Syston Town Council News

Some 20 members of the public attended the monthly meeting held on 27th October  including the Syston Fire Station crew and Syston in Bloom Panel members. One point raised concerned the changing provision of play areas in new housing developments such as the one on Barkby Road. The concern raised was that the provision appears to be less than first agreed and that a sign had been placed saying no ball games, which the resident thought was in contravention of the provision for recreational facilities. The council was asked if they were keeping an eye on the developers in order for them to ensure sufficient and appropriate facilities are included. The council explained that plans can be changed at any time by the planners at Charnwood Borough Council and that recreational facilities can be
re-sited but they have to provide the agreed space. It only goes back to Syston Town Council if the type of house requires changing. Councillor Howard Midgely requested that this issue was added to the recreation amenities committee agenda. Other items were briefly discussed including traffic lights, spending and future building plans (5,000), Harrison Row which is being dealt with by liaison with the police and Carly Adams reported that a gate will be put on each end of the alley and that she was following this up on behalf of the residents.

Station Fire Station

Mr Brown from Syston Fire Station requested the support of the Town Council for the service to try and prevent the closure of the station. The proposal from the Fire service is to build a station on the Hallam Fields development at Birstall and have one full time fire crew and engine. It was discussed at length after Mr Ian Scarrott Deputy Chief Fire Officer for Leicester Fire and Rescue Service presented the consultation procedure to the council and explained that at this stage it is a proposal but that if after the consultation, which closed 31st October and will be reported to the public in December, finds that the need for the whole time appliance and crew would be better placed at Birstall, then Syston would be closed and the retained fire fighters would be offered whole time posts elsewhere or will be made redundant.

Syston Station was praised not only by the council but also by Mr Scarrott as they are recognised as one of the best retained stations in the country. Something that the council felt should be taken into consideration when the fire service reviews the consultation. The Council gave their full support to the Fire station and said that they would send in a letter of support to Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service as most of the councillors stated that we should have both the new station at Hallam Fields and the retained station in Syston due the increasing amount of new development in the area and that once a station and crew have been disbanded it is not easy to get them back.

Police report

During September, five dwellings had been burgled, down on the previous month, no pattern to these. Three
non-dwellings had been burgled, again down on previous month. Four thefts of cycles, no suspects, six thefts from motor vehicles mainly in the Watermead Country Park area. No thefts from stores had been reported. Two criminal damage, five motor vehicle damage reported, down on the previous month. They had received 27 anti-social behaviour calls which was 50% down on August figures. No trouble was reported during the fair which was a big improvement, possibly due to more personnel being drafted in to give a higher visibility this year. There had been no arrests and no public order offences. A neighbourhood watch meeting was being set up and she would inform the council as to date when known.

Borough Councillors report

South Charnwood Leisure Centre was praised and all agreed it was a big improvement for Syston and area. Alcohol awareness week, activities taking place throughout the borough. Facility being made available for increasing the number of people having their dogs microchipped. Charnwood Borough Council proud to have the 20th lowest council tax charge in the country and will try and keep it down in the forth coming year. March 2010 housing plans to be discussed and spread them around the borough. Asda sports provision is being followed up again. 106 agreements, the council needs to provide a wish list to present to the Borough before negotiations for any future building developments are agreed. There are new developments in licensing changes and councillors need to be updated.  Charnwood twinning association meeting took place 26th October, see report on page.

County Councillors report

South Charnwood Leisure Centre had featured on the politics show when Mike Preston had been interviewed for the programme that went out on 12th October. Mike urged the councillors again to get involved with Charnwood and South Charnwood as all input was valued. The Big Switch off results due soon. The County council have to save £70m over the next three years, already one directors post is not being replaced and the responsibilities have been shared out amongst the remaining directors. The council will be publishing the good news that they have achieved a good rating again in the recent review.