Agenda and Minutes 2022

Public Forum

1 member of the public was in attendance. No questions were raised.

Meeting commenced at 7.31pm

Present

Martin Wright (MMW) Chairman, Geoff Fearn (GF), Paul Wood (PW), Ross Warman (RW), John Leventhall (JL), Mick Brooks (MB), Iain Lyon (IL), Carole Lee (CL), Mick Walker (MW) and Jane Evans (Clerk)

18/836

Apologies for Absence

Daryl Walton (DW) due to holiday and Alex Maughan (AM) due to personal commitments – apologies accepted

18/837

Declarations of Interest

None

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Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 7th February 2022

Matters Arising  

18/821 and 18/806. Due to some technical issues, not all Councillors have the emails set up and JL has offered to provide support. Progress to be reviewed mid month. ACTION JL AND CLERK

18/821 AND 18/813. It was agreed to advised AM that a meeting with LCC to discuss progress with the Flood Alleviation Scheme will be welcome. ACTION CLERK

18/826. IL advised increased signage re dog fouling is in hand and dog control orders are being investigated. ACTION IL

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

18/839

County Council

An update was provided ahead of the meeting on the flood alleviation scheme and a request to Highways to remove the overgrown hedgerow on Vicarage Lane.

Councillors referred to the recent resurfacing of Acklands Lane and it was agreed to ask AM to establish if the verge will be improved to prevent damage at the edge of the new road surface. ACTION CLERK

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District Council Report

Councillors were advised the appeal hearing for the traveller site on Valley Lane has bee re-scheduled for 26th April at 10.00am.

A summary of the recent Chief Executive restructure was given, confirming two directors have left. It was confirmed that following a Full Council meeting, budgets have been set and details of council tax increases were given. PW advised the Food Waste Scheme has been cancelled and this will result in financial savings for SKDC.

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Planning

Applications – S22/0382 Headland Application for two storey side extension with

single storey rear extension to the property at 3 Alexandra Close, Long Bennington. Big extension that doesn’t change the setting. RESOLVED no objection.

FURTHER PLANNING APPLICATIONS CONSIDERED

S22/0422 Collins. Application for single storey rear extension at 49 The Pastures, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objection.

Planning Approvals – see agenda

Planning Refusals – see agenda

Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – Appeal re  Development of Land at Rear of Royal Oak, Long

Bennington. For info only as date not yet set.

Other planning issues – S22/0153. Comments submitted by SKDC for Adjoining Authority

Consultation re creation of hardstanding at Hangar 2, Roseland Business Park. No comments

18/842

Annual Parish Meeting – to discuss date and format.

It was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting will take place on 9th May, immediately before the Annual Parish Council meeting. It was further agreed to improve/increase advertising and have a more informal format (no individual presentations). ACTION CLERK

18/843

Review of Policies – to review Communications and Social Media Policy, Equal Opportunities, Whistleblowing, Freedom of Information, Complaints, General Privacy, Records Retention

Councillors RESOLVED to approve the review of the above policies

18/844

Claypole Neighbourhood Plan Consultation – to discuss

It was agreed that no comments are to be submitted and a review of the Long Bennington Neighbourhood Plan is to be done to establish is any amendments/updates are needed. ACTION ALL

18/845

Parish Council Noticeboard – to discuss replacement/refurbishment

It was agreed to proceed with replacing the existing lettering with proposed acrylic letters. ACTION CLERK

18/846

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration Plans – to discuss

Councillors were advised a grant application has been submitted to SKDC via Cllr Wood, for support for the local celebrations. A request is to be submitted from the organising committee for financial support.

Congratulations to the Long Bennington Rotary were expressed following their £600 donation for Ukraine.

A Councillor suggested it is important the event is documented for future generations. This is to be referred to the organising committee. ACTION CLERK

18/847

Chairman and Clerk’s Report

Chairman’s Report

It was RESOLVED to move the meeting to a closed session.

HR matters were discussed.

It was suggested a calendar is events/job description for the Clerk and Chairman is to be established. ACTION CLERK/JL

It was suggested and agreed a personal risk assessment is to be completed. ACTION CLERK

Clerks Report

The meeting returned to an open session.

Councillors were referred to the attached report.

The current vacancy for a Councillor was discussed and it was agreed to advertise it on Social Media. ACTION CLERK

18/848

Finance

Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £1672.05

RESOLVED – to pay the invoices.

Monthly financial reports were provided and no questions were raised.

Community Cleaner hours worked and payment – approved.

Quotes for works to trees in the Memorial Gardens were discussed and it was agreed to proceed with he quote from Eden Tree Services subject to satisfactory insurances. ACTION CLERK

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Reports

Playing Fields Management Committee – it was confirmed negotiations with Lincs FA have been taking place regarding upgrading the changing rooms and an artificial pitch could be a possibility.

Village Hall Management Committee – it was agreed to investigate via LALC if legal support can be provided to help establish and simplify ownership/legal title for St James’s Hall. ACTION CLERK

School Liaison – book tokens regarding the poster competition are to be sent into school. ACTION IL

Emergency Planning Group Report – no report

Road Safety – MB advised there is to be an unmarked police car in the village for a couple of days during the week. Speed checks continue to take place.

Police Report – it was confirmed that was a significant theft of aluminium matting from Valley Lane. It was confirmed there has been a theft of 4 wheels from a motorhome on Main Road. MB advised a question regarding local policing and council tax contributions has been submitted to the Public Assurance meeting.

Footpaths & Streetlights – faulty column 59 on corner of Welbournes Lane/Witham Road is to be reported. ACTION CLERK

Communications Committee – it was agreed MMW and JL are to meet to discuss future actions.

Witham Meadow Project Report – it was confirmed Natural England are against the use of herbicides, so a further review of action is to be done. It was suggested and agreed to proceed with a further cut of the meadow (quoted for and approved previously) with the cost £180 being within the plan and covered by grant funding.

A summary of the survey feedback was provided, reaffirming the agreed plans.

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Correspondence

Councillors referred to attached list of correspondence received during the last month.

Reference was made to a recent email to Councillors advising of a proposal from the WI to improve the shrub beds in the village hall gardens. It was agreed to support a joint approach to making enhancements and it will be discussed further once proposals from the WI are received.

Magic Little Grants are to be investigated as well as other potential funding opportunities. ACTION CLERK

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Items for next agenda and Parish News Report.

Next agenda – Annual Parish Meeting, village hall shrub beds and new Cycle Scheme

Parish News – Fixmystreet

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Date of next meeting – 4th April 2022

Meeting Closed 9.10pm

Signed Martin Wright    Designation Chairman        

Date 4th April 2022