Agendas and Minutes 2024

Public Forum

2 members of the public attended.

No questions/issue were raised

Meeting commenced at 7.01 pm

Present

Mark Newton (MN) Chairman, Geoff Fearn (GF) Vice-Chairman, Jane Bell (JB), Mick Walker (MW), Daryl Walton (DW), Mick Brooks (MB), Carole Lee (CL), John Leventhall (JL), and Jane Evans, Parish Clerk

24/001

Apologies for Absence

Paul Wood (PW) due to District Councillor commitments - apologies accepted.

Ross Warman (RW) – apologies received late (post meeting) and accepted

It was confirmed Iain Lyon has offered his resignation as Parish Councillor. His resignation was formally accepted. It was agreed the vacancy is to be advertised with the position to be filled by co-option. ACTION CLERK

24/002

Declarations of Interest.

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

None declared.

Dispensations held for all Councillors to allow Precept setting.

24/003

Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 4th December 2023

Matters Arising

It was confirmed Anglian Water have been contacted regarding the overflow from the pumping station with an engineer having visited and a job raised.

GF advised he has been flooded again at Church St and he further advised that the Upper Witham Drainage Board have been contacted to establish if a flood bank can be established to help prevent future incidents.

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

24/004

County Council Report

No report

24/005

District Council Report

PW apologised for absence, due to attending a District Councillor meeting to discuss

Devolution and the Mayor for Lincolnshire and Deepings leisure Centre. The community group are asking for nearly £1,000,000 of Council taxpayers money to help refurb the centre which is not owned by SKDC.

24/006

Planning

Applications – S23/1616 Doran Application for change of use of from

agricultural land to use as a residential caravan site for 13 (no) gypsy / traveller pitches Valley Lane, Long Bennington. SKDC have advised that the PC will not be consulted and given the outstanding enforcement notice, and the previous planning history for the site, they are seeking to decline to determine the application. This is a process whereby the Local Planning Authority effectively refuses to entertain repeat applications for the site given that the suitability of the site has been extensively assessed as part of the previous enforcement appeal. This was noted and no further action is required by the PC.

Planning Approvals – see agenda, no comment required.

Planning Refusals – none

Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none

Other planning issues – none

24/007

Section 106 monies – to provide update following confirmation of sum available from SKDC

Councillors were advised a meeting has been arranged with the contractor to discuss a revised quote given the length of time that has passed. Councillors also discussed that the contractor will be asked to provide an alternative quote for a smaller car park. It was also mentioned that timing of the car park installation should be discussed alongside the possible improvements to the Pavilion (there being the potential to damage a newly installed car park).

24/008

Village Hall Ownership Structure – to discuss current position

Cllrs were advised that the solicitor acting for the PC has chased for the opinion on the ecclesiastical status of the trust.

24/009

Gateway Project – to discuss how to proceed with the lower sum now offered by SKDC

Councillors were referred to the revised costings following the confirmation from SKDC that part of the grant is to be returned. The proposals for installing smaller gates were discussed and it was agreed to obtain a further quote from Jacs that would result in the smallest PC contribution towards the project. It was also agreed that the exact locations are to be reviewed given the smaller gates. ACTION CLERK

24/010

Bennington Close – to discuss conversion of a property to a HMO.

Councillors were advised that a property on Bennington Close has been obtained by Serco and is being converted to a HMO for single male asylum seekers. This was noted and it was agreed, given there is no requirement for any consultation with the local community, there is no action required by the PC.

24/011

Precept – to discuss budget for 2024/25.

Councillors were referred to precept/budget papers circulated ahead of the meeting. It was RESOLVED, based on the spreadsheets and assumptions provided, to approve a total net expenditure budget for the year ending 31 March 2025 of £45500 (total £58200 less £12700 sinking fund allocation)

24/012

Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report

Chairman’s Report

No report

Clerks Report

Councillors were referred to the attached report.

Item 9 – GF confirmed he has taken delivery of sand and sandbags from SKDC. It was suggested and agreed to arrange a working party to fill the sandbags so they would be ready in an emergency situation. ACTION CLERK The availability of sandbags will be communicated to residents via Facebook and the PC website.

Item 10 – Following a request to LCC (and subsequent response) for cones to help keep people damaging some of the grass verges impacted by the recent flood alleviation scheme, it was suggested and agreed to order some sign for local installation. ACTION CLERK

No further issues raised/comment

24/013

Finance

Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £6612.20

Councillors were referred specifically to the invoice from Chattertons for conveyancing work undertaken regarding the variation and reassignment of the lease for the Village Hall. Whilst slightly more than the estimated costs indicated in the Client Care Letter, the charges are legitimate and within the parameters of the signed agreement.

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

Monthly financial reports were provided, Cllrs were referred to the List of Payments circulated before the meeting, highlighting the addition of VAT and subsequent net amounts quoted.

Community Cleaner hours worked and payment – approved.

Councillors referred to the volunteer litter picker, Dave Green, who has recently removed a significant amount of litter from our slip roads. It was agreed to send an email expressing thanks on behalf of the PC. ACTION CLERK

24/014

Reports

Playing Fields Management Committee – no report

Village Hall Management Committee – no report

School Liaison – no report

Emergency Planning Group Report  - no report

Road Safety – MB confirmed he would be contacting Lincs Road Safety Partnership regarding installation of further yellow lines in the village. A Cllr suggested that consideration is given to reducing the speed limit throughout the village to 20mph. this is to be discussed further with AM with a view to putting forward the proposal to LCC, Highways. It was agreed to discuss this further at the next meeting. ACTION CLERK

Police Report – MB confirmed he has contacted the Police Commissioner regarding the decreasing number of rural PCSOs. It was confirmed an unmarked Police car has been present in the village a few times recently.

Footpaths & Streetlights – no report

Witham Meadow – no report

24/015

Correspondence

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

Councillors were referred to an email (not on the list of correspondence) from a resident regarding some overgrown trees on the corner of Main Road/Manor Drive. A request has been submitted to significantly reduce the size of the three trees as they are now impacting negatively on the adjacent property. Given the trees do not sit on PC owned land, it was agreed that LCC should be approached to undertake the work. ACTION CLERK/AM

24/016

Items for next agenda and Parish News Report.

Next agenda – Village gateway, Car park proposals, Village Hall transfer of title, Grass cutting tenders

Parish News – parking on verges, sandbags

24/017

Date of next meeting – 5th February 2024

Meeting Closed 8.10pm

Signed   Mark Newton   Designation    Chairman

Date 5th February 2024