4 March 2024
Minutes of the Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Chapel, Victoria Street on Monday 4 March 2024 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllrs Liles – Chair (WL), Ball (LB) Cassidy (TC), Miller (RM), Greetham (RG) Cottrell (SC)
Parish Clerk: Helen Key (HK)
District Cllr Lawrence (SL)
2 Members of the public present
Public Session
2 Residents attended the meeting to enquire if there had been any update of information regarding the possible sale of The Old Cemetery. They were informed that an email reply had recently been received by the parish office and was being looked into. Once any firm information was received they would be informed as soon as possible.
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 Catlett. It was proposed by SC, seconded by RM and agreed unanimously that these be accepted.
Apologies were also received from County Cllr Key and District Cllr Whittle.
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.
Cllrs Ball and Miller both declared an interest in agenda item 9a, due to both being members of the Village Hall Committee.
3. To receive reports from County & District Councillors.
Cllr Whittle, although had sent apologies, forwarded comments regarding issues with a development site in St Michaels Close, which he had received from a resident. After visiting the site, Cllr Whittle contacted Lincolnshire County Council Highways Department and was informed that enforcement action had been started and would be monitored.
Cllr Lawrence reported that she had received notification of an increase in Council Tax for 2024/2025 Band D, rising by £4.95, and lower bands increasing between £3.30 and £4.40.
Devolution was mentioned, of which a meeting will be taking place next week, so further information may be available at the next meeting.
4. To accept the notes from the Meeting of 5 February 2024 as minutes and a true record.
It was proposed by RG, 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.
No queries or additional points arose.
6. Correspondence
Items forwarded: NALC Bulletins, LALC Bulletins, EV Charging Strategy, NKDC & SKDC Police Engagement, Police & Crime Commissioner Fraud Packs, Planning Applications/decisions.
7. LCC Highways updates
Work commenced on Skirth Bridge on 12 February 2024.
8. Finance
a. To approve payments made during February 2024 (list circulated to Cllrs prior to meeting.
It was proposed by LB, seconded by TC and agreed unanimously to approve the payments. See Appendix A
b. To approve grass cutting contract for Playing Field (quotation circulated to Cllrs prior to the meeting).
It was proposed by TC, seconded by SC, and agreed unanimously to approve the quotation.
c. To approve continuation of Local Grass Cutting Contract for March 2024 to October 2024.
It was proposed by TC, seconded by LB, and agreed unanimously to approve the revised quotation to continue the contract.
d. To approve purchase of 50 litre dog waste bin in the Mill Lane area. As suggested by Cllr Catlett. (Unable to attend this meeting). Ref agenda item 11.
It was proposed by TC, seconded by LB, and agreed unanimously to approve the purchase.
e. To approve any necessary expenditure for maintenance not specifically mentioned on the agenda.
Not approved, as it was felt this is already covered by the Financial Regulations in the Standing Order Policy.
9. To consider discharge application 23/1229/DISCON Land Off Park Lane Billinghay.
Landscape management plan references the Parish Council taking on the responsibility of the footpath link.
Cllr Catlett and the Clerk met with Lincolnshire County Council footpath officer, who informed them it would be the responsibility of LCC to reinstate the footpath, and maintenance would fall to LCC and the landowners - of which the Village Hall are Trustees as the land was gifted to the village. LCC said they had not been made aware of this development. LCC’s concerns with this reinstatement were that it would be in a dark, uncontrolled area which could lead to anti-social behaviour.
A further concern was raised at the meeting. This was, that if the footpath in question is reinstated, it runs alongside a residents garden and it was felt that unless a fence was erected, people would walk across the residents garden and not follow the footpath.
Clerk to forward this concern to NKDC.
a. Planning Approved
Application Reference: 23/1297/HOUS Proposal: Erection of two storey detached garage
Location: White House Skirth Road Billinghay.
10. To approve Version 4 of the Cemetery Policy (circulated to Cllrs prior to the meeting).
It was proposed by RM, seconded by SC, and agreed unanimously to approve this policy.
11. To consider request from a resident to contact developers regarding the build-up of rubbish/litter from the building site on Mill Lane – see also item 8d.
The clerk was asked to write to the developers regarding this issue and to also ask for a contribution to the purchase of another dog waste bin due to the amount of dog owners now living in this area.
During this consideration it was mentioned about the build-up of household items (e.g. mattresses and sofas) collecting outside Bramble Close and Cornfield Way. Cllr Lawrence agreed to contact Housing regarding this problem.
A further point was the parking in this area, as residents are not using the provided spaces and are parking on the grass verge in front of the properties. It was suggested LCC Highways were requested to erect posts in this area once the development is completed.
12. To consider possible written agreement being implemented for BPC equipment being loaned. Following iPad not being returned.
It was discussed that this should be a possibility for the future if this arises.
13. Report from Councillors and any agenda items for the next meeting.
- The Chairman confirmed the resignation of Luke Mitchell.
- Following the above resignation, a new HR Committee member is required – Next Agenda.
- Annual Parish Meeting suggestions for services to be invited to attend – Citizens Advice Bureau, Planning Department NKDC, Conservation Officer, and LCC Emergency planning.
- Safety checks/risk assessments were requested to be placed on the next agenda.
- WL attended a history group meeting, where she was presented with an essay for the parish archives about The Billinghay Steam Flour Mill.
- TC suggested that some reserves should be allocated for the future maintenance of Ballon Walk. Place on the next agenda.
- SL asked about vandalism in our area, encouraging all to be reported as this keeps crime records updated which impacts on the number of PCSO’s etc in our area.
- High Street planning enforcement not yet adhered to. The property is possibly not occupied at present.
Meeting Closed at 8.15pm