This year the annual parish meeting is provisionally scheduled for 7.45 p.m. pm Monday 10 May 2021. We are waiting for confirmation as to whether this will be permitted to take place virtually and it is possible that this date may change. Please keep an eye out on our website and noticeboard, where the agenda will be posted a week in advance of the meeting.

New dropped kerb
You may have noticed that the dropped kerb, which the parish council asked the county council to install 15 months ago, has now been put into place to make it easier for those with prams, wheelchairs and limited mobility to cross Vinetree Terrace by the old forge.

Bus shelter seat
We are hoping that by the time you read this, a seat will have been installed in the bus shelter on Loughborough Road. This is to aid our older residents when waiting for buses and has been specially designed for this purpose. Please allow those needing it most to be seated when waiting for a bus.

Neighbourhood Plan Referendum
The referendum on the Wolds Villages Neighbourhood Plan will take place on 6 May 2021, alongside the local council elections. You will be asked to answer 'yes' or 'no' to the question: 'Do you want Charnwood Borough Council to use the Neighbourhood Plan for the Wolds Villages to help it decide planning applications in the 449Neighbourhood Area?' The Neighbourhood Area comprises the parishes of Hoton, Burton on the Wolds, Cotes and Prestwold. The plan, produced jointly by the two councils, is the result of many years of collaboration and consultation with residents, local businesses, landowners. A copy of the referendum version of the plan can be downloaded from our website. A general information sheet will be made available by Charnwood Borough Council on 22 March. A link to this will be provided on our homepage.

Public rights of way
You may have noticed signs along the public rights of way across the Prestwold Estate. The Estate has asked us to reassure residents that there is no intention to remove or alter any public rights of way, it is an exercise in establishing the correct lines of the footpaths and bridleways. The notice both acknowledges the existence of existing rights of way and serves a statement which acts to prevent new rights of way from being established across their land. This is common practice amongst landowners.

Please keep to the footpaths and bridleways to avoid disturbing ground nesting birds.

Census 21
You should have received a digital code in the post for the national census, which is on Sunday 21 March 2021. You will be able to get support from local contact centres, or request paper copies online at www.cenus.gov.uk .Census Helpline is 0800 141 2021.

Police report
In January there was a burglary from a business reported in the area of Wymeswold Road.

Councillor vacancy
Would you like to be involved in improving the village and making decisions on how your council tax is spent? Parish councillors serve the local community by engaging with local residents and deciding what services and projects the parish council will deliver to improve the quality of life for those living in the village of Hoton and elsewhere in the parish. Your current councillors find this an enjoyable and rewarding position.

The role is not time consuming, no more than a couple of hours a week on average, with meetings held on the first Monday of each month. The main job of a councillor is to participate in the collective decision-making processes of the parish council. You don't need any qualifications - just commitment and enthusiasm.

If you want to make a difference by getting involved, please contact the clerk (details below) or speak to one of the current councillors.

Volunteers sought
In addition to the vacant councillor position, we are seeking volunteers to join our working parties. If you have time to commit to a single issue, such as speeding, the playing field or any other village improvement projects please speak to a councillor or contact the clerk.

Communications
If you have any suggestions or wish to raise an issue with the parish council, the best means of communication is by emailing the clerk, or telephone if preferred. You are also welcome to contact one of your councillors using the details on our website and noticeboards, but please be aware that they are unable to speak on behalf of the council or take action on matters by themselves. They will, with your permission, pass on your query to the clerk to respond to or take the appropriate action.

You may prefer to report some matters directly to the relevant organisation. The links below can be used to deal with common problems:

• Missed bin collection
• Report problems with street lights
• Report fly tipping
• Report a road problem
• Someone is carrying out tree work without permission (This is reported to planning enforcement. If the work is in progress please telephone the number on that web page.)

If the links do not open, the information is also available on our home page.

Date of the next meeting
The next meeting of Hoton Parish Council is planned to take place following the annual parish meeting (details above). If you wish to be sent an agenda you should sign up to our mailing list at https://www.hotonparishcouncil.org.uk/emailing-lists.html . Residents are always welcome at our meetings; time is allocated for your questions or comments.

Website
The parish council's website can be found at www.hotonparishcouncil.org.uk and contains

meeting agendas and minutes, current planning applications in Hoton, local news, playing field information and information on events at the Village Hall. You can also sign up to the parish council email mailing list to receive items of news and agendas for meetings. » Less