Agendas and Minutes 2026

Public Forum

3 members of the public attended.

No comments were made.

Meeting commenced at 7.00pm

Present

Geoff Fearn GF (Vice Chair), John Leventhall (JL), Steven Maxwell (SM), Mick Walker (MW), Paul Wood (PW), Daryl Walton (DW), Andy Taylor (AT) and Carole Lee (CL).  County Cllr Ken Bamford. Martin Wright (Clerk). 

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Apologies for Absence

Mark Newton (MN) Chair, David Kelly (DK), Martin Rose (MR)

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Declarations of Interest.

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

Geoff Fearn for planning item S26/0270

Paul Wood for planning generally given position on SKDC Planning Committee.

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Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 11th May 2026

Matters Arising

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

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County Council Report

Clarification on local government reorganisation is still awaited from central government.

Cutting back 2 trees overhanging the Commonwealth War Graves approved and in the hands of contractors.

Apologised for being unable to attend village walk but aware Rowan did attend.  Referred to double yellow lines outside the school and on Church Land junction.  Referred to committee due to objections.  We are to chase County Councillor if no progress/ update in a few weeks.  (Rowan had indicated separately that the proposal was to go to the Planning and Regulation Committee on 15th June.)

Encouraged use of FixMyStreet and asked that we make residents aware.  ACTION CLERK include in Parish News.

SM raised issue of Church Street verges after the new path in place, as has made it hard to mow in parts.  We are asked to put on FixMyStreet once we have more details.

County Councillor happy to meet with resident of Welbournes Lane regarding verge parking, which has damaged the verges.  ACTION CLERK – liaise resident for some possible dates.

Ken remains Chief Whip on the Lincolnshire County Council.

ACTION DW to use FixMyStreet to highlight poor Main Road paths especially between the school and Co-Op

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District Councillor Report

SKDC annual meeting took place with new chair and vice appointed.  PW remains on planning committee.

High Court hearing about the site where travellers are on Valley Lane, took place mid May with 3 travellers attending and their barrister.  SKDC and their barrister attended as well.  Private meeting held with judge.  A Judicial Review was sought by the traveller’s side and the judge has to opine on that over the next few weeks.  No challenge was made about whether or not the travellers should be on the site.

SKDC Councillors were briefed by their Chief Executive regarding the local government reorganisation.  Government Civil Servants have raised questions with SKDC regarding how their joint proposal with NKDC and South Holland would be structured – committees/ key roles and people/ number of councillors.  They have 2 weeks to reply and a special cabinet is being held on 9 June to determine responses. Indicative decision on outcome from government maybe in July, but subject to parliament approvals before Christmas and final announcement on boundaries by March 2027.  Very tight with local elections.

Commented on current planning situation given governments targets for new houses.

Possible SKDC cabinet meeting in LB on 20 July.

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Planning

Applications –

• S26/0865 – Anya Lyons - s106 Variation to S21/0655.  Development Behind 75 And 79, Main Road, Long Bennington, Lincolnshire, NG23 5DJ – just changing two units from shared ownership to rent.  No objections.
• S26/0270 - Mr G Fearn - Demolition of existing barns and erection of two dwellings. Barns Situated to the West Of Sewstern Lane, Long Bennington – Change of bungalow design/ layout only. No objections
• S26/0875 – George Machin – Second phase of an additional 9 units south of Vicarage Lane.  This is a further 9 units behind the 9 that SKDC agreed permission in principle to under S26/0162 and which the Parish Council had objected to along with 4 residents.  Councillors felt this was an attempt to avoid it being looked at as a major development.  It over develops the location, extends the village envelope and impacts the character of the village.  A1 proximity is a concern from noise levels and potential impacts on the safety of the A1.  Layout considered inappropriate.  Councillors agreed to object along the same lines as previously.  ACTION CLERK liaise with JL over a suitable objection.  Reference to be made to the historic planning decision on a field off Valley Lane with A1 noise leading to the decline.  Local resident brought to our attention, given it is the field where 18 bungalows are being proposed for over 55’s.  Discussed at a high level in April 2026 meeting.

• Approvals
  • S25/1395 – Mr J Morris – construction of a 1.5 storey dwelling on Vicarage Lane

• Refusals - None
• Planning Appeals/Withdrawals     None

General feeling that we are remote from SKDC planners and our input as the local representatives is considered less than it was and we are removed from what the planners are trying to achieve.  Proposed and agreed we should write to Emma Whittaker, who leads planning at SKDC, seeking a meeting in the village to get closer to the issues they are facing and what we need to present to them.  ACTION CLERK

JL chasing the developers of the 50 units at the south end of the village and LCC regarding the final proposal for the sewerage connections and maintenance of the dykes ongoing.  Going to use Freedom of Information search for information, given lack of response.

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Bus Shelter Grant Funding

Parish Clerk has agreement to LCC Grant of £1308 for Church Street Bus Shelter to be refurbished.  Contractor appointed and work likely in w/c 6 July.

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Appointment of Long Bennington Charities Trustee Board Member

 PW reminded the Councillors that we have 3 representatives on the charity.  Each position has to be re-elected/ elected every 4 years.  PW was appointed in the year 25/26 and he nominated Ted Bates – current Chairman for 26/27.  Approved unanimously.  We will need to reappoint a further person in 27/28.

26/106

Renewal of Insurance Policies for 2026/27

Both policies are due to be renewed in June and details received.  Clerk has reviewed and requested Gareth Dawkins input, especially on property values.  Premium details shared with Councillors and approval given to renew at £3,910.72 and £3,360.81, assuming no other concerns raised.  This is second of a three year agreement.

26/107

Village Walk

Councillors joined Rowan for a walk around the village to discuss highway issues.  Yellow lines outside school, mentioned earlier. 

LCC agreed to move the speed sign at the south end of the village further out at no cost or we can acquire a newer version for £3,000+.  Councillors agreed to seek funds from the developer at the south end of the village for a new sign.  ACTION JL.  In the interim makes sense to move the current sign as Rowan proposed.  ACTION CLERK

26/108

DPI Forms

SKDC have advised all Parish Councillors need to complete a PDI annually.  Forms have been issued out to all Councillors via email and most have been completed and returned. 3 Outstanding and to be obtained and all returned to SKDC ACTION CLERK

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Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report

Chairman – no report

Clerks report as previously circulated. 

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Finance

Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £11,020.99.  This includes the insurance renewals, referred to above.

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.

Councillors agreed that up to £3,000 of the playing fields budget can be switched to Witham Meadows if required, given the Container project.  Clerk advised he has approached SKDC Community Fund for grant support and we await the outcome.

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Reports

Playing Fields Management Committee – No report.  Clerk advised CCTV engineers have been on site all day and have the 6 cameras working again.

Village Hall Management Committee – No report

Community Emergency Response Team – MR congratulated on revitalisation.  Introduction drop-in session was well attended for volunteers and most now signed up for LCC insurance cover.

Road Safety End of May speed watch cancelled due to a volunteer not being able to attend.

Police Report – no report

Footpaths & Streetlights – No report

Witham Meadow – Steve Rowley has completed the cut across the centre of Witham Meadows in addition to the work he already does there.  Now ongoing work.

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 at May meeting.

RAF target date 21/7 or 22/7 just ahead of school breaking up.  Still to be confirmed and awaiting final sign off.   School engaged.

SM to speak with Balfour Beaty this week about the work on the base for the container.  Materials to be sourced.

Looking at solar panels for the roof, given no power at the site.

Rotary looking to raise funds for children and adult tables and chairs for the site.

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

Communication – repost the invitation on Facebook – ACTION CLERK

SM and JL working on an initial note to go out to the residents who have signed up.

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Correspondence

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

No further comments raised.

SM mentioned nothing happened post the GroundWater Sensor drop-in session on 18 May.  ACTION CLERK- chase up.

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Items for next agenda and Parish News Report.

FixMyStreet and defib locations and continue pushing on the communication project.

26/113

Date of next meeting – 6 July 2026

Meeting Closed at 8.20pm

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

Date ……………………