March 2025 DRAFT Minutes
DRAFT MINUTES
BIGBY PARISH
OF THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, 18th MARCH 2025
PRESENT: Councillors –H. Aukland, D. Cowling, C. Gandy, W. Pinney, C. Wilson
Also in attendance: -
Mrs. A. Hannath – Clerk to the Council
Cllr. B. Orr – had tendered her apologies
Cllr. Tom Smith – had tendered their apologies
Cllr. Peter Morris – WLDC had tendered his apologies
There was 1members of the public in attendance.
1. Welcome by the Chairman
Councillor D. Cowling opened the meeting and welcome the parishioners in attendance.
2. To Receive the Minutes of the 2024 Annual Parish Meeting
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 23rd April,
2024, having been circulated should be taken as read and approved.
Proposed: C. Wilson Seconded: C. Gandy
3. Matters arising from the Minutes
a) The presence of raw sewage in the filed next to the church – Cllr. Pinney advised that this soakaway / overspill, is on his land, but is not his responsibility. However, he has been in contact with the homeowner of the source of the waste to request it’s removal, as it is no longer allowed under current regulations.
b) The White House has now been sold. It is going to be renovated and extended.
c) Cllr. W. Pinney advised that the hedge at the bottom of the Village Hall Orchard is to be replaced in the coming months.
4. District and County Councillor Reports
Councillor P. Morris provided the report below in advance of the meeting.
‘You are no doubt aware of this governments plan to reorganise local government, which was announced late last year, although we have no details yet of a timetable and what form this reorganisation will take. The election of a Mayor for Lincolnshire on the 1st of May gives an indication that there will either be one super new authority for the whole of Lincolnshire or the county will be spilt into two on a North/South basis. The election of County Councillors will also take place on the 1st of May. WLDC are opposed to this change fearing a loss of representative at local level will be a poor deal for residents. The EGM I am attending tonight is to decide on our formal response to the proposed changes. I will keep you informed.
Incidentally, the proposed reorganisation would solve the long running issue of the waste disposal site at Barnetby!
Just a couple of other things – WLDC have set the precept at 2.99% for the next financial year – this is the maximum we can set without going to a referendum.
From April the 1st of this year commercial food premises who employ over ten people will have their waste food collected and disposed of by a licenced operator – this product will then go to digesters to produce gas and other bye-products - WLDC are offering this service had have already had a good take up rate.
However, from the 1st of April 2026 households in WLDC will also have an extra bin purely for waste food disposal – details are available on the website.’
5. Chair’s Report
Thanks to: Parish Councillors and the Clerk
Brenda – upkeep of little library Helen – production of the newsletter Helen - maintenance of flower beds Gloria – donations of plants Clive – all the work and lobbying aimed at sustainability
Volunteers – all those who support the Parish e.g. keeping the environment tidy, donating books to the little library, cleaning of the Church and Village Hall
Precept: Increase of £600 from £6900 to £7500 WLDC + 3% LCC + 3% Police Commissioner 4.6%
Donations: Bigby Church Council – The Council pays for Churchyard grasscutting
Roads: Investigation work has been conducted on Smithy Lane.
• Smithy Lane – pipes, gullies, connections and the outfall have been jet washed on 8 November 2024
• The ditch that runs along the back of Bigby Green has been cleared and water is running freely. It is hoped this may alleviate some of the drainage problems at the end of Smithy Lane.
• There is to be a full re-surfacing of Smithy Lane in the 2025/26 financial year
Potholes and street lighting have been repaired. Reminder residents can report faults via Fix My Street
Environment: New noticeboard for Pingley Park
Little Library continues to be well used.
Continue to lobby for access to the Melton Ross Refuse facility.
Breedon Quarry:
Cllrs. H. Aukland, Brenda Orr and Clive Wilson had a site meeting with Breedon Aggregates. They are keen to liaise with both Bigby Parish Council and other interested parties Following this meeting it was resolved that a Liaison Group be set up as suggested and that other interested parties be invited to join the group.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE ESG, (Environmental, Social and Governance), and UN SDG, (United Nations Sustainable, Development Goals), LIAISON GROUP.
Church & Village Hall:
Still have ongoing challenges maintaining and repairing both buildings. Parish Council has funded repairs to the Village Hall roof which is in desperate need of replacement. Currently exploring ways of funding this work.
The church needs extensive maintenance by professional restorers, if anyone can help/has any ideas for fundraising please contact us. (see newsletter)
Parish Council continues to take responsibility for cutting the grass in the cemetery.
Events 2024-2025
Thursday 6th June at 9.15pm The ‘Lamp Light of Peace’ was lit. Floral displays were in the Church porch which remained open for several days.
Friday 7th June at 7pm, the Village Hall event was well attended with participants taking part in the 1940’s theme.
Christmas buffet
Upcoming Events: Lighting of the Lamp Lights of Peace’ on 8th May at 9.30 pm (date/time to be confirmed)
Christmas buffet
Sustainability Project: Update on progress by Clive
6. Village Issues
The Clerk advised that most of these have been covered in the Chair’s Report.
7. Open Forum
Mrs. B. Taylor asked if the timetable for the emptying of the green bins could be extended. The Clerk will speak to Cllr. P. Morris, WLDC Councillor
Cllr. Aukland asked if the additional bag of salt delivered to the field at the side of the church be used to fill up the nearby salt bins. Cllr. Pinney will sort this.
8 Update on the Bigby Community Sustainability Energy Project
MEMBERSHIP OF THE ESG, (Environmental, Social and Governance), and UN SDG, (United Nations Sustainable, Development Goals), LIAISON GROUP.
At this time, Cllr. C. Wilson has nothing further to report. He is speaking to the major landowner, Anthony Turner, in the coming weeks.
The meeting closed at 7.26 pm
Signed ……………………………………………….
Chairman