News Report June 2016

Police Report

We unfortunately had 2 burglaries reported on Brook Street in May. The police are carrying out extra patrols in the village and still urging parishioners to report suspicious behaviour on 101. The Neighbourhood Watch Scheme is gaining momentum and will be launching on 4th July with visits from the fire brigade and police. Please see the separate article for further information.

Burton Lane Housing Development

Avant homes hosted an open day at the Memorial Hall on 25th May outlining the new plans for the land on Burton Lane. A formal planning application has still not been received by Charnwood Borough Council. As soon as it is the Parish Council will be consulted and alert parishioners.

Grant Applications

We are pleased to announce that the Parish Council has been successful in applying for two grants that have been made available through Interserve, the construction company responsible for the building of the new DNRC rehabilitation centre at Stanford Hall. The original entrance to the Memorial Hall will be refurbished and the war memorial plaque will be repositioned. This will all be completed in time for the 100 year commemorations of the end of WW1 in 2018. A new noticeboard will also be provided and a bin store.

The second smaller grant will enable the sports pavilion to be fitted with hooks and benches in the changing rooms. A third grant for the Mantle Pieces project was unfortunately unsuccessful.

Councillor Retirement

We are sad to announce that Cllr Sturmey has stepped down from the Parish Council. Cllr Sturmey has been a great asset to the Council and we would like to thank her for her services. We all wish her well!

Co-option

Due to Cllr Sturmey’s retirement we now have a casual vacancy to fill. If anyone is interested in the position please apply in writing to the address below by 1st July 2016.

The next meeting of Wymeswold Parish Council will be held on Monday 4th July 2016 in the Sports Pavilion, Burton Lane, Wymeswold, starting at 7:15pm. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

Alice Gardam
Clerk to Wymeswold Parish Council
wymeswoldpc@hotmail.co.uk
Tel 01509 881664

News Report April 2016

Police Report

A report for March was not available from the police. The way in which crimes are allowed to be reported and the type of information to be included is changing. As soon as the changes have been confirmed the police will be sending in reports once again. Suspicious activity is still being reported in the village and the police will log any calls on 101 and investigate. The police beat surgery in March was again very well attended and our local police beat team were happy to discuss the recent crime in the village and offer advice on crime prevention. Dates for upcoming police beat meetings will be posted around the village and on the Parish Council website. We hope that many of you will have attended the April Neighbourhood Watch meeting and supported Angie and Gary Boorman, the co-ordinators of the new scheme.

Burton Lane Housing Development

Following the report that the appeal against the decision to refuse outline planning permission for the housing development on Burton Lane has been withdrawn, the planning consultants acting on behalf of Avant Homes attended the April Parish Council meeting and presented their potential plans for a new development of 28 houses to include bungalows, starter homes and affordable housing. They are planning to hold an open evening at the Memorial Hall to present the plans to the village and will be leafleting everyone with the details.

The developer for the East Road site has also withdrawn their appeal.

Pavement/Grass Verge Parking

As the new mowing season is well underway please could we ask that you do not park on the grass verges as the mowers cannot mow the grass if your vehicle obstructs them. We have also had complaints regarding parking on pavements preventing wheelchair users and push chairs passing. Please be considerate when you are parking.

Annual Parish Meeting

The annual Parish Meeting will be held on Monday 9th May. If you have anything you would like to discuss please let the Clerk know using the contact details below.

The next meeting of Wymeswold Parish Council will held on Monday 9th May 2016 in the Sports Pavilion, Burton Lane, Wymeswold, starting at 7:30pm. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

The Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will precede the normal monthly meeting of the Parish Council and will commence at 7:15 pm. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

Alice Gardam
Clerk to Wymeswold Parish Council
wymeswoldpc@hotmail.co.uk
Tel 01509 881664

News Report March 2016

Police Report

Since December there have been 13 burglaries in the village. This is an unprecedented amount and the police are carrying out extra patrols in the village especially at night time. If you see any suspicious cars or vans in the village please do report them to the police on 101. The police beat surgery in February was very well attended and our local police beat team were happy to discuss the recent crime in the village and offer advice on crime prevention. Dates for upcoming police beat meetings will be posted around the village and on the Parish Council website. We would encourage any parishioners with concerns to attend. The police are also advising that a Neighbourhood Watch scheme could help to prevent crime. If you are interested contact the Parish Clerk for an application form.

Burton Lane Housing Development

We can report that the appeal against the decision to refuse outline planning permission for the housing development on Burton Lane has been withdrawn. The planning consultants acting on behalf of Avant Homes have told us that they plan to submit an application for a much smaller development. This will have to go through the Charnwood Borough Council planning department again and the Parish Council will be consulted. The formal adoption of the Core Strategy will work in our favour as all the housing for The Wolds has been allocated and the Borough now has a 5 year housing supply.

Please Pick up after your Dogs

We are still getting reports of dog fouling in the village. We have installed extra dog bins so please use, there really is no excuse!

Following requests from residents, the Parish Council has registered the “Three Crowns’ as a Community Asset with Charnwood Borough Council. If the property comes up for sale, the right will give the community six months to put together a bid to buy it.

The next meeting of Wymeswold Parish Council will be held on Monday 11th April 2016 in the Sports Pavilion, Burton Lane, Wymeswold, starting at 7:15pm. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

Alice Gardam
Clerk to Wymeswold Parish Council
wymeswoldpc@hotmail.co.uk
Tel 01509 881664

Crime Prevention Advice – March 2016

There has unfortunately been an increase in burglaries recently in Wymeswold. I would like to take this opportunity to reassure residents that Leicestershire Police are actively preventing and acting on burglaries in and around Wymeswold. We are engaging in high visibility patrols of the village at all times of the day.

There has been some concern from residents about the street lighting going off at night in the village. I can confirm that the switching off of the street lights has in no way affected crime rates in the village. Although crime has risen recently; 90% of crime in Wymeswold has occurred while the street lights are on or during day time. There has also been no rise in crime during the hours of no lighting from when there was lighting.

I would like to take this opportunity to remind all residents to be aware of anything or anyone that you believe could be suspicious. There is never a wasted call to the Police about suspicious persons. Your call may result in the arrest of a burglar.

Lock up! Houses are still not being secured. They must have all windows and doors locked when empty at all times of day and night!

Light up! Going out at night? If your house looks empty, a burglar will assume it is empty and will see it as an easy target. Leave a light on inside so as to appear that persons are home!

Seen it? Report it! Seen something suspicious such as a person prowling round and looking in to addresses or a vehicle prowling around? CALL THE POLICE! It may be nothing but your call might ensure a criminal is caught! There is no such thing as “too small to bother the police”.

How to contact us

Phone number including collar number and full name plus Twitter and Facebook name etc

PC 4122 Mansfield
PCSO 6048 Loydall
PCSO Jade Martin

PC 3109 Lockton
PCSO 6654 Dignan
PCSO 6144 Martin

News Report February 2016

Police Report

Unfortunately at the time of writing the police report was not available.

I am sure that most of you are aware that there has been an increase in burglaries in the village. If you see any suspicious cars or vans in the village please do report them to the police on 101. The police beat surgery in January was very well attended and our local police beat team were happy to discuss the recent crime in the village and offer advice on crime prevention. The next Beat Surgery is on Wednesday 24th February at 6:30pm in the Memorial Hall, we would encourage any parishioners with concerns to attend.

Village Verges

We will shortly be entering the new grass cutting season. Last year the Parish Council opted to take on the maintenance of the grass verges in the village and we will be continuing to do so this year. Almost half of our precept, £10,000, is dedicated to grass cutting and keeping our village looking tidy. It is there therefore disappointing when the verges are churned up by vehicles by either parking on them or mounting the kerb to pass parked vehicles. Please could we ask that parishioners take care and park considerately.

Mantle Pieces Project

We are continuing to research the Mantle Pieces Project. If you are interested or would like to help in any way please do get in touch. We have had some concerns voiced over the cost of the project and we would like to assure parishioners that the project will be funded via grants.

Please Pick up after your Dogs

There are unfortunately still some owners that are not picking up after their dogs. We have put up extra posters in the worst affected areas and we would ask that these are not removed please.

The next meeting of Wymeswold Parish Council will be held on Monday 7th March 2016 in the Sports Pavilion, Burton Lane, Wymeswold, starting at 7:15pm. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

Alice Gardam
Clerk to Wymeswold Parish Council
wymeswoldpc@hotmail.co.uk
Tel 01509 881664

News Report January 2016

Police Report

During the month of December the following crimes were reported:
02/12/2015 – overnight break-in to a shed,
04/12/2015 – entry to a shed gained by breaking locks off the shed door,
both of these occurred on Wide Lane,
05/12/2015 – overnight attempt break in to window of dwelling – Far Street but entry was not gained,
10/12/2015 – overnight break in through bedroom window – Marys Close,
12/12/2015 – break in through patio door – London Lane and
9/12/2015 – evening break in forced lock to door – Appleton Drive.

There was an increase in crime reported in December, in particular domestic burglaries, thieves are aware that people will have valuable items in the house for Christmas. Increased patrols have been conducted in The Wolds and across Charnwood. The advice the police give is to make sure your house is secure and where possible install alarms or have lights on timers to come on while you are out as this normally deters thieves. They are also urging people not to post their holidays on social media until they return.

Leicestershire Police would also like to make residents aware of a possible scam regarding the reading of energy meters, and remind residents should meter readers appear at your property unannounced to double check with your energy provider that they are genuine and ask to see identification.

For an Update from the Charnwood NPA Commander please visit leicspolice.wordpress.com.

Precept/Budget

In order for the Parish Council’s precept to be set (the amount of money that is apportioned to Wymeswold from your council tax) the Parish Council’s budget for 2016/17 is annually discussed at our meeting in January. We are pleased to report that despite some unexpected costs associated with the Sports Pavilion, we are able to keep the precept at £21,530. The only slight difference is that the grant from Charnwood Borough Council has decreased by £70 from £310 to £240. The Parish Council has been made aware that central government are changing the way they provide funding and are moving towards a ‘capped’ precept approach. In light of this, the PC will look to establish how it would deal with this during our coming financial year. We have worked hard to keep costs down for our parishioners and to work within the available budget to provide the services in the village, and we hope to carry out a community project too. The monthly Parish Council meetings will be held at the sports pavilion from now on.

Sports Pavilion

As you know our newly refurbished and extended Sports Pavilion is now up and running. Heating has been installed so that it can be comfortably used in the winter months, and we are looking to install external lighting for safety and security reasons. There are so many different organisations and clubs in addition to individuals within the village that by donating either their time or money (or in some cases both) have made this project possible. The Parish Council would like to take another opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in the refurbishment of the Sports Pavilion and hope that you will use this new village asset in the future.

The next meeting of Wymeswold Parish Council will be held on Monday 1st February 2015 in the Sports Pavilion, Burton Lane, Wymeswold, starting at 7:15pm. All parishioners are welcome to attend.

Alice Gardam
Clerk to Wymeswold Parish Council
wymeswoldpc@hotmail.co.uk
Tel 01509 881664

Annual Report 2015/16

This report details some of the many issues Wymeswold Parish Council has been concerned with in the last year:

Wymeswold Playing Field and Sports Pavilion

The extended and refurbished sports pavilion was officially opened on 28^th June, and is now an impressive community facility. The Parish Council would like to encourage more community groups/ organisations to make use of it, and would be interested to hear from interested parties, you don’t need to be a sports club/ group to make use the pavilion. The Parish Council is in the process of applying for funding to complete the ‘fit out’ works including benches etc.

Community Asset

Following concern from some of the regulars at ‘The Three Crowns’, the Parish Council registered the building as a community asset. It is only the ninth listing with the Borough Council. The community right to bid means communities can ask to list certain assets, such as shops, pubs or other local facilities, as being of value to the community. If an asset is listed and then comes up for sale, the right will give the community six months to put together a bid to buy it.

Washdyke

The Washdyke project has been fulfilled and the Committee has disbanded. The Washdyke is in the control of the Parish Council with volunteer work parties carrying out seasonal work which will be organised by the former Washdyke Committee. The Parish Council wishes to thank the Washdyke Association for the effort in securing grants for the play equipment, as well as planting and maintaining the orchard, another fantastic village facility.

Mowing and Paths

In addition to mowing and maintaining areas of the village such as the churchyard, cemetery, playing field, Washdyke and around the Memorial Hall, last year the Parish Council opted to take on the maintenance of the grass verges in the village from the County Council. The figure to do so, equates to nearly 50% of the precept (the amount of funding received by the Parish Council from the Council Tax). Please help us to keep the village looking tidy by parking considerately.

Wysall Lane / East Road junction

The Parish Council recognises that there are safety issues for both pedestrians and motorists at this busy junction and continues to lobby the County Council over proposed improvements. Road markings and signage have been altered this year in an attempt to alert drivers to the width of the carriageway at this point.

Speeding and Speedwatch

Speed and volume of traffic continues to be a major concern in the village. The Parish Council would be interested to hear from volunteers willing to carry out another Community Speedwatch Campaign.

Cemetery

Further maintenance work has been carried out at the cemetery on Rempstone Road. Graves have also been cleaned and cleared of any foliage.

Planning and development

The Parish Council is consulted by Charnwood Borough Council over all new planning applications within the parish. Charnwood Borough have now formerly adopted their Core Strategy which excludes new development in Wymeswold unless there are exceptional circumstances. Both appeals against the decision to refuse outline planning for housing developments on land of Burton Lane and East Road have been withdrawn.

Wymeswold Memorial Hall

The Parish Council made a contribution to the replacement of windows in the main hall, and wish to thank the WMH committee for their continued programme of refurbishment and energy saving improvements to the building.

Parish Council communication

Apart from regular updates in the ‘Christian Link’, the Loughborough Echo and on the notice board, news from the Parish Council is updated on the village website www.wymeswold.com and also on the Parish Council website http://www.leicestershireparishcouncils.org/wymeswold/.

I hope this summary gives you an outline of some of the many issues we cover as a Parish Council. There are also many other matters regularly dealt with every year including street cleaning, highway maintenance, potholes and rubbish removal.

Parishioners are welcome to attend the regular monthly meetings, usually held on the first Monday of the month at 7.15pm in the Sports Pavilion. All contact details are advertised on the Parish Council notice board in the Stockwell, as are the agenda and minutes of the most recent meeting, together with any other relevant information.

I would like to thank my fellow members of the Parish Council – Adrian Cooke, Lesley Blount, Maria McKean, Jeremy Clouston- Jones, Richard Higgins and Sarah Sturmey – for all their support and hard work over the past year. Councillor Nick Shaw has stood down from his role and we thank him for his eight years of service with the Parish Council.

I would also like to record our thanks to our County Councillor, Cllr Richard Shepherd, for his help and advice over a numerous matters with the County Council, and similarly to our Borough Councillor, Cllr Jenny Bokor, who also liaises with us over issues with Charnwood BC.

Finally I wish to thank the Parish Clerk, Alice Gardam, for all her excellent work in support of the Council.

Jo Ling
Chairman, Wymeswold Parish Council
May 2016