February 2026

Wainfleet All Saints Town Council Meeting

Minutes from the Town Council Meeting held on 5th February 2026 at 6.00pm in the Methodist Chapel.

Councillors present: Cllr. S. Mitchell (SM), Cllr. C. Mitchell (CM), Cllr. C. Drury (CD), Cllr. S. Drury (SD), Cllr. W. Hatchman (WH), Cllr. M Clarke (MC), Cllr, S.Bonshor (SB), Cllr. K. Whiting (KW).

Apologies: Cllr. W. Bowkett (WB).

Also present: Clerk C.Cleary (CC) and 5 members of the public. 

Mayor SM welcomed everyone and opened the meeting at 6.00pm inviting the county and district councillors to make their reports. 

1.  Reports from county and district councillors

To receive a report from LCC Councillor M.Hume.

Cllr Hume was not present and did not send a report. Mayor SM expressed his disappointment that for the third consecutive council meeting, the county councillor did not attend.

To receive a report from ELDC Councillor W. Bowkett.

Due to a family bereavement Cllr. Bowkett was not present, but she did send a report which Mayor SM read out.

Confirmation the toilets should start on the 25th June, subject to change. The works will take approx 10 weeks. Cllr. CD gave more details on the programme of toilet refurbishment throughout the district.

Flooding Event hosted by Shine the 16th February at Coronation Hall from 2 till 7pm. This is a community event to show how supporting others in a crisis can work. The programme is detailed on posters in the notice boards, office windows and website.

Schools out programme Tuesday 17th Magdalen school - Multi Skills activity please book on via magnavitae.org/schools-out

ELDC have invested in a new sand machine to keep the sea promenades clear and accessible for us all, the new JCB has cost  120,000.

2. Public session

An opportunity for the public to ask the Council questions and to bring new observations.

Member of public thanked Cllr WH for clearing out the drains in Marketplace.

Mayor SM closed the public session and advised that council were now in full session.

3. Apologies for absence

To receive and approve apologies for absence.

Cllr. WB sent her apologies for absence due to a family bereavement.

Proposed, seconded and resolved to accept the apology.

4. 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.

5. Draft Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 7th January 2026

To confirm the notes as a true record of the decisions made.

Draft notes from the meeting had been published before the meeting. 

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the draft notes as a true record of the meeting held on 7th January 2026.

Mayor SM duly signed the minutes of the meeting.

6. Councillor vacancies

To consider applications received for vacant seats on the council.

Two applications had been received and have been circulated to councillors prior to the meeting. Discussion on applications. No further questions were made to the applicants. 

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to co-opt Stephen Bonshor and Karen Whiting to the council. 

Mayor SM welcomed the new councillors to the council and invited them to join the table.

Cllrs. SB and KW duly signed their acceptance of office in the presence of the Proper Officer Clerk CC.

ACTION: Clerk to submit new councillors DPI to ELDC once received.

7.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

* Precept submitted

* Allotment invoices and notice of 2027 rents issued

* Draft IT policy prepared

* Q3 financial report issued

* District councillor grant application approved and received

* National Lottery Heritage Fund contacted 

* Approval of conservation area sent to ELDC

* Refund from bus shelter water rates obtained 

* Clock tower timer replaced

* LCC budget survey   no reply sent as no councillor responded by deadline

Issues still pending

* War memorial repairs 

* Block paving repairs

* Extension of cremation plot area in Northolme   see item 10b

* Reply from diocese for wildflower area in All Saints cemetery

* Community Payback Scheme   awaiting their availability

8. Finance

    a. To receive the January Financial reports and updates.

The January monthly financial report and bank reconciliation had been circulated to councillors before the meeting. Discussion on report.

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to approve the January financial reports

        b. To approve payments and receipts

Discussion on payments to be made.

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to approve the payments to be made.

    For transparency, the following payments in excess of  £100 were made in January

    Clerk CC advised that a refund of  737.89 had been obtained from Anglian Water due to overcharging for drainage at the bus shelter.

    c. To review the third quarter financial report

    Clerk CC had prepared the third quarter financial report which had been sent to councillors prior to the meeting. No questions or comments were raised. 

    d. To review the LCC grass cutting agreement changes

    Correspondence from LCC had been received requesting some minor changes to the grass cutting agreement. Discussion on changes. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the proposed changes.

    e. To review and adopt the IT policy

    Clerk CC had prepared and circulated the draft IT policy. No further comments.

    PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to adopt the IT policy.

    Mayor SM signed the policy.

    f.  To approve the quotation to clear the area where the container is to be sited.

    A quotation had been received to clear the area where the container is to be sited. Discussion on quotation. Cllr. CD expressed concern at the cost involved. Mayor SM to revert to contractor and seek a revised quotation.

9. Planning

To receive and discuss new applications.

03886/25/FUL   Batemans brewery. Council fully supported the proposal.

443   Parking restrictions on Station Road. Council fully supported the proposal.

10. Reports from working group meetings

To receive and discuss the actions recommended by the working group meetings and approve associated expenditure.

a. Marketing & Promotions

To receive an update on the May Day event.

WH gave an update. Next meeting 6th Feb at WSM. 

b. Properties & Amenities

Proposal to remove the bench from Spilsby Road outside Northolme cemetery.

Not discussed   Cllr WH advised that it had now been repaired.

Proposal to place a  No Dogs allowed  sign at Wainfleet Bank Cemetery.

Not discussed. Cllr WH advised the clerk to obtain a replacement sign.

To discuss the continued supply of dog poop bags in the town.

Discussion on misuse of dog poop bags. Agreed to limit the supply to two stations in the town, Message to be placed on social media that these bags are for emergency use only and that dog owners without bags can be fined.

To review and approve the quotes for the extension of the ashes plots in Northolme

Three quotations had been received for the extension of the ashes plots in Northome Cemetery. Discussion on quotations.

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED  to award the works to DW Landscapes.

Cllr. WH advised that a prospective tenant was to be interviewed for one of the vacant allotment plots.

Activities in Northome cemetery this month. Memorials GR284 and GR334. Total  £200.00

11. Correspondence

To discuss correspondence received

* Amendment to parish grass cutting agreement

* Enquiry from Jacks soccer schools for setting up a soccer school   forwarded to the junior football club

* Invitation from Shine to participate in the Lincs. flood resilience roadshows   flyers on notice boards, website, etc.

* Internal Drainage Board operational checks advise   published on notice boards, etc.

* Greater Lincolnshire Nature Recovery Strategy consultation invite

12. Agenda items for next meeting

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

* Block paving in Marketplace

* Grass cutting contracts

* Quotations for Brooks Walk gate entry to playing fields

* Kerbs in Northolme car park

* CCTV

Mayor SM advised that due to his current treatment, Clerk CC would be working from home for the next few weeks.

Mayor SM thanked all for their attendance and closed the meeting at 7pm.

Next meeting : 4th March 2026