09-30-25 TC MINS
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 30th SEPTEMBER 2025

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

Present Councillors: Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), J. Baskett (JB), G.E. Horton (GEH), H. Filer (HF), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (Mrs. JMS), Mrs. K. Parsons (Mrs. KP) and P. Starsmore (PS).

Councillors Not Present: M. Barnes (MB), J. Drake (JD), D. Moore (DM), Mrs. P.F. Watson (Mrs. PFW) and D.E. Wing (DEW).

One member of the public and the Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips were also present.

Public Forum
• A gentleman disclosed proposals and timescales for the local government reshuffle plans.
• A lady informed the meeting that residents of Louth would start receiving their post three times a week as part of a new trial.
• A gentleman addressed the Council regarding his objections to a planning application for Fanthorpe Lane.

T85. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. DM, Mrs. PFW, DEW and JD, who would be leaving the meeting early.

T86. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
The following declarations of interest were made:
a. Cllr. DH – Item 5 as a member of East Lindsey District Council (ELDC).
b. Cllr. GEH – Item 5 as a member of ELDC.
c. Cllr. Mrs. JMS – Item 5 as a member of ELDC.

T87. Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the notes of the Council Meeting held on 9th September 2025 be approved as the minutes.

T88. 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 – 19th August 2025
b. Personnel Committee – 22nd July 2025

T89. Rate Relief Application
The Council received an application to ELDC made by the London Road Sports Partnership for rate relief. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the application and authorise signing by the Town Clerk.

T90. Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) 2024/25
a. The Council noted that the Council’s external auditor had completed its limited assurance review of Louth Town Council for the year ended 31st March 2025.
b. The Council received the Notice of Conclusion of Audit and noted that it had been posted on the Council’s website and noticeboards to meet legislative deadlines.
c. The Council received and noted Section 3 – External Auditors Report and Certificate 2024/25 and noted the external auditor’s comments which were that “The AGAR was not accurately completed before submission for review. The smaller authority has not restated the prior year figure when revaluing assets in Section 2, Box 9. Please note that the Practitioners’ Guide allows smaller authorities to use any reasonable valuation method, provided that the prior year figure is restated for consistency and comparability.” It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to note the external auditor’s comments and in future ensure that members of FOG, the Governance and Finance Committee and the Town Council be reminded to check the AGAR against the guidance contained in the Smaller Authorities Practitioners’ Guide and that this document should be made available on the Town Council website.

T91. Internal Audit
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve continuation of the quadripartite arrangement for the Council’s internal audit, agreeing that the internal auditors were independent, suitably qualified and competent to act as internal auditors for LTC and that the scope of the internal audit was suitable.

T92. Town Centre Retail
Cllr. Mrs. KP addressed the Council with her concerns regarding Louth’s town centre, which had several business premises up for sale. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to hold an informal, standalone meeting for Councillors to discuss how to move forward in assisting and supporting local businesses and the town centre in sustainability and development.

T93. Hubbard’s Hills
The Council received and noted a report detailing works completed at Hubbard’s Hills since February 2025.

T94. Budget Setting
Councillors noted that they should submit details of projects that they would like to see included in the next budget for 2026/27, together with costings, to the Town Clerk by 31st October 2025.

T95. Sexual and General Harassment
Following the introduction of new legislation in 2024 which placed greater responsibilities and legal requirements on all employers (including Councillors) to take proactive steps to prevent sexual harassment at work and undertake related training on an annual basis, Councillors:
a. Reviewed the Sexual and General Harasssment policy and it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve for use.
b. Watched a short training video regarding the above.

T96. Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next scheduled Town Council meeting would take place on 18th November 2025.

The Meeting Closed at 8.10pm.

Signed_______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________