November 2023 Minutes
BICKER PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 9th November 2023 in the Gedney Rooms, Bicker Village Hall.
Present Cllr Kelly
Cllr Bateson
Cllr Brown
Cllr Mountain
Cllr Pell
Clerk Diane Fairweather
Borough Cllr Cantwell
& 1 member of the public, observing.
55/23 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES - were received and accepted from Cllr Carrott & County Cllr Brookes
56/23 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2211
Cllr Mountain - Trustee of Charity
57/23 - NOTES OF MEETING HELD ON 11TH SEPTEMBER – Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes. Proposed Cllr Bateson seconded Cllr Pell.
Although minutes agreed Cllr Bateson wondered if the PC should request Matt Warman to attend a Parish Council. All agreed nothing could be done as it is a Government initiative but to monitor situation against any residents feeling intimidated by people in hotel. Cllr Cantwell advised he would report to Borough Council. Cllr Brown advised that three of the five hotels in Skegness had not had licence renewed for immigrants.
58/23 - TO RECEIVE CLERK’S FROM LAST MEETING.
Park – work completed now. Unfortunately received numerous complaints from public regarding closure. Cllr Pell felt it had been an ideal time for new equipment to have been installed whilst closed from public, but clerk advised company required surface to be dry. Contractor also reported matting under roundabout required attention. Quotation for replacement or renewing with material like that of toddler area. Cllr Pell asking if a replacement sign for the playing field can be purchased as the previous one removed, preferably with proper fixing brackets. Cllr Bateson suggested an official sign. As Highways (Balfour Beaty) were willing to do this work, PC to investigate something for Highways to do for us instead. PC to think on projects, possibly the railings around the village, particularly as poppies have been fixed with varying different methods.
Speed signs. A speed survey be carried out in Drury Lane. Swineshead have also agreed that Bicker and Wigtoft can share the redundant equipment they have replaced. Clerk to take advice from Lincs Road Safety Partnership where would be the best place both signs. Drury Lane, Lowgate Lane, Red Lion Street and Monument Road.
Clerk to ascertain what equipment is required, brackets, perhaps which model they are etc. Resident had volunteered to charge the batteries.
59/23 – TO DISCUSS STREET LIGHT TRANSFORMATION SCHEME
Letter received from Old Leake regarding expense for streetlights. Originally Bicker decided to take on streetlights as BBC would turn them off of an evening and it was felt that this would be dangerous in some areas with the older generation. Bicker PC do not agree that streetlights go back to BBC but should support Old Leake with regard to the costs involved. Cllr Bateson questioned why nothing is received from Viking Link despite the inconvenience of the wind farm. Cllr Cantwell advised that other Parish Councils are agreeing to keeping the cost of the streetlights but not the maintenance or replacement when damaged. The Borough will have insurance on them. Cllr Cantwell will keep us advised. Chair suggested basically the PC are asking for a review of costings.
60/23 – TO DISCUSS STREET LIGHT SURVEY
BBC have independent company in the survey the streetlights, which has recently been carried out. Quotation came out at £5760 + VAT. Cllr Pell suggested as we had the contingency for this to proceed to bring the electricity cost down. Proposed Cllr Bateson, seconded Cllr Brown.
61/23 – TO DISCUSS FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
Whilst it was agreed there was often little to discuss monthly but when there were important matters, bi-monthly meetings were too far apart. At the request of Cllr Carrott. Cllr Pell preferred to revert to monthly meetings. Sometimes with bi- monthly meetings there is too much to discuss and therefore they are getting longer. It was changed this year, and it appears that as originally it was felt it would be O.K. it has turned out not to be the case. Agreed in January to return to monthly meetings.
62/23 – TO DISCUSS GENERIC EMAILS FOR COUNCILLORS
Whilst auditors had confirmed it is not obligatory to have a ‘. gov.uk’ email it is good practice to all have a generic one. Cllr Bateson agreed that with personal emails, history could be lost when a councillor leaves, whereas with a generic email, with passwords in a signed document, they are for the Councils eyes only. All in agreement.
63/23 – TO RECEIVE FINANCE REPORT
a) To Approve Playing Field Payment – additional payment to contractor, £635 Approve Council payments as per schedule.
Prop Cllr Pell, seconded Cllr Bateson. Cllr Pell advised that a tenant had not yet paid rental for 2023 on allotments as no invoice received. Clerk to hand deliver a ‘copy’ invoice. Contractor for maintenance is still cutting and we are not update with payments. Need to itemise all invoices for next meetings to agree figure for the end of the year. Contractor was aware as he had advised he would carry on cutting and not charge for the last ones. PC need to tender afresh for next year. Require a price per cut. Cllr Pell also felt he should send a forward plan of dates when he will visit Bicker.
b) To Discuss Precept Details for 2024/2025
Clerk had distributed projected budgets for coming year. Asked if contribution to Church should be increased. Agreed 10% increase again.
Lancaster, PC usually donate £75 for refreshments. Suggested increase to £100. Donation for village clock has not been increased for many years. Increase to £400 Contribution for school will cease as it is now closed.
Agreed to increase by 10% to £39000. Proposed Cllr Bateson, seconded Cllr Brown.
64/23 – TO DISCUSS PLANNING APPLICATIONS RECEIVED SINCE LAST MEETING
Cllr Brown declared an interest as he is part of the Planning Committee and did not partake in discussions.
B/23/0315 – Corner Cottage, Red Lion Street. Change of use. Council had been given extension for comments due to original deadline. Concerns over the design of the building as the lay out is not conducive to both a business and residential.
There appears to be more treatments rooms to members of staff. There does not appear to have the kitchen etc for living accommodation. 3 car parking places, a cycle park, and a disabled parking space. Fenced some of plot off, changed access to plot. The off the road entrance which has already been carried out without permission. There are concerns of the impact of the amount of traffic at the site. Site access is now on the junction of School with poor visibility. It is on the junction of the school bus stop.
No updates received on Monument Road.
B/22/0356/CD1 – application to discharge condition 20.
65/23 – TO RECEIVE MEMBERS REPORTS –
Cllr Bateson – water pump still not repaired.
Cllr Brown – received letter from resident from Boston Road. Requesting financial assistance for converting part of his house to deal with his disability. Not Parish Council issue. Advise to contact his Doctor and Social Services.
Cllr Moutain – was any further action taken regarding comments on Facebook on the park gates? Most problems have actually residing now.
Cllr Pell – High Street sign. Bench near war memorial is rotten. Clerk to cost a new bench or repairing woodwork. Can a thank you be sent to Sue Stainton for the poppy presentation in the village. Also believe that more effort by Councillors be made to attend the service.
66/23 – TO RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE -
Clerk advised she was to resign, after almost 20 years in post, but would see Parish Council through to financial year end. Borough Cllr advised Sutterton had recently advertised their post and received four applications, suggested contacting Chair for details. Clerk would also ask of local clerks before advertising with LALC.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 11th January 2024 Meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.