2026 Minutes

BICKER PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday, 9th July 2026 at 7pm In the Gedney Room, Bicker Village Hall

Present: 

Cllr Bateson – Chair, Cllr Carrott, Cllr Kelly, Cllr Saucier, Cllr Stevens

Clerk – Alison Delaney

PUBLIC FORUM: 

The public forum began at 7pm. 

One resident attended to follow up on an email they had sent to Councillors about the school’s use of the playing field and misuse of the play equipment.

The resident said the children from the school are boys aged 13/14 and they use the toddler area. Their teachers are with them but do not stop them.

The resident feels the school is treating the playground as a school space, but it is a public space, so the non-intervening ethos of the school does not apply there.

The resident is aware that there are nine students there now, but the school can accommodate 26, so they are concerned for the future. The children are in the park 3 or 4 times a day. They are loud and swear, which would be intimidating for other children using the playground. Would it be possible to limit the number of children to 3 at a time?

On another occasion the resident has seen a child run away from the school and was being chased by staff. They climbed up a tree and later sat in the road.

The Chair agreed this was all a concern. He and another Councillor have had meetings with the school previously. This is a private school. LCC have no jurisdiction. The children are with TA’s who are trained not to intervene and have been seen vaping. Head of school has changed a lot. Vandalism taking place recently in the park. The new swing has been vandalised. Parking outside the school is an issue as well. Councillors wondered if the children should be allowed out of the school site for their own safety and for local residents? 

ACTION: Councillors agreed that the Clerk would invite the Headteacher and a representative from Compass Education to the next Parish Council meeting to discuss their and residents’ concerns.

The resident thanked the Parish Council for their support and left the meeting at 7.18pm.

046/26 Chair’s Welcome and Remarks:

The Chair welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending. The Chair welcomed Cllr Saucier to his first meeting. Cllr Saucier said he was very pleased to be there.

047/26 To receive apologies for absence and acceptance of any reasons given: 

Apologies were received from Cllr Mountain – family situation and Cllr Cantwell – work meeting. The meeting resolved to accept their apologies.

048/26 To receive declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011:

Councillor Carrott – Member of Bicker Windfarm Trust and Trustee of Bicker United Charity

Councillor Kelly – Parish Council representative on Village Hall Committee and Member of Bicker United Charity.

There were no other declarations from those present. 

049/26 To receive updates from Borough and County Councillors

Borough Councillor Cantwell had sent the following report by email which the Clerk read out to the meeting:

Pride in Place Funding is available now from Boston Borough Council, I will be sitting on the panel, and the details have been sent to all the clerks.

Surgery Held at Sutterton Village Hall on the 27th of June the next one is at Wigtoft Village Hall 12pm.

Streetlights - Numerous lights in the village have been reported by residents and myself the issue is with the Borough Council contractor E-ON which is causing delays, I am still chasing these. 

LHP residents have raised what their riparian ownership obligations are I have asked the question to LHP and I’m waiting to hear back.

Traffic Management Group - I am waiting for the Officers to send me all the projects contact details so we can move forward with a new meeting 

Anti-Semitic Graffiti has been sprayed on the Haulage Road to the Substation off Swineshead Bridge. I have spoken to the police, I know County Cllr Lock has too, and raised concerns from Jewish residents who contacted me. I have also spoken to the web of road owners to ask them to remove the graffiti. They told me is getting sorted in the next two days. 

Footpath - I would ask the PC to contact AGR with a view of having a meeting to discuss putting a natural footpath along Cowbridge Road on the other side of the hedges if they are willing to fund it and create it in my view it is worth taking them up on it. 

ACTION: Clerk to contact AGR and set up a meeting.

050/26 To receive reports from representatives on outside bodies:

Village Hall – BickerFest numbers were not as high as the organisers had hoped. May have another one in the church for NYE and then another one in the summer. Councillors who had attended felt there were a lot of stalls trying to sell you things, but not a garden fete feel. Went on until about 11pm.

Bicker United Charity’s – no representative was present at the meeting.

Bicker Board – no meeting has been held since the last PC meeting.

051/26 Notes of the last Parish Council meeting held on 11th June 2026 were accepted and approved as the Minutes. Proposed by Cllr Stevens and seconded by Cllr Carrott. The Minutes were signed as a true copy by the Chair.

052/26 Clerk’s report on matters outstanding:

Cemetery maintenance – The contractor visited on 4th and 18th June.

Verges and playing field grass cutting: The contractor visited on 10th June and 2nd July. Clerk has requested confirmation as to whether there was another cut carried out in June. 

Allotments: Clerk issued invoices for 26/27 to all allotment holders in April. One outstanding payment remains. Clerk has emailed them a third time to chase. 

Repairs to play equipment – These have now been completed and paid for. We have accepted the contractors quote to instal the new two bay swing (with four seats). Clerk has chased for the deposit invoice. Once paid the order will be confirmed.

ACTION: Clerk to chase and pay the deposit invoice and get installation date confirmed.

Contractor has provided a separate quotation to replace the flooring for the roundabout. The quotation was sent to Councillors to consider. Councillors agreed that the quote was quite high, so they would not carry out the resurfacing at this time, as the surface had recently been repaired safely.

Annual play equipment safety inspection: this is due in August but with the swing works likely to take place then, Clerk suggested we delayed it until September/October. Councillors agreed.

ACTION: Clerk to book inspection for September/October.

Cantilever swing – the rope part of the outside of the basket swing was vandalised last weekend. Clerk received an email quote for repair/replacement from the supplier (Yates Playgrounds) this was circulated to Councillors prior to the meeting. Councillors considered the costs of repair and replacement were quite high. Councillors considered the rope attachment could be safely repaired by us.

ACTION: Chair offered to repair the frayed rope section of the seat.

Ownership of the cemetery and playing field: Clerk has received a reply from BBC to say that they are not sure they hold title to the cemetery. Cllr Cantwell has advised it is on their asset register. BBC have advised it would cost £4k in fees to arrange the transfer of the playing field. Clerk has informed BBC that Bicker PC wish to proceed with the transfer of title and have asked BBC to find out if Ministers are willing to proceed as well.

FixMyStreet reference 2887878 - Broken water hydrant sign on Drury Lane – reported on 09.04.26. Update received on 14.04.26 that it had been passed to Anglian Water to investigate.

High Street Sign – 28.05.26 and 10.06.26 – Clerk chased BBC with an email requesting an update on when this would be replaced. No further information received yet. Cllr Lock has also requested an update.

FixMyStreet – 12.12.25 reported streetlight near Corner Cottage and the school not working. Update 15.12.25 Investigating. 10.03.26 reported again with pictures ref: 2883798. 28.05.26 and 10.06.26 – Clerk chased BBC with an email requesting a quotation for repair. 02.07.26 - Quotation received and accepted on 06.07.26.

FixMyStreet – Salt Bin near war memorial – Had been knocked over and damaged. Reported with reference 9753649.

The Pensions Regulator – Automatic Enrolment: We received an email from the Pensions Regulator dated 30th June. We need to complete a declaration of compliance as we have at least one employee (the Clerk). The employee is not eligible for automatic enrolment in a pension scheme based on age and earnings. Even though the employee is not eligible, we must still complete a declaration of compliance.

Clerk has created an account with the Pensions Regulator for Bicker Parish Council. Clerk has completed the paperwork for the initial declaration (which was due in October 2017) and two further declarations (which were due in September 2022 and January 2024). Clerk has received confirmation emails that the declarations have been received. A declaration will need to be made every three years.

Works to trees in the playing field: Because the trees at the front of the field alongside School Lane are in the Bicker Conservation Area, we need to apply to BBC to carry out any works. Clerk has sent the application form to the contractor and asked them to complete the section with the detail of the works required on the trees, then Clerk will submit the form. Takes 6 weeks for a decision once form submitted.

ACTION: Clerk to chase contractor for the form and submit to BBC planning.

Banking: An ex-Councillor was still on the signatory mandate for the three main bank accounts with Lloyds. Therefore, he was removed and Cllr Kelly has been added as a second Full Access signatory (along with Councillor Carrott). Cllr Kelly now has internet banking access as well, which can be used if the Clerk is unavailable. The Clerk has also added Cllr Kelly as a full access signatory on the Lancaster Memorial Account (Cllr Carrott is also a full access signatory). Once that is confirmed in a couple of weeks, the Clerk will remove the previous Clerk from the Lancaster mandate. This cannot be done yet, as two people are required on the mandate.

Email from BBC The Place Team: As agreed at the last meeting, Clerk has invited Alison Carlisle along to a PC meeting to discuss the heritage project further. Automatic response, on Annual leave until 6th July.

Medal bar: A quotation for the 2025 medal bar has been requested from Wessex Trophies who supplied the previous ones. Cost is £28.95 which includes postage. Councillors agreed that the Clerk should order a bar for 2025 and 2026.

ACTION: Clerk to order the medal bars.

Co-option of new councillor and Declarations: Clerk has informed BBC that Mr Saucier is now a Councillor and sent off his documentation. BBC have requested that all Councillors complete the Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests form and Other Registerable Interests form. Emailed to Councillors on 25th June for completion at this meeting.

ACTION: Clerk to collate the forms and return them to BBC.

053/26 To Receive the Finance Report  

a) To approve June and July payments: The Schedule of Payments for Approval at the July meeting was approved. Proposed and signed by Cllr Carrott. Seconded and signed by Cllr Stevens.

054/26 To Discuss Planning Applications Received Since Last Meeting: None for discussion.

055/26 To Receive Correspondence: 

a) Letter from Bicker Parochial Church Council regarding financial support – Councillors agreed that the clock working correctly and the church wall being repaired benefits everyone in the parish. There is the possibly of a pot of money in the future from the solar farms on the Fen that the church may be able to apply for. ACTION: Agreed that the Clerk would write and ask them how much the wall repairs will be and point them to the Bicker Wind Farm trust and Pride in Place.

b) Email from Borough Councillor Cantwell regarding Policy for Granting Honorary Freedom of the Parish – as Cllr Cantwell was not at the meeting, it was agreed to postpone this item to the following meeting.

c) Email from resident regarding the playing field – see notes at public forum above

d) Email from resident regarding development land on Monument Road – ACTION: Councillors agreed that the Clerk would write to the estate agent (Pigott& Crone Boston) and ask them to contact the owner to clear the site. 

056/26 Review and Adoption of Policies:

The following draft policies had been circulated to Councillors in advance of the meeting:

• Code of Conduct

• Disciplinary Policy

• Equality and Diversity Policy

• Complaints procedure

All the policies were adopted without change. ACTION: Clerk to add them to the PC website.

057/26 To Receive Members Reports: There were no reports from members.

058/26 Date of next meeting – this was confirmed as Thursday, 13th August 2026 at 7pm.

045/26 Any Other Business:

An email from a resident had been received by the Clerk since the agenda was published. They were enquiring as to who owned the land behind their property as they were concerned about the safety of the trees bordering their property. ACTION: Councillor Stevens knew who the landowner was and agreed to contact them.

It was agreed that the annual walk around the village and the parish would be held on 10th September at 6pm, starting at the village hall.

There being no further business, the meeting ended at 20.30.

Signed:  …………………………………………………

Name: …………………………………………………            

Date:               …………………………………………………