2026 Minutes (Full 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 February 2026 at 18.00 in the Community Hall, St Michaels Lane, Wainfleet St Mary, PE24 4HB.

These are draft minutes and are subject to amendment until approved at the next Council Meeting March 9th, 2026, at 18.10.

Public: Two members of the public to include ELDC W Bowkett

Chair Cllr CA opened the meeting at 18.05 following a brief report from the MOP reference moles in the play and field areas

1. Members Present: Cllr Christine Alexander, (Chair), Cllr M Rust (MR) Cllr P Garrard (PG); Cllr T Ward (TW); Cllr Jan Ward (JW); Cllr S Tetley (ST) Cllr P Proctor (PA), Cllr Mr Rendall (MLR; ) Also present – Clerk M Clarke

2. Apologies for Absence – All Councillors present for the meeting.

3. Declarations of Interest and Dispensation Requests – None

4. Approval of the Minutes of the Council Meeting on Monday January 12th 2026

The minutes of the meeting held Monday January 12th 2026 were presented as a true record. Proposed Cllr ST; Seconded Cllr TW– unanimous resolution to approve and resolve. Chair CA signed the minutes.

5. LCC and ELDC Invitation to report on items relevant to WSM

Cllr M Hume had been unable to attend the meeting – Cllr WB – ELDC presented her report as under:

Confirmation the toilets should start on the 25th June, I have spoken to the portfolio holder so the works team are aware that we have two large events in July and August as this may change the start date. The works will take approx 10 weeks.

Flooding Event hosted by Shine the 16th February at Coronation Hall from 2 till 7pm. This is a community event to show how supporting others in a crisis can work.

The programme for the day is as follows with times that you can book on to if you wish.

Community Resilience from plan to practice 2.45 and 5.45pm

Water Care support Anglian Water 3.45pm

Managing Anxiety during crisis 3.15pm

Scam prevention 4.14pm

Basic life support 5.15pm

Schools out programme Tuesday 17th Magdalen school - Multi Skills activity please book on via magnavitae.org/schools-out

ELDC have invested in a new sand machine to keep the sea promenades clear and accessible for us all, the new JCB has cost £120,000.

There is a community funding session at the Hub in Horncastle, on Wednesday 25th February 6pm to 7.30pm. This is information on different strands of funding, whether it be for tackling social isolation, wellbeing projects or planning local events go along and see what they can offer.

Email Alicia.buckberry@e-lindsey.gov.uk.

Chair CA thanked Cllr W Bowkett for her report.

6. Community Hall report

Chair of the Committee Cllr JW gave a full report of the Committee meeting which took place Friday 6th January - the minutes are now posted in the Notice Boards and on the web for interested parties. Discussions and decisions made covered include the solar panel project, event planning for the Picnic in the Park and the Village Show along with a presentation made for a grass roots football group to foster inclusion and community socialising.

Chair CA thanked the Hall Chair JW for all the information and updates.

7. Proposal to install Solar Panels and new Heating system for the Hall

Following the receipt of quotations the Hall Committee brought the recommendation to put this project on hold for the time being – the costs were perceived to be outweighing the benefits. Proposed Cllr JW, Seconded Cllr AP – council in full approval and resolved to defer.

8. Assertion 10 - to approve a new email and an IT Policy compliant with Assertion 10. A resume of what is required in the new audit requirements to be able to approve the AGAR had been emailed round along with the draft IT policy for consideration. Chair invited comments and discussion - Agreement to adopt email address as wainfleetstmaryparishcouncil.gov.uk for all councillors and the clerk. The draft IT policy agreed and adopted. Proposed Cllr TW, Seconded Cllr MR –All Councillors resolved to approve – clerk to implement with the company as agreed in minutes June 2025.

9. Wainfleet Memorial – Northolme Cemetery's War Memorial, managed by Wainfleet All Saints Town Council, requires significant repairs. Cllr MR suggested financial support if full funding for the repairs cannot be secured, but as this has not been considered as part of the 26/27 year budget, no commitment can be made at this stage. A proposal was put forward to consider supporting any financial package and offering any additional administrative support to WASTC for the next financial year - Proposed Cllr MR, Seconded Cllr TW – all councillors resolved to approve. - clerk to liaise with WASTC

10. Clerk’s Report:

BS Place East have now sent Purchase order and invoice submitted – payment not received as it should have been – chasing the payment (£1157.93)

PayBack Community scheme have been in contact to arrange assessment of the project

ELIF Grant – 50% of the bid now received – floor covering has been ordered – marquee to be ordered this week – gazebos on hold pending storage in the container once the marquess are erected – April 22nd – tables the same.

Solar Panel project – further conversations and Hall agreement this can be placed on hold for the immediate future.

All new FBT agreements are now finalised and with the tenants and WSM. Invoices have been sent out with payment due March 9th.

Complaint received from resident reference the poor condition of Sea Lane – report in Working Groups

Parkers have been in touch with Cllr MR – further report in Working Groups.

11. Finance and Bank Accounts.

12. Working Group Reports

a. Allotments – Monthly Drone report received – video overview showed land draining well considering the constant heavy rain in January. Meeting with Parkers indicated one area of the dykes requiring further clearing – tenant will be advised. All contracts now received and lodged with the clerk. Invoices have been sent to all tenants. The drainage scheme to be revised to cover the wettest areas based on the evidence of the drone reports – 1 x 3acre plot plus 1 x 4acre plot – Cllr MR will consult with drainage company for a revised quotation – clerk to advise tenants.

Report included the condition of Sea Lane – the road is becoming dangerous and impassable for residents – telephone cables are exposed and potholes are large and deep. Around 30 reports have been made to FixMyStreet who acknowledge the issue but are not taking any action. There is a possibility of costly damage to residents’ vehicles and a near miss with an elderly resident prompted the proposal to contact LCC Highways, local LCC Councillor and the LCC Leader with a copy to the Highways co-ordinator - clerk to draft letter. All recommendations proposed Cllr TW, Seconded Cllr AP – all resolved to approve.

b. Grass Cutting, Trees and Hedges – Parish Cutting Agreement – a slight amendment to the agreement had been sent round to all Councillors for consideration and comment – all agreed the amendment should be accepted – Proposed Cllr PG, Seconded Cllr JW – all councillors resolved to agree and approve.

 c. Play Area – Quote for replacement costs and repairs now to hand – a tweak to the budget will permit all repairs to be completed.

                  Proposed Cllr TW, Seconded Cllr PG – all councillors resolved to approve.

  d. Community Hall – all is in order – with the exception the defib pads are no longer manufactured. BHF contacted to see if assistance in sourcing or  alternatively funding can be obtained. Defib will be taken out of service from Feb 17th.Clerk to contact defib manufacturer to try and source replacements or alternatives.

  e.Planning – no new applications in WSM Parish – Batemans Brewery who are in the parish of Wainfleet All Saints have an application in for further development. As a major employer and a focal part of Wainfleet WSM wished it to be noted they are in support of the application – Proposed and Seconded and all agreed the clerk to post support on the planning portal.

 f. Open Spaces – Tree in St Michael’s Lane has been made safe and trimmed. Community PayBack scheme have agreed a date of 14th Feb at 11.30 to review the proposal – meeting in the Hall to assess. The presentation to the Community Hall Committee with reference to a community football group for a proposal        focused on providing opportunities for those within the community who may not meet the criteria to join a competitive football club. The project aims to encourage participation among individuals who aspire to play     football and engage socially, fostering inclusivity and community spirit through the sport. To be considered     and included in the March Agenda if wished for further discussion.

An additional waste bin to be requested along St Michael’s Lane for resident litter picker to make use of considering the increasing litter problem.

13. Spring/Summer Newsletter – suggestions for the content to be sent to the Clerk ready for distribution mid-March.

14. Correspondence.

  LFR Invitation and advice of event – event 16th Feb all are aware of – promoted in NB and FaceBook

  An Introduction to Community Cinema – on the Hall March Agenda to be considered.

  Silvertime Talks – Estate Planning – invitation declined by both the Hall Committee and Council

  Letter from resident re the River Steeping and Flooding – agreed to acknowledge to the resident and to forward to the EA for their information and attention as the lead in the river and water management clerk to contact and forward.           

   15. Date of Next Meetings: 

    Monday March 9th - 6.00pm.

   16. Items for Inclusion in the January 2026 Agenda

To be advised to clerk by the Monday before the meeting.

Chair Cllr CA thanked everyone for a productive evening and closed the meeting at 19.26

I certify these are a true record of the meeting held Monday 9th February 2026

 Signed                                                                                             Date

Cllr C Alexander - Chair WSM Parish Council.