Agendas and Minutes 2024

Public Forum

One member of the public attended.

No questions/issue were raised.

Meeting commenced at 7.01 pm

Present

Mark Newton (MN), Jane Bell (JB), Mick Walker (MW), Mick Brooks (MB), John Leventhall (JL), Ross Warman (RW) Carole Lee (CL), David Kelly (DK), Paul Wood (PW) and Jane Evans, Parish Clerk

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Apologies for Absence

Geoff Fearn (GF) due to illness and Daryl Walton (DW) due to personal commitments

Apologies accepted

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Declarations of Interest.

To receive Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in accordance with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012.

None declared.

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Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 5th August 2024

Matters Arising

Following a question from a Cllr, it was confirmed the replacement tractor is securely stored at Gablestock. No further questions raised.

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

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County Council Report

AM referred to two large solar farms recently approved in Lincolnshire with a potential further 30,000 acres of agricultural land to be considered for solar farms. LCC will continue to object to applications on agricultural land.

It was confirmed a meeting is to be held with Angela Raynor to establish whether the new Government will honor the agreement regarding Devolution.

Cllrs were advised a programme of works has commenced for top dressing roads in Lincs. Cllrs agreed a very good job has been done on improving Fen Lane.

It was confirmed there are plans in place to improve some footpaths in the village, including some reconstruction works.

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District Council Report

Refuse collection was mentioned with PW advising he is not aware of any continuing issues.

PW referred to Solar Farms and confirmed the District Council can consider applications up to a 50megawatt output and Central Government looks at larger applications.

Illegal Traveller Site Valley Lane – the applicant has failed to respond to contact by SKDC and a court case has been scheduled for this month.

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Planning

Applications  - S24/S24/1380 Jarram. Application for variation of condition 2 (list of approved plans) of planning permission S21/1780 (Erection of 3 (no.) holiday let units and use of existing static caravan for holiday let purposes) at Woodlands , Fen Lane, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objections

Planning Approvals – see agenda, no comment required. AM confirmed LCC have received and approved plans for a central refuge re Edwards.

Planning Refusals – none

Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none

Other planning issues – none

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Village Hall Ownership – to discuss current position and resolve/consider two motions:

- a decision that the Parish Council is satisfied to become the Sole Trustee of Long Bennington Village Hall Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

- to approve the PC’s Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Village Hall Management Committee (VHMC) and instruct the clerk to set up the committee admin.

Cllrs were referred to the LBVH ownership progress briefing, including the Terms of Reference dated July 2024, circulated prior to the meeting. No issues or questions were raised.

It was RESOLVED unanimously that the Parish Council is satisfied to become the Sole Trustee of Long Bennington Village Hall Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)

and

it was RESOLVED unanimously to approve the PC’s Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Village Hall Management Committee (VHMC) and instruct the clerk to set up the committee admin.

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LCC Traffic Study – to discuss meeting.

Cllrs referred to the meeting feedback notes circulated before the meeting. It was agreed to contact the Co-op again regarding re-alignment of the curbing at the entrance to reduce on road parking. ACTION CLERK

Parking restrictions around the school were discussed, with AM confirming all areas will be considered (incl the junction at Ayreshire House). One package of measures is to be considered with a plan to be established.

HGVs/Roseland was discussed, and it was agreed to arrange a local/informal meeting to discuss future implications as businesses based at Roseland change. ACTION CLERK

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SKDC Notification of Local Development Scheme Update – to discuss

It was agreed, given the relatively new Government and potential changes to the Local Plan, to postpone discussion relating to review of the Long Bennington Neighbourhood Plan for six months.

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Tree Survey – to discuss report done by Cllr Lee

CL confirmed tress at Witham meadow and the Memorial Gardens have been catalogued. The details of trees in the Village Hall gardens is in progress.

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Gateway Project – to provide update.

It was confirmed the gates should be delivered w/c 16th September

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Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report

Chairman’s Report

No report

Clerks Report

Councillors referred to the attached report.

Item 2 – it was confirmed the requested works to the trees overhanging the footpath from Main Road to The Pastures, have been completed. It was suggested and agreed to encourage residents to report issues via Fixmystreet. Cllrs referred to excessive weeds on footpaths from Lilley St to The Meadows and at the side of the Co-op. It was agreed to report these. ACTION CLERK

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Finance

Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £36,486.95

RESOLVED – to pay the invoices. ACTION Clerk to arrange payment.

Monthly financial reports were provided – no questions raised.

Resolved to approve Community Cleaner hours worked and payment.

Cllrs RESOLVED to approve the amendment to BT contract and small increase in monthly payment by DD. This should increase the coverage throughout the village hall and assist the VHMC with managing the heating remotely.

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Reports

Playing Fields Management Committee – no meeting but it was confirmed the steering committee for the Football Foundation grant application will engage with a number of local groups/associations.

Village Hall Management Committee – it was confirmed the small hall refurbishment has been completed. Reducing heating costs is still being investigated. The VHMC needs more support via more active committee members.

School Liaison – no report

Emergency Planning Group - no report

Road Safety – MB confirmed he has discussed the results of the traffic survey.

Police Report – it was suggested and agreed to contact the Police to obtain an update regarding the incident with a dangerous dog at Witham Road. ACTION CLERK

Footpaths & Streetlights – potholes at the entrance to the village from the south are to be reported. ACTION JL

Witham Meadow – to discourage anti-social behaviour, improved CCTV is to be considered with the possibility of installing a post to attach cameras. It was confirmed the meadow needs a cut and this it to be arranged. ACTION RW/CLERK

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Correspondence

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

No further questions

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Items for next agenda and Parish News Report.

Next agenda – VH Funding

Parish News – no October edition being published.

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Date of next meeting – 7th October 2024

Meeting Closed 8.32pm

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