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 14th July 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 September 8th, 2025, at 18.10.

Public: LCC Councillor M Hume.

1. Members Present: Cllr C Alexander (CA) Chair; Cllr M Rust (MR); Cllr P Garrard (PG); Cllr A Proctor (AP), Cllr T Ward (TW); Cllr Jan Ward (JW). Also present – Clerk M Clarke

2. Apologies for Absence – Apologies were received from Cllr M Rendall and ELDC Councillor W Bowkett: Council resolved to accept.

3. Declarations of Interest – Cllr MR declared a potential interest in item 6 – VJ Day as part of the Community Hall Report.

4. Approval of the Minutes of the Council Meeting on Monday June 9th at 6pm

The minutes of the held Monday June 9th 2025 were presented as a true record. Proposed Cllr TW; Seconded Cllr AP; – unanimous resolution to accept with a minor amendment of the correct spelling of Walnut.

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

ELDC Councillor WB had sent her apologies and her report by email was read out to the Council by the Chair

Cllr Wendy Bowkett - East Lindsey District Councillor’s Report for July

A reminder to residents that 3G network is being switched off at the end of the year. If you have an older phone please check the network.

River Steeping Partnership update – meeting held 25th June, at Manby.

I raised again the large tractor being used to cut the banks; this is leaving large ruts on the bank and is to be looked into immediately. The banks that have been reconstructed appear to have been lowered. I have asked why and if they can confirm this to be the case.  The culverts at Spilsby Road and Croft Lane will be checked as soon as the robot machine is available; this is used to check the insides of the culverts. The EA are looking into how the easiest way to access funding is - whether that be capital or through ongoing maintenance. The working group will look into a few things that could slow the flow down. They will report back at the next meeting. The weed cutting boats have hit the waters today and making progress cutting the weeds in the channel.

The works on the Tanyard’s - permits have now been submitted.

The latest fly tipping in Wainfleet St Mary on the corner of Church Lane, was successfully investigated quickly enough by ELDC officers to enable names to be recovered from the rubbish. This shows the need to report immediately on Fix My Street. Hopefully a prosecution can be brought against those responsible.

The Pride team of East Lindsey are available for any tidying jobs around the town, please let me know of any areas that are of concern.

Please as always get in touch with any problems.

Wendy, Cllr Wendy Bowkett, East Lindsey District Councillor, 07930254723

Report from LCC Councillor M Hume

Investigations into earlier enquiries made by residents are ongoing and will be updated as responses are received. Please continue to contact with any concerns or questions.

LCC Cllr M Hume – cllrm.hume@lincolnshire.gov.uk

6.. Community Hall Report

Chair of the Committee Cllr JW gave a full report of the Committee actions to date which are contained in the Hall Minutes and available on the web and in the Notice Boards.

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

7. Clerk’s Report:

Training Courses attended – AI ; 3rd and final Part is in July.

The Clerk as a HR Advisor key HR policies every Council should have and common HR mistakes – managing staff and conducting appraisals.

(more of a sales pitch than anything really useful....nothing that isn’t done or in place already)

Request from Mr Chamberlain to trim the overgrowth in Groose Lane.

Quotes requested for repairs to Play Area toddler swings and notice board.

Pete W requested for quote to repair hall field fence.

Allotment WG met on the 20th June and have a recommendation to put to the Council to take the AH contracts to the next step – agenda item 8a

Clerk has considered the .gov.uk and Assertion 10 clause – information to follow later agenda item 10

One planning application to consider – conversion of holiday cottages to residential use – agenda item 8e

National Grid consultation taking place.

Grazing Agreement sent to tenant – waiting return

Friendship group Mark 2 met for the first time in June – further dates are planned.

FlyTipping report has resulted in ELDC investigating and hopefully a fine/prosecution – identification found in the bags – thanks to all who notified me. Confirmation a fine has been applied.

Cyber/Scam attempt – no harm done but a check of the laptop felt appropriate and advisable – nothing found – cost £40.00. Reported to Action Fraud/ bank accounts checked and secured – new debit card issued. No access gained to banking.

Grant monies secured for Lunch Club investment and improvement

Community Grant Application completed for Show funds.

Correspondence received reference proposal for devolution changes – forwarded round.

8. Working Group Reports.

a) Allotments – The recommendations of the WG meeting June 20th presented to Council by Cllr MR and approved. Proposed Cllr TW, Seconded Cllr PG – unanimously resolved to approve; Chair and Clerk to meet with Willsons to draw up new contracts. Advice rec’d a crop is planted on the vacant plots – clerk to follow up.

b) Grass Cutting, Trees and Hedges – Groose Lane overgrowth has been cut back. Tree along St Michael’s Lane adjacent to hall field is overhanging the road and encroaching on a property. Clerk to contact landowner and ELDC and tree surgeon to arrange management of the tree as appropriate.

c) Play Area – Contractors sourced, and 3 quotes obtained for replacement swings – discussed and agreed to appoint existing supplier. Proposed Cllr JW, Seconded Cllr PG – all resolved to approve. Quote for single NB for the Play Area to match the existing 2 – discussed and agreed to purchase. Proposed Cllr AP, Seconded Cllr JW – all resolved to approve the purchase, Clerk to arrange

d) Community Hall – Monthly report indicates all in good order.

e) Planning – One local application discussed and agreed to support. National Grid Consultation is ongoing with remote sessions available for attending.

f) Open Spaces – Agreement has been sent reference the grazing on the field. Quote requested to replace the 30 posts in the Hall field ready for the Village Show with labour costs and treated poles – cost of poles agreed - clerk to follow up and obtain installation cost – proposed Cllr Tw, Seconded Cllr AP – all resolved to approve subject to a final confirmed cost.

9. Finance and Bank Accounts –

10. Provision and requirements of Assertion 10- - SAPP 2024 1.47

The requirement for a council owned domain and the inclusion of Assertion 10 in the 2025/26 Audit requirement was summarised and presented to all Councillors. Discussion arrived at the conclusion to begin to implement this in terms of emails only in time for the next audit using companies researched and keeping costs in mind. Clerk to action and to continue to monitor if such an email address may at some point be supplied by LCC as is the web site currently. Proposed Cllr PG, Seconded Cllr JW – all resolved to agree and approve.

11. Correspondence

Resting Woods introduction. Council in support to include in the Autumn Newsletter

LALC/NALC bulletins – all forwarded round as is usual.

Retirement of Wells Marquees – letter of thanks and support sent

Invitation to Police and Parish Briefings – council declined to attend.

12. Date of Next Meetings: 

As is normal practice the Council will break for a summer recess with the next meeting being September 8th at 6pm.

13. Items for Inclusion in the September Agenda

To be advised to clerk please Monday 1st September.

Chair CA thanked everyone for a productive evening and closed the meeting at 20.30

I certify these are a true record of the meeting held Monday 14th July 2025

 Signed                                                                                            Date

Chair WSM Parish Council.