Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting 13th May 2024
LONG BENNINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES of the ANNUAL Parish Council Meeting
Held Monday 13th May 2024
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Public Forum |
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2 members of the public attended. No questions/issue were raised. |
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Meeting commenced at 8.07pm |
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Present |
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Mark Newton (MN), Geoff Fearn (GF) John Leventhall (JL), Mick Walker (MW), Daryl Walton (DW), Paul Wood (PW), Mick Brooks (MB), Carole Lee (CL), David Kelly (DK) and Jane Evans, Parish Clerk |
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24/077 |
Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman |
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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. |
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24/078 |
Apologies for Absence |
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Apologies from Ross Warman (RW) due to illness and Jane Bell (JB) due to personal commitments – apologies accepted. |
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24/079 |
Declarations of Interest. |
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To receive Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in accordance with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012. None declared. |
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24/080 |
Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 8th April 2024 |
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Matters Arising None
It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a true record.
Cllrs were advised that Steve Rowley has experienced issues with the grass verges that were dug up as part of the flood alleviation scheme, with his mower being damaged. GF advised that LCC will review the condition of the verges when they return to revert his field to its pre project condition. |
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24/081 |
County Council Report |
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No further comment given report given at Annual Parish Meeting that preceded the PC meeting. Cllrs were referred to the traffic study executive report that will be discussed further over the next few weeks. |
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24/082 |
District Council Report |
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PW referred to Long Bennington Charities, accounts being shared with the PC for information. Cllrs were advised that £18k cash reserves are currently held and the charity is looking for more people to assist. |
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24/083 |
Planning |
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Planning Approvals – see agenda, no comment required. Planning Refusals – none Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none Other planning issues – none |
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24/084 |
Section 106 monies – to provide update regarding replacement of play equipment. |
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It was confirmed the installation is still scheduled for w/c 20th May |
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24/085 |
Village Hall Ownership Structure – to discuss current position. |
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Cllrs were referred to updates on progress made by JL and Jim Gould, circulated before the meeting. JL summarised the current position, advising the various stages identified in the report are being processed. A response to the proposal submitted to the Charities Commission is still outstanding. JL is to circulate the terms of the new VH committee for PC approval. ACTION JL |
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24/086 |
Gateway Project – to provide update. |
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The supplier of the gates has advised they are waiting for a collection date for a new stock order of plastic which has been delayed. As soon as they, have a date which should be in the next couple of weeks, they will get their next production run through which will include our gates and signs. |
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24/087 |
External Audit AGAR – To approve Section 1 and Section 2 |
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Councillors were referred to the AGAR, having been circulated ahead of the meeting. Section one Annual Governance Statement 2023/24 discussed – RESOLVED to approve section one - unanimous Section two Annual Statements 2023/24 discussed – RESOLVED to approve section two - unanimous It was agreed unanimously that the Chairman and Clerk can sign both sections and submit the return on behalf of the PC. ACTION CLERK |
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24/088 |
Register of Fixed Assets – to review and approve. |
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Councillors were referred to the list of fixed assets, circulated ahead of the meeting and the list was approved by Councillors, albeit with no amendments to values. |
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Insurance Renewal – to discuss and approve. |
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Cllrs were referred to the proposed renewal schedule and the subsequent proposed amendments in values circulated by the Clerk. RESOLVED to approve the suggested amendments in insured amounts to some assets. ACTION CLERK |
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24/090 |
Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report |
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Chairman’s Report No report – full report given at the Annual Parish Meeting. Clerks Report Councillors were referred to the attached report. No questions were raised.
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24/091 |
Finance |
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Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £5034.32 RESOLVED – to pay the invoices. ACTION Clerk to arrange payment. Monthly financial reports were provided – the revised budget of £48,037 for year ending 31st March 2025 was approved. Resolved to approve Community Cleaner hours worked and payment. Resolved to approve £100 gift for internal auditor. ACTION CLERK Resolved to agree with details provided for the review and approve continuation of existing Direct Debits. Resolved to approve the request from St Swithun’s PCC for £500 to support Parish News production. ACTION CLERK Resolved to approve an annual donation of £150 to the Royal British Legion for Remembrance Day Wreaths ACTION CLERK Resolved to approve the request from St Swithun's Church PCC for £1000 towards maintenance of the Churchyard. ACTION CLERK
A Cllr raised a question about the future sinking fund requirement for the VH, particularly if the PC will have ultimate responsibility for the facility. It was agreed to contact the VHMC to request that future requirements and budget are considered with feedback for the PC. ACTION DW
As LCC and SKDC are not going to assist with the work needed to reduce the size of the trees at the Corner of Manor Drive, it was suggested and agreed that a donation of £250 is offered to the adjacent homeowner. The donation is not to be regarded as any acceptance of responsibility for ongoing/future maintenance. ACTION CLERK Resolved to accept quote from Specialist Forestry Services and proposed the work to the horse chestnut tree in the Village Hall/corner of Manor Drive. ACTION CLERK |
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24/092 |
Reports |
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Playing Fields Management Committee – Cllrs were referred to the email report from Cllr Bell circulated before the meeting. It was suggested and agreed that LCC are asked to install a “Children Playing” sign to slow motorists down when approaching the Playing Field facility. ACTION CLERK Village Hall Management Committee – it was confirmed that running costs continue to be a concern. The recent wine tasting event was very successful with £750 made from the event. An insurance claim of circa £2k, relating to some water damage from the leaking roof, has been successful. School Liaison – no report Emergency Planning Group - no report Road Safety – no report Police Report – it was suggested and agreed to write to the local MP, expressing concerns about the lack of local rural PCSOs and asking that funding is allocated to remedy this. Footpaths & Streetlights – no report Witham Meadow – no report |
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24/093 |
Correspondence |
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Councillors referred to attached list of correspondence received during the last month. No questions were raised.
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24/094 |
Items for next agenda and Parish News Report. |
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Next agenda – Parish News – no report this month due to timings |
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24/095 |
Date of next meeting –3rd June 2024 |
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Meeting Closed 9.03pm |
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Signed Mark Newton Designation Chairman Date 3rd June 2024 |