Annual Statutory Meeting 7th May 2026
BILSBY & FARLESTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL STATUTORY MEETING HELD
7 May 2026 at 7:20pm in Holy Trinity Church, Bilsby
Present: Cllrs A. Carolan (Chair), D Morley, E. Cooper, N Simmonds, S Mew and D Coppack
Also present: Mr M Rudd (Parish Clerk), Cllr M Beecham (LCC) and Cllr S Devereux (ELDC)
PUBLIC IN ATTENDANCE: None
202. ELECTION OF PARISH COUNCIL CHAIR
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to elect Cllr Carolan to the office of Chair
203. ELECTION OF PARISH COUNCIL VICE-CHAIR
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to elect Cllr Gaston (in his absence) to the office of Vice-Chair
204. REAPPOINT PARISH CLERK AS RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to reappoint Mr Mark Rudd to the role of Responsible Financial Officer
205. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE AND ACCEPTANCE OF REASONS GIVEN
Cllr N Gaston (B&FPC) and Cllr G Marsh (ELDC)
206. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
None
207. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND ANY REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
None
208. TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL ANNUAL STATUTORY MEETING HELD ON 8 MAY 2025
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve the minutes, having been circulated and read, were approved and signed by the Chair
209. TO APPROVE AND SIGN THE ANNUAL GOVERNANCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY RETURNS (AGAR) 2025/26
Certificate of Exception 2025/26: Proposed, Seconded & RESOLVED to approve the return and SIGNED by the Chair
Annual Internal Audit Report 2025/26: Proposed, Seconded & RESOLVED to approve the return
Annual Governance Statement 2025/26: Proposed, Seconded & RESOLVED to approve the return and SIGNED by the Chair
Accounting Statements 2025/26: Proposed, Seconded & RESOLVED to approve the return and SIGNED by the Chair
210. TO APPROVE THE PARISH COUNCIL STANDING ORDERS
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve the Standing Orders
211. TO APPROVE THE PARISH COUNCIL FINANCIAL REGULATIONS
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve the Financial Regulations
212. TO APPROVE THE PARISH COUNCIL CODE OF CONDUCT
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve the Code of Conduct
213. CLERKS REPORT ON OUTSTANDING MATTERS (not covered on the agenda)
The Clerk confirmed that a response dated 30 April 2026 had been received from “BADGE” confirming that the organisation was still active. After a discussion, it was agreed that the Chair would invite representatives from “BADGE” to a future Parish Council meeting to discuss the plans which the organisation has and to express the desire of the Parish Council to support and work with “BADGE” for the benefit of the local community
The Chair agreed to in turn ask if “BADGE”, that if it preferred, the Parish Council would coordinate a public meeting in the church for “BADGE”, where it can set out its agenda to the community and hopefully get as many residents as possible on board, to support their valuable work
214. FINANCIAL MATTERS
Payments for Approval:
M Rudd – Clerks Salary £323.28
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve payment
To confirm receipt of Precept 2026/27:
The Clerk confirmed receipt of £4,807 from ELDC
To Approve Renewal of Employer Liability Insurance:
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to renew the insurance at a cost of £214.00
HMRC VAT 126 Claim 2025/26:
The Clerk confirmed repayment of £143.11 VAT from HMRC
215. PLANNING MATTERS
03815/25/RVV ORCHARD LEAZE CARAVAN SITE, HUTTOFT ROAD, THURLBY – Application Approved by ELDC
216. NATIONAL GRID EASTERN LINK 3 & 4 TARGETED STATUTORY CONSULTATION
Following a discussion, Parish Councillors agreed to continue to object to the scheme based on the grounds stated in previous feedback to National Grid
217. OUTER DOWSING WIND PROJECT COMMUNITY LIAISON MEETING HELD ON 29 APRIL 2026
Cllr Carolan updated Parish Councillors on the latest project proposals. The wind turbines are far out to sea and much of the proposed cabling will be underground with minimum impact of the parish.
218. UKSPF GRASSroots SCHEME APPLICATION
The Clerk confirmed that an application for grant funding has been made for a new commemorative village sign, a new standalone defibrillator and funding to support an annual Christmas event
219. DEFIBRILLATOR LOCATED AT FARLESTHORPE
The Clerk confirmed that new batteries had been purchased at a cost of £172.80 for the defibrillator and new pads will be required in December 2026.
220. TO RECEIVE GENERAL UPDATES FROM REPRESENTATIVES:
LCC – Cllr Mike Beecham confirmed that he will have £1000 grant funding available to support local activities
ELDC – Cllr Devereux had no specific update but reminded Parish Councillors that the local government reorganisation will impact Parish Councils and Councillors need to ensure they are ready for the changes
221. ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR GENERAL DISCUSSION (NOT DECISION) OR ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING
Cllr Cooper raised concerns about the number of delays to recent work undertaken by Anglian Water on Sutton Road, Bilsby and asked the Clerk to write to Anglian Water to request an explanation for the delays
Cllr Simmonds asked if there was any update to the long running problems at Eversleigh Cottage. Cllr Devereux stated she would request an update from ELDC
222. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 9 July 2025 at 7pm at Bilsby Church
223. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING CLOSED AT 8:12PM