1-18-25 TC MINS
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 18th NOVEMBER 2025

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

Present Councillors: J. Baskett (JB), 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: M. Barnes (MB), Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), H. Filer (HF), D.E. Wing (DEW).

The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips, the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Mrs. S. Chitauro-Adlard and Lincolnshire County Councillor, T. Catton were also present.

Public Forum
• LCC Cllr. T. Catton addressed the Council during the Public Forum, informing attendees that LCC were conducting an extra-ordinary meeting on Friday 21st November 2025 at 10am in Lincoln’s Council Chambers to discuss local government reorganisation.

T104. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Mrs. EB, HF and DEW. Cllr. MB also submitted her apologies and requested that Council accept her reasons. After discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED not to accept Cllr. MB’s apologies. Councillor’s noted Cllr. MB’s long absence from meetings and the reason for such. They appreciated Cllr. MB’s position and sympathized with her but felt that the legislation was clear. While Councillors acknowledged that there were duties a Councillor could undertake, ultimately attending at Council or Committee meetings was integral to the role and was the duty which really counted.

T105. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
The following declarations of interest were made:
a. Cllr. DH – Items 6 and 7 as a member of East Lindsey District Council (ELDC).
b. Cllr. GEH – Items 6 and 7 as a member of ELDC.
c. Cllr. Mrs. JMS – Items 6 and 7 as a member of ELDC.

T106. Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the notes of the Council Meeting held on 21st October 2025 be approved as the minutes.

T107. 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 – 9th September 2025
b. Planning Committee – 30th September 2025
c. Governance and Finance Committee – 19th August 2025
d. Personnel Committee – 9th September 2025
e. Personnel Committee – 21st October 2025

T108. Grievance and Disciplinary Policies
The Council received new Grievance and Disciplinary policies. After review, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the documents for use.

T109. Arrangements for 9th December 2025
Cllr. PS proposed that, if possible, the length of the next scheduled meetings to be held on 9th December 2025 be limited to allow a discussion afterwards on the future of Town Centre retail. Following discussions, the proposal was seconded, and it was therefore RESOLVED to action Cllr. PS’s proposal. It was further RESOLVED that the meetings scheduled to be held on 9th December be limited to an hour and a half, finishing at 8.30pm and that the informal meeting should take place immediately after, finishing no later than 10pm.

T110. Local Growth and Grant Funding
Following discussions on 21st October 2025, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to ratify a grant application made to the Pride in Place Grant Scheme to meet its deadline of 17th November 2025.

T111. Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next scheduled Town Council meeting was 20th January 2026.

The Meeting Closed at 7.59pm.

 

Signed_______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________