GARTREE Division of Leicestershire County Council

Electoral Division Latest News

Published on the Internet by Dr Kevin Feltham, Carlton House, Kibworth Harcourt, Leicestershire. LE8 0PE  (updated October, 2012 )

1. Temporary roadworks/footpath closures  
2. Stoughton Estate Eco-Town proposals
3. Community Hospital plans by PCT  
4. County Council matters (incl. Budget) 
5. Mobile Library Service Timetable   
6. Village Appraisals / Parish Plans
7. Billesdon Ward issues  
8. Glen Ward issues    
9. Kibworth Ward issues   
10. Community Against Substance Misuse 
11. Weight Restrictions for Gartree   

Temporary roadworks/footpath closures (October, 2012 )   

None for the moment In Gartree Divisionnd vice versa. [23/07/2007]

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Co-op's Stoughton Estate Eco Town proposals     (October, 2012 )

Latest News (May, 2011)

Kevin Feltham emailed Lynda Shillaw (Managing Director, Co-op Estates) on 11th May 2011 requesting that they formally withdraw their Pennbury eco-town proposal.  The full text can be found here.  Lynda Shillaw, it transpired, had left the Co-operative Group in August 2010, and has been replaced as Managing Director, Co-op Estates, by Martyn Hulme.  

His negative response (13th May 2011) can be seen here.  This lack of any responsibility for the blight on house prices in the area surrounding the proposed eco-town is unfortunate, and decisions now need to be taken regarding any further action by CASCET and supporters over the Co-op's continued negative stance regarding withdrawing their outdated and rejected proposal.

Good News - 16th July 2009

• Concerns over transport implications, and in particular, scope for increased congestion
• Concern over whether or not the proposed scheme can deliver sufficient jobs
• The potential threat posed by the eco-town to regeneration of Leicester and other urban areas in the vicinity
• Concern over the potential for increased flood risk in the area as a result of the development
• Increased visitor pressure on Rutland Water Special Protection Area as a result of the development

Background to whole campaign

Events so far

•  Main issues and concerns raised so far:

  • Massive scale of development – similar in size to Hinckley (150% bigger than Melton Mowbray) - where is case of need for this level of housing?

  • Problems of traffic congestion on A6, A47 and Gartree Road - where is transport plan?

  • Environmental impact and change in character of rural area - where is environmental assessment?

  • Huge impact on existing neighbouring communities - where is impact assessment?

  • Any housing in Eco Town would be additional to that already allocated and agreed by counties, cities and districts for the Regional Plan

  • Unclear how eventual planning decision is reached - may not be determined through the local (democratic) planning process

  • No consultation with councils or local communities by Co-op before shortlisting stage (January/February 2008)

  • The Co-op are financial supporters of the Labour Party. Ross Willmott (City Council Leader) and Patrick Kitterick (City Cabinet member for Regeneration) are both members of the Co-operative Party. 

• See some photos from recent events and of the area.

What can you do about it?

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Market Harborough Community Hospital plans scrapped by PCT

A Public Meeting with Catherine Griffiths, Chief Executive of PCT, was held on Friday 27th April 2008 - see update

The Leicestershire County and Rutland Primary Care Trust Board on 5th April 2007 approved recommendations in a Community Hospitals Study report to scrap the project to build a new £30m Community Hospital in Market Harborough.  Eighteen years of public interest, consultation, and planning have been wiped out to help the PCT balance its books.  Never mind the Government imperatives for bringing care nearer to people's homes and more services being provided in the community, this decision flies in the face of Government policies, local healthcare needs and public opinion.

Dr Kevin Feltham, Leicestershire County Councillor for the Gartree Division in the Harborough District, says "Upon reading the report that morning, I contacted the Patient and Public Involvement Forum (PPIF) who agreed to organise a public meeting at the Methodist Church Hall (Northampton Road) in Market Harborough at 6pm on Friday 27th April 2007 and invite the PCT Board executives and non-executives to explain their position directly to the public.  Edward Garnier, Harborough MP, has already agreed to speak at the meeting. An invitation is also being sent to the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, who being a Leicester MP must surely take notice of this flaunting of her department's own White Paper 'Our Health, Our Care, Our Say' so close to home.

"We know that the NHS finances are in a dire state but scrapping this long-expected and much-needed Community Hospital to help balance the books is a fiasco.  I hope the people of Market Harborough and the surrounding district support the PPIF by attending this public meeting so questions can be put directly to Mrs Hewitt and the PCT executives about their plans to ensure the people of south-east Leicestershire have equal access to community healthcare services in line with the rest of Leicestershire.  Why should people from this rural part of the county be forced to submit to a healthcare deficit and travel long distances to alternative facilities for simple community procedures and X-rays?  With the soaring population in this area, we need our local services improving not being scrapped.

"Emails and phone calls have been coming in thick and fast since the announcement earlier this week, so the public are clearly very upset.  An e-Petition on the Number 10 website is being set up, and there is also a paper petition which we plan to present to Mrs Hewitt and the PCT Board at the public meeting."

The Chairman of the PPIF, Beverley Gillman, attended the PCT Board meeting to announce the public meeting and issue invitations to PCT Board members and the chief executive, Catherine Griffiths.  Apparently the Board was surprised that there was a public reaction to their decision!

PCT chief executive Catherine Griffiths has said: "We're planning to make maximum use of our facilities and the skills of our staff - providing more outpatient appointments, tests, operations and rehabilitation care, and improving convenience by making some services available later into the evening and at weekends."

A paper petition has already been organised and is being widely distributed. It is available throughout Market Harborough at the following businesses:

• Gordon Davis Pharmacy - Market Harborough
• Mistry's Pharmacy - Market Harborough
• Bray and Bray Solicitors 
• Harborough Mail
• Angel hotel Reception
• 3 Swans hotel reception
• Waterstones
• Harborough Medical Centre Coventry road
• Harborough Conservative Club
• Harborough Railway Station Cafe

In addition, an e-petition to the Prime Minister, Tony Blair, has been set up by Capt Alistair Swatridge.  This can be electronically signed at the following address:  http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/NHSHarborough/  . Please tell all your friends, relatives and neighbours as we need the number of signatures to show the depth of feeling.

The e-petition (very similar wording to the paper version) reads:

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to Provide the community of Market Harborough and surrounding area with medical facilities in line with Government Policy spelt out in the PCT  'Our Health, Our Care, Our Say' White Paper.

The people of Harborough and the surrounding area should have heathcare provided closer to their homes and a new Community Hospital serving this mixed urban and rural area.  This is required urgently but the Plans for a new £30m hospital to be built on the St Luke's Hospital site have now been scrapped.  

We call upon the Secretary of State for Health and the Trust Board to reinstate the Harborough Community Hospital project without further delay.

Population figure forecasts (ONS) indicate that by 2013, the Harborough District population will have soared to almost 90,000 people.  Melton Borough population, by comparison, will have grown to only just over 50,000 and yet Melton Mowbray has a new shiny Community Hospital and a Maternity Unit.  Their new Community Hospital was built as a priority ahead of the Harborough hospital by the former Melton, Rutland and Harborough PCT.  Now the new county-wide PCT has stopped the plans for a £30m new hospital for Market Harborough.

Latest News Update: 2008 Consultation outcome

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Weight Restrictions for Gartree (March 2005)

After nearly 12 years of lobbying, I am delighted to be able to announce that 7.5 tonne weight restrictions has finally been implemented for many of the parishes in the Gartree Division (all those to the west of the B6047 for now).  The restrictions came into force on 23rd January 2004.

Vehicles which are not permitted to use the weight restricted roads are ones which have a permitted maximum laden gross weight of 7.5 tonnes or more, whether laden or not.

County Council Trading Standards/the Police need a registration number and details of the date, time and location for when and where a possible offending vehicle has been seen. It would also help to have a name that may have been displayed on the vehicle although this is not essential.

With this information Trading Standards can trace the owner of the vehicle and proceed accordingly with an investigation.

Information can either be posted to County Hall c/o the Trading Standards Service Duty officer or using the e mail address: trading-standards@leics.gov.uk or by telephoning the Duty Officer on 0116 265 7979.

The police also enforce these provisions. Indeed they arguably have greater powers and can issue instant fixed penalty notices.

Some of the situations where HGVs can legally enter or travel through a restricted area are as follows:

• loading or unloading within the area
• agricultural use or timber removal
• road maintenance and similar works within the area
• emergency services
• authorised circuses and fairs
• travelling to or from servicing, repairs or garaging of the vehicle within the area
• if directed to enter the area by a Police Constable or Traffic Warden.

Using a weight restricted road for a shortcut is an offence. A delivery or pick up of goods must be made within the SAME ZONE (area).

It is an offence to travel through one zone into another if no delivery or pick up is made in the first zone.

If your operating base is within a restricted zone you are allowed to travel within the zone but once your vehicle leaves the zone it can only return to the zone to either return to it's operating base or load/unload within that zone.

The following are some examples when an offence would occur:

• travelling through a restricted zone to reach your pick up, delivery point or operating base which is just the far side of a zone and it would therefore be quicker than using the appropriate route
• taking the vehicle 'home' for lunch which is situated in a restricted zone
• collecting a work mate/passenger within a restricted zone (unless loading or unloading within that zone)
• a tractor unit without trailer if the maximum laden gross weight exceeds 7.5 tonne (unless picking up a trailer within the zone)
• calling at a shop within a restricted zone to collect drinks, take-aways etc. if not loading or unloading within the zone.

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County Council matters (updated October, 2012 )

• Budget - where the Council Tax money goes 

• Leicestershire judged to be an Top performing Council by Audit Commission & Local Government Chronicle

• Mobile Library Service

• Youth & Community Education

If you have any comments you would like to bring to my attention on these issues then please contact me through the on-line surgery or via e-mail.

A Top Performing Council (March 2009)

Leicestershire celebrates being 'council of the year' (March 2009)

Leicestershire County Council is celebrating after being crowned 'Council of the Year'.

The prestigious award recognises extremely high levels of excellence and innovation and was presented at a ceremony in London yesterday.

Organised by Local Government Chronicle, the awards ceremony acknowledges excellence in local government and bring together over 1,300 industry leaders to celebrate the most innovative and passionate councils in the UK.

Leicestershire is the first County Council to win the award.

David Parsons, County Council Leader, said: "This is a magnificent achievement and underlines the hard work, dedication and professionalism of the County Council's staff.

"The award follows several years of tremendous achievement across all our service areas, providing high-quality services to the people of Leicestershire.

"The skills and talents that our staff use every day can now be seen as the best in the country and they can feel rightly proud."

David Blackman, acting editor of LGC magazine, commented: “The awards are here to pay tribute to the individuals, teams and departments that are working tirelessly within local government to make their communities happier and healthier places to live. Local Government Chronicle is delighted to be able to show our support of these teams and individuals who through their drive, ambition and vision are making it their priority to increase efficiency and accountability throughout their councils."

More information is available at www.lgcawards.co.uk

Top marks for a fifth time!  (March 2009)

For the fifth year running, Leicestershire County Council has been rated a top council.

Leicestershire has received the highest possible score – four stars – and is classed as an authority that is “improving strongly”, according to watchdog group the Audit Commission.

The news comes after the County Council scored consistently highly across all services.

Council leader David Parsons said: “This report shows that Leicestershire’s Council Taxpayers are receiving excellent, cost effective services from a County Council that is improving all the time.”

According to the report:

• The County Council is improving at a faster rate than most other councils and almost all of the Council’s targets are met or exceeded
• Educational attainment is improving at all ages and the summer 2008 GCSE results exceeded targets
• Adults and older people are supported well to achieve independence and take control over their lives
• Road safety and waste recycling are improving
• Bus use and satisfaction with public transport has increased
• Access to services and engagement with local people are increasing
• Value for money continues to be excellent
• The Council is focussed on continuous improvement, with its partners

Find out more about how we rated (www.leics.gov.uk/4star)

Background:

The Audit Commission http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/ is the independent Government body which ensures that public money is spent economically, efficiently and effectively. Results of its Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) for single tier and County Councils for 2006 have just been published and councils have been awarded a star rating from one to four - with four being the highest category.

If you have comments about the Council's rating then please contact me through the on-line surgery or via e-mail.

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LCC Budget (October, 2012 ) - For a detailed examination please visit the County Council website

Leicestershire County Council provides the majority of local government services for the people of Leicestershire: Children & Young People's Services, Adult Social Care Services, Highways and Transportation, Waste Disposal, Libraries, Museums, Trading Standards and Regulatory Services. The County Council is a complex, multi-million pound organisation and is the largest employer in Leicestershire with some 15,000 employees. It spends over £700m a year.

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If you have comments about the Council Tax decisions then please contact me through the on-line surgery or via e-mail.

Mobile library service (last updated: November 2004)

A new mobile library (Harborough Mobile Library 3) was put into service in June 2002 to replace the old one, which had been in service for 18 years. The vehicle offers a much-improved facility with a bright and attractive interior and modern shelving.  The low chassis allows much easier access for elderly or disabled people and there is also a lift for the disabled.  The mobile, as usual, carries a good range of books, including titles in large print and on tape. (Picture of Mobile Bus courtesy of Leicestershire County Council) - for more details of service click here.

Mobile Library Services

The mobile library service visits communities that do not have a static library throughout Leicestershire, as well as some urban areas
.

Mobile Libraries Visit

• fortnightly
• the fortnightly cycle is referred to as "week one" and "week two" in the timetables, but the actual dates of visits are also listed

The timetable for the Mobile Library in the Gartree Division is as follows:

For further information please telephone 01858 821272 or click here

Best Value Review - Youth and Community Education (March 2003)

The review started in 1998 and the Final Report of the Best Value Review Panel has been released for scrutiny almost five years later.  The Panel is recommending that youthwork and adult and community learning should be centrally managed through three area teams and delivered, as now, through a range of providers at locations as close as possible to service users. The three areas will be: (1) Charnwood and Melton; (2) North-West Leics and Hinckley & Bosworth; and, (3) Harborough, Blaby and Oadby & Wigston.

Originally three service models were examined and consulted upon.  Following the consultation process in 2001 and 2002, the number of models examined rose to six, and the Panel's final recommendation is for a Centrally Managed - Locally Delivered Model. This recommendation and the actions proposed in the Final Review Report were ratified by the Full Council on 26th March 2003.

Some of the community colleges do not support the Panel's proposals especially in relation to Adult and Community Learning (ACL). Further advice is being sought from the DfES about the governing bodies of these colleges setting up companies to manage community activities.

More information is available on the County Council website.

If you have any comments you would like to bring to my attention on these issues then please contact me through the on-line surgery or via e-mail.

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Parish Plans

The Leicestershire & Rutland Rural Community Council (L&RRCC) promotes and supports the concept of Parish Plans (previously Village Appraisals) as a procedure for widespread community consultation.  Some funding via grants from the Countryside Agency is available to produce the questionnaires and carry out the analysis.  Sponsorship or direct funding by Parish or District Councils has been obtained for printing and distribution of the final reports. I have been encouraging all villages in Gartree to contact L&RRCC and find out more.

Parish Plans:

• give people the chance to have their say on local issues
• help people learn more about their village, in particular what local people really want for their community
• pass on information on what the people of the community have said about their village to the people responsible for implementing change

A number of appraisals have now been completed over the past couple of years and already improvements in those villages are apparent or in the process of being implemented.  Great Glen is a good example where the by-pass and traffic calming measures currently being introduced will return this village to the rural state requested by the residents.  A number of other improvements were highlighted particularly recreational activities, e.g. skateboard area for young people.  Kibworth Beauchamp and Kibworth Harcourt have now published their joint Parish Plan, for details see the Kibworth Ward page.

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District Council Elections - 3rd May 2007          

On 3rd May 2007 there were elections in three whole District Wards and these included for the Gartree Division: Billesdon, Glen and Kibworth (now including the Langtons).

Congratulations to the Conservative Party Candidates for two of these Gartree wards who were elected on 3rd May 2007:

WARD	District Councillor	Lives in	Telephone
Billesdon	Steve CHARLISH	King's Norton	0116 259 6990
Glen	Geoff HALLAM Graham SPENDLOVE-MASON	Great Glen Newton Harcourt	0116 259 2205 0116 259 2965
Kibworth	Chris HOLYOAK Phil KING	Kibworth Beauchamp Kibworth Beauchamp	0116 279 3357 0116 279 2588

The next District Council Elections will be held in 2011. Do you want to stand as a candidate, would you like to help distributing leaflets, or would you like to help with the canvassing?  

If you can help then please contact me through the on-line surgery or via e-mail.

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Eco Town photos of recent events and of the area

19th January 11am - protest outside Midlands Co-op, Great Glen

2nd February 11am - protest outside Midlands Co-op, Houghton-on-the-Hill

Little Stretton on edge of Stoughton Estate. Stretton Hall and Chestnut Drive in distance

Leicester aero club runways on Stoughton Estate