to continue writing the Neighbourhood
Plan or to wait for the Local Plan which could change the numbers of houses and
number of sites.
There followed a number of questions about The Wickets development on Belvoir
Road:
Q. A resident asked if there were any plans for the Open Space at The Wickets?
Q. A resident stated he had sent photos showing how swamped it gets. He met
contractors. They think the trees will die as they are sitting in water.
Q. A resident stated it would be nice to have a play area at The Wickets.
Q. A resident stated that he moved to Bottesford because of the schools, equipment,
facilities and thought The Wickets would be great for children.
Q. Another resident stated that they moved to Bottesford for the same reasons but
that Barratts had done this before where his parents live and that they built a play
area and then gradually took it away to another site.
Q. A resident stated funding that the PC had not brought in enough external grants
and now they were getting advice from 40 miles away to get a grant. Any reason
why they had not got grants?
A. Ron Simpson was a very experienced man in how to obtain grants and enable
the Parish Council to form partnerships etc to enable grants etc.
He stated that he agreed with the sentiment in the room about The Wickets and
stated that the PC had been offered it for £1.
A. Councillors stated that The Council had not been offered The Wickets for £1.
Q. Had the Parish Council looked into the use of Community Pay Back Scheme for
painting the building?
No.
Q. Should local charities, and voluntary organisations be charged for using the
Parish Rooms because the building was left by the Duke for community use.
A. Our grant funding scheme will ensure that no charity or not for profit organisation
will be out of pocket for using the premises.
247. Public session closed (7.30pm)
Present
Cllr Bayman (Chairman), Cllr Donger, Cllr Shephard, Cllr Wright and
Cllr Sparham
248. Apologies Approved: Cllr Goodson, Cllr Pacey and DC’s Cllr P Chandler and
Cllr B Rhodes and Cllr Gough
In Attendance:
The Clerk and 10 members of the public
249. Newly Elected Councillor, Anne Ablewhite, was welcomed by the Chairman
and asked to sign the Declaration of Acceptance and Register of Interest forms
which she did.
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250. Declarations of Interest – none, although Cllr Sparham stated that as he is a
member and friend of the Bottesford Local History Society he wanted to declare this
interest with regard to Bottesford Local History Society item 273c.
------------------------------------------251 (a) To confirm accuracy of the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on:
13 February 2017 - Proposed as accurate by Cllr Wright, seconded Cllr Donger. All
in favour except Cllr Ablewhite who wasn’t there.
16 February 2017 – Proposed as accurate by Cllr Wright, seconded Cllr Shephard.
All in favour apart from Cllr Ablewhite and Cllr Sparham who were not there.
252. Planning Applications
To be decided
17/00005/FUL Woodlands 8 Castle View Road Easthorpe – erection of garage.
Supported (4-1) with concerns about the size of the development and it is different to
the original actual plans
17/00047/FUL – Eastcote 91 Grantham Road Bottesford – new garage – Objected in
agreement with Melton Borough Council’s objection and that the garage must not be
built outside the building line.
17/00069/VAC – Broadview 25 Manor Road Easthorpe – various conditions,
amended plans, revised internal layouts, changes to window sizes and locations,
variations to external elevations and amendments to approved drawing references –
Supported
17/00029/ADV – The Bull Inn, Bottesford – new signage – supported with concernsas long as the sign is reduced by one third.
16/00951/FUL Land North side of 44 Belvoir Road Bottesford – new dwelling –
Supported apart from the fence in front is not in keeping with surrounding properties.
17/00052/FULHH Jalna 9 Easthorpe Road Bottesford – proposed alterations and
extension - supported
17/00234/TCA 26 Chapel Street Bottesford – remove 1 leylandii - supported
17/00257/NCS – The Haven 29 Main Street Muston – single storey rear extension –
supported
17/00237/FULHH -Holly Cottage 6 The Green Muston – altering flat roof to pitched
tiled roof on an unlisted garage in curtilage of a listed dwelling – supported as long
as the materials are consistent with the buildings either side.
Large Scale Planning Issues
253. Emergency Plan
There is a meeting planned for 30 March 2017 with the Flood Warden (Peter
Sheardown) to discuss the Plan in more detail.
254. Rushcliffe Local Plan Consultation
The Councillors had no comments to make.
255. Latest Update from Melton Borough Council on Local Plan
Cllr Bayman went to a meeting in Melton with 4 others on 3 March with Jim Worley of
Melton Borough Council, at his office. There were many issues discussed
There is further uncertainty around the Local Plan: difficulties with the number of
affordable homes, impact of HEDNA (Housing and Economic Development Needs
Assessment) and implications around CIL monies.
They have come across a significant problem: the number of affordable homes
expected to date seem not to be deliverable. Particularly in the sites intended for
Melton Mowbray town. This is a significant problem for the planning process and
has resulted in a cancellation of the next Melton Borough Council meeting.
Specific Bottesford issues did not seem fresh in Jim’s mind. He is dealing with lots
of big issues: bigger indeed than those issues that concern us and our parish. Yet,
decisions are likely to firm up on the way through to the next Full Council meeting
which is likely to be held towards the end of March.
Jim’s advice for those writing parish Neighbourhood Plan’s (like our own
Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group) is to wait until the Melton Borough Council
Local Plans are agreed and then push forward with Pre-Subs and referendums.
The expectations on Affordable homes cannot be met within the current plan. The
big sites in Melton Mowbray town cannot deliver the numbers of affordable homes
that they intended. Jim and team will be meeting QC counsel next week to see if
they can work a way through this – if not the Melton Borough Council Local Plan
could be delayed by several months.
The impact of HEDNA (Housing and Economic Development Needs Assessment).
This is a recent study conducted across Leicestershire which suggests that there
needs to be yet more housing in Leicestershire (and therefore more in Melton
Borough) and therefore more pressure on Bottesford Parish (Approx 15% higher
than the numbers expressed in the Autumn 2016 consultation). The developing
plan had been to grow by 245 homes a year for 25 years across the Borough. Post
HEADNA input this could be pushed up to 280 homes a year for 25 years.
The plan has been written to growth the Borough by more than the demographics
alone would need. The plan was being written to deliver 245 homes per year for 25
years. But many of those who made representations have asked the Melton
Borough Council to consider reducing this to the levels needed by the demographics
alone. (more like 180 homes per year for 25 years).
Implications for us: This would alleviate much of the concern we have about
numbers – but would also mean that significant projects like the Melton town by-pass
would not be able to be funded.
At the meeting, we made it clear that the people of the parish want some
development but not over development:
a) incredible increase in numbers and pressure on the village.
b) Sites would need to be increased to 7.
Bottesford has same issues for Jim Worley compared to his others. Asked for
advice on being represented and Jim Worley suggested finding a surrogate
Councillor such asLeicestershire County Council’s District Councillor Byron Rhodes
who agreed. He is to be asked to say 2 or 3 things on our behalf and this is to be
drafted.
Cllr Wright stated that now Councillors are in purdah period it could be seen as
touting for votes. HEDNA – they brought to council several different options. Cllr
Wright thought (number) they would certainly go for it.
Cllr Bayman stated Jim Worley is straight forward. There were lots of other issues
and he was less focussed on our issues ie heritage concerns on Rectory Farm. Cllr
Bayman felt concerned that they had made a mistake with the maths but Jim Worley
was unaware of this.
9 March the Plan was going to full council meeting and this is now going to be end of
March 2017.
Clubs, Societies and Community
256. Community Library
The Community Library have struggled to find a contractor to do the necessary
building works.
Cllr Wright stated that it was concerning that the project seemed to have come to a
halt. The grant given by the Parish Council to the library for this building work should
be spent against that specific project. Cllr Bayman stated that we need an urgent
meeting with the Library to find a way to go forward and help them to find a
contractor. Cllr Sparham agreed that this would be a good way forward. Clerk to
draft letter requesting a meeting and about the grant.
Cllr Sparham stated that the Library’s plan is quite well put together and quite
promising in which case Bottesford Parish Council would not be called upon to
supply much funding.
Cllr Ablewhite asked when the yard would be done and was advised that the
contractor was hoping to do the work at the end of March when the bad weather risk
had gone then it would need to be insured.
Clerk: the work consists of repairing the tarmac in both yard, repairing a
room, reattaching wires, replacing a drain covers and various other works.
257. Heritage Signs
We have had a quote for £505 for reprinting both signs and Cllr Donger proposed
accepting the quote, seconded Cllr Shephard. All in favour except Cllr Ablewhite.
258. Smell from the drains in Easthorpe
Cllr Wright had contacted Scott Burgin Severn Trent Water Authority. They are
meeting on Wednesday with Mr Sparrow and a gentleman from Melton.
259. Bowls Club Lease
All the Councillors agreed that it should now been signed and because the Bowls
Club had also agreed it. Signed by Cllr Bayman and witnessed by Clerk.
260. Suggestion from Cllr Pacey
Deferred until next meeting when he is present.
Travel and Transport
261. Bottesford Bus and train service
Cllr Ablewhite read out her timetable and pointed out which buses do not stop at
Bottesford. Cllr Gough has a meeting with Radcliffe on Trent Parish Council shortly
about the trains.
262. Inconsiderate parking
Cllr Sparham stated that there was an ongoing issue down Belvoir Road. Cllr Gough
to update PC next meeting.
Cllr Wright stated that parking occurred both sides of the road opposite Paul’s and
they parked on the pavement which is illegal.
Clerk to notify police
Management and Future of the Parish Council
263. Village Warden
A copy of Brian Richardson’s work done and work to do was passed to each
Councillor.
The bins at Walford Close have now been emptied and Village Warden to be asked
to totally clean the area and remove the branches.
Cllr Ablewhite asked when the Skate Park was to be finished?
Cllr Bayman praised Brian Richardson for his prompt work there.
Cllr Shephard asked for the glass and bottles outside the Village Hall to be cleared
immediately.
264. Grants and Funding
The Chairman of the Bottesford Parish Council, Cllr Wright and Clerk recently
attended an excellent and informative meeting with Ron Simpson who is a prominent
Councillor from Uppingham. He talked for a couple of hours on aspects and moves
we could take. How we could bring in the commercial aspect and reduce the
precept. The Parish Council bus could be looked at from a different angle. Old
School/Village Hall could be brought into play as a funding generator. He suggested
6-10 people (not Councillors) could bring fresh ideas to the Parish Council for
consideration. Young business people might bring up good projects. Skate Park
could be turned around. We need to generate a think tank and write to people and
meet with them. Cllr Bayman asked about Terms of Reference and where it sits in
the organisation. If Cllr Bayman/Cllr Wright and Cllr Gough attend a meeting, then it
could be processed.
Cllr Sparham asked about the criteria for selecting people and Cllr Wright replied –
residents of the parish. We need business people and people who make things
happen. All should have an input. We would also need volunteers.
Cllr Wright will compose a letter and list before the next meeting.
265. The Wickets
Cllr Ablewhite stated the parish council did not want anything to do with the
ownership of the play area.
The Parish Council are to put pressure on Barratts. Cllr Wright stated that they
produced a management committee which residents pay for. There should be a play
area. Ben Douglas should be told that it is essential to get it drained but it is not in
the remit of the Parish Council to do it although we can write to them. Other
residents cannot use the play area and it should be drained. Melton Borough
Council should enforce it as the Planning Authority. Need legal status of open space
and play area.
Cllr Ablewhite asked how much the management committee holds?
Clerk to write letter to Ben Douglas, Barratts/Jim Worley
266. To discuss and approve the Parish Council’s informal Planning Session and
how we go forward
We had a meeting on 16 February 2017 with the following priorities:
Clerks training – in hand
Neighbourhood Plan – after Local Plan
Fix Cross – to be started
Trains to stop in Bottesford, car parking and Dial a bus
Skate Park
Welcome to Bottesford signs in north, south, east and west entrances to the village
and Normanton
Embracing the riverbank – making it accessible behind Beckingthorpe.
Once this list this list had been completed then we could then start on projects from
the rest of the list.
Proposed to go ahead by Cllr Wright, seconded Cllr Donger. All in favour.
Cllr Sparham – suggested the forming of a community forum?
Cllr Ablewhite – recommended that the trees and hedges are cut back before the
spring.
267. Financial Matters
a) Accounts for payment - March 2017.
The accounts were agreed.
Cllr Shephard asked where her payments for the planters were – to be paid in April.
Chris Greasley’s invoice for the cost of building the Clerk’s office has come in under
the predicted budget.
Date
Payee
Item
Amount
15.2.17
22.2.17
HMRC
K Price
Jane Willcock
R J Hopkins
Chris
Greasley
Glasdon
GNS
PAYE
Salary
Salary
Hedges
Office
270.07
1195.16
227.47
475.00
2920.21
Dog bin – large
Funding chq for licence
212.80
186.00
Intuit
B. Richardson
Total Gas
Total Gas
Quickbooks
Village warden work
Gas – Parish Room
Gas – Parish Room
30.00
1077.34
149.14
248.39
C Kearsey
Eon
K Price
Chris
Greasley
Steve Palmer
Larken & Co
Time
Telecom
Get mapping
Eon
Cleaning
Street lighting
Postage of legal docs
Projector bracket
123.58
2021.63
3.63
120.00
Radiator moved
Employment issues
Phone
150.00
480.00
40.62
Parish online
Street lighting
67.20
£307.26
16.2.17
16.2.17
16.2.17
4.1.17
3.2.17
28.2.17
7.2.17
28.2.17
28.2.17
28.2.17
28.2.17
28.2.17
17.2.17
1.3.17
CREDITS
17.2.17
HMRC
Signed Councillor
VAT refund
2152.48
Signed Councillor
Proposed to make the payments as listed Cllr Wright, seconded Cllr Shephard. All in
favour.
b) Financial Statement for February 2017
Bottesford Parish Council
Receipts and Payments for
February 2017
RECEIPTS
Precept
Allotments
Fuller Room hire
Library
Grants
Miscellaneous
VAT input tax refunded
TOTAL RECEIPTS
February
Year to date
£
£
99.65
2,152.48
96,883.03
1,216.40
5,542.60
4,000.00
1,444.16
919.07
6,323.19
2,268.13
116,328.45
497.54
100.00
24,765.34
615.00
2,382.91
5,394.47
2,728.00
4,891.87
1,588.72
22,367.32
4,136.60
3,340.38
205.50
5,075.87
5,986.00
16.00
PAYMENTS
Staff costs
Training
Insurance
General Admin Expenses
Audit & Legal Fees
Old School
Allotments
Parks & Open Spaces
Playground
Parish Projects
Special Projects
Street Lighting
Community Funding
862.39
1,262.00
30.00
1,504.29
19.00
40.00
186.00
VAT input tax to be
refunded
707.60
6,897.58
TOTAL PAYMENTS
5,208.82
90,375.56
BANK RECONCILIATION
Cash Book
Opening Balance at 1
February 2017
Add: Receipts in the month
Less: Payments in the
month
Plus payments made but
not cleared
Less receipts received but
not cleared
Closing Cash Book Balance at
28 February 2017
107,776.18
2,268.13
5,208.82
0.00
0.00
104,835.49
Balances per Bank Statements as at 28 February
2017
HSBC Current Account
HSBC Deposit Account
59,512.33
45,323.16
104,835.49
Proposed to accept financial statement as presented by Cllr Wright, seconded Cllr
Donger. All in favour.
Quotes
268. Installation of loop hearing system in Fuller Room, Parish Room and Clerks
Office (copies of all quotes which were anonymous were presented to Councillors).
Cllr Wright proposed to delay this idea for 6 months as no definite need at present,
seconded Cllr Sparham. All in favour.
269. Painting of lobby, Fuller Room, Parish Room, kitchens, inside toilet and Clerk’s
new office (copies of all quotes which were anonymous were presented to
Councillors)
Cllr Ablewhite – expressed her concern that interior decoration should not be done
until we were sure of the stability of the roof particularly above the lobby and that
there was no ingress of water. Clerk – we have had a roofing contractor (Steven
Willatt) come in and that we are waiting for his report. He has given us a verbal
report that the lobby roof is secure and we are waiting his report for the whole
building.
Clerk asked to get a requote for next meeting for painting the windows inside
and out, re varnishing the floors, repainting the back wall of Parish Room,
painting the inside of the Clerk’s office and painting the newly plastered wall
on the other side.
270. Muston Play Area damaged by Car (copies of all quotes which were
anonymous were presented to Councillors)
Cllr Donger suggested that the quotes go to the car driver’s insurance company
(Parish Council have to send a copy to their insurers)
Proposed by Cllr Sparham, seconded Cllr Wright. All in favour.
271. Auditor.
Cllr Shephard stated if David Slight recommended someone then we should use that
person. Cllr Bayman stated that if they were not distant enough then we should be
concerned.
Proposed to use David Slight’s recommended auditor by Cllr Bayman, seconded Cllr
Wright. All in favour except for Cllr Ablewhite who was against.
272. Parish online
Cllr Donger proposed the PC ends its subscription to Parish Online, seconded Cllr
Shephard. All in favour.
273. Funding Requests (copies had been sent to all the Councillors before the
meeting)
a) St Mary the Virgin Church – church yard maintenance £1000
Proposed to award the request by Cllr Sparham, seconded Cllr Donger. All in
favour.
b) Bottesford Garden Association – advertising show, work with local schools - £250
Proposed to award the request by Cllr Sparham, seconded Cllr Shephard. All in
favour.
c) Bottesford Local History Society – hire of meeting room and storage costs for
books – £184
Proposed to award the request despite the capital held by the society but because
they are a very influential organisation who put on loads of events and community
things, by Cllr Sparham, seconded Cllr Ablewhite. All in favour except Cllr Wright.
Cllr Ablewhite asked if someone was given money do they have to apply each year.
Clerk stated yes because were only do one award per year based on the information
in front of us.
274. Correspondence.
An email was read out from a resident which stated that they thought “The Wickets”
is highly suitable for a play area but the locals are making use of it for their dog
walking exercise so waste bins are also desperately needed (Ben Douglas of
Barratts or Management Committee should deal with this)
Muston Park – Several mums and members of Muston Playing Field Committee
would like permission to remove one or both conifers in the park near the roadside
which block the view of the park from the bench so parents are not able to sit and
watch their children play. The conifer overgrows the bench and must be cut back
regularly. A local farmer will remove it free of charge, if agreed. A new tree will be
planted elsewhere by them.
Clerk to put on agenda for April
275. External reports.
District Councillor Melton Borough Council Pru Chandler and Leicestershire Council
Council’s District Councillor Byron Rhodes not present.
Cllr Wright, to reduce the agenda, suggested he and District Councillor Chandler
take it in turns but will pass on any comments from the other.
Cllr Bayman stated that this is the one opportunity to talk to District Councillor
Chandler which we do not want to lose so if she is present then she can be asked
questions.
District Councillor Chandler complained about street lights not working at Muston.
Melton Borough Council’s Local Plan – all the feedback given by Parish Council’s
and other contributors will be considered and the next draft of the plan will be taken
to full council end of March 2017.
Melton had a Facebook live Q & A session. CEO leaving July 2017 after 13 years
with the Council. Recruitment has started.
Mayor’s diary is very busy. He had a civic dinner and raised £1900 towards the
Mayor’s charities.
Cllr Sparham – has there been much discussion formally or informally with Melton
Borough Council with regard to their Local Plan? Cllr Wright stated that there had
been no informal discussions.
When it goes to full council then not much can be spoken about. A meeting can be
extended for up to 3 hours. The officers produce a big stack of A3 papers which
members have to look at. This plus all the other stuff to be replicated, questions and
answers and discussed.
276. Lead Members
.Allotments – new notice boards have been put up at each allotment site. We need
one person from each site to be responsible for putting up notices.
We have a request from the son of Mr Worley, who has recently passed away, to
carry on looking after his allotment until September. We feel that as we have no
requests to date for a spare allotment that he could carry on using the site.
Councillors felt this was not a problem and were all in favour.
We will be putting a rules and regulations list on each notice board to include no
burning of household rubbish as this contaminates the ground. Only garden waste
can be burned but we suggest the plot holders use incinerators or compost it.
We would respectively ask all allotment holders who have not put numbers on their
plots to display them immediately as it helps to identify whose plot is whose.
We have allocated all but one vacant site thanks to the article in Village Voice.
The water will be turned on at the end of March.
Library – Cllr Sparham said there was a book launch. Was well attended, good
comments and is a brilliant read.
MBC Parish Liaison – having a meeting soon.
Defibrillators – all up and running. Cllr Gough suggested he gives a demonstration
to all the Councillors. The Station Road / Grantham Road defibrillator is installed,
tested and uploaded back on to the ambulance service website.
Hedges and Verges. All Hedges cut well in advance of the birds nesting period.
Verges need to be restored to a good standard on Station Road, Belvoir Road and
Grantham Road/ Station Road junction in front of the cottages. Now is the time to
drop soil and seed to bring them back to a good rural standard. Brian could do this
easily but should " Peg " the areas off to prevent cars parking on the newly treated
area. Leicstershire County Council have no interest in assisting. We have already
raised this issue.
Transport. We have a meeting arranged on Thursday 23rd March at Radcliffe on
Trent to discuss the franchise renewal and its implications for Bottesford, ref our
request for additional trains to stop. (5 were suggested) Cllr Gough and Mike Barker
are attending the meeting.
Cllr Gough will update the issue of parking on Devon Lane at next month’s meeting,
once I have a reply to my recent enquiry about suitable parking land.
Skate Park – vexatious. Not had any progress since the last meeting.
Website – contains lots of features. Clerk and Cllr Donger had a good training
session. There is a community calendar where anyone can enter their events but
they have to be agreed by Clerk or Cllr Donger. Cllr Donger to include link to
mapping.
Street Lighting – Cllrs Gough and Shephard to check every lamp post.
Meeting Closed 9.35pm