Minutes of the Meeting June 2023
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Public Forum |
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Three members of the public attended the meeting. |
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Meeting commenced at 7.30 pm |
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Present |
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Mark Newton (MN) Chairman, Geoff Fearn (GF), Iain Lyon (IL), Jane Bell (JB), Daryl Walton (DW), John Leventhall (JL), Mick Walker (MW), Mick Brooks (MB), Carole Lee (CL), Ross Warman (RW), District Cllr Paul Wood (PW) and County Cllr Alex Maughan (AM) |
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Apologies for Absence |
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Jane Evans, Clerk due to holiday – apologies accepted. |
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23/098 |
Declarations of Interest. |
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GF at 23/104 |
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Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 15th May 2023 |
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Matters Arising Nil It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a true record. |
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23/099 |
County Council Report |
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AM summarised the flood alleviation work ongoing in the village. The initial stage is complete with the next phase being carried out through July 2023. This work will involve some disruption to traffic and pedestrians, but it is hoped that villagers will show patience. Following on from the Annual Meeting, AM is meeting with the Head of Highways to reinvigorate extant footpath and road repair requests within the village. AM gave a summary of the County Council led work on Lincolnshire devolution proposals that are being examined by the County Council and Central Government. Parish Cllrs were given the opportunity to question AM on the proposals. The cycle lane requires further work for completion, parked vehicles prevented lines being painted in places. |
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23/100 |
District Council Report |
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PW provided an update regarding the outcome of the District Council elections and the political situation that has resulted. |
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23/101 |
Planning |
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S23/0798 – No objection S23/0797 – No 0bjection S23/0997 – No objection Planning Approvals – see agenda, no comment required Planning Refusals – none Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none Other planning issues – none |
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23/102 |
Section 106 Monies re Park View |
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It is expected that the delay to receiving Section 106 monies will be resolved soon. This will allow funding of the proposed car park for the Long Bennington Playing Field. The PC Clerk has written to SKDC to propose that the car park be considered permitted development. If this is not the case then a planning application will be made. |
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23/103 |
Village Hall Ownership Structure – to discuss current position |
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JL summarised progress on recent developments. Insurance - The Village Hall insurance is due for renewal, there is a question raised by the insurance company as to identifying the exact insured party. The VHMC are meeting to resolve this issue and will report to the PC if there are any actions that result. Ownership - The Diocese solicitor has confirmed that there is no obligation for permission from the Bishop prior to ownership structure change. However, it has been requested that the conditions that currently apply to parts of the building are retained for the whole structure following any change. The Trustees are now happy to pass their interest to the CIO, this will allow progress with the current plan and, ultimately, for the PC to be the sole trustee. Due to the ecclesiastical aspects associated with the transfer of ownership, it proved difficult to find legal representation for the parties involved. JL continues to seek legal assistance and will contact national firms if local firms are unable to assist.
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23/104 |
Gift of Land at Playing Field |
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The quote for legal work, as emailed to cllrs, was agreed as acceptable. The exact piece of land will be identified once the current groundworks are complete to ensure an accurate position – this is expected to take place over harvest time. JL suggested using Community Ownership funding to pay for legal costs. It was agreed that JL would apply on the PC’s behalf. ACTION: JL |
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23/105 |
Gateway Project |
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MN reported that quotes had started to come in for the proposed work but not a sufficient number to make a decision as yet. Councilors to consider what wording would be put on the signage, to be discussed at next mtg. |
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23/106 |
Sparrow Lane |
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Regarding the email received - councilors agreed that there was no risk of the land being lost from public ownership. Therefore, there is no PC action required at this time. ACTION: Clerk to respond to parishioner’s email on the matter. |
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23/107 |
Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations |
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JL provided an update of the changes. MN proposed that the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations were accepted as presented. Resolution passed unanimously. |
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23/108 |
School Liaison |
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The PC considered the regularity of contact with the local school. It was agreed that proactive contact remained of benefit and that IL would take up the responsibility. |
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23/109 |
Appointment of Councilor to verify bank statements/balance quarterly |
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The requirement for a quarterly review was discussed and agreed to be beneficial. JL accepted the responsibility. |
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Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report |
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Chairman’s Report Discussions between the Chair and the Clerk had raised the possibility of alternative solutions for the proposed Long Bennington Playing Field car park. These will be passed to the Playing Field Committee. The issue of dog waste being left in the grit bins had been raised to the PC. The implications of this behaviour to be highlighted to parishioners on social media. AM requested correspondence on the subject be passed to him so that he can raise the issue with the County Council.
Clerks Report Councillors were referred to the attached report. No question raised
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23/110 |
Finance |
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Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £5538.56. RESOLVED – to pay the invoices. ACTION Clerk to arrange payment. Monthly financial reports were provided, and no questions were raised. Community Cleaner hours worked and payment – approved. |
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23/111 |
Reports |
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Playing Fields Management Committee – Nil Village Hall Management Committee – See item 23/103, nil further. School Liaison – See item 23/108, nil further. Emergency Planning Group Report – A key member of the group was reported as having resigned due to ill health. Appointment of new member under consideration. Road Safety – See item 23/099 regarding cycleway lineage. Issues around poor parking in the village reported. Councillors agreed that the 3 pinch points are Valley Lane, opposite the CoOp and around the school. AM agreed to raise these issues with Highways. Police Report – The PCSO is leaving and will not be replaced resulting in no specific village cover. PCC has been approached but cited finance as the reason behind the lack of replacement. Footpaths & Streetlights – DW thanked AM for acess to the interactive map of works. THE AGM had seen members of the public raise concerns as to the state of the village footpaths. AM would monitor the situation. The requirement for dropped kerbs was also discussed, AM informed the mtg that dropped kerb requests must be made individually. Clerk to inform parishioners in printed media at next opportunity. ACTION: Clerk Witham Meadow – update provided. |
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23/112 |
Correspondence |
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Councillors referred to attached list of correspondence received during the last month. No issues raised. |
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23/113 |
Items for next agenda and Parish News Report. |
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Next agenda – Update on cycle lane, Village gateway, S106 monies, Village Hall transfer of title |
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23/114 |
Date of next meeting – 7th August 2023 |
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Meeting Closed 8.30 pm |
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Signed Mark Newton Designation Chairman Date 3rd July 2023 |