November 2024 Minutes
Wainfleet All Saints Town Council Meeting
Minutes from the Town Council Meeting held on 6th November 2024 at 6.00pm in the Methodist Chapel.
Councillors present: Cllr. Steve Mitchell (SM), Cllr. Christine Mitchell (CM), Cllr. Jean Hart (JH), Cllr. Wayne Lagden (WL), Cllr. W. Hatchman (WH), Cllr. C. Drury (CD), Cllr. M. Clarke (MC), Cllr S. Drury (SD),.Cllr. S.Fraser (SF), Cllr. D.Kettleborough (DK).
Apologies : Cllr. Wendy Bowkett (WB), Cllr. Samuel Storey-Taylor (SST).
Also present : Clerk C. Cleary (CC) and 5 members of the public.
Mayor SM welcomed everyone and opened the meeting at 18:00
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.
A statement from an allotment holder requesting to be considered for plot 9 was read out. To be considered at the next meeting.
Public session closed at 18.05.
2. Apologies for absence
To receive and approve apologies for absence.
Apologies had been received from Cllrs. WB, SST.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the apologies from the absent councillors.
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 9th October, 2024
To confirm the notes as a true record of the decisions made.
Draft notes of the meeting had been circulated prior to this meeting. Discussion on notes.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to confirm the notes of the meeting held on 9th October as a true record of the decisions made.
5. Clerks report and action points from the previous minutes
To receive the clerks report and deal with matters arising.
Matters arising from previous meetings
Completed issues
* Training courses for Cllrs. CD, SD and SF booked. Cllr DK declined to attend.
* Damaged play area floor booked for 13th November
* Meeting held with Stoneset, UKSPF, Heritage Lincs.(see agenda item 7c.)
* Plot 12 allotment holder contacted regarding concrete base confirmed that base is a slab base laid on sand, grouted with a weak mix of mortar
* Potential new tenant for allotment interviewed by Cllr. WH. (see agenda item 9)
* Footpath from Station Road to Chop Hill reported to LCC action to be taken within 3 months
Issues still pending
* Wildflower area (agenda item 10)
* Newsletter (agenda item 12)
* Extension of cremation plot area in Northolme
* Advertising of farming allotment plot 3 (2 acres) scheduled for January
* CCTV working group to meet
* Review of Financial regulations
* Review of co-option policy
6. Reports from External Agencies
To receive reports from LCC and ELDC Cllr. Wendy Bowkett.
Other Councillors reports from external meetings.
Cllr. Wb was unable to attend, but Mayor SM read out her report as follows:
Major works which will cause disruption if you are visiting Skegness, from 12th November, Park Av. between Scarborough Av. and Castleton Boulevard, will have a closure on it until Friday 7th March.
LCC plan to plant 750,000 trees over the next 10 years, which accounts for 1 per every resident in Lincolnshire. A second round of free trees should be available in the spring.
A family in Lincolnshire have lost everything in a suspected e scooter fire, the fire service is reminding residents not to charge anything inside the house, this includes disability scooters. If the battery explodes or overheats this can be the result.
A road closure on Mount Pleasant/Northolme will take place from 5/12 to the 12/12 as and when required to allow for the carriageways resurfacing.
The River Steeping de-weeding and cleaning is beginning in the next week, you will see activity around both rivers.
7. Finance
a. To receive the October Financial reports and updates.
The October financial report and bank reconciliation had been sent to councillors prior to the meeting. Discussion on financial report.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the October Financial Report.
b. To approve payments and receipts
Discussion on payments to be made..
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to approve the payments and receipts for October.
For transparency, the following payments in excess of £100 were made in October.
| Payee | Detail | Amount | VAT | Total |
| Skillington Workshop | Work to Buttercross & Clock Tower | £13030.00 | £2606.00 | £15636.00 |
| Stuart Bogg Electrical | Work in Marketplace | £2910.79 | £582.16 | £3492.95 |
| Staff Costs | Staff Costs | £661.20 | £0.00 | £661.20 |
| P. Whiley | Grass cutting September | £1987.50 | £0.00 | £1987.50 |
| Stuart Bogg Electrical | Additional Xmas Lights | £122.16 | £24.43 | £146.59 |
| Yandle & Sons | Bench slats for repair | £272.98 | £0.00 | £272.98 |
| GC Consult | Repair of bench | £470.00 | £0.00 | £470.00 |
| HMRC | Employee PAYE/NI Q2 | £718.32 | £0.00 | £718.32 |
c. To review the works in the Marketplace funded by UKSPF
Mayor SM and Clerk CC gave a report on their meeting with Stoneset, UKSPF and Heritage Lincs. Stoneset had provided information from the contractor who had done the previous resurfacing, confirming that the same issue with colour had occurred, but the product did lighten over a period of time. Stoneset had offered at their own cost and risk to hydroblast the surface which they stated would accelerate the weathering process without damaging the surface. Discussion on report. Council considered three options to resolve the issue:
* Accept the Marketplace resurfacing as it currently stands rejected.
* Accept Stoneset s offer to hydroblast the surface rejected
* Request Stoneset to skim the surface and relay gravel of the correct colour.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to request Stoneset to replace the surface of the Marketplace and to make good the area around the cobbles.
d. To set a date for preparation of the 2025/26 budget and precept
Clerk CC advised that the 2025/26 budget needed to be prepared before the year end in order to set the precept. Agreed for working groups to prepare their individual budget requirements by 18th November and to submit them to the finance working group for inclusion in the budget calculations. Finance working group to meet w/c 25th November.
e. To discuss a proposal from Cllr. S. Mitchell to locate a noticeboard on the outside of the new office.
Mayor SM proposed to install a noticeboard for the outside wall of the new office. Discussion on proposal.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to install a noticeboard on the new office wall, subject to landlords permission. ACTION : Mayor SM to obtain quote for fabrication of noticeboard. Clerk CC to request landlords permission.
8. Planning
To receive and discuss new applications.
EC/194/00728/19 Allen House, 12-14 High Street. Building does not meet the tests of enforcement action.
9. Reports from subgroup meetings
To receive and discuss reports from subgroup meetings and approve associated expenditure.
Allotments
With the exception of plot 9, allotments are in excellent condition. Cllr. WH had interviewed a potential new tenant for plot 9.
Mayor SM reported that the current tenant stated that he would work the plot back to a suitable condition. Discussion on plot 9.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to give notice to tenant of plot 9 to improve or vacate the plot. ACTION: Clerk to write to tenant.
Burials & Cemeteries
Memorials : Plot GR208, GR339
Internments : Plots GR341, GR 342, GR 339
A request to install a memorial bench had been received at the October meeting. Discussion on location, type and maintenance of bench.
PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the application. Location to be at side of clock tower. Applicant to be advised that the new bench must match those currently in the Marketplace. Clerk to prepare documents regarding the installation and maintenance of a memorial bench.
Marketing & Promotions
WB sent in a brief report. October market was a big success and 2 traders asked if we could hold more regular markets. Discussion on monthly market. Propose Saturday market week before Mothering Sunday followed by Easter Saturday and monthly thereafter. Traders who sell produce from their vehicles are to be encouraged to attend more regularly.
Xmas lights to be prepared 9am Friday with installation on Saturday for Marketplace and High Street next Thursday. Tree ordered and to be delivered Thursday. Childrens Christmas party tickets almost completely taken.
Marketplace
Poppy display has been well received. Mayor SM thanked all who helped create the display.
Play area
Cllr. WL advised that he had been unable to do checklist this month due to illness. SM will do report until Cllr. WL health improves. Clerk CC advised that the repair of the damaged flooring was scheduled for 13th November.
10. Wildflower planting in closed cemeteries
To receive a proposal from Cllr. W. Hatchman to introduce wildflower areas into the closed cemeteries at Wainfleet Bank and All Saints Churchyard.
Cllr. WH made a presentation for a proposed Wildflower area in Wainfleet Bank cemetery. He advised that a donation of seed has been received and he would do the groundwork at no expense to the council, therefore there would be no cost involved in initial project. The entire project would take approximately 3 years to develop. Expansion to include All Saints Churchyard to be considered after seeing the results from Wainfleet Bank. Councillors to review the proposal and revert at the next meeting.
11. Friends of Northolme
To receive a proposal from Cllr. M. Clarke to create a new organisation, Friends of Northolme, to assist in the management of Northolme cemetery.
Cllr. MC read out a proposal to set up a group to be known as Friends of Northolme Cemetery whose aims would be to raise funds and encourage volunteers to take an interest in the cemetery and promote its care and maintenance. Discussion on proposal. Councillors to read details of proposal and revert at next meeting.
12. Newsletter
To receive a proposal from Cllr. M Clarke to produce a newsletter for Wainfleet All Saints.
Cllr. MC presented a newsletter she had prepared for circulation to the residents of the town. Discussion on newsletter. Councillors thanked MC for the hard work putting the newsletter together. Discussion on costing of newsletter. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED for Cllr, MC to produce the newsletter at a cost of 136 for 500. Councillors to review the draft newsletter and revert to Cllr. MC with any changes or additional information.
13. Geocaching
To receive a report from Cllr. M. Clarke on geocaching.
Cllr. MC made a presentation on geocaching, a pastime which has demonstrated some interest in Wainfleet St. Mary. Discussion on geocaching. ACTION : Mayor SM to contact WSM Chair to obtain further details on geocaching.
14. Office Cleaning
To consider the options for regular cleaning of the office.
Cllr. CM raised the question on how the cleaning of the new office was to be accomplished. Discussion on cleaning options. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED that council members would volunteer to do cleaning on a fortnightly basis. Mayor SM to prepare and circulate a cleaning rota.
15. Correspondence
To discuss correspondence received.
* Enquiry from WSM re: tree on Wainfleet Bank Clerk replied advising this was a neighbours dispute due to riparian ownership. Further discussion on riparian ownership. Whilst realising that this was for the individual neighbours to resolve, they would give full support in directing them to the correct channels.
* Letter from ELDC requesting status update of emergency plan. Cllr WB advised that a meeting had been held with LFR who are transferring our current plan onto an updated version. At the meeting Cllr. WB was able to exchange experiences and ideas with other communities.
* Request from Magna Vitae for availability of playing field for evening events. Cllr. WB reported that MV were liasing with WUJFC to arrange additional evening training sessions to try and promote additional teams.
16. Agenda items for next meeting
To receive items for inclusion on the next meeting s agenda,
Wildflower planting
Friends of Northolme
Geocaching
Newsletter
Next meeting : TBD.
Mayor SM thanked all for their participation and closed the meeting at 20.20.
Signed by Mayor S.Mitchell