Monday 11th March 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 11th March 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 April 8th,2024 at 18.10.
Public - No members of the public were present.
The meeting formally opened at 18.00 with Chair IH inviting the monthly report from Cllr WB as under:
MP Matt Warman has held a pylon meeting at Croft Village Hall – this was well attended with residents voicing concern for the huge pylons National Grid are planning to go through our district. Matt is working with his two colleagues, Victoria Atkins and John Hayes along with LCC and ELDC to object against the use of pylons and are campaigning along with many residents for them to go along the sea bed.
Highways fixed 110,532 potholes in 2023 repaired 224 miles of roads, rebuilt 77 miles of footpath and cleaned 192,235 drains. For the coming year the plan is to fix 110,500 potholes, repair 290 miles of roads, rebuild 101 miles of footpaths and clean around 200,000 drains. We have added more than £19 million extra money to the highways budget.
£4 million has been added to a flood fund to help with trying to alleviate surface water and drainage issues during storm conditions. There will be a further 4 Jetters purchased to help with keeping drains clear.
Work has been done to repair the wall at the Tanyards and the bank work will be starting in due course. The Pinfolds - a plan is being put together hopefully I will have good news soon.
I have forwarded the letter to the directors of Platform and awaiting to see who it is assigned to will be back very soon.
Mayor Steve Mitchell and I met with Chief Inspector Clarkson and Inspector Jackie Evan's at Skegness police station to discuss recent issues Wainfleet has seen from ASB, e scooters and vandalism.
Plans going forward have been agreed and hopefully by working together we can stop this unruly behaviour from a minority of young people.
The local community police team from Skegness police station will be visiting Wainfleet and hopefully residents will come and discuss any issues they have, the date will be announced asap when they will be attending.
It is important all incidents are reported to the Police on 101.
1. Members present
Cllr I Hyde -Vice Chair) (IH) Cllr P Garrard, (PG), (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 M Rendell, Cllr Dr C Shrubsole
3. Declarations of Interest
No interests were declared.
4. Resolution to accept the Minutes of the Council Meeting on Monday 12th February 2024 to include the Closed Session.
Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Monday February 12th 2024 , were agreed as a true record by all Councillors present - Proposed Cllr BA and Seconded Cllr CS. Unanimously Resolved to approve. The Closed Session Confidential Minutes (Pink Paper) were agreed as a true record by all Councillors present. Proposed Cllr BA, Seconded Cllr CB – Resolved to approve.
5. Community Hall Report.
Chair JW and Committee member TW updated the Council on the D Day and Village Show Plans which are progressing well within budget and moving forward. The Show schedule is ready for print pending final approval at the next Hall meeting Friday 22nd March.
The offer of a loan marquee has been much appreciated and committee members JW and AP will meet to discuss further. A bugler is booked for the Last Post and a silhouette sourced for placing next to the Beacon.
6. Clerk’s Report
Allotments – Willsons have advised agreements have gone out.
Payment has been received from ParkFresh and the Dennis brothers – cheque received from Mr Peak.
The plots on the Tofts have been checked and agreed.
Concerns have been raised by the tenants over drainage – agenda item 9a
Joint meeting with WASTC reference D Day 19th February 2pm. The Village Show Group and the Hall Committee meeting followed on.
The Funding Buddies met with Jenny from Outer Dowsing followed by a separate meeting with Sam from Platform to put together a bid for funding from the yet to be launched Community Benefit Fund.
Meeting at Alford attended regarding the approach to the proposal for the National Grid upgrade – report in agenda item 15.
Ollie has met with Barry and a quote received – presented under Finance.
Dr C would like authority to purchase path edging and snowdrops as per email to all....presented under Finance for authority.
Queens Estate grass cutting – email to WB to ask to arrange a face to face meeting to discuss and find a solution...agenda item 9b – waiting response is in Cllr WB monthly report.
Play Area Inspection Report – emailed round for discussion – agenda item – invoice for approval under Finance.
S137 request received from St Mary’s PCC – agenda item 12 – monies are in the budget.
7. Finance and Bank Accounts
Cheques for signature this month
Parish Council
001585 - £99.00 – Play Inspection Company
001586 – £552.00 HealthGuard (Mole Patrol) – Quarterly Payment
001587 - £152.54 – HMRC - £152.20 -Clerk’s Tax/£0.34p Employers NI
001588- £632.20 – Clerk’s Pay February 2024
Total – £1435.74
Community Hall - £25.00 debit card for purchase of laminator and guillotine.
Total of cheques/expenditure - Council – £1435.74
Hall - £25.00
£121.39 (transfer from social isolation fund)
Authority requested for purchase of edging and snowdrops - £80.00 – approved by full Council.
Monies paid in December: Community Hall - £285.55 Lunch Club (banking pending)
Total: £830.19
Parish Account – Interest £16.57
ParkFresh Allotments - £6018.12
Transfer from Savings - £1000.00
Accounts reconciled.
Balances
WSM Parish Account £6097.42
WSM Business savings £14,007.90
WSM Community Hall £10768.82
Balance of accounts after presentation of cheques/transfer of monies as above
WSM Parish Account £4661.68
WSM Business savings £14007.90
WSM Community Hall £10932.98
Total of Accounts - £29602.56
(End of Year projected balance – 32168.20)
9. Salem Bridge railings. – Further updates will be included in the County Councillor report and not as a separate Agenda item for the future. The process is moving forward.
10. Working Group Reports
a) Allotments – concerns regarding drainage noted. Council discussed and agreed the correct way forward is to invite the tenants to an open meeting to explain and give clarity and offer options for remedy - clerk to arrange.
b) Grass Cutting, Trees and Hedges – awaiting response from Platform regarding access for verge cutting. In the absence of any meeting clerk to advise contractor access remains with Platform and if access not available then the verges cannot be safely cut.
c) Play Area – In order. Council worked through the annual report and listed action points which will be followed up. Fencing around the substation is not in the ownership of the Council. A date to be agreed for maintenance of the wooden furniture.
d) Community Hall – Leak in disabled toilet – a quotation for repair has been received as part of the work to be carried out on the storage conversion – to be discussed at the Hall meeting Friday 22nd March – Council approved the toilet repair expenditure.
e) Planning – No planning applications have been received.
f) Open Spaces –To review the mole contract with Cllr M Rendell – advise HealthGuard the contract will not be renewed once it has run its 12 month term – agreed in the Budget planning – clerk to advise HealthGuard. Overhanging tree in Groose Lane – arrangements to cut back in place.
10. Funding group report.
The Outer Dowsing funding opportunities have been discussed with Platform and Jenny from Outer Dowsing – a further meeting is planned for 25th March.
Consideration and a discussion to register the Hall Committee as a Charity to introduce additional funding opportunities. Hall Chair will take to the Committee meeting on the 22nd March and report back.
The UKSPF funding bid for the Village Sign is receiving consideration. The impact report for the Jubilee Orchard has been submitted and authorised.
11.Policies for review – Risk Assessment
All agreed the policy is correct and can be agreed as reviewed. Proposed Cllr CA, Seconded Cllr BA. Council resolved to approve.
12. Section 137 Application. An application from WSM PCC has been received for £500.00. Council reviewed and willingly agreed and authorised the expenditure – Proposed Cllr AP and Seconded Cllr PG. All resolved to approve. Clerk to advise and payment to be made at the next meeting in April.
13. Staffing Committee – terms of reference. To comply with NALC legal guidance a Staffing Committee is required. Cllr CA has shared hard copies of draft terms of reference for all Councillors to consider with scope for discussion and amendment in the April meeting and formal adoption at the Annual Council Meeting in May. Digital copies will be emailed round by the Clerk.
14. Reserves Policy. Currently WSM does not have a formal agreed reserves policy – this draft document has been drawn up by a qualified accountant who will further explain at the April meeting for formal adoption at the Annual Council meeting in May. Paper copies handed round – clerk will email round digital copies for all.
15. National Grid – WSM Council position.
Following on from the meeting at Croft with MP Matt Warman a further meeting with all Town and Parish councils and representation from East Lindsey and LCC was held in Alford Corn Market and attended by WSM representatives. All parties are opposed to the erection of the 50ft pylons and favour a coastal sea bed route – WSM Council supports this greener and less damaging infrastructure – Clerk to lodge objections with National Grid and complete survey. The cut off date is the 13th March 2024.
16. Adoption of .gov.uk email addresses.
The adoption of formal .gov.uk email addresses and domain name is encouraged by NALC to provide protection for Councillor private emails under the FOI act and requests which may be received in the future. Agreed the Clerk to register interest with the information helpline on the .gov.uk site and attend a briefing to ascertain the what and how involvement and the cost.
17.Correspondence
Engagement road Safety – February – Vice Chair IH attended the briefing on the 20th Feb and gave a brief update.
Road Closures on Low Road and Wainfleet Bank – to be posted on WSM FaceBook page.
Poster promoting the new Friendship group in Wainfleet All Saints – to be displayed in the Council Notice Boards.
18. Items for Inclusion in the April Agenda
Reserves Policy
.Gov.uk email addresses
Staffing Committee terms of reference
Harassment and Bullying Policy for protection of Councillors and staff.
19. Date of Next meeting:
Monday 8th April 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 personal welfare.
Proposed Cllr CA - Seconded Cllr AP. Council resolved to move into Closed session.
Vice Chair IH closed the public meeting at 20.10. and the Council moved into Closed Session
I certify these are a true record of the meeting held Monday March 11th 2024
Signed Date
Chair WSM Parish Council.