Full Council Minutes

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

Present: Cllr Cottrell – Chair, Miller (RM) Greetham (RG) I Green (IG) Vipond (AV) Ledger (JL)

Parish Clerk (HK)

County Councillor East (DE)

District Councillor Whittle (AW)

Public Session

1 member of the public present

One resident attended the meeting to discuss the state of some areas of the village. The resident stated, “people do not appear to take pride in the village they live and in my particular area many of the gardens are overgrown, and the weeds are now growing onto the footpaths”. District Council Whittle attending the meeting, agreed to speak to the housing officer to get a plan in place to see if this can be improved upon.

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 Catlett

Apologies were received from Councillor Liles

It was proposed by RM, seconded by RG, 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 receive reports from County and District Councillors.

On arrival at the meeting County Councillor East was introduced to the council as this was his first attendance since being elected County Councillor.

County Councillor East reported that a second round of consultations on the proposed pylon route Grimsby to Walpole and an initial consultation on the proposed route Weston Marsh South Holland to East Leicestershire have been launched by National Grid. Lincolnshire County Council are putting together its own response but urge everyone with concerns to complete the survey. https://www.nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade/eastern-green-link-3and-4

County Councillor East shared the Lincolnshire Nuclear Waste Plan has been withdrawn. Lincolnshire County Councils New Executive Sean Matthews voted to withdraw from the Nuclear Waste Services Community Partnership. Sean Matthews said “we have listened, we have acted, and we have done what we said we would”.

Councillor East reported that footpath reconstruction works are underway, along Fen Road, between B1189 and the Primary School. Micro surfacing on footpaths is also taking place in certain areas of the village.

The Victoria Street parking restriction is being looked at by Lincolnshire County Council’s Highways department and Cllr East will update once the result has been decided.

District Councillor Whittle reported he is looking into the matter on Queen Street, as it has been reported to him that this is escalating again.

Councillor Whittle shared that North Kesteven District Council are working on the “simpler recycling scheme” part of the governments Environment Act 2021 to reduce food waste. 26% of black bin waste is food. The scheme aims to make recycling easier by separating core recycling materials. It is expected “a small caddy” will be provided for use inside the home, which will be transported into a larger caddy outside the home which will then be collected. This waste will be taken to the Biogas Plant at Hemswell Cliff.

Councillor Whittle also shared that a proposal is being put together for the Local Government re-organisation, one proposal must be sent to Government by 27 November 2025. The unitary option which is thought best for residents is a blend of area, North Kesteven, South Kesteven, South Holland, and Rutland. More information can be found on North Kesten District Council’s website.

4. To accept the notes from the meeting of 2 June 2025 as minutes and a true record.

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

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

Points that arose: -

2 resident enquiries have now been received regarding the footpath on High Street. Both have been shared with County Councillor East who reported he is liaising with Highways and one of the concerned residents. The clerk was asked to update the second resident.

6. Correspondence

Items forwarded: NALC bulletins, LALC bulletins, Navenby Battery Storage objection letter, NKDC Boat Licensing policy consultation, NK Corporate & Civic team Licensing ACT 2003 consultation, NKDC Town & Parish Newsletter, Equans free community support, LCC Town & Parish Newsletter, NK Corporate & Civic team Questions for neighbourhood policing.

No points arose.

7. Finance

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

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

b. To approve the Bank Account Reconciliation for the period ending 30 June 2025 (Details forwarded to councillors prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by JL, seconded by SC, and agreed unanimously to accept the reconciliation.

c. To approve the purchase of defibrillator replacement pads and battery (costings forwarded prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by AV, seconded by IG, and agreed unanimously to approve the purchase of 2 sets of pads and chargerpaks at a cost of £172.00 + VAT.

The clerk reported that a set of pads had been given to the children’s centre by the primary school, they were unaware why they had received them. On investigation by the Clerk, it appears they are ordered and sent by the Department of Education.

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

None received.

Planning Other:

25/0256/FUL    Hay/Straw Storage   The Green Shed Parsons Drove    Approved.

25/0509/HOUS Single storey side extension 20 Church Street       Approved.

9. LCC Highways

TTRO/TTR011687 Road Closure Order Fen Road Footway Reconstruction 7/7/25 – 8/9/25.

TTRO/TTR011899 Road Closure Order Lafford Drive Carriageway repairs 28/7/25 – 28/9/25

TTRO/TTR011953 Temporary traffic restriction Lafford Drive Micro surfacing 4/8/25 – 31/10/25

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

RM reported benches all okay. Folder will be updated accordingly.

The dustbin removed from the cemetery is now ready to be placed at Walcott Road Bus Shelter. The clerk will do this and get the collection details amended from the cemetery to the bus shelter with NKDC.

11. To approve the purchase of large poppies for the village for the remembrance period 2025.

Information was provided by JL on the number of poles and suitable locations around the village, for placing of poppies.

It was proposed by RM, seconded by JL, and agreed unanimously to purchase 40 poppies at a cost of £190.00.

12. To discuss the parking issues on West Street /Victoria Street (resident emails distributed to councillors prior to the meeting).

This matter is being investigated by Highways following instructions from County Councillor East, he will update Billinghay Parish Council once a decision is reached.

The clerk will update the resident with this information.

13. To approve the repair to the cemetery roadway. (Details forwarded prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by AV, seconded by RM, and agreed unanimously that Harco Surfacing Ltd should carry out the repairs at a cost of £9053.81 + VAT.

The clerk to contact Harco re start date and let all other companies which provided quotes know that they have been unsuccessful.

14. To approve the purchase of copies of areas of consecrated ground from Lincoln Archives (Details forwarded prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by IG, seconded by RG, and agreed unanimously to purchase the required copies from Lincoln Archives at a cost of no more than £35.00.

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

RM reported that he is meeting with a company at the Village Hall to discuss play equipment options and costings next week. The option of an extension to provide a youth centre is not looking viable, due to varying costs and lack of volunteers which would be required to staff the building.

JL reported that she had attended the Lincolnshire Association of Local Councils AGM on zoom, where the quest speaker was from Stagecoach. During the question section JL was given some contact information for local bus services. JL will email these contacts inviting them to the next meeting so discussions can take place to hopefully improve bus services to the village.

Meeting Closed at 8.22pm           

Signed

Date

Appendix A