08-19-25 TC MINS
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 19th AUGUST 2025

The Mayor, Cllr. D. Hobson (DH) (in the chair).

Present Councillors: J. Drake (JD), G.E. Horton (GEH), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (Mrs. JMS), D. Moore (DM), Mrs. K. Parsons (Mrs. KP), P. Starsmore (PS), Mrs. P.F. Watson (Mrs. PFW).

Councillors Not Present: Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), M. Barnes (MB), J. Baskett (JB), H. Filer (HF), D.E. Wing (DEW).

Mr. P. Drury, NKDC Lincolnshire Armed Forces Community Covenant Officer, East Lindsey District Councillor, R. Jackson, three members of the public, The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips and the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Mrs. S. Chitauro-Adlard were also present.

Public Forum
• E. Maddison of the Friends of Park Avenue Play Park group gave a short update on the groups progress.
• East Lindsey District Councillor R. Jackson imparted that there were discussions taking place regarding the Local Government reshuffle, and that ELDC Councillor grants were still open, encouraging community groups and Councils to apply.
• In her capacity as an ELDC Councillor, Mrs. JMS informed the Council that Louth Transport Board had been dissolved. She then shared that she was the Chairman of Parking Scrutiny and welcomed any comments or suggestions and disclosed that there had been some changes to staff at ELDC.

T62. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Mrs. EB, JB and DEW.

T63. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
The following declarations of interest were made:
a. Cllr. Mrs. JMS – Item 10a as an acquaintance of one of the tender applicants.
b. Cllr. PS – Item 7 due to his partner working for the Environment Agency.

T64. Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the notes of the Council Meetings held on 22nd July 2025 be approved as the minutes.

T65. Town Clerk’s Remarks
The Town Clerk informed the Council that:
• The Cemetery Superintendent/Maintenance Foreman had recently handed his notice in and his last day of employment at the Council would be 31st August 2025. She confirmed that a Personnel meeting was to be called to discuss recruitment.
• She had received feedback from the Local Council Award Scheme who had assessed the Council’s application for the Bronze Award. She confirmed that they were happy to award Bronze pending some minor changes, which would be implemented as soon as possible.
• Following previous discussion of the lease for the Astro Turf site at London Road, the requested timeframe for dealing with a breach had been reduced.
• The newest member of staff was organising a coffee morning in aid of MacMillan Cancer Support which was to take place on Friday 26th September at the Sessions House from 10.30am. Councillors were asked to attend.

T66. Committee Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to confirm receipt of the minutes and adopt the resolutions contained therein of the following Committee Meetings:
a. Planning Committee – 6th May 2025
b. Planning Committee – 3rd June 2025
c. Planning Committee – 24th June 2025
d. Governance and Finance Committee – 13th May 2025
e. Personnel Committee – 15th April 2025
T67. Presentation from Mr. P. Drury on Becoming an Armed Forces Friendly Council
The Council received a presentation from Mr. P. Drury on the details of becoming an Armed Forces Friendly Council and noted that to become an Armed Forces Friendly Council it would be required to a) sign the armed forces covenant, b) identify a number of Councillors that would be it’s ‘champions’, c) attend 4 training sessions (SSAFA, DWP, Veteran Support Services, Armed Forces Overview), d) amend it’s website to demonstrate its commitment, e) be prepared to introduce people to services; and f) champion the armed forces community in Louth. After the presentation, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that Louth Town Council should sign up to become Armed Forces Friendly and request further information on how to do so, with Cllrs JD, GEH, DM, Mrs. KP and PS volunteering themselves as ‘champions’.

T68. Flood Alleviation Scheme
The Council received a Statement of Maintenance Costs for the financial year 2024/25 from the Environment Agency. After discussion, it was agreed that FOG would review the lease agreement and present their findings to Council, with the possibility of formally requesting the Environment Agency to attend a meeting before May when the next payment for the Scheme was due.

T69. Christmas
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Town Clerk be given delegated authority to make arrangements along the same lines as in previous years, provided that the costs were contained within the budget and to accept the kind offer of a free real tree from Mr. Strawson.

T70. Julian Bower
The Council were notified that the current grazing license was due to expire on 31st August 2025 and that the current license holder had indicated to the Town Clerk that he wished to renew the license. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to renew the license and issue a separate confirmation letter reiterating

T71. the terms in the license which restrict access through the field and use, and that Councillors of St. Mary’s Ward would regularly review the area.

T72. Closed Session
At 8.19pm upon a proposal by Cllr. Mrs. JMS, seconded by Cllr. PS, it was RESOLVED to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 due to the business to be discussed in the following items, the information being of a third party, commercially confidential nature in regard to:
a. Hubbard’s Hills
i. Council received quotes and a recommendation from the Hubbard’s Hills Working Group regarding the awarding of Grass Cutting and Bin Emptying work. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to award both the Grass Cutting and Bin Emptying to Glendale.
b. Park Avenue Play Park
i. The Council received correspondence from the Friends of Park Avenue Play Park and draft Heads of Terms from the landowners. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that LTC would maintain its original resolution to take no further action until a) the Park Avenue Play Park group had successfully achieved charity status; and b) the group had successfully received funding. Further, it was RESOLVED that the Council should seek confirmation from the landowners, through the group, that they would fulfil their promise of completing the necessary work to the land and when all of the above were achieved the draft Heads of Terms should be revisited.

At 8.46pm it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to move out of closed session.

T73. Next Meeting
It was noted that:
a. The date of the next scheduled Town Council meeting would take place on 9th September 2025; and
b. This meeting would be robed and that a Council photograph would be taken before its start.

The Meeting Closed at 8.46pm.

Signed_______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________