Parish Council notes

A FULL meeting of Birstall Parish Council was held on January 9.

The chair, Cllr Ann Marshall, said that Cllr Kirstie Haywood would be counting how many times people spoke – councillors can only speak two times on any motion, unless they are presenting the motion.

Councillors considered quotations for the publication and distribution of the Parish Council annual report. It was agreed to use the Birstall Post, at a cost of £1078.

Having received the council tax base figures from Charnwood, councillors agreed to a 5% rise in the precept for the year 2023/24, a sum of £481,859. Band D households in Birstall will pay £104.92, an extra £5 per year or £0.10 per week. The precept for 2022/23 was £458,343.

Councillors discussed a proposal

Continued from page 1 stall, especially Hughie’s for her clothes and joined Birstall & Wanlip WI.

Norma celebrated her birthday in made by Cllr Kevin Burroughs, that the council consider a new part-time job post for someone with social media skills, to promote the good work done by the council and to inform residents about its activities. style with two parties, one at Birstall golf club with her family and close friends who played at the club. Party number two was at Graysford Hall, with a sing-

Comment was made that the council could be doing more to promote itself on social media, but employing someone would present difficulties. All the information prepared for publication would have to be checked by the clerk and the office staff for accuracy before being posted online.

Cllr Julian Howe said that Parish Council’s website is extremely poor compared to others, and that it was very difficult to find anything there.

It was suggested that any councillor who had an idea for promoting the council on social media should contact the clerk who could progress it.

The council agreed not to proceed with creating a new part-time post for someone with social media skills.

Councillors considered two options regarding access to the cemetery once the cemetery extension is completed. Option 1 was to use the existing allotment access roadway as the exit route for vehicles leaving the cemetery. Option 2 was to make the existing cemetery entrance the access and exit point.

Councillors considered both options and decided that option 2 was the most cost effective and suitable for their needs. It would provide the Council with a maintenance service road to use rather than the main entrance to the cemetery so as not to interfere with any funerals taking place. It was agreed to apply for a pre planning application for option 2.

It was reported that no progress had been made towards the NALC Gold along-style show, followed by a buffet and a delicious homemade cake. Pic: Norma (centre) with friends at Birstall Golf Club

Award scheme due to the amount of work in the office.

It was agreed to spend £385 on two 10 inch plaques that will commemorate the life and service of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

In November 2022, the council agreed to invite representatives from the City Council and County Council to attend a public meeting in Birstall about the Leicester City Local Plan, the Ashton Green development, and the impact on local roads, especially Greengate Lane in Birstall. The clerk reported that the City Council and County Council had declined to attend.

The City Council has urged the Parish Council to engage with the latest round of public consultation, held in early 2023.

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Birstall.

“The Parish Council urges all concerned residents to respond to the public consultation. Residents’ issues are very pertinent and much more likely to have an effect on Leicester City Council and Leicestershire County Council than just Birstall Parish Council’s response.”

The Local Plan makes explicit that “planned growth must be supported by infrastructure and facilities. It is also important that the provision of strategic infrastructure such as transport which has implications beyond the city’s administrative boundary is planned for and its provision and funding is coordinated in a comprehensive manner.”

In the 2010 planning application for the 3000-home Ashton Green development, the city council proposed the following mitigation measures for Greengate Lane:

• one-way signal-controlled shuttle working at the railway bridge. The bridge is owned and maintained by the GCR. Traffic lights will control traffic on either side of the bridge, alternating the direction of traffic: east/west then