June 2025

Wainfleet All Saints Town Council Meeting

Draft notes from the Town Council Meeting held on 4th June 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).

Apologies: Cllr. S Tetley, Cllr C Drury and Cllr S Drury.

Also present: 3 members of the public. 

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

As the Town Clerk is on leave Cllr MC had offered to stand in for the taking of the Minutes – 

PROPOSED, SECONDED RESOLVED to accept the offer of Note taking.

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

An enquiry was made as to the attendance at meetings by the new LCC Councillor. Chair responded an invitation had been sent but no response had been received.

There being no further questions the Chair closed the public session and formally opened the Council meeting.

2. Apologies for absence

To receive and approve apologies for absence.

Apologies had been received from Cllrs. ST, CD and SD. 

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the apologies.

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 Annual Council Meeting held on 7th May 2025

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

Draft notes from the council meeting held on 7th May 2025 had been circulated to council members.

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to confirm the minutes as a true record of the meeting held on 7th May 2025. 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:

* Internal Audit complete – AGAR submitted to external auditor

* Standing orders reviewed

* Publication scheme reviewed

* Media Policy reviewed

* Invites have been sent for the Annual Parish Meeting

* Deterioration of Butter cross repairs reported to contractor – viewing tba for June

* Councillor vacancies posted

* Play Area Bin reported to ELDC

* Estimate for War Memorial received.

PROPOSED, SECONDED AND RESOLVED TO CONFIRM THE REVISION and ADOPTION OF THE 3 POLICIES – Standing Orders, Publication and Media Policy.

Issues still Pending:

* Clock Tower interior repairs

* War Memorial repairs

* Office Blinds

* Extension of cremation plot in Northolme

* CCTV Installation

* Revised polices to be reviewed by Council

* Community Payback Scheme – awaiting their availability

* Review of renewal invitation from insurers – information circulated for Councillors to review and agree.

* Renewal of Electric Contract – options have been researched – recommendation will follow once further reduction have been explored.

* Policies to be reviewed Risk Management, Safeguarding and social media.

* ELIF Grass Roots Funding

6. Reports from External Agencies

To receive reports from LCC Maria Hume and ELDC Cllr. Wendy Bowkett.

Other Councillors reports from external meetings.

LCC Cllr. M.Hume did not attend the meeting nor send in a report.

        ELDC CLlr. W.Bowkett reported the following:

* District Councillors now have £4000 available under the community grant scheme. Contact WB to apply.

* Two weeks remain to get COVID vaccinated for those with weakened immune systems, over 75 or in care.

*  Volunteers required to keep coastal paths clear. Further details from Alison Carlisle. Alison.carlisle@e-lindsey.gov.uk

* Improved Embassy Theatre now re-opened.

A Vote of thanks was expressed by Chair SM and all councillors to Cllr WB for her unwavering and unconditional support as LCC Councillor – A presentation was made by Cllr CM on behalf of the Council as appreciation of all the support given to both the Council and the wider Wainfleet community.

7. Finance

    a. To receive the May Financial reports and updates.

        The May 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 May Financial Report.

        b. To approve payments and receipts

    Discussion on payments to be made.

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

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

    c. To review the insurance renewal from Clear Councils.

    Quotations had been circulated to determine the insurer for the forthcoming year. 

    Discussion agreed to accept the quotation from the current insurer Clear Councils.

    PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the quote from Clear Councils

    Agreed by all to thank the Clerk for his hard work and success in a clean bill of financial health for the Council – 

    a good job well done.

8. Planning. 

To receive and discuss new applications.

Information on Eastern Link has been circulated for all to familiarise

Confirmation of Enforcement action over property operating without planning permission circulated to all for information.

No new applications were received.

9. Review of the Working Groups

With the loss of 4 councillors recently Chair SM has drawn up a revised Working Group allocation which has been circulated to all and received agreement to adopt. 

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to adopt the revised Working Group format.

10. Reports from working group meetings

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

a. Allotments 

Everything in good order – plots 9 and 10 new tenants bringing into good order. Water meter may need reporting as malfunctioning - tba

b. Burials & Cemeteries

Memorial        Plot 916

Transfer of EROB        Plots GR4, GR55

Cemetery income in May  £275

Discussion on War Memorial - Report rec’d from J Lake and circulated. Active discussion on repair or re-siting. Council concurred to repair with funding to be sourced through the Grass Roots Fund in conjunction with the repairs to the Clock Tower and Clock Paving in the Market Place – bid to be submitted in October.

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to approve the repair of the War Memorial

    PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to approve an October funding bid to cover the War memorial repair, the Clock Tower internal repairs and paving repair.

Hedge at All Saints – much improved after trimming and tidying and can potentially regenerate – to be reviewed in October.

Fencing advised as damaged - will be repaired by P and A group along with weeding at Northolme cemetery.

Tree Report received from Cllr DK – all points noted. Recommendations coming from the safety inspection attended by Cllr WH are for a tree report annually, a monthly check list and a Risk Assessment for any actions carried out by a profession tree surgeon – to be fully explored in the next Working Group meeting in June.

c. Marketing & Promotions

Markets are supported but do require additional promotion – group will work to redesign and promote with flyers and include some activities for children.

d. Marketplace

Tubs and baskets all in place and watering rota agreed.

Discussion on tree roots lifting the surface of the paving – ELDC Tree Officer to be invited to report on action that can be taken. 

e. Play area

Reports of equipment issues have been remedied by Cllr WH: Clerk has reported missing litter bin to ELDC. Cllr WB will follow up. Other issues requiring attention have been highlighted and will be rectified and remedied in the next month.

The Chair gave a vote of thanks to Cllr WH for taking on the additional responsibilities – and to ensure to ask if assistance required.

11. CCTV

To review the quotations obtained by Cllrs. CD and WB for the installation

Owing to Cllr CD not being at the meeting this agenda item will be c/f for the July meeting.

12. Correspondence

To discuss correspondence received.

* Request from MV for 28th May and public toilets not open – Cllr WB suggested if this should happen again her number be forwarded to MV and she will come and open.

* Tree webinar attended and information shared

* Play Area equipment issues address as minuted notes above.

* Complaints of noise and odours on the Hight Street have been reported to ELDC

* Circulated information from FloodedPeople.org.uk.

* Resignations received from Cllrs J Hart and Cllr D Kettleborough

Chair SM will acknowledge and send a letter of appreciation to all.

13. Agenda items for next meeting. 

      The Annual Parish Meeting is scheduled for June 11th at 18.00 hrs in the Methodist Chapel

      Everyone is welcome – refreshments will be provided.

      The next scheduled Council Meeting will be Wednesday 2nd July 18.00 hrs in the Methodist Chapel 

Plans for VJ Day August 15th

Final Plans for the Wainfleet Weekend

Market Place Trees

Auction

There being no further business to discuss Mayor SM thanked all for their attendance and contribution and closed the meeting at 19.09 hrs.