Syston Town Council News – Report from the September meeting.

Paul Harley  – Crime report -  MUGA - Deville Park New Play Area
The meeting began with Councillor Howard Midgely asking the members of the public present, 5 in total, if they had anything they wished to raise. Three items were raised. A resident had sent a letter to the Council regarding anti social behaviour experienced near her residence. Permission has been sought to erect a gate at the end of the passage to prevent people congregating and asked for the support of the council. Local traders have been asked to write to help support the application and the local police think it a useful deterrent. County Council would need to give permission but could not erect the gate.
The second issue raised was with regard to the number of computers the council have agreed to purchase, Mr Henshaw asked why there was a need to purchase six computers when there were only four members of staff working at the Council offices. He said that although not 100% computer literate he could not understand the need for six, he was assuming that each member of staff required a computer, one may be to use as a server, but why have one spare in case of breakdown when most new computers have a guarantee and if a maintenance agreement was taken out at the time of purchase any breakdowns would be dealt with as and if they happened. The third was from Mr Porter who asked about speed cameras as used by residents in Burrough-on-Hill and in Woodhouse Eaves. Councillor Midgley responded by saying that it was not something that they had considered.  After a brief discussion, Councillor Mike Preston stated that these are available through the Community Speed Watch, they are usually used by volunteers and in order to apply and gain use of them, and approximately 200 signatures are required. The problem of litter in the town centre was raised and that it seem to coincide with the schools going back, it was suggested that contact was made with the Head teachers of the local schools to see if it could be improved.
Charnwood Borough Councillor Paul Harley, attended the meeting, as part of his tour of all councils in South Charnwood, to gain feedback from the local councils in dealings with Charnwood Borough Council. Several items were discussed including, the bridge closure on High Street causing young mothers to take a very long route round to take and collect their children from school. Litter; bin collections in the summer months, to Council property sitting empty when people are on the waiting list for many years. However, the general relationship between the two councils was mixed in that some councillors had good relationships with people at Charnwood Borough Council while others had felt distant and ignored. Councillor Harley emphasised the need for councillors to attend planning meetings at Southfields in order for the Town council to have valuable input and thanked them for bringing items to his attention.
Councillor Midgley  had attended a lot of events over the summer including the blue ribbon opening of the South Charnwood Leisure Centre on 19th September, he said how impressed he was with the facility and hoped that residents of Syston would enjoy the new range of activities available.
 He had also attended the Syston Chamber of trade meeting, the Carnival, Art and Local history Exhibitions. The new Christmas lights have arrived and the preparations for the parade are well under way. Syston won a silver gilt award in the East Midlands in Bloom competition with the Queen Victoria Pub winning a special award. The principal of Wreake Valley had sent thanks for the £250 given to the Oliver Taylor Award presented at the Leicester City Football Club which Councillor Pacey attended on 8th September.
Seven residential burglaries had been reported one suspect had been caught and charged. Five burglaries of non residential reported. Twelve cases of theft were reported, seven from cars, two from stores. Thirteen cases of criminal damage, seven related to cars. Antisocial behaviour figures were down against the last three months. No CCTV report had been received, request to made for next months council meeting.
Two main items that were discussed at length were the siting of the proposed MUGA (Multi Use Games Area). The council had consulted with residents around Memorial Park and although a low response, 15 out of 54 houses, none of the respondents were in favour of it being placed on Memorial Park. Other parks were voiced including Central Park which the council had already agreed was unsuitable. Councillor Dolan suggested DeVille Park as there are a lot of families in that area and nowhere for teenagers to go.  Further options raised and the council need residents to say where they do want it placed or it may have to be scrapped and the money used elsewhere in the Borough. It was agreed that the amenities committee look into the alternatives quickly and that the town manager find out about the funding. Deville Park play equipment was the other item that took a lot of debate as the Council has three quotes waiting and still no further on with installing the equipment due to the need for a consultant.  This would be at no cost to Syston Town Council and so they decided to send the quotes to the consultants and to keep officials at Charnwood informed. County Councillors report, Councillor David Houseman began by wishing Ian Macdonald well in his forth coming retirement; this was Ian’s last full Council meeting as he retires on the 23rd October. He thanked Ian for the help he had given to him over the years he has been Town Manager at Syston and then went on to welcome Alan Clarke and offered help and advice should he need it. He said that if the council could get information to him before Thursday  he could raise the issue of the MUGA and maybe find space on Watermead Park at a meeting he was attending. Councillor Mike Preston said that some comments made by the council regarding officers at Charnwood were of concern and offered his assistance. He then went on to say that there will need to be savings of £70m made over the next three years so the Town Council should be prepared. The big Switch off, see Ridgeway Ramblings for more details. Councillor Steve Hampson suggested a letter from the Town council to the Borough thanking them for the new South Charnwood Leisure Centre and finally Councillor Ken Pacey said he had nothing to report.