2026 Minutes

BICKER PARISH COUNCIL

DRAFT Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Thursday, 13th August 2026 at 7pm In the Gedney Room, Bicker Village Hall

Present: 

Cllr Bateson – Chair, Cllr Kelly, Cllr Saucier, Cllr Stevens, Borough Councillor Cantwell

Clerk – Alison Delaney

PUBLIC FORUM: 

The public forum began at 7pm. 

A representative from Boston’s The Place Team attended the meeting at the invitation of Councillors.

Remit to promote Boston to visitors and tourism. As well as pride of place and sense of place.

Community and pride. Have been given some money to do some tourism projects and link in to Boston 400 in 2030. 

Not just Boston and the town centre, want it to be out in the community as well.

Bringing local tourism from local residents into Boston or the surrounding areas.

Reaching out to the parishes as BBC will not exist in 2 years’ time.

Example of the work they have done was resurfacing of the road up to the Pilgrim Fathers Memorial in May 2026.

Church tourism – heritage and stories of the local community. Are going to compile a brochure for a church trail around the area.

Need the Council’s help to identify what good things we have in the area, walking trails, things for visitors to engage in that are accessible.

Opportunities to work with the cultural quarter in Boston to link with projects they are doing.

Cycling Tour of Britain is coming to Boston Marketplace on 3rd September with the end part in Skegness.

Village information sign could be something they could help with. Katie will have a look at it and Clerk will follow up with her.

Borough Councillor Cantwell asked about wartime fortifications in the county? Sutterton might have some.

Councillors thought that some imrovements to the Lancaster bomber memorial would be useful - access is not great and the signage from the main roads could be improved.

Councillor Bateson suggested they could move the lock so that boats were in the town centre, so it is clear it is a coastal village. Council tax removed so the shops can open again in the town centre.

The representative left the meeting at 7.25pm

046/26 Chair’s Welcome and Remarks:

The Chair welcomed everyone and thanked them for attending.

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

Apologies were received from Cllr Mountain and Cllr Carrott. The meeting resolved to accept their apologies.

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

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 gave the following update:

Street Light issues chasing up in the village and streetlights blocking access to properties (out in more rural areas). Contractor, EON are not great.

LHP as residents along Drury Lane contacted him regarding the dyke and the back of their properties. Agreed it was LHP’s and they will maintain it.

Will be contacting all the energy projects on the Fen about the Bicker Board and traffic management.

Anti-semitic graffiti has been cleared up on the Triton Knoll haulage Road. 

AGR Footpath – need to understand what they own and where the path will go.

Local Government will stop operating in 2028.

JDM meeting was held and the Councillor has put a notice on Facebook to ask people to notify him if there are any issues. Councillors noted that noise has been an issue. Councillors asked if we could get notice of any future shut downs in case there were any issues. The charcoal filters they have used melted from the intensity of the smells. They have applied for a new system from their parent company. 

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

Village Hall – nothing to report.

Bicker United Charity’s – no representative was present at the meeting. Have not met since April. Summer scheme is being held in the village park. 10 children attended. 

Bicker Board – Last meeting was cancelled. Ready to go, just need some signatures from Councillors needed. Spoke to the Charities Commission about the application and because it is relatively straightforward it might happen quickly as it does not involve children or safeguarding. Likely to go live in the coming months. Will take some time to get a bank account set up, possibly 3 months. Councillors felt that they would be reluctant to hold any large sums of money on account. Need stringent policies and procedures. Would need an application form.

051/26 Notes of the last Parish Council meeting held on 9th July 2026 were accepted and approved as the Minutes. Proposed by Cllr Kelly and seconded by Cllr Stevens. 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 2nd, 16th and 28th July.

Verges and playing field grass cutting: The contractor carried out work on the 17th and 31st July. 

Allotments: Clerk has issued invoices for 26/27 to all allotment holders. One outstanding payment remains. Clerk has contacted them a fourth time to chase.  

Repairs to play equipment – These have now been completed and paid for. 16.07.26 - We have accepted the contractors quote to instal the new swing. Clerk has paid the deposit invoice.  06.08.26 – Clerk chased for confirmation of installation date. The order has been placed, they are just waiting for confirmation from the swing supplier of when it will be available, then they will book an installation date.

Cantilever swing – the rope outside of the seat was vandalised last weekend. The rope has been repaired by the Chair.

Annual play equipment safety inspection: This has been moved to October.

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. Borough 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. No response has been received. 06.08.26 Clerk has chased.

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. Report no longer appears on FixMyStreet and the broken hydrant sign has been removed.

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. 06.08.26: Clerk chased BCC. They have assured me that the sign is in the system and will be dealt with.

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. Requested updated 06.08.26

FixMyStreet – Streetlight has been knocked over on Drury Lane– reported 06.08.26 reference 2900890. Fixed on 10.08.26.

FixMyStreet – Trees on Low Gate Lane growing over the pedestrian footway. Reported on 06.08.26. reference 2900891. to Updated investigating. 07.08.26 – issued to one of the delivery gangs for action.

Works to trees in the playing field: Because the trees at the front of the field alongside School Lane are in the Conservation Area, we need to apply to BBC to carry out any works. Clerk has sent the application form to BCC planning. Takes 6 weeks for a decision, then contractor will provide a quotation once BBC have confirmed what can be done.

Banking: Cllr Kelly and Cllr Carrott are now full access signatories on the PC bank accounts and the Lancaster Memorial Account. The previous Clerk has been removed from the Lancaster Memorial Account.

Email from BBC The Place Team: As agreed at the last meeting, Clerk has invited a representative along to a PC meeting to discuss the heritage project further. Automatic response, on Annual leave until 6th July. 06.08.26 - Clerk has followed up invitation. 10.08.26 – responded that a representative will attend the meeting.

Medal bar: A quotation for the 2026 medal bar has been requested from Wessex Trophies who supplied the previous ones. Cost is £28.95 which includes postage. This has been ordered.

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 as soon as possible.

Natural footpath along Cowbridge Road: Borough Councillor Cantwell had a conversation with AGR a couple of months ago about this. Clerk has emailed his contact at AGR for further information. Contact is away until 17.08.26.

Trees in a field bordering resident’s garden on A52: 06.07.26 - Resident sent an email to the Clerk, as they considered the trees needed cutting back. Councillor spoke to the farmer after the last meeting, who agreed to assess the trees. Clerk notified the resident. 03.08.26 – resident emailed again to say nothing had been done. Councillor was on leave at the time. Clerk informed the resident that the Councillor would speak to the farmer again when they returned.

Meeting with Compass Education: The Headteacher was unable to attend the Parish Council meeting. A meeting was held with a representative from Compass on 28.07.26

Meeting with JDM regarding smells in the village: 28.07.26 - Borough Councillor Cantwell and Cllr Carrott met with the Communication and Project Lead and the Site Director of JDM. They suggested that the recent odour issue was caused by a planned power outage which meant the entire plant was shut down for several hours and upon restarting although everything appeared to be working ok in fact a section of the filtration system was not operating correctly, this issue is now resolved. It was also discovered 2 kettle cookers were not correctly connected to the filter system, both were shut down until problem resolved, 1 is now operating again. The entire filtration system is hopefully going to be replaced by a new, state of the art system, budgets permitting. The noise issue was a fault in a compressor unit in a cooling system, problem now resolved. JDM have a positive attitude and actively try to identify and solve any issues. They also suggested a site visit by the Parish Council could be accommodated if we wish?

Development land on Monument Road: 01.07.26 - Clerk received an email from a resident complaining about the untidy state of the land. Councillors agreed that Clerk would speak to the agent. 06.08.26 – Clerk spoke to Piggott & Crone. They are aware of the issues with the site from direct contact with other residents. One of whom has offered to clear the site for the owner free of charge. Pigott & Crone have tried to contact the owner of the land (who is currently abroad) but have had no response to calls or emails. Pigott & Crone have the Clerk’s number and have agreed to contact her if they hear anything from the owner. 12.08.26 Clerk received a further update from the resident that the agent had been able to contact the owner who had agreed to the clearance. Issue now is finding a contractor and gaining access as the agent does not have keys. 

Letter from Bicker Parochial Church Council regarding financial support – 06.08.26 - Clerk wrote and asked how much the wall repairs would be and signposted them to the Bicker Wind Farm trust and Pride in Place funds. Response received on 10.08.26 (see attached).

AGAR – 04.08.26 - the External Auditor emailed the clerk to request some further information, which the Clerk has provided.

Insurance Renewal: This is due on 1st October. Clerk has requested a renewal quote from our current insurers, Clear Councils Insurance. They informed us that the renewal terms have not yet been released by the insurers and are typically sent 45 days before renewal (so in the next week or so). Therefore, as there is no meeting in September, Councillors agreed that the Clerk would obtain quotations and they would deal with this matter via email.

Email from Bicker Parochial Church Council 10.08.26

Dear Alison

Thank you for your enquiry.

To date we have received confirmation from the Diocese of Lincoln for repairs to proceed. Ref 2026-130204.

We have sought three quotations for completion of works. Currently we have confirmation of costs between £6-7,000 including VAT from two of these. The third has sent outline costings. We are awaiting a site visit to ascertain exact costings and confirmation of works to be completed from this contractor. We will forward final costings as and when we have them and once our choice of contractor has been confirmed. If you require any further information we would be pleased to respond.

Kind regards

Bicker Parish Council

Meeting with Compass Education

Tuesday, 28th July 2026 at 10am via TEAMS

Present:

CB – Chair, Bicker Parish Council

KH - Deputy Director Education Services, Compass Schools

AD – Clerk, Bicker Parish Council

KH said they use Magic Notes to take the minutes. CB agreed to that.

KH thanked us for attending the meeting

CB – give you some bullet points to look at.

We would like to support the school, we want the children to be happy, for the school to work well with the Parish. Happy for you to be there, few points to make the school integrate a bit better.

KH - we appreciate that and want to be better neighbours

CB – The school is giving these children a chance in life and support they need.

School Lane residents – One resident, who lives next to the school, has written with complaints of not being able to sit in their back garden during the day, bad language, noise, fence broken and badly repaired by the school. Neighbourly problems.

Other residents who live next to the park have complained about school vehicles parked across their drive, blocking them in.

CB has contacted the school and has photographs. School said they could not move the car as the people had gone on a course for the day.

The two houses opposite have also experienced cars from the school blocking their driveways so they could not get in or out.

School Lane residents are struggling to get deliveries to their addresses. The fire brigade, police, ambulance cannot get down there when they need to because of the parked cars.

Boston Borough Council have been looking at the arrangements for dropping children off in the morning and collecting them. 10-15 cars. We are suggesting staff and visitors use the lay by opposite the Red Lion pub (would take 2-3 vehicles) and if people parked at other locations around the village, it would ease the congestion in School Lane.

KB – think that sounds perfectly reasonable. We can provide a estimate of the amount of traffic we expect.

CB – understand they want to get as close as they can.

KG – think people can walk a short distance with an umbrella if it is raining.

CB – some children need to be dropped off close. We can make some suggestions as to where people can park.

KH – yes, walk around the village together and get a plan as to where they could park.

CB – get phone calls from residents and I call the school but don’t often get called back.

KH – not an excuse, we have to be good neighbours, have had an issue with our reception admin being off on long term sick, now have someone who will improve the communication.

CB – residents have asked about the playground at the park. The PC are more than happy for the children to enjoy the park. Have spent quite a bit of money on refurbishing items and have had some issues with the children from the school. 6 children at a time with teaching assistants. Using it as somewhere to blow off steam. We would prefer it to be used as a reward if they are behaving well. The public area of the park is not the place to be taking children who are misbehaving. The Toddlers Only sign has been removed and older children are in there smoking and vaping with the members of staff. Members of the public have asked the kids to leave the play area, they should not need to be doing that.

KH – I agree.

CB – Language is a bit colourful. Request that you are mindful it is a public area, and it needs to be shared. Were told they would be taken on trips to different parks as they have their own vehicle. We’d like the park to be a reward for good behaviour.

KH - I can look into that, I am not there on a daily basis but can have a conversation with the staff. Will come up with some solutions and reassurances for the PC and residents.

CB – I understand that these children need particular attention. Had an incident with a child on the roof, police, drones etc. All blocked School Lane. Would like the people in School Lane to be integrated with the school and happy with what was going on.

KH – will have a think about how we can communicate with each other on the day. Maybe a box outside the school where they could put some notes.

CB – was another situation within the first 3 months – the school said they would put some higher fencing around the back. One of the residents who lives near the school has tried to put their house on the market as they are unhappy there now.

KH – Apologise if we have not followed through on assurances we have given you. I have only been working with the school since September. The Headteacher, Stacey Smith, mentioned that when she took over the school in September there was an agreement where the school would make a donation. We would be happy to do that.

CB – The previous school used to use the park for their sports day and the children used to go there and read. We agreed the current school would continue to offer a donation. We did not pursue it as there started to be issues.

KH – I understand that there could be an implication that we could use it because we’d paid.

CB – The park is in full control of Bicker Parish Council. I would not want to be in a position where I was telling any child not to go in the park. We have spent a lot of money on the park and would like the children in the school to enjoy it as a reward, rather than a steam room.

KH – I will take this back to Stacey Smith, who is currently on leave, and work with her and our estates team to come up with some suggestions. I will speak to the members of staff about behaviour and ensure that we are better neighbours. I really appreciate you understanding that we are trying to do things for the right reason and if we can make sure that we are not upsetting people as we go.

CB - if we can ease School Lane first, then address the park. 

KH – my youngest is about to turn 5 and I hear the feeling of not being able to use your own neighbourhood.

CB – some are very well behaved. These are isolated incidents. Does not happen with every child from the school.

KGH – appreciate you being measured and giving us the feedback. Will share the minutes and give you feedback on how we can improve things. Maybe a surgery where residents can come into the school once a month.

The meeting ended at 10.25am

053/26 To Receive the Finance Report  

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

Agreed that Clerk would bring quarterly bank accounts to the meeting for Councillors to review if they wanted.

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

055/26 To Receive Correspondence: 

a) Email from Borough Councillor Cantwell regarding policy for granting Honorary Freedom of the Parish: Cllr Cantwell recommended it to Councillors. Residents can nominate people. Up to us how we honour them. Councillors agreed that we would not adopt this as one of our policies at this time. 

b) Email from County Councillor Lock regarding the County Councillor Grant Scheme: This was noted by Councillors and that £200 from Borough Councillors is also available.

c) Email from Councillor Saucier regarding charges for allotment plots and changes to the Conditions of Tenancy. The allotment land belongs to the charities. Do not have the original agreements. Councillor Saucier reported that people are happy to pay the additional cost for domestic plots. Do we want to ban agricultural machinery on the allotment at certain days and times? Do we want to limit commercial plots? Agreed that the item would be added to the agenda for further discussion at the next meeting. Cllr Saucier to find out what other PC’s charge for their allotments. Agreed that the allotments were a valuable resource and we wanted to keep them.

056/26 To Receive Members Reports:

White boards around the village – lot of them are now broken. Quotation to patch up the ones that are broken. 

The green sign had been removed from the school lane entrance to the park. Agreed that this would be put back up.

Monument Road up to the Church against the fields. The footpath is very overgrown. ACTION: Clerk to report on FixMyStreet. 

Do we need to consider any tree risks because of the drought – should we do a visual inspection of our trees. The Chair confirmed that we already do this.

058/26 Date of next meeting – this was confirmed as Thursday, 8th October 2026 at 7pm.

The walk around the village was confirmed for 6pm on 10th September 2026, starting at the village hall.

045/26 Any Other Business: There being no further business, the meeting ended at 20.55.

Signed:  …………………………………………………

Name: …………………………………………………            

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