MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY 2022
Present The Mayor, Cllr. D. Hobson (DH) (in the chair).
Councillors: J. Baskett (JB), M. Bellwood (MB), L. Cooney (LMC), H. Filer (HF), D. Ford (DF), J. Garrett (JG), D.J.E. Hall (DJEH), G. Horton (GEH), A. Leonard (AL), Mrs. S.E. Locking (SEL), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (JMS), K. Norman (KN), J. Simmons (JS) and Mrs. P.F. Watson (PFW).
Councillors not present: Mrs. E. Ballard (EB), S. Crew (SC), F.W.P. Treanor (FWPT) and D.E. Wing (DEW).
The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips, the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Mrs. M.C. Vincent and two members of the public were also present.
Public Forum
ELDC Councillors reported that they were still looking into the issues raised regarding Magna Vitae passing over management of the London Road sports facilities to another group, which could leave Louth at a disadvantage regarding these facilities. Further it was reported that the £8million move that ELDC are undertaking to Horncastle is now costing more due to a lack of planning in regard to storage space and an issue with asbestos. Storage space would have to be purchased on the industrial estate. Cllr. Mrs. PFW asked why as District Councillors they had allowed this to happen? Cllr. AL explained that the ‘ruling party’ at ELDC were in control and that often other Cllrs. only got to find out information via press reports. Further, it was reported that there were lots of complaints relating to long waiting times for phone calls to be answered, due to a lack of staffing. However, it was thought that a new telephone system was being put in place. Increased phone calls were a result of closing the CAPs (community access points) following COVID, now there was nowhere in Louth for people to obtain face to face assistance regarding ELDC forms or advice. General discussion took place regarding the CAPs and CIPs (community information points). It was reported that the Trinity Centre had NHS and advice workers present on Tuesday and Wednesday mornings for people requiring help and advice. A general discussion took place regarding the community orchards in Louth, including that a new one had been planted on Harvey’s Way.
T93. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllrs: Mrs. EB, SC, FWPT and DEW.
T94. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
Cllr. Mrs. SEL– Agenda item 5 as applicant with a pecuniary interest (will leave room when item discussed).
Cllr. Mrs. JMS – Agenda item 5 as applicant known to them.
Cllr. DF – Agenda item 5 as applicant known to them.
Cllr. AL – Agenda item 5 as has his own copy of panorama on restaurant wall and item 6 as knows the property owner.
T95. Council Minutes
It was RESOLVED to approve as a correct record, the notes of the Council Meeting held on the 11th January 2022.
T96. Committee Minutes
It was RESOLVED to adopt the resolutions contained within the following Committee Meeting minutes:
Planning – 7th December 2021, Planning – 11th January 2022, Community Resources – 28th September 2021
and Personnel – 9th November 2021.
T97. Brown’s Panorama
It was RESOLVED to grant permission for a full size replica of the above to be produced by a member of the public for private use in a home, and also for the commercial use of parts of the image on magnetic bookmarks.
NB: During this item Cllr. Mrs. SEL left the room at 7:21 returning at 7:26pm.
T98. Defibrillator
It was RESOLVED not to take on the guardianship of a defibrillator located on the side of The Woolpack Inn, but to suggest to AED Donate to consider LIVES, and direct them to other groups who could then apply to Louth Town Council for a grant to pay for the annual costs.
T99. Citizens Advice Lindsey
Cllr. AL was surprised that the Town Council had received a general financial report from the Citizens Advice Lindsey as they had been asked for a report concerning Louth in particular. It was RESOLVED to release the payment of £1,000 in the 2021/22 budget to the Citizen’s Advice Lindsey, and to also send them a grant form when they are available in the autumn so that they could apply for further funding if they wished.
T100. Payment for Trinity Allotments 2021/22
It was RESOLVED to send payment of £790.31 in respect of the annual rent of the Trinity Allotments, calculation based on the 2021 payment plus 3.6% RPI for 2021. Cllr. GEH asked if the payment had been requested, the Clerk reported that our solicitors had given us legal advice to pay rent each year (including a rise with the current RPI) so that we could not be evicted from the land. Cllr. Mrs. PFW asked why we are using RPI and not CPI. The Clerk confirmed she was following the solicitors advice but would look into the matter. Cllr. Mrs. JMS asked if the cost of the rent received covered the cost paid, the Clerk confirmed it did not. It was mooted that the Council should review its charges. Further discussions took place regarding allotments and the requirement to provide these.
T101. Deputy Mayor Elect 2022/23
Following a proposer and seconder, it was RESOLVED that Cllr. Julia Simmons would stand as Deputy Mayor Elect in 2022/23.
T102. Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – Beacon Lighting
It was RESOLVED to approve the plans for the above at St. James’ Church and delegate authority to the Town Clerk to progress arrangements and incur expenditure as required (to be contained within the Civic Events budget).
T103. Metal Gate on Footpath between Horncastle Road and Crowtree Lane
Cllr. Mrs. JMS reported that the metal gate above had been removed from site. Following the initial report of its removal, the Clerk had contacted Lincolnshire County Council who confirmed that they had taken it but did not intend to reinstate the gate, the hinge was broken. It was RESOLVED that the Clerk would request that LCC return the gate to Louth Town Council so that they could assess the work required and look into reinstatement.
T104. Next Meeting
The Council noted that the date of the next scheduled Town Council meeting would be 22nd March 2022.
The Meeting Closed at 8:08 pm.
Signed_______________________ (Chairman) Dated______________________