Stn Editors Report on the Annual Town Meeting and Annual Town Council Meeting Held in the Community Centre and by zoom on Tuesday 25th May 2021

There were nine councillors (Cllrs) present and one via zoom. There were two members of staff plus one via zoom. The editor of the Stn was present via zoom too.
The Chairman welcomed Councillors and one member of the press to the Annual Town Meeting 2021.
The Minutes of the Annual Town Meeting 2020 were accepted as an accurate record and signed by the Chairman. There were no announcements.
All three committees gave their very detailed reports, followed by The Chairman who gave his annual report and the Annual Town Council report. The Annual Town Council report will be available the Syston Town Council website with some paper copies being available in the Library and cafes in Syston. All minutes and other reports will be available on the council website too.
This was followed by the Annual Town Council Meeting at 7.30pm
There were 10 Cllrs present plus 2 via zoom, two members of staff plus one via zoom, the editor is Stn via zoom, plus PCSO Fiona Lacey and PC James Johnson.
Cllr K. Pacey welcomed everyone to the meeting and carried out the procedure for the election of a chairman.
Cllr T. Barkley self nominated for the role of Chairman as there were no other nominations. He was duly elected. He thanked the council for their support.
The chairman gave the reflection.
Cllr J. Lucas was nominated by Cllr T. Barkley for the role of Vice Chairman and was seconded by Cllr S. Brown. There were no other nominations. He was duly elected and thanked the council for their support.
There were apologies from County Cllr J. Poland, Cllrs L. Towel, M. Carnall and H. Screaton.
There were no declarations of interest in any agenda item and no announcements and communications.
The committee’s and panels were appointed with members identifying which committee and panel they wished to be on. All were accepted as per the list. If any other members wished to be on a committee or panel they were asked to email the town manager.
The chairs for each committee would be selected at their respective June meetings.
Police report – PCSO Fiona Lacey and PC James Johnson attended the meeting.
They said that there had been a number of thefts and vehicle damage reported. There had also been an increase in Anti-social Behaviour (ASB) incidents on the parks, smashing bottles and smoking cannabis. Extra patrols had been  provided for Syston parks including the help of Special Constables. Some of the youths committing ASB were already known to the Police and their activities were being monitored.
The Police were thanked by the Chairman for attending the meeting and for their work on the ASB problem.
PCSO Lacey asked about lighting around the Skate Park area as this was where the youths seem to congregate. She also asked about forthcoming events and would be emailed the information.
The Chairman introduced Asit Jansari, a resident of Syston and a Director and Solicitor of a Commercial Law Firm, who was co-opted onto the council, and welcomed by the Chairman.
The minutes of the meeting held on 27th April 2020 were agreed.
The Internal Audit for 2020/21, the Annual Governance and Accounting Statements were all agreed.
An amendment to Standing Orders to remove remote meetings was agreed and would take immediate effect.
All meeting dates for 2021/22 and the Annual schedule of business for the full council and committees were agreed.
The council had received a complaint relating to the boundary fencing on Deville Park as it was insecure and allowing people to enter the farmers field thus destroying crops by walking over them. Council was responsible for the boundary and agreed to repair the damaged area.
Council had received a request to hold an event or open space they own on Alfred Belshaw Road, Syston. It was for a family wedding celebration over three days and for up to 60 people this summer, no date given. The council voted against this request as they felt it would set a precedent.
The Borough and County Councillors gave their reports beginning with Cllr T. Barkley who spoke about the Business restart grants available from Charnwood borough council. He said that the local leisure centres were re-opening for indoor exercise classes, swimming and gym bookings can be made up to seven days in advance. Visit www.fusion-lifestyle.com for further details. He reported on the Leicestershire County Council work relating to the Litter wombles, who were highly praised for all their work in keeping the county clean and tidy, if you would like to get involved visit leicestershire.gov.uk/litter-picking or email community.litter@leics.gov.uk other schemes spoken about included the WorkPlus Scheme and the environmental schemes.
Cllr J. Poland reported that the county council had held its Annual meeting and Dan Harrison CC for Ibstock and Appleby was elected as the new Chairman 2021/22. Nick Ruston continues as Leader of the county council and Deborah Taylor is the new Deputy Leader.
Cllr S Bradshaw spoke about the Boundary review consultation that ended on 31st May. He announced the New Mayor of Charnwood was Cllr Paul Baines and his deputy Cllr Jenni Tilloson. The new mayors charities are Marie Curie and Loughborough charity, Living Without Abuse. He finished with a reminder about the councillor surgeries that are held on the first Saturday of the month.
Cllr S. Gerrard reported that she has been reinstated on the planning committee.
Cllr K. Pacey reported that Licensing was increasing as the lockdown restrictions were being lifted.
All council minutes were agreed.
The Town Manager updated members on her report including the funding decision for the Pavilion was imminent. There had been a development on the emptying of bins at the Millstone Lane development and a report would be given at the next Development meeting.

Fiona Henry, Editor.
For the official minutes of this and other Town Council Meetings please visit their website:
www.systontc.org. You can attend any council meeting held on Tuesday evenings 7.30pm.
Details are posted across all Town Council notice boards.