Full Council Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Church, Victoria Street on Monday 7 April 2025 at 7.00pm.

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

Parish Clerk (HK)

District Councillor Lawrence (SL)

1 member of the public with a view to co-option to the Council.

Public Session

5 Members of the public in total present.

2 members representing Billinghay Swimming Pool committee attended the meeting. They came to ask if the Parish Council were aware of the problems facing the pool. The pump, boiler and buildings are outdated, unsafe and need completely upgrading. The pool has been part of the village and run voluntarily for 53 years. Their request was for any help either financially or information of grants, funding etc which the council may be aware of. The chair explained that we only have the annual grant scheme available, which they are welcome to apply for, but this is not available until November. Any other funding options the council become aware of, will be shared with the pool committee.

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 Councillor Liles.

It was proposed by AC, seconded by SC, and agreed unanimously to accept these apologies.

Apologies were received from County Councillor Key and District Councillor Whittle

The council asked the clerk to forward on their behalf an email of Thanks to Cllr Key for his support during his time as a County Councillor.

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 and District Councillor

Councillor Lawrence had nothing to report but had attended the meeting with a view of obtaining information about the proposed swimming pool closure. She offered her help to the representatives of the pool committee and will take this information back to North Kesteven District Council.

4. To accept the notes from the meeting of 3 March 2025 as minutes and a true record.

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

5. Clerk’s Report. (Details forwarded prior to the meeting).

Points that arose: -

A resident had requested for a notice to be placed in the newsletter to remind members of the village to keep to the footpaths and not trespass across agricultural land and for horses not to use the public footpaths. A notice will be placed in the next issue.

A resident had requested a litter/poo bin be placed at the termination of the public footpath Bilh/3/1 where it joins Walcott Road between Billinghay and Field Farm, as he had noticed large amounts of litter and poo bags being left in this area. This matter is to be placed on the next agenda.

6. Correspondence

Items forwarded: NALC bulletins, LALC bulletins, NK Corporate & Civil Team update, Town & Parish Council tree offer, NKDC newsletter, Central Lincolnshire Design Code Consultation details, Geosmart Section 19 flood investigations, Flood help information, Engagement Lincolnshire public rights of way details, NKDC Greater Lincolnshire mayoral election information, JACS Village Gateways, NKDC Parish & Town newsletter, NKDC VE & VJ Day grant application details, Gallagher Community matters.

Points that arose:

The Royal British Legion have applied for a NKDC VE day grant.

7. Finance

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

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

b. To approve the Bank Account Reconciliation for the period ending 31 March 2025 (Details forwarded to the Cllrs prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by RM, seconded by AV, and agreed unanimously to accept the reconciliation.

c. To consider the purchase of a wreath for VE Day.

It was proposed by SC, seconded by IG, and agreed unanimously to purchase a wreath to the value of £27.50.

Cllr Green agreed to lay the wreath on behalf of the council at the VE day service on 8 May 2025.

d. To approve the purchase of extended warranty for the Speed Indictor Device (details forwarded prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by AC, seconded by IG, and agreed unanimously to approve the purchase of the extended warranty.

e. To consider the reserves held (details forwarded prior to the meeting).

The reserves currently held were discussed:

£10,116 being held for the neighbour plan review is no longer required as the plan was decided not to be reviewed at a previous meeting. It was suggested that this be held for the possibility of having to relocate the parish office. This is in preparation in case our current lease is not renewed on 1st April 2026 if the non-renewal clause is invoked. Options will need to be looked at but a suggestion of a portacabin could be a viable option if no suitable alternative accommodation can be found.

The general reserve of £11,299 will also be added to the office contingency, giving a total of £21,415.00.

£20,000 and the community infrastructure levy of £9004 being held, was suggested to be used to purchase play equipment for the village playing field.

It was proposed by AC, seconded by IG, and agreed unanimously to hold these as reserves.

f. To consider Lloyds bank and CCLA deposit account signatories.

SC agreed to be added as a signatory for both accounts.

It was proposed by RM, seconded by IG, and agreed unanimously to add Cllr Cottrell as a signatory.

8. Planning Applications to consider as a Statutory Consultee (as detailed below and may include those received which required a decision before this meeting).

25/0248/TCA Works to trees in a conservation area 27 Victoria Street.

25/0178/FUL Change of use of land adj to 14 Walcott Road to domestic curtilage. Extension of existing driveway, erection of detached single garage and 1.5 high wooden fence around west perimeter. 14 Walcott Road

25/0229/HOUS Erection of single storey extension 24 St Michaels Close.

The below planning application was received after publication of the agenda and was discussed at the meeting

25/0354/HOUS Single storey rear extension to dwelling and extension to existing garage 4 Walcott Road

It was proposed by IG, seconded by SC, and agreed unanimously to reply to NKDC with no comments.

Planning Other:

8a. To consider the request from Anwick Parish Council regarding the proposed AD Biogas plant (email forwarded prior to the meeting).

Cllr Green attended the meeting at Anwick Village Hall on Wednesday 2 April 2025 as an observer. The meeting was attended by over 100 people with concerns regarding the proposed biogas plant.

IG reported that the main concerns raised were:

• Fire and explosion risk
• Water contamination
• Increase in vehicle, noise and volume
• Pests and hygiene risks
• Smell risk
• Environmental impact
• Site access

The matter was discussed by the council and although they understand the concerns of Anwick residents, as a council our only justified concerns were an increase in traffic to Billinghay but the proposed plans state this will only be via A153 and not through the village and a possible smell risk but again this should be minimal to the village.

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

SC reported that the bus shelters were looking cleaner but there was an increase in rubbish in that area, the Street Cleaner will be asked to monitor it and let the office know his findings.

10. LCC Highways Updates.  

Road Closure Order Labour in Vain Drove   8/4/2025 – 11/04/2025

Road Closure Order Twenty Foot Bank (Between A153 & a point 300m Southeast) 22/04/2025 – 23/04/2025

11. To review the undernoted policies and procedures (policies forwarded by AC prior to the meeting).

PCD 004 Code of Conduct

PCD 011 Health & Safety

PCD 015 Cemetery

PCD 020 Communications

PCD 022 Councillor-Officer Protocol

PCD 031 Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

PCD 039 Data-Breach

It was proposed by AC, seconded by SC, and agreed unanimously to accept the revised policies.

12. To consider the arrangements for the Annual Parish Meeting.

The annual parish meeting will start at 6pm, with an open session for residents to meet the council and have an opportunity to see the District Councils Climate Action plan presentation.

The general parish council meeting will follow at 7pm.

Refreshments will be available.

The clerk will advertise the event on the website and noticeboards.

13. To approve the appointment of the internal auditor to complete the Year End audit of accounts and to approve the expenditure for this process.

It was proposed by SC, seconded by RM, and agreed unanimously to approve the appointment and the expenditure of £150.00.

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

SC reported that the grit bin on Skirth Road had been moved and was now on the road. SC and AC will move it back away from the road.

SC reported that the road closure signs were being moved and often blocked the access. This work should soon be completed.

AC reported that the Annual LALC conference will be held at the Lincolnshire Showground on the 16th of July 2025 and asked if any councillors would like to attend.

Meeting Closed at 20.43pm

Signed

Date

Appendix A