Minutes April 2024 March 2025

BILSBY & FARLESTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD

9 January 2025 at 7pm in Holy Trinity Church, Bilsby

Present:  Cllrs A. Carolan (Chair), N. Gaston (Vice Chair), D Morley, E. Cooper, J. Hudson, D Coppack and N Simmonds.

Also present: Mr M Rudd (Parish Clerk), Cllr C Matthews (LCC) and Cllr S Devereux (ELDC). No members of the public in attendance.

PUBLIC FORUM

There was no Public Forum.

72.        WELCOME

The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting at 19.00 hours.

73.        APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Cllr G Marsh (ELDC).

74.        DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None.

75.        MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7 NOVEMBER 2024

It was unanimously resolved to approve the minutes of the meetings held and these were signed by the Chair.

76.        TO RECEIVE ANY UPDATES AND CORRESPONDENCE NOT ITEMISED ON THE AGENDA

The Clerk updated Councillors on the actions from the meeting of 7 November.

A complaint letter was received from a resident in December regarding the poor state of Back Lane caused by commercial and farm vehicles. The resident was advised to log the compliant with Lincolnshire County Council Highways.

77.        FINANCIAL:

a. Payments for approval:

Mr M Rudd – Clerk Salary - £508.95

Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve.

b. Transfer of the bank administration of Unity Bank accounts to the new Parish Clerk:

Councillors signed the authorisation form.

c. Other financial matters:

Cllr Hudson stated that the bank has set up her online access incorrectly and is awaiting the necessary forms form the bank to correct the error.

78.        TO APPROVE THE PARISH COUNCIL BUDGET, RESERVES AND PRECEPT 2025/26:

Councillors discussed a number of budget options. It was noted that the budget has not been increased for the last two years. Councillors wanted to take a longer-term approach to funding to ensure the Council has sufficient funds to meet its obligations and fund future community projects. Following a discussion, it was Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED by a voted of 6 to 1 to increase the overall budget by £570 per annum.

Councillors also reviewed the Council Reserves and agreed the following changes:

It was Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to reallocate the Council Reserves.

79.        PLANNING

a. N/003/00013/21 LAND EAST OF SPENDLUFFE AVANUE, ALFORD: Reserve matters application for 21 no, houses and associated infrastructure – No additional comments or observations made.

b. N/050/01949/24 KINDESELLA HOUSE, ALFORD ROAD, FARLESTHORPE: Application to remove condition no. 2 (Agricultural Occupancy) previously imposed on planning permission – Councillors were concerned about removing agricultural occupancy but recognised the property was currently unoccupied and potentially could stand empty for many years. It was also recognised that the property was currently up for sale and removing the agricultural occupancy could potentially make it easier to sell. Councillors voted 5 to 2 in favour of supporting the planning application.

80.        TO RECEIVE ANY GENERAL UPDATES FROM LCC AND ELDC REPRESENTATIVES

a. ELDC – Cllr Devereux noted that Green Waste Subscriptions are now due for renew. ELDC have now launched its own WhatsApp account. The ‘Festive Friends’ Christmas event was again very well attended. Cllr Devereux asked that ‘Warm Spaces’ events be publicised by Parish Councils as they are proving extremely positive community events. Cllr Devereux also reminded Councillors that Community Funding is available and Parish Councils and other community groups should seek funding bids as soon as possible.

b. LCC – Cllr Matthews reported that local elections will take place this year. Local Government reorganisation now being planned which will bring significant changes to how Councils operate; this could impact in the role of Parish Councils in the future.

81.        TO DISCUSS LAND OPPOSITE JASMINE COTTAGE, ALFORD ROAD, BILSBY

Cllr Morley raised concerns that an appeal may have been submitted into this previously refused planning application. The Clerk agreed to write to ELDC Planning Dept for an update.

82.        ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR GENERAL DISCUSSION

ELDC has contacted the Parish Council regarding Tree Preservation Order (0004/25/TPA). Cllr Morley (Tree Warden) will review the application.

Cllr Gaston noted that a resident of Markby was keen to reestablish Markby as part of the Parish Council. Councillors noted they would fully support such a proposal. Cllr Gaston would speak again with the resident to understand the level of interest.

Cllr Morley was concerned that some residents were burning non-wood items in wood burning stoves causing some air pollution. Councillors agreed this would be extremely difficult to enforce.

Cllr Marsh (ELDC) provided a written update on the on-going issue of Everleigh Cottage. Cllr Marsh has met the new Assistant Director of Planning to discuss this matter and a dedicated Planning Enforcement Officer has now been appointed to manage this matter.  Cllr Marsh will provide a further update in due course.

Cllr Carolan confirmed that he had received a response from BADGE regarding meeting to discuss potential future working together.

Cllr Carolan proposed that the village should have a Bilsby Christmas Tree located on the green opposite the Church. This suggestion was fully supported by all Councillors.

83.        DATE OF NEXT MEETING

Thursday 6 March 2025

84.        THERE BEEN NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8:15PM