NOT YET APPROVED Minutes of the Meeting 4th August 2025
LONG BENNINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
NOT YET APPROVED MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting
Held Monday 4th August 2025
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Public Forum |
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2 members of the public attended. Cllrs were referred to agenda item 8, the grant application for solar panels at the Village Hall. The plans and reasoning were summarised and Parish Council endorsement was ask later in the meeting. |
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Meeting commenced at 7.08pm |
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Present |
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Mark Newton (MN) Chair, Geoff Fearn (GF), Daryl Walton (DW), David Kelly (DK), Carole Lee (CL), Martin Rose (MR), Mick Walker (MW), Steven Maxwell (SM), John Leventhall (JL), Paul Woods (PW), and Jane Evans (Clerk) |
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25/106 |
Apologies for Absence |
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Mick Brooks resignation was confirmed. It was further confirmed a Notice of Vacancy has been posted on the noticeboard and on the website. |
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25/107 |
Declarations of Interest. |
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To receive Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in accordance with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012. None |
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25/108 |
Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 7th July 2025 |
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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. |
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25/109 |
County Council Report |
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No report |
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25/110 |
District Councillor Report |
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PW referred to bin collection, advising that rounds are being altered to make more efficient. Residents will be advised. It was concerned there is still a lot of uncertainty about the Local Government reorganisation where Lincolnshire will be split in 2 or 3. SKDC Local Plan – it was confirmed only one small potential employment site and one small potential residential site have been identified in Long Bennington. The Plan is expected to be finished in 2026. |
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25/111 |
Planning |
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Applications - S25/1258 Adams Section 73 application to vary/remove planning condition 2 (approved plans), 3 (archaeology), 4 (hard landscaping), 5 (soft landscaping), 6 (demolition) and 15 (self build) following planning permission S25/0237 (Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of 2 (No.) dwellings) at 47 Church Street, Long Bennington. RESOLVED No comment Planning Approvals – see agenda. Planning Refusals – none Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none Other planning issues – Cllrs referred to recent discussions re village sewer capacity versus current and predictable development. JL and the Clerk are actioned to arrange a meeting with Anglian Water. ACTION JL/Clerk |
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25/112 |
Pavilion Upgrade Project – to discuss current position. |
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The work is progressing as expected and the first invoice for £11,356.80 has been presented for payment. Gareth Dawkins, as project manager, has confirmed the invoice can be paid. The target end date for the project is mid-September. It was confirmed the grant for up to £24,073 from the Football Foundation has been approved (with a few conditions). |
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25/113 |
Village Hall – to discuss solar panel installation and VHMC recommendations re contractor. |
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Cllrs referred to the summary and recommendations from the VHMC. Cllrs RESOLVED to support the recommendation of instructing Greenio as the preferred supplier. The quote from Greenio is £29.43k, to be mainly funded from a National Lottery grant of £20k with another source of grant funding from BNA still being explored. |
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25/114 |
Witham Meadow – to discuss proposals for cutting back some brambles/general maintenance. |
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It was proposed that the overgrown brambles and nettles need clearing. GF agreed to liaise with SM and establish if he can assist. This is to be reported back at the next meeting. ACTION SM/GF |
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25/115 |
Overgrown Hedgerow Main Road opposite Pavilion – to discuss |
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The email from a resident was discussed and it was agreed this is the responsibility of LCC. This is to be reported via Fixmystreet and the information is to be shared with County Cllr Bamford for support. ACTION CLERK |
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Adult CPR and Defibrillator Training - Autumn 2025 – to discuss |
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It was agreed to accept the offer of free training with the PC agreeing to pay for the hall hire for the session. ACTION CLERK |
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25/116 |
Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report |
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Chairman’s Report No report Clerks Report Councillors referred to the attached report. No further comment. |
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25/117 |
Finance |
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Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £16,235.73 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.
As discussed at the July meeting (and agreed following consultation with the Clerk) it was RESOLVED to increase in HSBC daily payment limit to £10,000 until the completion of the Pavilion upgrade, and then £5000 thereafter until further notice.
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25/118 |
Reports |
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Playing Fields Management Committee – Cllrs were referred to Greener Game initiative, a partnership of the FA and Eon. Verbal agreement of a solar panel project has been received. There are no monetary implications for the installation. It was confirmed the PFMC is to be the Co-op Community Champion for the next 6 months. Tractor security is still in hand with plans to move the container closer to the Pavilion with increased security (measures approved by NFU, the insurers) once the Pavilion upgrade is completed. It was confirmed Long Bennington Bowls Clubs have been successful in obtaining a grant for approx. £20k from Bowls England. Village Hall Management Committee – The solar panel project dominated discussions at the last meeting. A further grant from SKDC is in progress, to be used for additional battery storage for the solar panels. A fire safety report has highlighted that the fire alarm needs hard wiring and new fire doors are needed. The anticipated cost might be approx.£7k. Emergency Planning Group –it was confirmed LCC has been checking data to ensure safety locations are up to date. Road Safety – No report Police Report – No report Footpaths & Streetlights – it was agreed to ask County Cllr Bamford for an update on proposed projects, in particular footpath improvements on Church St. ACTION CLERK Witham Meadow – no report. See 25/114 |
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25/119 |
Correspondence |
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Councillors referred to attached list of correspondence received during the last month. Cllrs referred to an email from a resident, offering support to improve PC communications. It was agreed to discuss this in detail at the next meeting, inviting the resident to attend and join discussions. ACTION CLERK
Cllrs referred to the number of grants obtained locally by different groups, and it was agreed to communicate the successes. ACTION CLERK/DK
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25/120 |
Items for next agenda and Parish News Report. |
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Parish News – Grant successes
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25/121 |
Date of next meeting – 1st September 2025 |
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Meeting Closed 8.35pm |
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Signed…………………………………. Designation …………………… Date …………………… |