07-28-26 TC MINS

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 28th JULY 2026

The Mayor, Cllr. Mrs. K. Parsons (Mrs. KP) (in the chair).

Councillors present: J. Bakewell (JB), Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), T. Ball (TB), H. Filer (HF), D. Hobson (DH), G.E. Horton (GEH), Mrs. H. Hunt (Mrs. HH), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (Mrs. JMS), C. Matthews (CM), P. Matthews (PM), D. Moore (DM), P. Starsmore (PS), H. Steer (HS), I. Steer (IS), T. Tapsfield (TT).

Councillors not present: J.K. Baskett (JKB), G. Cummings (GC), J. Drake (JD), N. Steer (NS), D.E. Wing (DEW).

The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips, the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Mrs. S. Chitauro-Adlard, Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) Councillors, T. Catton and N. Hastings, and one member of the public were also present.

T41. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. JKB, GC, NS and DEW.

T42. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
The following declarations of interest were made:
a. Cllr. PM – Item 14 as a relative of the candidates.
b. Cllr. HS – Item 14 as an acquaintance of one of the candidates.
c. Cllr. TT – Item 9 as an employee of another local supermarket.

T43. Reports/Updates from District and County Councillors
a. Speaking in her capacity as an ELDC Councillor, Cllr. Mrs. JMS confirmed with the Council that ELDC had not been consulted by LCC about closing Louth tip and expressed concern that the beacon on the zebra crossing at Upgate still had not been replaced by LCC. She went on to inform the Council that there would be changes to the way that Household Funds were administered to those who were struggling and encouraged those in need to approach her for more information. Cllr. Mrs. JMS then explained that ELDC, in conjunction with the Citizens Advice Bureau, were looking into providing an officer to help residents with debt issues. She confirmed that the town and parish elections would be proceeding in spring 2027, along with the shadow authority who would take over ELDC which would be abolished in 2028. Finally, she asked for clarity on proposed changes to Louth Fire Station, which would potentially leave Louth residents vulnerable without night cover.
b. LCC Cllr. T. Catton told the Council that LCC grants were now live. In response to Cllr. Mrs. JMS’s comments on the zebra crossing, Cllr. T. Catton said that LCC Highways confirmed that the delay was due to the electricity company and, whilst LCC were following it up, work could not start until they received a response. Cllr. T. Catton then replied to Cllr. Mrs. JMS’ comments about the Louth tip, clarifying that LCC had spoken to ELDC about the changes to the tip and he had emailed the Town Council, the Town Clerk confirmed that she had forwarded his correspondence to all LTC Councillors. Regarding the Louth Fire Station, Cllr. T. Catton confirmed that response times had improved, and that there may be changes to the next years timetable and location of crews, however this would be after thorough scrutiny. He went on to discuss Kidgate, advising that the work to the area had been paused whilst LCC looked for more suitable bricks. He assured the Council that Highways had a statutory duty to ensure safety, and even though there were no restrictions on working in the area previously, LCC were investigating the conservation area in more detail to ensure that the issues would not arise again. Finally, Cllr. T. Catton confirmed that LCC was finalising its review of potential works on Church Street. Cllr. Mrs. KP asked whether any Louth roads would be resurfaced ahead of the Tour of Britain. Cllr. T. Catton said he was unaware of any planned resurfacing, apart from minor works in Lincoln. He explained that any resurfacing would need to be requested by the Tour of Britain, but LCC’s limited budget suggested little work was expected. He confirmed that there were plans for three of Louth’s roads to be resurfaced in upcoming years.

T44. Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the notes of the Town Council meetings held on 9th and 30th June 2026 be approved as the minutes.

T45. Committee Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to confirm receipt of the minutes and adopt the resolutions contained therein of the Planning Committee meeting held on 9th June 2026.

T46. Equality and Diversity Policy
Council reviewed its Equality and Diversity policy. No amendments were suggested. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve for continued use.

T47. LALC AGM
Council received and noted a brief report from Cllr. Mrs. KP on the above meeting, wherein the new President of LALC was appointed and topics of Local Government Reorganisation, Fix My Street, drains and flooding and Anglian Water were discussed.

T48. LALC Summer Conference
Council received a brief report from Cllr. PS outlining the talking tables and trade stands in attendance at the above. Cllr. PS also shared that the Elections team, who were also present, indicated that a review of Louth’s boundaries should be instigated in 2027.

T49. Morrisons
Council received the notes of the walkaround held with Morrisons, Savills, Louth Civic Trust, Louth Town Action Group and residents, compiled by Cllr. Mrs. EB. Cllr. Mrs. EB informed the Council that since the walkaround, the disabled parking bays at the front of the store had been painted and the front garden of the neighbouring property 160 Eastgate had been cleared. The situation would be monitored by those involved and Cllr. Mrs. EB assured the Council that she would keep them updated on the issue.

T50. Town Centre Retail Working Group
Council received a report from the Town Centre Retail Working Group, which detailed discussions including potential funding streams such as Pride of Place and Shop Front Grants. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to 1) grant the Town Clerk delegated authority to incur expenditure from the Tourism budget to organise a community watching event of the Tour of Britain in the Cornmarket in conjunction with the Town Centre Retail Working Group, the Events Working Group and ELDC, with LTC Councillors to volunteer and assist on the day, and 2) apply for a grant of £300 from LCC Cllr. N. Hastings to assist with preparation for the community event.

NB: Cllrs. GEH and TT abstained from voting on this item.

T51. Council Tablets
Following the resolution made on 30th June 2026 to accept, in principle, a quote for the supply of Council tablets, subject to confirmation that malware protection was included, external keyboards could be obtained and that the company had cybersecurity accreditation, the Town Clerk confirmed that the supplier had answered yes to all three points. It was subsequently proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the purchase of the tablets, together with external keyboards for Councillors who requested them.

T52. Financial Matters
a. Bank Balances
Council noted bank balances as follows:
i. Lloyds Treasurers Account (balance on statement 3 at 30th June 2026) – £332,380.10.
ii. Lloyds Deposit Account (balance on statement 3 as at 30th June 2026) – £166,652.51.
iii. NS and I Account (balance on last statement, numbered 15 as at 18th February 2026) – £144,560.77.
b. Orders for Payment
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the below list of payments made in June 2026:

Payment Ref Supplier/Payee Description Payment Total Date Paid
DDEDFCEM2 EDF Energy Cem gas £13.75 04/06/26
PC11 Post Office Stamps £14.40 05/06/26
PC12 Trotters Traders Dust sheets £3.98 11/06/26
PC13 Post Office Stamps £14.40 11/06/26
PC14 Boyes Office supplies £5.34 11/06/26
DDEONHH3 E.On Next HH Electric £53.48 16/06/26
OP728 Foxhall Construction Ltd Bunting, brackets & manhole £1,193.40 16/06/26 OP729 GBM Waste Management Cem waste £225.76 16/06/26
OP730 Paul Riddel Skips HH skip May & June £600.00 16/06/26
OP731 Louth Building Supplies HH supplies £138.01 16/06/26
OP732 The Little Cleaning Co. May cleaning £356.16 16/06/26
OP733 SCIS UK Ltd Anti-virus subscription 2026/27 £198.00 16/06/26 OP734 John Darke Ltd May fuel £109.26 16/06/26
OP735 Allinson Print Ltd Paper £48.00 16/06/26
OP736 Smith of Derby Ltd Work to St. James’ Clock £2,476.80 16/06/26 OP737 JD & KE Parsons Mayor Making food/supplies £130.49 16/06/26
OP738 Sylvester Keal Ltd HH toilet and cleaning supplies £289.44 16/06/26 OP739 MG Ubique Ltd HH tree removal £432.00 16/06/26
OP740 B.A. Bush & Son Ltd Work to van £118.01 16/06/26
OP741 ACB Machinery Ltd Work to machinery £1,407.18 16/06/26
DDEONCEM3 E.On Next Cem electric £65.31 17/06/26
DDEONCH3 E.On Next St. James’ Clock/Floodlight electric £116.06 17/06/26 DDEONSH3 E.On Next SH electric £260.39 17/06/26
SC3 Lloyds Service charge £8.50 19/06/26
DDAWSH3 Anglian Water SH water £8.00 22/06/26
DDAWCEM3 Anglian Water Cem water £36.00 22/06/26
DDEDFSH3 EDF Energy SH gas £46.84 22/06/26
DDAWHH3 Anglian Water HH water £403.00 22/06/26
PC15 Halfords Cem supplies £15.99 22/06/26
PC16 Boyes Batteries £8.70 23/06/26
DDEDFCEM3 EDF Energy Cem gas £14.68 23/06/26 OP742 B.A. Bush & Son Ltd Parts for mower £14.76 25/06/26
OP743 The Little Cleaning Co. June cleaning £445.20 25/06/26
OP724-728 Staff payments Staff payments £8,155.30 25/06/26 OP729 HMRC PAYE/NIC £2,429.83 25/06/26
OP730 LCC Pension Fund Pensions £2,541.84 25/06/26
PC17 Specsavers Eye test £25.00 26/06/26
PC18 Morrisons Office supplies £2.50 30/06/26
DD1COMSH3 Onecom SH 2xphone line & wifi £85.79 30/06/26

T53. Rural Market Town Group
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to elect Cllr. IS as the Council’s Young People’s Representative on the above.

NB: Cllr. JB abstained from voting on this item.

T54. Co-option
Council received a presentation from two candidates for co-option and following question and answer sessions it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that Cain Matthews (Cllr. CM) should be co-opted onto Louth Town Council onto St. James’ Ward. Cllr. Cain signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office and joined the Council meeting.

NB: Cllr. PM left the room at 7.54pm for the duration of Item 14 and re-entered at 8.43pm.

NB: Cllr. HF left the meeting at 8.41pm.

T55. Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next scheduled Town Council meeting was 25th August 2026.

The Meeting Closed at 8.43pm.

Signed_______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________