Monday 12th February 2024 Council Minutes
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 February 2024 at 18.10 in the Community Hall, St Michaels Lane, Wainfleet St Mary, PE24 4HB, preceded by the Public Forum at 18.00
These are draft minutes and subject to amendment until approved at the next Council Meeting Monday March 11th, 2024 at 18.10.
Public - No members of the public were present.
Chair MR is on a sabbatical and with the Vice Chair position being vacant Cllr CA was nominated to chair the meeting – Proposed CS, Seconded CB – Unanimous approval from Council.
The meeting formally opened at 18.10 with Chair CA sharing the report from Cllr WB as under:
The devolution hosting events giving residents a chance to go along and discuss devolution and any concerns they have, have been well attended, the consultations received findings are that most support, the consultation has now been completed.
LCC are calling on the government to provide support and plug the gaps left from continued funding cuts. We need an extra 40 million a year to clear the roads maintenance backlog, it is asking for the 25% that was cut from the Lincolnshire roads budget to be given back as a start.
LCC expect to spend £650 million on providing services this coming year, £305 million for adult care, £114 million for children's services, £49 million for highways and £25 million for Lincolnshire fire and rescue. This last year the council manages to save £9 million by reducing bureaucracy and streamline operations through technology.
However, it faces a £61 million in additional cost pressures from rising prices and increased demand for services particularly in Adult Care, child protection and school transport.
As a result at present, we are looking to raise the council tax to 4.99 which is the authority's share of the council tax which equates to an extra £1.44 per week for a band D property.
Government have announced the proposal to ban disposable vapes this is very much welcomed. This will hopefully stop the many children found to be vaping.
National Grid are currently consulting on the plans to put massive pylons from Grimsby to Walpole, they will go through our area and would appeal for everyone to fill in the consultation. The pylons are the size of a 6-storey flat. There is a presentation at Eastville village hall on the 16th of February 2pm till 7pm or fill in the consultation online at https:/www.nationalgrid.com/the-great-grid-upgrade. LCC are objecting to the plans and hope the parish council will support us and the residents by objecting to, the nearest pylon will be going through Thorpe which is very close.
A flood resilience meeting took place on Friday, Mary Donahue from Somerset attended with her flood house. Agencies were there to answer residents questions a long with Matt Warman. It was well attended, and I hope residents took home useful information.
Update on Barkham manor enforcement working with park owners, 4 owners so far found to have no permanent address.
Please keep reporting in any issues on fix my street - Please let me know if any issues I can help with.
Wendy.
1. Members present
Cllr P Garrard, (PG) Cllr Dr C Shrubsole, (CS)Cllr C Bradford, (CB) Cllr C Alexander (CA), Cllr B Adams (BA), Cllr P A Proctor,(PAP)Hall Committee Chair Jan Ward, (JW) and Committee member Trevor Ward (TW)
Also present – Clerk M Clarke
2. Apologies for Absence
Cllr M Rust, Cllr I Hyde. Cllr M Rendell, Cllr W Bowkett
3. Declarations of Interest
No interests were declared.
4. Resolution to accept the Minutes of the Council Meeting on Monday 8th January
The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Monday 8th January, were agreed as a true record by all Councillors present - Proposed Cllr BA and Seconded Cllr CS. Unanimously Resolved to approve.
5. Election of Vice Chair.
2 nominations have been received by the Clerk as the terms of reference require for the position of Vice Chair. One nominee has declined leaving Cllr IH as the sole candidate. Cllr IH has confirmed in his absence he is happy to stand - Clerk has confirmed this is within council procedures and protocols. Proposed PG, Seconded BA – Unanimous agreement from Council to appoint Cllr IH as Vice Chair. Clerk will advise and arrange the paperwork before the next meeting in March.Cllr IH will deputise for Chair MR whilst on sabbatical until the Annual Council Meeting in May.
6. Clerk’s Report
Allotments – New agreements still pending – invoices and reminder re clearing of dykes and drainage have gone to all tenants.
Advice re closure of public footpath owing to unsafe bridge have been posted on WSM Council FB Update from FixMyStreet have it scheduled for repair.
Correspondence highlighting trash fires – reported to ELDC 31st Jan – reference 6540 8304 1727 0896/
Bin on Boston Road emptied by MR – request to ELDC to add to round – 31st January reference 7674 8697 5730 1764
Budget and Council Tax Proposal – WSM have responded with Option B or C (majority decision)
Invitation to attend a Teams meeting – Parish Engagement Session -June 27th following on from the meeting in December Cllrs IH and CA in attendance....All others are welcome to attend if they wish – please let me know....emailed round January 30th/31st
Joint meeting with WASTC reference D Day arranged for 19th February 2pm. The Village Show Group and the Hall Committee have meetings that will follow on.
Sam (Platform) has submitted the nominations for the Community and Individual awards – The individual award is supported by WSM.
The projector and screen are booked for installation February 16th – Cllr CA and Clerk will be in attendance.
Confirmation of Polling Booking for the PCC Elections – Thursday May 2nd – 6am to 10pm @£7.50 per hour.
Dr C attended the Outer Dowsing meeting on the 2nd Feb and will detail the funding in item 10
Correspondence from National Grid received 16th Jan and forwarded round with dates of consultations and covering letter. Listed under correspondence to determine actions to be taken and agenda for future meetings.
LALC Training scheme (under finance) forwarded 15th Jan – due 1st April. This scheme covers all the core training (monthly bulletin gives details of all the courses available). Cost this year is £277 – but we have a credit of £63.00 from a cancelled first aid training session so a total of £214.00 is due – well within the forecast budget.
Chair MR has advised he may have the name and address of the vehicle that is believed to be the vehicle involved in the recent large amount of fly tipping in the Village.
Further encouragement for councillors to have a .gov.uk e mail – and the Clerk – info passed around.
Correspondence from MP Matt Warman re the National Grid Pylon Plans has been posted for local residents on FB – and in the Council Notice Boards
7. Community Hall Committee Report.
Hall Committee Chair JW and member TW updated the Council ahead of the next D Day and Show meeting on the 19th Feb This will be followed by a Hall meeting as the meeting agended for the 2nd February was not quorate and rescheduled for the 19th with an unchanged agenda. The schedule is ready to be printed and distributed around to encourage entries – Clerk and JW will liaise with A/Chair Cllr CA to write the welcome to the Show page and print. Huskys to be requested to attend – confirmation has been received. Agreed to have refreshments but no bar at the D Day event. Proposer Cllr CA/ Seconded Cllr PA to adopt Committee recommendations – Council unanimously agreed.
8. Finance and Bank Accounts
Cheques for signature were presented and approved.
A payment of £21 x 2 for the TENS licences from the hall account were agreed and approved.
LALC Core Training Programme presented for approval – at a cost of £277 less a credit of £63.00.
Proposed to accept Cllr Dr CS Seconded Cllr CB – Council resolved to approve.
Banking reconciliation reports were presented and approved.
The monthly Budget report was presented and approved.
Cheques for signature this month
001582 - £27.00 – Haines Watts – payroll administration – January
001583 - £198.63 – HMRC - £179.40 -Clerk’s Tax/£19.23 Employers NI
001584- £741.99 – Clerk’s Pay January 2024
Total of cheques/expenditure - Council – £967.62
Monies paid in December: Community Hall - £159 .00 - Calendar sales
£75.00 - Walnut Care Hall Hire
£196.19 – Lunch Club and raffle
£400.00 – Platform Christmas Donation
Total: £830.19
Parish Account – Interest £15.50
Total - £15.52
Accounts reconciled.
Balances
WSM Parish Account £159.63 (transfer of £1000 proposed)
WSM Business savings £15,007.90
WSM Community Hall £10793.82
Balance of accounts after presentation of cheques/transfer of monies as above
WSM Parish Account £191.91
WSM Business savings £14007.90
WSM Community Hall £10793.82
Total of Accounts - £24,993.63
A transfer of £1000 was recommended to cover expenditure for February.
Proposed to adopt the recommendations – Cllr PAP, Seconded Cllr CB All agreed to resolve.
9. Salem Bridge railings. – no further information pending approval of funding.
10. Working Group Reports
a) Allotments – In the absence of the WG members JW volunteered to work with the Clerk to check registration and maps with a view to requesting Willsons to map The Tofts as they have for The Marsh. The offer was accepted with appreciation.
b) Grass Cutting, Trees and Hedges – the parking on the grass verges on the Queens Estate as being the only viable place to park will cause problems when grass cutting season begins. Cllr WB to be contacted to arrange a review of parking/cutting with Platform and the contractor P Whiley. Clerk will contact as Cllr WB returns from holiday.
c) Play Area – In order.
d) Community Hall – Leak in disabled toilet – clerk to contact plumber to repair. Reference the storage plumbing requirement clerk to request at the same time. Quote for all the work required for a funding bid – clerk will arrange to contact and obtain - Proposed Cllr PAP and seconded Cllr BA
e) Planning –1 application to consider:
Amendment of Section 2 (siting of a static cabin) at The Barkham Arms development. No objections raised.
Approval has been given for North Cottage on Boston Road.
f) Open Spaces –To review the mole contract with Cllr M Rendell
11. Funding group report.
Cllr Dr CS has reviewed funding sources and provided a spreadsheet of funding opportunities available.
The Outer Dowsing funding opportunities were presented by Cllr Dr CS with thoughts to be given to projects for the future.
Consideration and a discussion to register the Hall Committee as a Chairity to open up additional funding opportunities. Hall Chair will take to the Committee meeting on the 19th and report back.
12.Policies for review – Data Retention Policy
All agreed the policy is correct and can be agreed as reviewed. Proposed Cllr CA, Seconded Cllr BA. Council resolved to approve.
13.Correspondence
Parish and Police Engagement road Safety – February 20th
NGET Grimsby – Walpole National grid Transmission upgrade
NALC newsletter drawing attention to the requirement for Staffing Committee.
14. Items for Inclusion in the March Agenda
Reserves Policy
.Gov.uk email addresses
NGET National grid upgrade
Staffing Committee terms of reference
Harassment and Bullying Policy for protection of Councillors and staff.
15. Date of Next meeting:
Monday 11th March 2024 – 18.00 hours.
Annual Parish Meeting agreed for Monday May 13th at 5pm to be followed by the Annual Council meeting at 6pm.
16 To resolve on whether the Council will move into closed session to discuss confidential matters in respect of information received.
Proposed Cllr CA Seconded Cllr CB. Council resolved to move into Closed session.
Chair CA closed the public meeting at 7.30pm with a vote of thanks to Cllr PG for the clearing up around the Bus shelter and the tidying up of the Planter. All Councillors in full agreement.
I certify these are a true record of the meeting held Monday February 12th 2024
Signed Date
Chair WSM Parish Council.