September 2022 Minutes
SPILSBY TOWN COUNCIL
Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on Thursday 29th September, 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 E Day (Deputy Mayor), M Gale, M Gibson, S Haddock, T Kemp (Mayor), L Marsh, W Rose, T Taylor, M Wragg and K Wood.
County Councillor W Bowkett.
Town Clerk, J Sargent.
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 problems at the allotments on Hundleby Road. The resident advised the Council there have been several thefts, however, they have not been reported to the Police, nor is there any evidence of who the thief is. The resident requested extra water taps be installed at the allotments and advised that the hedging on the boundary will soon need cutting.
It was resolved to move to into formal session as there were no further questions.
70. Apologies.
Cllrs D Mangion and A Wright.
71. Declarations of Interest.
None received.
72. To approve as a correct record the minutes of Full Council Meeting 28th July, 2022.
With no matters arising the minutes from July were resolved unanimously.
73. To approve the accounts for
a. August 2022
b. September 2022
With no matters arising the accounts for August and September were resolved unanimously.
74. 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 report to Councillors prior to the meeting.
Mayor T Kemp thanked Councillors for their efforts in organising and attending events in memory of the late Queen Elizabeth II. Mayor T Kemp also updated Councillors on other events he’d attended representing the Council including handing out awards at the Pirouette School of Dance based in Spilsby.
Grammar School Foundation
Cllr Gibson updated Councillors on the recent donations to local primary schools that the Grammar School Foundation had made and that at the next meeting they would be considering applications from individuals.
Poorlands
Cllr Marsh updated Councillors on recent changes in personnel on the committee.
Twinning
Cllr Gale updated Councillors on recent visits and attempts to arrange future trips.
Community Speed Watch
The CSW group had been out a couple of times recently, with the data logged and sent to speed watch admin team at LCC.
At a recent meeting with neighbouring Councils, the possibility of sharing equipment and resources was discussed. Councillors agreed it would be beneficial if Spilsby’s neighbouring villages had active Community Speed Watch groups. It was requested to invite the Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership to the next meeting with neighbouring Councils.
Police
Cllrs Rose and Wragg attended a recent surgery with the PCSO to relay concerns members of the public had regarding the lack of Police presence in the community. The PCSO advised more officers have been recruited and the new trainees will soon be out in the community. Anti-social behaviour, grafitti and vandalism were also discussed. The PCSO advised writing to the building contractors of the new housing development proposed in Spilsby to install CCTV cameras as the estate is built rather then once it has been completed. The Clerk to enquire how much it would cost to have the CCTV control centre in Boston monitor cameras in Spilsby.
75. To discuss community matters with and to receive reports from Lincolnshire County Councillor and East Lindsey District Councillors.
District Cllr Mangion emailed a written reports distributed to Councillors prior to the meeting.
County Cllr Bowkett advised Councillors that LCC had voted to spend an extra £5 million on essential road repairs. The autumn Covid booster vaccination programme was now underway. There have been problems reported at Platform Housing locations in Spilsby. Cllr Bowkett would like to organise a litter pick in Spilsby and will be emailing for volunteers. It is now possible to register births, deaths and marriages online.
76. To consider and approve purchasing a printer for the office, including part-exchange of old printer or a lease option.
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 the ECBS purchase option which included a 6-month guarantee.
77. Allotment
a. To consider and approve an updated Allotments Policy.
Councillors resolved unanimously on updates to the policy regarding the following items:
• Section 6 Cultivation
• Section 11 Hedges, fences, paths and gates
• Secton 12 Buildings
• Section 13 Animals
b. To consider and approve an updated Allotments Tenancy Agreement.
Councillors resolved unanimously to increase the bond required for new allotment holders and to updated section 7 c, 18 and 19.
c. To consider and approve an updated allotments pricing structure.
Councillors discussed varying increases to the allotment rent due to the recent expenditure required. Councillors agreed that the Allotments should be more self sufficient rather than sibsidised by the Council. It was resolved unanimously to increase the price of the allotments by 5p per square metre.
d. To consider and approve the option to create smaller allotments to accommodate more residents on the waiting list.
Councillors resolved unanimously to split the plots as detailed on the map provided in order to accommodate more residents on the waiting list.
78. To consider and approve quotes to lay bait traps for a rat problems reported to Spilsby Town Council by the Environmental Health departments at East Lindsey District Council
It was resolved unanimously to accept the quote provided by Lincs Pest to combat the pest control issue at the allotments site.
79. To consider and approve the Rural Market Towns 6 month trial membership.
After a brief discussion on the potential benefits of being members, it was resolved unanimously to sign up to the trial membership and for the Clerk to bring this back to Council before the trial ends.
80. To consider and approve continuing membership with the Campaign to Protect Rural England.
Councillors briefly discussed the membership and its benefits to the Council and community. It was resolved unanimously to end the membership as soon as possible.
81. To Consider and approve grant applications from:
e. Spilsby Christian Fellowship
f. Spilsby Event Team - Heritage Day
g. Rotary Club - Bike Night
h. Spilsby Pirouette School of Dance
After discussing the merits and requirements of each grant separately, Councillors resolved unanimously to donate £250.00 to each group.
82. To consider and approve donating a recycled plastic bench to the Rotary Club for installation at the junction of Ashby Road and B1195.
The Clerk explained there were 3 recycled plastic benches currently in storage. The Rotary Club have asked for one to be donated. Councillors resolved unanimously to donate one bench.
83. To consider and approve a quotation for the maintenance of TOC H and Spinney.
With only one quotation received for the tender to maintain TOC H and Spinney, Councillors resolved unanimously to accept the quote from Welton Garden Services.
84. To consider incorporating the duties of the Clerk for Holton Holegate Parish Council within the roles of the Spilsby Town Clerk and Deputy Clerk.
Councillors expressed concern regarding the potential problems relating HR issues, whether the role could be kept separate from Spilsby’s, how the time would work and possible interruptions as well as the use of facilities. Councillors resolved unanimously not to incorporate the duties of the Clerk for Holton Holegate Parish Council within the roles of the Spilsby Town Clerk and Deputy Clerk.
85. To consider and approve staffing matters referenced in the confidential report.
All staffing matters referenced in the confidential report were resolved unanimously.
With no further matters, Cllr Kemp closed the meeting at 8:30pm.