Dear resident,

It is a little while since I wrote a covid update.  We have had a lovely summer and the spread of covid seemed under control.  Sadly that has not continued and even here in Rutland numbers are rising, although not to the level we have seen elsewhere in the UK.  The news that pubs, clubs and restaurants now have to close at 10pm takes me back to the days when pub opening hours were limited to 8 per day (5 on Sundays) and regularly closed at 10.30pm (at least where I lived) but I guess I’m showing my age!  Whatever you do, though, keep yourself safe and follow the Government’s guidelines and advice:

• Wear a face covering if you can’t keep two meters away from others (except in your own home, of course)
• Wear a face covering in taxis and private hire vehicles
• Wear a face covering in pubs, cafes, sports and social clubs etc. at all times you are not seated at your table (staff must wear a face covering at all times) 
• Wash your hands frequently
• Don’t mix, either in your home or outside, in groups of more than 6.

There are also much stricter rules for businesses and village halls/community centres and if you are interested you can find details here. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-what-has-changed-22-september

Now to other topics.  Many residents have contacted me about the current consultation on the Local Plan.  This consultation has been extended to 4.15pm on 6 November.  Details can be found here: https://www.rutland.gov.uk/my-services/planning-and-building-control/planning/planning-policy/local-plan-review/ and your parish council has a hard copy of the document should you wish to read it in hard copy.  Your parish council will also be able to advise you on completing the response form, although you are allowed to submit a letter if you don’t want to use the form.

Leicestershire Police are currently undertaking a consultation on community safety.  If you wish to take part you can find it here: https://www.leics.pcc.police.uk/Have-Your-Say/Consultations/Community-Safety-Survey.aspx

And finally you will be getting communication from our health authorities on proposals to reconfigure Leicester’s hospitals.  This includes the proposal to close the maternity unit in Melton and other reductions at the General.  These proposals are likely to have a significant impact on Rutland residents and so you may wish to respond to them.  You can find out more about the proposals, and how to respond, here https://www.betterhospitalsleicester.nhs.uk/ 

Gale Waller

County Councillor, Normanton Ward

gwaller@rutland.gov.uk

It won’t come as a big surprise but North Luffenham Parish Council decided at the Parish Council on the 28th September that the traditional 5th November bonfire night could not be held. Let’s hope for next year.

Please see the attached road closure notice affecting Edith Weston Road, North Luffenham on 13th October

Please see the attached newsletter from Rutland County Council

Many thanks to everyone who responded to the Neighbourhood Plan Survey. There has been a very good response and will help a great deal in formulating our policies for a Neighbourhood Plan

Good afternoon,

Can I please notify you and the local community that the airfield will be out of bounds for civilian use over the following dates.

• Training commencing – 0900hrs on 24^th Oct 2020.

• Training complete – 1600hrs on 25^th Oct 2020.

Kind Regards

Sgt PJ MILES | TRG PSI 101 SQN | St George’s Bks, North Luffenham

Mil: 95361 7890 | Civilian: +44 (0)1780 727890 | Mob: 00447511 617841

The police have launched a survey on community safety; ‘We would like to invite you to share your views on crime and anti-social behaviour in your local area by completing this questionnaire. This survey has been created in partnership with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and the Community Safety Partnerships across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland’

Please click on this link for the survey: https://www.leics.pcc.police.uk/Have-Your-Say/Consultations/Community-Safety-Survey.aspx

Many thanks to everybody who has completed a Neighbourhood Plan Survey. The Survey will end on the 19th September and so there is still time to do one online at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYAMA0rCLuOps5-DpWqMTkfmxohuXSkLLyvfMhz_6YeOcqVQ/viewform

If you rather fill in the paper copy please drop this in at The Fox.

A leaflet is being delivered to each household advising those who do not have access, or have difficulty accessing, the internet how they could be delivered a paper copy for a 24 hour period.

If you don’t have a problem using the internet please access the Local Plan online (http://www.rutland.gov.uk/localplanreview) as the Parish Council has only been allowed two copies and has to quarantine one for 24 hours following perusal. This will free up the paper copies to those who have difficulities accessing online.

To view the leaflet please click on this link:

The technical hitch has been resolved and the village survey form is now available again for you to complete if you have not done so already.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Unfortunately there is a problem with completing the Neighbourhood Plan Survey online. Our IT experts are trying to resolve the issue and there will be a post when the problem has been resolved.

Many apologies for the glitch and thanks to all those who have already completed the survey and if you haven’t please do find the time when it is fixed.

Town and Country Planning Act 1990
Town & Country Planning (Development Management Procedure) (England) Order 2015
An application for the above proposal has been received by the Local Planning Authority and you are invited to submit your comments by 28 September 2020. The details of the application are available to view on our website https://publicaccess.rutland.gov.uk/online-applications/ by entering the reference number above.
Please email any comments you wish to make to planning@rutland.gov.uk.
Reference: 2020/0961/RG3
Case Officer: Andrew Waskett-Burt

PROPOSAL: Regulation 3 application to create a new vehicular exit route from the site.
Civic Amenity Site North Luffenham Road Morcott Rutland

Remember this: ‘It’s time to raise your voice’. Rutland County Council (RCC) had previously proposed that in its consultation on the ‘Statement of Community Involvement’ (SCI) that consultation on the Local Plan could only be done online via their proforma, limited to 400 characters.

North Luffenham Parish Council (NLPC), and other parishes objected strongly on the grounds that this seriously limited feedback on the Local Plan.

RCC have now agreed that the SCI will make it clear that paper and email responses to planning consultations will be accepted and that a proforma is not mandatory.

But your voice needs to be heard again as the final consultation on the Local Plan  began on the 27th August and lasts just six weeks. This is the only chance to influence the St George’s plan – once the Local Plan is agreed, development WILL go ahead and planning permission cannot be denied.

NLPC knows from surveys it has carried out that an overwhelming majority of the parish are against the sheer scale of this proposed development and will vigorously challenge the soundness of the Local Plan. This is the time to make your voice heard – we need as many residents as possible to independently raise objections and this needs to be done in the six week period.

Just saying you don’t agree to the Local Plan will not be sufficient, objections need to be specific. NLPC will post and circulate advice on how to make your opposition effective, covering the lack of meaningful consultation, transport and sustainability issues.

In the meantime please go online and look at Fight 4 Rutland – DO NOT LET RUTLAND BE RUINED – STOP … for further information and how you can support the campaign.

ADVANCED NOTICE OF AIRFIELD BEING OUT OF BOUNDS FOR CIVILIAN USE

Can I please advise that the North Luffenham Airfield will be placed out of bounds to all civilians.

This is due to military training being conduct outside of the usual training times for a continuous 48hr period. Please see below for dates and timings.

• Training commencing – 1000hrs on 6^th Sept 2020.

• Training complete – 1600hrs on 8^th Sept 2020.

We apologies in advance for any inconvenience cause.

Sgt P Miles

Permanent Staff Instructor

101 Sqn (Res).

The Local Plan: A note from Cllr Gale Waller

You will be aware that Rutland County Council has entered its final public consultation stages on the Local Plan (the Plan which gives approval to housing and employment development sites such as at St George’s Barracks).  Details, including how to respond, can be found here: https://www.rutland.gov.uk/my-services/planning-and-building-control/planning/planning-policy/local-plan-review/ There is a help line for those of you who have difficulty viewing the on line documents through which you can book a slot to view hard copy at Catmose.  Many parishes are also offering residents the opportunity to view a hard copy in the parish.  Contact your parish clerk or chairman for information.  RCC is asking for responses (to be in by 9 October) via their on line form (large print is available from RCC) but you can send in a letter or an e-mail. Please contact me if you want further information: gwaller@rutland.gov.uk

Have you thought it would be great to reinstate some of the railway lines axed under the Beeching Cuts. It is not such a pie in the sky idea as in 2019 the Government promised £500 million ‘Beeching Reversal’ fund.

The possibility of re-instating Luffenham railway station and providing services in the Corby direction as well as Oakham & Stamford/Peterborough has been raised by the Welland Valley Rail Partnership. This would be a long term project and the first step would be a feasibility study and therefore there is uncertaintainty that it could be enacted. However it is an interesting suggestion, it chimes with the times, and North Luffenahm Parish Council would be interested in comments to this post, in the Neighbourhood Plan questionnaire, or to clerk@northluffenham.org.uk

For much further information please click on this link: https://www.dropbox.com/s/10rw6h4fn43ooxi/WellandValleyRailConcept-v3.pdf?dl=0

A tree has fallen onto the footpath from Digby Drive over the field to Moor Lane. A resident has kindly cut off some branches and it is possible to walk under the tree. It appears to be stable but please take care. It has been reported to Rutland County Council.