May AGM Minutes 2021
BICKER PARISH COUNCIL
ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes of the Annual General Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 20th May 2021 in the Village Hall, Gedney Room.
Present Cllr Kelly
Cllr Bateson
Cllr Carrott
Cllr Chapman
34/21 ELECTION OF CHAIR and Completion of Declaration of Office. Proposed Cllr Chapman seconded Cllr Bateson that Cllr Kelly stand for another term. Cllr Kelly agreed and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
35/21 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011.
Cllr Carrott - Substation & allotments as Trustee of Charity.
Cllr Chapman - Sub-Station & allotments as Trustee of Charity and representative of Village Hall.
36/21 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIR
Cllr Pell advised Chair she no longer wished to be elected as Vice Chair. Cllr proposed Carrott that Cllr Bateson take on the post. Seconded Cllr Chapman.
37/21 APOLOGIES were received and accepted from Cllrs Buttery and Pell Borough Cllr Cooper and County Councillor Brookes.
38/21 TO NOMINATE REPRESENTATIVES:
• BICKER UNITED CHARITY proposed Cllr Carrot, seconded Cllr Bateson that Cllrs Chapman and Buttery continue for a further year.
• BICKER VILLAGE HALL COMMITTEE proposed Cllr Carrott, seconded Cllr Bateson that Cllrs Chapman and Kelly continue for a further year.
39/21 POLICE REPORT – nothing to report from March.
40/21 TO APPROVE NOTES OF MARCH MEETING – Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes, proposed Cllr Bateson, seconded Cllr Carrott.
41/21 TO RECEIVE UPDATE FROM CLERK
Following the presentation from Renewable Connections last week regarding the proposed solar farm in Bicker Fen. The original one offered to the public had no one register to attend. Unfortunately, no public present at presentation to PC although RC confirmed they had received some responses following the leaflet drop.
A few with concerns over route to be taken through Bicker village but some also with positive comments. They advised the traffic will be considerably less than that for the wind farm, they are to take the shortest route and traffic will not go through the village. Although RC still looking into alternative routes, via A52 or A17, Fendyke had to the route provided in application or it would not be approved, and RC wished to lodge the application by the end of June. Councillors discussed at great length. Grave concerns over using Fendyke Road, it is not suitable and would not allow for two vehicles meeting. The signage for the construction traffic imperative but Cllr Carrott was of the opinion that drivers would perhaps use the route once but then find an alternative due to tight corners for HGV’s. RCC were aware of the concerns of the PC and the residents but agreed to make comments when application was made. Lessons learned from previously, road before and after should be noted and brought back to original state, however poor that may be at present. Perhaps fines could be issued if vehicles do not use this route, although RC say this will not happen as traffic is to be escorted.
42/21 TO DISCUSS DONATION TO LINCOLNSHIRE LOWLAND SEARCH & RESCUE - Lincolnshire Lowland Search and Rescue is a charity assisting emergency services carrying out searches for missing children and vulnerable missing persons. Run by volunteers. Approaching Parish Councils for financial donations. Discussed but PC agreed no direct assistance to Bicker.
43/21 ALLOTMENT UPDATE
Couns Carrott, Chapman declared an interest.
Another new tenant, most of allotments are now taken. Clerk to speak with Mr Pearson as there are three, adjacent to his 15, that are not being worked and, speaking with Mr Webster, it may be the opportunity of making six smaller allotments as they are quite large.
Concerns of one allotment growing conifers, clerk to speak with tenant. Previous tenant at the Swan offered water harvesting. Clerk to speak and ask if this could be continued.
44/21 FINANCE REPORT - £32984.66
a) To Approve Annual Governance Statement – previously distributed by clerk. Proposed Cllr Bateson, seconded Cllr Carrott that statement agreed.
b) To Approve Annual Statement of Accounts – previously distributed by clerk. Proposed Cllr Carrott, seconded Cllr Chapman this to be a true copy of the annual accountants.
Approve payments as per schedule
Prop Cllr Chapman, seconded Cllr Bateson.
Contingency for streetlights is quite high and may soon be questioned by auditors. Cllr Chapman suggested asking Boston Borough Council for a street survey showing ages of each column in order that the PC can ascertain if there may soon be some replacements required.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS –
Request from Cllr Pell if signage could be on toddler area stating for toddlers only.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – 17th June Thursday 2021
Meeting closed 8.45 pm