2023 Parish Council Minutes of Meetings

BENINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE BEONNA ON MONDAY 14th AUGUST 2023 at 7.00 pm.

PRESENT:

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

Boston Borough Councillor P Bedford 

Lincolnshire County Councillor P Skinner

Mrs J Barnes (Clerk)

1   APOLOGIES were received from Parish Councillor R Bell, who was holiday and Boston Borough Councillor D Broughton, who had a medical appointment.

2   MINUTES

2.1   The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 12th June 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   HGV Signage  -  No further information to date.

3.3   Overgrown Hedge  -  Councillor Pinner stated he had a meeting in the morning regarding this.

3.4   Goldsons Corner  -  Councillor Grant had heard that there could be an imminent eviction.

3.5   Bede Crescent  -  Councillor Pinner had contacted LHP, regarding the overhanging shrub but no action had yet been taken.  He would contact again.

3.6   Grass Cutting  -  The clerk stated that the Parish Agreement had been requested to commence in April 2024.

4   NO FURTHER DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 

5   PLANNING

5.1   B/23/0198 – The statutory pre-application re Phase 2 of the Outer Dowsing Offshore Wind proposals had been received.  No comments had been received.

6   PARISH MATTERS

6.11   Highways  -  Notification had been received that a temporary traffic restriction would be imposed  between 7th August and 11th September 2023 on Benington PROW 9 (between Benington PROW 7 and Sea Lane.

6.12   Councillor Grant reported again that the broken bend sign on West End Road had not been repaired and Councillor Skinner agreed to investigate this. 

6.2   Nettle Patch    -  Councillor Pinner reported that this was still in progress.  It was hoped that the entrance would be dealt with first.

6.3   Footway Lighting  -  Following the information received from Nigel Hall (Boston Borough Council), Councillor Pinner stated that he had checked all the lighting, noting that at present two of the lights were already LED.  It was agreed to request a quote for the lights on the 9 steel posts and those on the 7 shared wooden posts.

6.4   Benington Emergency Plan  -  Councillor Pinner stated this was still in progress.

6.5   LCC – Litter Picking Scheme  -  Information had been received to take part in the litter picking equipment scheme, and consequently items had now been delivered.  It was agreed that a Community Litter Picking Day be held (29th October  -  the same as in the borough).  The clerk to produce a notice, to include meeting at The Beonna, litter picking between 9.30 and 12 noon; coffee afterwards and contact Councillor Grant.   To be discussed further at the next meeting.

7   CORRESPONDENCE

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

7.2   Outing Dowsing  -  Councillor Grant reported that he had attended the meeting at Butterwick Village Hall the previous Friday.  After consultation they had now announced to consider the route further away from the coast, northeast of the A52. It was noted that some farmland in Benington may be affected.

7.3   Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership  -  Information had been received that an Archer Survey (speed monitoring) had taken place on the A52.  The results were noted, and that the criteria required for either fixed or mobile speed camera enforcement was not met.

7.4   Lincolnshire County Council  -  A request had been received for help with the Drainage Records.  It was agreed that this was rather a large task and Councillor Skinner agreed to make enquiries.

7.5   Openreach  -  It was noted that Openreach had been in Benington on the 20th July, delivering leaflets regarding a new exchange.  No further action at present.

7.6   Clerks & Councils Direct --  The July edition was handed to Councillor Pinner.

7.7   Lincolnshire County Council  -  The latest bus services had been received and notices would be displayed. 

8   FINANCE

8.1   Annual Audit  -  The clerk reported that the AGAR had been sent to the external auditor who had acknowledged receipt.

8.2   The clerk presented the up-to-date accounts, precept spending to date and evidence of the bank balance.  It was noted that a further account had been paid for moles in the churchyard and Boston Borough Council for our cost towards the election.

8.3   The following payments had been authorised and paid since the previous meeting.

The clerk’s salary for September and further grass cutting accounts were authorised.

9   NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was arranged for 9th October 2023, at 7.00 pm at the Beonna.  

10   ANY OTHER BUSINESS

It was mentioned that an overgrown shrub was hiding a light on land maintained by LHP, and that the grass in Bede Crescent needed cutting.  Councillor Pinner stated he would report.

There being no further business the Chairman thanked those in attendance and closed the meeting at 8.00 pm.