Minutes of the meeting of the Annual General Meeting of Quorn Parish Council held on Tuesday 7th August 2001.

PRESENT

Cllr T Tyler (Vice-chairman)
Cllr Mrs J Backus
Cllr P Child
Cllr R Jessop
Cllr D Cawdell
Cllr Mrs E Harrison
Cllr Mrs M Gamble
Cllr I Bexon

County Councillor A Kershaw
K Paterson - Clerk to the Council

Approximately 100 members of the public

01/90 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Hutchinson, J Maltby, K Croysdale and Borough Councillors D Slater, J Foster and R Shepherd.

01/91 MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON JULY 3rd 2001

The Minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed as a correct record.

01/92 POLICING MATTERS

There was no police presence at the meeting.

01/93 MATTERS ARISING

1 Technology Investment & Exploration Ltd - application for exploratory borehole at land off Woodhouse Road and Vicary Lane. The vice-chairman noted that all members of the council had read the application and its supporting documentation. Councillor Mrs Harrison declared a non-pecuniary interest which she did not consider to be clear and substantial.

The vice-chairman called for comments and the following views were expressed:

  The burning off of the gas will create fumes.
  Should the application be granted, a time period must be specified for clearing the site following completion of the exploration.
  Is the newly repaired bridge over the GCR capable of taking HGVs?
  The B591 has been de-regulated and has a weight restriction on it.
  The ancillary works and the traffic movements will create a major disturbance to residents. Houses on Chestnut Close and Buddon Lane are closer to the site than have been noted on the application.
  The bridleway K9 is already on an incline and will be raised too high for easy access. The proposed gateway across the access track will be unsafe and possible contrary to law.
  The operation would be an intrusion into unspoilt countryside.
  There is a possibility of contamination of the watercourse.
  The proposed entrance to the site is dangerous with children using playing fields, walking to the local primary school and visiting the GCR all potentially put in danger.

It was proposed by Councillor Cawdell, seconded by Councillor Jessop that the Parish Council offers the facility of a public meeting to which a representative from the oil exploration company and the agent for the application are invited to attend to discuss the concerns expressed above.

An amendment was proposed by Councillor Bexon and seconded by Councillor Mrs Harrison that the applicant and agent is invited to attend a meeting with representatives of Quorn and Woodhouse Eaves Parish Councils, Borough Councillors and County Councillors for the area.

The amendment was carried.

It was proposed by Councillor Tyler, seconded by Councillor Cawdell and unanimously agreed that Quorn Parish Council would object to the application for the reasons stated above.

This proposal was carried unanimously.

2 Periodic Electoral Review
It was noted that Mountsorrel Parish Council and one or two individuals had provided counter proposals to the Borough's recommendation to ward Mountsorrel Castle with Quorn. Sympathies were expressed towards Mountsorrel but the unanimous consensus was that supporting the Borough proposal was the correct option for Quorn

3 Village Hall
The architect commissioned by the Council to survey the hall and formulate ideas for short and long term usage and to facilitate disabled access has written to council clarifying fees and terms and conditions of employment. These were accepted. A presentation is anticipated sometime in September.

It was noted by Councillor Cawdell that there has been a severe drain blockage to the hall caused by blocked fat interceptors from the hotel next door. The hotel owners have been spoken to by Councillor Cawdell and have agreed to review their drainage contract with a view to cleaning more often. The invoice for unblocking the drains will be forwarded to the hotel once received. The excessive use of the car park by hotel will also be raised.

Councillor Cawdell noted that that the council chamber is now prepared for decorating. He is drawing up a specification.

4 Jubilee Gardens and affordable housing
Following a meeting with the Borough housing officer, a letter has been received outlining the options for housing development on the Jubilee gardens land. The housing needs survey has identified a need for affordable housing in the village If a housing association is involved, costs will need to be kept to a minimum. The council will probably be expected to gift the land and will receive housing but none of the associated landscaping works to the church rooms area. An alternative option would be to sell the land to a private developer and negotiate some form of affordable housing to be included within the development. It was agreed that the council should explore the whole range of options such as rented accommodation, shared ownership and outright purchase.

5 Confidential item
Due to the importance of this issue, an extra Council meeting will be called

6 Tree planting on Spinney Drive
Following a request to the Council for tree planting on Spinney Drive, a letter has been received from the County Council advising that tree pits would have to be constructed in the footway and if residents are keen for trees to be established at the front of individual properties, then space was probably available outside the even numbered houses. Costs would range from £55 to £150 depending on tree size and the degree of protection. It was agreed to consult with all the residents.

7 Planning enforcement
The enforcement officer has been contacted with regard to the unauthorised neon advertising outside the Indian restaurant on the High Street. He has agreed to investigate.

8 Open Gardens has raised almost £2,000 for future greening projects in the village.

9 Street nameplates remain missing or damaged at Chaveney Road and White Street.

01/94 COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS

1 Barrow Road traffic calming
Following the results of the survey, the Highways Department now proposes to consult with the County Councillor.

01/ 95 BOROUGH COUNCIL MATTERS

1 Mr D Christian from Station Road has e-mailed the council expressing his concern at the use of the open space next his home by BMX riders who have turned the area into a mud track. The mail will be referred to the Borough Council as owners of the land with the endorsement of the Parish Council for remedial action. The Borough's attention will also be drawn to the overhanging hedge bordering the footpath.

01/96 CORRESPONDENCE

1 The Audit Commission has written to the council noting the employment of Moore Stephens as external auditors. The company will contact the council 'in the near future' to advise of the arrangements regarding the audit of the accounts to 31st March 2001.

2 L.A.R.P.L.C. is offering a range of evening courses
If places are available, Cllrs Child, Bexon, Mrs Gamble and the Clerk will attend the one on Land law and liability and Cllrs Cawell, Mrs Gamble and the Clerk will attend the course on health and safety.

3 R.C.C
Details on becoming a Trustee for the Rural Community Council were tabled for information.

4 Loughborough & District Victim Support Tabled for information.

5 Heritage Iniative Training Day Tabled for information.

6 Leicestershire Rural Partnership - Annual Report and Strategy Tabled for information

01/97 FOOTPATH IMPROVEMENT - REAR OF HOLLOWAY HOUSE TO TOM LONG'S MEADOW

Lafarge/Redlands has offered a load of granite chipping for spreading along the footpath leading along the back of Holloway House to Poulteney Drive. The County Council has no objection. The Clerk will contact the probation service to request that a community punishment team might be used to undertake the work.

01/98 GARDEN REFUSE DISPOSAL

Cllr Mrs Gamble noted that other local Borough Council provide a free garden refuse disposal service and she knew that Charnwood intend to discuss provision in the near future. It was agreed that the Council would write to support such a move.

01/99 PLANNING MATTERS

Planning training has been arranged for councillors on 5th September in Southfields or 15th October in Sileby.

Black Hawk properties has lodged an appeal against the refusal of planning permission in The Pingle.

A complaint has been lodged with the enforcement officer against the alleged use of access to the rear/side of the Royal Oak for access to the tandorri restaurant.

01/1375 Formation of replacement access drive to tennis club at Quorn Lawn Tennis Club, Woodhouse road, Quorn

It is recommended that the Highways Department at County Hall give close consideration to this application as the proposed entrance is close to the junction with Chaveney Road and on a blind bend in the road.

01/1947 Change of use of building from bow manufacture (class B1) to classes B1/B8 uses at Merlin Bows, Bull-in-the-Hollow Farm, Leicester Road, Loughborough

It is recommended that the Highways Department look at this application with regard to the traffic implications on a fast road leading to the bypass.

01/1955 Change of use from garage to herbal pharmacy and consultation and waiting rooms at 66 Loughborough Road, Quorn

The Council supports this application but wishes it to be made clear to the applicant that visitors to the premises should park off the road and not block the cycle track.

The following applications were also considered but no comment passed to the planning authority:

01/1729 Replacement of garage roof with pitched roof at 57 Chaveney Road

01/1474 Erection of two storey extension to side and rear of detached house at 20 Northage Close Cllr Tyler declared a non-pecuniary interest in this application
01/1615 Erection of porch to front and first floor extension over garage to side of house at 3 Pepper Drive

01/1825 Erection of detached garage to rear of detached house at 10 Woodhouse Road

01/1792 Two storey extension for car port and living accommodation to side and single storey extension to rear of end terraced house at 7 Wood Lane

01/1633 Pruning of 1 Maple tree (TPO) in rear garden at 7 Chaveney Walk

01/1918 Erection of conservatory to rear of detached house at 7 Paddock Close

01/1799 Erection of single storey extension to front, side and rear, two storey extension to side of detached house at 25 Paddock Close

01/1983 Internal alterations, provision of replacement doors and windows, and installation of door and rooflight with balcony to rear elevation and window to side elevation (LBC) at 33 Meeting Street.

01/100 PAYMENTS

The following payments were approved:

E Hassall & Son (planters)…………………… £2,203.13
ESPO ……………………………………….. £132.78
CPRE…………………………………………. £17.50
Severn Trent………………………………….. £300.08
DMC carpentry………………………………. £745.00
Rawlins Repro……………………………….. £31.12
Powergen (street lighting)…………………… £160.61
Quorn Home & Garden……………………… £30.05
British Gas…………………………………… £146.95
Salaries & Expenses…………………………. £1,964.09
Inland Revenue………………………………. £544.71

TOTAL = £6,276.02

01/101 ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The Princess Diana Memorial bed is in need of attention. A local nursery will be asked to attend to it.

Plaques are required for the flowerbeds funded by Open Gardens. Cllr Cawdell has a contact and will arrange for these to be made.

Ownership problems over Tom Long's Meadow are ongoing.

The meeting concluded at 22.20hrs.