Agendas and Minutes 2025

Public Forum

2 members of the public attended.

Meeting commenced at 7.03pm

Present

Mark Newton (MN) Chair, David Kelly (DK), Carole Lee (CL), Martin Rose (MR), Mick Walker (MW), and Steven Maxwell (SM).

25/090

Apologies for Absence

John Leventhall, Paul Wood, Mick Brooks and Jane Evans due to holiday. Geoff Fearn, unwell and Daryl Walton work commitments. Apologies accepted.

25/091

Declarations of Interest.

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

GF absent but declared an interest in agenda item 6, planning.

25/092

Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 2nd June 2025

Matters Arising

24/186 the meeting with Roseland is still to be arranged ACTION CLERK

24/186 CCTV investigations still pending. ACTION CLERK

24/225 Witham Meadow. The sourcing of a shed is still pending. ACTION CLERK

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

25/093

County Council Report

None given as KB not present

25/094

District Councillor Report

None given as PW away. The Chair provided some background information on the possible additional residents on Gray’s property, which may be within current planning allowance.

25/095

Planning

Applications - S25/0909 Fearn. Application for prior approval for conversion of a

barn to 2 dwellings at land west of Sewstern Lane, Long Bennington. Considered prior to meeting given SKDC timescales for comments. RESOLVED no objections.

S25/0908 Fearn. Application for prior approval for conversion of a barn to 1 dwelling at land west of Sewstern Lane, Long Bennington. Considered prior to meeting given SKDC timescales for comments. RESOLVED no objections

Planning Approvals – see agenda.

Planning Refusals – none

Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none

Other planning issues – none

25/096

Insurance Renewal – to discuss

The insurance renewals (two separate policies) have been confirmed and premiums paid entering into 3 year agreements for both. The PC is via Clear Council (an Ecclesiastical Insurance policy) with a £3851.72 premium and the VH is via Allied Westminster with a £3158.72 premium. Thanks to both the Parish Clerk and Gareth Dawkins of the VH Committee are minuted.

25/097

Pavilion Upgrade Project

Current position updated by DK, Contracts to be signed this week. Work will commence Mon 14 July.

25/098

Risk Assessments

Cllrs were referred to completed risk assessments completed by the Clerk and circulated prior to the meeting. RESOLVED to approve.

25/099

Standing Orders and Financial Regulations

Cllrs were referred to the review and update of the Standing Orders and Financial Regulations completed by the Clerk and circulated prior to the meeting. RESOLVED to approve.

25/100

Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report

Chairman’s Report

No report

Clerks Report

Councillors referred to the attached report.

No further comment.

25/101

Finance

Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £12,172.71.  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.

Review of Direct Debits – Cllrs were referred to the information circulated prior to the meeting and approved review and continuation of the following direct debits:

Campaign to Protect Rural England – annual subscription

HMRC – this is PAYE quarterly payment

ICO – Information Commissioners Office registration – annual

NFU – monthly tractor insurance

SKDC – annual business rates for Pavilion

Review of Bank Mandate -review confirmed with no amendments required.

HSBC daily payment limit Cllrs discussed the payment limit that has been proving restrictive for the Clerk. Resolved to increase payment limit to (tbc after consultation between Chair and Clerk).

25/102

Reports

Playing Fields Management Committee – See 25/097. Fire risk assessment overdue, will be completed post-work. Legionella report will be required post-refurbishment. Electrical safety check will be carried out by the contractor at the end of works.

Village Hall Management Committee – The PC was briefed on the ongoing request for £20k funding for solar project – panels and batteries. Another fund will hopefully release additional £28k. Contractor approached for information on what £28k will get us. Estimating 7 year payback. 

Request from VH Committee approved.

Emergency Planning Group – No formal report, but it was mentioned that LCC have been enquiring about suitability of VH as a respite centre following major incident. JL is chasing LCC to ascertain what they believe the EPC should be doing, as the EPC has previously documented village facilities which would be available and suitable in the event of a major incident.

Road Safety – No report

Police Report – No report

Footpaths & Streetlights – No report

Witham Meadow – SM highlighted a window of opportunity in September to commence additional work on the meadow. SM also commented that the potential site for the new shed is not obvious; if it is not there then a base could be laid this year with the aim of erecting a shed next spring. ACTION: identify if there is already a base in place. SM also highlighted the requirement for some clearing brambles and other undergrowth that is impinging on the broader meadow. SM will conduct research on potential funding streams for addition trees.  At the next meeting SM will give a presentation and present options to the PC for the future development of the meadow.

25/103

Correspondence

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

25/104

Items for next agenda and Parish News Report.

Parish News – No suggestions

25/105

Date of next meeting – 4th August 2025

Meeting Closed  7.40pm

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

Date ……………………