September 2023 Minutes
BICKER PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 11th September 2023 in the Methodist School Room.
Present Cllr Kelly
Cllr Bateson
Cllr Carrott
Cllr Mountain
Cllr Pell
Clerk Diane Fairweather
Not Present: Cllr Brown
42/23 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES - were received and accepted from Borough Cllr Cantwell and County Cllr Brookes both at another meeting. Nothing to update.
43/23 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2211
Cllr Carrott - Substation & allotments, Trustee of Charity
Cllr Mountain – Trustee of Charity
44/23 - NOTES OF LAST MEETING – Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes. Proposed Cllr Pell seconded Cllr Bateson.
45/23 - TO RECEIVE UPDATE FROM CLERK.
Moles – have requested Lince Pest to come in again.
Allotments – all invoices sent but two tenants not yet paid.
James from Lincs Road Safety Partnership to organise a speed review survey in Drury Lane
Swineshead have their new speed signs now in place and their clerk has put on October agenda to discuss passing old ones to Bicker or Wigtoft at no or minimal cost.
BBC will issue new bin for Old Donington Road as there is a post with one of their signs on it. Trying to get the other free from them also.
Cemetery bin – new rules in 2019 saying no free bins to charities etc. Only churched. I argued a cemetery comes under the same guidelines as a church, but they said no. Should have been paying £7 per lift but will offer it to us at 50% discount if we set up a direct debit. All agreed if had to pay now at least it is at a reduced rate.
46/23 – TO REVIEW STANDING ORDERS, COMMUNICATION AND COMPLAINTS POLICIES
Following a couple of amendments, all were adopted as complete.
47/23 – TO DISCUSS PLAYING FIELD
Quotation received for playing field that had been accepted provisionally. Lincolnshire County Council had now come forward to offer Bicker PC free hours work from Balfor Beattie their contractors. Clerk had met with officer to advise on proposed works but due to commitments and weather they could not start until the year. It was felt at this stage that LCC be asked to do other works as the contractor that quoted was to take on further remedial works to play equipment other than cleaning down and painting. Cllrs Pell and Bateson had met with contract to advice of repair and replacement work required on rocking horse, slide off land mound and barrel.
Delegated powers to Chair and Clerk to spend up to £500 on repair works in order that the park can be completed.
48/23 – TO DISCUSS LANCASTER SERVICE
Clerk had conversation with Dave Stubley, one of the original organisers of the event. He had a received the following letter.
The plan so far is to replicate the ceremony that is held at Bicker. Hopefully laying wreaths from Bicker Parish & Boston Borough Councils and LARG should you be able to source one for us.
I have been in touch with the clergyman who does the Bicker service, and he has put me in touch with his colleague from Harrogate to do a service for us.
I have also been promised support from the Harrogate Branch of the RAF association and Flowers for the Fallen (A York based remembrance association).
The CWGC who look after Stonefall Cemetery have given permission and will publicise both ceremonies through their social media channels if we want them to. They have also provided me with much interesting information about F/0 James Wilson.
It is my hope we could hold both wreath laying at 11:20 on Wednesday 10th April 2024. That being the exact 80th anniversary of the crash.
regards
Tim Webster
First thought was, would it not have been common courtesy to approach the Parish Council with their thoughts as you will recall, Stan Naylor, the other original organiser had asked the PC to take on the event and not let it be forgotten, which it has done now for many years. The question is does the PC still wish to continue with the normal service. Dave Stubley felt we should as the family of the victims could not make the event mid-week and the clerk had made special arrangements as it is the 80th anniversary of the event. All agreed contact from Mr Webster would have been polite but agreed to continue as normal.
50/23 TO DISCUSS REMEMBRANCE SERVICE
As school now closed, and service is usually held in order that they can attend, Church had advised that it will be on Remembrance Day at 10.30 at the war memorial as normal.
Clerk to ascertain the whereabouts of village poppies which will need to be up before next meeting.
51/23 – TO RECEIVE FINANCE REPORT
- To Approve Donation for Remembrance Wreath. Proposed Cllr Bateson seconded Cllr Pell that £100 be donated to the poppy fund towards the wreath.
Insurance Renewal. Have looked into comparisons, premium has been increased by 8% but cannot better that price. All agreed to continue with existing Company.
Clerk to look into better interest rate accounts to transfer money on an easy account.
Approve Council payments as per schedule.
Prop Cllr Pell, seconded Cllr Bateson.
52/23 – TO DISCUSS PLANNING
B/23/0083 Marsh Mill Farm, Mill Lane, Barn Conversion – no objections
B/23/0233 Land opposite Lyndon Lodge, Fore Lane, Proposed single storey dwelling – no objections.
Discussion over the poor standard of work at Corner Cottage where the kerbs have been lowered for vehicular access. Clerk to report to Planning and Highways.
53/23 – TO RECEIVE MEMBERS REPORTS –
Cllr Carrott – Village sign at Post Office is not visible. Clerk to request Mr Trotter to cut back. High Street sign requires attention.
Cllr Pell – High House, willow tree overhanging footpath again. Willow Lodge, overgrown hedge. Request to be made to Highways.
54/23 – TO RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE -
Boston Borough Council – survey carried out for streetlights. To be discussed at net meeting.
Spalding Guardian, following the fatal crash on the A17 between Sutterton and Bicker Bar on September 3, would PC like to comment on this and any improvements that could be made to avoid a collision. Council did not feel it was their place to comment on a Highways situation.
Supreme Inn. Marr Warman asking if we would like him to talk with Council. He understands the Home Office is to continue using it once again. Council did not feel the need for a visit as neither party would have any influence on the decision.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 9th November 2023
Meeting closed at 9.32 p.m.