February 2021
Wainfleet All Saints Town Council Meeting
Notes of Town Council Meeting held by video conferencing
on 9th February 2021 at 18:00 hrs
Cllrs present:
Mayor D Wickes (DW), Cllr W Bowkett (WB), Cllr S Baird (SB), Cllr D Kettleborough (DK), Cllr V Parker-Hill (VP)
Absent:
Cllr J Hart (JH), Cllr B Allen (BA)
Also present:
Clerk C Cleary, one member of the public
Mayor DW welcomed everyone and opened the public meeting at 1819 hrs.
1. Police
No report had been received from the police representative, although Jayne had delivered an anti dog fouling poster to be displayed on the Notice Board. Additional signage is in place around the town.
2. Public Session
An opportunity for the public to ask the Council questions and to bring new observations.
One member of the public was present and advised that the points he wished to raise were listed within the agenda for the meeting,
Mayor DW closed the public session and went into council session at 18.22 hrs
3. Apologies for absence
To receive and approve apologies for absence.
Apologies received from Cllr. Jean Hart (JH).
4. Declarations of interest
To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011.
Members must declare any personal interest in any item on the agenda and state whether they are also prejudiced. In the case of personal interest, the member may speak and vote on the matter. In the case of prejudicial interests, the member must withdraw while the matter is discussed.
Cllr, VPH – item 14.
5. Draft Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 12th January 2021
To confirm the notes as a true record of the decisions made.
PROPOSED, SECONDED AND RESOLVED to accept the draft minutes as a true record of the meeting held on 12th January 2021.
6. Reports from External Agencies
To receive reports from LCC and ELDC Cllr. Wendy Bowkett.
Other Councillors reports from external meetings.
News from County Councillor Wendy Bowkett
Extra funding for Business support, Flooding and our Single lane roads:
At the Executive yesterday we've agreed revised budget proposals to include millions of pounds of additional funding to support businesses, respond to flooding and repair roads for 2021/22 - https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/545/extra-funding-for-businesses-flooding-and-roads And today we're unveiling a £12m package of support for our local economy that has been ravaged by the pandemic. Local businesses could benefit from up to £10,000 of funding through a new grant scheme being planned by the County Council. I'm sure you will have been as concerned as I have about the impact on smaller businesses who might not have been able to benefit from the Government's Covid support schemes. We've decided the time is right to draw on some of our reserves to provide this support to smaller businesses. You can see further details here https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/546/council-unveils-12m-package-of-support-for-local-economy
Our Green Masterplan:
This is part of our global effort to help tackle climate change and the county council's commitment to be 'net carbon zero' by 2050. My fellow executive colleagues will be talking about the initiatives in their areas to help us reduce carbon emissions so look out for them on our social media channels. Lincolnshire's Green Masterplan
How we are doing?
Latest performance against LCC's Corporate Plan has been published on our website. We have followed the 'One Council' approach, providing transparency on how the Council is performing against the ambitions set out in the Corporate Plan.
Covid update:
Lincolnshire’s overall infection rate is now significantly below the national average and has not reflected the rapid transmission seen in other parts of the country. Schools in England will not be reopening to all pupils until the 8 March 2021. The final decision will depend on meeting vaccination targets and schools would be given two weeks’ notice.
Care homes update:
Working with Lincolnshire’s NHS and partners, all care home residents over the age of 65 and care home staff have now been given the first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. It means Lincolnshire meets the first of the national target dates in the vaccination programme and has protected the highest percentage of its care home residents across the Midlands Region. There are those staff and residents who couldn’t have the vaccine due to illness or outbreak but they are being re-visited when it is safe to do so.
Vaccination Roll-out:
More good news on the vaccination front with a second large vaccination site in the county going live today at the Lincolnshire Showground in addition to the main site in Boston. With 13 other general practice hubs and the two hospital hubs in the County the vaccination programme continues to gather pace.
For the latest information about the vaccination programme visit lincolnshireccg.nhs.uk
Transport issues:
There has been a lot of queries regarding transport to vaccination sites, as well as some general misunderstandings. Just to reiterate the Transport Helpline is NOT a booking service for transport. The Lincolnshire Transport Helpline provides information and advice on a wide range of transport options including community car schemes and CallConnect. The helpline can be contacted on: 0345 456 4474 or by https://lincsbus.info/accessing-lincolnshire-transport/transport-helpline/ . The helpline operates from 9am-6pm Mon-Fri and 9.30am-4pm on Saturday.
Our CallConnect on-demand bus service is paid for by the customer. If someone has a concessionary bus pass due to age or disability then they can access CallConnect free of charge. For the purposes of the COVID – 19 vaccination programme only, Transport Services have agreed to extend this free to anyone aged 67 and over, regardless of whether they have a bus pass or not.
Looking after your mental health
A comprehensive range of support is available. A good place to start for self-help information and mental wellbeing guidance is Public Health England's Better Health – Every Mind Matters NHS website which has just launched its “When things aren’t so good out there, make inside feel better” campaign. This encourages people experiencing difficulties to create a free NHS-approved ’Mind Plan’.
Locally Lincolnshire Partnership Foundation Trust (LPFT), the county's mental health and learning disability NHS trust, is offering a variety of wellbeing support, this includes a confidential emotional and mental health support line 0800 001 4331 available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This enables callers to speak to an experienced support worker who will provide you with emotional support, advice and guidance.
LPFT also provides a talking therapies service steps2change . This service provides National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended, evidence based interventions for people experiencing depression and a range of anxiety disorders. You can self-refer through the steps2change website or by phoning 0303 123 4000. To get a good idea of all of the support available please see our Coronavirus Health and Wellbeing section
Cllr. SB raised a point stating that not everyone had internet access and it was important that a telephone number was published for those who felt that they should have been contacted for vaccination but had not. Cllr WB to revert on this issue.
7. Clerks report and action points from the previous minutes
a. Matters arising from last meeting
Policies review dates – see item 8
Precept form was submitted on 14th January
Comments on solar farm planning application submitted to ELDC
Cemetery bin emptied and S.Dennis advised to empty on monthly basis.
Moleman contacted – see item 11
Garden allotment invoices issued – farming allotments invoices being processed.
Food retailers for market contacted and other traders advised of closure in Jan/Feb
Buttercross – see item 11
Bikefest – see item 11
Grass cutting tenders – see item 13
Letter sent to Coronation Hall advising termination of current agreement on 31st March
Letter of thanks sent to Alsace.
Also pending from previous meetings
E-mail sent to Methodist Hall (copied to S.Harris) requesting them to be central refuge point. No reply to date.
New gate for corner of field. This was approved in January 2020 and no action has been taken.
Signs for cemetery/wheelie bin – pending
b. Clerk issues
Clerk incurred 6.5 hrs overtime in January (prior to holiday) and took 2 weeks holiday.
Remaining holiday of 11 hrs should hopefully be taken before end of March.
Attended first 2 parts of allotment training course part 3 to be held on Wednesday 10th February.
Burials course scheduled for 9th & 10th March (approx. 7 hrs)
8. Policies review
Update on policies under review
Clerk advised that a start had been made on the review of the Council Standing Orders, which would hopefully be completed for the next meeting.
As requested at the previous meeting, the clerk had been in contact with other councils and LALC regarding the annual review of policies, The outcome is that all policies should be reviewed annually, even if only a revision date exercise and also be reviewed when any legislative changes arise.. This provides council with a defence of its policies in the event of any issues.
9. Finance
To receive financial reports and updates.
January financial report had already been circulated to councillors prior to the meeting.
Discussion on financial report items.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to approve the January monthly financial report.
Review of payments to be made and income received.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to approve all payments and receipts for January
Payments made over £100 in January for transparency
Payee Detail Amount VAT Total
Staff costs Staff costs to 28th January £614.40 £0.00 £614.40
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10. Planning
To receive and discuss applications.
Due to the sensitive nature of some of the planning issues, council went into closed session at 1835 hrs to discuss them .
Council session re-opened at 1840 hrs.
S/194/02312/20 – Royal Oak - approved
S/195/02340/20 – Solar Farm – comments sent to ELDC
11. Properties, Amenities and Burial Grounds
To discuss and agree actions and associated expenditure for Properties, Amenities and Burial Grounds.
Northolme Cemetery & Closed Churchyards.
Memorial additional inscription for plot 257 (G of R) - paid
Memorial request for plot 369 (old part)
Burial plot 694 – awaiting paperwork
Memorial request for plot 1496
Cemetery bin now on regular monthly emptying.
Allotments.
All invoices issued for garden allotments and most payments received.
Plot 12 is available. Advertised and details already sent to 6 applicants. Two applications received at time of meeting.
ACTION: Clerk to contact first application received and offer the available plot.
Discussion of E-mail received from tenant of Plot 10 advising of fly tipping.
ACTION: Clerk to contact tenant and advise them to report issue through Fix My Street.
Market Place
Discussion on letter received from M. Rust regarding another Bike Festival to be held on 4th September, Council broadly supported the idea, but felt that due to the current lockdown restrictions it was best to agree a provisional date of 4th September subject to a review in March and a meeting between the event organisers and council representatives.
ACTION: Clerk to reply to M. Rust advising council decision.
Discussion on e-mail received from a stall holder regarding rates for 2021 and a virtual market. Council felt that rates for stalls would be reviewed once the market restarts following lockdown. Councillors suggested that stall holder should contact other stall holders to investigate the possibility of a virtual market.
ACTION: Clerk to reply to stall holder advising Council position.
Discussion on erection and dismantling of market gazebos. Discussion on using contractors or employing staff to perform market set up.
ACTION: Clerk to investigate options of use contractors or employees.
Play Area and Playing Field.
Discussion on play area inspection report. Recommendations in report to be discussed and reviewed with the play area sub-committee alongside the development.
Action : Play area sub-committee to review inspection report and revert to council with recommendations.
Quotation received from pest control company offering 12 months treatment for the playing field and Northolme Cemetery under the same terms and conditions for 2021/22.
PROPOSED, SECONDED AND RESOLVED to accept the quotation from The Local Pest Control Company.
Action : Clerk to contact Local Pest Control Company and arrange for service to commence as from 1st March.
12. Marketing and Promotions
To discuss and agree actions and associated expenditure for marketing and promotion.
Discussion on the taking down of Christmas Decorations. Agreed date of 27th February at 09.00 to take down the decorations and tree.
Action: WB to contact Fire Services to assist in taking down and to confirm date with council.
Discussion on Town regeneration project. Meeting with ELDC delayed until March.
Discussion on Emergency planning. Face to face meetings to be organised once lockdown restrictions permit.
Discussion on location of sand for sandbags in case of flooding.
Discussion on Butter cross. Alpha Memorials unable to assist, but have recommended another stonemason.
Action: VPH to contact stonemasons
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13. Grass Cutting contracts
Update on awards of grass cutting contracts
Both selected contractors have been advised of the contracts they have been awarded. One contractor has requested feedback on his unsuccessful bids. Second contractor has been advised to provide copies of up to date insurance documentation by no later than 26th February.
Action : Clerk to reply to contractor regarding feedback. DK to contact both contractors to set up initial meeting.
Discussion on Highways regulations for verge cutting.
Action: Clerk to forward regulations to contractor for information and compliance.
14. New office premises
To review and discuss the options available for new premises.
Letter has been sent to Coronation Hall advising that we will be vacating the office at the end of March and require access to the meeting room to remove our assets. Discussion on removal of items and storage. Excess equipment to be stored either at OAP Hall or at JH Barn.
Discussion on office requirements in terms of space, finance and facilities.
Action: Councillors to write to clerk with their views on the councils office requirements and how best to present it for public consultation. Clerk to then follow up with a collated report for discussion at a separately organised meeting of councillors.
Clerk advised that Telephone & Broadband supplier had been contacted and transfer of lines would require 3 weeks notice, but no charge for transfer.
15. Correspondence
To discuss correspondence received
Resignation letter from Cllr. Hatchman – elections advised and notice placed on noticeboard
Letter from M.Rust requesting permission to hold second bike event on 4th September 2021 (see item 11)
E-mail from D.Simpson (plot 10) re flytipping on his plot (see item 11)
E-mail from M.Schofield suggesting setting up of a virtual market and requesting information on charges for 2021. (see item 11)
Report from play area inspections. (see item 11)
Requirements from highways regarding cutting of verges. (see item 13)
Details from Anesco on Solar Farm planning application.
LALC training courses, Discussion on costs and suitability for council.
Proposed, seconded and resolved to subscribe to the LALC training course schedule for 2021/22
Letter from LIVES requesting support. No further action.
16. Agenda items for next meeting
Office premises and community faciltites
17. To agree next meeting date as Tuesday 9th March 2021
18. Meeting Closed
Mayor DW thanked all those in attendance and declared the meeting closed at 1950 hrs.