July 2018 Minutes
BICKER PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 19th July 2018 at the Methodist Church Hall.
PUBLIC FORUM
Reports that although some of the toxic plant has been cut back in the cemetery there are still substantial plants within grave spaces.
The fence on Bishop Way is broken and dangerous. Lincs Rural Housing.
Suggestions that the unused large allotment area could be used wheat to assist the steam threshing event. Coun Chapman to speak with Martin Sharpe.
Red Lion Sign is now repaired. Clerk to contact Coun Cooper to advise this in order BBC can return and erect it.
Gauntlet Road sign also repaired.
Communications regarding proposed new sub-station. Vicky Law from Triton Knoll has advised they are prepared to finance 2 notice boards. Suggestions for siting, opposite Ye Olde Red Lion, village hall, garages at Drury Lane. Although felt the need for further notice boards, best form of communication is a mail drop. Clerk to pen updates. Proprietors of the Post Office will be doing a mail drop in September, following their refurbishments, and are willing to include the Parish Council notes.
Grants from National Grid will be available once funding for Triton Knoll has been approved. Projects to be prepared in readiness of release of funds.
Mr Bowler updating from meeting with National Grid. Some inaccuracies on number of vehicles to traverse the route but no repairs will be made to Longhedge Drove or Cowbridge Road.
Present Cllr Barnes
Cllr Adshead
Cllr Benjamin
Cllr Chapman
Cllr Kelly
Cllr Pell
& 7 members of the public.
59 APOLOGIES - were received and accepted from Coun Carrott, Borough Coun Cooper and County Councillor Brookes
60 POLICE REPORT
2 burglary’s in Gauntlet Road, garden equipment stolen – under investigation
Attempt theft from vehicle, Gauntlet Road – under investigation
61 NOTES OF LAST MEETING – Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes. Proposed Coun Benjamin seconded Coun Adshead.
62 TO RECEIVE UPDATE FROM CLERK.
Still looking for village sign but all around same cost of £3,000. Look to apply for funding from National Grid
Discussed design and wording for sign in playing field. Clerk to ascertain if the Police could advise on wording to strengthen their cause for prosecutions. Proposed Coun Carrott seconded Coun Benjamin that Chair and Clerk given delegated powers to purchase sign, to a maximum of £200.
63 TO NOTE ERROR IN JANUARY MINUTES
Although it was stated in the public forum of the April minutes that Mrs Webster was disappointed that the incorrect minutes of January had been approved, as Mr Chapman DID NOT leave the room when discussing Sycamore House planning application, it has been advised that in the interests of openness and transparency it be officially minuted that the January minutes were in fact incorrect, although Coun Chapman declared an interest, as he had previously had a similar planning application, he did not have a pecuniary interest and did not leave the meeting.
Law states that even if a member declares a PECUNIARY INTEREST they do not have to leave the room but cannot participate or vote. (Having taken advice from LALC this is still disputed by Michelle Sacks)
64 TO DISCUSS/APPROVE PURCHASE OF DOG BIN
£172 if purchased from BBC. Parish Council purchase £86 for 25 litre £101 for 35 litre. Proposed Coun Chapman seconded Coun Pell to purchase larger bin.
65 SUBSTATION UPDATE
Triton Knoll roadway commenced.
66 ALLOTMENT UPDATE
Couns Barnes and Chapman declared an interest being Trustees to the Charity that own the land. No further updates. Clerk to ascertain whether Coun Chapman has in fact a pecuniary interest.
67 FINANCE REPORT
Invoice for K Dawson cemetery and playing field not acceptable. £90 and £70 therefore removed from invoice. Therefore £150 for grassed areas in village. This was acceptable to Parish Council. Prop Coun Pell seconded Coun Kelly.
68 PLANNING
Coun Benjamin reported that at the recent planning meeting on Viking Link, Councillors were not entitled to vote, as the case had been passed to the Secretary of State, but were agreeable to it.
69 MEMBERS REPORTS –
Coun Chapman – dyke along Monument is being used for grass cuttings. Previous problems where water could not drain away.
Coun Benjamin – reminder bridges not repaired. Replacement bin for cemetery. Clerk confirmed bin had been requested.
Coun Pell – also commented on dyke. Gullies are also full of leaves and rubbish. Clerk to write to local residents requesting they do not used dyke for garden waste.
Gullies and kerb lines in village require attention of rubbish and weeds.
Stretch of verge along A52 overgrown and requires attention.
Streetlight 1 Red Lion Street burning permanently. Streetlights 4 and 6 in School Lane still not attended to.
Cemetery tap is still leaking. Coun Chapman to attend.
Hedge at Corner Cottage is overhanging footpath. Clerk to write.
70 CORRESPONDENCE -
South East Lincolnshire Plan – proposed modifications. Clerk to forward relevant documents for Bicker and web link to Councillors.
71 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Coun Benjamin advised Parochial Church Council had applied to Heritage Group for a grant to repair church roof. Requesting written confirmation for the Group that the Parish Council supports the application. All in agreement.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 13th September 2018
Meeting closed at 8.32p.m.