2025 Minutes

Billingborough Parish Council Meeting

Minutes of the meeting of Billingborough Parish Council held on 11 Nov 2025 in the Sports Pavilion at the Recreation ground.

Present: Cllrs C Woodhead (Chairman), H Middleton, J Tweddle, M Turner.

In attendance: H Beaver, Clerk. C Cllr M Hill (18.30 - 

There being no members of the public present, the Chairman opened the meeting at 18.30-18.46).

1. Chairman’s opening Remarks

134. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

2. Apologies for absence.

135. It was RESOLVED to accept the apologies sent by Cllr Volanakis.

3. Receive any new declarations of interest – none received.

4. To consider any requests from Members for a dispensation on any items on the agenda. To agree, or not, by resolution to any dispensations, including voting rights- None received.

5. Approve draft minutes of the meeting held 14 Oct 2025.

136. It was RESOLVED to accept the Minutes circulated as a true record.

6. Receive any external reports.

137. C Cllr Hill reported that LCC had a new Chief Executive, that there was a consultation running regarding the opening hours of household waste depots and another on the permitting scheme for highways. There was no further update on the conditions for the Early Entry Licence for the Aveland Field. C Cllr Hill was asked if there was an anticipated start date for improvement works to the pavements in Billingborough that had been requested, he replied that although the works had been added to the list, it was budget dependent as to how soon the works would be completed but it would not be in this financial year. 

138. D Cllr Turner reported that regarding the Local Government Re-organisation, Nk, Sk, and Rutland Councils were due to meet to discuss the final proposals before submission. Also, the Turnpike Rd waste depot is due to open fully in the next couple of weeks. SKDC had received the application to register The Fortescue Arms as a building of Community Interest. He had also been informed that the current owners were now planning to carry out overdue repairs to the roof. The Billingborough Flood Group was due to take part in a multiagency meeting on the 14 Nov and it was felt that things were progressing well, albeit slowly.

7. Receive any Community groups or Organisation reports.

139. Cllr Tweddle gave an update on the Orchard that she had been involved with alongside the Primary School, she was set to meet with Yr 5 children to choose the trees later on in the week.

140. On behalf of the PCC Cllr Woodhead reported that the East facing clock face had been re- erected having been changed from glass to metal. The pointers were still missing as they needed further adjustment. £605 was raised for the 2 charities on Remembrance Sunday, and many favourable comments and thanks had been received about the display of poppies at the church. She also reminded all that the AGM of the Village Hall was due to take place in December and all were invited to attend.

8. Clerk’s Report and matters arising.

141. The Clerk advised that the total amount of funds across both bank accounts as of 31/10/25 was £59,937. And informed the Members of transactions since the last meeting as per the attached schedules A & B. Members were informed that due to an upcoming change to business rates, SKDC had asked for updated information regarding the sports pavilion and the cemetery. It was hoped that the timeframe recording issue with the CCTV was now resolved and also that the problem with the emergency lighting at the pavilion was an operator error. Both of these would be checked for confirmation before the next meeting. Cllr Tweddle confirmed that the re-decoration required in the toilets would be completed before the start of the next cricket season and also that all testing in conjunction with legionella was within limits. Cllr Woodhead confirmed that the grass seed required at the recreation ground had now been sown. The Clerk advised Members that if they were attending a meeting that was not organised by the Parish Council, and had not been invited to attend via the Parish Council, then they should make it clear to that meeting that they were attending, and commenting as a Parishioner, not a Councillor.

9. Finance Matters:

a) To resolve to approve the accounts up to 31 Oct 2025. 

142. It was RESOLVED to accept the accounts as circulated to 31/10/2025

b) To resolve to agree to the payment of invoices on the previously circulated list of transactions for approval.

143. It was RESOLVED to pay all transactions as listed on schedule C (attached).

c) To discuss next year’s budget, Precept and any ideas received from Parishioners or Councillors to be included, and to resolve on the following items:

i) To discuss and resolve on any changes to requested income streams, to include:  cemetery fees, land rental fees, (Cem Field (for 2 years)), the grass cutting on Blasson Way, donations received form the Cricket Club and Horbling PC, for the next financial year. 

144. It was RESOLVED to keep the cemetery fees as per the current rates. It was RESOLVED to keep all rentals the same for this year but to look into a review for one area in the following year. It was RESOLVED to increase the rental at the cemetery field to £240 per annum, and the fee for the grass cutting on Blasson Way to £425, and that the donations from both The Cricket Club and Horbling Parish Council to remain the same.

ii) To discuss and resolve on any change to the contractors’ hourly rate for F/Y 26-27. 

145. It was RESOLVED to offer an increase of 4% to the current rate.

iii) To discuss quotes received for the printing of the newsletter.

146. It was RESOLVED to accept the increased charge for printing of £89 per print, and noted that this may need to be reviewed again in May. 

iv) To discuss and resolve on which Subscriptions and Direct Debits are to be carried on to next year’s budget. Consideration not limited to but must include: ICCM, ICO, CPRE, LALC, LALC ATS, SLCC, SCRIBE Accts, LALC INT AUDIT, LALC WEBSITE MAINTENANCE, SKDC WASTE, EE Parish phone, SMARTEST ENERGY pav electric.

147. It was RESOLVED to continue with all subscriptions as listed, except for the one for the CPRE which should not be renewed. After review it was RESOLVED to continue with all DD’s as listed, all of which are variable.

v) To discuss and agree quotes received for both village grass and hedge cutting, and the cutting of the cemetery grass. 

148. The cemetery grass was already in a 3year agreement that would end after the next F/Y. It was RESOLVED to accept the fixed price, 3 yr quote for grass cutting from Glendale at a fee of £1875.83. It was RESOLVED to accept the fixed price, 3 yr quote for hedge cutting from Glendale at a fee of £2294.02.

vi) To discuss any requests for donations received and any change to regular donations, eg RBL and LIVES.

149. It was RESOLVED to budget for a £50 donation to the RBL only but to have a £500 budget for any other requests. 

vii) To discuss and resolve on which Cllr and/or parishioner proposed projects to include in the budget for 2026-27.

150. It was RESOLVED to allow £5k in next year’s budget for re-painting the play equipment.  

viii) To consider the amount required for the precept.

151. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk should make the discussed amendments to the expenditure and present this at the January meeting before the precept could be finalised.

At 20.28 Cllr Turner left the meeting for 1 minute.

10. Village Matters:

a) To consider any quotes received for works in this financial year.

152.Quotes had been received for new gates at the cemetery. After discussion it was agreed that the work needed to be completed by the end of February if at all possible. Cllr Woodhead to speak to both suppliers to clarify specifications and time frames.

b) To consider any update on the application received by SKDC to register the Fortescue Arms as an Asset of Community Value – dealt with at 6 138 above.

c) Planning applications – not required.

d) To consider any matters related to flood prevention – no update until after multi agency meeting 14/11/25.

e) Items for next agenda – not required.

There being no other business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 20.41

 

NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY 13 JAN AT THE PAVILION, RECREATION GROUND.

 

            APPENDIX A: Payments from 1 - 31 Oct 2025

DATE	PAYEE	AMOUNT
09/10/25	COMM CLEANER	183.00
09/10/25	GLENDALE	36.00
1710/25	SMARTEST ENERGY	414.00
21/10/25	SKDC	227.02
22/10/25	CLERK	69.03
22/10/25	CLERK	27.00
22/10/25	REC CARETAKER	58.00
22/10/25	SLCC	258.15
22/10/25	HMRC	79.57
29/10/25	EE LTD	25.00
29/10/25	YOUR LOCAL LINCS	158.40
29/10/25	K E DAVEY-BROWN	200.00
31/10/25	UNITY BANK	200.00

 

APPENDIX B: RECEIPTS RECEIVED  1 – 31 Oct 2025

DATE	FROM	AMOUNT
10/10/25	TENANT	1371.00
27/10/25	HORBLING PC	1200.00
30/10/2025	SKDC	926.64

 

APPENDIX C: Transactions for authorisation on 11 Nov 2025

PAYEE	DESCRIPTION	AMOUNT
B&H SCOUTS	DONATION SECTION 137	250.00
RBL	DONATION SECTION 137	50.00
LIVES	DONATION SECTION 137	100.00
CLERK	NOV + DEC SALARY	980.20 +980.2
CLERK	OCT + DEC OFFICE ALLOWANCE	25.00+ 25.00
INDIGO 19 LTD	CEMETERY GRASS	£390.00
FENTEC ELECTRICAL	5 YRLY ELECRICAL INSPECTION	372.00

 

SIGNED:  Cllr Tweddle

 

SIGNED: Cllr Woodhead