Full Council Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Chapel, Victoria Street on Monday 6 November 2023 at 7.00pm.

Present:

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

Acting Clerk Andrew Everard (AE)

Deputy Clerk: Lou Hird (LH)

0 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.

Apologies had been received from Councillors Greetham and Liles.      It was proposed by TC, seconded by AD, and agreed unanimously that these be accepted.

Apologies had also been received from County Cllr Key and District Cllr Lawrence

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.

None declared.  

3. To receive reports from County & District Councillors.

None present.

4. To accept the notes from the Meeting of 9 October 2023 as minutes and a true record.

It was proposed by TC, seconded by LB, and agreed unanimously that they be accepted.

5. Matters arising and Clerk’s notes.

The documentation for these had been circulated for review prior to the meeting.

6. Correspondence

Items forwarded: Ruskington PC – Burial seminar, NALC Bulletins, Citizens Advice Donation Request, Grant Applications, NKDC & SKDC Police Engagement, Planning Applications, NKDC Newsletter, Blankney PC Meeting re “Martin Moor”.

AC confirmed that he will attend the Police Engagement Event.

7. LCC Highways

a) Resident request for viewing mirror opposite the Whyche on Walcott Road.

This had been passed to the Highways who reiterated that they would not sanction this. The decision with reasons has been conveyed to the resident.

b) Request for revised 30mph limit on Mill Lane.

Request has been sent to Highways and is now under consideration.             

8. Planning Applications to consider as Statutory consultee

Applications

22/1631/DISCON    Park Lane, Billinghay.        Amended Plans for info.

These had been sent to Cllrs for comment due to deadline date and comments were passed to Planning regarding drainage.

23/1204/FUL           Dale Head Farm                External Alterations to Barns                     (retrospective).

Council had no comments to make on this application.

9. Finance

a. To approve payments made during October 2023 (list circulated to Councillors) See Appendix A

It was proposed by TC, seconded by SC, and agreed unanimously to approve the payments.

b. To approve quarter ending 30 September Accounts (circulated prior to the meeting)

It was proposed by LB, seconded by TC, and agreed unanimously to approve the Accounts.

c. To review signatories for Lloyds and PSDF accounts - update.

All documents sent to respective organisations. CCLA have confirmed that they have changed the correspondent and statements are now being sent correctly.

c. Community Infrastructure Levy

A further amount 0f £2159.32 received from NKDC. Details circulated.

d. Approve Mobile Phone Contract

Council agreed not to renew the current deal and TC is investigating alternative arrangements.

10. Conservation – the new Officer will attend the 4 December meeting to explain his role and request any information he requires.

11. To approve the specification for grass cutting tenders.

Details of the current grass cutting arrangements had been produced prior to the meeting and maps provided for the Councillors. Discussions then took place to decide:

• Whether tenders should be for all the cutting required or if the requirements could be split to allow tenders for discrete packages. The latter was agreed.
• Period and Frequency of cuts.
• Specific cutting requirements including strimming.
• Length of Contract for which tenders will be invited.
• Date for final submission of tenders.

It was agreed that AE had delegated authority to produce the tender documents.

There were several anomalies identified from the maps and these are being investigated as a matter of urgency so that the tender process is not delayed.

12. Office Lease Update

Still awaiting our solicitor’s advice regarding length of contract.

13. Xmas Tree Blessing Event

Arrangements are progressing and carol singers, refreshments and glowsticks sorted. The tree has been selected and RM is putting together a team of helpers to erect same in the Market Place. When all is in place LH to produce posters for the Notice Boards.

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

RM enquired about ownership of the field next to the Playing Field as a tree had fallen and required removal.

15. To consider and resolve to exclude the press and public to discuss confidential matters relating to individuals in accordance with The Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960.

It was proposed by TC, seconded by LB, and carried unanimously.

16. HR Committee to provide update re Clerk Recruitment.

The HR Committee reported on the application process that had taken place. Details were given of interviews, references and individual experience and a recommendation to offer the position of Parish Clerk to one of the interviewees.

Training needs had been identified and AE gave details of LALC courses and offered his experience to mentor the applicant.

Terms of employment including pay scale were detailed.

It was proposed by AC, seconded by TC, and agreed unanimously to accept the HR Committee recommendation.

It was also proposed by AC, seconded by LB and agreed unanimously that the Parish would pay for the Clerk to be enrolled in SLCC.

AC will contact the applicant to offer the position and give details of the contract being offered. He will also send letters to the unsuccessful applicants.

Meeting Closed at 20.31

Signed

Date

Appendix A