May 2025 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD AT THE BEONNA ON MONDAY 19th MAY 2025 at 7.20 pm.
PRESENT:
Parish Councillors K Pinner (Chairman), J Grant and G Gostelow
Boston Borough Councillors P Bedford (left 8.05 pm)
T Fenwick (Councillor elect)
One member of the public
Mrs J Barnes (Clerk)
1.1 APOLOGIES were received from Parish Councillor R Bell and Boston Borough Councillor D Broughton.
1.2 COUNCILLOR VACANCY - One application had been received and Councillor Pinner proposed, and it was unanimously agreed that Thomas Fenwick be co-opted onto the Parish Council. Councillor Fenwick duly signed the Declaration of Acceptance.
2 MINUTES
The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 24th March 2025 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the Chairman.
3 MATTERS ARISING
3.1 Parish Liaison Meeting - It was noted that the next meeting was now due to be held on the 26th June 2025.
4 NO DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
5 PLANNING
5.1 B/25/0087 - Scoping opinion under Regulation 10 and 11 of the Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations 2017) (The EIA Regulations) with respect to the Ossian Offshore Windfarm. This was still ongoing and noted that it was one of three such schemes.
5.2 TPO/25/0002-3-4-5-6-7 - The applications for Tree Preservation Orders for Rose Lea, East of the A52, Churchyard, Old Butchers Arms, Five Trees and East of Davids Lane had all now been confirmed by Boston Borough Council. The orders would be filed accordingly.
6 PARISH MATTERS
6.1 Highways - Notification had been received that a temporary traffic restriction would be in place on Crowhall Lane due to water main repairs by Anglian Water between the 13th and the 23rd May 2025.
6.21 Playing Field - It was noted that the moles had now been dealt with.
6.22 Play Equipment Fencing - Nothing further reported.
6.23 Playing Field Usage - Nothing further reported.
6.3 Village Sign - Councillor Grant stated that permission had now been received, and the work would take place in due course.
6.4 Clean-Up - It was stated that four people had attended working on the Boston Marathon route, noting that not as much rubbish as the previous time had been collected, with thanks to the Ian Partridge for collecting in the parish.
6.5 WW2 Lancaster Crash - Notification had been received from Andrew Copley that a Memorial Service on the farmland owned by Saul Farms would be held on the 13th June 2025. Further details to be notified.
6.6 Appointment of Playing Field/Equipment Officer - It was unanimously agreed that Councillor Fenwick be appointed. Councillor Pinner would let him have the paperwork in due course.
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 Clerks & Councils Direct - The May issue handed to Councillor Pinner.
8 FINANCE
8.11 Completion of the AGAR - the Chairman reported that he and the Clerk had gone over all the documentation for the audit, completing all the necessary paperwork for both the Internal and External Auditor.
8.12 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 completed and signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.
8.13 Accounting Statement - this had been completed with the figures from Income and Expenditure for the financial year, together with the Reconciliation Statement and was duly signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.
8.14 Certificate of Exemption - with our figures for income and expenditure being below £25,000 this had been completed and was duly signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.
8.15 The documents would now be forwarded to the Internal Auditor, along with all the necessary files.
8.2 The clerk presented the up-to-date accounts, noting that the first half of the Precept (less the footway lighting costs) had been received.
8.3 The following payments were authorised when invoices were received.
Amount VAT Payment Method
I Partridge (litter) £100.00 BACS
Hire of Beonna £36.00 £6.00 BACS
8.4 The renewal documents for the insurance due 1st June to be fully checked prior to payment.
9 NEXT MEETING
9.1 The next meeting was arranged for 9th June 2025, (a change of date) at the Beonna, commencing at 7.00 pm.
10 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
10.1 Mention had been made regarding overhanging trees near the Beonna, the clerk to respond that we would endeavour to deal with it as soon as possible.
10.2 Mention had been made as to whether a Benington Parishioners Event could be held for the senior members of the community.
10.3 The Clerk stated that alterations to Standing Orders had been received, and these would be looked at in due course.
There being no further business the Chairman thanked those in attendance and closed the meeting at 8.25 pm.