Allotments

Having received a formal written request from a group of residents (Whetstone Allotment Committee), Council must formally consider (Allotments Acts') provision of land for allotments.
The Allotment committee suggested a strip of land, (known locally as the ragwort field), located off The Dicken in front of the Avon Drive Bungalows, currently owned by Blaby District Council.
In principal the Environment Agency and Blaby District Council have no objections to allotments on this site.The Parish Council applied for and was granted full planning permission by Blaby District Council in January 2008. The decision of Blaby and the plans can be viewed either at Blaby District Council or at the Parish Council. The item was on BDC Cabinet agenda for June for approval.A draft lease would then be received and reviewd, with the ideal arrangement being back to back type of agreement with the Allotment society.
Work will now commence in preparing the site.

Elliot Close and Winchester Avenue Open Spaces

These open spaces belong to David Wilson Homes. Parishoners should contact David Wilson Homes, Customer Liaison Department:- telephone 01530 276700 if they have any maintenance problems or enquiries regarding the open spaces.
Lee Breckon, Clerk of the Council met with Ken Yardley of David Wilson Homes in May 2008 to discuss the Elliott Close open space and any works required before the possibility of this Council adopting it. Council have agreed that a meeting of the POS & Cemetery Working Party needed to be called to look at the way ahead.
Public Open Spaces and Cemetery Working Party to Meet Wednesday 23rd July, 2008 at 7pm

Kenny Close Open Space

A drainage ditch to be installed relatively soon, with letters being sent to residents regarding parking issues and driving across the open space, which would be monitored. If no improvement, concrete bollards would be installed to protect the integrity of the open space.

Playground Facilities

Summer is here and so are the vandals. Over the last few weeks all our playgrounds have been subject to forms of vandalism. On Oliver Park and Warwick Road Recreation Ground the safety matting under the play equipment proved to irresistible to the vandals necessitating the equipment being removed. On Trinity Road Park items of play equipment have been vandalised necessitating their removal. Consequences of this action means that repairs and replacements not budgeted for have to be done which will have a knock on effect on any planned new equipment or updating. Please if you see or know of those responsible report it to the relevant people as high lighted below.
The Parish Council are always reassessing playground facilities and welcome input from all residents, young and old, yes there is play equipment available on the market that is specifically for those of us that are young at heart.
If you have any suggestions let us know.

Trinity Road Park
Funds to provide the new Multi Sports Goal Wall was a collaboration between Whetstone Youth Council and Whetstone Parish Council. The Whetstone Youth Council obtained a grant of £5000 from the Youth Opportunity Fund and the Parish Council provided the rest.
Safety surfaces were renewed in April 2008 and line markings for the goal wall were completed the last week in July.
It is hoped and envisaged that more equipment will be installed in the none too distant future.

In the mean time - This is your park –Have Your Say! There are other issues with this park that urgently need addressing: -
Dog Fouling, Vandalism and Litter. Ongoing anti-social behavioural problems spoil everyone’s enjoyment, and is the main reason for lack of investment in the past. We have to work together to tackle these problems and ensure that the rest of 2008 and beyond that parks and equipment remains clean, presentable and usable for all. . Incidents must be reported to the police 999 (for emergencies only) or 2222222 and Blaby District Council Community Safety Team (0116 272 7677),dog warden (0116 272 7515) or parish council (0116 2751987). You can remain anonymous if you fear reprisals. The District & County council will prosecute!

Don’t let inconsiderate yobs, litter louts and dog owners run the parks. These are your parks – Take them Back!

Oliver Park
Fencing maintenance is ongoing. Safety surfaces were renewed in April 2008 and a vandalised safety surface renewed in July. A new springer to be installed late summer 2008.
The Public Open Spaces and Cemetery Working Party are to make recommendations to full Council for further youth provision on this park for 2008/09.

Warwick Road Recreation Ground
Also suffering from vandalism and Anti Social Behaviour problems. The safety surface under the swings was destroyed by vandals in June necessitating removal of the swings. Council have approved for new safety surface to be installed and hopefully the swings will be back in action very soon.
It has been agreed by Council to discontinue plans for a Pavillion on this sight, however the Public Open Spaces and Cemetery Working Party are to investigate the possibility of improved facilities and more play equipment.

Shelduck Public Open Space

Responsibility of the P.O.S. belongs to Bloor Homes. Any queries or maintenance problems should be referred to Alex Winkler, Bloor Homes Ltd. Telephone 01604 232110
A meeting was held with Mr. Winkler at the site in September, 2006 to discuss problems about the site and the possibility of transfer of ownership of the land to the Parish Council. Lee Breckon, Clerk of the Council, and Alex Winkler met again in August 2007. Mr. Winkler advised on that occasion he would confer with Blaby District Council regarding responsibility of the bund. As at June 2008 the Parish Council have still not heard any news on the subject.

Traffic Calming

TRAFFIC CALMING

Despite the road safety measures taken throughout our village viz road humps and speed limit signs, speeding motorists are still exceeding legal limits, taking risks with their own and pedestrians safety.

Speed limit signs state the absolute maximum permitted speed but inappropriate speed means driving too fast for prevailing road conditions. Therefore, speed limits are not a right neither are they targets to be reached at all costs!

Consult Department of Transports, March, 2006 leaflet, Speed: Know Your Limits which can be found on the web at http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_rdsafety/documents/page/dft_rdsafety_610336.pdf
It is well worth a read. After all, the life you save could be your own. Or in the words of a road safety poster seen many years ago

BETTER BE LATE THAN THE LATE

In the June 2008 issue of the Duckpaddle News a Pledge of Support was requested from all parishioners for a Community Speed Watch project. Despite there being nearly 3000 households in Whetstone as at 31st July only 180 parishioners have signed the pledge. So if you are concerned about speeding traffic in your village contact Whetstone Parish Council and sign that pledge.

Village Green

A circular tree seat has been purchased, to be installed 2008 when a suitable tree has been decided upon.