The News & Information Magazine for Groby, Field Head & The Brantings Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council News Release
Local parish councillor censured A Parish Councillor from Groby has been censured by Hinckley & Bosworth’s Standards Committee after being found to be in breach of the Parish Council Code of Conduct. The committee decided that Councillor Peter Batty of Groby Parish Council failed to treat three members of the public with respect, acted in a way which may cause the Parish Council to be in breach of equality enactments and brought his office and authority into disrepute. The committee censured Councillor Batty, determined that he sends a written letter of apology to the members of the public and undertakes training in race relations. In the event that Councillor Batty does not comply by 31 March 2012, he will be suspended from Groby Parish Council for one month. The committee was told that in July 2010, Councillor Batty was responsible for producing a newsletter that was distributed in Groby, which suggested that the complainant and his family were gypsies or travellers and detailed fears that their property may be intended for occupation by gypsies or travellers. The committee concluded that the newsletter clearly identified the family as being travellers or gypsies and described their actions in a provocative way. It was worded in such a way as to raise suspicions, stating that they were gutting the property and clearing and cutting down trees and bushes. The newsletter then described an unauthorised travellers’ site using words such as “full scale invasion” which undoubtedly would have caused concern to residents of a potential repeat of such behaviour. The committee concluded that this failed to treat the occupants/owners with respect and did nothing to promote good race relations as required by the Race Relations Act 1976. As such, it also brought Councillor Batty’s office and authority into disrepute. Councillor Batty has a right to appeal this decision.
Risk taking at Groby Pool could end in tragedy ... Those old photos showing Groby Pool and other expanses of water frozen over look very attractive. Some of them show people walking on the ice and it all looks quite safe. But it takes the item on the news telling us that someone has overestimated the strength of the ice and fallen into freezing water to remind us that if we walk on ice we are taking a calculated risk. The problem is that we are not qualified either to make the calculation or measure the risk. A miscalculation can result in a tragic accident and even a fatality. The most vulnerable are our young people as they are at the age when risk taking is part of their development. Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service may arrive in time to save a life but there are no guarantees. They would much rather that they didn’t need to get called out to deal with such incidents and have issued this advice to highlight the dangers presented by ponds, lakes and water courses when they have frozen over. “Parents should warn their children of the dangers of frozen water, and discourage them from playing on or near open water areas during freezing and icy conditions. It is understandable that areas of water are a natural recreational attraction to the public but the following simple guidance should help to keep you safe when using them: • Supervise younger children at all times, and discourage older children from playing near frozen water. • If possible find other areas to walk your animals. Public access to rivers, lakes, canals, etc…, are a great draw in wintery conditions but they can also be dangerous so if possible walk your animals elsewhere and eliminate any risk to them and yourself. •Keep animals on leads at all times when you are near to the water. Your dog may normally be very well trained and well behaved but you never know what may distract them and make them run on to the ice, to them it’s just another piece of land, especially if there are ducks to chase! • Do not enter the water if your dog does. In general, when a dog enters the water it will find its own way out; resist the temptation to jump in yourself.” The photograph was taken by a reader at Groby Pool at during the recent freezing weather. These youngsters got home safely. Others may not be so lucky.
Norman Griffiths
Police name driver of van following fatal collision in Groby Police have named the driver of the van who died following a collision on the A50 in Groby. The collision occurred at about 9.13am on Tuesday February 7 on the A50, Bradgate Hill and involved two vehicles, a blue Ford Transit van and a black Mercedes CLK. The driver of the van, Mr Danny Roy Chapman (63) of Groby, received fatal injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the Mercedes was not injured. Detective Constable Nick Bryan is investigating the collision, he said: “The collision occurred on the county bound carriageway of the A50 and we would urge anyone who witnessed it or saw either vehicle beforehand to contact us. “ Anyone with any information is asked to contact DC 87 Nick Bryan on 101*, follow the instructions to leave a message for a police officer and when prompted key in the officer’s identification number 0087. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers, which is free** and anonymous, on 0800 555 111. * Calls to 101 cost 15p for the entire call from both mobile phones and land lines ** Please note some mobile ‘phone service providers may charge for this call.
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