January 2024 Minutes of Meeting
BICKER PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 11th January 2024 in the Gedney Rooms, Bicker Village Hall.
PUBLIC FORUM
Present: Cllr Kelly Cllr Carrott Cllr Mountain Cllr Pell, Clerk Diane Fairweather. Three members of the public.
1/24 – TO RECEIVE APOLOGIES - were received and accepted from Cllrs Bateson, Brown, Borough Cllr Cantwell, and County Cllr Brookes.
2/24 TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LOCALISM ACT 2011
Cllr Carrott - Substation & Trustee of Bicker United Charity & allotments.
Cllr Mountain – Trustee of Bicker United Charity
3/24 - NOTES OF LAST MEETING – Were signed as a true copy, to become minutes. Proposed Cllr Mountain seconded Cllr Carrott.
4/24 - TO RECEIVE UPDATE FROM CLERK.
Had difficulty obtaining dogs on lead sign for park in metal but have now been sourced.
Roundabout new matting approx. £5500. £2500 to repair but would not be favorable as new material different spec and thickness and therefore could still a trip hazard. Cllr Carrott requesting if any grants are available for works. Clerk to investigate grants available. Could apply via the Conservation Group for grant from Wind Farm.
Dog pooh bins, clerk to ask BBC for update again.
Speed indicator signs, which are available from Wigtoft. Clerk to meet with Lincs Road Safety Partnership Officer to obtain advice on best placement of signs.
Cllr Pell has a couple of signs blown off in bad weather.
Bench at pump. Would it be a project for Balfour Beattie, now we have had the play equipment painted ourselves. Clerk to speak with Ellie from LCC.
5/24 – TO DISCUSS/APPROVE NEW EQUIPMENT FOR PLAYING FIELD
£5750 wall climber has been increased as has the cantilever swing, now £6769. Agreed swing more important as current one requires updating. Leave wall climbing equipment until later in the year depending on finance.
6/24 – TO DISCUSS/APPROVE MAINTENANCE CONTRACT
To tender this year as it has not been done for some time. Areas to be maintained agreed by the Council. Clerk to speak with local contractors.
Maintenance on future developments will also to be the responsibility of the Parish Council. Clerk advises that planning applications is the time where the PC should have input on tree planting for future financial commitments it brings. Will be good practice to make comments on new developments regarding future maintenance. This is why Section 106 monies, if developments are more than 9 houses, should go directly to the PC affected to maintaining these areas.
7/24 -TO RECEIVE FINANCE REPORT
a) To Discuss Clerk’s Salary. Clerk had not had increase in 5 years and asked if increased hourly rate from April 23 could be paid as back pay. All agreed if that is the going rate from NALC, even though this is from April 2022 – 2023 as they are usually this late in giving figures. Proposed Cllr Carrott seconded Cllr Mountain.
Cllr Pell noticed no payments for maintenance contractors again. Clerk is keeping 3 invoices as there are times that invoices are coming through, and PC are not always sure cuts have been made. The clerk will send documentation to Councillors to sort before financial year end.
The clerk suggests cemetery fees are revised as have not been increased for some time.
b) To Approve Payments as per Schedule
Prop Cllr Pell seconded Cllr Mountain.
8/24 – TO DISCUSS PLANNING
B/23/0315 Application for change of use at Corner Cottage has been withdrawn.
9/24 – TO RECEIVE MEMBERS REPORTS –
Cllr Pell – Streetlight No 9 Church Road, burning all day. Clerk advised had already been reported. Streetlighting faults not as helpful as original thought as it takes a while to receive a reply only to be told they are the responsibility of LCC.
Cemetery not cut again. Moles appearing in grassed area outside of perimeter fence of playing field in School Lane.
3 SV covers in Red Lion Street alongside streetlight No 3 tarmac broken and sunken when traffic runs over. Clerk to report to Highways.
Local farmer leaving mud on the footpath when exiting his field which is not actually an access.
A few residents have complained as it is quite dangerous and a slip hazard. Cllr Pell requested if he could clean it when he leaves the field. He requested a letter from the Parish Council detailing what he is doing wrong and what we have expected him to do.
Not a PC issue but Highways. Perhaps the PC could write and not it has been brought to their attention.
10/24 – TO RECEIVE CORRESPONDENCE -
Beacon Fen, wishing to give an update on February 8th at 7 pm, all in agreement but restricted on time of presentation. Invitation to Plough Sunday, 21st January 3 pm.
Lincolnshire Devolution Plan – link for Councillors.
Parish Council Liaison Meeting on 25th, the main subject being the cost of streetlights to the Parishes.
Clerk’s vacancy. 2 received so far. Cllr Pell advised she had been given the name of a local resident willing to apply. Details are in the notice board but clerk will drop details through his letter box.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING – Thursday 8th February 2024. Meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.