Minutes from the Meeting 7th August 2023
LONG BENNINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
APPROVED MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting
Held Monday 7th August 2023
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Public Forum |
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2 members of the public attended. No issues raised. |
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Meeting commenced at 7.01 pm |
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Present |
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Mark Newton (MN) Chairman, Geoff Fearn (GF), Jane Bell (JB), Mick Walker (MW), Mick Brooks (MB), Carole Lee (CL), Paul Wood (PW), Iain Lyon (IL) and Jane Evans, Parish Clerk |
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23/131 |
Apologies for Absence |
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Daryl Walton, Ross Warman, John Leventhall and Alex Maughan due to personal circumstances– apologies accepted. |
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23/132 |
Declarations of Interest. |
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To receive Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in accordance with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012 - none |
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23/133 |
Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 3rd July 2023 |
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Matters Arising 23/118 - Action for AM. Update needed for Sept meeting. 23/127 – contact not made to raise issue of footpath alongside Co-op. Councillors advised this will be raised in a planned meeting with the communities coordinator at Lincs Co-op. ACTION CLERK It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a true record. |
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23/134 |
County Council Report |
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No report |
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23/135 |
District Council Report |
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A brief update was provided on plans to relocate the recycling site in Grantham with a long term plan to build a new depot costing approx. £7m. Details of potential refurbishment of old Council buildings were discussed. PW was asked to chased SKDC Planning for release of the S106 monies to assist with progressing the build of the car perk at the Playing Field. ACTION PW |
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23/136 |
Planning |
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Applications - S23/1305 Long Bennington Parish Council. Application for certificate of lawfulness re extension of area allocated for car parking , including new fencing at Long Bennington Playing Field, Main Road, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objections/comments 23/1136 Hardie. Application for Manege at Beck Farm , Sewstern Lane, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objections/comments S23/1140Firth Application for single-storey extension and pergola to the front elevation (rear to the street) at The Old Forge , Wheatsheaf Lane, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objections/comments S23/0889 Staines. Application for extensions/alterations of existing dwelling, refurbishment of existing nissen hut and alterations to existing carport to form home office at Middle Farm, Valley Lane, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objections/comments Planning Approvals – see agenda, no comment required. Planning Refusals – none Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none Other planning issues – none |
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Section 106 Monies re Park View– to provide update on request for funding for car park and update on progress of plans for car park. |
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It was agreed earlier that PW is to chase the monies with SKDC see S23/135 above. It was confirmed letters inviting tenders have been sent out. It was acknowledged that the PC could not approve a contract until after receipt of formal confirmation that S106 monies will be paid.
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23/138 |
Village Hall Ownership Structure – to discuss current position |
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JL has received advice from a specialist solicitor advising there is a way forward to achieve the aim of transferring the Village Hall into the ownership of the PC. It was confirmed a meeting was held on 25th July with representatives of the VHMC, PC, PCC and the three Trustees of St James’s Hall and details of the way forward were discussed. Further concerns/questions have been raised by a Trustee and submitted to the solicitor for clarification. Councillors were advised the total legal fees may be approx. £7k and Geoff Fearn has agreed to personally cover £4k of the fees. It was proposed and agreed unanimously that the remaining £3k will come from PC funds. |
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23/139 |
Gateway Project |
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It was confirmed the grant funds have now been received. The exact location of the gates are to be agreed and details submitted in an application to LCC to erect a structure in the verge. ACTION MN/CLERK Cllrs discussed the exact wording of the signs and the following was agreed for each sign:
Welcome to Long Bennington a Speed Watch Village |
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23/140 |
Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report |
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Chairman’s Report No report Clerks Report Councillors were referred to the attached report. Item 11 – it was confirmed suggested dates for defibrillator training have been submitted but no response received to date, but it will be followed up. ACTION JB |
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23/141 |
Finance |
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Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £5080.22. 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. Councillors formally approved the re-imbursement of £2296.21 to the Village Hall Management Committee for the insurance renewal. |
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23/142 |
Reports |
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Playing Fields Management Committee – Cllrs were advised a legionella assessment is to be completed. The transfer of the land being gifted is progressing and Chattertons have been instructed to act on behalf of the PC in this matter. Village Hall Management Committee – the refurbishment of the floor has been completed. School Liaison – no report Emergency Planning Group Report – no report Road Safety – the update from AM is pending regarding the request for double yellow lines in the village. ACTION AM Police Report – It was confirmed Barbara Mooney has now retired and there will be no PCSO covering Long Bennington, policing concentrating on areas with higher levels of crime. Local issues should be reported to the Neighbourhood policing team. Footpaths & Streetlights – Councillors were referred to an email from a resident about in parking where footpaths are blocked for pedestrians. It was agreed to contact Whitakers to ask for support in reducing inconsiderate parking. ACTION CLERK Witham Meadow – Councillors were referred to details of quotes for replacement of the gate, circulated before the meeting. RESOLVED to accept the quote from PV Baker Fencing. ACTION CLERK |
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23/143 |
Correspondence |
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Councillors referred to attached list of correspondence received during the last month. No issues raised. Councillors were advised that the scheduled resurfacing of Moor Lane has been postponed until 14th September. |
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23/144 |
Items for next agenda and Parish News Report. |
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Next agenda – Village gateway, S106 monies, Village Hall transfer of title |
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23/145 |
Date of next meeting – 4th September 2023 |
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Meeting Closed 7.59 pm |
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Signed Geoff Fearn Designation Vice Chairman 04/09/2023 |