July 2022 Minutes
SPILSBY TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on 28th July, 2022 at 6:30pm in Franklin Hall, Spilsby. These are notes of the meeting until approved by the Council as a true record.
Present:
Cllrs M Gale, M Gibson, S Haddock, T Kemp (Mayor), D Mangion, W Rose, and M Wragg.
Town Clerk, J Sargent and Deputy Town Clerk R Ford.
Opening Remarks
Mayor T Kemp welcomed all present, reminding Councillors about safety, to turn phones off and appropriate conduct.
Public Session
There was one member of the public in attendance. The resident spoke about the height of the hedge near her property. The resident mentioned this issue was previously raised at the Annual Town Meeting. The resident was advised this belongs to LCC Highways and could be reported via Fix My Street as well as writing to LCC Councillor W Bowkett. Cllr Gibson advised that Cllr W Bowkett would be doing a ward walk with a highways officer, and to email her with any issues. It was Resolved to move to into formal session as there were no further questions.
67. Apologies.
Cllrs E Day (Deputy Mayor), L Marsh, T Taylor, K Wood and A Wright.
68. Declarations of Interest.
None received.
69. To approve as a correct record the minutes of Full Council Meeting 23rd June, 2022.
With no matters arising the minutes from June were resolved unanimously.
70. To approve the accounts for July 2022.
The Clerk advised the expenditure on Voucher No. 72 – Anglian Water, Cemetery was actually £9.47 not £27.48. And one further payment of £56.00 via direct debit was made to ELDC for cemetery rates which was not included on the initial report. With no matters arising the accounts for July were resolved unanimously.
71. To receive the first quarterly update for the 2022/23 financial year.
a. Budget Review
b. Treasurers Account
c. Reserve Account
Councillors were provided with a first quarter budget review and and review of the accounts. The Clerk updated Councillors on the financial status, advising 56% of the annual budget had been spent in the first quarter, with half of that allocated to the Church Wall repairs. Further invoices are expected for the Church Wall, however, no other significant expenditure is expected other than what is already committed.
72. To receive brief reports from the Town Mayor, Town Council’s working groups, representatives on outside bodies and the Town Clerk.
The Town Clerk emailed a reports to Councillors prior to the meeting.
Mayor T Kemp updated Councillors about a meeting attended regarding the Church Wall with the contractors and outstanding works to be completed. Mayor T Kemp informed Councillors about a conversation with Platform Housing concerning the ownership of the land next to No.1 Old Market Avenue and the possible transfer of this land to the Town Council for a nominal fee. Further discussions pending. Mayor T Kemp attended a number of events including Fr Peter’s retirement and a school fate.
No reports were submitted for other groups.
73. To discuss community matters with and to receive reports from Lincolnshire County Councillor and East Lindsey District Councillors.
County Cllr Bowkett and District Cllr Mangion emailed written reports distributed to Councillors prior to the meeting.
74. To consider and approve purchasing a printer for the office, including part-exchange of old printer.
The Clerk advised the current Xerox printer would not connect to his computer for printing and scanning. Xerox quoted £366.00 to come and service the printer. ECBS quoted £795 plus VAT to supply a second-hand printer. Councillors agreed to go ahead with ECBS as long as they could offer a guarantee.
75. To consider and approve the viability of sub-committees and the introduction of specific working groups.
Mayor T Kemp advised Councillors the previous two meetings of the Community Action Committee had not been quorate and therefore could not go ahead and this was to discuss a way forward to improve Councillor participation or perhaps involve groups and businesses in the community.
The Deputy Town Clerk advised she had spoken with other Councils who use working groups which seem to be more effective. Cllr Rose added that this could allow for items to come on the agenda at a Full Council Meeting within a more effective timeframe.
Cllr Mangion joined the meeting at 7.10pm. Mayor T Kemp updated Cllr Mangion on the discussion so far. Cllr Mangion supported the current committee set up; however, it was resolved by majority to replace the Community Action Committee with working groups designed to delivered specific events.
76. To consider and approve quotations to install and dismantle Christmas lights in the town.
Cllrs were provided with 3 quotes for the installation, dismantling and storage of the Christmas lights. Only the quote from Christmas Plus included anchor point testing. It was resolved unanimously to accept the quote from Christmas Plus.
77. To consider and approve Council meeting start times.
Councillors briefly discussed how they thought the earlier start time had worked well and they got more of their evening after the meeting had closed. It was resolved unanimously to continue with meetings starting at 6:30pm.
With no further matters, Cllr Kemp closed the meeting at 7:30pm.