July 2025

Draft notes from the Town Council Meeting held on 2nd July 2025 at 6.00pm in the Methodist Chapel.

Councillors present: Cllr. Steve Mitchell (SM), Cllr. Christine Mitchell (CM), Cllr. Wendy Bowkett (WB), Cllr. W. Hatchman (WH), Cllr. Clarke (MC), Cllr. C. Drury (CD), Cllr. S.Drury (SD).

Apologies: None

Also present: Clerk C. Cleary (CC) and 3 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.

Question from public about bags on the allotments and possible rats. The tenant is aware and they contain manure for the fertilising of the plot. They will be dealt with by the tenant.

2. Apologies for absence

To receive and approve apologies for absence.

None.

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.

4. Draft Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 4th June 2025

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

Draft notes from the meeting held on 4th June had been circulated to councillors.

Proposed, seconded and resolved to confirm the minutes as a true record of the meeting held on 4th June 2025.

5. Clerks report and action points from the previous minutes

To receive the clerks report and deal with matters arising.

Completed issues

• VAT return completed and refund received.
• Co-option notice received following the resignation of Cllrs. Hart & Fraser
• Revised electricity quotes obtained
• Illegal installation of Bus Stop signage on Marketplace reported to LCC and ELDC
• Enforcement team contacted re: alleged unauthorised use of premises 63-64 High Street
• ELDC Tree team contacted re: Marketplace. Unable to attend until September earliest.

Issues still pending

• Clock tower interior repairs
• War memorial repairs
• Block paving repairs
• Buttercross repairs
• Office blinds
• Extension of cremation plot area in Northolme
• CCTV installation Community Payback Scheme – awaiting their availability

6. Reports from External Agencies

To receive a report from LCC Councillor Maria Hume

LCC Cllr. Maria Hume gave the following update on issues raised by the council :

• Bus stop signage – no response as yet.
• Historical issue  - no response as yet.
• Flooding – Has met with leader of council and environment councillor regarding the councils concerns over the weakening of LCC flood scrutiny. Has been assured that there will be more meetings of the new committee.

Cllr Wb asked about section 19 and planned road closures. Cllr. MH would look into the matter.

To receive a report from ELDC Councillor Wendy Bowkett

ELDC at the Hub, Horncastle on the 9th July 6 till 7.30pm are presenting the many ways there are to get community funding there are various different schemes etc. anyone interested please pm me and I will forward your details on.

Art Aspirations for market towns is coming to Wainfleet over the summer holidays. Kate Griffen from ELDC place team, is inviting local artists and residents to take part over the summer. The project will create a piece of artwork designed by the local residents and then displayed within the town, details will be going out soon how you can get involved.

A reminder that 3G network is being switched off at the end of the year, if you have an older phone please check the network.

River Steeping Partnership update – meeting held 25th June at Manby.

I raised again the large tractor being used to cut the banks, this is leaving large ruts on the bank, this is to be looked into immediately. The banks that have been reconstructed appear to have been lowered, I have asked why and if they can confirm this to be the case.  The culverts at Spilsby Road and Croft lane will be checked as soon as the robot machine is available, this is used to check the insides of the culverts. The EA are looking into how the easiest way to access funding is whether that be capital or through ongoing maintenance. The working group will look into a few things that could slow the flow down, they will report back at the next meeting.

The works on the tanyards, permits have now been submitted.

The latest fly tipping in Wainfleet St Mary on the corner of church lane, this was successfully investigated quickly enough by ELDC officers to enable names to be recovered from the rubbish. This shows the need to report immediately on fix my street. Hopefully a prosecution can be brought against those responsible.

The pride team of east Lindsey are available for any tidying jobs around the town, please let me know of any areas that are of concern.

Please as always get in touch with any problems.

7. Finance

a. To receive the June Financial reports and updates.

The June financial report and bank reconciliation had been sent to councillors prior to the meeting.

Discussion on financial report and payments

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the June Financial Report.

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 June

c. To review the councils storage facilities.

Rent has increased from £50/month to £75/month and current contract expires at end of June. Discussion on current storage facilities. Proposed, seconded resolved to extend storage contract for 6 months.

Discussion on alternative storage options. A 20ft container was considered and there are various possibilities to site it. Estimated costs for a 20ft container range from £1000 - £2000 and a base would need to be installed.  Proposed, seconded and resolved to obtain a container. P&A working group to discuss and finalise location. Clerk to obtain quotes for container. SM to obtain quotes for base.

8. Planning

To receive and discuss new applications.

Eastern Green Link meetings notified and circulated to councillors.

Enforcement notice served on Mill House – caravan to be removed no later than 2 September. (Now removed).

EC/02109/25 – Barn to rear of 63 High Street – investigation as to unauthorised change of use.

9. Proposal to limit the number of Wainfleet Markets in the year

To receive a proposal from Cllr. S.Mitchell that the monthly markets be stopped with immediate effect.

Discussion on proposal to stop markets. Cllr. SM amended his proposal to limit the markets this year to August, October and at Christmas. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the amended proposal. Action: Clerk to notify market traders.

Discussion on organisation of future markets. M&P working group to review.

10. Review of Friday auctions.

To review the performance of the weekly auction and discuss its future.

Discussion on weekly auction. The auction is not being held on a weekly basis. Cllr. SM to meet with auctioneer to discuss future auctions.

11. Repairs made to Buttercross

To review the reply received from Skillingtons with regard to the failing of repairs made to the Buttercross.

Clerk CC had written to Skillingtons requesting they review the repairs effected and their apparent failure. Discussion on reply from SKillingtons. Council felt that this needed immediate attention. ACTION: Clerk to reply to SKillingtons requesting immediate attention to the repairs.

12. Reports from working group meetings

To receive and discuss reports from working group meetings and approve associated expenditure.

Allotments – All in good standing.

Burials/Cemetery – No activities in Northolme this month. Tidy up of Northolme scheduled for 7pm on 22 July with the help of Wainfleet Young Farmers..

P&A – Trip hazard around trees needs barrier/signage. Some jobs from Play area inspection.

M&P – Newsletter- any suggestions for newsletter to be sent to Cllr. MC for inclusion. Will be published in September. Xmas lights/market propose to change to Sunday 7th December, due to clash with Boston Market. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to amend the date of the Christmas Market to Sunday 7th December. ACTION: Clerk to advise traders of change of date.

13. Correspondence

To discuss correspondence received

• Co-option letter received for vacancies created by resignation of Cllr. Hart and Fraser
• Invitation from WSM to attend VJ day service at Memorial Hall. – Cllrs. SM, WB and WH have replied.
• Invitation to LALC AGM (Zoom)-circulated to councillors
• Request to advertise Resting Woods Burial site in newsletter. Agreed to include in next newsletter.
• Reply from Skillingtons re: Buttercross (see item 11)
• Letter from resident complaining about untidiness on Rumbold Lane – draft reply circulated to councillors. Clerk to send reply to resident.
• Email enquiry to install an EV charging point in Marketplace. Clerk to Invite them to meet with council.
• Reminder that the defibrillator pads will need replacing in July
• Reminder from UKSPF Grass roots about funding applications
• Further complaints about noise and smells from barn behind 63-64 High Street.(see item 8)
• Request from Wainfleet Weekend to use playing field, gazebos and lights. Agreed – clerk to advise.
• Request to use play area from Early Years Alliance (27/8). Agreed – clerk to advise that this type of activity is welcome anytime.

14. To discuss the need to hold a council meeting in August.

To discuss and decide if a meeting in August is necessary during the holiday period.

Cllr. SM proposed that the August meeting should not be held due to holidays.

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to not hold an August meeting.

15. Agenda items for next meeting

To receive items for inclusion on the next meeting’s agenda,

Next meeting 3rd September.

Wildflower areas at WB and All Saints.

Mayor SM thanked all for their attendance and closed the meeting at 1926.