May 2022

Minutes of Annual Parish Meeting

Wainfleet All Saints Annual Parish Meeting
 
 
The Meeting took place on Tuesday 17th May at 18:00 in the Council Offices.  
Present: Cllrs. D.Wickes (Mayor), S Baird, W Bowkett, D Wickes, J.Hart, D Kettleborough, W.Hatchman, C.Harbon, B.Harbon and ELDC/LCC Cllr W Bowkett.
Apologies from Cllr. V.Parker-Hill.
Also present :Clerk C.Cleary, PCSO Jayne Richardson, YMCA Community Officer Sandra Smith
Members of the public. 2
 
 
Cllr. Wickes opened the meeting and welcomed everyone and gave a report summarised as follows:
  •  The new council offices give the council  visible presence on the High Street and are used by various groups and also provide storage space.
  • Precept was not increased this year.
  • Allotments now have a waiting list.
  • Market Place is a bigger focal point for the town with events like the weekly market, bike night and the Xmas Fayre. It is hoped to expand the events in the Market Place. Floral Displays have been arranged and local residents are taking care of some of the tubs and baskets.
  • Plans for a 4 day extravaganza to commemorate the Queens Platinum Jubilee are well under way starting with the firefighters fun run and closing with a picnic with live entertainment on the Sunday.
  • Christmas decorations will need replacing and fundraising will start in earnest after the Jubilee.
  • Additional sports groups are encouraged to make use of the playing fields that the council leases. A longer term challenge would be the construction of a sports pavilion.
  • More picnic tables will shortly be installed in the play area.
  • New equipment has been purchased and installed with an official opening in July where the generous donors will be invited,
  • Japanese Knotweed treatment in the field is in year 3 of a 10 year programme.
  • New contractors for grass cutting were taken on last year showing a vast improvement. Extra trees have been planted and more to come including a jubilee tree. 
  • Still problems with dog fouling and litter. New poop bag stations have been ordered.
  • Mayor thanked all councillors for their work and dedication, and encouraged more people to volunteer and take pride in the town.
2. Police Report.
PCSO Jayne Richardson gave a report summarised as follows:
  • Some staff changes within the Coast Neighbourhood Policing Team, but Wainfleet still has a station and 2 PCSO’s and a person to man the office on certain daysThey cover a wide area, including both Wainfleets, Friskney, Croft, Burgh, The Thorpes, Firsby, Irby, Bratoft and the Steepings.
  •  They try and maintain a visible and available presence in the area, attending town events and holding surgeries in the council offices. All events are advertised on social media as well as in noticeboards.
  •  The work is very varied and all types of incidents are dealt with, sometimes working with different other agencies.
  • Some shifts involve speed monitoring, school visits, group/club talks, RTC assistance, ASB, etc.
PCSO Richardson demonstrated the speed gun used and the police approach to deal with offending motorists. She also reiterated the need to report incidents via 101, or 999 in case of extreme emergency. She also distributed the current booklet to prevent fraud crimes.
 
3. District and County Council Report ELDC/LCC Cllr. W.Bowkett
Cllr. Bowkett gave the following report :
  • Cllr. Bowkett now portfolio holder for adult care and public health in Lincolnshire.
  • 150 Ukrainian families have been welcomed to Lincolnshire.
  • LCC have done first grass cut and weed spray around district. 
  • Working with Wainfleet All Saints and Wainfleet St Mary to get full fibre provided to the area.
  • LCC are catching up with backlog of potholes.
  • Any problem issues can be reported on Fix My Street.
  • Final stages of Fodder Dyke improvement will be finished in the Autumn.
  • Working with Highways to see if the retread programme can be used for light traffic roads.
  • Desilting of Steeping has finished giving 6-7 feet depth throughout. First cut of banks has been done, second scheduled later in the year. 2 Weed cuts planned.
  • Very successful fundraising campaign for extra play area equipment. Hopefully a second phase will be planned if funds can be raised.
  • Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations are a result of joint efforts between the parishes of Thorpe St Peter, Wainfleet St. Marys and our own parish.
  • A new project to restart the Wainfleet Angling Club is at an early stage. More details to follow.
4. Finance Report.
The clerk issued a year-end financial statement for 2021/22 along with budget details of the current year to the meeting and went through the income and payments. 
An explanation was given for variations of expenditure. The clerk advised that the financial situation of the council, though sound, would be challenging in the coming years due to inflationary pressures and changes in legislation meaning that revenues derived from the councils assets could be lower. No questions were received.
 
5. Report from YMCA representative.
Sandra Smith gave a brief introduction of the services she is hoping to provide to the community and her findings to date. Most concur with the survey done last year (Vital and Viable), and further discussions will be held with ELDC later in the week.
 
6. Questions from parishoners.
Mayor D. Wickes opened the floor to questions from parishoners.
A parishioner raised issues with blind spots causing difficulties to enter Spilsby Road and the speed of traffic on this road. The issues were discussed with the police and councillors with the following outcome:
  • Police will continue to monitor speeding in the area
  • Possibility to obtain 30 mph signs to stick on wheelie bins
  • Speedwatch membership to be considered at next council meeting.
  • Concealed entrance signs to be investigated further.
7. Mayor D.Wickes thanked all for attending and declared the meeting closed at 19.00 hrs.
 
I certify these minutes to be a true record of the meeting held on 17th May, 2022.
 
 
Mayor – Cllr. D.Wickes
Date:  6th June, 2022