06-24-25 TC MINS

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 24th JUNE 2025

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

Present Councillors: Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), J. Baskett (JB), J. Drake (JD), H. Filer (HF), G.E. Horton (GEH), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (Mrs. JMS), D. Moore (DM), Mrs. K. Parsons (Mrs. KP), Mrs. P.F. Watson (Mrs. PFW).

Councillors Not Present: M. Barnes (MB), L.M. Cooney (LMC), P. Starsmore (PS), D.E. Wing (DEW).

The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips, the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Mrs. S. Chitauro-Adlard and one member of the public were also present.

T37. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. PS and DEW.

T38. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
The following declarations of interest were made:
a. Cllr. Mrs. JMS – Item 9 as a member of East Lindsey District Council (ELDC).

T39. Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the notes of the Council Meetings held on 8th April 2025 and 3rd June 2025 be approved as the minutes.

T40. Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) 2024/25
On the recommendation of FOG:
a. The Council received the report from the internal auditor and noted that no actions were required.
b. The Council received the Statutory Balance Sheet for the year ended 31st March 2025 and approved it for signing by the Chairman and Responsible Financial Officer.
c. The Council approved the completion of the Annual Governance Statement (Section 1 of the AGAR) for the financial year 2024/25, placing ticks against ‘Yes’ in all boxes except number 9 where n/a should be ticked and approved signing by the Chairman and Town Clerk.
d. The Council approved the Accounting Statements (Section 2 of the AGAR) for the financial year 2024/25 and authorised signing by the Chairman.
e. The Council noted that the period for the exercise of public rights must include the first 10 working days of July, must be at least 30 consecutive working days long, must commence as soon as reasonably possible after approval of the AGAR and approved that the period for the exercise of public rights should be set from Thursday 26th June 2025 to Wednesday 6th August 2025.

T41. Christmas Tree Festival 2025
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Council would take part in St. James’ Church annual Christmas Tree Festival 2025, with the Mayor to lead arrangements and the Town Clerk given delegated authority to incur necessary expenditure.

T42. RBL Louth Branch
The Council noted that the above were organising a VJ Day commemorative event which would take place on 15th August 2025 at the War Memorial from 7.30pm. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that Louth Town Council would pay for the necessary road closure and grant the RBL use of the Sessions House electricity for the event.

T43. The Great Grid Update: Grimsby to Walpole Stage 2
The Council noted that a public information event was held on Friday 20th June 2025 at the London Road Pavilion, that webinars were also being held and that Louth Library had been designated as a local information point, from which consultation materials could be obtained. The Council also noted that the consultation was to close on 6th August 2025. A recorded vote was held to determine whether to formulate a corporate response, with the results as follows:

For Cllrs. Mrs. EB, DH, GEH, Mrs. JMS, Mrs. KP, Mrs. PFW
Against Cllrs. JB, JD, HF, DM

It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to hold an informal meeting via Zoom, inviting experts both for and against the proposals to attend and formulate a corporate response at a Planning Working Group meeting to be ratified at the Planning Committee meeting on 22nd July 2025.

T44. LALC AGM
The Council noted that the above would take place by Zoom on Thursday 3rd July from 6.30pm. After a brief discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that Cllrs. GEH and Mrs. JMS would attend as representatives of Louth Town Council.

T45. Devolution
The Council considered its stance on devolution and its potential effect on the future of the Town Council. It was subsequently proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Town Clerk should contact ELDC to obtain a list of their assets in Louth along with their running costs for FOG to investigate and bring back their findings to a future meeting.

T46. LALC Summer Conference
The Council received information regarding the above and noted that in addition to this, Principle Authorities were now to attend and would be available to answer questions. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that Cllrs. GEH and DM would be booked tickets to attend the conference, with tickets for each place costing £45 + VAT each.

T47. Closed Session
At 8.42pm upon a proposal from Cllr. Mrs. JMS, seconded by Cllr. Mrs. KP, 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 commercially confidential nature in regard to:
a. Christmas Lights – the Council received a quote for maintenance work to be undertaken to the Christmas lights. After review, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to proceed with all the work quoted, with funds to be taken out of EMR Capital Expenditure and the Town Clerk granted delegated authority to progress.

While in closed session the Town Clerk asked if she might update members on proceedings in relation to a) Old Mill House and b) The Astro Turf Lease at London Road as there had been movement since the agenda had been sent out and she wished to ensure Councillors were happy with proceedings. She asked members to confirm the course they wished her to follow when dealing with these two issues (to be ratified at the next meeting) which were as follows: a) The Council noted the lease holders right to buy (previously confirmed by the Barrister), risk of court proceedings and the potential financial burden that that might bring. They received the Barrister’s Advice and agreed that as there was no cast iron option to retain the property, and the financial risks of trying to do so were too great, the Council had no choice but to proceed with sale of the freehold (according to legislation) at the value previously calculated by the District Valuer. b) The Council noted the changes proposed by the LRSP’s solicitor to the draft lease and believed none should be implemented.

At 9.11pm it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to move out of closed session.

T48. Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next scheduled Town Council meeting would take place on 24th June 2024.

The Meeting Closed at 9.11pm

Signed_______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________