February 2023 Minutes
Spilsby Town Council
Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on Thursday 23rd February, 2023 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 Gibson, S Haddock, W Rose, M Wragg and A Wright.
Town Clerk, J Sargent and Deputy Town Clerk, R Ford.
Public Session
As there were no members of the public in attendance, it was resolved unanimously to move to into formal session
With no Mayor or Deputy Mayor in attendance, it was resolved unanimously for Cllr A Wright to Chair the meeting.
133. Apologies
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllrs T Kemp (Mayor), E Day (Deputy Mayor), M Gale, D Mangion, L Marsh, and T Taylor; and County Cllr W Bowkett
134. Declarations of Interest.
None received.
135. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Full Council Meeting on 26th January, 2023.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes for January as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
136. To approve the Accounts for:
a. January
With no matters arising the accounts for January were resolved unanimously.
137. To receive a bank reconciliation for:
a. January
The Clerk provided a bank reconciliation to keep Councillors up to date with the Council’s financial status.
138. To approve payment of invoices for:
a. Scribe Accounting Software subscription
After a brief discussion on the benefits of using Scribe, it was resolved unanimously to approve payment of the invoice.
139. To receive brief reports from the Town Mayor, Town Council’s working groups, representatives on outside bodies and the Town Clerk.
Mayor’s Report
No report received.
Recreation Ground
Deputy Town Clerk - R Ford advised that ground around 3 pieces of the play equipment have become unsafe. A contractor has been to assess what work needs to be done to make them safe. No quote has been submitted yet.
Grammar School Foundation
Cllr Gibson advised donations have been handed out to 27 students. Information regarding the donations is available on the Charity Commission website. The honours board from the Grammar School and other items from archives such as the panoramic school photos are going to be mounted in the bar area of Franklin Hall.
Poorlands
No report received.
Twinning
The minutes from the latest meeting were distributed to Councillors via email. Spilsby Twinning will host visitors from Bassum, Germany over the 2nd weekend of July.
Community Speed Watch
No report received.
Good Neighbourhood Scheme
Cllr Gibson advised the group would like to hold an event on the weekend of the Coronation of King Charles III and would be keen to work with SOLAS who are hosting a coffee morning in Franklin Hall. The Good Neighbourhood Scheme are still struggling to recruit volunteers but the workload has decreased post Covid lockdowns.
Spilsby Business Partnership
No report received.
Town Clerk’s Report
The Clerk emailed a report to Councillors prior to the meeting.
140. To discuss community matters with and to receive reports from Lincolnshire County Councillor and East Lindsey District Councillors.
District Cllr Mangion emailed a report, distributed to Councillors prior to the meeting.
No report submitted from Cllr W Bowkett.
141. To receive an update on the King Charles III Coronation event
The Deputy Clerk - R Ford and Cllr Rose attended a meeting at the Red Lion with representatives from local businesses with planning going ahead for an event on the Saturday afternoon.
There are plans for a plaque to be installed near the Franklin information boards to commemorate the coronation. Ian Steltner is to contact Tong Engineering to enquire if they could manufacture a plaque.
Cllr Rose is also planning on approaching a contractor to create an innovative bike rack, to be located near the Franklin information boards. The Clerk to contact ELDC to seek permission to install a bike rack at sign at this location.
Cllr Rose mentioned to ELDC that the clock on the toilet block isn’t working and asked for an update on the Franklin information board refurbishment. The ELDC officer advised the information board refurbishment has gone to the design team.
Councillors also asked the Clerk to follow up with ELDC properties team regarding the tree on the Terrace with fencing around it.
142. To consider donating to SOLAS for the warm space hub coffee morning
Councillors spoke about the potential for this SOLAS event to combine efforts with the Good Neighbours Scheme. It was resolved unanimously to donate £250.00 to SOLAS to continue the coffee mornings for 10 weeks, across 5 months. Councillors asked the Clerk to confirm with SOLAS whether this would run from April to August, or as it’s for a warm hub, it could run in the winter months, from November to March.
143. To consider contributing 50% of the costs of the Christmas Tree for the town centre.
After a brief discussion, it resolved unanimously to provide 50% of the costs of the Christmas tree for 2023, in conjunction with Spilsby Rotary Club.
144. To consider moving meeting dates to the fourth Wednesday of the month.
This item was requested due to meeting clashes for the Councillors who sit on the District Council. It was thought having Council meetings on a different day might improve attendance. It was resolved unanimously to move meeting dates to the fourth Wednesday of the month.
With no further matters, Cllr Day closed the meeting at 7:35pm.