September 2025

Draft notes from the Town Council Meeting held on 10th September 2025 at 6.00pm in the Methodist Chapel.

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

Apologies: Cllr. S. Drury (SD).

Also present: Clerk C. Cleary (CC), County Cllr. M. Hume (MH) and 6 members of the public.

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

1.  Reports from county and district councillors

To receive a report from ELDC Councillor W. Bowkett.

WB gave the following report. Postal voters need to re-apply for future elections. Quickline rolling out fibre broadband in our area from October. Wall painting is being finalised. Toilets in the town are to be refurbished within the next year. Fly tipping reported on Wainfleet Bank – awaiting action. Reed clearance on Wainfleet Bank in progress. Average speed check between Wainfleet and Skegness to be installed along with improved road markings. Major improvements to A52 being made.

To receive a report from LCC Councillor M.Hume.

LCC Cllr. MH gave her report.   Wants to set up a FB group to improve communication with local residents. Arranging surgeries at local level. Still has not got a mobile phone. Pressure being put on County Council to resolve bus sign. MH gave a brief report on the forthcoming local government restructuring.

Mayor SM thanked the district and county councillor for their reports

2. Public session

An opportunity for the public to ask the Council questions and to bring new observations.

No questions or issues were raised.

Mayor SM opened the council meeting at 1827 hrs.

3. Apologies for absence

To receive and approve apologies for absence.

Cllr SD had sent her apologies. PROPOSED,SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the apology.

4. 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 received.

5. Draft Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 2nd July 2025

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

Draft notes from the meeting had been published and circulated to councillors prior to the meeting.

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the draft notes as a true record of the meeting held on 2nd July 2025.

Mayor SM duly signed the minutes.

6. Clerks report and action points from the previous minutes

To receive the clerks report and deal with matters arising.

Completed issues

• ELIF grass roots funding application prepared (see item 7d)
• Defibrillator pads and battery changed. Details updated on The Circuit.
• Illegal parking on Marketplace  reported to LCC and County Councillor
• Quotations for .gov.uk emails obtained (see item 7f)
• Quotations for container, clocktower repairs and war memorial repairs obtained (see item 7d)
• Alternative quote for clock servicing obtained
• Skillingtons visit to Buttercross
• Letter of thanks sent to Wainfleet YFA
• Invitations sent to market traders to attend Christmas market
• Japanese Knotweed insurance certificate obtained
• Report of e-scooter harassment made (and reply received)

Issues still pending

• Bus stop signage on Marketplace
• Clock tower interior repairs
• War memorial repairs
• Block paving repairs
• Office blinds
• Extension of cremation plot area in Northolme
• Community Payback Scheme – awaiting their availability

Clerk had incurred no overtime since the last meeting and advised that he would be taking annual leave from 16th – 26 September

Discussion on alternative clock servicing. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the quotation from Time Assured and to enter into a 3 year contract with them. ACTION: Clerk to arrange contract and next service.

7. Finance

a. To receive the July Financial reports and updates.

The July monthly financial report and bank reconciliation had been circulated to councillors before the meeting. Discussion on report. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the July financial reports.

b. To receive the August Financial reports and updates

The August monthly financial report and bank reconciliation had been circulated to councillors before the meeting. Discussion on report. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to accept the August financial reports.

c. 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 July and August

d. To review and approve the ELIF Grass Roots funding application.

The draft application for funding from ELIF had been circulated to councillors prior to the meeting and quotations for each area had been received.

Discussion on quotations to make repairs to clocktower. Three quotations had been received. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to select the quotation from Joseph Lake Conservation to be included in the ELIF grant application.

Discussion on quotations to make repairs to the War Memorial. Three quotations had been received. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to select the quotation from Joseph Lake Conservation to be included in the ELIF grant application.

Discussion on quotations to supply a 20ft container. Three quotations had been received. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to select the quotation from Qube to be included in the ELIF grant application. Note : prices are subject to fluctuation.

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to submit the finished application to ELIF. ACTION: Clerk to complete and submit the application.

e. Lottery registration

Correspondence had been received from ELDC regarding our lottery registration which had not been renewed in 2024. ELDC had asked if we wished to continue with the registration. Discussion on registration. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to continue with the registration. ACTION: Clerk to submit paperwork to ELDC

f. To review quotations for the implementation of .gov.uk emails for the council.

Clerk CC gave an update on the current discussions with LALC regarding the implementation of .gov.uk email addresses.

PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to delay any decision until further clarification has been received.

8. Planning

To receive and discuss new applications.

TPO/0068/25 Raise canopy of tree at Limetree Lodge, Spilsby Road – no issues.

02860/25/FUL sent to us from WSM. Circulated, but not our area.

Cllr. MC advised that a further application for WSM which may have impacted WAS has been resolved.

9. Reports from working group meetings

To receive and discuss the actions recommended by the working group meetings and approve associated expenditure.

1. Finance

Notes from the meeting have been circulated with the following proposals:

Proposal to invest £10K from reserve account into a fixed term account.

Discussion on proposal. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to invest £10K from reserves into a fixed term account. ACTION: Clerk to review options and revert to council prior to investing.

Proposal to transfer reserve for Japanese Knotweed treatment into general reserves

Council had made a budget provision for Japanese Knotweed treatment in the playing fields which is now covered under an insurance policy. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to transfer the budgeted amount into general reserves.

2. Marketing & Promotions

Notes from the meeting have been circulated with the following proposals:

Proposal to allocate funds from Christmas budget to children’s Christmas party.

Discussion on proposal. Further review required once all costs for Christmas are evaluated.

Proposal to hold the October market in the grounds of Magdalen Museum

Discussion on proposal. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to hold the October Market in the grounds of the Magdalen Museum. The market shall be Halloween themed.

To decide on dates of markets for 2026

Discussion on dates for 2026. Final decision postponed until after the October market.

Newsletter.

Cllr.MC had presented a draft of the Autumn/Winter newsletter which was well received by council. Suggested to use QR codes to enable downloading of the newsletter and a reduction in the number of copies to be produced. ACTION: MC to look into QR codes.

3. Properties & Amenities

Notes from the meeting have been circulated with the following proposals

To decide on the location for the storage container.

A discussion on the location to place the storage container took place under item 7d. PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED for the container to placed in the playing field adjacent to the school and next to the gated entrance.

Cllr. CD kindly offered to prepare the base for the container at his own expense.

To arrange for the removal of rooted sycamores within the grave area of Northolme.

Noted that there are several rogue sycamores that have taken root in some of the graves in Northolme. Agreed to arrange a working party to remove the sycamores. Cllr. WB to contact Wainfleet YFA to assist with work.

Proposal for the planting of wildflowers and hedging in All Saints Churchyard.

Cllr. WH had presented a proposal to create a wildflower area in All Saints Churchyard and to replant the border hedge.

Discussion on proposal. ACTION: Clerk to check if faculty required from the diocese and possible suppliers of hedging.

Proposal to install a new gate at the Brooks Walk entrance to the playing fields and a connecting pathway to the existing paths.

Discussion on proposal. One quote had been obtained for a gate. Further quotes required and costing for pathway. To be reviewed at Budget meeting later in the year.

Northolme Cemetery activities

EROB : Plots 1026, 1027, N231, 619, GR342, GR349, GR347

Internments : Plots 1026, GR 342, GR347, GR349

Memorials : GR342, GR349, GR347, GR350

Total cemetery income July & August : £3500

10. Correspondence

To discuss correspondence received

• Reminder from ELIF on deadline for Grass roots funding applications (see item 7d)
• Complaint of squatters on Barkham Street – Reply sent
• Closure letter from external auditors and reminder about assertion 10
• Confirmation from insurers that all market traders must carry PLI
• Request from WUJFC to borrow gazebos - actioned
• Complaint from resident of Barkham Street re. parking during Bike Festival – reply sent
• Community resilience newsletter circulated to councillors
• Art inspirations information received from WB
• Update on geocaching received from WSM
• Next council briefing session with Lincolnshire police for 15th September SM to attend.

11. Agenda items for next meeting

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

Discussion on date for next meeting. Due to various councillors being unable to attend a meeting if it was held in October it was PROPOSED, SECONDED and RESOLVED to hold the next meeting on Wednesday 5th November.

Mayor SM thanked all for their attendance and closed the meeting at 1942 hrs.