Up to two hours free parking is coming to two car parks in Blaby Town Centre from 9am on Wednesday 24 July
Following the closure of Waitrose and pending news of a replacement business, Blaby District Council is committed to supporting the businesses in the town centre. The Council has worked pro-actively with the businesses to find out what can be done to ensure that Blaby Town Centre succeeds. Offering free two hour parking for the foreseeable future was considered.
As a result of feedback from businesses and listening to residents and the Parish Council, free parking for up to two hours will be available in Johns Court and Enderby Road.
Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “This is great news for the businesses and shoppers of Blaby Town Centre. It also shows that we will listen to the feedback people give us – we want our town centre to thrive.
“The loss of Waitrose was a disappointment to Blaby but the town centre still has plenty going for it. This move will encourage visitors to spend time in Blaby for free and see that there are lots of places to visit, shop, eat and enjoy.”
Tim Cole, Partner at Blaby-based opticians Edmonds and Slatter, said: “We are delighted that Blaby District Council has listened to businesses’ feedback, and the introduction of two hours of free parking in the town centre will help us, especially as we wait for the former Waitrose site to be occupied.
“Our Blaby Today partnership with other businesses and the Parish and District Council, has been focused on discussing and supporting town centre improvements, and we’re looking forward to more progress in the coming months.”
Car park machines will be updated to issue free tickets. Both car parks will continue to be patrolled by enforcement officers who will still issue Penalty Charge Notices to anyone overstaying on their ticket or parking incorrectly. The impact of the changes will be monitored and evaluated and help to inform the Council’s decisions in the future.
Blaby District Council is also finalising plans for other measures to aid the businesses and support continued growth of Blaby Town Centre including marketing and event support. Free WiFi was also installed earlier this year to help shoppers experience, with numbers using this service are increasing weekly.
http://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.png00Clerkhttp://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.pngClerk2019-07-16 13:22:452022-08-25 09:44:17Free parking in Blaby Town Centre
Please find below details of vacancies to be a Councillor at Whetstone Parish Council. There are four vacancies in all, two in the South Ward, and two in the North Ward.
If you are interested please either email the Clerk (Lee Breckon) or telephone the Whetstone Parish Offices on 0116 2751987.
http://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.png00Clerkhttp://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.pngClerk2019-07-05 11:28:362022-08-25 09:44:17Notice of Vacancy in Office for Councillor
Blaby District Council is one of only 19 local authorities in the country to have been granted Garden Village status by the government for a potential future site.
The Council strongly believes that the responsibility to support existing communities and plan for future growth is something it should be taking the lead on. The announcement follows the Council’s adoption of the brand new Blaby Growth Plan, which sets out six key principles to guide future development in the district. This plan shows a strong continued commitment to pro-active planning, which has already been recognised with three awards at New Lubbesthorpe.
Across the country, local authorities face the challenge of having to provide large numbers of additional homes over coming decades. The Council strongly believes that the best way to do this is through the development of larger-scale sustainable sites which will prevent existing communities losing their sense of identity.
Whetstone Pastures, a proposed development in the south-east of the district, will receive Garden Village status following a submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and local Government (MHCLG) last year.
There is no planning permission on the site currently. It will now be formally considered alongside all other sites put forward for consideration as part of the Council’s work on the next Local Plan. None of the sites identified will receive planning permission until they have gone through the proper planning process.
A public consultation on all of the local sites identified as part of work on the new Local Plan will take place later this year.
The granting of Garden Village status secures government funding which enables the Council to take control and ensure a great place to live, work and visit for future generations.
Garden Villages are a government initiative for proposed developments of between 1,500 and 10,000 homes. The status ensures that any site has a mixture of housing and housing types with the aim of creating vibrant, diverse and affordable communities.
Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “The award of this funding is great news and nothing for residents to be concerned about.
“What it does mean is that should planning permission for a garden village be given, we will have had the opportunity to properly plan for it, building on the success of New Lubbesthorpe.
“This government support is recognition that Blaby have shown an ability to deliver well, and will enable us to be on the front foot in shaping any future community, whilst protecting existing towns and villages.”
http://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.png00Clerkhttp://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.pngClerk2019-06-28 11:39:002022-08-25 09:44:18Garden Village Status awarded in Blaby District
Free parking bays in Narborough car parks have been approved by Blaby District Council after Councillors agreed new parking plans.
Two free twenty-minute spaces in Leicester Road and one twenty-minute space in the Narborough Station car park will be introduced from September, following feedback from residents and local businesses.
The changes are part of a number of amendments to car parks in the district that were given the go ahead following a Full Council meeting on Tuesday. These include:
Increasing the maximum time to park at Leicester Road car park from two to three hours
Making the Grange Car Park in Narborough residents only, with a view to the Grange becoming residential properties
Parking restrictions for staff and visitors in the Council’s office car parks
Seven car parks will also be removed from the Council’s Car Park Order following the transfer to Parish Councils in Countesthorpe, Stoney Stanton, Croft, Enderby and Whetstone. A transfer in Kirby Muxloe is also underway.
In Glenfield, the introduction of charges at Stamford Street and Station Road car parks, starting at 30p for two hours will come into force in September in line with the charges in Blaby and Narborough. Free twenty-minute parking bays will be available in each car park.
The Council has been looking to transfer both Glenfield car parks to other parties, including the Parish Council and the local school. Negotiations are also ongoing with an interested party for the sale of the car parks. If an agreement is not reached by the autumn the charges will be introduced.
Councillor Sharon Coe, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Regulatory Services, said: “Since charges were amended in Narborough in 2017 we have listened to residents and spoken to businesses to make sure that our car parks can be sustainable financially for both the Council and car park users.
“Car parks are an important part of our villages and for local residents and businesses. We are continuing to ensure car parks become a cost neutral service so the taxpayer will no longer face the burden to run this service.”
A consultation will begin on Friday 28 June with the information available on the Consultations page of the BDC website.
Blaby District Council has won an award at the Insider Media Residential Property Awards for its work to give people training and opportunities in the construction industry.
Named Best Skills and Training Scheme at the awards ceremony, the Council was recognised for the Building Blaby Futures scheme, which has been running at the New Lubbesthorpe development since 2017.
The scheme is funded by the Section 106 agreement for the New Lubbesthorpe development and the landowners Drummond Estates. Work has included presenting to over 170 female students at workshops to encourage them to consider the construction industry as a career path. These workshops – taking place in local schools – have been presented by female ambassadors.
Work experience placements for both adults and college students have been arranged with housebuilders and construction partners. 268 local people have benefitted from the employment, skills and training pilot, including 30 jobs for long term unemployed people. Three sites visits were arranged for 34 young people and 10 apprenticeships have been undertaken.
After the success of the scheme at New Lubbesthorpe, the expansion of Fosse Park is also planned as a site for people to learn and gain valuable work-place knowledge.
Councillor Sharon Coe, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Regulatory Services, said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this award and receive recognition for out team’s efforts to give a variety of people – from students to ex-offenders – the chance to gain valuable work experience and training.”
“New Lubbesthorpe is a major development in this district, and we have worked hard to ensure that the enormous opportunities available during the construction of our new community have been maximised.
“We particularly want to thank our partners, including the Drummond Estate, for their continuing support on a scheme which is making such a positive difference for residents of the district.”
Any businesses or local schools interested in getting involved with Building Blaby Futures can visit the webpage.
http://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.png00Clerkhttp://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.pngClerk2019-06-26 14:30:012022-08-25 09:44:18Council wins New Lubbesthorpe award
Residents are being urged to nominate their inspirational local heroes and community groups with the launch of Blaby District Council’s Outstanding Achievement Awards.
Now in their sixteenth year, friends, family and workmates can put forward individuals and groups who they think deserve recognition for making a difference in their community. Nominations close at midnight on Sunday 11 August 2019 and can be submitted in one of four categories:
Good Friend/Good Neighbour – Sponsored by Aggregate Industries
Volunteer of the Year – Sponsored by Leicester Marriott Hotel
Young Achiever of the Year – Sponsored by Ford & Slater
Best Community Group/Achievement – Sponsored by Fosse
Finalists and their guests will be invited to the prestigious evening ceremony at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday 03 October, which celebrates and honours all of the finalists. £750 of prize money will be available in each category.
Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “We are now in our sixteenth year of these awards, and we are so proud to hold them to recognise the inspirational people who continue to make this district a great place to live, work and visit.
“Our thanks go to our sponsors who have helped to ensure these awards are possible. I look forward to reading the nominations and encourage everyone to put forward the person or group they think deserves to be recognised before the deadline.”
Community groups and sports clubs across the District of Blaby are being encouraged to apply to the Council’s Community Grants scheme to help with their projects.
£90,000 is available during 2019/2020. Even more funding has been made available thanks to the money raised through the Love Blaby Lottery and a £2,000 contribution from Everyone Active.
A wide range of grants are available from £500 to £4,000 for both revenue costs, such as equipment hire and marketing, and capital projects, including building refurbishments. Most grants are awarded quarterly and the next deadline is looming, closing on Thursday 06 June.
Three more application rounds will take place, with deadlines in September, November and February 2020. Youth Grant applications for up to £500 can be made at any time.
The Council has awarded hundreds of thousands of pounds through the Community Grants scheme since the initiative launched over a decade ago.
Local mental health support group Blaby Mind Matters received a grant last year to help pay for room hire costs. Jen Fielding, Local Area Co-ordinator for Blaby, who helped set up the group, said: “Community Grants funding has made all the difference for this group being able to continue to support people with mental health needs.”
Ann Dixon, Chair of the Blaby and Glen Parva Community Service, said: “The Drop-In centre is a lifeline for many elderly people who live alone and can feel isolated. Community Grant funding to upgrade our kitchen has helped us to achieve a five-star food hygiene rating and benefit many of the groups using our centre.”
Community Grant applications can now be completed online. For more information, including terms and conditions, application deadlines and how to apply visit the Community Grants section of the website.
http://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.png00Clerkhttp://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.pngClerk2019-05-29 10:27:512022-08-25 09:44:18Thousands in funding available for Community Groups
Residents are being urged to ensure they comply with the law to ensure their dog can get back to them, following fines given to four residents by Leicester Magistrates’ Court.
The Control of Dogs Order (1992) makes it the law for a dog to wear a collar bearing the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag.
If stray dogs reported to the Council cannot be identified, they are picked up by the Dog Warden and taken to the kennel. The stray dogs service cost Blaby District Council over £20,000 in the last financial year.
Four residents were recently fined at Leicester Magistrates’ Court after their dogs were picked up as strays in the district because they did not have proper identification. Carys Archer of Glenfield and Lance Bellingham of Enderby pleaded guilty and we fined £440 each, with £140 costs and a £44 victim surcharge.
Two other residents also failed to comply with notices requesting updates to microchip information, which is an offence under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015. Joanne Seager of Elmesthorpe was fined £440, with £210 costs and a £44 victim surcharge, while Agne Baneviciute of Narborough was fined £660 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £66 victim surcharge. Neither entered a plea for either offence at Leicester Magistrates’ Court.
John Richardson, Strategic Director at Blaby District Council, said: “Dogs found straying but wearing collar and tags are usually returned home directly by the finder, using the mobile phone number or address written on it.
All of the unnecessary money we have to spend to have a dog collected and the money the owner then has to pay to claim their dog back can be avoided by a simple tag costing just a few pounds.”
http://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.png00Clerkhttp://whetstoneparishcouncil.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Whetstone-logo-light.pngClerk2019-05-22 11:49:282022-08-25 09:44:18Four fined for dog identification offences
Free parking in Blaby Town Centre
Up to two hours free parking is coming to two car parks in Blaby Town Centre from 9am on Wednesday 24 July
Following the closure of Waitrose and pending news of a replacement business, Blaby District Council is committed to supporting the businesses in the town centre. The Council has worked pro-actively with the businesses to find out what can be done to ensure that Blaby Town Centre succeeds. Offering free two hour parking for the foreseeable future was considered.
As a result of feedback from businesses and listening to residents and the Parish Council, free parking for up to two hours will be available in Johns Court and Enderby Road.
Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “This is great news for the businesses and shoppers of Blaby Town Centre. It also shows that we will listen to the feedback people give us – we want our town centre to thrive.
“The loss of Waitrose was a disappointment to Blaby but the town centre still has plenty going for it. This move will encourage visitors to spend time in Blaby for free and see that there are lots of places to visit, shop, eat and enjoy.”
Tim Cole, Partner at Blaby-based opticians Edmonds and Slatter, said: “We are delighted that Blaby District Council has listened to businesses’ feedback, and the introduction of two hours of free parking in the town centre will help us, especially as we wait for the former Waitrose site to be occupied.
“Our Blaby Today partnership with other businesses and the Parish and District Council, has been focused on discussing and supporting town centre improvements, and we’re looking forward to more progress in the coming months.”
Car park machines will be updated to issue free tickets. Both car parks will continue to be patrolled by enforcement officers who will still issue Penalty Charge Notices to anyone overstaying on their ticket or parking incorrectly. The impact of the changes will be monitored and evaluated and help to inform the Council’s decisions in the future.
Blaby District Council is also finalising plans for other measures to aid the businesses and support continued growth of Blaby Town Centre including marketing and event support. Free WiFi was also installed earlier this year to help shoppers experience, with numbers using this service are increasing weekly.
Notice of Vacancy in Office for Councillor
Please find below details of vacancies to be a Councillor at Whetstone Parish Council. There are four vacancies in all, two in the South Ward, and two in the North Ward.
If you are interested please either email the Clerk (Lee Breckon) or telephone the Whetstone Parish Offices on 0116 2751987.
NOTICE OF VACANCIES SOUTH WARD
NOTICE OF VACANCIES NORTH WARD
Bettercare Together – NHS
Please find below a document highlighting the proposed improvements to acute and maternity services at University Hospitals of Leicester
Better Care Together briefing June 2019
Garden Village Status awarded in Blaby District
Blaby District Council is one of only 19 local authorities in the country to have been granted Garden Village status by the government for a potential future site.
The Council strongly believes that the responsibility to support existing communities and plan for future growth is something it should be taking the lead on. The announcement follows the Council’s adoption of the brand new Blaby Growth Plan, which sets out six key principles to guide future development in the district. This plan shows a strong continued commitment to pro-active planning, which has already been recognised with three awards at New Lubbesthorpe.
Across the country, local authorities face the challenge of having to provide large numbers of additional homes over coming decades. The Council strongly believes that the best way to do this is through the development of larger-scale sustainable sites which will prevent existing communities losing their sense of identity.
Whetstone Pastures, a proposed development in the south-east of the district, will receive Garden Village status following a submission to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and local Government (MHCLG) last year.
There is no planning permission on the site currently. It will now be formally considered alongside all other sites put forward for consideration as part of the Council’s work on the next Local Plan. None of the sites identified will receive planning permission until they have gone through the proper planning process.
A public consultation on all of the local sites identified as part of work on the new Local Plan will take place later this year.
The granting of Garden Village status secures government funding which enables the Council to take control and ensure a great place to live, work and visit for future generations.
Garden Villages are a government initiative for proposed developments of between 1,500 and 10,000 homes. The status ensures that any site has a mixture of housing and housing types with the aim of creating vibrant, diverse and affordable communities.
Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “The award of this funding is great news and nothing for residents to be concerned about.
“What it does mean is that should planning permission for a garden village be given, we will have had the opportunity to properly plan for it, building on the success of New Lubbesthorpe.
“This government support is recognition that Blaby have shown an ability to deliver well, and will enable us to be on the front foot in shaping any future community, whilst protecting existing towns and villages.”
Updates and information about Whetstone Pastures will be available on the Blaby District Council website.
Car park amendments approved
Free parking bays in Narborough car parks have been approved by Blaby District Council after Councillors agreed new parking plans.
Two free twenty-minute spaces in Leicester Road and one twenty-minute space in the Narborough Station car park will be introduced from September, following feedback from residents and local businesses.
The changes are part of a number of amendments to car parks in the district that were given the go ahead following a Full Council meeting on Tuesday. These include:
Seven car parks will also be removed from the Council’s Car Park Order following the transfer to Parish Councils in Countesthorpe, Stoney Stanton, Croft, Enderby and Whetstone. A transfer in Kirby Muxloe is also underway.
In Glenfield, the introduction of charges at Stamford Street and Station Road car parks, starting at 30p for two hours will come into force in September in line with the charges in Blaby and Narborough. Free twenty-minute parking bays will be available in each car park.
The Council has been looking to transfer both Glenfield car parks to other parties, including the Parish Council and the local school. Negotiations are also ongoing with an interested party for the sale of the car parks. If an agreement is not reached by the autumn the charges will be introduced.
Councillor Sharon Coe, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Regulatory Services, said: “Since charges were amended in Narborough in 2017 we have listened to residents and spoken to businesses to make sure that our car parks can be sustainable financially for both the Council and car park users.
“Car parks are an important part of our villages and for local residents and businesses. We are continuing to ensure car parks become a cost neutral service so the taxpayer will no longer face the burden to run this service.”
A consultation will begin on Friday 28 June with the information available on the Consultations page of the BDC website.
Council wins New Lubbesthorpe award
Blaby District Council has won an award at the Insider Media Residential Property Awards for its work to give people training and opportunities in the construction industry.
Named Best Skills and Training Scheme at the awards ceremony, the Council was recognised for the Building Blaby Futures scheme, which has been running at the New Lubbesthorpe development since 2017.
The scheme is funded by the Section 106 agreement for the New Lubbesthorpe development and the landowners Drummond Estates. Work has included presenting to over 170 female students at workshops to encourage them to consider the construction industry as a career path. These workshops – taking place in local schools – have been presented by female ambassadors.
Work experience placements for both adults and college students have been arranged with housebuilders and construction partners. 268 local people have benefitted from the employment, skills and training pilot, including 30 jobs for long term unemployed people. Three sites visits were arranged for 34 young people and 10 apprenticeships have been undertaken.
After the success of the scheme at New Lubbesthorpe, the expansion of Fosse Park is also planned as a site for people to learn and gain valuable work-place knowledge.
Councillor Sharon Coe, Portfolio Holder for Health, Wellbeing and Regulatory Services, said: “We are absolutely delighted to win this award and receive recognition for out team’s efforts to give a variety of people – from students to ex-offenders – the chance to gain valuable work experience and training.”
“New Lubbesthorpe is a major development in this district, and we have worked hard to ensure that the enormous opportunities available during the construction of our new community have been maximised.
“We particularly want to thank our partners, including the Drummond Estate, for their continuing support on a scheme which is making such a positive difference for residents of the district.”
Any businesses or local schools interested in getting involved with Building Blaby Futures can visit the webpage.
Achievement Awards nominations open
Residents are being urged to nominate their inspirational local heroes and community groups with the launch of Blaby District Council’s Outstanding Achievement Awards.
Now in their sixteenth year, friends, family and workmates can put forward individuals and groups who they think deserve recognition for making a difference in their community. Nominations close at midnight on Sunday 11 August 2019 and can be submitted in one of four categories:
Finalists and their guests will be invited to the prestigious evening ceremony at the Marriott Hotel on Thursday 03 October, which celebrates and honours all of the finalists. £750 of prize money will be available in each category.
Councillor Terry Richardson, Leader of Blaby District Council, said: “We are now in our sixteenth year of these awards, and we are so proud to hold them to recognise the inspirational people who continue to make this district a great place to live, work and visit.
“Our thanks go to our sponsors who have helped to ensure these awards are possible. I look forward to reading the nominations and encourage everyone to put forward the person or group they think deserves to be recognised before the deadline.”
For more information on each category and to nominate visit the Achievement Awards webpage.
Thousands in funding available for Community Groups
Community groups and sports clubs across the District of Blaby are being encouraged to apply to the Council’s Community Grants scheme to help with their projects.
£90,000 is available during 2019/2020. Even more funding has been made available thanks to the money raised through the Love Blaby Lottery and a £2,000 contribution from Everyone Active.
A wide range of grants are available from £500 to £4,000 for both revenue costs, such as equipment hire and marketing, and capital projects, including building refurbishments. Most grants are awarded quarterly and the next deadline is looming, closing on Thursday 06 June.
Three more application rounds will take place, with deadlines in September, November and February 2020. Youth Grant applications for up to £500 can be made at any time.
The Council has awarded hundreds of thousands of pounds through the Community Grants scheme since the initiative launched over a decade ago.
Local mental health support group Blaby Mind Matters received a grant last year to help pay for room hire costs. Jen Fielding, Local Area Co-ordinator for Blaby, who helped set up the group, said: “Community Grants funding has made all the difference for this group being able to continue to support people with mental health needs.”
Ann Dixon, Chair of the Blaby and Glen Parva Community Service, said: “The Drop-In centre is a lifeline for many elderly people who live alone and can feel isolated. Community Grant funding to upgrade our kitchen has helped us to achieve a five-star food hygiene rating and benefit many of the groups using our centre.”
Community Grant applications can now be completed online. For more information, including terms and conditions, application deadlines and how to apply visit the Community Grants section of the website.
Four fined for dog identification offences
Residents are being urged to ensure they comply with the law to ensure their dog can get back to them, following fines given to four residents by Leicester Magistrates’ Court.
The Control of Dogs Order (1992) makes it the law for a dog to wear a collar bearing the name and address (including postcode) of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag.
If stray dogs reported to the Council cannot be identified, they are picked up by the Dog Warden and taken to the kennel. The stray dogs service cost Blaby District Council over £20,000 in the last financial year.
Four residents were recently fined at Leicester Magistrates’ Court after their dogs were picked up as strays in the district because they did not have proper identification. Carys Archer of Glenfield and Lance Bellingham of Enderby pleaded guilty and we fined £440 each, with £140 costs and a £44 victim surcharge.
Two other residents also failed to comply with notices requesting updates to microchip information, which is an offence under the Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations 2015. Joanne Seager of Elmesthorpe was fined £440, with £210 costs and a £44 victim surcharge, while Agne Baneviciute of Narborough was fined £660 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £66 victim surcharge. Neither entered a plea for either offence at Leicester Magistrates’ Court.
John Richardson, Strategic Director at Blaby District Council, said: “Dogs found straying but wearing collar and tags are usually returned home directly by the finder, using the mobile phone number or address written on it.
All of the unnecessary money we have to spend to have a dog collected and the money the owner then has to pay to claim their dog back can be avoided by a simple tag costing just a few pounds.”
Vacancies for Parish Councillors.
Parish Councillor Vacancies.
Following the local elections, we now have vacancies on the Parish Council for two seats in the South Ward and three seats in the North Ward.
Being a Parish Councillor is an enjoyable way of contributing to your community, and helping to make it a better place to live and work.
If this sounds of interest to you please contact the Clerk Lee Breckon, in the first instance on 0116 2751987 or email