Full Council Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Church, Victoria Street on Monday 2 February 2026 at 7.00pm.

Present: Cllr Catlett – Chair, Liles (WL) Cottrell (SC) Miller (RM) Greetham (RG) Vipond (AV) Sharratt (RS)

Parish Clerk Helen Key (HK)

County Councillor East (DE)

Public Session

2 members of the public present

2 members of Billinghay and District Swimming Community Pool attended the meeting to request permission to use the grant funds for alternative repairs than was first agreed. Further inspections of the pool have highlighted that there are other under lying issues which make the original proposed works impractical at this stage. They have taken advice and a different solution has been found which will still allow the pool to open safely and which is hoped will extend the usable life of the pool for approximately five years.

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.

Councillor Ledger gave her apologies.

It was proposed by SC, seconded by AV, 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.

County Councillor East reported:

• That it is currently quiet at the County Council.
• The council tax figures are due to be announced on the 3 February 2026.
• The Let’s Talk Lincolnshire survey is still open, this gives an opportunity for feedback to help improve services and a chance to have your say on issues that matter most to you.
• A transport meeting will be held soon, and it is hoped Billinghay will be looked at this time, following the petition put forward.  

4. To accept the notes from the meeting of 5 January 2026 as minutes and a true record.

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

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

No points arose.

6. Correspondence

Items forwarded: NALC bulletins, LALC bulletins, CCLA update, LCC Town & Parish news budget survey, Town and Parish Council newsletter, Lincolnshire Resilience Forum invite to meeting, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance new business club launch.

No points arose.

7. Finance

a. To approve the payments made during January 2026 (list circulated to councillors prior to the meeting). See Appendix A

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

b. To approve the renewal of the LALC membership and annual training scheme.

It was proposed by SC, seconded by WL, and agreed unanimously to approve the renewal at a cost of £552.48 No VAT for the membership, and £170.00 + VAT for the training scheme.

8. Planning Applications to consider as a Statutory Consultee (as detailed below, may include those received which required a decision before this meeting or arrived after the close of the agenda).

25/1602/HOUS Erection of front porch, two storey side and rear extensions and detached double garage Corporals Cottage Vine House Farm Billinghay Dales.

The clerk was asked to forward a “no comment” response for this application. 

25/1589/HOUS Single storey annexe and games room 43 Walcott Road.

The clerk was asked to forward a “no comment” response for this application.

Planning other:

None received.

9. LCC Highways updates

TTRO/TTR014729 Water main repairs Road closure order Green Drove (Between Parsons Drove & a point 50m West) 02/03/2026 – 04/03/2026

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

The new dog waste bin to replace the broken one near Field Road, has arrived and will be installed asap.

A resident had asked Councillor Cottrell to pass on their “thanks” for the litter bin which has been placed near the bus shelter on Walcott Road. This has greatly improved the litter problem in that area.

11. To consider the arrangements for the Annual Parish meeting.

The Annual Parish meeting was discussed, and it was felt the Methodist Church school room is an appropriate venue. Councillors were asked for suggestions for a speaker, or visitors to attend the meeting. One suggestion was that Billinghay and District Community Pool were asked to attend and share with residents an update on progress, attendance and support, following (hopefully) the re-opening of the pool.

The clerk was asked to contact the Chair of the pool regarding this suggestion. The item will be placed on the next agenda for further discussion.

12. To consider the swimming pool grant.

The request to divert the grant funds for alternative methods of repair to the pool was discussed. It was felt that this funding was essential to the reopening planned in April. It was therefore agreed to the request that the grant funds may be used for the alternative proposal for repairs.

It was proposed by SC, and seconded by RM, and agreed unanimously to allow the grant funds to be used for the alternative repair solution put forward by the pool committee.

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

The clerk reported she had received an update on the signage at The Causeway junction. The owners of the sign have been asked to remove it, or it will be removed by North Kyme Parish Council by the end of February 2026. 

A speed limit enforcement has been placed on Mill Lane by Lincolnshire County Council Highways; this was welcomed by all councillors. The clerk reported that North Kyme Parish Council are going to request a weight limit be placed on the same carriageway. This was discussed, where it was felt this would then increase the number of lorries through the village, and it was mentioned that the biofuel plants at Walcott and Martin Moor are still ongoing which, if passed, would again increase lorries through the village. Should North Kyme Parish Council seek support for this matter it was felt that on this occasion, support could not be given.

The above matter brought discussions on the speeding traffic through the village, it was mentioned that not many 30 mile per hour signs are present. Speeding vehicles presents dangers for school children and the elderly crossing the roads. AC reported that several surveys had taken place where it was found that the speeds recorded did not meet the criteria for traffic control measures to be implemented. County Councillor East suggested options of a zebra crossing be taken up with highways, but these are expensive, so unlikely or the council could look at a School Crossing Patrol officer.

RS mentioned that the parking at the primary school was becoming an issue, with many cars parking on the zig zag no parking zones. The clerk was asked to firstly speak to the primary school.

RS mentioned that dog fouling was also an issue in this area. The clerk will put up “No Fouling” signs in the area and ask the street cleaner to extend his route to cover the school gate area.

SC noticed that the trailers on Queen Street have been removed. It is of the understanding the person concerned has now left the area.

AC reported that a plinth around the War Memorial had been damaged and would need to be repaired or replaced. He will investigate costings.

AC reported the parish verge cutting agreement scheme was changing and had questioned LCC regarding existing contracts in place for this, but it appears this should not affect them.  An expression of interest form will be sent by the clerk.

AC reported the office lease has not yet been received but if given the option the council will push for 3 – 5 years.

AC reported that it has come to light that we do not legally have to hold an annual finance meeting, so items from this will be incorporated into the monthly meetings and standing orders amended accordingly. This will save on costs of room hire, clerks’ fees etc.