May 2025 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING FOR BENINGTON WAS HELD AT THE BEONNA ON MONDAY 19th MAY 2025 at 7.00 pm.
PRESENT:
Parish Councillor Chairman K Pinner (In the Chair)
Parish Councillors, G Gostelow and J Grant
Boston Borough Councillor P Bedford
Mrs J Barnes (Parish Council Clerk)
2 members of the Public
1 The chairman, K Pinner welcomed all to the meeting.
2 The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on the 13th May 2024 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the chairman.
3 The Parish Council Report for 2024/25 was presented by K Pinner.
PUBLIC FORUM AT PARISH MEETINGS
To comply with current regulations and to give any attending parishioners an opportunity to raise their concerns with any subject, a public forum is held at the beginning of all meetings. 2024/2025 saw very little attendance to these.
PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS
Thank you to council members for your support during the last year, sadly, recently we lost Shem Holland from our ranks. He will be missed, and his reporting of many matters concerning Bede Crescent were invaluable. This has obviously left a vacancy, and that role has been advertised. To date, we have had one applicant. As previously mentioned at past meetings, it is important that all members attend regularly as we are short of councillors. Thank you to those who have adhered to that request.
HIGHWAY LIASION OFFICER
My thanks go to councillor Grant for accepting that post again for 2024/2025, I am grateful for his efforts in reporting potholes, highway issues and damaged or missing road signs. Also, for his work contacting and communicating with the relevant authority to gain permission for a village sign to be erected next to the bus stop in the centre of the village. He also oversaw and commissioned the design of this sign which is befitting Benington.
PARISH MAINTENANCE WORKER
This vacant post has been filled by Ian Partridge and his efforts are appreciated, Village litter is being kept topside of, and he deposits this in a village bin located at my property in Davids Lane. He diligently fills a monthly timesheet which I sign off and pass to the Parish Clerk, on these he also passes on any other issues that arise from his travels round the village. During the two village clean up days held, it was noticed that litter is now being kept to a minimum.
PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE
My thanks to Mrs Barnes for maintaining this and posting all meeting minutes to be viewed by the public, and all other relevant details.
GRASS MAINTENANCE
This contract has been awarded once again to TA Blackamore, and they have done a good job over the last year to a good standard. This includes all the playing field, Benington church yard, Beonna carpark and Davids Lane / A52 junction. It may be possible that the playing field area around the play equipment might need some extra strimming / walk behind mowing if we decide to erect some child safe fencing around the equipment, this is being considered by Councillor Pinner.
PARISH LIASION MEETINGS
Parish Council has had a representation at all recent meetings, and these are a good source of information and passing concerns up to Borough Council during the AOB phase of the meeting. They are also useful to also to be able to understand other Parish Councils concerns and problems as a reference.
PLAYING FIELD
As previously mentioned, child safe fencing around equipment is being considered. Also, Boston School of Sports have taken ownership of the portacabins onsite so that they can hold sports / football training there, to date, they have not held any meetings but are hoping to get up and running by the start of the school summer holidays. The responsibility and insurance / health and safety considerations regarding that activity are all to be dealt with by Boston Sport as per agreement we drew up with them.
During 2025, the play equipment was subject to a safety report, performed by the play inspection company on Friday 20th December. We have on record, a copy of their findings and any recommendations suggested were actioned in due course. Monthly interim checks were made by Councillor Holland, and this role has been taken up by councillor Pinner following the sad death of Shem.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Parish / Borough / County councillors for their attendance and input during the last year.
And last but not least to Mrs Barnes for her professional attitude to her duties, the extra workload experienced during the year, being the main contact for all emails and correspondence and for her support to me during 2024/2025 and diligently dealing with our regulatory annual audit.
4 A report from The Beonna had been received.
The Beonna Annual Report: A Year of Growth and Community Impact
Over the past 12 months, The Beonna has continued to go from strength to strength, driven by a highly capable team and a dedicated Board of Trustees. Together, we have delivered meaningful growth and increased community engagement while laying the foundations for long-term sustainability.
Key Achievements
Visitor Footfall:
In 2024, we welcomed over 10,000 visitors through our doors, reflecting our growing presence and relevance in the local community.
Community Events:
Our monthly quiz nights now regularly attract 150 attendees, and we’ve expanded our events calendar to include bingo nights, preloved sales, and craft fairs—all of which are generating valuable income for the charity as well as being important in bringing our local community together.
Music and Culture:
We have launched a monthly live music night to showcase local talent and are preparing to pilot an open mic night, further enriching the cultural life of Benington.
Private Hires:
The Beonna is gradually establishing itself as a unique and sought-after venue for celebrations and weddings. Our ambition within the next 5 years is to become recognised as the premier heritage venue in the East Midlands. Our 5 year aim is for 80% of income to be generated from private hires – so that we can fund more and more community events
Digital Reach:
Across our social media channels, our website and a regional radio campaign , we are reaching approximately 65,000 people each month. Our digital presence is growing rapidly, helping us connect with a wider audience and attract new visitors and clients.
Energy Efficiency:
Maintaining and heating a grade 1 heritage building is one of the biggest challenges we have. The board of trustees has worked hard to reduce energy bills by 50% in 2024 and are now looking at finding to redistribute energy as well as look at greener options such as solar power.
Looking Ahead
While 2025 presents challenges for our sector, our Board has developed a robust five-year plan. Our goal is to become self-funding by early 2027. We are committed to using revenue from private hire, business hire, and weddings to sustain community events and the Beonna Café, ensuring the building remains a hub for local life.
We are immensely proud of The Beonna—a building of national historical importance—and are fortunate to have such a special place at the heart of Benington. The Board of Trustees remains deeply committed to preserving The Beonna for current and future generations.
There being no further reports the meeting closed at 7.15 pm.