February 2025

Wainfleet All Saints Town Council Meeting        

Draft notes from the Town Council Meeting held on 5th February 2025 at 6.00pm in the Methodist Chapel.

Councillors present: Cllr. Steve Mitchell (SM), Cllr. Christine Mitchell (CM), Cllr. Wendy Bowkett (WB), Cllr. Jean Hart (JH), Cllr. W. Hatchman (WH), Cllr. C. Drury (CD), Cllr. M. Clarke (MC), Cllr S. Drury (SD), Cllr. S.Fraser (SF).
Absent : Cllr. D.Kettleborough (DK).
Apologies : None
Also present : Clerk C. Cleary (CC) and 5 members of the public. 

Mayor SM welcomed everyone and opened the public session at 1800 hrs.

1.  Public session
An opportunity for the public to ask the Council questions and to bring new observations. This session will be of maximum 15 minutes duration.
On behalf of a member of the public, Mayor SM announced that agreement had been reached between the council and the fundraisers for a memorial for a recently departed resident of the town. The friends and relatives had raised sufficient funds to enable the restoration of the bench near the clocktower and for a plaque to be placed upon it.
A member of the public asked if there had been any amount retained by the council for the resurfacing of the Marketplace. Mayor SM advised that no retention had been made and it was now apparent that the lightening of the surface was clearly visible.
The same member of the public asked why no finance costs had been shown for office premises since the council moved to their new offices. Clerk CC explained that the property was purchased with the assistance of a loan from the Public Works Loan Board and repayments are made twice yearly in February and August.
The same member of the public questioned the reduction in electricity consumption at the new office and why no costs for electricity had been recorded in the minutes. Clerk CC confirmed that the consumption had reduced by some 85% in KwH terms. Clerk CC advised that only items in excess of  £100 are noted in the minutes and the electricity bills had been around  £30.
The same member of the public asked if the councils storage situation had been resolved and was it free. Mayor SM advised that a new storage location had been found following the closing down of the previous site and although not free, it was less expensive than the original site.
The same member of the public asked if the railings that had been previously used around the Christmas Tree had been located. Mayor SM advised that the railings had never been  lost  and are currently in Wainfleet Bank Cemetery.
A member of the public reported weeds on the footpath on High Street near Barkham Street. Mayor SM advised that this would be dealt with.

There being no further questions from the public, Mayor SM closed the public session and council went into full session at 18.10.

2. Apologies for absence
To receive and approve apologies for absence.
None received.

3. Declarations of interest
To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011.
Being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on the Members Register of Interests and any written requests for dispensation.
None declared.

4. Draft Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 8th January 2025
To confirm the notes as a true record of the decisions made.
Draft notes from the meeting held on 8th January had been circulated to councillors prior to the meeting.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to confirm the notes of the meeting held on 8th January as a true record of the decisions taken. Mayor SM duly signed the minutes.

5. Clerks report and action points from the previous minutes
To receive the clerks report and deal with matters arising.

Matters arising from last meeting
    Completed issues
* Office signage ordered
* Farming allotment invoices issued
* All garden allotment rents have been paid
* Precept submitted to ELDC
* Quotation to remove ivy from All Saints church hedge received -  £200. (see item 9b)
* Allotment plot 9 readvertised   1 application received. (see item 9a)
* Playground equipment accompanied inspection arranged (March   date TBC)
* Allotment policy revised

Issues still pending
* Rental of farming allotment plot 2 (advertised, but only 1 response)
* Rental of garden allotment plot 9
* Quotation from Cllr. C. Drury for noticeboard   received at meeting.
* Quotations from Cllrs. C.Drury & W.Bowkett for CCTV
* Wildflower area to be planted (scheduled for March/April 2025)
* Community Payback scheme application
* Extension of cremation plot area in Northolme 
* CCTV 
* Review of Financial regulations
* Review of co-option policy
Clerk incurred no overtime in the month of January.

6. Reports from External Agencies
To receive reports from LCC and ELDC Cllr. Wendy Bowkett.
Other Councillors reports from external meetings.
Cllr WB reported the following items :
County council elections have been confirmed as going ahead on the 1st May by government, these will take place alongside the Mayoral Elections for Greater Lincolnshire.]
Lincolnshire county council will be asking full council to agree the council tax for next year at 2.99 % increase. There has been a consultation where residents agreed with the 2.99 %.
The net budget for next year is £690 million, the settlement was  £20million less than last year.
I recently met with the River Steeping steering group, the EA confirmed their capital budget for this year has been cancelled, but maintenance budget is still there so will continue to do the planned maintenance for the year.
Next year new ways of funding will be announced, where capital can be used as revenue, more details should be available soon. 

7. Finance
    a. To receive the January Financial reports and updates.
    The January financial report and bank reconciliation had been sent to councillors prior to the meeting. Discussion on financial report.
    
    PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the January Financial Report.
    
    b. To approve payments and receipts
    Discussion on payments to be made. Clerk to prepare comparison of costs for installation/taking down of Christmas illuminations.
    PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVE to approve the payments to be made.
For transparency, the following payments in excess of  £100 were made in January.

   
    c. To review the performance of Heritage Lincolnshire as project manager for the UKSPF project
    Discussion on performance of Heritage Lincs. and the report sent by Smith of Derby.
    PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to request Heritage Lincs. to inspect the clocktower and report on the issues raised by Smith of Derby.
   
    d. To review the report on the clocktower from Smiths of Derby
    Discussed under item 7c.

8. Planning
To receive and discuss new applications.
National Grid Eastern Green Link 3 and Eastern Green Link 4 community update. Circulated to council. No comments.
Quickline FTTP cabinet location. Circulated to council. No Comments.
0009/25/TCA   37 Patten Avenue. Circulated to council. No objection.
S/194/01691/24   34 Brewster Lane   approved by ELDC.

9. Reports from working group meetings
To receive and discuss reports from working group meetings and approve associated expenditure.
a. Allotments 
Mayor SM interviewed an applicant who seems appropriate and the plot would be offered to him as seen.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to offer him the plot. CC to write to other applicant advising of council decision.
Discussion on refund of deposit to previous tenant of plot 9. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to repay the deposit.
Discussion on revised allotment policy. Discussion on requirement for deposit. In view of the fact that plots were to be offered to tenants on an  as seen  basis, then there was no need to ask for a deposit. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to adopt the revised allotment policy.

b. Burials & Cemeteries 
Memorial                   : Plots GR223, GR252
Ashes internments    : Plots 756, GR328, GR30

Discussion on clearing of ivy from hedgerow at All Saints Churchyard. Quotation had been received from contractor. Further inspection of hedgerow shows that very little hedgerow remains and the ivy is basically all that remains. Agreed to request contractor to remove all the hedgerow and advise if any additional costs would be involved.
Cllr. MC reported the following:
* Quotation for the extension of the garden of remembrance had not been received. 
* Initial ideas for using Community Payback scheme for councillors to consider and revert.
* Proposal to install another waste bin in the Spilsby Road car park for councillors to consider and revert.

c. Marketing & Promotions
Cllr. WB presented the following recommendations from the M&P working group:
* That council should support the VE day celebrations being organised by WSM and RBLI.
* That market days be moved to Saturdays and run in conjunction with a car boot.
* That market days be held on 26th April, 31st May, 28th June, 23rd August, 27th September, 25th October.
* That the Christmas Market should be held on Saturday 29th November.
* That the children s Christmas party be held on 14th December.
* That the next newsletter should be published by 1st week of April with a deadline for entries of 2nd week of March.
* That advertising within the newsletter, and delivery to households within the parish be investigated further.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the recommendation of the M&P Working Group.

Mayor SM updated about the filming in Wainfleet in February, work will start on 13th Feb, filming 20th for 2 days, revamp of set and 1 more day filming. Have offered  £500 for councils assistance. SM proposed that this be used towards the Childrens Xmas party. Methodist Hall and Coronation Hall have been booked for the filming.
Mayor SM had also contacted some stall holders at Sibsey Farmers Market and they will be approached to attend our markets.

d. Marketplace
Graffiti had been reported in the bus shelter. Cllr. WB to contact ELDC clean up team to remove.

e. Play area
Following the resignation of the councillor responsible for play area inspections another councillor is required to accept responsibility for this area. Cllr. WH volunteered and was thanked for his commitment.. 

10. CCTV
To review the quotations obtained by Cllrs. Drury and Bowkett for the installation CCTV within the parish
Cllrs. CD & WB advised that they were still awaiting quotations from equipment suppliers. Mayor SM advised that a resident of Marketplace had offered council the possibility of installing the equipment on their property. Discussion on CCTV installation. Offer noted, but extreme care to be taken to ensure that GDPR regulations are strictly followed.

11. East Lindsey Investment Fund Grassroots Grant Scheme
To discuss the new ELIF Grant Scheme.
Details of the new ELIF granny scheme had been circulated to councillors prior to the meeting. Due to the proximity of the cut off date for the first round, council felt there was insufficient time to gather quotations for any proposed works. Councillors to consider projects and revert at the next meeting.

12. Request from Wainfleet St Mary PC to borrow the councils gazebos
To receive a request from WSMPC to borrow the councils gazebos for an event on 31st August and an invitation to participate jointly on a stall at the event.
Discussion on request. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to allow WSM PC to borrow the gazebos and for council to have a joint stall at the event with councillors from WSM.

13. Damaged fence by Crows bridge
To receive a report from Cllr. W.Hatchman of a damaged fence near Crows Bridge.
Cllr. WH questioned the ownership of the fence by Crows Bridge which is damaged. Advised to report the matter on FixMyStreet and to send photographs to Cllr. WB who will investigate further.

14. Correspondence
To discuss correspondence received
* Report from Smiths of Derby   circulated. See item 7c.
* Request from WSM to borrow gazebos and participate in their Village show. See item 12.
* National Highways & Transport survey received   noted.
* Lincolnshire NHS 10 year plan consultation   circulated and noted.
* Valuation office enquiry on office premises received   clerk has already replied.
* Resident requested assistance in renewing a blue badge   Clerk organised.
* Healthguard (mole contractor) letter announcing 2.5% increase in charges. Noted.
* Avian Influenza notification   published on website, FB, noticeboard.
* Complaint about overhanging trees from resident on Station road   directed to FixMyStreet
* Request for support of Li battery legislation for e-Scooters. Noted.
* Email from WSM   resident reporting shooting at allotments. Advised to report matter to 101.
* Resignation of Cllr. W. Lagden   noted and reported to ELDC.
* Resignation of Cllr. S.Storey-Taylor   noted and reported to ELDC.

15. Agenda items for next meeting
To receive items for inclusion on the next meeting s agenda,

Next meeting : 12th March.
Mayor SM thanked all for their participation and closed the meeting at 19.37.