Rail Freight newsletter, Free parking for Blaby lights, Toilets update

The latest news from your District Council

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In this issue...

Latest on freight interchange
Consultation on ward boundaries
Blaby toilets project progresses
Parks and open spaces survey
Fancy becoming a councillor?
Latest food hygiene ratings

Students visit construction site
First ever Christmas fair
Deadline for Community Grants
Park free for Blaby lights
New Lubbesthorpe application

Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange newsletter 📢

Letter 'i' in quote bubble indicating news information

A community newsletter from the promoters of the Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI) has been released.

Tritax Symmetry has produced a summary of the feedback received during their last consultation and the changes that have been made to their proposals as a consequence.

The HNRFI proposals include storage/distribution units and a rail port with access from Junction 2 of the M69. The site is within the boundaries of Blaby District Council and Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and is located south-west of the village of Elmesthorpe.

Blaby District Council is a statutory consultee and will not be deciding the application. Due to the size of the proposed development it is classed as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project and any decision will be made by the Secretary of State for Transport.

Please note that Blaby District Council understands the promoter currently plans on submitting their application to the Planning Inspectorate in 2023.

You can find an online copy of the newsletter and find contact details if you have any queries by using the link below:

Tritax newsletter released

Consultation on constituency boundary changes 🗳️

The Boundary Commission for England want to hear your thoughts on proposals to change some constituencies in this area.

A final public consultation ends on 05 December. Residents in Thorpe Astley and Braunstone Town will move from the South Leicestershire constituency to the existing Charnwood constituency which will be renamed Mid Leicestershire.

Take a look at the proposed new boundaries in the consultation and have your say using the link below:

Boundary change consultation

Work to install toilets in Blaby Village Centre progresses 🚾

We're delighted to say that our work to install brand new toilets in Blaby Village Centre is progressing well.

Back in March we secured nearly £70,000 in Government funding to install a Changing Places toilet. Another £100,000 has been committed to ensure two toilets will be available in the village centre.

The Changing Places toilet will be a larger, accessible toilet for people who cannot use standard accessible toilets and will include hoists, curtains, adult-sized changing benches and a space for carers.

We have worked to find a viable site and have identified a proposed location in our car park next to the precinct and we're expecting work on the toilets to start in the coming months. We'll keep you up to date as things progress.

Have your say on parks and open spaces 🌳

Give us your views in our Parks and Open Spaces consultation.

This is your chance to give specific feedback about how often you use the parks and open spaces we manage, what you enjoy and what you'd like to see to improve these areas.

We are extremely proud of our open spaces, which includes Fosse Meadows, Bouskell Park and the Osiers.

Your feedback is vital to help our team find out more about what people like and what people want from their local parks.

Fill in our survey before Friday 25 November by using the link below.

Parks and open spaces consultation

Why not become a councillor? 🙋

Graphic describing Prospective Councillor Event

District elections will be held next year. Are you passionate about your local community and would you like to make a real difference to people's lives in the district?

If so, then maybe it's time for you to become a councillor?

We strongly believe that residents deserve a choice about who represents them, that's why we're encouraging as many people as possible to stand as a councillor next May.

Join us on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday 06 December from 6pm to 7pm to find out about being a councillor.

For more details use the link below.

Learn about becoming a councillor

Check out who is meeting hygiene standards 🔎

Here are the latest food hygiene ratings from our inspectors in the Environmental Health department.

Rated 5 - Hygiene standards are very good

The Nags Head - Enderby
Brockington College - Enderby
Co-op - Cosby
The Tithe Barn - Cosby
The Woodland Pre-school - Enderby
Foxfields Academy - Blaby
Tim Hortons Cafe and Bake - Enderby
The Cook in the Nook - Cosby
CK2 Catering - private address
Mesmerising Icing - private address

Rated 4 - Hygiene standards are good

Wans House - Blaby

Rated 1 - Major improvement is necessary

Dog and Gun - Kilby
Marine Fish Bar - Glenfield

Food hygiene ratings

Students get an insight into construction 👷‍♀️

We were delighted to help organise a group of Brookvale Groby Learning Campus students to visit the David Wilson Homes site at New Lubbesthorpe recently.

The Year 9s' trip was part of our Changing the Face of Construction initiative, looking to encourage more girls into the construction industry.

The aim was to show the students as many aspects of the industry as possible and highlight how girls can get involved with numerous career paths, just at a time when they are thinking about their future outside of school.

A huge thanks to David Wilson Homes for giving a really valuable insight into the world of opportunities available in construction!

🎁 Just three weeks to go until our Christmas Fair🎄

The countdown is on for Blaby District Council's first ever family-friendly festive fair.

Taking place from 5pm to 8pm on Friday 09 December, the Christmas Fair will be in the warm surroundings of the Council’s offices on Desford Road, Narborough (LE19 2EP).

There is no entry fee and food and beverages will be available, as well as free craft activities for all the family to enjoy as the festive season fast approaches. There will even be a visit from Santa!

A number of local businesses will also be at the fair selling their items, including crafts, handmade chocolate, sweets and treats, handmade toys, hampers, candles and wax melts.

Free parking is available in the Council’s office car park for the duration of the event. Marshalls will help direct people on the day.

Community Grants deadline nears 🙂

The deadline for the latest round of Blaby District Council's Community Grants scheme is approaching.

Voluntary and community groups have until 5pm on 30 November to apply for money to help develop and strengthen community facilities and activities. Six core grants are available to suit different project types with a value up to £4,000.

The money can be used for a variety of projects which benefit people in local neighbourhoods including things like installing play equipment, replacing old community vehicles, refurbishing buildings, grounds or pitch maintenance and covering payments such as insurance expenditure or staffing or volunteering costs.

Last year we awarded £82,000 in community grants, funding a selection of voluntary sector groups, charities and sports clubs.

To find out more use the link below:

Find out about Community Grants

Free car parking for Blaby lights switch-on 🅿️

There's free car parking in Blaby this evening for the annual Christmas lights switch-on in the village centre.

There will be no charge to use either of the car parks run by Blaby District Council, at Enderby Road (Forge Corner) and Johns Court (Iceland).

The event is run by Blaby Parish Council and will feature all the usual festive fun including fairground rides, stalls, games, seasonal music and an appearance from Santa Claus.

The switch-on takes place at 7pm.

Local centre planned for New Lubbesthorpe🧱

An application has been submitted to our Planning team for permission to build a new local centre and a 66-bed care home in New Lubbesthorpe.

The submitted plans include a two-storey local centre, including four shop units and a food and drink establishment. The first floor will be occupied by medical facilities. A 66-bed care home is also proposed as well as dedicated parking for both the care home and local centre.

These proposals will now go through the planning process and will be determined by the Planning Committee at a future meeting.

You can view the documents and have your say on the application until Friday 09 December by using the link below.

New Lubbesthorpe application

Blaby District Council graphic "A great place to live, work and visit"