Agendas and Minutes 2021

Public Forum

No members of the public in attendance.

Remote Zoom Meeting commenced at 7.30 pm

Present via video and audio

Martin Wright (MMW), Geoff Fearn (GF), Paul Wood (PW), Carole Lee (CL), Iain Lyon(IL), John Leventhall (JL), Ross Warman (RW), Daryl Walton (DW), Stephen Pearson (SP), Mick Brooks (MB), Mick Walker (MW), County Cllr Alexander Maughan(AM) and Jane Evans (Clerk)

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Apologies for Absence

All Councillors in attendance

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Declarations of Interest

GF declared an interest in item 6 - S21 0026, S210027 and S21/0056 in terms of listed buildings.

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Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 4th January 2021

Matters Arising

18/608 – Improvements to junction at southern end of the village. It was confirmed LCC are hoping to complete works this financial year. Checks are being made to establish if patching works are needed before the improvements commence.

18/610 – it is agreed that lighting is a problem on Main Road and AM agreed to contact LCC, approaching the issue from a safety perspective. ACTION AM

18/617 – Sewstern Lane. Cllrs were advised that AM is waiting for further information from LCC.    

 PENDING ACTION AM

18/617 – investigations into improvements to flashing speed signs – MB to report back at March meeting. ACTION MB

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

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County Council & District Council Report

Councillors were updated on the Covid-19 vaccination programme across Lincolnshire. Information on the budget was provided and it was confirmed there will be a general 1.99% increase in council tax to support cost pressures and 3% for extra adult care funding.

AM confirmed the local elections will go ahead on 6th May and advised he will be standing again.

The highway encroachment on Winters Lane was discussed. It was confirmed MMW has delivered a letter to the resident with a couple of weeks being given before formal reporting to LCC is considered.

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District Council Report

PW advised the budget proposal is similar to last year, being a £5 increase on band D properties.

Councillors were referred to the Solar Farm community benefit payment and it was confirmed Savills are drawing up papers, for PW to distribute, with the split of funds being per his suggestion that was put to the interested Parish Councils. PW was requested to ensure Savills issue this worded clearly as final settlement.

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Planning

Applications – S21/0026 and S21/0027 D Lepley. Application for new rear

extension and partial demolition to the rear. External landscaping alterations to front and rear. Internal alterations to listed building and replacement of existing windows to frontage of listed building at Elmtree House , 54 Main Road, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objection subject to appropriate drainage consideration for potential increase surface water run-off. ACTION CLERK

S21/0028 Michael Potts. Application for conversion of detached garage with erection of first floor extension and single storey link extension at 18A Costa Row, Long Bennington. RESOLVED No objection

S21/0056 Woodward. Application for the erection of one dwelling at 48 Church Street, Long Bennington. RESOLVED to object due to impact on listed building with information within the application being misrepresented. ACTION CLERK

Further to comment regarding protection of the property next to Concord House on Church Street, it was agreed to contact the conservation officer to investigate further. ACTION CLERK

S21/0114 Favill. TPO Application for permission to fell silver birch at 5 Hardwick Gardens, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objection

S21/0050 Tupper. Conversion of garage and workshop into an annex and the erection of detached garage to the front of the dwelling at 32 Church Street, Long Bennington. RESOLVED to object to the erection of the garage, being too close to the front boundary. Comment only on the annexe, being subject to suitable drainage solutions. ACTION CLERK

Planning Approvals –see agenda.

Planning Refusals – see agenda

Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none

Other planning issues –S20/0669 Smith. Councillors were advised that MMW and PW had a meeting with representatives from SKDC regarding the unauthorised traveller site. It has been indicated that SKDC will be looking to approve the application, suggesting it would be for a limited time and personal to the applicant in a move to restrict use by other travellers.

It was agreed to raise the lack of provision of suitable sites with SKDC, requesting that a site appropriate for residential use is sought and pitches offered to Mr Smith. ACTION PW

A further letter is to be sent to SKDC regarding the planning process specific to this application and also highlighting the lack of consultation with the local community on behalf of the enforcement team. ACTION CLERK and JL

Consultation Bantycock Quarry – RESOLVED no comment

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Parish Agreement Documentation 2021-22 – to approve

RESOLVED the agreement is to be signed by the Clerk on behalf of the Parish Council

18/628

Chairman and Clerk’s Report

Chairman’s Report

Councillors were referred to a parcel of land opposite the playing field that is for sale. I was agreed that enquiries are to be made with Savills as this could provide suitable parking provision for the playing field. An update is to be provided at the March meeting.

Clerks Report

Councillors were referred to the attached report.

Items 4&7 – security light causing glare - this is to be chased with Harlaxton estates. ACTION CLERK

It was agreed new pads for the defibrillators are to be purchased subject to confirmation of total cost. ACTION CLERK

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Finance

A request from the Playing Field Management Committee for £3000 to be transferred to their account to cover routine maintenance expenditure was referred to and it was agreed to make a payment of £3000 being covered by the recently received grant. A cheque is to be raised.

Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £4937.92.

RESOLVED – to pay the invoices.

Community Cleaner hours worked and payment – approved.

Cllrs referred to the attached papers including a note increasing the total net expenditure budget to for the year to £63,545, reflecting the receipt of the grants regarding closure of the pavilion.   RESOLVED to approve amendment.

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Reports

Playing Fields Management Committee – Cllrs were advised summer and winter fundraising events are being planned. SKDC will be contacted before the facility is re-opened to ensure compliance. Play equipment for older children is being investigated. The possible future project to provide a 3G pitch via funding from SKDC was discussed and Councillors asked what would be the future implications and IL agreed to investigate. ACTION IL

Village Hall Management Committee  - Cllrs were advised the Chairman plans to write to the PC airing concerns over the financial future of the village hall facility.

School Liaison – no issues to raise. Home-schooling going well.

Emergency Planning Group Report – the Emergency Box is to be checked to ensure keys to the Pavilion are still in place. ACTION JL

Road Safety – no report

Police Report – MB advised that have been a couple of incidents of anti-social behaviour, drunken behaviour at the Memorial Gardens and an attempted break-in on Main Road. Contact has been established with Maisie McMahon from the newly established Safer Together Team. This provides direct contact with the Police Commissioner and it was agreed to invite her to a meeting. ACTION MB

Footpaths & Streetlights – A blocked drain on Valley Lane opposite the Medical Centre is to be reported. ACTION CLERK

AM agreed to undertake a full audit of all footpaths in the village and will report issues via FixMyStreet. ACTION AM

Communications Committee – announcements to be made re new website. ACTION CLERK

Witham Meadow Project Report– it was reported that part of the site has been flooded and confirmed costings of trees is still underway.

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Correspondence

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

No comments.

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Items for next agenda and Parish News Report.

Next agenda – Grass Cutting Contract – to approve

Land for sale opposite Playing Field – to discuss

Village Hall – to discuss future financial stability

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Date of next meeting – 1st March 2021

Meeting Closed 9.48 pm.

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

Date…………………….