June 2025 Minutes
Billingborough Parish Council Meeting
Minutes of the meeting of Billingborough Parish Council held on 10 June 2025 in the Sports Pavilion at the Recreation ground.
Present: Cllrs C Woodhead (Chairman), C Williamson, M Turner, J Tweddle, A Sharpe, H Middlebrook.
There were 2 Members of the Public who were present for the public forum at 6.30pm, one had come to observe the meeting, and also asked the Council if it had considered consulting with the Parish as to whether or not there should be an increase to the precept to finance flood prevention works. Cllr Turner spoke on behalf of the Flood Group and explained that further talks were ongoing in the hope that more work would be completed. It was felt that depending on the outcome of these talks the suggestion was an option to consider. The remaining member of the public was attending to apply for co-option at agenda item 15.
As there were no further questions the Chairman opened the meeting at 6.34pm.
1. Chairman’s opening remarks
036. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and reminded Councillors that for the purposes of transparency, when obtaining grant funding, the Clerk should be copied in to all correspondence. She also reported that, due to work commitments, Cllr Green had resigned from the Council.
2. Apologies for absence. – none received.
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.
5. Approve minutes of the APCM held on 13 May 2025.
037. It was RESOLVED to accept the minutes as a true record. The Chairman signed the minutes.
6. Receive any external reports.
038. D Cllr Turner reminded Members that the deadline for applying for grant money from the UKspf fund was fast approaching. He reported that the Democratic Services Manager had resigned and that an emergency meeting was to be held to select a new candidate, as the service could not carry on without this position being filled, he was hopeful that selection would be made. The Local Government Reorganisation has been slightly delayed by Government.
7. Receive any Community Groups and Organisation reports – (Fortescue Committee, Flood Group, Church, Community Orchard at School, Toller and as required).
039. Cllr Turner advised on behalf of the Fortescue Committee, that he had objected to the recent planning application.
040. On behalf of the Flood Group, Cllr Turner reported that it was challenging the recent EA reports that had been released and had a meeting planned when it was hopeful that all parties would be present.
041. Cllr Tweddle reported that she was still liaising with the Primary School regarding planting an orchard and they would soon be able to apply for the grant funding so that the trees could be planted in the Autumn.
8. Clerk’s report, correspondence and matters arising.
042. Cllr Williamson reported on behalf of the Clerk that as of 31 May 2025, the total of monies in all accounts was £66, 080.75. That the memorial plaque had been returned and the replacement scheduled for delivery in the next 2 weeks. Chains for the cradle swings had been ordered, and another bale of barley straw had been donated to help with the problem with the green algae. The ongoing voluntary maintenance to help with this was praised by all present.
9. Financial Matters:
a) To resolve to approve the accts up to 31 May, as circulated.
043. It was RESOLVED to accept the accounts as circulated.
b) To resolve to approve payment of invoices on Appendix C
044. It was RESOLVED to authorise the invoices for payment as per listing on Annexe C. Two Councillors signed the form.
c) To receive a report from Cllr Turner regarding financial checks to 31 May 2025.
045. Cllr Turner reported that the invoices were well presented and thanks were extended to the Clerk for her diligence, especially at this time.
d) To consider expenditure required to facilitate attendance at the LALC Summer Conference, £45 plus VAT per delegate. – not required.
e) To consider quotes received to purchase a strimmer
046. It was RESOLVED to purchase a WORX WG163E strimmer with 2 batteries for £169.99
f) To consider any request for further orders for paint for the play park and authorise expenditure. (Wicksteed gloss paint is £30.25 per litre tin)-Deferred.
g) To consider quotes received for plumbing works at the pavilion – Deferred.
h) To consider quotes received for a new pavilion door/s and to allocate Cllr to complete expression of interest for grant funding, submission deadline 20 June.
047. It was clarified that the front door does not need to be fire rated. Cllr Tweddle to source new quotes for doors and chairs and tables (see 9i below), and having already submitted an expression of interest for grant funding, if the total coat was £200 or below, it was RESOLVED that the application could go ahead.
i) To consider quotes received for new tables and chairs in the pavilion and to allocate Cllr to complete expression of interest for grant funding, Submission deadline 20 June – See minute ref 9h 047 above.
j) To consider any further quotes received for new railings at the cemetery – deferred.
10. Administration matters:
a) To review the Recreation Ground Caretaker’s contract.
048. It was RESOLVED to add the Coronation Bench bin area for clearance.
b) To review the Community Cleaner’s contract.
049. It was RESOLVED to accept the contract with no amendments.
c) To appoint a Chairman to the HR Committee – deferred.
d) Current Planning Applications – None required.
e) To consider comments regarding notification from The Crown Estate of the intention of woodland planting – No comment.
f) To note and accept the update from Unity bank to its Privacy Notice and Online User Agreement.
050. It was RESOLVED to accept the new Privacy Notice and Online User Agreement.
g) Newsletter – deferred.
11. Recreation Ground:
a) Tennis court project – deferred.
12. Spring Wells:
a) Barley straw and algae – update.
051.Cllr Woodhead reported that the EA had been consulted and could offer no other advice than what was already in place.
13. Cemetery- To consider if the Council needs to take any action with regards to riparian rights at the cemetery.
052. Cllr Middlebrook had spoken to the landowners who had agreed to clear the dyke, although this may be done after harvest.
14. Emergency Plan/Flooding – A reminder about the upcoming presentation and any preparation.
053. No preparation was required Cllr Woodhead reminded everyone of the starting time.
15. Co-option.
054. It was RESOLVED to go into closed session according to the Public Bodies Admissions to meetings Act 1960 due to the confidential nature of the matter to be discussed at item 15 on the agenda. The remaining member of the public was asked to leave the meeting, which he did. Councillors asked questions of the applicant before asking him to leave the room whilst Councillors voted on the outcome. It was RESOLVED to co-opt Mr. Volanakis on to the Council. Mr Volanakis re-joined the meeting and signed the Acceptance of Office form witnessed by Cllr Williamson.
There being no more business the Chairman closed the meeting at 7.22pm.
APPENDIX A: Payments from 1/5 to 31/5/25
|
DATE |
PAYEE |
AMOUNT |
|
16/05/25 |
SMARTEST ENERGY |
27.00 |
|
21/05/25 |
SKDC |
58.00 |
|
23/05/25 |
SKDC |
152.69 |
|
23/05/25 |
SKDC |
165.60 |
|
23/05/25 |
INDIGO 19 LTD |
552.00 |
|
23/05/25 |
CRPE |
36.00 |
|
23/05/25 |
BLOSSOM BOOKKEEPING |
200.00 |
|
29/05/25 |
EE LTD |
6.61 |
|
29/05/25 |
WICKSTEED LEISURE LTD |
419.82 |
|
29/05/25 |
K WEINGAERTNER |
200.00 |
|
29/05/25 |
H BEAVER |
25.00 |
|
29/05/25 |
H BEAVER |
949.52 |
|
29/05/25 |
K HSICOCKS |
433.38 |
|
29/05/25 |
J MANSFIELD |
200.00 |
|
29/05/25 |
COMPLETE WEED CONTROL |
516.00 |
|
30/01/25 |
CHATTERTONS SOLICITORS |
-15.00 |
|
31/05/25 |
UNITY BANK |
6.00 |
APPENDIX B: RECEIPTS RECEIVED 1/5-31/5/25
|
DATE |
FROM |
AMOUNT |
|
NONE OTHER |
THAN £15 CREDIT SHOWN ABOVE. |
|
APPENDIX C: Transactions for authorisation on 10 JUNE 2025
|
PAYEE |
DESCRIPTION |
AMOUNT |
|
WICKSTEED LEISURE |
CHAINS FOR SWINGS |
190.09 |
|
CLLR MIDDLETON |
EXP’S FOR BIO-DIVERSITY PROJECT |
202.15 |
|
DALE’S DOINS |
ROTATOR HIRE AND LABOUR |
151.44 |
|
A W PAGE |
WILD FLOWER SEEDS |
1299.00 |
|
CLERK |
JUNE SALARY |
949.82 |
|
CLERK |
JUNE OFFICE ALLOWANCE+EXPENSES |
25.00+8.19 |
|
YOUR LOCAL LINCS |
MAY AND JULY PRINTING |
60.00 |
|
KRPRINTING |
JULY NEWSLETTER |
80.00 |
|
VILLAGE HALL |
EMERGENCY PLANNING MEETING |
37.50 |
SIGNED: CLLR TWEDDLE
SIGNED: CLLR WILLIAMSON
Next meeting: Tuesday 8 July, at the Pavilion, Recreation Ground.