7 March 2022
Minutes of the Billinghay Parish Council Meeting held at the Billinghay Methodist Chapel, Victoria Street on Monday 7 March 2022 (7.00pm)
Present:
Cllr Catlett (AC) in Chair, Cllr Liles (WL), Cllr Willingham (MW) & Cllr Harper (SJH)
Clerk & RFO: C Willingham (CW)
Minutes Secretary Lou Hird (LH)
Public Session
No members of the public were in attendance.
1. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting.
Apologies and reasons for absence had been received from Cllrs Locke & Dymoke and Ball. Also, apologies had been sent by County Cllr Key & District Cllr Ogden as a matter of courtesy,
Action: It was resolved unanimously that the apologies be accepted.
2. To receive Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011 - being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on members’ Register of Interests.
None declared
3. To accept Notes from AFM dated 29 November 2021 and the Meeting 7 February 2022 as minutes and a true record. (No meetings were held in December 2021 or January 2022).
Action: It was resolved by a majority vote that the original Notes for the AFM be accepted. AC wished to record that whilst he did not object to the Public Session being minuted, he did not agree with the content.
It was resolved unanimously that the Notes for the meeting on 7 February 2022 be accepted.
4. To receive reports from County & District Councillors
These Councillors were not present at the meeting but had sent brief reports which the Clerk had circulated.
5. Clerk’s Update
- The Clerk advised of a problem regarding an overhanging tree in the cemetery. A resident had asked for it to be cut back. The Clerk had asked two local contractors to look at the problem and neither thought that any action was necessary. The resident did not agree and asked the Council to reconsider.
Action: It was agreed that Cllr SJH & WL would make a site visit to see the problem and report back at the next meeting
- Mention had been made on the cost of collection of the Newsletter from the printers and the importance of ensuring that the collector’s motor insurance cover was valid for “business” use. The Clerk has asked for an alternative quote from another printer and will give details when received.
6. Correspondence
Request from resident for overhanging trees to be cut back (from cemetery) – this item was covered in the Clerk’s report.
7. Planning
a) Applications received
22/0186/FUL 14 Walcott Road – demolition of existing bungalow & garage and erection of 2 storey dwelling with integral garage and roof height increased and addition of roof lights to front and rear. (re-submission of 21/1131/FUL)
Possible problems were mentioned by Councillors, but it was agreed that no comments were necessary as these aspects would be covered by NKDC and LCC.
22/0073/HOUS The Laurels, Gravel Hill Drove – Erection of First Floor Extension
No comments
8. Finances
a) To approve payments made since the last meeting (lists circulated to Cllrs prior to meeting)
Action: It was resolved unanimously to approve the payments.
b) To review and allocate reserves
The necessity to have precise details for the reserves held by the Council was discussed. It was agreed to identify the major items and that amounts would be considered at the next meeting in advance of the External Audit report. Items specifically identified were:
- Legal Advice Costs
- Village Hall Improvements
- Revision of the Neighbourhood Plan – although this is not specifically a Parish Council project, the Council do hold approx. £10,000 in their reserve as part of this initiative.
- Closed Burial Ground – development and maintenance
- Special Events
- Contingency
- New Cemetery
Action: It was resolved that the Clerk endeavour to place a monetary amount on each of the above along with other relevant information. These would then be discussed at the next meeting.
9. To review and agree Councillor membership of the following Parish Council Committees
There was an initial discussion as to whether there was a need for Committees in view of the number of Councillors and the need to refer recommendations by Committees to the full Council for implementation. It was agreed to consider each Committee separately, as below:
- Policy & Finance It was resolved unanimously to dispense with this committee
- Environment It was resolved unanimously to dispense with this committee
- Planning It was resolved unanimously to suspend this Committee and only reinstate when circumstances made it necessary e.g., large controversial development.
- HR It was resolved unanimously to suspend this Committee and only reinstate when circumstances made it necessary e.g., Complaints of a serious nature
- Events & Community It was resolved unanimously to dispense with this committee.
- Emergency Planning The Committee for this issue is not controlled by the Council but, as they have a substantial input into the plan, have agreed to nominate a representative(s) to assist in its development. Currently WL is the representative
- Neighbourhood Planning The Committee for this issue is not controlled by the Council but, as they have a substantial input into the plan, have to nominate a representative(s) to assist in its development. The Council do play a major role in this plan and control the finances under guidance/authority from the Neighbourhood Plan Committee.
10. Emergency Plan Update (WL)
There will be an update at the next meeting and details will be published in the Newsletter. Meetings will be held at the Ship to develop the plan and all residents are welcome.
11. Queens Platinum Jubilee
The Council have no specific plans but will support village organisations arranging celebrations. So far no one had come forward to request assistance.
12. Councillors Reports and any agenda items for the next meeting
The Clerk was asked to put an item on the agenda for a review of the litter pickers wages.
Meeting Closed at 20.30