October 2021 Minutes
BICKER PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council held on Thursday 14th October 2021 at the Gedney Rooms, Bicker Village Hall.
Present Cllr Kelly
Cllr Bateson
Cllr Chapman
Cllr Pell
Borough Cllr Cooper
County Cllr Brookes
69/21 - APOLOGIES – were received and accepted from Cllr Mountain.
70/21 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2111
Cllr Chapman – Substation & allotments, Trustee of Charity, representative of Village Hall Committee & land to west Milkinghill Lane
71/21 - POLICE REPORT –
There have been two reported crimes within the parish since your last meeting, which are:
13/09/21 Assault, Bishop Way – under investigation
28/09/21 Public Order, Milkinghill Lane – under investigation
72/21 - NOTES OF LAST MEETING – Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes. Proposed Cllr Pell seconded Cllr Bateson.
73/21 - TO RECEIVE UPDATE FROM CLERK.
V.E. Celebrations - spoken with village hall and Church who all agree it a good idea to join together. Representatives of PC on village Hall committee to report back to PC.
Overhanging bushes at PO. Cllr Bateson had spoken to owners to no avail. Bicker Buds had attempted to clear of weeds but were also dismissed. Clerk to report to Highways advising the action already taken.
LCC will take no action on overhanging trees in School Lane. BBC’s responsibility to clear footpaths but agreed to ask Malc Firth to clean up leaves when cutting playing field.
Construction traffic for St Swithins development using Milkinghill Lane had been resolved.
Cllr Bateson update on BSIDB – only basically an information meeting regarding the future of the dyke clearance. They are to cut one meter from the water, as previously. Bicker Buds attended and asked if initial cuts could be delayed in bulbs still in flower.
Malc Firth - cemetery bushes- to attend in the coming week.
Salt bags are being delivery over the coming weeks.
74/21 – TO DISCUSS/APPROVE DONATION FOR REMEMBRANCE WREATH
Street light poppies due shortly, at a cost of £3 each, 10 requested. As budgeted for £50 per year and no monies spent last year, proposed Cllr Chapman seconded Cllr Bateson £80 be donated to fund.
75/21 – TO DISCUSS/APPROVE DONATION FOR TOWARDS CiLCA TRAINING FOR CLERK -clerk to leave the room but all agreed not necessary as decision agreed 50% donation of £600 cost. Proposed Cllr Chapman seconded Cllr Bateson.
76/21 – TO DISCUSS CHRISTMAS IN BICKER
Clerk asking if anything to be done for Christmas in the village. Difficult for central tree as no electric. Cllr Chapman suggested there could be one at the Village Hall as the Christmas parties are held there. There is electric. Cllr Chapman to ask Village Hall Committee their thought. PC to purchase lights if all in agreement.
77/21 - ALLOTMENT UPDATE
Reports that invoices had not been received this year. Some received as payments made but clerk to check these.
78/21 - FINANCE REPORT
Signed and approved AGAR now received with points raised, which were due to an error in completion of the form. Duly amended on internal audit to answer yes and not not covered.
Approve Council payments as per schedule.
Prop Cllr Bateson seconded Cllr Chapman.
Cllr asked if previous invoices from Malc Firth could be checked as works not complete on at least two occasions.
Finance meeting to be organised as precept recommendations need to be put to full Council in January.
79/21 – PLANNING
B/21/0443 – proposed construction of solar photovoltaic far, battery storage and associated infrastructure. Although in support of the residents of the village the PC are against further infrastructure in the Fen That said, if approved, they are pleased that agreement has been reached whereby the service road from the A52 be used for access. Obviously, the best option would be access via the A17, but it is understood this is not an option. We would ask therefore for two recommendations. Construction traffic must adhere to the access routes and fines to be issued if not. A communications ‘hotline’ as there had been for previous constructions, be available for residents to call immediately if traffic were not adhering to the chosen route.
B/21/0398 – single storey extension Elland House, Ref Lion Street. PC has no objections.
80/21 - MEMBERS REPORTS –
Cllr Bateson – concerned there will be an accident on the roundabout at the new petrol station, there is no barrier off the island and traffic can, at speed if out of control, drive directly into the pumps and vehicles. Cllr Brookes to speak with Highways.
Cllr Pell – residents concerned regarding land off Drury Lane with Christmas trees, hedge requires cutting, will pass to United Charity as this is their land.
When are Bicker signs going up? Clerk to speak again with contractor.
81/21 - CORRESPONDENCE -
Thorlby Haven – trees overgrowing, Clerk requesting who may be responsible as no-one appears to be.
82/21 - ANY OTHER BUSINESS –
S/L 8 Donington Road (opposite pub) requires replacement lamp as old and regularly not working. Cost of replacement 19-watt LED lantern £350 + VAT which will come out of street light contingency fund. Cllr Chapman asked if column had also been inspected. Does not make financial sense to replace lamp if column would need to be replaced in the near future. Clerk to check with BBC.
Thoughts please for any potential additional spending next year as finance meeting due. Should the Parish have a tree ‘sub-committee’ to survey the village as to what trees require attention and to perhaps put them on a three-year crown reduction scheme, for budget purposes.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 11th November 2021
Meeting closed at 8.25p.m.