Minutes 5 September 2024
BILSBY & FARLESTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD
5 September 2024 at 7pm in Holy Trinity Church, Bilsby
Present: Cllrs A. Carolan (Chair), N. Gaston (Vice Chair), D Morley, E. Cooper, J. Hudson. Mrs K Culley (Parish Clerk)
Also present: D Coppack (prospective new councillor) One member of the public in attendance.
PUBLIC FORUM
A member of the public raised their concerns over the listed cottage ‘Eversleigh’ The member of public explained that the rear garden was so overgrown it was creating a fire risk to his property which borders immediately on to it. He also said that a shared access between the two properties had also been blocked off.
38. WELCOME
The Chair opened the meeting and welcomed everyone at 19.03 hours.
39. CO-OPTION
It was proposed seconded and resolved to co-opt David Coppack on to the Council. The co-optee signed, and the Chair countersigned, the Declaration of Acceptance of Office. Cllr D Coppack then participated in the rest of the meeting.
40. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllr N Simmonds due to ill health. Apologies were also received from District Councillor G Marsh. County Cllr C Matthews and District Cllr S Devereux were not in attendance.
41. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
All councillors have declared a pecuniary interest in item 45 and have been granted a dispensation by the proper officer in accordance with the council’s standing orders.
42. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 11 JULY 2024
It was unanimously resolved to approve as minutes the notes of the meeting held 11 July 2024 and these were signed by the Chair.
43. TO RECEIVE ANY UPDATES FROM THE LAST MEETING NOT ITEMISED ON THE AGENDA
The Chair apologised he had not yet contacted BADGE. He confirmed he would write to them over the following week to see if he, as an individual and as Chair of the Council, could engage with them to play an active part in the community.
44. TO RECEIVE ANY GENERAL UPDATES FROM LCC AND ELDC REPRESENTATIVES
None as there were no representatives present from either County or District Council. The Council were disappointed to note there was no representation from either the County or District Councils to give any updates and the clerk was asked to write to them.
45. UPDATES ON NATIONAL GRID PROPOSALS FOR PYLONS AND SUBSTATIONS
a. Consultations correspondence – Council noted all the correspondence received and responded to.
b. Update on photos to make a mock-up of the proposed substation site at Bilsby. – Council viewed and discussed the best photos for showing the substations. It was confirmed photo 277 was a good one but Cllr Carolan would find a better one for the other part of the site. The Clerk would then confirm these with Carl to complete the mock up.
c. Public meeting – It was agreed there should be a running order of Speakers starting with County Cllr Colin Matthews, then Peter Phillips of the No Pylons group, then Andy Roberts. It was agreed each speaker should be limited to 10 minutes each and the floor would be opened up for all questions only after all the speakers had finished. Cllr Gaston confirmed he would arrange for there to be a lapel mic available for the speakers and a hand held microphone for those asking questions.
d. Banners The Clerk updated the meeting on her discussions with Highways. It was resolved Cllr E Cooper would bring the banners to the public meeting to see if anyone would like to display one. Failing that Council would approach Highways again with a request to locate them at specific points.
46. FINANCIAL:
a. The following accounts were approved:
(i) Clerk’s salary and expenses - £355.68
(ii) HMRC payments - £7.60
b. Council received an update that the Unity Trust Accounts are up and running. It was resolved Cllr J Hudson should also be made a signatory so that online banking could be used where necessary.
47. PLANNING
a. Minerals and Waste Local Plan consultation – It was resolved that individuals could respond to this but no parish council response necessary.
b. N16/733/23 – Erection of two houses adjacent Jasmine Cottage – It was noted that planning permission had been refused on this planning application.
48. CORRESPONDENCE:
a. Email from Bilsby Church – Cllr Gaston informed the Council the Church had suggested 50% of the upkeep of the churchyard would be a good contribution from the PC. The current cost is £4,000 per annum. Council resolved to consider the matter further at the next meeting when the 6 months accounts were drawn up and the draft budget was to be considered.
b. Request from Cllr Hudson for parish council support for her business to apply for a brown sign – This matter to be deferred until Cllr Hudson has a clearer idea of what she requires and can let the Council know the details.
49. UPDATE ON COUNCILLORS’ OFFICIAL EMAIL ADDRESSES.
All councillors have been given an official email address. It was resolved to switch to the new email system in one go once all the councillors and clerk had managed to successfully access it. The Clerk to set up Cllr Coppack with a new email address too.
50. TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE SPEED INDICATOR SIGN
The Clerk informed the meeting that a funding application had been submitted to the GRASSroots fund for a SID but Council will not know until the end of October if this has been successful. It was resolved to include the cost of one in the draft budget for further discussion at the next meeting in November.
51. TO CONSIDER ANY UPDATE ON THE 80 YEARS COMMEMORATIVE PLAQUE
Cllr Gaston gave out a brief at the meeting setting out what was required. It was resolved the Clerk would send this to the three Alford schools in the first instance to see if they would be interested in participating in the project.
52. ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR GENERAL DISCUSSION (NOT DECISION) OR ITEMS FOR NEXT AGENDA.
• Cllr Hudson raised the issue of overgrown hedges on Thurlby Road at the bridge which was hiding the traffic light signals. Cllr Hudson to report to fix my street and let County Cllr Matthews know if this was not resolved satisfactorily.
• The Clerk confirmed the next meeting needed to include the draft budget and a review of the grasscutting contract.
• The Clerk handed in her one month’s written notice of resignation due to personal time constraints. The Clerk to liaise with the Chair to advertise the position. The Council asked that their appreciation to the Clerk for all her hard work be minuted.
53. DATE OF NEXT MEETING –
a. Parish Council meeting – Thursday 5 November 2024 .
b. Public meeting 17 September 2024 at 18.45 hours.
Signed by the Chair: Date: