3rd July 2025
BILSBY & FARLESTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD
3 July 2025 at 7pm in Holy Trinity Church, Bilsby
Present: Cllrs A. Carolan (Chair), D Morley, E. Cooper, J. Hudson and N. Simmonds.
Also present: Mr M Rudd (Parish Clerk), Cllr M Beecham (LCC) and Cllrs G Marsh & S Devereux (ELDC). No members of the public in attendance.
PUBLIC FORUM
There was no Public Forum.
124. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting at 19.00 hours.
125. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllrs N Gaston and D Coppack.
126. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
127. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6 MARCH 2025
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting, having been circulated and read, were approved and signed by the Chair.
128. TO RECEIVE ANY UPDATES AND CORRESPONDENCE NOT ITEMISED ON THE AGENDA
A response was received from ELDC, following receipt of an email from a member of the public, regarding a recent court case ‘designating manure a waste’.
Notification was received from the National Defibrillator Network regarding the defibrillator at Bilsby Garage. Councillors confirmed that the defibrillator wasn’t managed by the Parish Council. Clerk to respond back to the National Defibrillator Network.
Cllr Morley raised concerns regarding farm vehicles speeding through the village. Clerk to write to farm owner.
129. FINANCIAL:
a. Payments for approval:
Mr M Rudd - Clerk Salary - £313.20
Cllr J Hudson - Expenses - £48.60
Cloud Next – Annual Domain Name Subscription - £60.00
Cloud Next – Annual Home Hosting Subscription - £59.98
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve.
b. VAT Refund 2024/25:
£118.14 received from HMRC.
c. Other financial matters:
Councillors noted the finance report as at 30 June 2025.
130. PLANNING:
a. APP/D25010/W/24/3355990 LAND ADJACENT JASMINE COTTAGE, ALFORD ROAD, BILSBY - APPEAL: Appeal Dismissed by Planning Inspectorate
b. N/003/01546/24 LAND EAST OF SPENDLUFE AVENUE, ALFORD: Planning approved by ELDC
c. 02333/25/OUT LAND ADJACENT GRADMEADE, ALFORD ROAD, BILSBY: outline planning permission for one dwelling – Parish Council supported the application with no additional comments
d. 02337/25/FUL GRADMEADE, ALFORD ROAD, BILSBY: alterations to existing dwelling and erection of a detached double garage and workshop – Parish Council objected to application. Councillors were concerned about the proposed design of the property and the lack of space to the right hand side of the plot for access. The overall plans are not in keeping with neighbouring properties and fails to properly take into account the existing trees and hedges at the property.
131. TO RECEIVE ANY GENERAL UPDATES FROM LCC AND ELDC REPRESENTATIVES
a. ELDC – Cllr Marsh noted that work on the reorganisation of local government is continuing. Briefings on the proposals will be held for Parish Councillors / Clerks in the near future.
Cllr Devereux promoted the Community Funding Event being held at Horncastle Hub on 9 July and asked that the event is promoted to all community groups.
b. LCC – Cllr Beecham noted that LCC are recommending that LCC remains ‘as is’ under any proposed reorganisation.
Cllr Beecham has met with representatives of Alford Windmill Trust to discuss funding but no final decision has been made. Cllr Marsh (ELDC) confirmed that funding from ELDC was still in place and ELDC are expecting LCC to confirm remaining funding.
Cllr Beecham has attended all National Grid information events and confirmed the LCC continues to oppose National Grids plans.
132. PARISH COUNCIL ‘GOV.UK’ SECURE EMAIL
Parish Councillors have previous expressed concerns that the new gov.uk portal was very slow. The Clerk confirmed that the system can be linked directly to standard email systems such as outlook rather than using a portal but requires individual configuration. Clerk will send configuration instructions to Councillors.
Following a discussion, Councillors agreed to move the formal Parish Council email over to the new secure system to ensure compliance with new audit requirements. Individual Parish Councillors will decide whether to switch over the new email account or remain with their existing accounts.
133. NATIONAL GRID: THE GREAT GRID UPDARE – GRIMSBY TO WALPOLE STAGE 2 CONSULTATION
Parish Councillors discussed the current proposals and remain firmly committed to opposing National Grids plans. Following a lengthy discussion, the Clerk was asked to provide feedback to National Grid.
134. ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR GENERAL DISCUSSION (NOT DECISION) OR ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
None.
135. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 4 September 2025
Cllr Marsh (ELDC) noted his absence at the next meeting.
136. THERE BEEN NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8:26PM