Not Yet Approved Minutes for meeting on 2 March 2026
LONG BENNINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
NOT YET APPROVED MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting
Held Monday 2nd March 2026
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Public Forum |
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4 members of the public attended. A member of the public advised the PC that they had met the Police and Crime Commissioner at an event and had been advised more PCSO would be appointed for Lincolnshire villages when extra funds came through. Vikki Threlfall from River Care Long Bennington provided a brief update on the recently formed group. Explained their role and actions so far including litter pick along the river last Saturday (13 attended). To liaise with Clerk over joint actions and CLERK to share the one page briefing note with Councillors. |
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Meeting commenced at 7.13pm |
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Present |
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Mark Newton (MN) Chair, David Kelly (DK), John Leventhall (JL), Martin Rose (MR), Steven Maxwell (SM), Mick Walker (MW), Paul Wood (PW), Daryl Walton (DW) and Martin Wright (Clerk). Cllr Ken Bamford joined the meeting until he had completed his report (26/042) |
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26/039 |
Apologies for Absence |
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Carole Lee (CL) due to holidays. Geoff Fearn and Andy Taylor due to illness. Apologies accepted. |
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26/040 |
Declarations of Interest. |
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To receive Disclosable Pecuniary Interests in accordance with the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012.
MN – Planning Applications s25/1395 |
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26/041 |
Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 2nd February 2026 |
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Matters Arising 24/186 CCTV investigations still pending. ACTION CLERK 24/225 Witham Meadow. The sourcing of a shed/ building is still pending referred to in Witham Meadows report also. ACTION SM
It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a true record.
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26/042 |
County Council Report |
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Written report for March provided by Cllr Bamford as Hough ward County Councillor. Offered to do a Village Walk, to identify LCC repair work required. ACTION CLERK liaise with PC Councillors for dates to offer. JL raised issue of drainage for new 50 house site at south end of village. Conversation to be taken offline to see if any help can be provided. Confusion over reference to A1 footpath in recent LCC communication. Clerk understood referred to the road surface rather than a path. Hough ward website to be established and we are encouraged to utilize. LCC looking to be more proactive on road repairs. Repair properly and aim for good progress by the summer. Cllr Bamford keen we highlight dangerous ones direct to him. Discussion between PW and Cllr Bamford over removal of £2m grant to Grantham town centre, taken off line. |
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26/043 |
District Councillor Report |
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Cllrs were advised that the proposals for local government reorganisation were with the government and a response was expected 26 March. A revised travellers site application has gone into the courts with hearing scheduled for 14 May 2026. PW referred to two planning matters – Sewstern Land and 9 units off Vicarage Lane. Subsequently covered under planning. SKDC agreed Council tax increase last week. They collect for LCC/ Police/ PC. For a typical Band D resident uplifts for LCC +2.9% (£47.16pw)/ Police +4.7% (£14.94pw) and SKDC +2.99% (£5.66) |
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26/044 |
Planning |
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Applications s26/0081 Knight – similar conversion on adjacent property – should improve. No objection 25/2057 FULM – (Newark and Sherwood Council) – concern over the impact on LB services – school and surgery for so many more houses. Traffic concerns. Object in support of other parish councils involved with reference to pressure on LB village services. s25/1395 Morris – Revision on previous application with slight improvement on tree protection. Respond as last time including reference to need for path extension. Not objecting otherwise. S26/0249 Reeves – golf simulator and gym in outbuilding – no objections raised.
Below were received on 2 March but councillors agreed to review. s26/0162 9 units off Vicarage Lane – received that day and inadequate time to consider. A previous proposal was objected to/ withdrawn and concerns raised. ACTION CLERK seek extension for discussion at April meeting. s26/0270 – Fearn – demolish two farm buildings and replace with a house and bungalow on Sewstern Lane. No objections raised given no concerns raised with previous redevelopment on the site. S26/0359 – TPO at 6 Hardwick Gardens – no objection and leave SKDC to review.
Planning Approvals – none Planning Refusals – none Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – none Other planning issues –
s24/2214 – 50 house site at south end of the village. JL provided update on discussions regarding drainage. JL in communication with developers and seeking clarity on their plans for drainage given potential issues beyond their site. Seeking adoption by LCC but cautious. IDB can enforce if there is a serious issue with the drainage on other landowners property. Developer considering options for sewer connections in the village but caution raised over moving a problem from one place to another.
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26/045 |
Update re meeting with Anglian Water / Sewage Capacity |
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JL Still seeking current and future capacities of the village drainage/ sewers. Data so far received shows redacted call outs/ issues on The Pastures, JL believes. |
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26/046 |
Local Government Reorganisation |
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Nothing further to report. See District Councillor comments. |
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26/047 |
LALC Annual Training Scheme |
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Clerk reported back on two good courses attended with LALC and it was resolved the Parish Council should join the 26/27 LALC Training scheme as LALC agreed to waive all but £15 for refreshments for the two training courses attended. Resolved and agreed to pay £170+VAT for 26/27 plus the £15 for refreshments. ACTION CLERK – pay LALC when invoice received. |
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26/048 |
Parish Council Improved Communications – to update on discussions. |
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SM and JL reported that they were now ready to launch the communications pilot. Posters were to be distributed and social media alerts to go out. Looking to add to village magazine ACTION CLERK Will create a newsletter with supporting articles from councillors for regular distribution to database contacts as established. See how it goes. |
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26/049 |
Speed Cameras and Community Speed Watch |
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AT was unable to be at the meeting, but it was confirmed training session booked in for 27 March in the Village Hall. ACTION CLERK notify AT that Mick Brooks would also like to attend. |
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26/050 |
Project Groundwater Flood Sensors Onboarding |
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Discussed and agreed councillors need to know more about the sensors and their purpose/ reporting. ACTION CLERK – organise a Zoom call with the party responsible and invite councillors – GF/ JL/ SM/ MR and Clerk |
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26/051 |
CCTV Policy |
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CCTV policy was approved alongside the new control panel. Relates to the equipment at the Pavillion, which is now in a secure room. ACTION CLERK – retain policy and update review date on website |
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26/052 |
Investment policy |
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Presented to councillors and approved. ACTION CLERK – publish on PC website |
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26/053 |
SKDC Walking Festival |
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Clerk provided a brief overview of key events that SKDC are planning
ACTION CLERK – contact SKDC regarding whether Rotary support still required on 11 April |
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26/054 |
Chairman’s and Clerk’s Report |
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Chairman’s Report - no report Clerks Report Councillors referred to the attached report. Additional comments:- Moving of speed sign near pastures. To take up the offer of LCC to meet on site to review. ACTION CLERK – arrange a date. Approved LCC offer of £5,001, towards grass cutting costs in LB. ACTION CLERK accept offer. Clerk confirmed holiday for one week in March. Confirmed support for PPG by way of meeting room and seeking grant to keep the dementia group operating for the coming 12 months. Reminded councillors that the Annual Parish Meeting will be 11 May. Suggested we look at option for a speaker to add extra interest for the event. Clerk investigating. Seeking WI support for refreshments. Need to create a poster and alert village groups. ACTION CLERK include in Parish News report. Offer of Save a Life training sessions – ACTION CLERK pick a date later in the options and then publicise. |
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26/055 |
Finance |
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Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £1,149.12 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. Ground Maintenance for Village Hall Gardens for 2026 – contractor confirmed desire to continue, will provide quote at April meeting. ACTION CLERK Ground Maintenance for Memorial Gardens for 2026 – Confirmed on 27th January by email that Mills Maintenance happy to do again. Agreed £200 per visit total £600 for year. 2026/7 budget discussed and approved with the addition of £250 for Communication costs. ACTION CLERK update and publish as necessary. |
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26/056 |
Reports |
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Playing Fields Management Committee – DK reported on the need to replace the MUGA surface. He is supporting Gareth with the planning. Costs in the region of £40k are estimated but will be subject to competitive tendering. Surface has lasted longer than expected 10 years but is becoming dangerous. Aim to use s106 monies and any grants ahead of seeking monies from the sinking fund. Village Hall Management Committee – DW advised the batteries were now installed to work alongside the solar panels, with aim to significantly reduce electricity costs. New insulation installed in roof space. Notice board has been refurbished. Still planning a new members day on 11 April. JL mentioned ongoing issues in getting the land registry to register the village hall title. Working with VHMC and clerk to resolve. Emergency Planning Group – They have an additional volunteer. Road Safety – no report Police Report – no report Footpaths & Streetlights – Ongoing positive feedback relating to the redoing of the paths on Church Street. Witham Meadow – SM referred to the opportunity to purchase a metal shipping container to be a secure storage unit and base for the children to use. Cost around £1,700 and could be a project for the children to paint the outside. MR referred to the possibility of using an RAF Chinook helicopter on a training exercise to move the container. Councillors confirmed their approval for further work on the project. GF to be consulted to see if he can provide a location for the container to be stored and transported from. Clerk referred to recent volunteering email from Cllr Bamford and to see if support could be provided for the base/ blocks for the container. ACTION CLERK – contact Cllr Bamford with request. |
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26/057 |
Correspondence |
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Councillors referred to attached list of correspondence received during the last month. No further comments raised.
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26/058 |
Items for next agenda and Parish News Report. |
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Anglian Water Communication – to update following JL chasing Annual Parish Meeting Communication improvements
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26/059 |
Date of next meeting – 13 April 2026 |
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Meeting Closed 8.58pm |
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Signed…………………………………. Designation …………………… Date …………………… |