NOT YET APPROVED Minutes of Meeting 1st September 2025
LONG BENNINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
NOT YET APPROVED MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting
Held Monday 1st September 2025
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Public Forum |
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2 members of the public attended. A representative of the VHMC thanked the Clerk for securing £5k extra grant funding for the solar panel project, DK for his maintenance work around the village hall and JL for his advice regarding required fire safety improvements. Cllrs were questioned about the proposed installation of double yellow lines near the school – it was agreed to raise with Cllr Bamford. |
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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), County Cllr Ken Bamford (KM) and Jane Evans (Clerk) |
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25/123 |
Apologies for Absence |
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Paul Wood due to holiday. Apologies accepted |
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25/124 |
Declarations of Interest. |
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To receive Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in accordance with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012. MN declared an interest in S25/1395, having confirmed personal support to the land owner. |
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25/125 |
Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 4th August 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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25/126 |
County Council Report |
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Cllrs were referred to a circulated report and it was confirmed this is an acceptable form of communication going forward. Cllrs referred to the outstanding TRO scheme. An update from Alex Maughan on 15/4/25 advised that full public consultation regarding a scheme at the school was expected by the end of the summer (the PC has seen the initial proposals). Cllrs KB to chase for an update. Cllrs also referred to the timetable for footpath reconstruction and asked if KB could liaise with Rowan Smith and provide a schedule of works for Long Bennington. KB left the meeting |
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25/127 |
District Councillor Report |
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No report |
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25/128 |
Planning |
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Applications - S25/1395 Morris. Application for the erection of 1.5 storey dwelling at Vicarage Lane, Long Bennington. Following lengthy discussion around the satisfaction of previous objections and reasons for decline, Cllrs agreed, by majority, not to object but comment about retention of trees that provide noise mitigation for Lodge Close and provide a footpath to join the existing footpath on Vicarage Lane. Cllrs were also referred to the condition of sanction for the Lodge Close development, to provide a footpath to join the existing footpath. Agreed to refer this to the Planning Dept. ACTION CLERK Planning Approvals – see agenda. Planning Refusals – none Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – Notice of withdrawal of S25/0971Kennedy, Confirmation of Compliance with Condition No.1 of S16/0164 at Peartree House 3A Church Street, Long Bennington - noted Other planning issues – Vicarage Lane planning condition – pathway from Lodge Close joining existing path on Vicarage Lane – see above
Sewer capacity versus current and future housing development – it was agreed to defer further discussion to the October meeting when hopefully a response will have been received to the letter sent by the PC. SM agreed to take forward some questions to a Flood Protection forum at a meeting in October. Cllrs discussed capacity in the drainage system and it was acknowledged that the number of overflows is indicative of capacity. |
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25/129 |
Pavilion Upgrade Project – to discuss current position. |
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The work is progressing as expected with plumbing, new showers and new LED lighting being installed. The completion has slipped slightly with expected completion now 20th September. The second invoice for £13,342 has been presented and paid. |
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25/130 |
Parish Council Communications – to discuss proposals for improvements. |
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Cllrs were advised that LALC has been consulted about the creation of an email database and it was confirmed this is common practice for Parish Councils. Cllrs discussed establishing a working group but before any further action is taken, it was agreed JL and SM are to meet to discuss the potential benefits. ACTION JL/SM |
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25/131 |
Witham Meadow – to discuss proposals for cutting back some brambles/general maintenance. |
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Cllrs were advise that the meadow is massively overgrown, needing heavy duty equipment to reduce the current growth. GF has agreed that he can arrange for removal of the brambles and will attempt to cut the area. He will report back at the October meeting. ACTION GF |
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25/132 |
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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25/133 |
Finance |
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Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £15462.30 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.
To confirm Clerk Pay Review – Staffing Committee confirmed review and Cllrs RESOLVED to accept recommendations.
£15k transfer from the Sinking Fund for Pavilion upgrade project. RESOLVED to action transfer. ACTION CLERK
£5k payment (BNA grant funds) to VHMC re solar panel project RESOLVED to make a payment to the VHMC. ACTION CLERK |
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25/134 |
Reports |
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Playing Fields Management Committee – it was confirmed a further Football Foundation grant is being submitted for a new container for housing the tractor. Village Hall Management Committee – it was confirmed the solar panel intsllation has started with an expected completion date of 12th September. Emergency Planning Group – No report Road Safety – No report Police Report – No report Footpaths & Streetlights – No Report Witham Meadow – see 25/131 |
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25/135 |
Correspondence |
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Councillors referred to attached list of correspondence received during the last month.
Cllrs were referred to an email from SKDC regarding the proposed Council Tax Support Scheme 2026/27. MN advised he will complete the survey an advises Cllrs can also complete it but a response the PC is not required. |
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25/136 |
Items for next agenda and Parish News Report. |
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Parish News – Grant successes
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25/137 |
Date of next meeting – 6th October 2025 |
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Meeting Closed 8.51pm |
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Signed…………………………………. Designation …………………… Date …………………… |