Neighbourhood Plan

Update on Neighbourhood Plan Groups

September 2021

Following an open meeting at the end of 2019, various people offered to help set up working groups to look at some of the community proposals in our Village Neighbourhood Plan. The overall responsibility for the plan lies with the Parish Council, but I volunteered to help to get things started. This is my last report as I have handed the responsibly back to the Parish Council to oversee the groups.

Various groups have met to look at the planned action objectives, despite the challenges due to Covid-19, especially as it has delayed any action by local councils

UPDATE ON ACTION

Improve parking at the school

This group held meetings with the school and local residents and a variety of proposals were explored, resulting in …..

• The layby near the school has had extra tarmac put on it to provide further “drop off” parking at busy times
• This layby should be upgraded but at present council have no money to do this, we will keep nagging
• We have got the footpath upgraded from the village hall, via the back of the church to the school. This includes new tarmac, removal of the gate near the church, clearing of vegetation along this pathway, and new dog poo bins. The village hall car park can now be used as a drop off /and walk to school.

• A school campaign/ parent information is also underway

Improving the facilities at the allotments

• There are plans to get a water supply onto the allotment site
• There is Section 106 money available  

For further details contact : Mike Langman/ Allotment Committee

Supporting “frail elderly” people‍

• A monthly community pop-up café was proposed - for all ages who are isolated/lonely (older people are offered transport).
• The first café was planned for April 2020 - but due to the Covid -19 was postponed until September this year*
• A successful bid to Leicestershire County Council was secured to pump prime the café costs  
• The group linked to the Covid-19 and Kilworth’s Support Group and the North Kilworth’s church café
• A set of information about the village was drafted to include groups and activities/contact lists etc. and is now published in SK News, and on the village website

Our first successful café was held on September 21*, and more are planned monthly - see separate article.   For further details contact: Tina Morley

    Improving footpaths /dog walking paths

• Circular walks have been identified from the village, working with the landowners to see if permissive pathways could be developed
• This was put on hold due to Covid
• We now need someone to take this forward? Any offers?

• We also reviewed the potential for a dog walking/ exercise area in the village
• It was suggested that we use the overflow car park at village hall, once made secure. For further details contact : Beccy Atkins

Improvingchildren playground

• Plans have been agreed for a zip wire and other upgrades, using 106 money
• Further details contact the Parish Council (Tim Wood)  

Helping the Parochial Church Council (PCC) make better use of the church

• For further details contact PCC

Helping the Village Hall Committee run the village hall and its facilities

• Section 106 money has been secured along with other grants
• Over £38,500 is still to be spent - see article in May 2021 SK News
• Contact Mark Tottman (Chair of VHC)  

Improving the Local Environment

• A SHIRE grant was secured from the county council (LCC) for bird boxes
• 94 new bird boxes were delivered for the village
• See March 2021 SK News  

Supporting small businesses

AND

Reviewing our open spaces /village green

These groups haven’t meet (yet??)

Does anyone want to help either of these get going? (we do have a few people willing to help)

Funding

Due to the new housing development in the village there is an allocation of money made through Harborough District Council (called Section 106 funding and secured by a levy from the builders). This is available for some of the above projects, but there is a bidding process. There is still around £25,000 available for sports facilities – see request from PC, for feedback as to what is needed in May SK News. The PC also have limited funds, and there are a variety of local community grants we can apply for.

Tina Morley

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