October 2021 Minutes
SPILSBY TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 28th October 2021 at 7pm in the Council Chamber, Franklin Hall, Halton Road, Spilsby
Present: Cllr Terry Taylor, Cllr M Gibson, Cllr T Kemp, Cllr D Mangion, Cllr K Wood, Cllr A Wright.
Also Present: Mrs Y Smith (Town Clerk) (TC), Cllr W Bowkett (LCC County Councillor)
Public Session
Cllr W Bowkett (LCC County Councillor) sent a report which was tabled. Cllr Bowkett asked if a notice could be put on the Town Council website to say that the footpath refurbishment had been put back to November. She said that some hedges had not been cut back so this was also causing problems.
Cllr D Mangion (ELDC District Councillor) sent a report which was tabled. Cllr Mangion said that ELDC had been unsuccessful in the levelling up bid.
It was RESOLVED to move onto the main meeting as there were no press or public in attendance.
151. Apologies
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Day, Cllr Haddock, Cllr Marsh and Cllr Rose. TC informed the Council that Cllr Elaine Lowe had resigned.
152. Declarations of Interest under the Localism Act 2011
None
153. Notes from Previous Meetings
a. Full Town Council Meeting 23rd September 2021
It was RESOLVED to accept the notes as a true record of the meeting.
b. Finance and Policy Meeting 14th October 2021
It was RESOLVED to accept the notes as a true record of the meeting.
154. Reports from Town Mayor, Town Clerk and Representatives on Outside Bodies
The Town Mayor tabled a report of his activities.
Good Neighbours Scheme – Cllr Gibson reported that the first face to face meeting had been held and that there was a coffee morning planned for the end of November in the Franklin Hall.
Community Speed Watch – Cllr Gibson reported that there had been some sessions and they had been successful
Town Clerk- Tabled a report of the office activities. She reported that she had received answers to the questions posed previously on Transfer of Assets from ELDC. As this topic required further discussion, it was agreed that it should be placed on the next Full Council Agenda.
ACTION- To be placed on the Full Council Agenda in November.
155. To ratify the Resolutions made at the Finance and Policy Meeting held on 14th October 2021
Para 23a- It was RESOLVED to adopt the Business Continuity Plan
Para 25- It was RESOLVED to purchase the PDF Converter at a cost of £39.97
156. Churchyard Wall Update
Cllr Taylor tabled a report with photographs. He reported that the tree roots were so solid and deep that it would be better to leave them. He said that he was hoping that there would be some spare money in the quotation however there had been some shortfalls with the price of the coping stones and the rails. He continued that in 10 days’ time, the contractors would be leaving the site so they will have to return to lay the coping stones and rails. There is going to be a time when the scaffolding is there and no work being carried out.
The contractors have said that the gardens will be re-established once the work is finally completed.
ACTION – TC to update owners and tenants as to current position.
157. Living Streaming Findings by Cllr Wood and Cllr Wright.
Cllr Wood and Cllr Wright said that they had not had time to investigate further since the last meeting.
Cllr Taylor asked councillors what they thought about pursuing this item. Cllr Mangion said that if people wanted to know what was happening, they would come to the meetings or read the minutes. Cllr Wright said that he had found a cam that was £150-£200.
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Wright investigate an inexpensive system that could be brought out for special meetings only.
158. Sir John Franklin Commemorative Blue Plaque
Cllr Wood reported that she had met with Mr Charles Tong and he had suggested moving the current metal plaque and removing the wood behind it and place it further up. The new plaque could then go in its place. She said that Mr Tong would arrange for the new plaque to be installed.
It was RESOLVED to ‘unveil’ the plaque on the 27th November at the Christmas Lights Switch on.
159. Publicity Strategy for the Town Council
The Deputy TC had obtained several quotations for various styles of boards which were shown to the councillors. The suggestions which had been made previously for sites were Halton Road, Playing Fields and Market Place. Cllr Wood mentioned the need to move the notice board in the Market Place. TC said that permission had been given by the previous conservation officer to site it there. There followed an in-depth discussion regarding siting and costs of notice boards. It was agreed that as there are already notice boards on the Franklin Hall, Market Place and Post Office Lane Car Park, which any society may advertise in, further ones were not necessary.
It was RESOLVED to maintain and refurbish the existing notice boards and to use social media and the website and advertise the fact that this is where information is available. ACTION – TC to arrange refurbishments.
160. New Town Planters
Cllr Wood said that it may encourage more community engagement is there were a competition to suggest planting for the new planters. She said that it could perhaps been done in age groups from the schools. Cllr Taylor said that the councillors would have to arrange the competition as the clerks were too busy. Cllr Wood agreed to take on the project.
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Wood organise the application form, distribution and collation of entries.
ACTION – Cllr Wood to contact the Co-op to see if they can help.
161. External Audit Report 2020/21 from PKF Littlejohn
TC said that the findings had been reported to the Finance and Policy Committee.
The reported stated that the AGAR had been completed within the Proper Practices and no other matters had come to the attention of the external auditors, PKF Littlejohn, giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements had not been set.
There were three matter which were drawn to the attention of the smaller authority however TC had refuted these with the auditors and they had accepted.
162. Planning Applications Noted
a. S/165/01659/21 71 Boston Road, Spilsby PE23 5HH Full Permission
b. S/165/00123/21 Primary Care Building Full Permission
163. Orders for Payment
It was RESOLVED to accept all orders for payment for Sept/October 2021 The Chairman closed the meeting 7.55pm.