Agendas and Minutes 2026

Public Forum

5 members of the public attended.

In relation to item 10 (26/123). On the agenda reference was made to the Environmental Protection Act 1995, requiring SKDC (in our case), to investigate any noise issues created by traffic.

Meeting commenced at 7.03pm

Present

Mark Newton (MN) Chair, David Kelly (DK), Martin Rose (MR), John Leventhall (JL), Steven Maxwell (SM), Andy Taylor (AT) and Carole Lee (CL).  County Cllr Ken Bamford (KB). Martin Wright (Clerk). 

26/114

Apologies for Absence

Geoff Fearn GF (Vice Chair), Mick Walker (MW), Paul Wood (PW), Daryl Walton (DW)

26/115

Declarations of Interest.

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

None

26/116

Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 1st June 2026

Matters Arising

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

JL to seek financial support for new speed sign at south end of village from the 50-unit developers at that end of the village.  In meantime Clerk confirmed the existing unit has been moved by LCC further south to a lamp post on the other side of Main Road at no cost.  ACTION JL

26/117

County Council Report

Clarification on local government reorganisation is still awaited by central government.  Hope for clarity mid July.

Speeding and parking are still issues across the ward and KB meeting with the Road Safety Partnership next week, to challenge on more enforcement.  KB has agreed to meet with residents regarding speeding/ lorry noise coming from Main Road traffic from early morning.  Meeting taking place on 9th July at 6.15am.

KB has also agreed to meet with resident regarding verge damage/ parking on Welbornes close.

LCC are creating small pots of up to £3k per County Councillor to use on projects in their wards – c. £300 per Parish Council.  Also to be a larger pot for up to £15k grants for local projects.  Should be live in a few weeks and more details will be provided.

26/118

District Councillor Report

No report

Clerk thanked Paul/ SKDC for arranging additional streetlight on Church Street, at the request of residents.

26/119

Planning

Applications –

• S26/ 0972 – Mr Bryan Brunt – Single storey extension to rear and two storey extension to the side of 1 Meadows Close, Long Bennington – No objections.
• S26/1038 – Mr and Mrs C Harris – 6 Hardwick Gardens side extension – just covering off a condition relating to preservation of trees and suitable piling. No objections
• S26/1025 – Park View development – just sign off of a missed condition relating to street lighting layout.  Technical issue for planners, not PC.

• Approvals

• S26/0865 – Variation to the Affordable Housing plan (planning reference S21/0655) of plots 2 and 28, Development Behind 75 And 79 Main Road, Long Bennington
• S26/0042 - Appeal by Mr and Mrs S Blackburn - Witham House Back Lane Long Bennington Lincolnshire NG23 5DT
• S26/0534 - Mr Stephen Harwood-Gray- Place solar panels on the south facing rook of the timber frame garage. 40 Main Road Long Bennington

• Refusals - None
• Planning Appeals/Withdrawals          
  • S26/0875 – George Machin – Second phase of an additional 9 units south of Vicarage Lane.   Withdrawn by agent.
  • S26/0893 – Leonie Petch – 8A Winters Lane, compliance with condition withdrawn.

As a follow up to the June Parish Council meeting, a visit to see SKDC planners was arranged for 2 July.  MN provided an overview with input from JL.  Attendees were MN/ JL/ PW/ MR and Clerk.  SKDC were represented by Emma Whittaker (leads on planning among other areas) and Phil Jordan (Senior Planner).

• Felt it was worthwhile and our comments were taken on board.  Was positive in showing we are a serious Parish Council to deal with.
• Local knowledge is the key factor they want from us on applications, whether supported or not.
• Our Neighbourhood Plan is out of date this year and out of date in many areas as it predates the current SKDC plan.  Discussions took place regarding whether to start a new plan now or await SKDC’s.  General feeling we should at least scope out key areas for inclusion in next plan but not progress too far.  ACTION CLERK add to future agenda.  No funding support available to help with preparation.
• Tilted balance in favour of developments.  Given government directive on housing and local targets – 900 new builds per annum versus best year of 600, needs to be strong reasons to decline.
• Discussed the Valley Lane travellers site and confirmed awaiting the judge’s opinion on a judicial review.

26/120

Renewal of insurance policies for 2026/7

Parish Clerk confirmed that policies had been renewed.  Slightly higher than initial quotes as following conversation with Gareth Dawkins, in his professional view we need to up cover slightly.  Covered with Clerks report but shown below for record and approved by Councillors.

1. LBVH CIO changed Business Interruption from £45k over 2 years to £90k over 3 years.
2. LBPC changed mower cover from £6k to £10k.

26/121

Memorial Gardens – Discussion regarding tidying, especially borders/ beds and hedge.

Clerk raised the issue of the borders/ hedge in the memorial gardens. 

It was agreed the budget should be enhanced for the area in 2027/8.

It was agreed that we could see if a group of volunteers could be established to tidy the borders.  Seek help via the Parish News etc.

We could see if GF could help with the hedge, once the harvest is out the way.  ACTION CLERK

26/122

CCTV issues and costs at Playing Fields

Whilst progress has been made on fixing the CCTV cameras, we still have one out of order.  Invoice received from Allsecure for £400+VAT for work they did on 1 June.  Also quotes for additional cameras and work on CCTV system.  It was discussed and agreed the Clerk should liaise with Allsecure regarding the £400 invoice and the Point-to-Point Wireless Bridge costing £495+VAT.  ACTION CLERK

26/123

Speeding/ vehicle noise on Main Road, especially lorries

Clerk thanked resident (who attended as a member of the public) for all the work she had done relating to the speeding and lorry noise on Main Road.

The resident is meeting with KB on 9th July and will be joined by AT and Clerk, to witness the traffic.

Resident has already spoken with Maritime transport and they have agreed to reroute lorries via Gonerby junction.  LCC have agreed to a traffic measurement exercise at 4 points in the village, but timing is not yet clear.

Discussions suggested much of the traffic relates to Roseland.  Council may need to revisit discussions with the owners/ managers of the site.  ACTION CLERK

AT advised Community Speed Watch sessions planned for July and August with July’s at south end of the village.

26/124

Confirm continuation of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations.

Approved continuation in existing format.  ACTION CLERK show on website record reviewed

26/125

Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report

Chairman – no report

Clerks report as previously circulated. 

26/126

Finance

Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £4,745.31.  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.

26/127

Reports

Party in the Park MR advised the Rotary organised event had been very good and raised a significant amount to go to local charities, including the Air Ambulance.  Also looking to buy benches/ tables for Witham Meadow school visits to be kept in the container.

Playing Fields Management Committee – MUGA scoping in course.  Summer dinner held at Whitakers and plaque presented to Phil Owen for his years of work on the committee.

Village Hall Management Committee – No report

Community Emergency Response Team – MR advised in good shape with 12 volunteers of which 10 signed up for indemnity cover via LCC.  Awaiting training and invite received for Resilience Forum organised by LCC.

Road Safety – keen to do more community speed watch sessions.

Police Report – no report

Footpaths & Streetlights – No report

Witham Meadow – SM advised the “foundations” for the container are in place and completed by Balfour Beaty under the LCC volunteer’s scheme.

MR still liaising with RAF regarding the helicopter and may be pushed back a little.

Local engagement will start nearer the date.

Greenios approached for costing on solar panels to go on the containers roof, for local power.

Communication – ongoing repost the invitation on Facebook – ACTION CLERK

83 residents now signed up.

First newsletter issued.

Considering small scale mail drop to increase take up.  Seek support from distributors of Parish News?

26/128

Correspondence

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

No further comments raised.

26/129

Items for next agenda and Parish News Report.

Volunteers for border clearance at Memorial Gardens

26/130

Date of next meeting – 3 August 2026

Meeting Closed at 8.01pm

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

Date ……………………