Annual Open Meeting Minutes

HELD ON THURSDAY 26TH APRIL 2018

MEETING MINUTES

1. Cllr Christine Raynor opened first Annual Village Meeting.

2. Cllr Raynor welcomed all those who attended (39 Village Residents + 4 Parish Councillors) and took five minutes to inform attendees of what the Parish Council had accomplished during 2017/2018.

3. Cllr Raynor informed the village of our assets (non-financial) and the date of the next Parish Council Election.

4. Cllr Raynor introduced Stephen Brookes from Lincoln Open. Stephen is employed by Lincoln CC as the manager for ensuring good and fast Broadband coverage/connection is available to 95% of the Lincolnshire population.

5. Lincoln Open – Fast-speed Broadband - Stephen liaises with BT Openreach who is presently working on providing the village with fast Broadbend – around 30,000+ megabytes. It is believed this will cover the whole village though not some of the farms located in excess of 3 kilometres from the village.

On 21st June 2018 a new BT Broadband Cabinet will be installed in Meadow Lane near the old Cabinet. The two Cabinets will be joined together. This work will take up to 4 weeks and we can therefore expect some disruption to our Broadband services during this period. Some road closures will also be in effect during this time.

A resident who is located in Silver Street explained how he and several other residents been able to increase their Broadband speed. They had contracted a company called Quick Line who uses WIFI aerials located on domestic roofs to speed-up Broadband reception up to 20,000 megabytes.

There will be no advance warning by Lincoln Open prior to commencement of work, however Phil Dyas will be kept in the ‘LOOP’ by Stephen Brookes, and he will inform the Parish Clerk who will then put a notice on the Parish Council Notice Board, in the Bus Shelter, on the Benniworth Facebook page and on the PC website. You can also check the BT website for Work Completions, as all work that is about to be undertaken is loaded-up on a Friday. BT and Lincoln Open do not inform residents directly of commencement of works, as this is not ‘cost-effective’ and would be far too time consuming to carry out.

A question was raised by a resident in regard to ‘over capacity’. Usually enough ‘line-cards’ are supplied to cover requirements, however should more line-cards be required at a later date, these can be supplied, but BT have a tendency to wait until needs must and even then it takes up to four weeks.

BT are now looking at STAGE 3 for Broadband which will ensure 100% of the British population have access to fast speed Broadband.

6. Cllr Raynor opened the meeting to the Residents of Benniworth:-

Defibrillator:

It was brought to the Deputy Chairman’s attention that not everyone was aware of the Defibrillator located in the old telephone box. Chris explained that a notice had been displayed and a letter put through every residents door about the Defibrillator and its’ location.

Several residents raised the point, that apart from those who had attended the training course on the use of the Defibrillator, no one else was aware of the CODE to be used in case of need.

A resident who attended the training course explained the course of action to obtain the Code - a) Phone 999 and tell them you need to use the Defibrillator

b) Confirm you have left someone with the person who needs assistance

c) Confirm your location

e) The Code will then be provided

However it was agreed at a previous Parish Council Meeting, that the code could be given to each household. As yet this action has not been carried out. It was finally agreed the Parish Clerk will check with the authorities on the required action in regard to the provision of the Code and get back to the Residents within a two week period.

Potholes:

The Parish Clerk recently had a meeting with the Highways Manager who provided the following information –

The more people who complain, the more likely we are to get them filled. He informed the Parish Clerk they are listed to be done by the end of June, but no promises. Contact for reporting potholes is either by Phone to Lincolnshire CC on 01522 782070 or go the Lincolnshire CC website.

Winter Gritting of Benniworth Roads:

Unfortunately we ran out of Salt and so minimal gritting was carried out during the snowy period.

It was suggested we use the salt in the Grit Bins, however there is only a small amount in each one and would not fill the Hopper, though several residents did shovel some salt on the Cross Roads area.

The Parish Clerk will look into ordering a sufficient amount of salt from Lincolnshire CC for Winter 2018/2019.

A request was also made by residents to place a further Grit Bin between the Caistor Road and Meadow Lane, somewhere near to Lime House. The Parish Clerk will look into this possibility.

Bus Service/Bus Shelter:

Christine Raynor asked if there should be another Bus Shelter at end of Silver Street for School Bus service, but the residents felt this was not required.

A resident asked why we can’t reinstate a Bus Service. The Parish Clerk will contact the local bus company and see if anything can be done with regard to this matter and report back.

Dog Waste Bins:

It was brought to the Parish Clerk’s attention that the dog waste bin by the public footpath to the Church, was laying on the ground as the pole is rotten. The Parish Clerk will arrange for a new pole.

Residents also requested another Dog Waste Bin be placed on Green Lane and signage provided stating the fine for not picking up your dog’s waste. The Parish Council will discuss this at next Parish Council meeting – 10th May 2018.

Garage Sale:

A resident suggested we hold a Village Garage Sales, at least six other residents confirmed they would be happy to take part. The Parish Clerk confirmed she would liaise with the Resident who made the suggestion. Further information and a possible date will be advised in due course.

Annual Village Fete and Dog Show:

The Parish Clerk announced the date of the Summer Fete as Saturday 7th July.

7. Cllr Raynor – Deputy Chairman, brought the meeting to a close and thanked Benniworth Residents for their attendance, and reminded them the Council Elections will be held on the 3rd of May 2019, and anyone who would like to stand as a Councillor should advise the Parish Clerk at least eight weeks prior to the date.

8. Drinks and light refreshments were served. Meeting concluded at 9.30 pm

Jackie Hart

Parish Clerk