May 2026 Minutes
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING FOR BENINGTON WAS HELD AT THE BEONNA ON MONDAY 18th MAY 2026 at 7.00 pm.
PRESENT:
Parish Councillor Chairman K Pinner (In the Chair)
Parish Councillors, T Fenwick, G Gostelow and J Grant
Mrs J Barnes (Parish Council Clerk)
1 member of the Public
1 The chairman, K Pinner welcomed all to the meeting.
2 The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on the 19th May 2025 having been previously circulated were approved and signed by the chairman.
3 The Parish Council Report for 2025/26 was presented by K Pinner.
PUBLIC FORUM AT PARISH MEETINGS
All meetings are opened with a public forum where members of the public are invited to attend and bring to our attention any issues, they would like us to consider, it is noted that the time limit on this section is 20 minutes, with 3 minutes for each member of the public (as per Standing Orders), and after that time public are restricted from any further comment during the meeting.
PARISH COUNCIL MEMBERS
Thank you all for your attendance during the last year and for your valuable input and assistance. We are now back up to full quota of members now that we have recruited Tom Fenwick and I take this opportunity to formally welcome Tom on board to take on playing field equipment checks in particular and his input is already helping.
HIGHWAY LIASION OFFICER
Councillor Grant has taken this role again for the year and his efforts posting issues on ‘fix my street’ are noted and appreciated, he has been instrumental in working towards getting interactive speed warning signs installed in the village centre. It is hoped this will be in place within this year.
PARISH MAINTENANCE WORKER
This post is still diligently taken by Ian Partridge, it is noted that he is keeping up to date with litter picking throughout the village. He also brings to my attention any other problems he spots on his travels. His notification of damage go the barriers on the church footpath bridge has facilitated in a satisfactory repair.
GRASS MAINTENANCE
TA Blackamore, retained this contract for the year and their work is still a good standard, this is around the churchyard. Beonna carpark, entrance to Davids Lane and the playing field.
PARISH LIASION MEETINGS
I have attended all recent meeting where possible, these are a good source of information and also a good opportunity to network with members of other local parish council members.
PLAYING FIELD
I have had no recent communication with the British School of Sport, so no update on that, fencing around the play equipment is still pending a reasonable source of funding. There is also an ongoing process for some repairs to the play equipment and awaiting an update, also on the insurance.
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.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank all Parish/Borough and County Councillors for their attendance and input during the last year.
That bring me to my last subject of Parish Clerk, Joan Barnes, has recently tendered her retirement notice. Joan’s work for Benington over the years has been excellent and I am sure you will all join me in wishing Joan all the best for the future and hope she has a very well earned rest.
The route forward to find her replacement is in progress and members of the Parish Council are meeting two respective candidates shortly.
4 A report from The Beonna was presented by K Pinner (Chairman)
2025 has been a pivotal year for Beonna as we have continued to move forward with our strategy and approach to becoming a self-funding organisation.
A key milestone has been the development of a comprehensive five-year business plan, created with the support of the Architectural Heritage Fund and Replan. This has provided us with a clear strategic direction and a solid framework for sustainable growth. We are also currently in the process of applying for funding from the National Lottery heritage fund to support the delivery of this plan and help bring a long term vision to life.
Our focus on delivering high quality service and maintaining strong operational standards is beginning to yield tangible results. We have successfully expanded our income streams through increased private hires and weddings, while continuing to establish Beonna vibrant live music venue that supports and showcases local talent. New initiatives including our open mic nights and car meets have proven extremely popular and are helping to broaden our audience reach.
We remain committed to hosting community focused events that drive strong footfall and provide meaningful value to ou local population. In addition our new café partnership has exceeded expectations in both quality and revenue generation. This partnership, alongside significant improvements in hygiene, health, and safety standards, reflects the dedication and hard work of trustee Caroline Greaves and café manager Helen Kirk.
Careful management of staffing, utilities, and supplier costs has ensured that our financial position remains as stable as possible at the moment. This is largely due to the effective work of our Operations lead, Daine Jackson, who efforts have been instrumental in maintaining cost control without compromising on quality.
I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the commitment of all of our staff and trustees. Their dedication, professionalism, and shared pride in the Beonna are central to the progress we have made. Together, they continue to work tirelessly – even when unexpectedly called upon – to secure the success of this important heritage building.
Looking ahead to 2026/27, we anticipate a challenging environment, particularly with the ongoing impact of global events on the cost of living. However, with a clear strategy, a strong operational model, and a committed team, we are confident in our ability to meet these challenges and continue our journey towards long-term sustainability
There being no further reports the meeting closed at 7.10 pm.
Signed: (In the Chair)