Minutes 2023

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 September 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 October 9th 2023 at 18.10.

Public

1 member of the public: ELDC/LCC Councillor W Bowkett.

LCC/ELDC Report – Report from Cllr Wendy Bowkett.We have been in August recess, so it is a quiet time.

It is know your numbers week, highlighting the issue of high blood pressure and the importance of getting your blood pressure checked regularly, which lowers the risk of stroke and heart attack. Many local pharmacies offer the service along with your GP in annual health checks, or they can be purchased very cheaply so you can do at home.

Lincolnshire businesses and young people will be further educated on the dangers of flavoured single use vapes. This comes after a new report shows there's still an uptake in the number of young people vaping, despite long term risks not being known.

Winter Covid preparations are being made, covid 19 continues to be a challenge. The county continues to build vaccine immunity for vulnerable groups and local health bosses are waiting for guidance about autumn booster programmes including the flu vaccine programme.

LCC have confirmed that no local authority school in Lincolnshire are affected by faulty concrete.

The river I am chasing still, Morgan is away at present so hasn't helped matters, I have someone coming back next week with hopefully an update.

Fishing Platforms for the River Steeping – installation and location dates tba.

Chair MR thanked Cllr WB for her report and closed the public session.

1. To Receive and Accept Apologies for Absence where valid reasons have been given.

Cllr S Simpson, Cllr B Adams, Cllr C Bradford

2. Members present 

Cllr M Rust (MR) Chair, Cllr P Garrad, (PG), Cllr P A Proctor (AP), Cllr Dr Shrubsole (CS),Cllr C Alexander (CA) and Cllr Iain Hyde (IH)

Also present – Clerk M Clarke 

3. Declarations of Interest

No declarations were registered.

4. Accepting and Resolution to accept the Minutes of the Council Meeting on 17th July 2023

The Minutes of the Council Meeting held on July 17th 2023, were agreed as a true record by all Councillors present - Proposed Cllr CS and Seconded Cllr AP – Unanimously Resolved to approve.

5. Clerk’s Report.

Grass Cutting – request to cut back overgrowth on Public Footpath – FixMyStreet contacted and have advised it does not require any cutting back.

Litter picking kits have been received and are in storage for use by whoever wishes to assist keeping the community clean and free of litter.

Contact from Sam (Platform Engagement officer) regarding the green area on Salt Box Corner and advised as under:

“I’m in touch with our teams about insurance and legal aspects before we look at investigating the wider project with you. I have another meeting with our insurance team in a few weeks”

Mark Webster – THRIVE Safe and Warm Homes Officer Age Concern have arranged a visit by the Information Bus for Thursday September 14th – 9.00 – 1.30/2pm.

RBL have the hall booked from 3pm for a meeting.

Friday night bookings continue for the “Blues brothers” - £18.75 each week.

First Aid Course is paid/booked for Cyd – September 19th in Dunholme, Lincoln.

Further training sessions (Allotments/and council meetings) booked for Chair and Clerk.

Gazebos to be collected ready for the Show on Thursday 14th

Wainfleet Hall – LCC have not responded regarding the cutting of the grass as requested by the Grammar school and clerk. – however it had been cut in readiness for the Wainfleet Weekend.

6. Finance report

 Cheques for signature this month

Hall –

0016 - £360.00 – Web Publicity

Total - £360.00

Card Payments - £374.25 – pre-authorised Love to Shop – High Street Vouchers

                                £274.00 – pre authorised – Lincs Loos

Parish Council –

001548 –£60.00 – LALC -Training

001549 - £27.00 – Haines Watts - pay admin - July

001550 – £709.50 – P Whiley – August grass cuts

001551 – £27.00 - Haines Watts - pay admin - August

001552 - £477.94 - Clerk’s Wages

001553- £111.60 – HMRC Clerk’s Tax

Total – 1413.04

Total of all cheques/expenditure  - Hall - £1008.25

                                                                   Council – £1413.04

August cheques signed and authorised.

001545 - 31st August – Multi Matts - £1676.40

001546- -11th August – P Whiley – July Grass cuts - £671.00

001545 - 11th August – P Whiley – siting of bench

001544 - 11th August - £252.00 PKF Littlejohn – External Auditor

001543 - 11th August – Clerk’s Wages - £454.29

 001542 - 11th August – 107.60 – HMRC Clerk’s tax

Accounts reconciled.

Balances

WSM Parish Account      £1854.40

WSM Business savings    £17507.90

WSM Community Hall    £12435.27

Balance of accounts after presentation of cheques as above

WSM Parish Account £441.36 (Grant payment of £2952.00 deposited 1st September and rents due 11th September)

WSM Business savings    £17,507.90

WSM Community Hall    £11,427.02 (Grant payment of £2000.00 deposited 7th September)

Total of Accounts - £29,376.28 (£34, 238.28)

Proposal for purchase of new printer – colour laser system agreed to a cost of £500.00 – proposed Cllr CA, Seconded Cllr Dr CS – All resolved to agree.

7. Funding group report.

UKSPF Grass roots fund – the grant has been approved and monies (£2952.00) have been received.

Social Isolation Fund – the grant has been approved and the monies (£2,000) have been received.

Projects under consideration – Village Sign and Double door exit in the Hall – ELDC Planning to be contacted for the feasibility of the installation of double exit doors for disabled access and additional Fire exit.

8. Role Profile of Chair/Vice Chair and Election of Vice Chair.

Council agreed to defer to the October meeting to allow for the role profiles to be finalised and presented. In the interim should a Vice Chair be required nominations/appointment will be taken at the meeting.

9. Working Group Reports

a. Allotments. A short-term contact for The Tofts has been agreed with N Clow and sent. Park Fresh will be issued with a contract to commence April 2024. All rents are now due.

b. Grass Cutting, Trees and Hedges. – See Clerk’s report for update on request to cut back.

c. Community Hall – reports submitted by Cllr PG – all in order. New Flash mop to be purchased.

d. Planning – MR shared the Outer Dowsing report with all Councillors.

e. Open Spaces.

Play Area: A resident had requested a No Dogs sign. Discussion over provision of gate – clerk to obtain costs for slow closure gate and sign for next meeting.

Vandalised play motor bike has been repainted – and damaged again. Authorisation given to repaint again by Chair MR.

Jubilee Orchard: Further staining of the orchard fence agreed – date tba. Cllr Dr CS will arrange.

Salt Bin Corner – see item number 12.

10. Community Hall Committee

The next Lunch Club will be September 13th – the surplus for the July lunch amounted to £157.70.

Car Boot sales have finished for the year – the weather has been poor, but the event has still raised £480.00 for Community funds.

11. Events

Final Plans have been agreed for the Village Show – see Appendix A for Notes.

12. Queen’s Estate – proposal to develop the green area around the Salt Box Corner.

Platform Engagement officer Sam Smith has agreement from the legal team to further develop the green area around the salt Box and Queen’s estate. A meeting tba with S. Smith and the working group to take forward.

13. Siting of bench. - The bench will be sited in the next month.

14. Salem Bridge/Pinfold Railings.

Cllr Wendy Bowkett is following up and waiting for an update on progress once a member of staff returns from holiday (please see report in public session)

15. Geo-caching.

The caching boxes have been received – 6 sites have been proposed and painted rocks numbered 1-12 have been received. 6 additional sites to be agreed and yearly subscription to be submitted with Clerk.

16. Broadband/Wi-fi for the Community Hall

Presentation of costs by the Clerk – a choice of providers from BT, Virgin Media, XLN for business, Sky and Talk Talk. Consensus was to register with BT – clerk to arrange. Proposed Cllr CA and seconded Cllr IH. All resolved to approve as a Council financial responsibility.

17. Renewal of Electricity Provider.

Costs have been obtained for a fixed price contract of 12 months, 2 years and 3 years. Discussion and consensus to renew for 12 months – proposed Cllr Dr CS and seconded Cllr IH. All resolved to approve. Clerk to arrange.

18. Speeding issues – St Michael’s Lane and Low Road

A discussion as to the most appropriate and effective measures to adopt. Agreed by all to defer to the October meeting when a full Council will be able to add their viewpoints.

19. Review of Policies

Internal Controls Policy: Agreed to approve – Proposer Cllr CA, Seconded Cllr Dr CS. All resolved to agree.

20. Correspondence –

Confirmation received from the family of Ron Abbott the sign for Abbotts Wood had been installed – photos have been sent and included on the WSM Facebook page. A donation to the costs was considered and discussed by the Council – this would be a donation from public funds for a private family memorial and as such does not fall within the Powers of the Council to approve. Councillor Ron Abbott is remembered with a plaque in the Hall entrance for service as a Councillor and a yearly memorial shield to be awarded each year at the WSM Village Show in his memory.

21. Items for Inclusion in October Agenda

Chair and Vice Chair Role profiles

D Day Plans

Christmas 2023

Review of the Village Show

Staff Appraisal and Review

There being no further business the Chair thanked all Councillors for their attendance and input and closed the meeting at 20.00 pm.

22. Date of next meeting:

Monday 9th October at 18.00hrs

I certify these are a true record of the meeting held Monday 11th September 2023

 Signed                                                                             Date

Chair WSM Parish Council.