4th September 2025
BILSBY & FARLESTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD
4 September 2025 at 7pm in Holy Trinity Church, Bilsby
Present: Cllrs A. Carolan (Chair), N Gaston, D Coppack, D Morley, E. Cooper, J. Hudson and N. Simmonds.
Also present: Mr M Rudd (Parish Clerk). No members of the public in attendance.
PUBLIC FORUM
There was no Public Forum.
137. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting at 19.00 hours.
138. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllrs G Marsh & S Devereux (ELDC) and Cllr M Beecham (LCC)
139. DECLARATIONS OF INTERT
Cllr Gaston declared an interest in agenda item 9. Cllr Coppack declared an interest in planning application 03016/25/OUT
140. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 3 JULY 2025
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting, having been circulated and read, were approved and signed by the Chair.
141. TO RECEIVE ANY UPDATES AND CORRESPONDENCE NOT ITEMISED ON THE AGENDA
The Clerk confirmed that migration to the new gov.uk was on-going and there have been no issues with the new secure email system.
LCC Highways have responded to concerns raised about the condition of the footpath along A1111 Alford Road. LCC stated that urgent repairs were not required but the location has been identified for a larger scale improvement scheme, although details and timescales for the works has not yet been confirmed. Councillors asked that further information on the proposed improvement works were requested from LCC Highways.
142. FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a. Payments for approval:
M Rudd - Clerk Salary - £352.35
M Rudd - Printing Paper - £6.69
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve.
b. To note the Financial Monitoring Report and Bank Reconciliation as at 31 August:
Noted by Councillors.
c. To note the completion of the re-declaration of compliance with The Pension Regulator with effect from 18 July 2025:
Noted by Councillors.
d. To note receipt of notification of exempt status for the year ended 31 March 2025 by external auditors PKF Littlejohn LLP:
Noted by Councillors
e. To note the Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Annual Governance & Accountability Return – closed on 14 July 2025:
No applications to review the annual accounts were received.
143. TO RECEIVE THE LGA PAY AWARD 2025 AND APPROVE THE CHANGE TO THE CLERKS SALARY (SCP6) WITH EFFECT FROM 1 APRIL 2025
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to implement the pay award.
144. TO CONSIDER THE REQUEST FROM BILSBY HOLY TRINITY CHURCH FOR A PARISH COUNCIL GRANT TOWARDS THE MAINTENANCE OF THE CHURCHYARD
Cllr Gaston advised Councillors that grass cutting was the single biggest item of expenditure for the church and despite efforts to reduce the number of cuts per year, the costs remained high. Following a discussion, it was Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to award Bilsby Parochial Church Council a grant of £600.
145. TO DISCUSS OPTIONS FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL TO MOVE TO ONLINE ONLY BANKING
Councillors agreed to move to online only banking. The Clerk will discuss the changes with the bank and report back to the next meeting.
146. PLANNING MATTERS:
a. 02333/25/OUT LAND ADJACENT GRADMEADE, ALFORD ROAD, BILSBY: outline planning permission for one dwelling – Application approved by ELDC
b. 02337/25/FUL GRADMEADE, ALFORD ROAD, BILSBY: revised application to make alterations of existing dwellings – comments sent to ELDC
c. 03016/25/OUT TWO WAYS, SUTTON ROAD, BILSBY: outline erection of one dwelling – comments sent to ELDC
d. The Clerk informed Councillors that ELDC Planning Enforcement were investigating Land West of Orchard Leaze, Huttoft Road, Thurlby – siting of a static caravan and erection of gates exceeding 2 meters without planning permission.
147. TO RECEIVE ANY GENERAL UPDATES FROM LCC AND ELDC REPRESENTATIVES
There were no reports from representatives of outside bodies.
148. TO DISCUSS THE DEFIBRILLATOR LOCATED AT BILSBY SPAR
Despite enquires with various organisations, it was unknown who is responsible for the maintenance of the defibrillator located at Bilsby Spar but the equipment is now ‘out of date’. Cllr Hudson agreed to check with Bilsby Spar what type if defibrillator is installed and what replacement parts are required. Once known, the Parish Council can make a decision on whether to fund the defibrillator.
149. SPEED DETECTION DEVICE – DISCUSS OPTIONS FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL TO PURCHASE A NEW DEVICE
Cllr Carolan wanted to pursue purchasing a new speed device for the village but was aware funding was not currently available. Councillors agreed to discuss again at the January 2026 Parish Council meeting when the budget for 2026/27 would be discussed and agreed. The Clerk was asked to check with LCC Highways what permissions are required to site “white village gates” at the entrance to the village.
150. ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR GENERAL DISCUSSION (NOT DECISION) OR ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA
Cllr Simmonds asked if there was an update on Eversleigh Cottage. The Clerk agreed to write to Cllr Marsh (ELDC).
Cllr Carolan notified Councillors that he had joined Alford Town Council.
151. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 6 November 2025
Cllrs Gaston and Morley noted their absence at the next meeting.
152. THERE BEEN NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8:22PM