Minutes of the Meeting November 14th 2022
Wainfleet St Mary Parish Council
St Michaels Lane, Wainfleet St Mary,
Lincs. PE24 4HB
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Wainfleet St Mary which took place on Monday 14th November 2022 at 18.00 in the Community Hall, St Michaels Lane, Wainfleet St Mary, PE24 4HB.
Public – LCC and ELDC Councillor W Bowkett
1. To Receive and Accept Apologies for Absence where valid reasons have been given.
Apologies received and accepted from PCSO J Richardson, Cllr R Picker.
2. Members present
Cllr M Rust (Chair), Cllr I Hyde (IH), Vice Chair, Cllr S Simpson, Cllr P Garrad, Cllr C Bradford (CB)), Cllr A Proctor (AP), Cllr C. Alexander and Cllr Dr C Shrubsole, Also present – Clerk M Clarke
3. Declarations of Interest
None declared.
4. Accepting and Resolution to accept the Minutes of the Council Meeting on 10th October 2022
The Minutes of the Council Meeting were agreed as a true record by all Councillors present - Proposed Cllr SS and Seconded Cllr AP – Resolved to approve.
5. Police Report
PCSO J Richardson unable to attend thus no Police Report
6. County and District Councillor Report
Hospitals are still under great pressure, especially A and E and our ambulance service.
Please remember if it is not life threatening to call 111 and they will give you advice whether you need to go to hospital or a doctor.
County Council have procured 60 intermediate beds for 16 weeks to allow residents to be moved out of hospital for reablement, freeing up much needed beds. This is being paid for by health.
Lincolnshire councils alongside groups like the Integrated Care Board, Heath and Care providers, faith and community groups and charities and local businesses have come together to help support residents as we enter the winter months.
The partnership has set up a task force to review the potential impacts caused by the cost of living and to harness efforts across all partners to help in supporting where possible.
At the County Council we have set up a cost-of-living support page high lighting the rang of support available including the Household support fund, food programmes, help with childcare costs and financial support for carers. There are links to district council webpages with list of local support within the districts.
The page is www.Lincolnshire.gov.uk/cost of living.
Connect to support Lincolnshire is an online information and advice library for adults and has some useful numbers and links and is being updated all the time
Https://Lincolnshire.connectsupport.org
An enquiry was raised to Cllr WB in relation to the surgery in Wainfleet potentially being re-opened in view of the 130 new houses being planned for the Wainfleets. Cllr WB responded that this was being considered by Hawthorne Medical Practice and the understanding currently is the surgery would be re-opened.
7. Clerk’s Report.
The Christmas tree has been ordered from Strawsons – delivery is due w/e ending 25th November
Cllrs CA and CS met with the Clerk to apply for a bid to the National Lottery for a Community Grant for the Summer Fete – the bid was completed and submitted 10th November
Staff support meeting confirmed holidays and pay award that has yet to be agreed by all parties.
Councillor’s email addresses – Clerk requested to set up wsmp.gmail addresses –may I have your dates of birth please to set these up.
Allotments – review of rates for tenants….. Willsons plan to carry out as a desk top exercise having visited the allotments for re-measuring in 2021
Cllr Shrubsole has worked on the Orchard plans and suitability for low maintenance.
Flowers have been ordered from Sarah’s in Skegness for Elsie Lepla 103rd birthday on the 11th November. Bouquet at £25 plus delivery of £7.00.
10 Lamp post Tommy poppies ordered and received along with a new flag – Poppies are now on the lamp posts along with the 20 new ones from RBL – thanks to Pat and Iain for sorting. Clerk attended workshop on Elections and the process – a brief overview is Agenda item 14.
Outer Dowsing are holding a series of Consultations – the local one was November 4th attended by Cllr MR, CS and IH – report from Cllr MR in Agenda item 17. Cllr Shrubsole has been sent the digital copies of maps and the presentation which will be shared.
Food Safety – ELDC – have confirmed all registration documents for the Lunch Club have been received and an inspection will be arranged.
Wrangle Parish Council have been contacted with reference to their Parish Sign
8. Fibre Broadband Roll Out
WASTC in support of the roll out to residents. Discussion as to the date of the flyer drop - agreed as w/c 9th January to coincide with council meeting. Drop areas agreed to be carried out during that week. Appendix A shows the areas covered. Additional promotion through the Christmas market in WASTC December 3rd. Proposed, Seconded and Resolved to proceed.
9. Working Group Reports
a. Allotments. Discussions on the best way forward with agreement being reached to approach Willsons for a quote on inspection of the allotments and appropriate rental rates. Clerk to request a quote without obligation.
b. Grass Cutting, Trees and Hedges. – Grounds Maintenance on the Queens estate definition – Cllr CB is meeting with the Housing Officer 15th November and will ask the question.
c. Community Hall – reports received for the month and all in order.
d. Planning – No applications have been received
e. Open Spaces.
Play Area : The repainting of the Play Equipment is virtually complete with 2 further items to be completed this week - all bar the wood which is delayed due to the wet weather. All Councillors agreed it was a first-rate job and brought the Play Area up to a high standard. The initial cost was slightly over by £100 – Council were asked to approve the increase. Proposed Cllr CB and seconded Cllr IH - Resolved to approve.
Jubilee Orchard: All shrubs and plants have been lifted and are overwintered. Seeds have been saved and stored and the full area strimmed down ready for spraying with a weed suppressant - this has been offered FOC as a community initiative by LCC contractors. Cllr CS has drawn up a plan with costings to take the Orchard forward which has been distributed to all Councillors for perusal. Agreement to adopt the plan with a budget of up to £3000– Proposed Cllr CA, seconded Cllr CB – resolved to approve. Appendix B shows the plan.
The siting of the cast iron Wainfleet St Mary Bench was further discussed with full agreement to site opposite the Grange close to the public footpath on the triangle of grass. The litter bin originally earmarked for Wainfleet Bank close to the Barkham Arms will now be placed adjacent to the bench to obviate any litter issues and the area to be included in the Grass Cutting Contact for 2023/2024 should the Grange no longer cut that area. Clerk to arrange to site with concrete base.
Proposed Cllr SS and seconded Cllr AP – Resolved to proceed.
Clerk to register bin with ELDC when in situ.
Bench on Wainfleet Bank: Inspection indicates new hard wood or composite/recycled material will be required to repair. Quote to be requested for cost of repair - clerk to advise and process.
New Bench donated by Visit Lincs: a suggestion was made to place on the banks of the Steeping where the pull in and litter bin are located as an offer to the Spilsby Angling Club now their members are fishing the river regularly. It was noted there was a close incident on the bank with the increased parking – clerk requested to contact the Angling Club offering the bench and to request a meeting to evolve a safe parking strategy for the Anglers. The bench will require a base – clerk to contact and arrange installation.
10. Community Hall Committee
A note of caution was raised by the Chair of the Committee in that items had been left in the fridge and this could impact the Hygiene rating if systems were not in place to ensure Hygiene Regulations are adhered to. Clerk will look at the guidance from the Food Safety Team and suggest practices which could be adopted to prevent this occurring again. Additionally, to check the terms of booking to ensure hirers are required to clean and leave the kitchen and hall areas clean and tidy.
The Hall Committee had agreed, in the interests of safety, an automatic water fill boiler be considered for purchase with approval for the expenditure from the Community Hall Account by the Council. Clerk to arrange a plumber for a price and feasibility.
Christmas Light Switch on – December 2nd – the Hall Committee will provide sausage rolls, mince pies and Christmas cake for the parishioners attending.
Santa Rocks at the Hall on the 10th of December – the children’s lunch will be provided by the Hall Committee – promotion will show the times and location by the Rocking Around Wainfleet Group.
The Council expressed their thanks and appreciation to the Chair of the Hall Committee.
11. Christmas 2022.
Strawsons have been contacted to deliver a Christmas tree (Nordmann or Spruce) by w/e ending 25th November.
15 bags sweets to be ordered for the 2nd of December with Santa in attendance… Cllr CB has in hand.
Steve Lowndes attendance will be re-confirmed with times – clerk to arrange and promote
12. Review of Policies.
Financial regulations review deferred to the next meeting due to Agenda content
13. Finance and Bank Accounts
Cheques were presented for approval and signature as under –
Grass Cutting and Play Area Repairs £645.00
HMRC – Clerk’s Tax £100.40
Clerk’s Wages - £464.57
Payroll administration -£ 27.00.
LALC - £12.00
RBL - £70.00
Resolved to approve.
The Budget report was presented and approved.
Anglian Water have revised the monthly payment to £36.00 per month
The Finance Committee met at 4.30pm prior to the meeting to make a start on the Budget for presentation to the Council in December.
14. Elections 2023
An overview of the Elections process was given by the Clerk to give all Councillors the information on how the process works.
15. Coronation of King Charles 111
Early suggestions for the celebration of the crowning of the Monarch include the lighting of a beacon with a BBQ/Family picnic/Party event on the Hall Field. The Pageant Master has been contacted to enquire if there will be a National Beacon Lighting – pending a response the Chair confirmed WSM has the beacon that was used for the Jubilee. Further discussions at the next meetings.
16. RBL Service and Remembrance
A wreath was laid at WSM Parish Church on Friday 11th November followed by attendance at the Service in Wainfleet All Saints with a second wreath and on the Monday a 3rd wreath laid on the RAF commemorative bench outside the Hall to remember the fallen.
17. Correspondence
GR4 Outer Dowsing had sent correspondence regarding a consultation event which was attended by Cllr MR, Cllr IH and Cllr CS. A report back was shared, and digital copies sent to all Councillors for perusal.
18. Items for Inclusion on the December Agenda
Budgets and Precept 2023/2024
The next monthly meeting is agreed as Monday 12th December 6.00pm in The Community Hall
Close of Meeting – Cllr MR closed the meeting at 21.10 with thanks to all for their attendance and contribution.
I certify these are a true record of the meeting held Monday 14th November 2022
Signed
Date
Chair WSM Parish Council.
Appendix A - Fibre flyers area – November 14th 2022 Meeting
Vicarage Lane, Rylatt and St Edmunds Close – Annie, Sue,
St Michael’s Lane – Mick and Clive
Queens Estate – Cyd
Low Road – Maureen
Groose Lane – Christine
Bethlehem Crescent -Iain
Appendix B
Jubilee Orchard-update 1/11/2022
Proposals and Options
- Ground cover
Remove all existing foliage/brambles etc. apart from the trees. Dig up and store all existing plants and shrubs for future use. Treat the soil with a growth inhibitor, being careful not to damage the existing trees. Place a geotextile membrane fixed with ground staples
Mark out and create a path that runs from the main entrance and winds its way around the trees, so they can be accessed. The path can be filled with gravel, the remainder with bark or other chipping. The edges of this path and the boundary of the site could have a simple 3-4inch barrier to retain the gravel and the chippings. Any shrubs or plants obtained can to planted through this membrane in the future.
From the line of the seat moving backwards (including new the additional area, it is suggested that the as this area has a slight drop, it is raked and covered in turf. Prior to laying this a selection of spring bulbs could planted-daffodils and snowdrops for example. This will look quite spectacular in the spring.
- Fencing
Having listened to various views, I feel we can still use the existing fencing with a minor adjustment. We should inset a further small post midway between all the existing posts in order to strengthen it. The same applies to the new fencing to the rear of the seating area.
The above provides a permanent and relatively low maintenance area, which could be a nice space for reflection, and remembrance. We could for example invite members of the public to place remembrance stones or painted rocks around the trees and along the edges of the paths. Also people could donate shrubs (we could suggest species in line with the RHS response, if needed). I’m sure we can think of numerous ways to keep interest going. I think the idea of a garden of remembrance and a quiet place may be worth considering