Blaby Topic

Blaby Parish Council

Newsletter Issue 01: October 2001

Introducing Blaby Parish Council
13 Western Drive, Blaby, Leics., LE8 4FR.
Email: blaby@parish-council.fsbusiness.co.uk
Tel. No. 0116-2784728
Clerk: Mrs. Glenise Lee
Asst. Clerk: Mrs. Sue Wilson

Blaby Parish Council is producing this newsletter to introduce itself to the residents of Blaby. Initially, there will be two issues. The success of the newsletter and any future issues will depend on your feedback, which is invited at any time, on any subject that affects BLABY VILLAGE.

The Parish Council;
Blaby Parish Council was formed in 1894. It is the VILLAGE COUNCIL. It is an administrative body. It has no ecclesiastical connections.
The Parish Council plays a vital role in local democracy. It is the non-political "grass-roots" part of the local three-tier system of government.
The three Councils that look after Blaby's interests have very different powers and responsibilities. Blaby Parish Council is a landowner and is responsible for the administration, maintenance and improvement of;
. Mill Lane Cemeteries
. Oakfield Park (Hospital Lane)
. Northfield Park (Leicester Road)
Other land is leased by the Parish Council to fulfil community recreational needs:-
. Allotments (Bypass/Enderby Road)
. Children's Play Area on The Crescent
. Westfield Play Area (Bypass/Grove Road)

Blaby Parish Council has a say on anything that affects the village, even on things that happen outside the village. It is consulted on a wide range of issues, e.g. planning (District Council), highway matters (County Council). Although the Parish/Village of Blaby is a small area, it plays a vital role in local democracy. It collects local opinion and channels the community's wishes to other bodies, e.g. District/County Councils or the Government. Because the Parish Council is so local, its Members are approachable. The Council meets once a month at Blaby Social Centre. The majority of the Council's work is handled by its Committees, which meet on a rota basis at 13 Western Drive. All meetings are open to the public.

The Parish Council is accountable to its Parishioners/Villagers and reports its activities to the community every year at the Annual Village Meeting, when any government elector of Blaby may question the Council's decisions and financial affairs.
But "man does not live by bread alone" and the Parish Council of Blaby is aware that aesthetics are important to everyone's well-being, and public money is invested in such things as flower baskets during the Summer, and Christmas lights.
Blaby Parish Council is hard-working and enthusiastic. Its aim is to continue to improve Blaby for the benefit of its Parishioners.

Members of the Council: 2001/02
Chairman Tel. No.
Mr. Graham Harding 2772237
Vice Chairman
Miss Ann Marie Morris 2772088
Members
Mr. Roger Allsopp 2771969
Mr. Colin Bonser 2776158
Mrs. Gil Bonser 2776158
Mr. Jack Churchard 2771403
Mr. David Cook 2777169
Mr. Alan Goodwin 01455-283787
Mr. Clive Orton 2785318
Mr. Stuart Parker 2837964
Mr. Ellis Peck 2779810
Dr. David Pollard 2772076
Mrs. Felicity Pollard 2772076
Mr. Joe Roper 2773965
Mrs. Carole Thomas 2772894
Mrs. Janet Wright 2775207

Vacancies on the Council;
The full complement of the Council is 18. There are currently two vacancies. Parishioners are urged to consider if they wish to serve the community in the role of Parish Councillor, which embraces all facets of village life. The commitment is to invest two Tuesday evenings a month to Council/Committee meetings. Anyone over the age of 21, living in, or within three miles of Blaby, may apply.
Elections are held every four years. Two years remain of the current term and anyone co-opted to the Council in this interim period would receive an excellent apprenticeship in local government issues before the next election.

To apply, or for further details, telephone Mrs. Lee or
Mrs. Wilson on Leicester 2784728.

Millennium Quilt;
Created by the seamstresses of Blaby to commemorate the Millennium, the Quilt is on display at All Saints Church, Blaby. The Quilt is available for display at other venues.
Contact: Blaby Parish Council

Council Meetings;
Are held at Blaby Social Centre, Leicester Road on Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m.
9th October 2001
13th November 2001
4th December 2001

Allotments;
There are 58 plots, which vary in size from 150 to 400 square yards. Rents, depending on size of plot, up to £12.50 p.a. There is a waiting list. Apply:
Blaby Parish Council.

The affairs of the Allotments are looked after by the Allotments/ Cemeteries Committee which meets at 13 Western Drive, on Tuesdays at 7.00 p.m.
16th October 2001
20th November 2001

Cemeteries;
The Cemeteries are situated at Mill Lane, Blaby. For further information, contact Blaby Parish Council.

Cemetery matters are the responsibility of the Allotments/ Cemeteries Committee. (See "Allotments" for dates of meetings.)

Westfield
Play Area
Situated at the corner of Grove Road and Blaby Bypass. The site is for informal play use and includes a BMX Track.

Planning Matters;
Blaby Parish Council is consulted on all planning matters. The Parish Council has no powers under Planning law except as a consultee. It may make observations on plans. It may neither accept nor reject planning applications. The Committee meets twice a month at 7.00 p.m., before the Council Meeting and before the General Purposes Committee Meeting.

Northfield Park;
Opened in 1931, Northfield Park is the oldest of Blaby's Parks. It is situated on Leicester Road by the railway line. The adjacent Cricket Club grounds are privately owned and are not the Council's responsibility.
Facilities include;
. Public Toilets
. Disabled Access
. Football Pitch
. Children's Play Area
("Swings & Things")
. Hard Play Area

The Parks Committee meets at 13 Western Drive on Tuesdays at 8.00 p.m.
16th October 2001
20th November 2001

Oakfield Park;
Work to provide a new Park on Hospital Lane began in 1966 and "Swings & Things" were erected in 1969. The Park was extended in 1974.
Facilities include;
. Public Toilets
. Changing Rooms
. Kabin Youth Club
. "Swings & Things"
. Hard Play Area
. 4 Senior Football
Pitches
. 1 Junior Football Pitch
. Car Park
An access has been opened from Oakfield Park into the adjacent Blaby Oaks (Blaby's Millennium Wood).

The Crescent Play Area;
Local children approached the Parish Council with a request for play equipment for small children on the grassed area behind the shops on Western Drive. The Parish Council rented a quarter of the site from Blaby District Council and erected a slide and two sets of swings. The Play Area was opened in 1998. The Parks Committee is responsible for its maintenance.

Bouskell Park;
Opened in 1996, Bouskell Park on Welford Road is owned by Blaby District Council. Blaby Parish Council made a financial contribution towards the setting up of the Park, and remains keenly interested in its welfare. Of special interest is the Victorian Ice House, and the remains of the first Village of Blaby, visible as mounds ("raised platforms") on either side of the path through this delightful Park.

General Purposes Committee;
Any regular business not handled by the Allotments/Cemeteries, Parks or Planning Committees, is discussed by the General Purposes Committee. It is this Committee that is responsible for Christmas Arrangements and for the coming Queen's Golden Jubilee, Traffic Management, Enhancement of Village Areas, etc. The Committee meets at 13 Western Drive on Tuesdays at 7.30 p.m.
23rd October 2001
27th November 2001

Diary Dates;
23.11.01: Switching on
Christmas
Lights,
John's Court,
6.30 p.m.
24.12.01: Carol Singing,
John's Court,
4.30 p.m.
December: Christmas
Shop
Window
Display
Competition

Printed September 2001 by:
Blaby Parish Council