Full Council Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Chapel, Victoria Street on Monday 5 February 2024 at 7.00pm.

Present:

Cllrs Liles – Chair (WL) Catlett (AC), Ball (LB), Miller (RM), Greetham (RG) Cottrell (SC) & Mitchell (LM)

Parish Clerk: Helen Key (HK)

District Cllr Whittle (AW)

2 Members of the public present

Public Session

2 residents attended the meeting, a letter from 1 resident was handed to the Clerk, which was given to the chair who read it to the council. The residents are unhappy that the old cemetery has potentially been sold to a neighbouring property as an additional garden area, which would presumably be fenced off therefore denying residents access. They also felt details of this sale had not been made public by the parish council. It was explained that the Council were unaware of any proposed sale.

Council agreed to

• Investigate further to confirm if sold, and establishing details of such sale, as an interested party, due to liability and grass cutting commitments of the site.

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 were received from Cllr Cassidy. It was proposed by SC seconded by RG                       and agreed unanimously that these be accepted.

Apologies were also 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.

Newly elected Cllr Whittle introduced himself and asked what BPC would like from him.

Cllr Whittle advised he is happy for any issues to be emailed via The Clerk to himself and he would do his best to address these.

Cllr Whittle suggested he would like to possibly bring together once or twice a year District Cllr, Chair, Clerks etc from other parish’s e.g. Chapel Hill, Timberland, Martin as we are a large rural area.

Cllr Whittle shared that he had recently attended a NKDC meeting where the Springwell Solar Farm, a National Government project, was discussed which will be across a large area of agricultural land in North Kesteven, with a substation being at Navenby. Also discussed was the New vision for Sleaford Market Place. Cllr Whittle advised this has planning agreed and can now only be changed by the applicant NKDC.

4. To accept the notes from the Meeting of 8 January 2024 as minutes and a true record.

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

5. Matters arising and Clerk’s reports.

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

Additional points which arose were:

• Notice board repairs will be completed once the weather improves.
• Looking into the Ipad being tracked and blocked. Add to next agenda Ipad possibly being written off if cannot be tracked.
• Policy for loan of items to be discussed at next meeting.
• Ringmoor rent now back in the hands of NKDC - AC to chase. We have received another reminder from NKDC.

6. Correspondence

Items forwarded: NALC Bulletins, NKDC Lottery Fund, Central Lincs Plan, NKDC & SKDC Police Engagement, Planning Applications/decisions.

7. LCC Highways

Road Closure – Skirth Bridge Commence 22 Jan for 8 weeks.  Work delayed now starting 12 February 2024.

8. Planning

Consider request from RPS Group, representing Planning Applicants, for 22/0629/FUL (Old Lafford Site) that BPC are no longer pursuing any plans or proposals of the site.

Letter to be sent by the Clerk advising that it is unlikely that due to time scales and financial restraints the council will pursue any plans or proposals voted on by the Neighbourhood plan. Previously granted permission was for a different residential development to the one now being applied for.

9. Finance

a. To approve payments made during January 2024 (list circulated to Cllrs prior to meeting. It was proposed by AC seconded by SC and agreed unanimously to approve the payments. See Appendix A

b. To approve quarter ending December 2023 Accounts (circulated to Cllrs prior to the meeting.

It was proposed by SC  seconded by RG  and agreed unanimously to approve the accounts.

c. To approve purchase of litter bin liner.

It was proposed by WL, seconded by RM and agreed unanimously to approve the purchase.

10. Review cemetery policy on Ashes Burials.

Amendments to previously agreed Policy

EROB forms to be used from today with a copy of the policy issued with EROB form.

Double plot price to be added to policy as may be required.

Ashes not to be buried in reserved burial plot due to space.

Astroturf may be used in certain circumstances with prior permission.

11. Conservation

To consider the possibility of aligning the conservation review with the Neighbourhood Plan refresh.

It was felt that the conservation information was as previously issued by Neighbourhood plan. A list of building included in the conservation area was forwarded by the conservation officer.

12. To approve the specification for the grass-cutting tenders.

Due to grass-cutting tenders not being supplied by Andrew Everald, the Clerk was asked to email him to forward any work he had already completed.  The clerk was also asked to email the existing grass cutter to ask if he would be able to continue, and provide cost of his fees, as it has been already agreed previously that this contractor may continue to provide this service.

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

RM reported that the Elderly Person Crossing sign has fallen down at the junction of St Michael’s Close.

AC reported that comments had been made on Facebook regarding SID machines being  switched off. AC explained that this is in line with the policy for use of the machines. It is planned for them to be switched on early February.

SC reported trailer still on Queen Street. AC advised not abandoned so not NKDC problem but will investigate with fire officers for possible hazard re the gas bottles.

RG asked about empty house in Ringmoor, informed rent still being paid therefore NKDC problem.

WL First aid box for office, Clerk to check with NKDC if their responsibility as their building.

AC asked for maintenance expenditure approval to become a standing agenda for all further meetings.

WL reported Risk Assessments need to be looked at, SC and LM offered to help with this.

Meeting Closed at 8.44pm

Signed   W Liles

Date  4 March 2024

Appendix A