2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

BENINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE BEONNA ON MONDAY 9th JANUARY 2023 at 7.00 pm.

PRESENT:

Parish Councillors K Pinner (Chairman), R Bell, G Gostelow, J Grant, and B Holland

Boston Borough Councillors P Bedford and J Welbourn

Mrs J Barnes (Clerk)

1   NO APOLOGIES 

2   MINUTES

The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 7th November 2022 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman.

3   MATTERS ARISING

3.1   Alan Watts from Boston Borough Council had provided an update regarding Bay Hall and the email had been forwarded to all councillors, no further details received to date. 

3.2   No further information had been received regarding signage on the numerous problems with HGV’s turning off the main road into Hall Lane.

3.3   Councillor Pinner reported that the overgrown hedge near the Church should be dealt with by the end of January.

3.4   Further work was being done at the Playing Field, and the account for the steel galvanised hoops was still to be received.

3.5   The broken rubbish bin at the playing field had not been dealt with, although locals had bagged up some rubbish.  Councillor Welbourn to report again.

3.6   No further information regarding the land at Goldsons Corner, noting the occupier had not vacated.

3.7   No further details had been received regarding a Parish Magazine.

3.8   Councillor Pinner stated that the electricity had now been disconnected at the Playing Field and the account paid.

4   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 

Councillor Pinner declared an interest in The Beonna when the precept was discussed, 6.3 and 8.2; as he is a Trustee of The Beonna.

5   PLANNING 

5.1   B/22/0374  -  The proposed conversion of existing outbuilding to a 1no dwelling including associated work at Benington Bridge House, Hobhole Bank, Old Leake had been granted.

5.2   B/22/0500  - The change of use from office to dwelling including roof extension, replacement fenestration, front door and external rendering at Sandygate, Lowfields Road, for Mr A Snowdon had been discussed between meetings, noting that with this current application the council had no objections.  No decision had yet been reached.

6   PARISH MATTERS

6.1   Highways  -  Councillor Grant stated he would continue to report several pot holes, especially on West End Road.

6.2   Councillor Grant Scheme  -  Councillors Pinner stated that he had been in touch with Blackamore’s and hopefully the work on the nettle patch would soon take place.

6.3   Benington Emergency Plan  -  The Lincolnshire County Council Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Team had been in contact regarding the current Parish Emergency Plan.  Contact had been made with Mike Knowles, the Leader of the original local group, with no response to date, it was stated by Councillor Welbourn that he had stood down.  It was agreed to respond as far as possible and the Emergency Plan to be further discussed at the next meeting, noting the original ‘tool box’ was stored at The Beonna.

7   CORRESPONDENCE

7.1   Numerous emails including those from Boston Borough Council, Lincolnshire County Council, YMCA and LALC, had been forwarded to all councillors.  

7.2   Outer Dowsing Offshore  - Councillor Grant had attended a consultation event, in November last, outlining the possible route through the village.  No further information had been received to date.

7.4   Clerks and Councils Direct  -  January issue handed to Councillor Pinner.

8   FINANCE

8.1   The clerk presented the up-to-date accounts, precept spending to date and evidence of the bank balance. 

8.2   The following payments had been authorised and further agreed/authorised for payment

8.3   Audit 2022/2023  -  Information had been received that the external auditor appointed for the next five years was PKF Littlejohn, the same auditor as the previous five years.  It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Evelyn Sands for the internal audit when required.

8.4   Precept 2023/2024  -  A full discussion was held on the following years precept.   With increase in Street Lighting and Grass Cutting it was agreed to increase the precept to £20,000, (an increase of £2,500) which would amount to approximately £120.00 per household per year.
 
9   NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was arranged for 13th March 2023, at 7.00 pm at the Beonna.  

10   ANY OTHER BUSINESS

10.1   Benington Signage and The King’s Coronation to be added to the next Agenda.

10.2   It was agreed that the Clerk contact Nigel Hall for a breakdown on the parish lighting, location, number and condition of poles with regard to the increase in prices.

There being no further business the Chairman thanked those in attendance and closed the meeting at 8.20 pm