You are at Parish Plan/PP Group meeting 20 February 2007.
This page includes the following documents:
'''Tuesday 20th February 2007'''
''Please note: For data protection reasons surnames have been reduced to initials only on this on-line copy''
'''Action''': Chair to take these suggestions to the March Parish Council
'''Bank account''' - The Chair will chase up a closing statement from the Treasurer.
'''Action''': Chair
Plus an advertisement to be placed in ''Roundabout'' requesting any other contributions.
The Chair mentioned the fact that this event would be a good opportunity for anyone considering becoming a parish councillor to talk to existing councillors about what is involved. All councillors have to be re-elected every four years and the elections are on 3 May this year, the same time as Borough Council elections. Nomination packs will be available in early March. Some useful information about being a councillor is already on the Parish Council website at '''www.woodhouseparishcouncil.org.uk/elections'''.
The Chair informed the Group that the VDS documents had already been well used by Parish and Borough councillors. As Supplementary Planning Documents [SPDs] they have some recognition within the planning system, although they have a mixed influence. The application to develop the Bradgate Nursing Home site was rejected by the BC Plans Committee, leaning heavily on the VDS Guidelines. In Old Woodhouse, several applications had been granted by Charnwood BC [CBC] to which the Parish Council had objected, based on VDS Guidelines. As a result the PC conducted a review of these, submitted this to CBC, and then were invited to give evidence to a CBC Scrutiny Panel reviewing the processes used by CBC when considering Conservation Area issues. This opportunity to contribute points included evidence of the weakness in the Enforcement system, unannounced changes to the way in which applications for tree works are now processed, by-passing parish councils, and a general feeling that planning officers are less sensitive than they might be towards Conservation Areas and VDS Guidelines. Hazel informed the group that one result of this initiative is that the CBC Conservation & Design Team is now running some in-house training for Development Control planning officers. The Chair noted the fact that the Parish Council agreed to write to Development Control every time there is a discrepancy in opinion on a planning application. John noted the widespread influence of our VDS, citing a VDS group in Berkshire who wished they had seen ours before starting.
Peter informed the Group of an item entitled The Nark Next Door in the Saturday Telegraph for 17 February. [See it online at '''http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/02/17/nspeed17.xml''' for page 2 article and '''www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/02/17/dl1703.xml''' for the editor's Leader piece] Peter sent in a response on behalf of the Traffic Watch Group.
There are a number of outstanding projects - actions noted below:
'''Energy''' - '''Ann''' will convene a meeting of PP respondents to set up a co-ordinating group
'''Welcome pack''' - '''John''' will liaise with the producer and Neighbourhood Watch to identify [a] new residents and [b] what information they might find useful when they move here and then consider if a welcome pack would be useful and how to proceed.
'''Village directory''' - '''Richard''' distributed forms for revising some of the information and will work with Ann on the next steps.
'''Service Co-ordination event''' - '''Jane''' outlined the offer from Leicestershire County Council. They organise a meeting of service providers, Parish Council and Parish Plan Group to work on what actions are needed to improve on issues identified in the WPPG/PC Action Plan. The PC wishes this to be considered by the newly elected PC at its June meeting.
'''Future Meetings''' - see at the end after date of next meeting.
'''Jill''' noted a Community Heritage event that been sent to the Local History Group. This will be sent to the Parish Heritage Warden, Ian W.
'''Tuesday 16 October 2007 at 7.30''' - Village Hall, Woodhouse Eaves
The Group discussed whether or not further meetings were needed, since there is now a regular slot for monitoring progress on the Parish Council agenda, and regular reporting in the monthly Roundabout magazine. However, this meeting had clearly demonstrated enough interest and content for further gatherings. The frequency will change from quarterly to three times a year.
Woodhouse Parish Plan Group Meeting 20 February 2007
This page includes the following documents:
- Agenda
- Minutes
(1) Agenda for the Twentieth Meeting of the Parish Plan Group
Tuesday 20 February 2007, 7.30 pm � 9.00pm, Village Hall, Woodhouse Eaves1. | Notes Of Meeting Held On 18 September 2006 (see PP Group meeting 18 September 2006) | %valign=top|2. | Matters Arising
| %valign=top|3. | Annual Parish Meeting � 17 April 2007 | %valign=top|4. | Village Design Statements and Planning Matters | %valign=top|5. | Progress Reports | %valign=top|6. | Parish Plan � next steps and future meetings? Action Plan Review
|
7. | Any Other Business |
8. | Next Meeting |
(2) Minutes
'''Minutes of the Twentieth Meeting of Woodhouse Parish Plan Group''''''Tuesday 20th February 2007'''
''Please note: For data protection reasons surnames have been reduced to initials only on this on-line copy''
Present [17]
Richard B, Audrey C, John C, Peter C, Hazel F, Jill H, Helen H, Ann I, Pauline K, Rosemary M, Dennis N, Liz R, Janice S, Sue T, Derek T, Malcolm W, Jane W. Several members sent apologies.1. Minutes of previous meeting on 18 September 2006
Approved with one amendment to Matters Arising - Best Village Competition suggestions for how the money might be spent: other options discussed were village signs & village entry planters.2. Matters arising
'''Best Village Competition''' 2006 � The Parish Council had discussed the Group's suggestions and had agreed that the village award should be used on trees. A costed proposal would go to the March meeting. The Chair suggested that, as the Parish Council had expressed a wish for the money to be spent on providing trees, a suitable option might be to place a fairly mature specimen in front of the burnt out oak at the bottom of the King George's [playing] field, following consultation with the Parish Tree Warden. The funds available were the �200 from the Best Village competition plus the residue of the Parish Plan Group bank account, some �58.00.Other options included planting a group of trees. The National Forest has an "Acre Wood" scheme whereby they will donate around 400 trees and shrubs to be planted in approx. one acre of land within the Forest boundary. Other sites that might be suitable include The Green alongside Tuckett and Herrick Roads or along the hedgerows between the two villages on Forest Road or Brand Lane. Malcolm observed that the recommended spacing of trees was generally too small. He also mentioned the fact that Scots Pine are a featured and high impact species in Woodhouse Eaves and therefore a possible choice. John raised the matter of continuing care if trees were chosen. If planting is on Council land then Council would maintain them, but this is a question to ask the National Forest Company if their trees are accepted. The group agreed that it would be advisable to consult the Parish Tree Warden.'''Action''': Chair to take these suggestions to the March Parish Council
'''Bank account''' - The Chair will chase up a closing statement from the Treasurer.
'''Action''': Chair
3. Annual Parish Meeting 2007
This will be on Tuesday 17 April. As last year's exhibition with refreshments prepared by Janice had been very popular the format will be repeated. Requests for displays will include:- Council premises user groups and societies [incl. Sports Clubs & Scouts] - '''Ann to ask'''
- Leicestershire Rural Partnership Villages website/Local History - '''Jill to ask'''
- Rural Community Council - '''Hazel to arrange'''
- Rural Business Forum - '''Ann to ask'''
- Traffic & Community Speed Watches - '''Liz & Peter to arrange'''
- ''Roundabout'' - '''Rosemary to arrange'''
- ''Neighbourhood Watch''
- ''Village Design Statements � booklets to sell''
Plus an advertisement to be placed in ''Roundabout'' requesting any other contributions.
The Chair mentioned the fact that this event would be a good opportunity for anyone considering becoming a parish councillor to talk to existing councillors about what is involved. All councillors have to be re-elected every four years and the elections are on 3 May this year, the same time as Borough Council elections. Nomination packs will be available in early March. Some useful information about being a councillor is already on the Parish Council website at '''www.woodhouseparishcouncil.org.uk/elections'''.
4. 1.Village Design Statements and planning matters
The Chair reported on the awards made to both VDS documents by Charnwood Borough Council. She and Rosemary had attended the Design Awards 2007 presentation ceremony and the certificates denoting the "Special Category - Commended" awards are now framed for the Village Hall wall. Copies are on the Parish Council website and also available for sale in printed format from the Pharmacy and Post Office at a cost of �5.00 [the price reflects the print quality and relatively small print run]. Complimentary copies have been sent out to, among others, Loughborough's Local History Library, Leicestershire Libraries HQ, Leics Record Office, the Royal Institute of British Architects, and the Copyright/Legal Deposit Libraries.The Chair informed the Group that the VDS documents had already been well used by Parish and Borough councillors. As Supplementary Planning Documents [SPDs] they have some recognition within the planning system, although they have a mixed influence. The application to develop the Bradgate Nursing Home site was rejected by the BC Plans Committee, leaning heavily on the VDS Guidelines. In Old Woodhouse, several applications had been granted by Charnwood BC [CBC] to which the Parish Council had objected, based on VDS Guidelines. As a result the PC conducted a review of these, submitted this to CBC, and then were invited to give evidence to a CBC Scrutiny Panel reviewing the processes used by CBC when considering Conservation Area issues. This opportunity to contribute points included evidence of the weakness in the Enforcement system, unannounced changes to the way in which applications for tree works are now processed, by-passing parish councils, and a general feeling that planning officers are less sensitive than they might be towards Conservation Areas and VDS Guidelines. Hazel informed the group that one result of this initiative is that the CBC Conservation & Design Team is now running some in-house training for Development Control planning officers. The Chair noted the fact that the Parish Council agreed to write to Development Control every time there is a discrepancy in opinion on a planning application. John noted the widespread influence of our VDS, citing a VDS group in Berkshire who wished they had seen ours before starting.
5. Progress Reports
Traffic Watch Group [TWG]
Liz and Peter updated the Group. Some 30 plus Community Speed Watch [CSW] volunteers had captured almost 700 vehicle registration numbers over the six-week pilot and sent the details to the CSW Co-ordinator. Some 30 or so vehicles were repeat offenders [i.e. had been exceeding the limits by at least 10% plus 2 mph]. The understanding had been that all vehicle drivers would receive a warning letter from the police but only a small percentage had been sent out due to the quantity. Subsequently, CSW is funding one officer's day a week for this purpose. The speed monitor that is owned by the Parish is currently being upgraded to automatically capture some additional data e.g. traffic volume. Despite this disappointment, the CSW data had been put to good use and Beat Manager Darren Chalk had reported to the Parish Council that several other officers were being trained to use hand held speed guns thereby increasing the availability of officers for speed checks - and, the camera van service had been persuaded to make regular visits. Overall therefore, some good results.Peter informed the Group of an item entitled The Nark Next Door in the Saturday Telegraph for 17 February. [See it online at '''http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/02/17/nspeed17.xml''' for page 2 article and '''www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/main.jhtml?xml=/opinion/2007/02/17/dl1703.xml''' for the editor's Leader piece] Peter sent in a response on behalf of the Traffic Watch Group.
Woodhouse Neighbourhood and Countryside Watches
Malcolm reported that WNHW was running efficiently but questioned whether or not the police were proactive enough - co-ordinators feel that there is insufficient detail in the monthly reports and too little feedback on what happened next. Sue reported on the success of Countryside Watch with a number of recent examples of it working well.Roundabout
Rosemary reported that there are now two good editors and a solid team of deliverers. Finance is still an issue that the editorial team is working on. The magazine seemed well received and appreciated by residents and was attracting more advertising.6. Parish Plan - next steps & future meetings?
'''Action Plan Review'''There are a number of outstanding projects - actions noted below:
'''Energy''' - '''Ann''' will convene a meeting of PP respondents to set up a co-ordinating group
'''Welcome pack''' - '''John''' will liaise with the producer and Neighbourhood Watch to identify [a] new residents and [b] what information they might find useful when they move here and then consider if a welcome pack would be useful and how to proceed.
'''Village directory''' - '''Richard''' distributed forms for revising some of the information and will work with Ann on the next steps.
'''Service Co-ordination event''' - '''Jane''' outlined the offer from Leicestershire County Council. They organise a meeting of service providers, Parish Council and Parish Plan Group to work on what actions are needed to improve on issues identified in the WPPG/PC Action Plan. The PC wishes this to be considered by the newly elected PC at its June meeting.
'''Future Meetings''' - see at the end after date of next meeting.
7. Any Other Business
Audrey and John displayed some of the Leics CC ''Village Walks'' leaflets and proposed that leaflets for our villages should be produced. The Footpaths department at Leics CC produces these. '''Audrey''' and '''John''' will describe a walk in Roundabout and encourage others to contribute theirs. These could then be submitted to the Footpaths department at Leics CC to form the basis of a Woodhouse Eaves leaflet. Jill mentioned the Woodhouse Eaves Village Trail leaflet that was currently being revised by David Nicolle of the Local History Group. '''Ann''' had received a print quotation for the trail leaflet as this had been requested by the PC following a request for its funding - and will forward these details to '''David''' and '''Jill''' for their further action.'''Jill''' noted a Community Heritage event that been sent to the Local History Group. This will be sent to the Parish Heritage Warden, Ian W.
Dates of Next Meetings
'''Tuesday 12 June 2007 at 7.30''' - Village Hall, Woodhouse Eaves [Changed later to 19 June]'''Tuesday 16 October 2007 at 7.30''' - Village Hall, Woodhouse Eaves
The Group discussed whether or not further meetings were needed, since there is now a regular slot for monitoring progress on the Parish Council agenda, and regular reporting in the monthly Roundabout magazine. However, this meeting had clearly demonstrated enough interest and content for further gatherings. The frequency will change from quarterly to three times a year.