Agendas and Minutes 2025

Public Forum

3 members of the public attended.

No questions/issues were raised

Meeting commenced at 7.02pm

Present

Mark Newton (MN) Chair, Geoff Fearn (GF), David Kelly (DK), John Leventhall (JL), Martin Rose (MR), Carole Lee (CL), Steven Maxwell (SM), Mick Walker (MW), Paul Wood (PW), Andy Taylor, Daryl Walton (DW) and Jane Evans (Clerk)

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Apologies for Absence

No apologies but Geoff Fearn was expected to join the meeting late.

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Declarations of Interest.

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

GF had declared a personal and pecuniary interest in planning application S25/1637 and would not be present for the discussion.

It is noted dispensations are held for all Councillors for the purpose of precept/budget setting.

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Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 3rd November 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/SM

25/145 – it was confirmed a Football Foundation grant has been applied for the purpose of obtaining a container to house the tractor. Still pending

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

25/176

County Council Report

No report

25/177

District Councillor Report

PW advised there is no further information regarding the illegal traveller site at Valley Lane.

Councillors were advised that two by-elections are to be held on 11th December in the Aveland and Belmont Wards. It was confirmed the new depot in Grantham is now complete, housing waste collection lorries and over 200 staff.

The deadline for submitting bids relating to the Local Government reorganisation has passed and SKDC’s bid is available to view on the website.

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Planning

Applications - S25/1637 Fearn. Outline planning application for 2 residential

dwellings with associated access at land south of Winters Lane, Long Bennington. Proposal for two houses surrounded by development impact on drainage and includes retention of the public footpath. RESOLVED no reason for objection.

S25/2123 Harris. Application for single storey side extension at 6 Hardwick Gardens, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objection

S25/2092 Brown. Application for the erection of front boundary wall at 61 Main Road, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objection

S25/2008 Adams. Submission of details reserved by condition 5 (requirements of Local Plan Policy SB1) of planning permission S25/1258 (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 dwellings) at 47 Church Street, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objection

Planning Approvals – see agenda.

Planning Refusals – none

Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none

Other planning issues – S24/2214 it was confirmed the PC raised objections/concerns regarding the proposed drainage solutions and other matters as previously communicated to Cllrs. Comments submitted 17th Nov and are available to view online. It was noted that no furter comments have been recorded for consultees and PW agreed to raise this with the planning officer, Kevin Cartwright. ACTION PW

Cllrs agreed that JL can represent the Parish Council at the Planning Committee meeting when the application is discussed. PW abstained and took no part in the discussion.

Geoff Fearn joined the meeting.

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Precept Requirement – to discuss and approve requirement for 2026/27

Following discussion, it was agreed to request an increase in the Precept from £54500 to £56500, this representing a 1.2% increase (£0.63) for Band D council tax. ACTION CLERK

25/180

Pavilion Upgrade Project – to discuss

it was confirmed the final bill for Jonic Building Services has been paid, the project being within budget and the building inspection has been completed and signed off. The opening ceremony is to take place in the third week in January.

25/181

Parish Council Improved Communications – to update on discussions.

JL and SM have met to discuss how the PC obtains emails to improve future communications. Plans are being formulated to use QR codes to encourage responses from residents to hopefully get email addresses and possibly volunteers. Ultimately, volunteers to manage the database will be sought.

25/182

Speed Cameras and Community Speed Watch – to discuss

AT confirmed there are currently five volunteers and it is hoed a few more will be found before arranging training in the new year. ACTION AT

25/183

Anglian Water Communication – to update following meeting.

JL confirmed the meeting was useful with an offer from AW to provide a report on capacity. A further meeting is to be arranged to discuss this further. ACTION CLERK/JL

25/184

Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report

Chairman’s Report

MN advised that two application has been received so far for the Parish Clerk vacancy, the closing date is 5th December and it was agreed to arrange interviews on Monday 15th December. ACTION MN/GF

Clerks Report

Councillors referred to the attached report. No questions raised.

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Finance

Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £12,508.57

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.

Cllrs noted and approved the transfer of £720 from allocated funds in the sinking fund re the new AED.

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Reports

Playing Fields Management Committee – it was confirmed funds have been allocated for a tracker for the tractor and this is in progress with Mike Mnaley.

Village Hall Management Committee – Cllrs were advise that a replacement boiler is required and SKDC had agreed that the approved grant from the Levelling Up Scheme can be partly used towards the cost of the replacement. The solar panels are proving effective with more storage to be introduced. To further improve energy efficiency, more roff insulation is being considered.

Emergency Planning Group – MR advised that he has spoken to the resilience coordinator and whilst all paperwork for Long Bennington is in place, some templates for documentation have changed and will need to be updated next year.

Road Safety – no report

Police Report – no report

Footpaths & Streetlights – the amount of advertising posters remaining on lampposts post event was noted, and it was agreed that Cllrs would remove these if seen.

Witham Meadow – no report

25/187

Correspondence

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

No further comments raised.

25/188

Items for next agenda and Parish News Report.

Anglian Water Communication – to update following meeting.

Parish Clerk vacancy – to update following interviews.

25/189

Date of next meeting – 5th January 2026

Meeting Closed 8.28pm

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

Date ……………………