Full Council Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Church, Victoria Street on Monday 1 June 2026 at 7.00pm.

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

Parish Clerk Helen Key (HK)

County Councillor East (DE)

Public Session

1 Member present.

 A member of the Billinghay and District Swimming Pool committee attended the meeting to give an update on the pools progress. The pool has opened but not without a few problems and extra work. The parish council were thanked for the grant provided, which without this the pool would certainly not have reopened. The warm weather has helped to get the season off to a good start with fully booked sessions; feedback has been positive, the support of the community continues to be demonstrated by session attendance, support with the ongoing fundraising events and donations are still being received.

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.

All present.

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 shared information regarding a service that supports carers in the community, this information has been placed in the noticeboards and will be included in the next edition of the newsletter.

He again stressed the importance of recording all highways issues on FixMyStreet as this is the most proactive method of getting issues addressed.

Councillor Sharratt reported the problems with parking outside of the primary school, the parking signage is currently not enforceable, and several near misses have been observed. Parents continue to park on the “no parking” area, and he asked what could be done. Councillor East advised that evidence should be gathered and then passed to himself so he could take this to the highways manager but did share that this is a problem in many areas. He also discussed that even if this was changed who would enforce the parking restrictions, police resources are already stretched, private companies are available, but who would fund the cost, another option would be CCTV but again there is a cost.

4. To accept the notes from the annual meeting of the parish council on 11 May 2026 as minutes and a true record.

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

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

Points that arose:

The clerk was informed that funding was given for a memorial plant to be placed in the cemetery entrance, but no evidence could be found to support or contradict this and so the council are happy for an appropriate replacement to be placed in the entrance if the resident wishes to do so.

The planning decision for the use of the S106 funding has not been received but from the comments placed on the planning portal, it is believed that the application may not be approved without further information which will incur further costs to the parish council. These comments are from the ecologist reporting on behalf of NKDC. Once the decision notice is received this matter will be looked at again to see if the project is viable for continuation.

6. Correspondence items forwarded:

NALC Bulletins, LALC Bulletins, Royal British Legion – give today details, CCLA update, Lincolnshire PCC – Make a difference custody visiting scheme, NKDC central Lincolnshire local plan consultation 11/5/26 – 07/06/26, new bus route/timetable proposed details, Lincolnshire Police (Action Counters Terrorism (ACT) Awareness), LCC Highways session topics for LALC conference 2026, NKDC details for changes to Register of Interests following a legislation change, NKDC Parish & Town Council Forum invitation, Lincolnshire Resilience Forum newsletter, NKDC Parish & Town Council newsletter, LCC Town & Parish Council newsletter.

Points that arose:

During discussions regarding the distributed mail, the matter of our own newsletter arose, it was pointed out that we need to share more information on events/achievements that occur within the community for example the recent successful of the junior football team. The clerk will contact the various clubs to see if they would provide articles to be included in the newsletter.

7. Finance

a. To approve the payments made during May 2026 (list circulated to councillors 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 expenditure for members to attend the LALC conference.

It was proposed by WL, seconded by JL, and agreed unanimously to approve the expenditure of £90.00 + VAT for two members to attend the conference.

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).

None received.

9. LCC Highways updates:

 None received.

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

The matter of bus stops was discussed following the announcement of the new bus route. JL reported that temporary bus stops will be in place for the commencement of the bus route on 6 July 2026. It is hoped that the bus will become a hail and stop facility. The new bus is to be the B617 in honour of the Dambusters Squadron.

11. To approve the amendments to the cemetery policy PCD015. (Policy forwarded by AC prior to the meeting).

It was proposed by AC, seconded by WL, and agreed unanimously to approve the amendments.

12. To approve the pay increase for the clerk, following the completion of the Certificate in Local Council Administration qualification.

It was proposed by SC, seconded by AV, and agreed unanimously to approve the pay increase from the 15 May 2026 for the clerk.

13. To discuss the possibility of joining the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum, (neighbours work together in an emergency).

This matter was discussed. The clerk confirmed that we still have a full unused emergency kit but the batteries for some items would need to be charged. Names and details of people to become the points of contact need to be in place before we contact the Lincolnshire Resilience team to participate in this forum. For the next meeting the clerk and WL will source what information is required.

14.  To discuss and consider working towards becoming an accredited parish council at foundation award level (Bronze) under the Local Council award Scheme.

This matter was discussed. The clerk confirmed that BPC no longer held the bronze award and this had lapsed. AC explained the possible costs involved and what we may need to put in place to achieve this award. The deadline to apply for this year was 4 September 2026.

It was proposed by AC, seconded by WL, and agreed unanimously to try to achieve this award.

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

RM reported that the abandoned car had been removed from the village hall car park.

JL asked if an event should be considered for the new bus starting 6 July 2026. JL suggested that before the next Annual Parish Meeting residents should be contacted for topics, they wish BPC to include during this meeting.

HK reported that she had been contacted by a resident regarding dog fouling in an area of the village but this is not a public right of way but access only for certain residents of High Street/St Michael’s Close due to this, the street cleaner cannot be asked to cover this area but the clerk will liaise with NKDC to see if anything can be done regarding this.

Meeting Closed 8.10pm

Signed

Date