9th July 2026
BILSBY & FARLESTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD
9 July 2026 at 7pm in Holy Trinity Church, Bilsby
Present: Cllrs N. Gaston (Acting Chair), D. Coppack, E. Cooper and D. Morley.
Also present: Mr M Rudd (Parish Clerk) and Cllrs G Marsh (ELDC).
1 member of the public was in attendance.
Invited Guest: Cllr Jon Anderson: Chair of Beesby & Saleby Parish Council
193. WELCOME:
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting at 19:00 hours. Cllr Gaston as Vice-Chair would Chair the meeting in the absence of Cllr Carolan.
194. APOLOGIES:
Cllrs A Carolan, S Mew and N Simmonds (B&FPC), Cllr M Beecham (LCC) and Cllr S Devereux (ELDC).
195. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION:
Cllr Jon Anderson: Chair of Beesby & Saleby Parish Council joined the meeting to discuss the latest National Grid proposals. Cllr Gaston agreed to move the discussion on EGL5 to the beginning of the meeting.
Cllr Anderson outlined his concerns regarding National Grids proposals and the perceived lack of awareness and concern in the local community. Cllr Anderson suggested Town / Parish Councils and other interested parties should combine resources into a “working group” to provide resources to properly challenge National Grid and raise awareness within the community.
After a robust discussion, it was agreed that Cllrs Cooper and Morley would represent Bilsby & Farlesthorpe Parish Council on the working group but would not commit the Parish Council to any working group proposals until it is agreed by the full Parish Council.
Cllr Anderson left the meeting.
196. TO RECEIVE DECLARATION OF INTEREST UNDER THE LOCALISM ACT 2011:
Cllr Gaston declared an interest in agenda item 8.
197. TO APPROVE AS CORRECT THE MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 12 MARCH 2026:
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting, having been circulated and read, were approved and signed by the Chair.
198. TO RECEIVE ANY UPDATES AND CORRESPONDENCE NOT ITEMISED ON THE AGENDA:
a. ELIF GRASSroots Grant – the Clerk confirmed that the recent application for funding had been declined due to the proposed timescales of the project.
b. Green Bin Application – the Clerk confirmed that an application has been made to ELDC for a new litter / dog waste bin to be sited on Sutton Road, Bilsby. ELDC are yet to respond.
c. Defibrillator at Farlesthorpe – the Clerk confirmed that the battery had now been replaced in the defibrillator.
d. “BADGE” – the Clerk confirmed that representatives of “BADGE” had agreed to meet with Cllr Carolan in the near future. Parish Councillors welcomed the news and hoped that a positive and constructive relationship with “BADGE” can be developed.
199. FINANCIAL MATTERS:
a. Payments for approval:
M Rudd – Clerks Salary (3 May – 5 July 2026) - £363.69
Postal Expenses - £18.49
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to approve payments.
b. Councillors noted the Financial Monitoring Report & Bank Reconciliation as at 30 June 2026:
c. Councillors noted that the External Auditors had agreed the Annual Governance and Accounting Return (AGAR) and exempt status of the Parish Council for the year ending 31 March 2026.
d. The Clerk confirmed that the Notice of the Exercise of Public Rights will close on 14 July 2026 and to date, no applications had been made to inspect the Parish Councils financial records.
200. TO DISCUSS AND APPROVE A REQUEST FROM BILSBY DCC FOR A PARISH COUNCIL GRANT TO SUPPORT MAINTENANCE OF BILSBY HOLY TRINITY CHURCH:
The Clerk confirmed that a request had been made by Bilsby DCC for financial support in maintaining the churchyard. Parish Councillors were reminded that efforts had been made to reduce the costs of maintaining the churchyard.
Parish Councillors agreed that a grant of £700 should be made on the strict understanding that the funds would be used for the specific purpose of maintaining Bilsby Holy Trinty Church.
Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED to provide a financial grant of £700 to Bilsby DCC.
201. PLANNING MATTERS:
a. 00607/26/FUL COSY NOOK, SUTTON ROAD, BILSBY – erection of a detached annexe for ancillary accommodation – ELDC Approved
b. 00906/26/FUL BRYANN, BILSBY ROAD, THURLBY – proposed extension and alterations to existing dwelling – No additional comments or observations
202. TO DISCUSS AND APPROVE THE RESPONSE TO THE NATIONAL GRID EASTERN GREEN LINK 5 STAGE 2 CONSULTATON:
Cllrs Cooper and Morley agreed to draft the consultation response on behalf of the Parish Council and circulate to all Parish Councillors for review and agreement by the deadline date of 24 July 2026.
203. TO RECEIVE ANY GENERAL UPDATES FROM REPRESENTATIVES OF OUTSIDE BODIES:
a. East Lindsey District Council: Cllr Marsh noted that a leg of the Tour of Britain cycle race would be coming through Alford on 23 September and would be a great opportunity to promote the local community.
Cllr Marsh noted that ELDC had agreed £10m of new ELIF funding which will be made available for local community groups in due course.
b. Lincolnshire County Council – None.
204. ANY OTHER MATTERS FOR GENERAL DISCUSSION (NOT DECISION) ORITEMS FOR THE NEXT AGENDA:
Cllr Gaston advised that at the last PCC meeting in Alford, it was suggested that the switching on of the Christmas tree lights in Bilsby be co-ordinated with the annual carols and mince pie event held in the church. This was fully supported by Parish Councillors.
Cllr Morley asked if there was any further update on Everleigh Cottage. Cllr Marsh confirmed that ELDC had received the architects report but it was unlikely there will be much progress in addressing the issues in the near future.
205. DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Thursday 3rd September 2026 commencing at 7pm
206. THERE BEEN NO FUTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING CLOSED AT 19:54.