Agendas and Minutes 2026

Present:

Approx 30 parishioners, including Parish Councillors.

1

Welcome from the Chair of Long Bennington Parish Council

Everyone was welcomed to the meeting and referred to the attached minutes of the last meeting on 13th May 2024. Following referral to attendees, it was RESOLVED that the minutes should be signed as an accurate account of the meeting.

2

Presentation from Parish Council Chairman

A short presentation, highlighting the Parish Council’s main activities over the year since the last Parish Meeting was given. Report attached and published on website

Representatives from various village groups/associations were introduced

Cllr John Leventhall provided a brief summary on the current position regarding the Village Hall ownership.

3

District Councillor Paul Wood SKDC and Long Bennington Charities

PW referred to the recent poor bin collection service, advising it should improve.

Local Government reorganization was referred to, in particular the plan for unitary authorities. This will not happen for at least a couple of years.

It was confirmed the Local Plan is being revised with 11 sites in Long Bennington having been looked at, the majority regarded as not suitable. PW confirmed he will continue to monitor any changes.

Ted Bates spoke on behalf of Long Bennington Charities, giving a brief background of the charity along with a summary of services provided, sources of income and administration. It was reported that the charity is in a good financial position.

4

County Councillor Ken Bamford

Newly elected Ken Bamford introduced himself, advising he will provide support, where possible, working with Paul Wood and all communities.

5

Q&As

Parking at Sparrow Lane/Main Road was referred to. No waiting parking restrictions (traffic regulation order) - highways are in the process of organising school parking and other surveys, either just before or after the Easter holidays. Proposals are to be sent direct to the Parish Council. The promised timetable is for a village TRO scheme to go out to full public consultation by the end of the summer.

A question was raised regarding any future plans to improve the footpaths in the village.

Church Street is in the footway reconstruction programme for 2025/26, with a provisional start date of 22 January 2026. The scheme cost is expected to be £183,000, with an extensive area to be reconstructed. A design and location plan can be supplied by Highways nearer the time when details are finalised.

Welbourne's Lane didn't quite score highly enough, only scoring 62 (need to score 70-80 to be programmed). We would expect this to be reconstructed in 2-3 years based on its current score.

The Pastures / Bennington Close / Riverview - the footways on these streets are all in the 2025/26 programme for a micro asphalt resurfacing treatment, dates are TBC but expected to be Summer 2025.

Inconsiderate parking and speeding was referred to and it was confirmed the Parish Council continues to lobby LCC.

The mobile signal in the village was referred to and it was agreed to investigate – ACTION CLERK

The PC was thanked for the new gateways. The Children Playing sign was referred to, advising one facing north is required. Ken Bamford agreed to take forward.

Reference was made to the UK Prosperity Fund, advising that an application is to be submitted for solar panels for the Village Hall. Phil Owen, on behalf of the Playing Field Management Committee, mentioned there are plans underway to improve the Pavilion.

Public Footpaths – attendees were advised to report any issues via Fixmystreet or via the Parish Clerk.

Cllr Brooks advised that an unmarked Police car is now occasionally doing speed checks in the village.

Cllr Leventhall asked how the PC can improve communications with the public and a member of the public offered to help.

The meeting ended at 8.02pm