Minutes of the Meeting 4th March 2024
APPROVED MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting
Held Monday 4th March 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 7.02pm MN welcomed new Parish Councillor David Kelly. |
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Present |
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Mark Newton (MN) Chairman, Geoff Fearn (GF) Vice-Chairman, Jane Bell (JB), Mick Walker (MW), Daryl Walton (DW), Paul Wood (PW), Ross Warman (RW), Mick Brooks (MB), Carole Lee (CL), John Leventhall (JL), David Kelly (DK) and Jane Evans, Parish Clerk |
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24/037 |
Apologies for Absence |
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None from Parish Councillors– all present Apologies from County Cllr Alexander Maughan – accepted. |
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24/038 |
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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24/039 |
Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 5th February 2024 |
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Matters Arising 24/020 Sandbags. Councillors were referred to the 16th March, being the arranged date, with Rotary, to fill the sandbags. No Cllrs were available to fill the bags but Cllr Fearn would be present to facilitate the task. It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a true record. |
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24/040 |
County Council Report |
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Cllrs were referred to a report that was forwarded shortly before the meeting. Any questions are to be directed to AM |
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24/041 |
District Council Report |
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PW referred to the unacceptable approach to new recycling bin collection rules. A summary of the budget was provided, and it was confirmed it was approved. PW advised agreement has been given to his proposal to allocate £60k, from reserves, to help clear rubbish from the side of the A1. |
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24/042 |
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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24/043 |
Local Flooding – to discuss feedback from Upper Witham Drainage Board |
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It was confirmed GF has arranged a meeting with UWDB, proposing that a bund is established across the river, helping to prevent flooding of properties on Church St. Levels are to be investigated in consultation with UWDB. Cllrs were advised the recent Local Flood Action Group drop-in session was very well supported. Thanks are to be extended to the organisers. ACTION CLERK It was suggested and agreed to form a Parish Council Flood Action sub-committee. GF agreed to lead, supported by RW. |
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24/044 |
Parking in village - to discuss inconsiderate parking/obstructing the pavement. |
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Cllrs were referred to emails from a resident regarding vehicles obstructing the pavement outside The Reindeer. It was agreed to request that the footpath is defined (similar to outside the Royal Oak). Also, a white line is to be requested for in front of the dropped kerb, outside the bungalows on Lilley Street. ACTION CLERK |
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24/045 |
Annual Parish Meeting – to agree date |
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It was suggested and agreed to hold the meeting on 13th May. It will be followed immediately after by the Annual Parish Council meeting. |
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Section 106 monies – to provide update regarding replacement of some play equipment. |
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It was confirmed that final sign off is still outstanding and PW agreed to investigate/chase. |
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24/047 |
Village Hall Ownership Structure – to discuss current position. |
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An update was provided for Cllrs by JL, who advised he is now being supported by Jim Gould from the VHMC. JL confirmed a revised approach is now being taken forward, in consultation with the VHMC. An action plan for each stage has been established to transfer ownership from the two existing bodies (the 1921 Trust and the 1970 Charity) into a single ownership entity – a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO)
To complete this proposal, when the two properties comprising the village hall are vested in ownership by the single CIO (mentioned above) that the PC resolves: 1. To form a Sub-Committee of the Parish Council for managing and running the village hall (The Village Hall Management Committee). Proposed JL, Seconded GF RESOLVED 2. To set out the brief and terms under which the Sub-Committee should operate for the maintenance and management of the village hall. Proposed JL, Seconded GF RESOLVED 3. To ensure that sub-committee is registered with the PC’s liability insurers. Proposed JL, Seconded GF RESOLVED
Cllrs were advised that some archived files, stored in LCC archives may have some further information regarding the VH ownership structure and it was agreed to investigate accessing these files. ACTION CLERK |
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24/048 |
Gateway Project – to provide update and approve partial refund of grant provided. |
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Following reference to an earlier email circulated, it was RESOLVED to send SKDC a partial refund of £2779.50, of the grant provided. ACTION CLERK Diagrams of the proposed gates and signs are expected shortly. |
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24/049 |
Tree Policy– to discuss proposed policy and surveys |
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CL confirmed the draft Tree Policy suggested by the Clerk is acceptable and this is to be circulated to Cllrs for approval at the April meeting. ACTION CLERK It was confirmed CL is to do a survey of trees at Witham Meadow (with assistance from RW), Memorial Gardens and the Village Hall gardens. CL is to liaise with JB regarding trees at the Playing Field. It is understood grants, to assist with tree surveys, from the Forestry Commission are being investigated. |
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24/050 |
Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report |
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Chairman’s Report MN referred to the SKDC Local Plan consultation and referred briefly to main aspects impacting Long Bennington. It was agreed to amalgamate the main issues to a working document for Cllrs, ahead of discussion at the next meeting. Clerks Report Councillors were referred to the attached report. No questions from the report were raised.
Cllrs were referred to a proposal circulated regarding doing an early cut of the grass verges in the village (the new cutting season not usually commencing until April). RESOLVED to request Steve Rowley, Parks and Pitches, that a cut is completed. ACTION CLERK |
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24/051 |
Finance |
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Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £8826.33 RESOLVED – to pay the invoices. ACTION Clerk to arrange payment. Monthly financial reports were provided – no questions raised. Community Cleaner hours worked and payment – approved.
Parish Online – to discuss annual subscription £81.00. RESOLVED to renew. ACTION CLERK
Internal Audit – to discuss report dated 22 February 2024. Cllrs agreed the audit report provides comprehensive feedback and were satisfied procedures are being followed. The report was accepted.
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24/052 |
Reports |
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Playing Fields Management Committee – it was confirmed a ramp has been purchased for wheelchair access, a 10 year plan is being established, Party in the Park is confirmed, pitch maintenance is behind schedule due to weather conditions and a sub-committee to oversee the Pavilion re-development has been formed. GF confirmed his gift of £30k has now been received by the PFMC and Gift Aid is to be claimed. Village Hall Management Committee – Cllrs were advised that rising energy costs are being looked at, grant applications are being investigated for bar and small hall improvements, the recent comedy night was a success and a wine tasting evening has been arranged for April. School Liaison – no report Emergency Planning Group - no report Road Safety – it was suggested that confirmation is sought from AM, that yellow lines, for parts of the village, are being considered. ACTION CLERK Cllrs were referred to Stilton, a village in Cambs, where there is a 20mph limit though the village. Police Report – due to a number of serious road accidents last month, no unmarked vehicles were in the village checking speed. Footpaths & Streetlights – no report Witham Meadow – it was confirmed the new grid path is blending nicely, the whole area looks better than this time last year (despite the flooding) and a metal shed is to be investigated. |
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24/053 |
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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24/054 |
Items for next agenda and Parish News Report. |
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Next agenda – Local Plan and Flooding Parish News – inconsiderate parking |
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24/055 |
Date of next meeting –8th April 2024 |
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Meeting Closed 8.pm |
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Signed Mark Newton Designation Chairman Date 8th April 2024 |