.... and another puzzle picture at the end!
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Skylink Bus Service ... Council issues statement

On Message

From the police: From 10am to 12 noon on Tues 16th March a beat 26 surgery will be held outside the Post Office in Long Whatton by PC 1760 Jason Underwood and PCSO 6178 Nicki Stanhope. Come along to say “hello”, and discuss local policing problems.

On the Agenda

There will be a meeting of the PLANNING GROUP on Thursday 18th February at 7.30pm at Diseworth Heritage Centre.

The ANNUAL PARISH MEETING will be held on THURSDAY 1st APRIL at 7.15pm at Diseworth Village Hall. The Notice of the meeting will be available, here and on Notice Boards in the villages at least a week beforehand. Every Elector of the Parish is a member of the Parish Meeting and can attend, propose resolutions and vote on topics directly affecting the Parish.

The next meeting of the PARISH COUNCIL will be held on THURSDAY 1st APRIL at 7.30pm at Diseworth Village Hall. Notices with full details will be available, here and on Notice Boards in the villages from about the Friday before. The Agenda so far includes ...

# Progress towards getting ALLOTMENTS ... more decisions to be made

. . For our important, topical news please scroll down .. For who we are and how to contact us ... please scroll down .. For Councillor details ... please see Councillors .. For Meetings ... see Meetings Calendar and for Agendas and Minutes ... see Minutes Archive Older news and more substantial reports are in Parish Council News. You can also see how you can keep more up to date using Village.Mail - see below +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PROJECT SHELVED - Survey shows very little bus stop use

During February, 160 households within a few minutes walk of the bus stop at the Hathern Road and Turvey Lane corner were asked to complete a simple survey of how many times they use that particular bus stop to get on a bus. This was a necessary requirement to assist with making the case for a bus shelter and thus help with getting a grant towards the cost.
Residents were asked to complete the form accurately so that the results did not conflict with official figures.

The results of the survey show that very few passengers get on the bus at that bus stop and therefore the Council cannot justify the expenditure on the full cost of a shelter. The evidence obtained would certainly not justify making an application for a grant towards the cost.

The Council has decided to put this project on ice for now and thanks those who responded.

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GETTING IN TOUCH ...

The Council's contact details are:
Douglas Maas, Parish Clerk
Long Whatton & Diseworth Parish Council
86 Forest Road, Markfield, Leicestershire LE67 9UN
Telephone: O1530 242534
email: longwhatdisepc@hotmail.com
website: longwhattondiseworth.org.uk

To contact a Councillor see Councillors
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WHAT BRINGS YOU TO VISIT US?
What would you like to know about the Parish Council?

What is the Parish Council for? What does it do? How do we get in touch? When is the next meeting? Who are our Parish Councillors? Where does the money come from? How do we find out how they've used it? How can local people get the Parish Council to do things? Use the links on the left or look around this page for useful headlines. For further information - see Contact Details, above.
This is the website of the Parish Council. For more information about the Villages themselves and local facilities, just click on the Leicestershire Villages link on the right which will take you straight to both Villages' own useful websites.

At the March meeting of the Council

NB: For News reports from earlier months you may see them in 'Long Whatton News' and 'Diseworth Dialogue'. For the full Council minutes - click on Minutes Archive and select year and meeting.

At the meeting in Long Whatton on 4^th March, local Police Community Support Officer Nicola Stanhope reported that a current beat priority on speeding through Long Whatton was receiving regular attention, especially during peak traffic times. Many drivers had been “caught” and would receive appropriate action by police. She also described work being done with the school on road safety and anti social behaviour.

The Council received a comprehensive report and presentation from the Diseworth Village Parking Action Group which received praise from Councillors for all the effort put into their work. The Group’s recommendations for the next stage of the work (including publicising what they are doing) were endorsed by the Council.

The major campaign to try to save the out-of-hours Skylink service, now underway by the newly formed Bus Action Group, was discussed and everyone was urged to be involved and to take action. The Council agreed to finance some modest expenditure being incurred by the Group. In response to concerns about the lack of consultation by EMA on the proposals, it was confirmed that the Council had been consulted last October and had robustly responded with objections and other action. However it was generally accepted that the manner of the consultation (even though not a statutory requirement) left much to be desired and the decision by EMA to take the action proposed appeared to have already been taken by them.

A questionnaire from EMA was received with some amazement as it sought responses about how well it is doing in supporting the community. In view of its ill-timing and insensitivity due to their withdrawal of a vital bus service, an appropriate response from Councillors will be sent in reply.

The Council was pleased to receive an expression of interest in the vacancy for a Councillor for Diseworth Ward from David Bamford, who was duly co-opted to the office of Councillor.

The Chairman reported on the meeting held recently with members of the Coalville Cycling Club about the concerns of Long Whatton villagers. He said that it had been a useful meeting with a positive outcome. Thanks are to be sent to the Club and to Inspector Chris Brown for his role in enabling the meeting to take place.

The desire for allotments expressed some time ago by many people from both villages has now been turned successfully into progress towards acquiring the necessary land, in association with the affordable housing at Clements Gate, Diseworth. Decisions were taken to enable this to happen with the expectation that the land would be available at the end of the year, upon completion of the houses. Those who have expressed an interest are being kept informed.

It was agreed that, following a request, Long Whatton Cricket Club Juniors should be supported via a grant towards their festival this year.

It was agreed to accept proposals and a quote for the upgrading and ongoing maintenance of the gardens at The Cross, Diseworth. Also, it was agreed to provide for the mowing and tidying of the verge on the approach to the Millennium Meadow to make walking there easier.

The recent survey of the use made of the bus stop at Turvey Lane, Long Whatton showed that it was very little used. The survey had been needed for evidence to support a grant application. In view of the results it was decided to shelve the project.

It was agreed to apply to have road salt bins installed at various locations at a cost to the Council of £110 each. Highways will need to survey proposed sites and agree to the proposals.

A report on Long Whatton’s School Travel Plan was received and in particular it was noted that improved highway safety and signage features would be part of the plan if implemented.

The Council decided to respond appropriately to a consultation on the County Council’s proposals to dispose of care homes.

Douglas Maas, Parish Clerk

NB: The responses of the Council to consultations about planning issues can always be seen in the Minutes, published about 6 days prior to the following meeting.

VILLAGES ON COURSE TO THE FUTURE
Diseworth and Long Whatton people's wishes for the future of their villages are set in their PARISH PLAN, launched in 2008 after a big two year effort. Many requirements identified are already under way. The full summary of the Plan is available: CLICK HERE ...

CHAIRMAN's ANNUAL REPORT for 2008/09 - see Parish Council News
2001 CENSUS INFORMATION - see Council Information
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ANOTHER PUZZLE PICTURE FOR YOU
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Where is this nice handy seat?
The answer shouldn't be too difficult for at least half the people of the Parish!
The answer will be given here about the middle of March.
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