8th January 2026
BILSBY & FARLESTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD
8 January 2026 at 7pm in Holy Trinity Church, Bilsby
Present: Cllrs A. Carolan (Chair), N. Gaston, D. Coppack, E. Cooper and D. Morley.
Also present: Mr M Rudd (Parish Clerk). Cllr G Marsh (ELDC). No members of the public in attendance.
PUBLIC FORUM
There was no Public Forum.
165. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting at 19.00 hours.
166. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllrs N Simmonds (Bilsby & Farlesthorpe Parish Council), Cllr S Devereux (ELDC) and Cllr M Beecham (LCC).
167. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
Cllr Morley noted the very positive feedback from residents to the community Christmas tree. Over 40 residents attended the lighting of the tree and it is hoped this will become an annual event. Thanks were expressed to Cllrs Graham Marsh and Sarah Devereux (ELDC) for providing funding for the Christmas tree.
168. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None.
169. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 6 NOVEMBER 2025
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting, having been circulated and read, were approved and signed by the Chair.
170. TO RECEIVE ANY UPDATES AND CORRESPONDENCE NOT ITEMISED ON THE AGENDA
The Clerk noted that the handover of responsibility for the defibrillator located in Farlesthorpe from former Cllr Hudson had now been completed.
171. FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a. Payments for approval
M Rudd - Clerk Salary - £363.69
Alford Garden Services – Christmas tree - £192.00
A Carolan – Christmas tree decorations - £56.07
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve.
b. To confirm receipt of ELDC Councillors Community Grant:
Noted with thanks to Cllrs Graham Marsh and Sarah Devereux (ELDC)
c. To note the Financial Monitoring Report and Bank Reconciliation as at 31 December 2025:
Noted by Councillors.
d. To sign the bank mandate form to remove former Cllr Julie Hudson as an authorised bank signatory
Noted and signed by Councillors.
172. TO APPROVE THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL BUDGET AND PRECEPT FOR 2026/2027
Councillors discussed a number of options for funding Parish Council activities in the next financial year. Cllr Carolan proposed a 10% increase: being a 4 pence per week per household increase, to enable the Parish Council to better support the community. Following discussions, Parish Councillors voted 4 to 1 (with one absentee) to approve the increase.
The approved budget of £4807 for 2026/27 is as follows:
|
Annual Subscription to LALC |
£180 |
|
Clerks Salary & HMRC Costs |
£2163 |
|
General Administration |
£100 |
|
Bank Charges |
£72 |
|
Grass Cutting Contract |
£540 |
|
Gov.uk Email Subscription |
£125 |
|
Internal Audit Fees |
£50 |
|
Council Computer Licence Subscription |
£85 |
|
Church Hire (Council meetings) |
£150 |
|
Public Liability Insurance |
£225 |
|
Bilsby Church – Grounds Maintenance Grant |
£700 |
|
Defibrillator (Reserves) |
£167 |
|
Miscellaneous Expenses |
£250 |
173. TO DISCUSS MATTERS RELATING TO BILSBY HOLLY TRINITY CHURCH:
a. Grounds maintenance costs update:
Cllr Gaston thanked the Parish Council for its continued support of the church. Cllr Gaston noted that attempts to reduce the costs of grass cutting had received a lot of negative feedback from residents and it was decided that fortnightly grass cuts in the churchyard should remain. The Parish Council, as part of its annual budget setting, has increased its contribution to church maintenance by £50 to £700.
b. Church Lay-by:
Cllr Gaston noted the poor condition of the lay-by outside the church and the very poor response from LCC stating they were unable to help rectify the issues. Following a discussion, the Clerk was asked to contact Cllr Beecham (LCC) to request LCC support to address the condition of the lay-by or consider “asset transferring” the lay-by to the church or Parish Council to maintain.
174. TO DISCUSS ROAD TRAFFIC MATTERS:
a. Archer Report: A1111 Sutton Road, Bilsby:
Parish Councillors were not aware this report had been commissioned. As the report noted no further action was being taken by the Police or LCC, no further action was being taken.
b. Speed:: Detection Device:
Cllr Carolan expressed his wish to purchase an additional speed detection device for the village. Whilst it was recognised that another speed detection device would not stop all speeding in the village, it would deter some, and the cost of any reduction in the number of speeding vehicles in the village would be welcomed. Following a discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk would write to a number of organisations to request donations towards the cost of a new device. It was voted 4 to 1 to purchase an additional speed detection device in the new financial year.
175. TO RECEIVE ANY GENERAL UPDATES FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF OUTSIDE BODIES:
ELDC – Cllr G Marsh updated Councillors on the agreed new budget funding for ELDC. Whilst overall central government funding had been cut, ELDC would be able to meet its funding commitments for the next financial year.
LCC – no report due to absence.
176. ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR GENERAL DISCUSSION (NOT DECISION) OR ITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDa
The Clerk noted that the Bilsby Community FaceBook page had “disappeared” and a new Parish Council FaceBook page would be set up. Details would follow.
Cllr Coppack noted that the village did not have a village ornate sign. Councillors agreed that this would be a great addition to the village and the Clerk would look for potential funding via grants to pay for the design and implementation.
177. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 12 March 2026
178. THERE BEEN NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING CLOSED AT 7:55PM
Signed by the Chair: Date: