2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

BENINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE BEONNA ON MONDAY 15th MAY 2023 following the Annual General Meeting.

PRESENT:

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

Boston Borough Councillor P Bedford 

2 members of the public

Mrs J Barnes (Clerk)

1   APOLOGIES were received from the Boston Borough Councillor D Broughton..

2   MINUTES

The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 13th March 2023 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman.

3   MATTERS ARISING

3.1   Bay Hall  -  No further information 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 he was in touch with the tenant regarding the overgrown hedge as it was growing again.

3.4   A replacement bin had now been installed at the playing field, the account still to be received.

3.5   Goldsons Corner  -  Councillor Grant reported that this was still ongoing, but anticipated that an eviction date would be set.

3.6   Parish Lighting  -  Still waiting for a further response from Nigel Hall.  Councillor Bedford stated he would make enquiries.

4   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 

4.1   All councillors present signed the Declaration of Acceptance, and the Clerk countersigned.

4.2   All councillors present completed the Declaration of Disclosable Interest Form.

5   PLANNING

5.1   B/23/0038 – The outline planning permission for the demolition of former village hall and construction of one dwelling at Village Hall for Ms R Grant had been accepted.

5.2   B/23/0142 – The application for proposed two storey side extension to create engineering workshop, engineering stores and canteen with proposed turnstile/pedestrian gate and palisade fence at T H Clements & Son was discussed.  No objections.

6   PARISH MATTERS

6.1   Highways  -  Councillor Grant reported that several pot holes had been reported and they had been dealt with within 

6.2   Nettle Patch    -  Councillor Pinner reported that he had now identified the material to be used, and this was ongoing.

6.3   Grass Cutting, corner of David’s Lane and A52  -  The question arose as to who was responsible for this, previously this had been dealt with by a parishioner.  Enquiries to be made with Lincolnshire County Council.

6.4   Churchyard Moles  -  It was noted that moles were still causing a problem in the Churchyard, and that the Parish Council had paid two accounts last financial year.

6.5   Benington Emergency Plan  -  Councillor Pinner stated that he and the Clerk had started work on the plan, adjusting details from the old joint parish copy.  To be continued.

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   South East Lincolnshire Council’s Partnership  -  Information received regarding tree planting.  Noted that the Parish Council do not own any land.

7.3   Clerks and Councils Direct  -  May issue handed to Councillor Pinner.

8   FINANCE

8.1   Fixed Asset Register  -  It was noted that no further assets had been purchased during the financial year, so the figure would remain at £41,510.

8.21   Annual Audit  -  The Chairman reported that he and the Clerk had gone over all the documentation for the audit, using Form 3 of the AGAR.

8.22   Annual Governance Statement  -  the councillors unanimously approved the statement by confirming that they have reviewed the effectiveness of the system of internal control.  This was duly signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.

8.23   Accounting Statement  -  this had been completed against the previously agreed receipts and payments accounts and was duly signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.

8.24   The documents would now be forwarded to the Internal Auditor, along with all necessary files, the Clerk having arranged with Evelyn Sands for a meeting on Friday.  The explanations for variances were agreed and a note of the reserves was handed out. 

8.3   The clerk presented the up-to-date accounts, showing the receipt of half the precept (less the cost of footway lighting) and noted the increase in bank interest.

8.4   The following payments had been authorised and paid between meetings. 

9   NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was arranged for 12th June 2023, at 7.00 pm at the Beonna.  

10   ANY OTHER BUSINESS

10.1   Website -  It was noted that to bring and keep the website up-to-date, help was available from lalc, at a price.  Further enquiries to be made and it was agreed to take this forward.

10.2   Overhanging branches onto the footpath from an LHP property in Bede Crescent was reported.  Enquiries to be made. 

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