Parish Council Minutes 2025

St Michaels Lane, Wainfleet St Mary,

Lincs. PE24 4HB

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of Wainfleet St Mary which took place on Monday 10th November 2025 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 Monday December 8th 2025, at 18.10.

Public: Four members of the public to include 2 representatives from LCC.

Chair Cllr C Alexander had sent apologies in advance – nomination for Cllr M Rust to Chair – accepted. Proposed Cllr TW and Seconded Cllr PG.

Cllr MR opened the meeting at 18.05 and welcomed the 2 LCC Cllrs and the two members of the public and invited any concerns or issues for the council to consider. Allotment drainage management and rental rates were voiced, and these would be followed up and responded to. The MOP thanked the Council and left the meeting at 18.10.

1. Members Present: Cllr M Rust (MR) Acting Chair; Cllr P Garrard (PG); Cllr A Proctor (AP), Cllr M Rendall (MRL); Cllr T Ward (TW); Cllr Jan Ward (JW); Cllr S Tetley (ST) Also present – Clerk M Clarke

2. Apologies for Absence – Apologies were received from Cllr C Alexander; ELDC Cllr W Bowkett: Council resolved to accept.

3. Declarations of Interest and Dispensation Requests– Cllr MR declared an interest in item 7.

4. Approval of the Minutes of the Council Meeting on Monday October 6th 2025 at 6pm

The minutes of the meeting held Monday October 6th 2025 were presented as a true record. Proposed Cllr TW; Seconded Cllr JW – unanimous resolution to approve and resolve.

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

Councillor Bowkett had sent her apologies for not being present due to an unavoidable issue – her report had been received in advance of the meeting and is reproduced below.

Wainfleet Conservation Area - Consultation will begin on the 20th November at 9.. 30Emilie the conservation officer will be at Wainfleet town council office from 9.30 till 12.30 to answer any questions or concerns. You can go online to view the consultations and put comments in at https://www.selco.co.uk/heritageconsultation .

ELDC have a new anti-social behaviour officer after the retirement of Chris Wesley. He is Paul Carvel, who is a very experienced officer as well as an ex-police officer. He can be contacted on 01507613108 - Paul.carville@boston.gov.uk.

You can report safety concerns via Streetsafe.  You do this by going on line and putting in StreetsafeIlincolnshirepolice or download the app on your phone - search Streetsafe, you can report things like abandoned vehicles, people being verbally abused, being followed, abandoned buildings etc. all reports will be looked at by Lincolnshire police and other agencies to help build intelligence about safety concerns in your local areas.

Looking for community grants there are lots available go to community support and grants webpage

 www.e-Lindsey.gov.uk/article/5128/community-supportandgrants

A few of these available are free school meals, support for carers, East Community Fund, S and E Lincs Community Lottery, Lincs Community Foundation.

Finally, we had a successful real life call for the community resilience plan, where the volunteers reacted in a first class manner. We have received congratulations from the LRF team and the police for the fantastic and quick response to activating the plan. There will be a down meeting in the next two weeks.

Councillor M Hume (LCC) introduced her colleague from Highways and provided details of the Warm Home Grant, School consultation and an update on the ongoing issue of the railings along The Pinfold. Reassurance has been given this is actively in hand and a plan is being drawn up in the absence of any financial support from the EA who have responsibility for the riverbank and the drainage companies. LCC will be meeting the cost, and the Parish Council undertook to provide support in any way that can help. Information on the ongoing repairs on the A52 were advised. Cllr M Hume invited anyone who has worries or concerns to contact her directly.

6. Community Hall report

Chair of the Committee Cllr JW gave a full report of the Committee actions which took place Friday 7th November - the minutes are now posted in the Notice Boards and on the web for interested parties. Discussions and decisions made covered include the Woodthorpe Christmas Lunch, Tea with Santa, and a carol service re-scheduled for Wednesday 17th December at 6pm.to consist of 4 carols and readings by Father Paul.  LCC Cllr M Hume offered to come to the Lunch Club with information on the Warm Homes grant for Lunch club attendees – Hall Chair JW accepted with thanks. Additionally, a proposal to come under Finance to consider applying for a grant for solar panels, crafting support for the Friendship Club and a replacement marquee to cover the one lost to the weather in the 2025 show.

A/Chair MR thanked the Hall Chair JW for all the information and updates.

7. Remembrance Day Services

The 2 earlier services at St Mary’s and All Saints were well attended and supported. The service for the Armistice Day Remembrance is arranged for Tuesday 11th November at the Butter Cross with refreshments in The Methodist Chapel after the service. Previous meetings had agreed a donation to the RBL in lieu of wreaths being purchased. £40.00 was proposed Cllr TW and seconded Cllr ST and agreed by all – Clerk to arrange the donation.

8. Clerk’s Report: November 10th 2025

Gas Engineer has attended and serviced the boiler and effected the repair on the pipe – invoice included in payments

Firestop booked an appointment but failed to arrive to service the extinguishers as agreed – new date to be arranged – certificate is valid till December

Friendship Group – Funding Bid to McCarthy Stone has been rejected. However, a request to ELDC Councillor W Bowkett has agreed an amount of £500.00 to support the Friendship Group – paperwork is in progress. Thank you Wendy.

Melanie Neal – Co-op Engagement Officer had suggested we put in a request to Wainfleet Co-op for £250.00 – this has been written and submitted to Mr Hopton Co-op Manager in October with Melanie’s support - waiting a decision. Melanie is chasing this up for us.

The calendars are printed, collected and on sale – Hair FX have 10 – 6 others sold to date.... 2 more on order. Promotion will continue on FB and word of mouth.

Tea with Santa has 4 bookings to date for 16 in total time re-arranged to 4pm. £400 support from Platform has been received – and contact made with Jeanette from Tesco. Newsletter with Tea with Santa insert has gone to print and should be available for distribution this week.

Woodthorpe Lunch – deposit has been paid, and confirmation Karen will be the lady who looks after the booking again – as last year and the year before. Table booked for organisers and also for the raffle.

Debit card for the Chair has been authorised and received.

New date suggested for Carol Service

Next Lunch date is Wednesday 19th – and then time off till January.

New small freezer has been purchased funded by the Isolation grant.

Jubilee Orchard sign – Wayne from Web Signs has undertaken to look at the Orchard sign and to see what can be done – to re-wrap will be £65.00. Perspex cover can also be carried out but advice that may carry a risk of condensation and dirt getting in...any other suggestions.

Hostess trolleys – pics etc have been forwarded to Maria for sale as a private individual - £25 each and buyer collects.

Water Leak has been investigated – tests carried out would indicate it is an external leak – Wave offer a Find and Fix service for which there will undoubtedly be a charge. Wave have also advised their records indicate very little water being used – and on occasions none at all which is at odds with Anglian Water advice of litres being used every day. Equally the recent invoice rec’d reflects very little use. Can there be a discussion please under Community Hall WG to decide what we do next.

Workshop arranged “how to use Canva” – Friday 21st November in the Hall at 10.00 – if anyone would like to attend.

Platform had arranged a Graffiti board event on the Queen’s estate during half term which Mick and I attended – despite the rain several children came and had a great time. I got into conversation with Leo from YMCA and Sam from Platform and wondered if this was something that could be considered for the Play Area. Could there be a discussion under the Play Area Working group?

Allotment Contracts have all been agreed and sent out to the individuals – a couple of hiccups which can be covered in the Allotment working group.

Mike has done a drone overview so drainage can be discussed.

9. Finance and Bank Accounts.

Finance and reconciliation/statement reports along with the monthly Budget report presented for October and November payments.

Council agreed to approve all payments and reconciliations and reports. Proposed Cllr AP, Seconded Cllr JW – all resolved to agree.

Request from the clerk to assess what monies might be needed for the next financial year and to bring to the next meeting for inclusion in the 2026/2027 budget planning.

Proposal to explore the possibility of a grant application for solar panels for the Hall, a new container, funding for the Refreshments, crafting for the Friendship Club and a small marquee to replace the one lost in the weather leading up to the Village Show. Proposed Cllr TW and seconded Cllr AP -All in agreement - Clerk to follow up – Cllr TW and a committee member DK will source quotes for panels.

10.Working Group Reports.

a) Allotments – Contracts have been received by tenants – an amendment to the mapped area was required for one contract which has been effected. Drone report highlighted the condition of the land and dykes – reminder letter to go to all tenants re clearing of dykes before the winter weather sets in. One of the designated allotment areas is still not cleared thus the new tenant is unable to take possession – clerk to write to current incumbent and try to resolve.

b) Grass Cutting, Trees and Hedges – One tender has been received – the 2 other invitees have failed to respond – clerk will chase. Request for an extra grass cut to be left to the discretion of the contractor – Proposed Cllr AP, Seconded Cllr PG – all agreed to approve - council have complete faith it will be done on as required basis - clerk to advise

c) Play Area – Monthly report highlights several areas requiring attention – clerk to contact contractors for estimate of cost of repairs. Discussion over a Graffiti board area and picnic tables with activities on the top. Working Group of 3 agreed to take ideas and repairs forward. A first meeting of Cllrs TW, JW and PG to be arranged. There is a mole problem which requires some thought on the management – the Play Area may need to be closed whilst traps are set.

d) Community Hall – Discussion over the apparent leak – guidance has been followed and no tangible evidence of anything serious. Agreed to take no further action until the grant has been advised and if approved then to investigate as the flooring is removed. All in agreement.

Proposal to look at grant funding covered under Finance.

e) Planning – No applications received other than National grid update information on consultations.

f) Open Spaces – Jubilee Orchard – trees and shrubs require pruning – arranged with Cllr TW and Committee Member BH. Planters in the Orchard and by the bus stop to be tidied and replanted – Cllrs TW and PG will arrange – budget of £250.00 agreed – proposed Cllr ST and Seconded Cllr JW – all in agreement.

11. Correspondence.

Further letters of concern received – plus 2 phone calls - reference the ongoing problem of the railings/road and bank – these have been advised to both LCC and ELDC.

One resident has asked for the pathway opposite the railings to be checked for overgrowth and accessibility – clerk will follow up.

12. Date of Next Meetings: 

Monday December 8th 6.00pm.

13. Items for Inclusion in the November Agenda

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

Budget Planning.

A/Chair MR thanked everyone for a productive evening and closed the meeting at 19.50

I certify these are a true record of the meeting held Monday 10th November 2025

 Signed                                                                                             Date

M Rust : Acting Chair WSM Parish Council.