Full Council Minutes

Minutes of the Meeting of Billinghay Parish Council held at Billinghay Methodist Church, Victoria Street on Monday 5 October 2026 at 7.00pm.

Present: Cllr Catlett – Chair, Miller (RM) S Cottrell (SC) Greetham (RG) Vipond (AV) Ledger (JL)

Parish Clerk Helen Key (HK)

County Councillor East (DE)

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 were received from Councillor Liles.

Apologies were received from Councillor Sharratt

It was proposed by SC, seconded by AV, and agreed unanimously to accept the above 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.

Councillor East reported that the data for the B617 bus service is looking positive for continuing the service, winter will be a testing time and there may need to be some time changes from feedback received.

The fire service is implementing some changes to retained fire fighter’s contracts which is hoped will encourage more people to join as numbers are low making it difficult to provide a full retained service.

Highways are working hard on an extremely low budget to provide the required service. Grit bins have been filled for winter; pot holes have been repaired in Park Lane and Tattershall Road. Numerous sign posts around the area have been repaired and cleaned.

HK asked on behalf of a resident if there was any possibly of a sign being placed at Park Avenue stating that there is no access to the playing field. Due to Park Avenue being a private road, this was not something the highways department would consider. The residents may purchase their own signage which may be subject to planning permission. With the completion of Teaky Close it is hoped the proposed link bridge will eliminate further concerns from Park Avenue as this would give access to the playing fields via the link bridge.

Councillor Whittle reported that the build up of rubbish has been removed from the property in King Street. Concerns had been raised as to the property being a House in Multiple Occupation (HMO). If a property meets the criteria for a Mandatory HMO licence (housing 5 or more people from 2 or more households) or an Additional HMO licence set by local council, that HMO licence takes precedence over a selective licence. NKDC do not operate a selective licence policy. There are no rights to stop an HMO, but any issues should be reported to the local council.

Planning has been approved for the Savoy Cinema in Sleaford, and it is on track for the anticipated opening early 2028.  

4. To accept the notes from the meeting held 7 September 2026 as minutes and a true record.

It was proposed by SC, seconded by JL, 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, Lincolnshire community resilience newsletter, Royal British Legion update for the Remembrance period, BHF The Circuit newsletter, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance side by side fundraising walk details, NKDC Parish & Town Council newsletter, Citizens Advice Mid Lincs Donation request letter, Lincolnshire safer communities’ details, Women in Westminster the 100 nominations open details, LCC Town & Parish Council update.

No points arose.

7. Finance

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

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

b. To approve the bank reconciliation for the period to 30 September 2026 (details forwarded to councillors prior to the meeting).

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

c. To approve the annual cut of Ballon Walk shrubs at a cost of £50.00.

It was proposed by JL, seconded by RM, and agreed unanimously to approve the cost of £50.00 for the annual cut of Ballon Walk shrubs and approve MR Garden Services to carry out this work.

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).

26/1141/FUL Village Hall & Playing Fields Installation of new play equipment.

After discussions it was decided to forward the below comment to support this application. (This comment was previously forwarded to support application 26/0341/FUL which was later withdrawn).

Billinghay has had a large amount of new housing, none of which has provided any new play equipment as part of the developments. However, there is S106 funding available from these developments which is there for the provision of off-site play equipment. The parish council have identified no sites suitable for siting of new equipment apart from the Village Playing Field, which already has play equipment but not enough to meet rising child population needs and varying ages.  The playing field is in easy access of a lot of the new housing developments.  The siting of the equipment will not impinge on any of the football pitches or their use. Therefore, the Parish Council very strongly want to provide the equipment identified in this application.

Planning Other: None Received

9. LCC Highways updates: None received.

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

The possibility of electric signage for bus shelters was mentioned and Councillor East agreed to look into this.

Seating for the shelters was again mentioned, Councillor East reminded the council that there is a bus shelter grant scheme available from LCC. AC agreed to look at costings and the grant scheme.

11. To receive updates on the arrangements for the Christmas Tree Lighting event.

Arrangements are in hand for the event, a tree has been located, the Ship Inn booked for the refreshments, entertainment groups are liaising with each other to possibly put on a joint performance, awaiting confirmation of the availability of the vicar to bless the tree. HK will purchase glow sticks, complete the events form required by LCC, and arrange for posters for advertising. RM will contact Billinghay Forge for loan of lighting.

12. To discuss meeting arrangements for joining the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum.

A date of the 28 October 2026 was suggested for the meeting of the group interested in joining the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum. Meet at the Ship Inn at 6.30pm. HK will contact the residents that have displayed an interest in joining, regarding this meeting.

13. To discuss the wreath laying for the Remembrance Day Parade 8 November 2026.

HK will lay the wreath on behalf of the Parish Council.

14. To consider the formal request received from a family regarding the installation of a memorial headstone in Walcott Road Cemetery (details forwarded to councillors prior to the meeting).

Following discussions, it was agreed that the cemetery policy will be amended with regards to ceramic photo plaques. These will be permitted but must be no larger than 10cm wide and 12cm depth, be of an oval shape and limited to one per memorial. The policy will be reviewed at the November meeting.

HK will inform the family of the decision regarding their formal request.

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

HK asked for volunteers to help put up the large poppies for the Remembrance Day period. JL and SC agreed to help.

An email had been forwarded to council from the Headteacher of the primary school, asking if any members of the council could involve pupils of the school in any projects. AC agreed to speak to the Head regarding this matter.

RG asked if a date was known for the commencement of the recycling centres booking system. Councillor East advised this would commence on the 1 November 2026, with bookings open from 20 October 2026.

Meeting Closed 7.40pm

Signed

Date