Page 24 - Countesthorpe Herald April 2025

24 THE NEW COUNTESTHORPE HERALD
Countesthorpe Community Trust Fund.
REPORT ESTATES WORKING PARTY MEETING
The report of the Estates Working Party meeting held on 10th February 2025 was received.
It was resolved to approve the following recommendations and the report be adopted.
To purchase a replacement litter bin for Dale Acre Play Area from Broxap as the existing one was decaying
For next time when hiring a digger/dumper to look at repairing an area of pathway in The Spinney which is starting to flood as well as levelling ground in the cemetery in preparation for the future installation of a pergola
Should an official enquiry be made, following notification of a Facebook post being published requesting the re-siting of a memorial bench to the Cemetery, for the resident to be advised that, unfortunately, the bench could not be installed at the cemetery due to it not being in keeping with other cemetery benches, however, guidance would be given with regard to alternative locations
To obtain costings for godfather posts to reinforce the posts to the fence at the bottom of Dale Acre, with a view to the fence being replaced in two to three years’ time
Following a request to review the securing of
the gates at Willoughby Road Playing Fields, to continue leaving the gates unlocked but to monitor as well as asking the local PCSO to monitor any activity which takes place. Additionally, to get advice on the latest that the hedge could be cut to a lower height
To give permission for a memorial bench to be installed on The Spinney however to stipulate that the bench be purchased via the Parish Council to ensure that it is in keeping with existing benches.
A site meeting would be arranged with Active Arts to discuss the location of the bench
In principle, to permit St Andrews Church and Countesthorpe Scouts to hire The Centenary Paddock on 21st June and 5th July for a fun day and gala and to review the requests further at the next meeting of the Estates Working Party in order to determine any conditions of its use
REPORT VE DAY WORKING GROUP MEETING
The report of the VE Day Working Group meeting held on 5th February 2025 was received. It was resolved to approve the following recommendation and the report be adopted.
To ask the Parish Council if it was agreeable to push back the Parish Council meeting on 8th May to an 8pm start
REPORTS FROM THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The reports of the Planning Committee meetings held 23rd January 2025, 6th February 2025 and 13th February 2025 were received.
REPORT FINANCE WORKING PARTY MEETING
The report of the Finance Working Party meeting held 12th February 2025 was received. It was resolved to approve the following recommendations and the report be adopted.
To note that the on-line bank statement checks to 31st January 2025 had been completed by
Cllr C Ibbotson.
To note that the checks on the bank reconciliations and bank statements to 31st January 2025 had been completed by Cllr K McGovern.
To support the recommendation of the Estates Working Party in deferring the installation of a pergola in the cemetery to allow for necessary remedial works to be undertaken on the chapel as the quotes for replacement bricks and guttering were higher than anticipated. An alternative quotation for the cemetery chapel guttering would also be obtained
To not currently proceed with utilising a designated line to support the card machine in the bar until the new supply had been established and reviewed after a few months
To recommend the purchase temporary flooring to be used for events, groundsworks activities etc.
To adopt the revised Financial Regulations following their review
To accept the quotation from Ireland & Company for the internal audit to be completed and
to subsequently sign and return the letter of engagement
To adopt the revised Financial Risk Assessment following its review
To purchase a personal alarm for the Parish Council Manager to use when taking monies to the bank
TO RECEIVE ANY MATTERS THE PARISH COUNCIL MANAGER MAY WISH TO RAISE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY There were no matters to raise.
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APRIL 2025
UP-DATE ON VILLAGE FLOODING
As of 25th February the Parish Council had not received any feedback from the County Council, the Local Flood Authority, despite asking for progress. On 25th February the Parish Council received a response from a Flood Risk Manager Officer explaining that, due to volume of queries and changeovers of staff, there had unfortunately been a delay in responding. The Officer had now picked up investigating the issues in Countesthorpe. They indicated that their efforts have concentrated on responding to incidents within the County where properties were flooded.
In terms of Countesthorpe, outline planning approval has been granted for the development of housing off Willoughby Road. The Local Flood Authority has subsequently been liaising with the developer, Davidsons Homes, with regard to the proposed flood alleviation element of that development to see what can be done to respond to the problems particularly affecting Mennecy Close. This information has been shared by the County Council, via County Councillor Les Phillimore, with the residents of Mennecy Close.
The Parish Council has also been pushing for information on what can be done to respond to the incidents where the road networks in Countesthorpe become impassible during times of flooding, and the Local Flood Risk Team at the County Council is liaising with their Highways drainage team to investigate further, though it should be noted that they would only be responsible for issues on their land.
Here is a link to Leicestershire County Council’s main flood advice page which also includes information about land owners’responsibilities https:// www.leicestershire.gov.uk/ environment-and-planning/ flooding-and-drainage .
The Parish Council has
been advised that there is currently no scheduled publication date for the Section 19 report on the investigation of the flooding in both January 2024 and 2025.
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