Chair's Report - 26 April 2023
Benniworth Parish Council Chairmans Report 2022/2023
A total of 4 meetings were held in 2022/23 including a Special Meeting held on 22nd September 2022 to consider amendments to the plan to build a cycle track at South Willingham. Councillors present expressed concern at the proposed access and suggested and alternative to ELDC.
Following last year’s AGM, Gillian Shaw volunteered and was appointed as Parish Clerk. Unfortunately, she was unable to commit to the role and resigned in 2023. The Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils (LALC) were consulted and advised there was no statuary requirement to employ a clerk. Duties could be shared amongst Councillors providing there was a Responsible Financial Officer and a Chairperson. This we have done but it is not ideal. Anyone interested in being Parish Clerk please contact one of the current Councillors they are:
Sue Olivant - Responsible Financial Officer and Acting Parish Clerk
Gill Stewart (Chair) David Gilmore, Phil Dyas, Susan Mc Alistair, Christine Raynor
It has been a busy year. The Parish Council and Village Church Committee combined for a Carol Service attended by the Banovallum Brass Band who despite the volume of noise, did not bring the roof down! In June the Parish Council, led by Sue Olivant, provided the frame work for the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations, consisting of a Church Service followed by a glass of sherry and lunch at Foxholes. The rain did not dampen a happy day attended by most villagers and people from surrounding villages. Sadly, the next role of the Parish Council was to organise a book of condolence following the late Queen’s death. Your comments were sent to Buckingham Palace and a letter and card have been received from King Charles 111. These have been framed and can be seen in the entrance porch of the St Julians.
Domestic issues include the erection of signs for Meadow Lane and the erection of dog poo bag boxes (thank you Colin and Phil). The latter has not solved the problem of dog fouling and we welcome your ideas. Potholes continue to be a problem but on the plus side an email from Pride in East Lindsey resulted in a road sweeper clearing mud and debris from Church Lane and clearing bag loads of rubbish from the layby on the Caistor High Street.
Finally, our thanks to you for giving us your support and help when needed and my thanks to my fellow councillors for their support over the past year.
Gillian Stewart 26th April 2023