Parish News February 2023

The Parish Council had its last meeting on 6th February at St James’s Hall.
 
FINANCE – Parish Councillors approved payment of invoices totalling £2396.56. 
Payments approved included £476 for the annual subscription of the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils and £262 for the purchase of some fruit and nut trees for Witham Meadow.
 
PLANNING – Councillors discussed a number of applications detailed on the agenda. The Council discussed the impact of application S22/2453 Harlaxton Estates, an application for the erection of 5 commercial units, a new storage container, cycle and bin store and alterations to the parking provision at Long Bennington Business Park. Councillors resolved to support the proposal but request that the increased safety issues are offset by moving the 30MPH signs further out, to cover the entrance to the business park. This is also to be highlighted with Lincs CC Highways.
 
FLOOD ALLEVIATION SCHEME - The much-needed major flood alleviation works in our Village are moving forward and some preparatory work is beginning.  To accommodate the heavy machinery for upgrading pipework along Main Road, a few trees between Vicarage Lane and the Royal Oak needed pruning on the lower branches as part of the site preparation. The required works unfortunately included removal of one tree in front of the Royal Oak. This is due to the new pipe run needing to be predominantly in the verge area. Three trees will be re-planted to replace that one.
To provide public information about the flood relief works, Lincolnshire County Council has advised the Parish Council that a drop-in session will be held in March. The date to be confirmed and will be advertised locally.
 
WITHAM MEADOW – progress is being made with Parish Council plans to improve Witham Meadow.  Several free trees obtained via LCC Treescapes scheme have been planted, with help from Kristian at Womble Gardening, and some hedging has been planted near the riverbank. Some fruit and nut trees have been ordered and will hopefully be planted sometime in February. It is hoped, in liaison with school and pre-school, we will be scattering wildflower seeds and build a bug hotel. If anyone has any ideas or would like to get involved, please contact me.
 
Following meeting dates Monday 6th March 2023 and Monday 3rd April
 
As always, if you have any issues or concerns you wish to raise with the Parish Council, please contact me on 01400 282716 or email parishclerk@longbenningtonparishcouncil.org 
Jane Evans 
Parish Clerk