Full Council Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Chapel, Victoria Street on Monday 4 December 2023 at 7.00pm.

Present:

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

Deputy Clerk: Lou Hird (LH)

District Cllr Lawrence (SL)

2 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 Councillor Greetham.      It was proposed by TC, seconded by RM, and agreed by a majority vote that these be accepted. It was reported that Cllr Dymoke has tendered her resignation.

Apologies had also been received from County Cllr Key.  

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.

The County Cllr was not present. SL advised that she had nothing to report.

4. To receive information from the NKDC Conservation Officer (Matthew Bentley) of future activity

Unfortunately, the Conservation Officer was unable to attend.

5a. To accept the notes from the Meeting of 6 November 2023 as minutes and a true record.

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

5b. To accept the notes from the Annual Finance Meeting of 20 November 2023 as minutes and a true record.

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

6. Matters arising and Clerk’s notes.

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

7. Correspondence

Items forwarded: NALC Bulletins, Central Lincs Plan, LCC Newsletter, NKDC & SKDC Police Engagement, Planning Applications/decisions, Highways Works Notice, Polling Stations Review.

8. LCC Highways

a) Request for revised 30mph limit on Mill Lane – response of “no comments” sent Highways as we submitted the original request.

9. Planning Applications to consider as Statutory consultee

Applications

23/1297/HOUS        White House Skirth Road   Garage erection

Council had no objections.

23/1378/HOUS        128 Walcott Road              Raised section of single storey roof

Council had no objections.

Information  Enforcement Order served re 99a High Street - Building at rear.

10. Finance

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

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

b. To approve quarter ending 30 June 2023 Accounts (circulated prior to the meeting)

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

c. To approve purchase of new flower vases for War Memorial

AC explained that the current ones were no longer suitable for purpose. It was proposed by TC, seconded by RM, and agreed unanimously to purchase new ones up to an amount of £50.

11. To review Cemetery Fees

a. Process for Under 12 and Under 18 for recovery of costs.

Fees and approach re: 

There is a government fund for the recovery of Interment costs for Under 18-year-olds from which Councils can recover their fees. Consequently, it was proposed by AC, seconded by LB, and agreed unanimously that we:

• Update the burial leaflet to show that up to Under 18s are free.
• The fee for recovery from the government fund is £200 for burials and £140 for Ashes.

b. Reservations

In view of the space available for use at the cemetery and the difficulty in locating a future site, it was proposed by TC, seconded by RM, and agreed unanimously that we do not allow reservation of plots by non-residents unless there are special circumstances.

12. Consider appropriate location for trees – Primary School Project

Possible locations were discussed without any firm resolution. It was agreed that the undernoted sites may be suitable but needed authorisation for planting.

• Ringmoor House Approach from the High Street (grass side) – LH to approach NKDC.
• Village Hall and Playing Field – LH to advise School of contact details.

13. Update re Citizens Advice attending a Parish Council Event.

LH advised that Citizens Advice Bureau would be prepared to attend a Village Event to explain their functions and benefits. Annual Parish Meeting was suggested as a possibility.

14. Policies.

a. Remove PCD006 Pensions Policy – as we no longer use the LCC Pensions Scheme, it was proposed by AC, seconded by RM, and agreed unanimously that this policy be removed.

b. Amend PCD037 Training & Development to include Appraisal Process - it was proposed by AC, seconded by RM and agreed unanimously.

c. Approve new Cemetery policy - it was proposed by AC, seconded by LB and agreed unanimously.

 15. To approve the specification for grass cutting tenders.

Deferred until January meeting as documentation is not fully completed.

16. Xmas Tree Blessing Update

It was confirmed that all the arrangements were in place and that the event would commence at 6.30pm on the 6th of December in the Market Place.

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

A resident who had attended the meeting as a prospective new Councillor gave his background details and reasons for wanting to join the Council as part of the initial co-option process.

TC raised a planning issue and WL is investigating.

AC reported problems with the Market Place notice boards – RM agreed to speak to a local tradesman with a view to fixing the problem.

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as the 8 January 2024.

Meeting Closed at 7.51pm

Signed

Date

Appendix A