Welcome to Jim Coley's Information website
General information about me.
For Parish Council information please go to the official Groby Parish Council website
(This website was created and promoted by Jim Coley of 41 Pymm Ley Lane, Groby Leicester LE6 0GZ
June 4th Parish By-election results
The Count:
The count for the Groby Parish Council by-election took place at the Hinckley Leisure Centre on Friday June 5th in conjunction with the count of the County Council Election.
Results of polling:
Jim Coley: 1,325 votes (elected)
Norman McCausland: 766 votes
Turnout:
36.63%
Some of the issues that affect our Village!
Why do we have to put up with sometimes taking 15 minutes to get out of the village during the rush hour?
It's not only the regular morning congestion it's also lunchtimes AND after school PLUS about 5.30pm! It's not only the wasted time it is also the increased air pollution in the area of the 2 roundabouts leaving the village which must be very high at these times, should we perhaps be measuring this?
How has the roundabout on the A50/A46 become one of the worst accident black spots in the area?
On some weeks there are accidents nearly every day, do we have to wait for someone to be killed before we get traffic lights on the roundabout entry/exit and possibly introduce a (40mph?) speed limit starting somewhat before the “Anstey lane ” slip road in order to slow the vehicles down before they reach the island and improve egress from the Anstey lane at the same time.
What can we do about Groby having one of the slowest Broadband services in the area?
Why are we a Broadband NOT-Spot rather than a Broadband HOT-Spot. To get the Governments Minimum stated requirement of at least 2Mbps of Broadband service in Groby it seems that you have to go to the cable supplier (now Virgin cable media) so where is our choice? None of the (internet service providers) ISP's who deliver Broadband over your telephone cable can achieve the 2Meg required, whichever one you use as they are all provided over the “old BT Cables” to your house. I understand that the main issue is the length and type of the cable which connects Groby to the Glenfield Exchange ( this was put in when the old Anstey telephone Exchange was closed and Groby was re-connected to Glenfield telephone exchange). There IS a solution by putting a fibre link from Glenfield Exchange into Groby with a type of sub unit/repeater in the village but it seem that this needs sufficient pressure from the community to achieve this.
Click here for the latest discussion article by BT on Broadband “Not Spots” !
Where is the best place to put an activity centre in the Village, and why just for the youngsters?
We need places for teenagers to use up some of that boundless energy, places for all ages to enjoy many types of sports other than football. Also what about the arts, the college is closed during much of the holidays and the Village hall is great but very heavily booked up and we're a big village with over 6 thousand people we need facilities for all of us. A centre which includes a performing arts centre, with music rehearsal rooms. Dance studios and somewhere for bands choirs etc to rehearse might be an idea. We've a long music tradition in the village as many of you will know with such current performers as Ainsley Lister out there on the road as an example, we need more amenities for all of us.
The Quarry Park site may be a good solution, but what about the many years of uncontrolled tipping which took place to fill the old quarry, is this where the pollution which decimated Groby Pool came from? And what other dangers lurk there. A full survey needs to be done before any decision is made including sufficient test bores to the bed of the old quarry as “heavy minerals” will seek the lowest levels.
What is it's not suitable -back to the drawing board? Or back in the cupboard for another 4 years, NO! Keep the ball rolling and find a solution.
Groby Needs more leisure facilities for ALL.
I realise that the question, which is causing the most concern in Groby at the moment, is the possible Traveller Site and housing expansion and I agree that it's wrong on many counts. In order for you to understand my views on this most emotive issue I've listed some of my more obvious objections below and like most Groby Residents, I agree with much of the reasoning of the Groby Action Group and I am a member and an active participant in their on line forum
Physical/Practical issues
Already overloaded Schools
Total lack of sufficient special needs schooling
Already overloaded Doctors surgery
Already overloaded mains services
Already overloaded road system (this applies very much to the original site but also in a different way to the newly proposed site near the A50/A46/Anstey lane which impacts on the village egress and will have even more effect on the area if the A50/A46 Park and Ride were to go ahead
Limited Police Presence
Social Issues
Reduced House Prices in an already deflated market
Why did I stand for the Parish Council (I may ask myself this question in a few months!)?
For the Extremely large Salary and the tremendously high esteem in which the local Parishioners hold the position!
Seriously though:
In simple terms - It’s because I now want to take a more active role in the organisation of my Village of Groby. I've been busy for years working silly hours and bringing up a family and, yes, relying on others to run the village.
My Family has lived in Groby since spring 1986 and we lived in Anstey for the 17 years prior to that, so I feel that I’m very much a “local” (although perhaps not in the eye’s of those born and bred in the village!)
My three children all attended Groby schools and as a family we have been involved in many of Groby and it’s surrounding area’s activities over the years such as: Cubs, Scouts, Brownies (my Daughter not Me!), walks to Groby Pool and especially for my wife, the nearby Gynsill tennis club.
I used to sing in the Groby Singers and recently have even spent a few months working at my most local, Lady Jane Grey, Primary School.
Now I'm partly retired and I've more time to “spare” I want to give something back to my community.
What Can I bring to the Parish Council?
Past Committee membership:
I have been a member and officer of many committees over the past 40 odd years, some informal such as local leisure societies and some considerably more formal such as the Regional and National committees and sub-committees of the Communications National Management Association CONNECT.
My Business Expertise:
I’ve had some not inconsiderable experience in a large number of business areas, from my early Civil Service days in the then Nationalised GPO as an telephone engineering apprentice, dealing with major National and International Companies in my sales/sales management role and later working with Industry and Local and National Government Bodies as a Communications Consultant. I was required to understand the finances and intricacies of company reports and balance sheets
Understanding of UK Industry and Government bodies:
I’ve a good understanding of Industries both large and small and how various issues affect them. I’ve also dealt with many Government bodies, as a consultant sales engineer, selling to them as well as dealing with them in my Union roles regarding safety and access issues.
Safety issues:
I’ve had extensive experience in the Safety arena, having been a Workplace Safety Rep and a Union Safety Officer for many years dealing with many issues from dangerous Asbestos in Hospitals to Display Screen Equipment (DSE) eyesight and issues. (I’ve had to stop work in more than one hospital site because of suspected exposed Asbestos.)
Honesty:
I count myself as being an honest person, as well as an understanding one. I’ve been formally checked within the Civil Service “Positive Vetting” security system when I was dealing with the MoD during the cold war and I have been and still am in some areas bound under the Official Secrets Act.
Team Player:
I believe that I’m a good Team Player and work well within “committee” where I’ve had years of experience both in “formal meetings” and in separate “work groups” and sub-committees.
Presentation skills:
I’ve had many years of presenting in one-one and one to many in both formal/planned presentations and explanatory ad-hoc discussions. I really enjoy presenting to groups of people.
Negotiation and Mediation:
I have had formal training in negotiating and mediation skills and have used these to good effect over the years both with irate customer issues and in Union representation and support to higher management.
Technical understanding:
I am a trained communications systems engineer and my IT knowledge is pretty well up to date. I have a good understanding of most technical issues including Mobile Phone technology (including the new 3rd Generation O2 and Vodafone etc transmitters which may prove useful with the expansion of this media). I am conversant with such software packages as MS office, FTP, FrontPage, MS Access etc plus a reasonable understanding of IT& Electrical regs, PAT testing and contract regulations.
I have created and currently run 2 web sites, one for or my Rock Band and one for The Stanley Opera. (plus this one of course)
Planning, Design and Building construction:
I have had many years of both using and creating building drawings and site plans including and I can read building, engineering and geographic drawings. I understand most of the construction processes and trades and have in the past acted as part of Project Management teams for major developments.
Processes and process re-engineering:
I have been involved in the implementation and use of both BS5750 and ISO9000 processes and I am well used to the rigors of Government “systems”.
Safety & first aid training:
Having been a safety rep for many years I have undergone training and testing to consolidate those positions. I have also been a Safety Officer and have up ‘till I retired been a Workplace First Aider under the First Aid at Work Scheme
I can also sing a bit – it’s not really relevant but useful at Karaoke and when you want a band at Parties!
My Life (or just a bit of it):
I've lived with my family in Groby since 1986 and I feel that I’m a local, all of my three children have grown up in the village and attended Groby schools and colleges, I've many friends and colleagues of all ages here so I understand many of the needs and concerns affecting all aspects of our village community.
I worked for many years for BT as a Telecom engineer, IT technical support , IT sales, then in “private industry” in Radio systems sales and since taking early partial retirement I've done all manner of jobs including traffic surveying for Leicester City Transport, running a retail shop and even a spell as temporary caretaker at Lady Jane Grey school which I thoroughly enjoyed.
My hobbies include walking, “trying to play tennis” ( my Wife is a member at Gynsill Tennis club) and Music, I play guitar and sing in a rock band as well as singing in The Stanley Opera at the Hinckley Concordia Theatre.
<<----- Jim enjoying his favourite hobby at Cordelia Studio Leicester!
Jim Coley's Art and Music Links
Concordia Theatre Hinckley: A place to appreciate Drama, Music and Comedy: - http://www.concordiatheatre.co.uk
Stanley Opera: One of Leicestershire's premier, Amateur ( in name only) Opera Companies: - http://www.stanleyopera.org.uk
Wreckless Venture: Jim Coley's rock band playing great 60's 70's 80's & 90's rock: - http://www.wrecklessventure.co.uk
The Village of Groby in Leicestershire: Information, latest news, a tour of the village, Groby history & lots more: - http://www.groby.org.uk
Tell me what YOU want from “your” parish councillor?
But PLEASE add your questions to the list - tell me – (e-mail me – click here or mail to the address at the bottom) I'm standing for this election in order to serve YOU, the voters, not just to hear the sound of my own voice. I want to help offer you a voice.
I want to serve ALL of our community.
E-mail Jim Coley at: jimcoley4groby@btinternet.com