You are at Parish Plan/PP meeting 15 November 2004/PP meeting 15 November 2004 minutes etc.

Minutes of the Eleventh Meeting of Woodhouse Parish Plan Group

Monday 15th November 2004

''Please note: For data protection reasons names have been reduced to initials only on this on-line copy''

Present [16]

J&AC, DC, JH, HH, RH, AI, RM, RM, LR, JS, MT, AW, MW, MW, JW.

Previous Minutes

OK.

Matters arising

Progress on back page requests

Personal questions requiring a reply Completed
Information about allotments Completed
Joining conservation groups Not yet started
Information on energy alternatives Not yet started
Information about Farming Excellent first article in Roundabout from one of the Young Farmers' Group via Di Clarke %valign=top|Assisting the police Residents interested in Community Volunteers have been sent packs.  Awaiting response from HQ on local watches follow-up. New grants for Community Support Officers are likely but caution because our questionnaire responses indicate a generally safe and crime-free parish
Joining local watches PC has also discussed this and is following up via local police liaison officer %valign=top|Helping with speed control A booklet on how people in other villages have assisted police with speed control is in preparation and due January 05.  The group is submitting an expression of interest to the RCC for funds to acquire a mobile speed monitor %valign=top|Special Interest Group requests {%%valign=top|Book clubEmailed where possible and telephoning the others to find out preferences on days, times etc
Women's discussion group|%valign=top|Relevant information sent to residents
Village Design Statements See below Village Newsletter assistance Some early progress on fact finding re costs.  Roundabout may need a lot of support owing to funding changes at the Community Centre Youth work volunteering Collected preferences and made early contacts with youth organisers

Village Design Statements

Both villages now have steering groups who have already met for training with Hazel Fish. Several WPPG members are in these groups and will keep us informed of progress. The 'officers' are:
{%|                  
  Woodhouse Eaves Old Woodhouse
Chair D G D S
Vice Chair   M B
Secretary K M J B

Chinese restaurant site - planning application

R M, the Parish Councillor delegated to respond to this, thinks it will be some time before a revised application emerges. So far, the developers have been given permission to demolish the restaurant and garage, conditional upon planning permission being granted for the site and the presentation of a signed contract for the work. Richard referred us to the consultation document: ''Charnwood - Leading in Design'' - this will be for public consultation in January 05. It is an excellent document that will become a set of guidelines for use when considering planning applications.  [''Note: the Charnwood document is largely based on another one called By Design  DETR & CABE, 2000 , itself based on an even earlier one called Responsive Environments: a manual for designers  Architectural Press, 1985 .  If anyone would like an e-copy of By Design I can email it or you can download it direct from the CABE website''].  The Bradgate Nursing Home application is being appealed.

Developing the Action Plan

J and A were thanked for producing the analysis of the survey responses (41 pages).  All "active" members of the parish plan group would be given a copy.

Sub groups reported their progress.  Jane suggested that the report from the St Paul�s School survey should be reviewed by all groups and incorporated into action plans.

Traffic etc:

Traffic issues appeared in many questionnaire responses, with speed, volume and parking the most prominent issues.  Although few people said they would ever use buses, those who did reported problems with frequency.  ''There was a discussion about why double-deckers have suddenly replaced all the single deck buses.''  Other actions noted above.

Local businesses:

Difficult to identify what actions might be appropriate as a result of the survey.  Sensitivity will be needed in dealing with any negative comments - but overall, residents were generally positive.  It is possible that one action might be to get traders together to discuss the results.

Facilities etc:

Some progress on drafting but more members are needed for this group - Jane volunteered to join it.  A sub-group meeting of R, J and J H would meet to progress this.

Landscape etc:

Amalgamated in parts with Traffic above.  In the discussion, it was noted that there could be some conflict between energy conservation and development in character with existing buildings e.g. slate roofs and solar panels may not mix.

People:

Census data has been collected and some work done on the people data.  ''NB: J C's final set of analyses includes this section.''

Public Services:

Divided the work to cover wide scope of Education, Health, Government, Crime and Communication.  Actions are being developed.  It was noted that a recent survey by the Primary Care Trust shows that we are well above the national average for GP services.  The main complaint from residents was about hospital parking.  One action could be to inform the primary care trust of these views.

General:

The action plans need to be realistic, say who should be responsible for the action, give some indication of timescale and whether it is a high, medium or low priority.  If costs are known these should be included.  It is important that all actions can be related back to the survey results. Example attached.

      Action: sub groups to produce draft action plans by Monday 6 December

Parish Plan � Final document

The Editorial Group (J, A and J) would have an initial meeting to plan the final document on 29 November.

Meeting with the Parish Council on 20 December

J suggested that we structure it into a presentation on process and then go into the content.  We discussed possible conflict between the roles of those members of the Parish Plan Group who are also councillors.  The desired outcome would be agreement on the basis of the Plan and broad approval for the draft actions.  We discussed the issue of how contentious points might be handled, and what additional work might be required before the action plan was accepted.  Also, would all the actions be for the PC or not?  Plans for this event will be finalised at our next meeting on 13 December.

      Action: J, R, R and A to develop the format for this meeting

Finance report

There has been little expenditure since our last meeting.  Hazel Fish will be asked about the process for requesting the remaining part of the grant. If we can obtain this soon it will help to support the VDS work.

Any Other Business

A funding source under the 'Better Communities Award' scheme covers applications for access to learning opportunities, ideas for training and education, and developing the skills of the community.  Jane has details and these are also on the Charnwood website.

Date and Time of Next Meetings

  • '''Monday 13th December - Village hall, Woodhouse Eaves'''
  • '''Monday 20th December - Village Hall, Woodhouse Eaves  joint meeting with Parish Council'''

AI, Secretary to the Parish Plan Group

'''Parish Councils' Website:''' www.leicestershireparishcouncils.org  
'''Woodhouse Eaves website:''' www.woodhouse-eaves.co.uk