Local Flooding.
Investigations are ongoing and are of great concern to residents. The development on Willoughby Road will be closely watched to see if the proposed works improve the situation as suggested. In the meantime we helped distribute “sandbags” which were thankfully not required. We have liaised with the County Council and we are working on our own Emergency Plan.

Police.
There has been increased contact between the Councillors, the Office and the Police via PCSO Kirsty Reid. She has been keen to improve parking issues on Main Street and Gwendoline Drive amongst other matters.

Planning.
The Committee along with Joanne have spent a lot of time scrutinising major planning applications. This has continued to be difficult with Blaby District Council willing to sacrifice green fields rather than risking developers appealing decisions. The system of calculating the five year supply of housing seems to be broken and as a result, applications which we were previously able to defend, have been almost nodded through.

In addition to the Miller Homes development, Willoughby Road is starting to progress and applications on Cosby Road and Peatling Road are still pending.

The Foston Road development has already seen chaotic scenes with traffic management, and we continue to push for improvements. The recent move to allow 20 homes to be occupied before the roundabout is completed is concerning given the traffic problems already experienced.

Whilst the Solar Farm cannot proceed until the land is decontaminated, as or when this is undertaken there is likely to be a significant impact in terms of traffic whilst it is constructed/installed and the visual impact from the village and along Foston Road once it is in place.

The new District Local Plan has been delayed yet again and is now expected to go to consultation in the Summer (or later!). The probable inclusion of Whetstone Pastures will mark a significant step towards this development going forward and the plan will need to be considered carefully. Without the plan it is difficult to challenge some aspects of planning applications.

Estates.
It has been another busy year for the Estates Committee. Part of the footpath in the Spinney has been repaired and upgraded to tarmac and benches have been installed. Repairs have also taken place to the paths within the closed Churchyard. The Chapel has needed some repointing.

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission has accepted the application for a headstone for Herbert Swann and this is currently in production. The next stage of Memorial testing has been completed; it is hopefully a positive sign that this time only three headstones were identified as needing repair.

Some problems with the loose stone surface at the Willoughby Road car park have been addressed in the short term, resolving this could be a big project and as such will need further consideration. Play equipment in Dale Acre is being reviewed, we fitted additional equipment, funded by S106 monies about 15 years ago and some of this equipment is now becoming more expensive to repair and maintain. One consideration will be whether funding could allow for the installation of inclusive equipment.

Community Speed watch, whilst we were not included in the latest round of villages, this is being advertised to see if enough volunteers will come forward and whether the operational guidelines make it a viable option for the village. If successful it would hopefully reduce the speed of cars through the village.

Finance.
The Committee worked hard to limit the Council Tax increase and sought to achieve a balanced approach giving us the funding to maintain the village whilst being aware of the need to limit the size of any increased precept.

The Committee are aware that the John Deere is likely to need replacing and are striving to ensure that it continues to offer value for money for the council.

Grant aid applications have been approved for the Cricket Club, Greenfield PTFA and the Fun & Friendship group.

LED lighting has been installed in the workshop/garage.

The Village Hall Committee has had some additional funds to help ensure the hall stays in good condition and continues to be an attractive venue for villagers to hold events.

Martin Smith
Chairman of Countesthorpe Parish Council

Committee Reports Annual Parish Meeting 2025/2026