May 2025 Minutes
DRAFT MINUTES
BIGBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING
HELD ON TUESDAY, 27th MAY 2025
CHAIR – COUNCILLOR D. COWLING
PRESENT: Councillors – H. Aukland, D. Cowling, C. Gandy and B. Orr
Also in attendance: -
Mrs. A. Hannath – Clerk to the Council
Cllr. J. Bean – LCC
Cllr. P. Morris - WLDC
BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED
1. To Elect the Chairman for the Ensuing Year.
It was resolved that Cllr. D. Cowling be elected as Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.
Proposed: Cllr. B. Orr Seconded: Cllr. C. gandy
2. To Elect the Vice Chairman for the Ensuing Year.
It was resolved that Cllr. H. Aukland be elected as Vice Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr
3. a) TO RECEIVE A LETTER OF RESIGNATION FROM CLIVE WILSON
The Chair read out the letter of resignation she had received from Councillor Clive Wilson.
It was agreed that a formal letter of thanks be sent to Clive.
b) TO CONSIDER APPLICATIONS FOR CO-OPTION TO THE COUNCIL.
None
4. Notice convening the meeting.
Taken as read and approved.
5. To Receive Apologies and Reasons for Absence
6. a) To Record any Declarations of Interest by any member of the council in respect of the agenda items listed below. Members declaring interests should identify the Agenda Item and the type of interest being declared.
None
b) To Note any Dispensations given to any member of the council in respect of the Agenda Items listed below.
None
c) To Confirm that all members have reviewed and updated their Register of Declared Interests, in accordance with the Localism Act 2011 and pursuant to the Relevant Authorities (Disclosable Pecuniary Interests) Regulations 2012.
Councillor H. Aukland is to revise her declaration.
7. To Receive any Correspondence including Police Reports (for information only).
None
8. To Receive an Update on any outstanding issues from the Clerk.
a) The newsletter was well received. One further household has requested that it be sent by email in future.
b) Former LCC Councillor, Tom Smith, sent the following information from Highways regarding Main Street Bigby being put on the ‘Gritting Route.’
‘Following review this road has been added to our route requests database. We do not have enough capacity on the Precautionary Network at this time to add this route, but it will remain in our database for future consideration should suitable capacity become available.’
c) The VE Day event was a success with several new residents attending.
9. To Receive any Questions from Members.
None notified
10. To Receive any Questions from Members of the Public
There were no members of public in attendance.
11. a) TO RECEIVE AND APPROVE THE MINUTES, AS CIRCULATED,
OF THE MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY, 18th MARCH 2025
It was resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 18th March, 2025 having been circulated should be taken as read and approved.
Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland Seconded: Cllr. D. Cowling
12. ACCOUNTS
a) To Receive the following Financial Report and Approve the Accounts for Payment: as at 31st March and 22nd May 2025 (Statement of accounts enclosed)
It was resolved that the accounts for payment listed below and the Statement of Accounts be approved.
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. H. Aukland
PAYEE AMOUNT VAT TOTAL
03/04/2025 Bigby Village Hall - Annual Subsidy 1000.00 1000.00
03/04/2025 LALC - Membership 170.88 170.88
01/04/2025 Boyes - Printer Paper 5.82 1.17 6.99
01/04/2025 Post Office - Stamps 6.60 6.60
01/04/2025 Amazon - Printer Ink 7.84 1.57 9.41
01/04/2025 Ashabaz Core Store via Amazon - ink 57.96 57.96
03/04/2025 A. Hannath - Mileage 67.95 67.95
03/04/2025 AJ Williams - Grasscutting 240.00 48.00 288.00
06/04/2025 HMRC - PAYE/NI 1.80 1.80
08/04/2025 Autela - Payroll 91.81 18.36 110.17
10/04/2025 WLDC - Defibrillator Maintenance 91.67 18.33 110.00
15/04/2025 HSBC - Bank Charges 8.00 8.00
16/04/2025 Richard Dixon 488.00 488.00
25/04/2025 A Hannath - Wages 233.70 233.70
07/05/2025 Brigg Office Supplies - Newsletter/postage 152.40 15.00 167.40
07/05/2025 AJ Williams - Grasscutting 240.00 48.00 288.00
16/05/2025 HSBC - Bank Charges 8.00 8.00
15/05/2025 Zurich Municipal - Insurance 240.68 240.68
25/05/2025 A Hannath - Wages 233.70 233.70
13. ANNUAL AUDIT – YEAR ENDING 31st MARCH 2025
a) To affirm the independence of Mr R Dixon as Internal Auditor, and that he has no interest, financial or otherwise, with any member or officer of the council.
It was resolved that the appointment of Mr. R. Dixon as the Independent Internal Auditor should be affirmed
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. B.Orr
b) To receive the internal auditor’s report for the Fiscal Year 2024/25 and to consider implementation of the recommendations
The Clerk advised that she has noted the recommendations and will adhere to them in the current financial year. Noted
c) To note the receipt of the Internal Auditor’s completion statement for the Fiscal Year ending 31 March 2025.
Noted
d) To complete the Statements of Assurance and Assertions required from Members. (Section 1)
Completed
e) To receive and approve the Receipts and Payments Summary and Accounts for the Fiscal Year ended 31 March 2025.
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr
f) To approve the Accounting Statements for the Fiscal Year 2024/2025 (Section 2)
Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland Seconded: Cllr. D. Cowling
g) To certify that Bigby Parish Council is exempt from a limited assurance review under Section 9 of the Local Audit (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015
Proposed: Cllr. C. Gandy Seconded: Cllr. D. Cowling
h) To approve the Council’s Asset Register.
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. C. Gandy
i) To authorise payment of the Auditor’s invoice following completion of the internal audit for the Fiscal Year 2024/25.
It was resolved that the payment of the Auditor be authorised.
Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland Seconded: Cllr. D. Cowling
14. a)TO RECEIVE CONFIRMATION FROM THE CLERK OF THE INSURANCE RENEWAL WITH EFFECT FROM 1st JUNE 2025 (YEAR 2 OF A 3 YEAR AGREEMENT
The Clerk advised that the premium for this year is £240.68.
Noted
15. PLANNING APPLICATIONS AND DECISION NOTICES
Members are reminded that applications can be received after the deadline for the publication of the agenda. The clerk will forward any further applications to you before the meeting for your consideration.
None
16. a) TO RECEIVE AND ADOPT THE REVISED AND UPDATED MODEL STANDING ORDERS. (BASED ON THE NALC MODEL RELEASED IN APRIL 2025) (Circulated in advance of the agenda)
The Clerk advised that the revisions are to standing order 14 and 18.
14 - The Code of Conduct complaints procedure has been simplified.
18 - Financial Controls and Procurement have been adapted to take into account new procurement limits.
It was resolved that the revised and updated Standing Orders be adopted.
Proposed: Cllr. H. Aukland Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr
17. TO DETERMINE THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE AND THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE (Committee Chairman to be determined at the first meeting of each committee)
It was resolved that the following members should be appointed to each committee.
PERSONNEL COMMITTEE
Councillor B. Orr Councillor H. Aukland
VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE
Councillor H. Aukland Councillor D. Cowling Councillor C. Gandy Councillor B. Orr Councillor W. Pinney
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr
18. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM COUNCILLOR BEAN ON COUNTY COUNCIL MATTERS
Cllr. Bean advised that it has been a busy few weeks since his election. He has been appointed as the Executive Support Councillor for the Environment, which also oversees planning applications for drilling and quarrying.
Cllr. Aukland commented that the environment is of interest to the Parish Council, particularly when it is asked to provide comments on planning applications. The expansion of quarrying at Breedon Aggregate was one such example.
She explained that the Council’s queries and concerns were not really addressed in the planning process. Cllr. Bean advised that he could not really comment as he is new to the process, but assured the meeting that he would listen to concerns raised for future Planning Applications.
Cllr. Bean also advised that he is keen to support the Council’s repeated request to have Main Street added to the ‘Gritting Route’.
19. TO RECEIVE A REPORT FROM COUNCILLOR MORRIS ON DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS
Cllr. Morris advised that
• Due to the switch of allegiance of some councillors on WLDC, voting is very tight, thereby, decision making is difficult.
• The re-organisation of Local Government in Lincolnshire is proving to be very difficult with no agreement as to how the amalgamation of services will be set up
20. a) TO CONFIRM RENEWAL OF THE MEMBERSHIP OF LALC IN THE SUM OF £170.88.
Noted
21. TO DETERMINE HOW THE CLERK RESPONDS TO CORRESPONDENCE THAT IS SENT ANONYMOUSLY TO THE COUNCIL.
The Clerk advised that she has received several anonymous emails from a resident on Smithy Lane regarding an issue with parking on the pavement, the last of which was argumentative and rude.
It was resolved that the Clerk should only respond to correspondence where the sender is identified in the email or letter received.
Proposed: Cllr. D. Cowling Seconded: Cllr. B. Orr
22. TO DETERMINE MEETING DATES FOR THE NEXT COUNCIL YEAR
It was resolved that the provisional Meeting Dates provided by the Clerk be approved
Proposed: Cllr. B. Orr Seconded: Cllr. H. Aukland
The meeting closed at 7.29 pm
Signed ……………………………………………….
Chairman
Tuesday, 22nd July, 2025