Full Council Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Church, Victoria Street on Monday 3 March 2025 at 7.00pm.

Present: Cllrs Catlett – Chair (AC) Liles (WL) Miller (RM) Greetham (RG) Green (IG) Vipond (AV)

Parish Clerk (HK)

District Councillor Whittle (AW)

Public Session

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 Councillor Cottrell.

It was proposed by WL, seconded by RM, and agreed unanimously to accept these apologies.

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 elect a Vice-Chair.

Councillor Cottrell in his absence had put himself forward for nomination and as he was the only nominee.

It was proposed by AC, and seconded by IG, and agreed unanimously that Councillor Cottrell be elected Vice Chair.

4. To receive reports from County and District Councillor

Cllr Whittle reported that following the full budget meeting he had attended it had been decided that Council Tax would increase by 2% £4.95, Council Rent would increase by 2.70% but car park charges would remain the same as the previous year.

At the next full meeting Cllr Whittle reported that more details of devolution and the announced District and County Council changes would be shared, his feelings were “life would not look better for electors” under the expected changes.

Cllr Whittle would follow up on the trailer issue which appears to be increasing again in Queen Street.

5. To accept the notes from the Meeting of 6 January 2025 as minutes and a true record.

It was proposed by WL, seconded by RM, and agreed unanimously that they be accepted.

6. Matters arising and Clerk’s Report. (Details forwarded prior to the meeting).

Points that arose: -

2 letters had been sent to the representative of Shire Close following his request at the meeting held on 3 February 2025 regarding the development on Walcott Road/corner of Shire Close. ‘The Parish Council is not taking any further action’.

Thanks were asked to be given to Wayne Tonge, Nigel Key, Helen Key and Andy Catlett for removing the pile of branches etc from the Churchyard that had accumulated, this would have been a costly exercise to use skips or a third party for removal.

An email had been received from a resident of Mill Lane regarding concerns of speeding traffic in this area, it was discussed and found that unfortunately the Council have already investigated this matter, an Archer Survey has already been conducted but showed no major concerns, police speed camera’s had been in the area and the SID data is not recognised by the road safety partnership. The Clerk was asked to reply to the resident sharing our concerns and findings.

A question had been raised about the possibility of placing a memorial tablet in the ashes area but not via a funeral director. It was discussed and found if the tablet meets policy requirements, and the correct fees are paid then this could be carried out. ‘However, it was noted that headstone installation has to meet strict criteria, and this policy will be added to the cemetery policy’.

The clerk confirmed that she had commenced her CILCA training and asked for clarification that the extra hours would be paid as this falls on her none working days, this was stated in her contract that reasonable paid time off would be given for training. It was discussed and found that this falls within her contract.  

7. Correspondence

Items forwarded: NALC Bulletins, LALC Bulletins, Keep Britain Tidy, Citizens Advice Mid Lincolnshire Donation Request.

Points that arose:

It was mentioned that the Citizens Advice were asked to attend a session at Billinghay Medical Practice but declined due to lack of funds. Requests from the CAB are frequently received by Billinghay Parish Council, and they have previously been sent a donation. It was asked if it could be noted that the annual grant scheme is not for charities but could support a project if benefiting the residents.

8. Finance

a. To approve the payments made during February 2025 (list circulated to Cllrs prior to the meeting). See Appendix A

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

b. To approve the grass cutting contract for the playing field. (Details forwarded to Cllrs prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by WL, seconded by IG, and agreed unanimously to approve the quotation.

c. To approve the continuation of the LCC Parish Verge Agreement Scheme. (Details forwarded prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by AC, seconded by RM, and agreed unanimously to continue to participate in the LCC Parish Verge Agreement Scheme.

d. To consider the quotations for the Grass Cutting Tender. (Details forwarded to Cllrs prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by IG, seconded by RG, and agreed unanimously to award the contract to MR Garden Services for the three-year period 1 March 2025 – 31 October 2027.

e. To approve the purchase of weedkiller for use in the cemetery.

It was proposed by RM, seconded by IG, and agreed unanimously to approve the purchase to a value of £30.00. ‘The weedkiller will be applied by a correctly certified individual’.

f. To consider the price increase for room hire for the meetings. (Details forwarded to Cllrs prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by WL, seconded by AV, and agreed unanimously to accept the increase and continue to hold meetings in the Methodist Church.

g. To consider providing the refreshments for the Bernard Gilbert Day 25th June 2025.

It was proposed by RM, seconded by IG, and agreed unanimously to approve the purchase of the refreshments to a value of £50.00.

h. To approve the purchase of concrete for re positioning the Zoetrope moved from the old cemetery.

It was proposed by AC, seconded by WL, and agreed unanimously to approve the purchase to the value of £40.00.

9. Planning Applications to consider as a Statutory Consultee (as detailed below and those received after publication of the agenda which require a decision before the next meeting).

25/0187/VARCON Vary Condition 7 14 Walcott Road

Councillors had no comments.

Planning Other:

None received.

10. To report on risk assessments/safety checks. Report from Cllrs where applicable.

WL agreed to continue to assess the defibrillators.

11. LCC Highways Updates.  

Road Closures 10/03/2025 – 28/03/2025

Green Drove (Between Fen Road and Skirth Road)

First Hurn Drove (Between Skirth Road and a point 700m East)

Parson Drove (Between First Hurn Drove and Williamson Drove)

Williamson Drove

12. To consider installing a sign at the Walcott Road cemetery to mark a Commonwealth War Grave.

It was proposed by AC, seconded by IG, and agreed unanimously to install a sign on the railings at Billinghay Walcott Road Cemetery.

13. To discuss the arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting.

It was discussed and felt that the public session should only be 1 hour and that the Annual General Meeting should start at 7pm.

The clerk to confirm with Cllr Head that he would be able to present his presentation on environmental matters to the members of the public that attend.

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

AC reported that a yew tree had been ordered for the cemetery, this was free of charge from an NKDC project.

Wreaths had now been cleared from the cemetery ready for the start of grass cutting.

The Queen Street bin complaint is now with NKDC enforcement officer.

Item 17 from the previous meeting regarding request for street lighting, AC has looked into the criteria needed for a request, and during discussions it was felt that perhaps it was footpath lighting needed rather than street lighting.

Asked for the purchase of a wreath for VE day to be placed on the next agenda.

The Clerk reported that we are now being charged by Lloyd’s bank for banking services due to a change in their terms and conditions.

Meeting Closed at 8.32 pm

Signed

Date