Annual Parish Meeting 7th May 2026
BILSBY & FARLESTHORPE PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD
7 May 2026 at 7pm 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). No members of the public in attendance.
193. WELCOME
The Chair welcomed everyone to the meeting at 19.00 hours.
194. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from Cllr N Gaston (B&FPC) and Cllr G Marsh (ELDC).
195. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE LOCALISM ACT 2011
None.
196. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HELD ON 8 MAY 2025
It was unanimously RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meetings held and these were signed by the Chair.
197. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public present.
198. CHAIR REPORT
Cllr Carolan thanked Councillors for their support throughout the year.
The precept has been increased by 10% to ensure long-term financial stability, bolster reserves such as election funds and ensure the Parish Council can purchase a new speed device and support an annual community Christmas event.
A GRASSroots Grant has been submitted for a commemorative village sign, new defibrillator and funding towards a community Christmas event. Cllrs G Marsh and S Devereux (ELDC) were thanked for their continued support of the Parish.
Cllr Carolan noted that the Clerk has now been appointed on a permanent basis.
Operational achievements included a very successful community Christmas tree event which the Parish Council is hoping to continue as an annual event and a first community litter pick which was supported by ELDC. The Parish Council will endeavour to keep residents informed on the various National Grid projects, including the proposed sub-station and pylons, that will have an impact on the village. The Parish Council has also agreed to purchase a new speed detection device to be located on Alford Road and should further funding become available, an additional device will be purchased for Sutton Road.
The Parish Council has now switched its main contact email address to a “gov.uk” secure platform in line with audit requirements and is looking at options to switch its banking arrangements to online banking.
Finally, Cllr Carolan welcomed Sharon Mew as a Co-opted Councillor who joined the Parish Council in March 2026.
199. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Mew asked whether a new litter bin can be requested on Sutton Road. The Clerk will formally write to ELDC to request.
200. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Thursday 7 May 2026 – Annual Statutory meeting (immediately following this meeting)
201. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS, THE MEETING CLOSED AT 7:19PM