Blaby Topic

Blaby Parish Council

Newsletter Issue 07: October 2004

Members of Parish Council 2004/2005
Chairman Tel. No.
Miss A.M. Morris 2772088
Vice Chairman
Mr. G. Harding 2772237
Members
Mr. C. Bonser 2776158
Mrs. M. Broomhead 2771711
Mr. J. Churchard 2771403
Mr. A. Goodwin -
Mrs. L. Gutteridge 2775947
Mr. W. Jennings 2774263
Mr. C. Orton 2785318
Mr. S. Parker 2837964
Dr. D. Pollard 2772076
Mrs. F. Pollard 2772076
Mrs. M. Robinson 2779162
Mr. J. Roper 2773965
Mrs. C. Thomas 2772894
Mr. J. Troake 2771055
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Surgeries
Blaby Parish Council Surgeries are now being held at Blaby Library, between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. Why not drop in and meet your Blaby Parish Councillors; all queries and comments are welcomed.
Surgery dates: Saturday 30th October 2004
Saturday 27th November 2004
Saturday 18th December 2004
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Grants 2004/2005
The Parish Council has made grants to the following:-
. Blaby Village Cricket Club … £300.00
(repairs to changing hut, Northfield Park)
. Blaby & District Royal British Legion … £200.00
(Memorial Plaques)
. Countesthorpe Community College … £100.00 (max.)
(Summer Playscheme 2004)
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Diary (Social Events)
. Christmas Lights Switch-on
Friday 19.11.04, 6.30 p.m:
John’s Court Shopping Precinct
. Carol Singing
Christmas Eve (Friday 24.12.04), 4.30 p.m:
John’s Court Shopping Precinct

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Blaby Cemetery: Removal of Roses, Trees, Shrubs from Graves
Blaby Parish Council wishes to point out that the planting of trees and shrubs (including roses) is not permitted on graves.
It has been noted, however, that the practice is becoming widespread.
The Council has decided, therefore, that all trees, shrubs and roses must be removed by the end of October (to give the roses the chance to finish flowering).
The Council offers to replant roses around the edge of the car park, on behalf of anyone affected by the ruling; and there is a new shrub bed, near the small hand-gate, which will take shrubs and conifers.
The Council regrets having to be firm in this matter, but even those trees, shrubs and conifers which are too small to be a problem at the moment, will grow and will cause maintenance problems in the future.
The Council regrets that it will have no choice but clear away any roses, trees or shrubs that remain after 1st November 2004.
If anyone wishes to discuss the matter further, including the possible erection of memorial plaques, the Clerk, Mrs. G. Lee, is available on Leicester 2784728.
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Ivan’s Inventory
(Notes of a Community Support Officer)
In August I celebrated the first anniversary of my appointment as Police Community Support Officer for Blaby Parish, and as I reflect on a valuable year’s experience, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the community for its support and willingness to discuss personal quality of life issues.
I have been semi-reliant on partnership working with various professional agencies and my daily contact with the community increases my confidence in the level of success achieved by all of us.
Also I am constantly encouraged by residents in Blaby community who confirm their quality of life has improved.
I have established a partnership with all local licensees to tackle anti-social behaviour. Also my weekly surgery at Blaby Library (Thursdays, 10 a.m. – 12 noon) continues to encourage local people to discuss their concerns openly.
Information is probably the most useful resource in my armoury. If we continue to work together I am confident we will confront many issues affecting our personal lives.
Most of you may already be aware of new legislative Police powers such as Dispersal Orders to combat large groups of youths causing anti-social behaviour.
It is absolutely necessary for local residents to report all incidents to the Police to enable new powers to be exercised fairly and effectively.
Ivan Kearney
Community Support Officer
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Christmas Arrangements
Blaby Parish Council was delighted to receive an offer by Leicestershire County Council of a grant of £2000 towards Christmas lights. It is hoped this will allow the Parish Council to purchase additional animated lights for the Village Centre for the coming Christmas season.
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Blaby Parish Council’s Activities since Newsletter Issue 6 (April 2004)

Design of Cemetery Extension
The Council has chosen a design and detailed plans are being drawn up for Phase I:- tarmac entrance roads, paths (No. 5 Cemetery), cut back hedging and to prepare No. 5 Cemetery for burial.

Improvements to Chapel Workshop (Cemetery)
Phase II has been completed and Council groundstaff now have a clean, dry, warm canteen area inside the Workshop, which meets Health & Safety requirements. The cost was £6390.00 + VAT.

Standing Orders
Have been reviewed to take account of recent government legislation (“Ethical framework”).

Burial Fees and Payments
To help offset the burden of the costs of maintenance of the Cemeteries on Blaby Village community charge payers, fees have been increased as follows:-
. All fees for non-parishioners are trebled.
. For pre-booked plots, the fee is doubled.

Rest Garden, Leicester Road (Northfield Park)
The Council was delighted to give the go-ahead for an enhancement scheme, to complement the human sundial. The scheme, which excludes the shrub beds and trees around the edges, has been carried out by Mr. D. Chamney of Chamneys Nurseries at a cost of £7500.00 + VAT.

Blaby Cemetery – Memorial Stability
To help with the inspection of memorials, Blaby Parish Council has agreed to the joint purchase of a “topple-tester”, with other local councils.

“Patch” Walk
Blaby Parish and District Councillors, accompanied by the Police and the Community Support Officer, carried out a Patch Walk in August, to identify issues of concern. The report from the Walk is currently being worked on.

Fenced Play Area, Northfield Park
Patches of “rust” were noted on the slide chute by Council groundstaff. A representative of the company inspected the site and it was found that the slide chute was buffed in such a way that some mild steel was deposited on the surface of the stainless steel, resulting in the appearance of these patches. The company agreed to replace the chute, free of charge.
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Vacancies
There are two vacancies for Parish Councillors. Anyone wishing to be considered for a position
should contact the Clerk on Leics. 2784728 for
further information and/or attend the next meeting
of the Parish Council (see Diary).
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Car Parking in Blaby Village Centre
Blaby Parish Council strongly opposes the suggestion that charges should be made for parking on Village car parks.
Diary (All meetings are open to the public)
Council Meetings (Tuesdays)
12th October 2004: 7.30 p.m. (SC)
9th November 2004: 7.30 p.m. (SC)
7th December 2004: 7.30 p.m. (SC)
Committee Meetings (Tuesdays)
Staff & Finance: 5.10.04 , 7.00 p.m. (W)
Planning: 12.10.04, 7.00 p.m. (SC)
Allotments/Cemeteries: 19.10.04, 7.00 p.m. (W)
Parks: 19.10.04, 8.00 p.m. (W)
Planning: 26.10.04, 7.00 p.m. (W)
General Purposes: 26.10.04, 7.30 p.m. (W)
Staff & Finance: 2.11.04, 7.00 p.m. (W)
Social: 2.11.04, 8.15 p.m. (W)
Planning: 9.11.04, 7.00 p.m. (SC)
Allotments/Cemeteries: 16.11.04, 7.00 p.m. (W)
Parks: 16.11.04, 8.00 p.m. (W)
Planning: 23.11.04, 7.00 p.m. (W)
General Purposes: 23.11.04, 7.30 p.m. (W)
Social: 30.11.04, 7.00 p.m. (W)
“Quality Parish”: 30.11.04, 8.00 p.m. (W)
Planning: 7.12.04, 7.00 p.m. (SC)
Allotments/Cemeteries: 14.12.04, 7.00 p.m. (W)
Planning: 21.12.04, 7.00 p.m. (W)
W = Western Drive SC = Social Centre

“Bright Lights of Blaby” Competition
To encourage people to brighten up Blaby still more over the Christmas period, Blaby Parish Council has introduced a new competition.
. There will be a prize for the “BEST” lit dwelling.
. A “Trail” Leaflet will be introduced for members of the
public to follow.
. Prize - £50 + shield/plaque (to keep for one year).
Please contact the Parish Council (Leics. 2784728) for an entry form. (Members of Blaby Parish Council are not allowed to enter.)

Quality Parish Status
Blaby Parish Council is already a quality parish council in the broadest terms, but to become a Quality Parish, as defined by recent legislation, it needs to meet certain criteria. Most of the requirements are already being fulfilled, but at May 2007, to be eligible to seek Quality Parish status, Blaby Parish Council must:-
. Have 100% of its vacancies filled by election.
. Have a Clerk who holds the professional qualification
awarded by the Assessment and Qualification Alliance
(the AQA Certificate in Local Council Administration).
The Parish Council has determined to obtain Quality Parish status and in the following months, parishioners may note references to the Council’s Social Committee. This Committee has not been set up to arrange ‘do’s’ for Councillors. It is an attempt to bring the work of the Parish Council to the forefront of village life. The work done by the Parish Council is vital to the viability and vitality of the community. The Council will not allow itself to be labelled as anything other than ‘Quality’.
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Printed Sept. 2004 by Blaby Parish Council
13 Western Drive, Blaby, Leics., LE8 4FR.
Tel. 0116-2784728
Email: blabyparishcouncil@tiscali.co.uk