Agendas and Minutes 2026

Public Forum

1 member of the public attended.

No comments were made.

Meeting commenced at 8.21pm

Present

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

26/082

Appointment of Chairman and Vice-Chairman

MN was proposed and seconded as Chairman and carried unanimously. Position accepted.

GF was proposed and seconded as Vice-Chairman and carried unanimously. Position accepted and Acceptance of Office forms completed.

26/083

Apologies for Absence

Cllr Ken Bamford apologies accepted

26/084

Declarations of Interest.

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

None

26/085

Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 13th April 2026

Matters Arising

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

26/086

County Council Report

Written report for the Annual Parish Meeting provided by Cllr Bamford as Hough ward County Councillor.

26/087

District Councillor Report

Referred to comments made in the Annual Parish Meeting but also;_

The legal hearing for the Valley Lane travellers site was during week commencing 18 May.

The accounts for Long Bennington Charities were presented to the Parish Council.  Councillors were reminded that 3 of the 5 trustees for the charity are nominated by the PC.  Paul Wood was nominated for 4 year term in 2025, so at the June meeting we would need to nominate the next person.

26/088

Planning

–

• Applications
• S26/0534 – Harwood Gray – solar panels on timber frame garage.  40 Main Rd, Long Bennington – no objection raised – ACTION CLERK

• Approvals

- s26/0162 George Machin – up to 9 dwellings on the south side of Vicarage Lane – Permission in Principle Granted.

- s26/2174 Mr Luc Siwiak Jaszek - Prior Approval for the installation of a roof mounted Solar Panel system at Hangar 7-7a Roseland Business Park Long Bennington

- S25/1637 Mr Geoff Fearn – Outline Planning Permission for 2 residential dwellings with associated access on land south of Winters Lane.

- s26/0419 Mrs Catherine Waite – Certificate of lawful use or development for single storey roof extension on Fircroft, Welbournes Lane

- s26/0415 Mr & Mrs Neil O’Sulivan – Planning Permission for single storey extension at 20 The Pastures

• Refusals - None
• Planning Appeals/Withdrawals None

JL also reported that the registration of the title for the small hall and associated land/ car park, with the land registry was completed.  Main Hall is still in old trust name, but JL is trying to get sorted and has the paperwork to process.

26/089

Bus Shelter Grant Funding

Parish Clerk has obtained a quote for repair work and applied for the LCC Grant.  Grant request has been acknowledged and response awaited/

26/090

External Audit AGAR - To approve Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement

 The document was presented and unanimously approved.

26/091

External Audit AGAR – To approve Section 2 - Accounting Statements

 The document was presented and unanimously approved.

26/092

Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report

Chairman – no report

Clerks report as previously circulated. 

26/093

Finance

Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £6,230.04

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.

26/094

Reports

Playing Fields Management Committee – It has been pointed out to a person planning to do outdoor fitness sessions on the playing fields that they need to pay for use of the area.  The break in to the Pavilion has been reported to the police and repair work done.

Village Hall Management Committee – No report

Community Emergency Response Team – new plan with LCC for final sign off.

Road Safety – at the first Community Speed Watch in April 260+ cars were observed with 10 speeders reported to the police and a fake number plate reported.  Further session at the end of May.

Police Report – no report

Footpaths & Streetlights – No report

Witham Meadow – A deal has been done to acquire a container.  Including ceiling treatment and a lock, the cost is £2,650+VAT.  Payment in full prior to collection.  Councillors approved the spend.

Hope to have Balfour Beaty on site before the end of May to do the work on the base for the container.  Materials to be sourced.

RAF still need to see the container and confirm the lift.  Aiming for 21 or 22 July.

SM still to liaise with the school and we will need to talk to local residents once we know the final arrangements.

Steve Rowley has provided a quote of £90 per visit to maintain the cut across the centre of Witham Meadows in addition to the work he already does there.  Estimates 14 visits per year to keep under control.  Councillors accepted the quote.

Communication – to be added to future agendas – ACTION CLERK

26/095

Correspondence

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

No further comments raised.

26/096

Items for next agenda and Parish News Report.

Events in May to be publicised and continue pushing on the communication project.

26/097

Date of next meeting – 1 June 2026

Meeting Closed 8.47pm

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

Date ……………………