Minutes of the Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Chapel, Victoria Street on Monday 8th April 2024 at 7.00pm.

Present: Cllrs Liles – Chair (WL), Catlett (AC), Ball (LB), Cassidy (TC), Miller (RM), Greetham (RG)

Parish Clerk: Helen Key (HK)

County Cllr Key (AK)

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.

Apologies were received from Cllr Cotterill. It was proposed by RM, seconded by TC,                           and agreed unanimously that these be accepted.

Apologies were received from 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.

None Declared

3. To receive reports from County & District Councillors.

Cllr Key reported that The Greater Lincolnshire Devolution consultation survey had concluded and it was a vote in favour. 

Cllr Key discussed a new survey launched on Lets Talk Lincolnshire, www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/lincolnshiremoves which asks for views on traffic management related topics and is live until 3 May 2024.

Cllr Key asked if there was anything he could help with and requests for signage around the village was discussed. This included a Billinghay sign from North Kyme onto Mill Lane, 30 mile an hour painted signs on the road on Mill Lane and white lines be placed at the verge in front of the new houses on Mill Lane. Cllr Key asked the Clerk to email these requests.

Cllr Whittle unable to attend but reported that he had been approached by a number of  residents regarding the sale of the Closed Cemetery and that he had written to the Lincoln Diocese office for clarification regarding this matter. The Clerk replied informing Cllr Whittle, that the council had also been approached and that a meeting with the Pastoral Secretary had taken place. 

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

It was proposed by RM, seconded by LB, and agreed by majority that they be accepted, with one abstention.

5. Matters arising and Clerk’s reports.

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

The reference to Standing Orders at item 8e of the notes for the meeting of 8 March 2024 was incorrect and should have referred to paragraph 5 iii of the Financial Regulations.

The Clerk informed the meeting that Mrs Penny Gilbert had tendered her resignation as the parish litter collector with effect from the 10th of May 2024, after completing 25 years of service. This was due to personal circumstances. The council recorded its thanks for her sterling work and wished her all the best for the future.

6. Correspondence

Items forwarded: NALC Bulletins, LALC Bulletins, EV Charging Strategy and Funding, Village Hall Invitation, Hedgehog Project, LCC Flood Investigations Programme, Lincs Police Safer together team, Planning Applications/decisions.

EV charging points were discussed, and it was concluded that the village did not have an appropriate place to house an EV charging point for general public use.

7. Finance

a. To approve payments made during March 2024 (list circulated to Cllrs prior to meeting.

It was proposed by TC, seconded by LB, and agreed unanimously to approve the payments. See Appendix A

b. To approve the Bank Account Reconciliation for the period ending 31 March 2024 (details circulated to Cllrs prior to the meeting.

It was proposed by TC, seconded by RG, and agreed unanimously to approve the reconciliation.

c. To approve the updated Asset Register for items purchased in 2023/2024 (circulated prior to the meeting).

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

d. To consider allocating reserves for the future maintenance of Ballon Walk.

This was discussed and questioned. The Clerk was asked to check the Deeds to clarify ownership of Ballon Walk and check the Insurance covers liability. Depending on findings allocation of reserves will be looked at again at the next meeting.

e. To approve the continued participation in the BSplaceHighways Verge Mowing by parishes scheme. (Details distributed prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by AC, seconded by WL, and agreed unanimously to approve the continuation of participation in the scheme.

The Clerk was asked to sign the agreement and forward to Lincolnshire County Council.

8. To consider planning application as a Statutory Consultee

24/0370/OUT    West Street  4 no semi-detached houses     (comment date 15th April).

No objections.

Other planning matters

22/0921 Change of use Burts Barn First Hurn Drove (Details forwarded prior to the meeting). No comments.

23/1229/DISCON Land off Park Lane (AC to report following meeting with NKDC).

Following a meeting with NKDC, it was reported that the first properties would be expected to be built in about 18 months with the completion of the project in about 36 months. This gives time for consultation to achieve the best conclusion for all parties regarding positioning of access to a footpath to the playing field/village. The proposed bridge will fulfil the requirement for access to playing facilities for the new development. It was agreed by the council that a 2 meter path with a small fence would be the best option to access the link bridge, crossing in front of the bowling green to the Village Hall. The fence would give a clear boundary of the residents garden, to deter the public walking across it.

Lincolnshire County Council have confirmed this is a live footpath, although it has not been used for some time, they will be responsible for clearing and reinstating the footpath, maintenance would then become the responsibility of the landowners.

The village Hall committee are meeting with NKDC, to clarify ownership of the land in question and to discuss the footpath as it is felt that the footpath is not in use and has not been for approximately 61 years, and therefore not a live footpath. They will also question why they were not approached at the planning stage regarding a link bridge.

9. To Report on meeting with Diocese of Lincoln Pastoral Secretary re details of possible sale of closed cemetery.

WL, AC, and HK met with the Pastoral Secretary at the Closed Cemetery. The Pastoral Secretary confirmed he had been approached by residents concerned about the removal of a popular dog walking route. The Council sought clarification relating to its current responsibilities for the cemetery. The Pastoral Secretary will confirm all areas included in the sale. He confirmed that all legal obligations had been covered although the advertisement had been placed accidently in the wrong paper it was still within the legal obligations. He confirmed that the land will be sold with strict conditions.

The dog walking route utilised a metal bridge to cross the Carr Dyke. This was observed to be in a dangerous condition and required a safety assessment as it is used by members of the public. The Council will contact the land owners who have a riparian responsibility for the bridge.

10. To consider appointing a new HR Committee member.

RM agreed to be appointed.

It was proposed by AC, seconded by LB, to appoint RM.

11. To consider safety checks/risk assessment details.

After discussions on time scales and how problems raised where going to be fixed and by whom it was decided to move this item to the next agenda.

12. To consider Hedgehogs R Us Highway Project. (Details circulated to Cllrs prior to the meeting).

It was suggested that this organisation be invited to the APM but due to the distance involved this was thought not viable and so was suggested this article be included in the newsletter.

13. To consider arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting 13th May 2024.

The Clerk informed the council of the organisations that have been asked if they would attend the meeting, these will be followed up again next week if not replied. It was suggested that the NFU be approached to attend, the Clerk will look at this.

The Chair offered to purchase the refreshments, and the Clerk offered to set up the room.

The Methodist Church has been booked for the event on the 13th May 2024. 

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

A reminder was given about the invitation to the opening of the Village Hall Play area, on 12 April 2024 at 2pm.

It was mentioned that the recycling bins had been removed from the Causeway layby area, TC informed these had been removed by NKDC due to mis-use.

A new supplier for the annual Christmas tree was mentioned, a local farmer was suggested and the Chair agreed to contact them.

AC reported that the new bin liners were fitted and being used.

Policies were being forwarded by AC with a list of changes to be agreed at the APM

It was suggested gifts be purchased to a value of £100 and presented at the APM.

It was proposed by RM, seconded by TC and agreed unanimously to purchase these gifts.

Meeting Closed at 8.50pm

Signed

Date