9 May 2022
Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Chapel, Victoria Street on Monday 9 May 2022 at 7pm.
Present: Cllr Liles (WL), Cllrs Catlett(AC), Willingham (MW), L Ball (LB), and Harper (SJH)
Clerk & RFO and minute taker: C Willingham (CW)
Debbie Fisher had applied to be co-opted and attended the meeting.
1. To elect a Chair
Nomination received from Cllr Liles. It was proposed MLW and sec SJH to elect Cllr Liles as Chair and resolved.
2. a. To consider not electing a Vice Chair until full council membership in place, which would allow councillors to take turn in rotating chairing meetings if need arises, to gain experience.
This item was withdrawn by the proposer Cllr MLW.
b. To elect a Vice Chair.
Two Councillors were nominated but no vote was taken and, therefore the position remained unfilled.
3. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting.
Cllr Dymoke was unable to attend as she was unwell. It was resolved to accept her apologies.
Cllr Ogden had given apologies prior to the meeting as a matter of courtesy as she was unable to attend.
4. 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.
5. To accept notes from 4 April 2022 as Minutes and a true record.
Cllr AC abstained as he had not attended the meeting. It was Pro SJH and Sec MLW and resolved to accept the Minutes.
6. Co-option to fill Parish Council Vacancies:
Application received from Debbie Fisher. To consider suspending current co-option procedure to allow vacancies to be filled more swiftly. It was resolved to move this item to the end of the meeting. Debbie introduced herself to the Cllrs. It was pro LB sec MLW and resolved to co-opt Debbie to join the Council.
It was also resolved to ask applicants to attend a meeting and then to do the co-option process at the end of the meeting. This would speed up the process and meet the current council policy.
7. To receive reports from County and District Councillors.
Cllr Key had attended the Annual Parish Meeting held earlier in the evening, and advised that LCC Highways had scheduled some works in Billinghay and that other matters raised at the recent meeting with the highways office would take more time.
8. LCC Highways updates
(dealt with under item 7).
9. Clerks Update
WL and CW had attended training at LALC for clerks and chairs.
Residents at Shire Close had advised the council that they intended to obtain a report from a qualified tree surgeon regarding suggested works on the trees, and would share the information with the council.
The gravedigger has advised that his costs have had to increase to £300 from £250 to take into account the increase in fuel costs.
10. Correspondence:
none
11. Planning
Applications received:
The following applications had been received on 4 May and was not this agenda. The Clerk would ask for an extension.
22/0470/FUL rear of 14 Walcott Road erection of 2 dormer bungalows. Any comments due by 7 June.
Applications approved:
22/0260/HOUS 11 Fitzwilliam Place, Erection of front side and rear extensions granted 14 April
21/0961/OUT Outline application for the demolition of existing bungalow and erection of a replacement 4 bed detached house with double garage (details of layout and scale to be considered) Location: Tranmar Tattershall Bridge Road Tattershall Bridge.
12. Finances
a. To approve payments made since the last meeting. (list circulated to Cllrs prior to meeting). It was pro MLW and sec LB and resolved to approve.
b. To complete AGAR for 2021 to 2022: The AGAR was ready for Internal Audit and would be included on the next agenda for completion by Cllrs.
c. To appoint an Internal Auditor: It was pro AC sec WL to continue to use KS Services to carry out the audit for year end 2021/22. The clerk would arrange for the Internal Audit to be done.
d. To review and allocate Reserves. The clerk would circulate information as discussed at previous meetings.
13. Risk Assessment Update.
The Clerk and Office Assistant would carry out Risk Assessment of the Ringmoor Office.
14. To review office opening arrangements and payment of working at home allowances for Clerk and Office Assistant.
It was agreed that working at home allowances would cease immediately.
It was agreed that the Clerk would decide when staff go the office, to maintain flexible working.
It was agreed that the office will open by appointment only.
15. Queens Platinum Jubilee. To consider donation towards Methodist Chapel Village tea.
The Clerk explained that the Council had powers to make donation towards this Jubilee Event that was to be held on Sunday 5 June. It was pro MLW and sec SJH and resolved to give £250. Organisers would be asked to mention on any publicity that Parish Council financially supported the event, and also to supply a breakdown of how the funds were spent.
16. Reports from Councillors and any agenda items for next meeting.
AC mentioned that Royal British Legion would be requesting assistance with the 2022 parade and would write to the clerk, regarding this matter.
Billinghay Parish Office ∙Ringmoor Close ∙Ringmoor House ∙Billinghay ∙Lincs ∙LN4 4EY Email info@billinghaypc.co.uk Mobile 07483 346143 Mondays Tuesdays an