May APM & AGM 2019 Minutes
BICKER PARISH COUNCIL
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
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The Annual Parish Meeting was held in the Methodist Church Hall on Thursday 9th May 2019
commencing at 7.00 p.m.
PUBLIC FORUM
Mrs Webster, had previously asked the clerk if Parish Council would like Mr Webster to mend a broken barge board for them. Confirmed that it was part of a grant application for signs around the village but would be grateful if that could be done. Coun Chapman agreed to supply materials again.
Also had previously made complaint regarding the legal decision regarding allotment rent increase and had received no reply. Clerk had been called to discuss the matter with the Monitoring Officer at Boston Borough Council. As Coun Chapman Trustee to the Charity that owns the allotment, Mrs Webster felt he should have declared an interest. Clerk explained to Monitoring Officer that there were no pecuniary interests involved. The rent increase would be advantageous to the Parish Council only and not the Charity as the same rent would still be paid by the Parish Council to the Charity. MO agreed that perhaps some training is required for the Trustees, once you are acting for a Charity your utmost concerned are that of the Charity, even if you are a representative of that Charity on the Parish Council. Clerk had written a draft reply for Mrs Webster and asked MO if it was acceptable without causing more concerns but had not received a reply. MO had been on leave for some part of the elapsed time. Clerk said this is a very difficult situation as the Parish Council takes guidance from the LALC who MO disagrees with their interpretation of the ruling for disclosing an interest be it pecuniary or not. County Councillor Brookes confirmed it is a very grey area and it’s probably best to declare an interest with any slight connection. Coun Chapman confirmed that that was what he will do in the future and probably leave the meeting in order that there is no doubt.
ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Following May elections, Declarations of Acceptance of Office were signed before meeting commenced.
Minutes of the Annual General Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 9th May at the Methodist School Hall.
Present Cllr K Kelly
Cllr A Chapman
Cllr D Millyard
Cllr D Pell
County Councillor Brookes
49/19 ELECTION OF CHAIR and Completion of Declaration of Office. Coun Pell proposed Coun Kelly, seconded Coun Chapman. Accepted and Declaration of Acceptance of Chair signed.
As empty seats and no response from advertising, proposed Coun Pell and seconded Coun Chapman David Millyard co-opted to Parish Council. Accepted and Declaration of Acceptance of Office signed.
50/19 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011
Coun Chapman declared interest in Allotment, being Trustee to the Charity that owned them and Chairman of Village Hall Committee who had also put in grant application to Tritton Knoll.
51/19 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR
Proposed Coun Millyard seconded Coun Chapman that Coun Pell take on position. Coun Pell accepted.
52/19 APOLOGIES - were received and accepted from Coun Carrott
53/19 TO NOMINATE REPRESENTATIVES:
• BICKER UNITED CHARITY- Coun Chapman willing to stand again but a second representative required as Parish Council have two on Charity constitution, and Coun Barnes was previously that second. Coun Millyard advised he would be interested. Proposed Coun Kelly seconded Coun Pell.
• BICKER VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE proposed Coun Chapman seconded Coun Pell Coun Kelly continues as representative. Accepted.
54/19 POLICE REPORT – nothing received.
55/19 TO APPROVE NOTES OF LAST MEETING – Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes, proposed Coun Chapman seconded Coun Pell.
56/19 CLERK’S UPDATE FROM LAST MEETING
Grant application to T.K. submitted. Contractor to include the verge along Monument Road.
57/19 SUBSTATION UPDATE
National Grid - still working weekends to work towards deadline. Road in poor condition, can stone be placed in passing places?
58/19 ALLOTMENT UPDATE – Coun Chapman left the meeting.
Water butts have now been moved and awaiting piping to adjoining house roof line. Tenant taking on 18 ‘block’ allotments was to keep clean the unused ones also.
Coun Chapman returned to the meeting.
60/19 FINANCE REPORT - £28814.88
Payments approved as per schedule, Prop Coun Chapman seconded Coun Pell. Agreed clerk should transfer a further £3500 to contingency fund for street lights.
Clerk confirmed annual audit had returned from internal auditor. Date for exercise of public rights would run from 3rd June to 12 July.
61/19 PLANNING
Although no pecuniary interest Coun Chapman declared an interest as he has a similar application lodged. Re-submission of application for Sycamore House, only amendment being number of dwellings not now quoted. Now S.E. Local Plan has been adopted, and Bicker already has its allotted allocation, Parish Council wondered if this is what contractors felt and this could be a way of getting outline applications approved. Agreed comments to be as previous.
62/19 CORRESPONDENCE
Various communications regarding audit
63/19 MEMBERS REPORTS
Cllr Pell – Can sign be put on garages in Drury Lane, the cul de sac at the back is numbered 1 – 4 but not signed well, postmen and emergency services cannot find the properties. Clerk to contact Boston Borough.
64/19 ANY OTHER BUSINESS –
Clerk had been approached by the PCC to ask if the Parish Council could send support to a grant application from National Heritage Lottery Fund for monies to repair naïve. All in agreement to send letter of support.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 13th June 2019
Meeting closed 8.18pm