June 2023 Minutes
Minutes of the Full Council Meeting held on Wednesday 21st June, 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 T Kemp (Mayor), L Day (Deputy Mayor), A Day, M Gibson, L Marsh, W Rose, T Taylor, and M Wragg; and Lincolnshire County Councillor Cllr W Bowkett.
Deputy Town Clerk, R Ford.
Public Session
One member of the public attended to discuss the planning application submitted to ELDC for a development on Masonic Lane, Spilsby.
To receive a report from Lincolnshire County Councillor W Bowkett
Cllr Wendy Bowkett reported that LCC Highways have just commenced their second cut of verges, there will be a final cut later in the year. The opportunity to have a Covid spring vaccine will finish on 30th June, at Franklin Hall. Dates for Eresby Avenue re-surfacing are being finalised, and dates will be announced shortly. The Lincolnshire Integrated community equipment service has just been relaunched; it can be viewed at: www.lincolnshire.gov/help-live-home/home-equipment.
Opinions are requested on the Wellbeing service, log on to: www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/wellbeing-service-review.
20. Apologies
It was resolved unanimously to accept apologies from Cllr D Mangion.
21. Declarations of Interest
None received.
22. To approve as a correct record the minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council on 15th May, 2023.
With no matters arising, it was resolved unanimously to accept the minutes for May as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
23. To approve the accounts for May, 2023
With no matters arising the accounts for May were resolved unanimously.
24. To receive a bank reconciliation for May, 2023
The Clerk provided a bank reconciliation to keep Councillors up to date with the Council’s financial status.
25. To approve the Annual Governance and Accountability Return for 2022/23
a) To approve section 1, points 1 – 9 of the Annual Governance Statement for 2022/23
The Cllr Kemp read each point individually, asking Councillors to confirm they agreed with the statements. It was resolved unanimously to approve the Annual Governance Statement.
b) To approve section 2, Accounting Statement.
It was resolved unanimously to approve the Accounting Statement.
26. To receive brief reports from the Town Mayor, Town Council’s working groups, representatives on outside bodies and the Town Clerk.
Mayor’s Report
Cllr Kemp informed Councillors that he had met with the new East Lindsey District Councillor Ellie Marsh and had a very productive meeting. Cllr Kemp also informed Councillors that he had been invited to attend the Spilsby Primary School Summer Fayre on Friday 7th July, 2023.
Recreation Ground
Cllr Taylor updated the Councillors on the progression of plans in hand for the Recreation Ground.
Approval is needed from the Town Council to site two storage containers at the rear of the Pavilion.
Grammar School Foundation
Cllr Gibson reported that the old Honours Boards are to be sited at the Franklin Hall.
Poorlands
Cllr Marsh reported that 37 cheques had been issued at the recent payout.
Twinning
No report received.
Community Speed Watch
Cllr Day reported that the team had recently had two successful outings. The Clerk was asked to contact the neighbouring Parish Councils who attended the meeting on 17th May, to confirm volunteers for Community Speed Watch and to liaise with Cllr Day with a view to borrowing equipment for their villages.
Good Neighbourhood Scheme
Cllr Gibson reported that the AGM is being held on Friday 21st July, 23 at the Franklin Hall.
Spilsby Business Partnership
No report received.
Town Clerk’s Report
A report had been sent out to Councillors prior to the meeting.
27. To receive an update on the Christmas Market.
Cllr Rose informed the Council that plans were progressing for Saturday 2nd December, 2023. The Clerk to inform ELDC of the date of the planned Christmas Market.
28. To consider the lease and rent review from the Franklin Hall Management Trustees.
A letter had been received from the Franklin Hall management committee outlining the Lease and Rent review due for renewal on 31st March, 2024, allowing time for the Council to agree to the proposed increases. Cllr Gibson informed Councillors that there is a meeting on the 4th July of the Trustees, to discuss further. It was resolved unanimously to accept the new terms of the proposed increase.
It was requested that the Clerk contact the Franklin Hall committee to further discuss a sign for the entrance to the Hall to advertise and promote the Town Council.
29. To consider a Civic Service for 2023/24.
Cllr Rose recommended re-instating a Civic Service as a way of thanking local groups and organisations and to recognize their hard work within the community of Spilsby. Councillors expressed concerns about the current cost of living crisis. It was resolved unanimously that Cllrs Rose and Marsh investigate further, draft plans and bring back to Council.
30. To discuss concerns over the removal of PCSO’s from Spilsby.
Councillors, residents and various other groups had all written to PCC Marc Jones, Chief Constable Haward and Victoria Atkins MP to air their concern. Replies had been received from all parties, stating that this was a funding issue and PCSO’s were being re-deployed to the areas where the need was greater.
Councillors commented on how vital the footage from the CCTV cameras would be in the absence of the PCSO’s, and how the Council need to work on improving the current system in the future.
31. To consider increasing the grant application to Spilsby Twinning Association.
The Deputy Town Clerk informed Councillors how a previous donation in 2019 had been considerably higher that the £250.00 given in May, 2023. As no funds were allocated to the Twinning Association in the 2023-23 budget, and following a discussion, it was resolved unanimously to decline any further payment. However, in future, any additional requests for grants received would be given consideration to on receipt of proposed plans and budgets. The Clerk was instructed to write a letter to explain the Council’s decision.
32. To consider an application for the installation of a new shed on Allotment plot 8.
It was resolved unanimously to approve the installation.
33. To consider appointing a supplier to provide the equipment for the redevelopment of the play area at the Recreation Ground.
A Report by Cllr Marsh along with three quotations for the new play equipment had been forwarded to councillors to read and digest.
It was resolved unanimously to defer this decision to the July 2023 Full Council meeting in order to give more time to make a decision, taking into account the large sum of money being allocated to this project.
34. To consider the Recreation Ground committee request to site two permanent 20ft containers at the ground for storage purposes.
Following a discussion, it was resolved unanimously to approve the siting of the containers.
The Council would require that all legal requirements, planning, costs, building insurance and removal (if this would occur) to be funded by the Recreation Ground committee.
The Clerk was instructed to contact the Chairman of the Recreation Ground committee, and make clear our request.
35. To resolve to exclude the public and the media to discuss confidential matter
In accordance with the Public Bodies (Admissions to meetings) Act 1960.
It was resolved unanimously to move into closed session.
36. To consider and approve staffing matter referenced in the confidential report.
Cllr Liz Day agreed to investigate staffing matters further, and bring back to the council.
37. To consider applications for co-option
As no applications had been received to date, it was resolved to advertise in the Explorer and to investigate previous applicants for possible co-option.
26th July 2023