Agendas and Minutes 2023

Present

Geoff Fearn (GF), John Leventhall (JL), Mick Walker (MW), Mark Newton (MN), Carole Lee (CL), Daryl Walton (DW), Mick Brooks (MB) and Jane Evans (Clerk).

Meeting commenced at 7.30 pm

23/074

The meeting was formally opened by the Clerk, advising the seven members of the public present that the meeting would start with the election of the Chair and Vice-chair and the meeting would then be suspended to allow a public forum.

MN was proposed and seconded as Chairman and carried unanimously. Position accepted.

GF was proposed and seconded as Vice-Chairman and carried unanimously. Position accepted.

MN thanked Councillors and suspended the meeting at 7.34pm to allow the public forum.

Public Forum

Seven members of the public were in attendance.

No issues were raised so PC meeting recommenced at 7.35pm

23/075

Apologies for Absence

Iain Lyon (IL) due to work commitments. Paul Wood (PW) and County Cllr Alex Maughan (AM) due to personal commitments– apologies accepted.

23/076

Declarations of Interest.

To receive Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in accordance with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 - none

23077

Co-option of Councillors – to consider and approve

Nominees were invited to speak ahead of the meeting going into a closed session.

Following discussion, all three candidates were formally proposed, seconded and a vote took place. The Chairman thanked candidates for submitting applications and confirmed Ross Warman (RW) and Jane Bell were co-opted to the Parish Council. RW joined the meeting.

23/078

Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 3rd April 2023

Matters Arising  

None

It was RESOLVED that the minutes and confidential minutes be signed as a true record.

23/079

County Council Report

Cllrs were referred to a written report circulated ahead of the meeting. It was noted the works has started on the Flood Alleviation Scheme.

The recent village walkabout was discussed, being a positive meeting and following various reports submitted by Fixmystreet, the majority of these small jobs have been completed.

23/080

District Council Report

No report.

Councillors were advised that PW has been contacted to assist with chasing for S106 monies for the proposed car park. It was suggested and agreed to contact Phil Jordan at SKDC enquiring if Ablehomes are in breach of contract. ACTION CLERK

23/081

Planning

Applications – S23/0666 Lyons. Application for replacement garage, including

demolition of existing garage at 82 Main Road, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objection.

Planning Approvals – see agenda

Planning Refusals – none

Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none

Other planning issues – S23/0413 Change of use of two ground floor side rooms and a

section of the rear beer garden of the Wheatsheaf Inn, Dry Doddington to residential use to form part of Wheatsheaf Cottage – following discussion, it was agreed that comment would not add value so no comments will be submitted.

Arrival of new travellers at the land on Valley Lane – it was agreed that no further action can be discussed until a further update from SKDC is received following the expiry of a deadline given to the occupants.

23/082

Section 106 monies re Park View – to provide update on request for funding for car park

See 23/080

23/083

Village Hall Ownership Structure – to discuss current position

JL confirmed a reply has been received from the local Diocese and the opinion is that permission will not be needed from the Bishop.

Following a visit to Tallents solicitors, it was established direct assistance is unlikely but they have provided a referral to a solicitor in Nottingham.

GF confirmed he will pay for legal fees for advice provided to help resolve the position.

23/084

Gift of Land at Playing Field – to discuss legal costs/solicitor instruction.     

Having found it difficult to get a solicitor to provide a quote for legal fees for the transfer of ownership, GF advised he can provide details of a recommended solicitor provided by his solicitors, Tallents. ACTION GF

23/085

Renewal of Bowls Club Lease – to formally approve signed lease.

It was confirmed the lease has been signed on behalf of the Bowls Club and this was formally accepted by the PC.

23/086

External Audit AGAR – To approve Section 1 and Section 2

Councillors were referred to the AGAR, having been circulated ahead of the meeting.

Section one Annual Governance Statement 2022/23 discussed – RESOLVED to approve section one

Section two Annual Statements 2022/23 discussed – RESOLVED to approve section two

It was agreed that the Chairman and Clerk can sign both sections and submit the return on behalf of the PC. ACTION CLERK

23/087

Register of Fixed Assets – to review and approve

Councillors were referred to the list of fixed assets, having been circulated ahead of the meeting and the updated list was approved by Councillors.

23/088

Insurance Renewal – to discuss and approve

Councillors were referred to the insurance renewal quotation and information circulated ahead of the meeting. It was confirmed the PC has entered into a Long Term Agreement until 31st May 2025 and information, the renewal last year was £3,350.47. Councillors RESOLVED to confirm renewal and pay the renewal sum £3,417.45. ACTION CLERK

23/089

Gateway Project – to discuss quotes required for terms of grant.

It was agreed to get three quotes for installation of the gates from local businesses and quotes for gates from the internet. ACTION CLERK

23/090

Long Bennington FC Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund – to formally approve application relating to PC land.

Councillors were referred to the details of the application circulated ahead of the meeting and it was resolved to formally approve the application on behalf of the PC.

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Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report

Chairman’s Report

No Report

Clerks Report

Councillors were referred to the attached report. No questions.

23/092

Finance

Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £6175.75

RESOLVED – to pay the invoices.

Monthly financial reports were provided, and no questions were raised.

Community Cleaner hours worked and payment – approved.

Quote from Allsecure Ltd £355+vat for CCTV maintenance – RESOLVED to approve and pay

£100 gift for internal auditor – RESOLVED to pay. ACTION CLERK

Review and approval continuation of existing Direct Debits confirmed.

Replacement pads for AEDs – RESOLVED to order new pads ahead of expiry date at the end of the month for three out of the four AEDs. ACTION CLERK

Request from St Swithun’s PCC for £500 to support Parish News production RESOLVED to approve donation. ACTION CLERK

Request for annual donation £180 to the Royal British Legion for Remembrance Day Wreaths. RESOLVED to approve donation. ACTION CLERK

Request from St Swithun's Church PCC for £1000 towards maintenance of the Churchyard. RESOLVED to approve donation. ACTION CLERK

23/093

Reports

Playing Fields Management Committee – it was confirmed the AGM has taken place and new committee confirmed. Councillors were referred to a request from the PFMC to consider requesting the installation of a “children playing” sign. RESOLVED to submit a request to LCC. ACTION CLERK

Village Hall Management Committee – Cllrs were advised the VHMC event for the Coronation was extremely well organised but sadly not as well attended despite a lot of advertising.

School Liaison – the need to liaise with the Headteacher was mentioned and it was agreed to discuss this further as an agenda item next month. ACTION CLERK

Emergency Planning Group Report – no report

Road Safety – MB referred to the requested yellow lines, as previously discussed, and it was confirmed Rowan Smith, LCC is aware it is outstanding. MB advised he has submitted a complaint about the lack of policing in the village.

Police Report – no report

Footpaths & Streetlights – no report

Witham Meadow – it was confirmed a cut of the meadow has been done per approval by Councillor majority via email. Reception class children have been provided with seeds etc, made wildflower seed bombs and thrown them in an allocated area at Witham Meadow.

23/094

Correspondence

Councillors referred to attached list of correspondence received during the last month. No questions raised.

The Clerk mentioned an email from the VHMC referring to proposals to refurbish the flooring at the village hall and a request for support to enable VAT to be recovered, with no additional financial burden for the Parish Council. Quotes are to be obtained to comply with the PC Financial Regulations.

A Councillor referred to the illegal waster site at Fen Lane and it was agreed to contact the Environment Agency for an update. ACTION CLERK

23/095

Items for next agenda and Parish News Report.

Next agenda – update on illegal waste site at Fen Lane, days of future meetings.

23/096

Use of WhatsApp as a form of communication – to discuss

Following discussion, it was established not all Councillors used WhatsApp so it was agreed not to take this forward.

23/097

It was suggested and agreed to postpone the next meeting, subject to hall availability.

Date of next meeting – 12th June 2023 at new time of 7.00pm

It was RESOLVED to bring all future meetings forward to a new start time of 7.00pm

Meeting Closed 8.48pm

Signed………………………………….  Designation ……………………        

Date …………………….