Full Council Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Chapel, Victoria Street on Monday 6 February 2023 at 7pm.

Present:

Cllrs Liles (WL) - Chair, Catlett (AC), Dymoke (AD), Cassidy (TC), Ball (LB) Miller (RM) & Cottrell (SC)

Deputy Clerk: Lou Hird (LH)

Public Session

No members of the public present.

Minutes of the Council Meeting

1. To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting.

All Councillors were present.

Apologies had been received also from County Councillor Key and District Councillor Ogden.

2.  To receive Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary or other registerable interests in agenda items not previously recorded on members’ Disclosable Pecuniary and Other Registerable Interests' declaration.

LB and RM declared an interest in Item 8 Planning and Item14 Village Hall Committee.

3. To receive reports from County and District Councillors.

Not present at meeting.

4. To accept the notes from Meeting held on 6 January 2023 as Minutes and a true record.

It was proposed by TC, seconded by LB, and unanimously agreed that these be accepted as minutes.

5.  Matters arising and Clerk’s reports

LH confirmed that all issues requiring action had been or were being progressed – see report issued prior to the meeting. AC reported that waste bin now seemed in order. TC reported that the damaged bench had been repaired. TC had also checked the sign at the end of the Causeway and advised it was set as far back as possible.

6. Correspondence/Communications  

Correspondence received had already been distributed and included:

• LALC News
• Martin Moor Development
• Grants for Coronation Events
• BVH Playpark
• Riparian Project

7. LCC Highways updates

a. Speed Indicator Update – poles are ready for use and the new SID will be brought into operation shortly.

b. Abandoned Car – this has now been removed.

8.  Planning Applications to consider as Statutory consultee

No new applications to consider.

Approved:  

22/1694/PNTEL      Village Hall – erection of Street works pole.

22/1655/HOUS        25 Shire Close – erection of two storey side extension

22/1703/FUL           Lamyman Farm, Tattershall – Change of use.

9. Finance

a. Bank Mandate / Payment authority/ Online Authority & signing

Almost complete with just one Councillor awaiting final advices.

b. To approve payments made during January 2023 (list circulated to Cllrs prior to meeting). See Appendix A

It was proposed by AC, seconded by TC and unanimously agreed that the payments be approved.

c. To approve the Bank Account Reconciliation for the quarter ending 31 December 2022

It was proposed by AC, seconded by TC, and unanimously agreed to approve.

d. To approve purchase of a further defibrillator.

Correspondence has been received indicating that we may be able to obtain a grant towards a further defibrillator.  It was agreed that an additional defibrillator would be desirable to cover the top end of the village. The Fire Station had been identified as a suitable location. LH was requested to:

• Obtain permission for the unit to be installed of the exterior of the Fire Station.
• Get details from potential Donors.
• Write to T Balfe and Co who are building the large housing Estate in that area of the village to see if they would consider funding the cost of a defibrillator.

e. To approve purchase of a new wheelbarrow for the cemetery.

The current wheelbarrow is broken and irreparable. It was proposed by WL, seconded by LB and agreed unanimously to allocate up to £80 for the purchase of a new wheelbarrow.

10. Risk Assessment – report from Cllrs where applicable

• Councillors reports where applicable. AC confirmed he had again checked the litter bins and corrected a problem. WL has checked the Market Place railings.

11. Emergency Plan Update

WL reported there had been no developments since the last meeting.

12. To receive report on the Riparian Project

TC and SC gave details of their meeting with a Lincolnshire County Council Officer on this project. They explained the legal situation regarding riparian ownership. The next steps proposed were:

• An article to be placed in the next Newsletter explaining the project to residents. LH to arrange.
• An information event to be held in the village hall with all the relevant agencies present. This will allow residents to see all the information on display and seek clarification where required. It was agreed that it would be a good idea to hold this event as part of the Annual Parish Meeting on the 15 May 2023. TC and SC will liaise with the LCC to agree this.

13. Application for a Memorial bench in the cemetery

AC explained that he had met with the interested party at the cemetery and explained the limitations on where memorial benches could be situated. It was agreed that:

• The applicants would select a location based on the information given.
• The type of bench was also important and would need approval by the Council.
• The cost of the bench and work needed for installation would be borne by the bench owners.
• Whilst the Council would inspect the bench regularly, any maintenance work would be the owner’s responsibility. If essential maintenance work was not completed in a reasonable specified time, the Council reserved the right to remove the bench. 

We are now awaiting a response from the applicant.                                                       

14. To consider a proposal from the Billinghay Village Hall Committee relating to the Playpark.

The Village Hall Committee recently received a grant from the Parish Council for the replacement of an item on the Playpark. After a recent survey of the entire Playpark, the Committee felt that there were numerous aged items that needed replacing. In addition, WREN, who provide grants for such equipment, have opened a new round of bidding open until the end of March.

They would like to apply for a grant and have obtained various quotations for the required equipment. To obtain a grant the Committee would have to show that they have support from another source for 10.75% of the grant application value.

They, therefore requested that we supplement the initial grant so that it provided the necessary amount or that this was returned to the Council who would guarantee to meet the 10.75% required as a grant (including CIL money).

It was proposed by AD, seconded by SC, and carried unanimously to do this. Councillors who had declared an interest in this item, did not vote.

15. To consider an Event to celebrate the Coronation

The Council had already suggested the provision of an amount up to £1000 to finance such an event but this has not yet been officially approved. It was suggested that the Event be held in conjunction with the Village Hall Committee who are understood to be planning a celebration. RM will speak to the Organiser and details will be published in the Newsletter when known.

16. Agree procedure and timing for the submission of election documentation.

It was agreed to publish the details of the elections in the next Newsletter – AC will provide an article. This will show the deadline dates for applications as well as the requirements to qualify as a Parish Councillor. Nominations can be delivered individually or taken as a batch to NKDC. Those Councillors who wish their Nominations to be delivered must pass these to LH by the 8th March.

17. Reports from Councillors and any agenda items for next meeting.

AC – Notes for EGM on 23 January 2023 need approval as minutes.

AC – Highways Grass Verge agreement needs approval.

WL reported an accumulation of rubbish on Mill Lane. It is believed that this is being rectified.

It was suggested and agreed that the Riparian Ownership Event be included in the Annual Parish Meeting.

RM will follow up Coronation Event.

An accumulation of property in a trailer in Queen Street was reported although ownership was unknown. Situation to be monitored to ensure that it is not fly tipping.

Meeting closed at 8.30pm

Billinghay Parish Office ∙Ringmoor Close ∙Ringmoor House ∙Billinghay ∙Lincs ∙LN4 4EY Email info@billinghay-pc.gov.uk Mobile 07483 346143 Mondays Tuesdays and Thursdays                    

Minutes Approved.

Date 6 March 2023

Signed

Appendix A