Minutes of the Meeting Monday 11th December 2023
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 December 2023 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 January 8th 2024 at 18.10.
Public
3 members of the public.
Report from LCC/ELDC Councillor Wendy Bowkett
You will probably have read in the news that Lincolnshire County Council have signed with the greater Lincolnshire county councils to take forward devolution for Lincolnshire. This in the first instance would bring an extra 24 million for 30 years which will be part of the mayoral investment fund. This would bring the total funding to 720 million for the county. There would be a one-off capital investment of 28.4 million and a 1 million skills fund. This is just the beginning and this should open up the opportunity to bid for extra funding in all areas.
I encourage you all to take the time to fill in the consultation at www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/devolution
Also there will be events held for you to go along and talk to officers and read how this can really benefit our local communities by allowing decisions to be made in Lincolnshire.
The following dates for your diary - The Storehouse, Skegness 19/1 11 - 2,
Boston Utd Stadium, Boston 11/1 3 till 7pm and Louth Meridian Centre, Louth 17/1 11-2 pm
We continue to pursue the section 19s after the flooding across the county, 663 properties have been affected so far with many more having gardens and outbuildings affected.
The application for the £5000 has now opened you can apply at propertyfloodresilience@lincolnshire.gov.uk applications will only be accepted from residence or businesses that have been affected with the latest flooding.
I'm waiting for news of the bid that the EA have put in for the reconstruction of the river bank.
May I take this opportunity of wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy new year, and thank you for your continued support.
Chair MR thanked Cllr WB for the information and report.
Apologies for Absence
Cllr Dr C Shrubsole, Cllr C Bradford.
1. Members present
Cllr M Rust (MR) Chair, Cllr I Hyde (Vice Chair), Cllr P Garrard, Cllr P A Proctor, Cllr C Alexander (CA), Cllr B Adams (BA) and Cllr M Rendall (MR).
Also present – Clerk M Clarke
2. Declarations of Interest
No interests were declared.
3. Resolution to accept the Minutes of the Council Meeting on Monday 13th November 2023
The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Monday 13th November 2023, were agreed as a true record by all Councillors present - Proposed Cllr BA and Seconded Cllr CA. Unanimously Resolved to approve.
4. Parish Council Vacancy
Cllr Mike Rendall has been formally approved and welcomed as a full member of the Council
5. Community Hall Committee.
Chair of the Hall Committee, Jan Ward gave an overview of the meeting on December 4th
covering Christmas Events and other business including the question of storage with the minutes being available on the web site
Chair MR thanked Jan for her report.
6. Storage in the Hall.
Chair of the Hall Committee introduced the reasons why the storage capacity of the hall is causing concerns. These could be construed as a fire risk with the build-up of stock generated by the increasing use and bookings of the Hall. Currently all are stored in the only store cupboard which houses the boiler. The container is not a viable option because of the damp and condensation. The proposal to convert either one or two of the toilets into an additional space had been debated at the Hall meeting and agreed as a proposal to take to Council for approval and authority to proceed. Council debated the feasibility with the proposal put forward to convert either 1 or 2 toilets into storage.
A vote was taken to determine the support available with the conversion of 2 toilets into storage receiving all votes with one abstention.
Proposed to adopt this course of action – Proposed Cllr PG, Seconded Cllr AP/CA – All in favour to agree in principle and explore the costs involved in the conversion in the New Year.
7. Salem Bridge and railings.
Cllr WB has included this in her report and will keep the Council advised of any developments.
8. Clerk’s Report - A follow up appointment has been arranged for Wednesday 6th December with Willsons to make a start on the farm Business Tenancy Agreements.
Bin on Low Road missing – reported to FixMyStreet still outstanding.
The Christmas Tree arrived November 24th – and is in situ with lights and the Hall decorated.
PAT testing has been carried out invoice for payment in Finance.
Firestop have completed the servicing and inspection of the Fire Extinguishers - one has had to be replaced – invoice is in Finance.
Gas Mark 5 are booked in for the boiler service 10.30 Wednesday December 6th. Invoice now received and in Finance for signature.
The funding bid for the D Day celebrations requires further work to be successful – the funding buddies will revisit. A budget has yet to be set for the event which if this could be visited in the Finance Section would be helpful for Budget Setting.
Dr C has contacted the Woodhall Spa organisers in view of the demise of their 1940s event – the response has been disappointing.
Dr C drafted and submitted a response to the Climate and Ecology Bill.
Responses to the Planning Applications were made as requested and can be viewed on the ELDC Portal.
Correspondence has been received regarding the devolution of Lincolnshire.
Cllrs IH and CA attended the first zoom session of Parish and Police Engagement 5th December.
(At this point Cllr Hyde and Cllr CA who both attended gave an overview of the session with information being emailed out to all Councillors)
St Mary’s PCC have requested the use of the hall 17th and 19th December for church services – agreed and welcomed and posted on Facebook and web.
9. Finance and bank accounts
Cheques for signature this month
Hall – Hunts Coaches - £425.00
Total - £425.00
Parish Council –
001570 - £27.00 – Haines Watts – payroll administration - October
001571 - £259.20 – HMRC Clerk’s Tax
001572- £1060.64 – Clerk’s Pay November to include NALC Pay Award from April of £474.52
001573 – £1689.00 – P Whiley – £539 additional Grass cuts grass cuts/£1150 Hall field cuts/hedge cutting/Spraying/Tree trimming and Path maintenance
001574 - £198.76 – Firestop Services
001575 –£82.13 - Stuart Bogg Electrical (PAT Testing)
001576 - £95.00 – Mark 5 Gas – late receipt not yet included in calculations
Total – £3316.73
Total of cheques/expenditure - Hall - £425.00
Council – £3316.73
Monies paid in: Community Hall - £0.00
Parish Account – Interest £19.33
RH Produce Allotment rent - £503.78
Transfer in from Hall - £1699.70
Total - £222.81
There is a credit due of £531 from LCC for the contribution to 2023 grass cutting season.
Accounts reconciled.
Balances
WSM Parish Account £2025.14
WSM Business savings £17,507.90
WSM Community Hall £10825.63
Balance of accounts after presentation of cheques/transfer of monies as above
WSM Parish Account A transfer in will be required from the Business savings to cover the payments this month to avoid a debit balance of £1291.59.
Proposed Cllr MR and Seconded Cllr BA – All resolved to agree. Clerk will action.
WSM Business savings £17,507.90
The draft budget was presented with suggested allocations for the year 2023/2024 excluding the costings which are as yet unknown for the storage area, D Day and proposed projector and screen.
Agreed to accept as far as drafted with final decision on the precept in January when the final balances are more accurately projected and costs may be available.
The quotation for the purchase of the projector and screen as proposed by the Hall Committee with a recommendation to purchase subject to funding and budgets. Some match funding has been made available with the balance to be split between the Council and the Hall Committee.
Proposal to purchase and funding opportunities to be explored in the New Year with the costs to be included in the budget. Proposer Cllr CA, Seconded Cllr IH – All agreed to resolve the purchase.
10. The Pinfold
The Pinfold is a Grade listed building dating back to circa 1800 and part of WSM heritage albeit in private ownership. Discussions agreed it should be conserved and centred around the best way forward. Cllr IH undertook to contact Heritage Lincs for advice and LCC Councillor WB will consult with the occupants once a way forward has been agreed.
11. Working Group reports:
a) Allotments – An inspection of The Tofts indicated there are some areas clear and others with crops still to harvested. Clerk will write to tenant to establish when the land can be returned to the council as landlord in preparation for the new tenancy.
b) Grass Cutting, Trees and Hedges – All grass cutting and trimming has been completed for this year – there has been one extra cut due to the mild and wet weather
c) Play Area – Agreed to defer the installation of the large gate at the end of the Pay Area pending the budget report and precept calculation. Plastic grids will be purchased and laid to prevent mud and slippage under the gates due to leaves and wet weather as the proposal in November minutes.
d) Community Hall – reports all received and in order.
e) Planning – WSM requested to look at the Riverside planning application and to lodge their comments. It has been reported the Barkham Arms have permanent residences and businesses being operated from the site which is a breach of the planning permission. Clerk to follow up.
f) Open Spaces – All in order
12. Funding group report.
The application for D-Day requires further work to be considered – funding will be explored for the Projector and Screen. The application for the Village Sign has been submitted. A Community grant of £500 has been authorised for the Woodthorpe Christmas trip and a donation of £400 has been arranged by Platform Housing to support the Tea with Santa.
13.Policies for review – Grant Aid – section 137 Policy
All agreed the policy is correct and can be agreed as reviewed. Proposed Cllr MR, Seconded Cllr CA
14.Council Christmas Meal.
The date and time of 6.30 Friday 15th agreed with all menu choices submitted to Cllr IH. Thanks to Cllr IH for arranging.
15.Correspondence
Lincolnshire Devolution information – Clerk will post on web and FB and invite residents to participate – also post up in the Notice Boards.
16. Items for Inclusion in the January Agenda
Precept and Budget agreement and Approval.
To set up a working party for D Day planning with the Community Hall Committee (Cllrs BA, IH and Mr have offered to be involved)
27. Date of Next meeting:
Monday 8th January 2024– 18.00 hours.
Chair MR thanked everyone for their attendance and input and closed the meeting at 20.00 hours.
I certify these are a true record of the meeting held Monday December 11th, 2023
Signed Date
Chair WSM Parish Council.