DNP Working Group minutes 15th March 2021

May 15, 2021 | Minutes Archive

DNP Working Group minutes 15th March 2021

4.30 pm Zoom

 

In Attendance: Andrew Norton, Bernard Grimshaw, Colin Crane, David Crocker, Gary Kirk, Judy Sharpe, Martyn Randle (chair), Pat Crane, Scott Wakefield, Martin Broomhead (Clerk to DPC)

 

Apologies: Jim Houghton

 

  1. Welcome: Martyn welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked for apologies to be listed.

 

  1. Minutes of last meeting / matters arising:

Martyn asked whether everyone had had the opportunity to read the minutes. There were no matters arising.

The minutes were approved as a true record and signed by Judy on behalf of Martyn.

 

  1. Declaration of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.

 

  1. Chairman’s Report:

Martyn stated that he had received an email from Market Bosworth NP group. It was agreed that this would be discussed later.

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report:

Bernard stated that there was no change in the financial situation from before.

 

  1. Communication Officer’s Report:

Bernard stated that he had circulated an email on the 11th March 2021 with four headings for discussion by the group. These headings led the following discussions below.

 

  1. Discussions on Davidsons Appeal :

Bernard stated that the planning appeal was now a Public Inquiry and was scheduled to open on the 22nd June             2021 and to last for up to 6 days.

This discussion was regarded as sensitive information.

 

  1. Discussions on the referendum:

Bernard confirmed that the DNP referendum would take place as part of the local elections on May 6th 2021.

David asked for confirmation that the results of the referendum would be known before the date of the Planning Appeal Public Inquiry. Martin Broomhead stated that the results would be known soon after the election date. Bernard said he thought that it would probably be early in the following week.

Colin reminded the DNPWG that there would be 3 different ballot papers at the election and that therefore 3 different envelopes would be provided for anyone with a postal vote.

Bernard mentioned he had received an email from Fran at HBBC regarding the DNP referendum, which he had circulated to the DNPWG on the 12th March 2021. She had spoken to Mollie Brooks-Crowley in elections and confirmed that they were well on their way to the referendum. Fran had offered to handle the specified documents and any final editing needed.  She had also commented that if the referendum is successful the DNP could be made quickly.

Pat raised the issue that there is still no paper copy of the DNP in the library for the public to access and that the library was due to reopen on the 12th April 2021, subject to the lifting of government lockdown restrictions.

Bernard commented that he needed to reply to Fran. Pat proposed that Bernard should reply to Fran and ask her to do the work that she had suggested and ask for a paper copy to be provided. All agreed. Action –Bernard

Flyer

Bernard commented that the DPC has to provide a neutral flyer advertising the referendum. Scott had produced and circulated a draft copy of this, which had been commented on by members of the DNPWG.

Pat said subject to the flyer being approved by the DPC meeting on Wednesday 17th March 2021 she would suggest that it be produced and printed on DPC headed notepaper. This would then provide contact information should anyone wish to get in touch by either email or phone.

Discussion took place regarding the printing of the flyers. The Graphic and a printer in Anstey have both been used in the past by the DNPWG for printing. Martin Broomhead suggested that the printing could be done internally using the photocopier in the library. It was agreed that this would be done provided that the new toner cartridge had arrived. Colin also suggested using a better quality paper. A professional printer would be used as a back up. This was agreed.  Action-Martin

It was suggested that the DPC/DNPWG could deliver the flyers to every household in the parish, as had been done previously. Martin asked about the timing of this. Colin suggested that he talk to Mollie Brooks-Crowley in the elections department at HBBC so that these could be distributed at a similar time as the poll cards are delivered. Action -Colin

Martyn commented that he had a list of streets in the parish which he would circulate. People could then confirm which roads they were prepared to deliver the flyers to. Martyn offered to coordinate this. This was agreed by all. Action- Martyn

Publicity

Discussion about publicising the referendum took place.

Bernard said that he would submit an article encouraging parishioners to vote in the referendum in The Graphic and the Parish News. Action –Bernard

Scott offered to post articles on the various village Facebook pages if these are sent to him.

It was agreed that the neutral flyer would be posted on the parish noticeboards, and that Jim be asked to put it on the Desford Vision website. Action- Jim

It was agreed that the church would be approached about borrowing the A frame boards and that posters would be placed on them at the time of the election to encourage people to vote. Action -Martyn

Martin noted that Gary had made clear that all official publicity has to be even handed. It can encourage people to vote, but not which way.

It was noted that individual parishioners, or groups of concerned citizens, could make their own views known and thereby try to encourage a yes vote.

 

  1. Web page/Twitter/Spotted Desford:

Scott will post articles on Facebook groups. Jim will be asked to put neutral flyer on Desford Vision website. Bernard will deal with Botcheston Banter. Martin Broomhead will upload articles to DPC websites.  Action –Scott, Jim, Bernard and Martin

 

  1. AOB:

Parish Forum on Neighbourhood Planning

Part of this discussion was regarded as sensitive information.

Colin commented that the Parish Forum would take place next month. Neighbourhood Planning was not on the agenda, but Colin expected that it would be raised.

Ward Councillors

This discussion was regarded as sensitive information.

 

Martin commented that it would be useful to have some notes from this meeting in time for the DPC meeting on the evening of the 17th March 2021. Judy said that she would try and provide them by Wednesday lunchtime. Action-Judy

 

  1. Date of next meeting:

The date of the next meeting is Monday 19th April at 4.30pm using the Desford Parish Council Zoom facility.

 

Meeting closed 5.28pm.

 

I confirm this is a true record of the meeting:

 

Signed……………………………………………………………..   Name……………………………………………………………

 

 

Date…………………………………………………………………

DNP Working Group minutes 26th January 2021

May 15, 2021 | Minutes Archive

DNP Working Group minutes 26th January 2021

4.30 pm Zoom

 

In Attendance: Andrew Norton, Bernard Grimshaw, Colin Crane, David Crocker, Jim Houghton, Judy Sharpe, Martyn Randle (chair), Pat Crane, Scott Wakefield

 

Apologies: none

 

  1. Welcome: Martyn welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked for apologies to be listed.

 

  1. Minutes of last meeting / matters arising:

Martyn asked whether the Examiner’s amendments had been added to the DNP (item 3). Bernard said that this had been sorted and that the plan was currently up for referendum.

Martyn asked about the timeline for publicity (item 4, section 3). Bernard stated that there was no date for the referendum at present. An introductory article had been published in the Parish News.  He said he would try and place an introductory article in either February or March’s copy of The Graphic.

Martyn asked about the response to the Planning White Paper Consultation (AOB). Pat said that this had taken place.

The minutes were approved as a true record and signed by Judy on behalf of Martyn.

 

  1. Declaration of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.

 

  1. Chairman’s Report:

Martyn stated that he had received a request for assistance from Martin Griffin the Vice Chair of the newly formed Groby Parish Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group concerning their potential relationship with HBBC. He had circulated this, his response and Mark’s reply, via email.

Martyn reminded the group that the Royal Town and Planning Institute (RTPI) report had been circulated. It discussed ways of using digital technology in planning. This was for information not action.

Martyn mentioned that a Neighbourhood Planning newsletter had been circulated by Pat. He commented that the article about Burghclere was interesting as it dealt with an issue of inadequate Borough Council land supply.

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report:

Bernard stated that there was no change in the financial situation from before.

 

  1. Communication Officer’s Report:

Bernard stated that there was no further information as to when referendums will be able to go ahead. However there is still time for the borough to add it to the May elections, if these take place. If there is no news about this soon he will contact Fran at HBBC and ask about this. Action- Bernard

 

The remainder of the report contained sensitive information.

 

  1. HBBC Proposed new housing totals:

Pat commented that the new totals were not needed until the Local Plan is made.

 

  1. Discussions on referendum:

Martyn said that little could be done until there is a date for the referendum.

 

  1. Update on recent planning applications:

Colin stated the latest Davidsons application had been refused by HBBC but had gone to appeal.

Owl Homes (Peckleton Lane) were trying to increase the number of homes on the site from 80 to 84. Pat said that the DPC would be objecting to this at the HBBC planning committee meeting on the 2.2.2021 and that they had the support of Robin Webber-Jones in this.

Griffen  application on the Neovia site. Colin stated that there was no recent information about this.

Colin commented that there had been surveyors seen recently on the proposed Jelson‘s site.

He added that the DPC had received an email from Marron Planning in Nottingham. Colin wondered whether the company was interested in seeking planning permission for the field next to the cemetery and that the current car park could be an access route.

 

  1. Web page/Twitter/Spotted Desford:

Jim said that he had updated the front page of the DNPWG website today with editing help from Bernard.

He said that the website is averaging an audience of 3 people a day of which 50% are from the UK.

 

  1. AOB:

There was no AOB.

 

  1. Date of next meeting:

The date of the next meeting is TBC.  It was agreed that it would take place when either a date for the referendum is known or when there is a date arranged for the proposed meeting with the Borough Councillors.

It will be at 4.30pm on a Tuesday, using the Desford Parish Council Zoom facility.

 

Meeting closed 5.06pm.

 

I confirm this is a true record of the meeting:

 

Signed……………………………………………………………..   Name……………………………………………………………

 

 

Date…………………………………………………………………

DNP Working Group minutes 27th August 2020

May 15, 2021 | Minutes Archive

DNP Working Group minutes 27th August 2020

5 pm Desford Church Centre

 

In Attendance: Andrew Norton,  Bernard Grimshaw, Colin Crane, David Crocker, Jim Houghton, Judy Sharpe, Martyn Randle (chair), Pat Crane, Scott Wakefield

 

Apologies: None

 

  1. Welcome: Martyn welcomed everyone to the meeting and asked for apologies to be listed.

 

Minutes of last meeting / matters arising: The minutes were approved as a true record and signed by Judy on behalf of Martyn.  There were no matters arising.

 

       Declaration of Interest: There were no declarations of interest.

 

  1. Treasurer’s Report: Bernard stated that there was no change in the financial situation from before.

 

  1. Examiner’s Report:

Martyn said that discussions about the Examiner’s Report had previously taken place via email. From these he had gained the impression that the comments were generally favourable, apart from the Examiner’s suggestion of reserve sites. This was agreed.

Bernard stated that if the DNPWG agreed to accept the report he would like to contact HBBC and state this. He would also like to ask the HBBC Planning Department to inform the DPC/ DNPWG if they were considering a different course of action. This was agreed.                                                                                                       Action-Bernard

Colin suggested that HBBC should be asked to put the Examiner’s amendments in to the DNP. However he would ask that a copy be sent to himself and Bernard for proof checking before publishing. This was agreed.                                                                                                                                                                                                  Action –Colin

Colin asked if the DNP Examiner’s Report was accepted and supported by the DNPWG. A vote was taken and was agreed by all.

Further discussion took place around the reserve sites. Bernard mentioned that these could be regarded as reserve sites for the Barns Way and Peckleton Lane sites that have already been given planning permission; in case they are not built. He pointed out that the DNP must facilitate sustainable development.

It was stated that it would be difficult to get the referendum passed by the parish with the mention of reserve sites in the document.

Jim reminded the group that HBBC had been strongly supportive of the refusal of planning permission for the proposed Davidson’s site.

It was mentioned that Gary had produced a good document in response to the Examiner’s comments. This had previously been circulated by email.

Bernard stated that the DNPWG /DPC could not now lawfully approach the Examiner, Timothy Jones. If changes to the DNP are desired, the only recourse is to approach the HBBC planners. The current wording cannot be finessed by the DNPWG. He explained that the plan is no longer our plan, it is HBBC’s, and only they have the power to decide on modifications.

Andrew commented that when the DNP is read the amendments will read as though the DNPWG have written them, not the Examiner. He also said that he had received a supportive email from HBBC ward councillor Robin Webber-Jones.

Bernard confirmed that the final date for a response by HBBC is the 11thSeptember 2020.

 

  1. Action Plan for May 2021 Referendum:
  • Drafting of publicity documents:

Martyn asked about the funding of the referendum.  Colin stated that the DPC will fund the referendum out of the money set aside by DPC for the DNP. He added that the DPC was also putting money aside for the next phase, beyond referendum.

Martyn suggested that any publicity wording would have to be phrased carefully and that key points could be picked out from the examiner’s comments.  Bernard stated that in the publicity the DNPWG could say what it liked, as long as the comments were not defamatory.

Andrew suggested that the publicity should not focus on the reserve sites but should major on the positive comments and show off how good the DNP is. He also suggested that graphics showing before and after and interventions should be included.

David suggested that the DNPWG could learn from other villages that have already gone through a referendum.

Colin commented that Burbage was 6 weeks ahead of Desford.

Martyn suggested that there would need to be a coordinator for this phase.

Bernard reminded the group that nothing could be done until after 11th September 2020.

Colin mentioned that there will be a waiting time before the DNP is available from HBBC; probably in October. He added that some HBBC employees are still working from home, which will delay this process.

  • Publicity: It was agreed that the usual forms of publicity would be used- Parish noticeboards, The Graphic , Parish News, websites. Pat noted that the Graphic goes to press on 23rd of the month.
  • Time Line:

Martyn suggested that there should be a publicity document ready to publish as soon as the DNP is available

It was agreed to send out a simple statement to explain the position initially.

Scott stated that information could be drip fed as it would be a long time until the referendum. He offered that if a form of words were provided he would be prepared to try and improve on them. Action- Bernard and Scott

Bernard said that he agreed with this. He added that the consultation on the HBBC Local Plan was proceeding and that the White Paper states that this has to be in place by 2023.

Judy asked how soon it would be known if the DNP referendum would take place in May 2021.  Colin commented that timing would be up to the government, but that time would be needed to organise the local elections and referendums.

Bernard said that there would be a statutory timetable. For reasons of economy it would be best to combine the local elections and referendum. However it may also depend on the availability of ballot boxes.

Colin reminded the group that there are 2 polling stations in the parish at Desford and Botcheston.  Residents in the Kirby Muxloe part of Desford parish would have to travel to vote in the referendum.

It was confirmed that the referendum would be a yes /no question and passed by a straight majority of votes.

Jim suggested that updates on the DNP could be published in October, December, February and April.

Bernard suggested that the information could be combined with other Parish announcements.

It was suggested that a specific email address could be set up for the referendum. This was agreed.

Bernard said that if HBBC accept the recommendations they will then be written into the DNP. However at present this is confidential. He suggested that the statement from the examiner ‘I commend this…’ could be used in publicity and that we should feel happy about what the Examiner has said about Desford.

 

  1. AOB:

Pat mentioned that there was a need to respond to the Planning White Paper Consultation.  It was asked whether the response should be by individuals, the DNPWG or DPC.  It was stated that it was important to maintain the right amount of decision making within the locality of Desford; especially as the DNP had been worked on since 2016.  Pat mentioned that it appeared to be steered on behalf of developers.  Bernard asked whether LRALC were forming a collective view and noted that it was a very comprehensive set of changes.  Colin suggested that this should be discussed and a response agreed at the next DPC meeting on the 16.9.2020.  Pat offered to draft a response and to circulate this to the DNPWG for comments so it could be included with the documents for the DPC meeting. This was agreed.                                                                          Action –Pat

  1. Date of next meeting: The date of the next meeting is TBC. It may take place in the Church Centre or via the Desford Parish Council Zoom facility.

 

Meeting closed 6pm.

 

I confirm this is a true record of the meeting:

 

Signed……………………………………………………………..   Name……………………………………………………………

 

 

Date…………………………………………………………………

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