Minutes of the Meeting 12th December 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 12th December 2022 at 18.10 in the Community Hall, St Michaels Lane, Wainfleet St Mary, PE24 4HB, preceded by the Public Forum at 18.00
Public – 3 members of the public
1. To Receive and Accept Apologies for Absence where valid reasons have been given.
Apologies received and accepted from LCC/ELDC Councillor W Bowkett, PCSO J Richardson, Cllr R Picker.
2. Members present
Cllr M Rust (MR) Chair, Cllr I Hyde (IH), Vice Chair, Cllr S Simpson, (SS) Cllr P Garrad, (PG) Cllr C Bradford (CB)), Cllr A Proctor (AP), Cllr C. Alexander (CA)and Cllr Dr C Shrubsole, (CS) Also present – Clerk M Clarke
3. Declarations of Interest
None declared.
4. Accepting and Resolution to accept the Minutes of the Council Meeting on 14th November 2022
The Minutes of the Council Meeting were agreed as a true record by all Councillors present - Proposed Cllr CA and Seconded Cllr IH – Resolved to approve.
5. River Steeping and Fishing Club members – Safe Parking Strategy
Two representatives from the Fishing Club circulated their safe parking advice to all their members which has been adopted – Councillors confirmed their agreement and approval. Additional parking areas are being investigated and the Chair agreed to assist to identify the owner of a plot of land that had been used for grazing. The further plans for the development of the Club were also shared - all of which met with Council support. They thanked the Council for their support and opportunity to meet and left the meeting at 18.20.
6. Clerk’s Report.
The advice from Willsons regarding the allotments had been emailed round and shared with all Councillors.
Outer Dowsing had held a further consultation on 2nd December attended by Chair - Cllr MR and LCC Cllr WB.
A brief resume of the consultation was given by Cllr MR to the Council.
Fibre Broadband – attendance at Christmas Market was impracticable due to short notice of date and commitments by Councillors elsewhere.
Bench repairs/siting may be delayed
The new auto fill boiler is in situ and ready for the Christmas Lunch on the 14th
The boiler service and PAT testing have been booked for this current week.
The music from Steve Lowndes for the light switch on has been offered free of charge – Council noted their appreciation.
7. Fibre Broadband Roll Out
Due to work and other commitments the plan to have a presence on the 3rd December was unable to go ahead – discussions agreed to request a stall for 27th January with the letter to residents being slightly amended and distributed w/com 9th January as previously agreed – Proposed Cllr SS and Seconded Cllr Ap – Resolved to proceed.
8. Working Group Reports
a. Allotments. The advice from Willsons was discussed – Proposal to initially contact existing tenants to determine if any interest before any other actions taken. Proposed Cllr SS, Seconded Cllr AP – Resolved to proceed – clerk to contact tenants for an Expression of Interest highlighting this is double cropping land with the January invoices.
b. Grass Cutting, Trees and Hedges. – Grounds Maintenance on the Queens estate definition – Cllr CB met with Platform and confirmed the grass verges are the responsibility of the Council and the charge relates only to the maintenance of the MUGA and the grassed area around the glass bins only.
Invoice received for the Community Hall field and hedges - Proposal to show appreciation of the additional work undertaken through the year and completed to be drawn from Chair Allowance – (£25.00) Proposed Cllr CA, Seconded Cllr CS, Resolved to proceed with clerk to pass to the Chair for delivery.
Clerk requested to write to the occupier of Field House as a follow up to the contact from Highways with respect to the obstruction their tree is causing to the waste recycling vehicles.
Clerk to also request an estimate of costs/quote for siting of benches and hedge cutting in Groose Lane
c. Community Hall – reports received for the month and all in order.
d. Planning – No applications have been received
e. Open Spaces.
Play Area : All the work on the Play equipment has been completed – there had been wilful damage and vandalism to the small bike which had been reported to the Police – the bike will be repainted.
Jubilee Orchard: Cllr CS reported advice had been received to leave the spraying for a few weeks – quotes will be obtained for the further works required for further discussion in the January meeting.
Bench on Wainfleet Bank: No further progress on this bench currently - clerk to ask if cost of repair available
New Bench donated by Visit Lincs: The offer has been accepted by the Angling Club – clerk to obtain a cost of installation.
Bench and Bin at The Grange – Suggestion of a flower tub similar to the one at the Bus shelter was considered but decided against – clerk to obtain costing of siting bench and bin
9. Community Hall Committee
The Committee had agreed in principle to the upgrading of the hob to a new ceramic style – a quote is to be requested when it will be presented to Council for approval and agreement. Hall funds will meet the cost.
The auto fill boiler had been installed and the invoice received – included in the Finance report for approval and the cheque for signature
A vote of thanks from the Chair was voiced in appreciation of all the work carried out quietly and efficiently by Cllr PG – all Councillors echoed the thoughts.
Consideration was given to a suggestion to paint the serving hatch white now the mural had been completed - open for thoughts.
November Lunch Club had been very well supported and the Christmas lunch on the 14th of December was fully booked.
10. Broken Railings – Pinfold/Salem Bridge.
The last communication in respect of this ongoing problem was from LCC in October 2021 when repairs should have been completed in September 2021. An undertaking was given from LCC involving the EA that an update on works planned and a timescale would be provided. No further information has been provided thus Clerk to further chase with LCC Cllr WB and obtain further information as soon as possible.
11. Christmas 2022.
The lights switch on went well with an excellent buffet supplied by the Hall Committee and volunteers for which the Chair expressed Thanks and appreciation from the Council.
Santa Rocks was well attended despite several children being ill with chicken pox and a prevalent Strep infection - lunch was provide free of charge by the Hall Committee which was appreciated by all and well received.
Plans will be considered for a Summer Rocks event and a further Santa Rocks for Christmas 2023
The date for 2023 was agreed as December 1st with a view to inviting Henry from Grandma’s Puddings to provide the music.
12. Coronation of King Charles 111
Advice had been received from the Pageant Master beacons would not feature in the Coronation celebrations – by reason of the recent death of Queen Elizabeth and the Jubilee celebrations of 2022. Alternative consideration given to a Hog Roast – Cllr MR will look at possibilities – Clerk to enquire with All Saints TC to liaise where possible with dates and events.
13. Finance and Bank Accounts
Cheques were presented for approval and signature as under –
Community Hall Account –
0005 – Auto fill boiler and installation - £769.98
0006 – Firestop £63.09
WSM Parish Account –
001491 – Clerk’s wages £454.54
001492 – Clerk’s Tax £106.40
001493 – Haines Watts £27.00
001494 –Completion of Mural – 404.97
001495 –Grass Cutting– 1050.00
001496 –Play Area refurbishment- £1600.00
£200.40 – Paint Costs – Play Area
Resolved to approve.
The Budget report was presented and approved.
Bank Reconciliations were presented and approved.
14. Budget 2023.
A summary of the draft budget and background calculation for the Precept calculation was passed to all Councillors in preparation for the Budget meeting on Monday 9th January at 5.00pm.
Presentation of the Budget/Precept will be made to the Full Council meeting which will follow on at 18.10pm on the 9th January
15. Review of Policies – Financial regulations.
Financial regulations review – amendments as under – Proposed Cllr CA, Seconded Cllr AP – resolved to approve and adopt.
Debit Card maximum reduced from £2000 to £500 per transaction without approval from 3 signatories
Chair Allowance to increase from £100 pa to £200 pa.
16. Items for Inclusion on the December Agenda
Budget and Precept 2023/2024
Insurance renewal and invitation to quote.
The next monthly meeting is agreed as Monday 9th January 2023 in The Community Hall – Public Forum at 18.00 followed by the Council meeting at 18.10.
Close of Meeting – Cllr MR closed the meeting at 19.55 with heartfelt thanks to all Councillors for their input, constructive and commitment to serving the Community throughout the last 12 months – and wished everyone a Happy and Healthy Christmas.
I certify these are a true record of the meeting held Monday 12th December 2022
Signed Date
Chair WSM Parish Council.