The Senior Democratic Services & Scrutiny Officer invited nominations for the election of a new Chairman of the Wigston Parva Parish Meeting following the resignation by Jack Jenkins.

Jack Jenkins was thanked for his service as Chairman to the Parish Meeting.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2019 (enclosed).

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2019, as circulated, were approved  as a correct record.

Village Green

Jack Jenkins confirmed that this has now been designated as an open space.

A5/M69 – DPD Distribution Centre

The Chairman raised his concerns about increasing traffic and light pollution since the DPD Distribution Centre had been built. Residents raised their original concerns with encroaching developments and were reassured that the Fosse Villages Neighbourhood Plan (FVNP) had been recently adopted.

Cllr. Maggie Wright advised that this concern was worth mentioning to the Planning team so they could monitor any upcoming applications.

Whetstone Pastures Garden Village

Residents discussed future developments and the impact this could have on the Parish. Cllr. Maggie Wright commented that Whetstone Pastures is pending and is infrastructure led. 

Rail Freight Terminal

The Chairman advised that Alberto Costa MP did a survey and questioned the present Councillors if they have a update on the outcome of this.

Cllr. Maggie Wright advised that she believes the outcome of the survey will be put into a formal report.

Cllr. Iain Hewson (District Councillor) advised there will be another meeting in September 2021, and the terminal would be approved by the Secretary of State and not by the District Council. Currently no information was available on how many trains/freight would be using the terminal.  Cllr. Hewson urged all residents to get involved with the consultation when it was released.

Village Pump

Residents were keen to protect the Village Pump and discussed methods to do this, especially as the water was undrinkable.

Village Defibrillator

Cllr. Mike Shirley advised the residents that Sharnford had recently installed the latest version of a defibrillator at a cost of approximately £2,500.

Cllr. Maggie Wright shared information with residents that a budget of £25,000 has been provided to improve highways. The funds can be used for enhancements such as new signage and dropped curbs. The share of funds for the village would stand at approximately £2,744. Cllr. Wright gave residents a deadline of September 2021 to provide her with the ideas of which they would like to spend the funds so she can submit the request to the County Council by November 2021.

The Chairman raised the idea of adding a sign before entering the Village to advise no entry to larger vehicles and lorries.

Cllr. Mike Shirley provided an update to residents which included:

·         The new tourism wall at Fosse Park which highlights attractions within the District,

·         A consultation on transport by the County Council which was open for comments

·         Air quality grant to fund clean air in Enderby and Glenfield

·         Boundary Review and to submit any comments to Blaby District Council by Monday 2^nd August 2021, with a recommendation to reduce the number of District Councillors to 36 from 39

·         Stoney Stanton Visioning Workshop

Jack thanked Karen Smith and Iain Smith for all their help and support. Jack Jenkins explained his concerns in regards to the recent application for the removal of 300 meters of hedges from the nearby Farmers land. He explained that if the hedges were to be removed this would potentially increase the flood risk to the village.

The Chairman added that he is really surprised this is being considered with the impacts this would cause on the local environment.

George Pilkington advised that he has looked at the application and upon research has found that the current hedges have dated as far back as 1885. He added that hedge planting should be increased, and not being removed.

Cllr. Maggie Wright responded that she remembered the flooding in the Village in 2018 which flooded 3-4 properties and shared her concerns with residents of  seeing water coming down the hill to the Village.

Cllr. Maggie Wright commented that she would check the County Council Flood Management Plan and both Cllr. Wright and Cllr. Iain Hewson advised that they would contact the Planning Department to investigate further.

The date of the next meeting to be arranged in consultation with the Chair for a date in May 2022.

·         Tuesday 26 October 2021.