2024 Minutes 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 9th September 2024 at 18.20 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 are subject to amendment until approved at the next Council Meeting Monday October 14th, 2024, at 18.10.

Public – Four members of the public including 2 Hall committee members.

The meeting formally opened at 18.00 with Chair Iain Hyde welcoming the public. The concern raised at the last meeting (July) reference quad bikes and similar using the green track and Groose Lane as a “race track” was raised again listing the number and type of incidents that are increasing. LCC Cllr Wendy Bowkett is following this through and waiting to be advised of a date of a site visit following which a meeting will be arranged with the public who have voiced their concerns. It is important every incident is reported either by phone or online on 101 to underline the gravity of the concerns.

Chair I Hyde thanked the member of the public for her attendance and invited LCC/ELDC Councillor Wendy Bowkett to make her monthly report detailed as under.

Lincolnshire County Council have signed up to the National Trading Standards teams new scams charter “no blame no shame”. The charter is to make sure the blame is placed on the criminal and that the victim doesn’t feel shame about the situation which many do. The joint action with other agencies signing up is to try and stem the increase in fraud, scams and financial abuse. 75% of UK adults have been targeted by scams with 35% losing money.

Flu vaccinations to over 65s, pregnant women, and certain long-term conditions will be available from this month. Also, the c19 vaccine - if eligible - will be commencing from the beginning of September. If you are eligible you will be contacted.

County news would like to hear your views on anti-social behaviour. The survey is open till the 16th Sept sign in http://www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/asb .

Council tax fraud warning: there has been a recent scam that caught out a former resident of East Lindsey.  Always hang up if someone rings you and call back on the official number and verify the caller 01507 601111.

Household support fund: the 6th round has just been announced taking the programme up to April 2025. We are awaiting details how this is to be distributed.

The 111 mental health support is now live - dial 111 and press option 2. This service is 24hrs and 7 days a week for all ages. It can be for you seeking help for a friend or family member. This will provide much quicker help in times of crisis. Your call will be answered by a dedicated member of the mental health team.

There is to be housing register drop-in session at the Storehouse in Skegness where officers will be there to assist residents with application queries etc Monday 16th September 9 till 11 and Wednesday 18th September 10 till 12pm please pass on the information to anyone you think this may help.

The energy bus will be in Wainfleet again on the 4th October and 1st November, to give residents free advice.

Following the report Chair IH closed the public forum and formally opened the Council Meeting at 18.20

1. Members present 

Cllr Iain Hyde - Chair - (IH) Cllr Dr C Shrubsole – Vice Chair (Dr CS), Cllr M Rust (MR), Cllr C Bradford, (CB) Cllr C Alexander (CA), Cllr P A Proctor (PA); Cllr P Garrard;(PG), Hall Committee Chair Jan Ward, (JW) and Committee member Trevor Ward (TW) - Also present – Clerk M Clarke

2. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Cllr M Rendall and accepted by Council.

3. Declarations of Interest

No interests were declared.

4. Approval of the Minutes of the Council Meeting on Monday 8th July 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held Monday 8th July 2024 were subject to one amendment on Members present. Cllr Mick Rust had been present, but his name had been omitted. The minutes were amended to show Cllr MR as present – Proposed Cllr MR, Seconded Cllr CA – all agreed and resolved to accept as a true record.

5. Apple Tree – St Michael’s Lane close to the Queen’s Estate

Concerns raised by a local resident over the overgrowth on this tree and abundant fruit falling onto footpath road creating spoilage were discussed for options to manage. The same concerns had been reported to FixMyStreet and ELDC in 2023 when the response was it was not their issue, and no actions would be taken. Cllr WB undertook to monitor and advised further request to be made with an indication the tree had no owner and thus no responsibility was able to be allocated for management. Clerk to submit and respond to Mr and Mrs Jones.

6. Resignation of Cllr B Adams

The resignation from the Parish Council by Councillor Adams was formally received and accepted. Cllr Adams was a valuable contributing member of the Council, and his support and input will be much missed. Thanks for the new storage space were again mentioned and a letter of thanks for his service and commitment will be forwarded by the Clerk. Proposed Cllr AP, seconded Cllr CA – All resolved to agree and approve. All keys and documentation are recorded as being returned.

7.Letter of Interest for Parish Councillor Vacancy.

A letter of interest has been received for the vacancy created by the resignation of Cllr B Adams. Initially the vacancy must be advertised on Notice Boards and web site to offer the electorate the option of an election. If none such requested, then co-option may be effected from 10th September following a period of 21 days when the vacancy notice is required to be displayed. Any applications will be considered in the October meeting.

8. Community Hall Report.

Chair of the Committee JW gave a full report of the Village Show and comments and an overview of the day. The day was a hugely successful community event, and plans were in progress for the 2025 show along with Christmas and VE Day celebrations. Discussions are ongoing with the retention or dismantling of the marquee through the winter – Gala tent to be contacted for their advice.

Dates of meetings are contained within the Hall Minutes. The next Hall Meeting is Thursday 3rd October at 10.00am.

9. Flag Day Dates

The list of proposed flag flying dates submitted by Cllr MLR and Cllr MR was discussed and agreed with the additional purchase of a St Georges’ flag – dates agreed as under:

10th March – Commonwealth Day – (2nd Monday in March)

23rd April – St George’s Day

6th May – Coronation Day

15th June – Official Birthday of the Kind

21st June - Birthday of HRH The prince of Wales

17th July - Birthday of her Majesty the Queen

8th September – His Majesty’s Accession to the throne

9th November – Remembrance Sunday (2nd Sunday in November)

14th November – Birthday of His Majesty the King.

Other notable 2025 dates agreed:

8th May – VE Day

28th June – Armed Forces Day

1st October - Lincolnshire Day

11th November – Armistice Day

List to be publicised and under the care of Cllr PG

Proposed Cllr MR, Seconded Cllr PG – all agreed and resolved to approve.

10. Geo caching initiative

Cllr Dr CS advised the project was now live and had received great interest with 56 log ins in the first few days which was hugely encouraging. The project would now go under the umbrella of the Hall Committee Group as a part of their community engagement, funding and participation. Dr CS voiced thanks to the Council for their support in getting this off the ground and live.

11. Clerk’s Report:

Letter from Lloyds advising deposits may not be protected - under FSCS based on review of info held – FSCS confirm depositor must check cover – Lloyds have been contacted and advise it was an error on their part – WSM deposits are protected under the FSCS act.

New contract agreed with British Gas – low user (British Gas Lite) as details in the July Finance report.

Log Roll taped off – sign at entrance and on log roll to be fixed advising damaged and not to use – still pending a repair or removal.

Monitoring sheets have been supplied to Cllr CB

HealthGuard have been very active this month and July with recent August visits 6th,13th and 19th - last report had removed traps due to the ground being unsuitable for placement – reports have been circulated to all.

The Environment Agency advice on routine and Maintenance checks along the Banks and in the WSM area – posted on FB for all residents to be aware.

Award from Platform – nominated for the Community Parish Award (we didn’t win but maybe next year.....) £20.00 received in Love to Shop vouchers – purchase of a frame to display the certificate??

Flytipping continues to be an issue – residents are beginning to report as well as advising the Council – 2 instances where possible culprits observed – one with photo of pick-up with clear vision of the number plate. All instances are reported to East Lindsey on the dedicated page for flytipping as well as FixMyStreet. All acknowledgements are recorded and filed.

A Miller Court resident requested the overhanging trees along the footpath from the bus stop to Miller court be trimmed back as they are so low they catch the faces of mobile scooter users – reported to FixMyStreet who have declined to act indicating it is not felt necessary.

New Low Road sign requested – current one is rotten and has fallen off.

The dog waste bin at the Bus Shelter on Boston Road has been uprooted again – no replacement as yet for the missing bin on Low Road. It was replaced following request from Cllr WB a few months ago but went “missing” again very shortly afterwards. Reported but no replacement forthcoming.

Planning approval has been received for the Green Burial site adjacent to St Mary’s Church and also for the CW Parker application – 5 dwellings on Boston Road with internal roads.

August 13th Outer Dowsing uploaded the slides and approved minutes to the website from the Community meeting 2nd July. Link to read as under:

Cable Route North Community Liaison Group - Outer Dowsing

A scoping study from National Grid has been circulated with a huge amount of reading required – Councillor WB contacted to see if WSM could support East Lindsey/LCC in their stance against the proposal of pylons through Lincolnshire. The report has now been received and circulated for all to read and discuss.

The Conservation Area Approval document which largely encompasses Wainfleet All Saints but also includes Vicarage Lane and Miller Court/Low Road in WSM circulated – any comments can still be lodged as information late to reach WSM due to an oversight.

A Notice of Vacancy has been posted to fill the position vacated by Cllr B Adams – co-option is possible from 10th September if no election is requested. The invitation to fill the post must be displayed for 21 days thus this will be on the October Agenda again for discussion and co-option.

Parish online digital mapping is part of the service offered by our Insurers Clear Councils – the yearly cost is £86.00 – there is a 90-day free access to see if this is something the Council will find useful – log in details will be circulated (once I understand it....) to see if this is a useful tool.

The printer has 2 leaking cartridges (magenta and blue) as before. Free of charge replacements have been received and Printerland have logged in case it is a fault within the printer (purchased October 2023 and within guarantee) if it is a fault.

The Survey has had approx 50 forms completed with a further 40 to be completed over the next few weeks – closing date to be advised to YMCA when a report will be collated and fed back to the Funding Group.

12. Finance and Bank Accounts

Reconciliation reports presented and approved. Budget report presented and approved.

Cheques for payment approved.

Nominations invited for replacement of Cllr B Adams on the Finance sub-committee – to be submitted for the October meeting.

Approval of Finance sub-committee for the Community Hall Group - Nominations as agreed by the committee – Cllrs CA, Cllr MR, Cllr AP

Proposed Cllr DrCS, Seconded Cllr CB – all agreed to resolve.

£20.00 received from Platform for Community Award – frame to be purchased with vouchers – all agreed to resolve.

13. Working Group Reports.

a) Allotments – Cllr MR and PG have visited allotments and dykes and advise some maintenance work has been carried out as requested. Site visit to be arranged with LMDB to assess and plan forward. Clerk to advise tenants by letter.

b) Grass Cutting, Trees and Hedges - Apple Tree on St Michael’s Lane was mentioned in last month’s works report and reported as in 2023 for trimming. Correspondence from a resident has escalated this problem and is now being further monitored and supported by Cllr WB.( Item 5 on the Agenda)

Council agreed grass cutting this year has been of a high standard and elected to offer the contractor a new contract for 2025/2026. Proposed Cllr PG, Seconded Cllr AP – all agreed to resolve.

c) Play Area – Log Roll is still in situ and an issue. Clerk to arrange contact with 2 contractors for removal as soon as possible. Proposed Cllr Dr CS, seconded Cllr CB – all in agreement.

d) Community Hall – All is checked with no issues. A date for managing and clearing the contents of the storage container is agreed for 9.00 Tuesday 10th September following the cancellation of the earlier date due to rain.

e) Planning –

Conservation Area Appraisal – discussed with reference to social housing being included in the document-clerk to register with ELDC.

National Grid – Pylons Scoping Study – Report received from LCC and in opposition to the proposal. Council unanimously agreed to fully support the response from LCC.

f) Open Spaces –

Traffic Regulation Order (also mentioned in the Public Forum) – reports of nuisance bike/quad bike using the area as a racetrack. Cllr WB is following up and urged all involved to report on 101 every time such an incident occurred to give weight to her enquiries to support a form of deterrent. Site visit to be arranged when Cllr WB will liaise with the residents to take forward and discuss.

Mole patrol – Contract with HealthGuard has now terminated – Clerk to discuss with Cllr MLR the treatment of the play area and hall field.

FlyTipping and Waste Bin damage: overhanging trees at Miller Court path to bus stop – Clerk to forward details to Cllr WB who will follow up.

14. Funding group report.

An IT workshop has been arranged with Lincs Digital and ELDC for 3 workshops in the Community Hall – posters to be circulated in NB and on FB. This is a free drop in event with the first session October 7th. Dr CS has been instrumental in facilitating this fully funded event. Council offered their thanks and appreciation.

The National Lottery have awarded a grant of £6210 for Film Nights for Wainfleet and area along with a further £1000 from Wainfleet Community Hall.

Outer Dowsing have offered to fund the 20025 calendar and Platform have offered £400 for Tea with Santa again this year. The Hall Committee have been in contact with Tesco Community Funder who has offered assistance in principle with providing for Tea with Santa/Lunch Club Christmas.

15.Policies for review – Financial regulations

The new draft regulations from NALC have been made available to all – the Finance Committee is now one member short, and a 3rd person is required to take the review forward. Nominations to be received for the October meeting.

16. Correspondence – Council and Clerk Newsletter on the table for each member to read as desired.

Platform Community heroes Award and £20.00 vouchers – finance report

Parish On-line digital mapping – clerk to further investigate.

Letter from resident reference tree of St Michaels Lane – agenda item 5

13. Items for Inclusion in the next meeting Agenda.

Finance sub- Committee new member

Financial Regulations – new guidelines

Groose Lane update on nuisance traffic

Mole patrol

Grass Cutting Contracts

Budget 2025/Precept meeting date for the Finance Committee

13. Date of Next meeting:

Date agreed for the next meeting Monday 14th October – 18.00 hours.

Chair IH thanked everyone for a productive evening and closed the meeting at 20.20 hours.

I certify these are a true record of the meeting held Monday September 9th 2024

 Signed                

                                                                                                                        Date

Chair WSM Parish Council.