06-03-25 TC MINS
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 3rd JUNE 2025
The Mayor, Cllr. D. Hobson (DH) (in the chair).
Present Councillors: Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), J. Baskett (JB), L.M. Cooney (LMC), J. Drake (JD), G.E. Horton (GEH), D. Moore (DM), Mrs. K. Parsons (Mrs. KP), P. Starsmore (PS), Mrs. P.F. Watson (Mrs. PFW).
Councillors Not Present: M. Barnes (MB), H. Filer (HF), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (Mrs. JMS), D.E. Wing (DEW).
The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips, the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Mrs. S. Chitauro-Adlard, Mr. J. Ward from C.H.A.S.E and Ms Chamberlain from Clear Path UK were also present.
Public Forum:
• Ms Chamberlain, founder of Clear Path UK, gave a short presentation about the groups work supporting people affected by domestic violence. She informed the Council that Clear Path had supported 4,000 people nationwide, 400 of whom were from Louth. She went on to explain that Clear Path UK provided prevention programmes to children, adults, businesses, police and service providers, and wanted to provide more resources in Louth, particularly in the area’s schools where Ms Chamberlain hoped to deliver a 12-week programme. The Council asked her to submit a plan detailing the costings for the 12-week plan and 12-page information docket for Council to consider subsidising.
T19. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. HF and Mrs. JMS.
T20. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
There were no declarations of interest or dispensations made.
T21. Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the notes of the Annual Town Meeting held on 20th May 2025 be approved as the minutes.
T22. C.H.A.S.E
Mr. J. Ward of Create Hope and Safe Environments (C.H.A.S.E) presented to the Council, explaining that the group was created for parents and carers of children with additional needs and to provide a safe environment for those children. Mr. Ward felt that resources for parents, carers and children with additional needs were non-existent in Louth and therefore asked the Council to consider pledging £5,000 towards the project through their crowdfunding appeal for the development of a centre to be run by C.H.A.S.E which would feature two fully equipped sensory rooms, an area for parents and carers to relax and a garden with play equipment. He said that the centre would be accessible to all, with the aim of helping as many families as possible. After discussion, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Council should pledge £5,000 to the C.H.A.S.E. crowdfunding page and offer the help and support of its Councillors, many of whom were keen to assist.
T23. Personnel Committee
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that membership of the Personnel Committee for 2025/26 should be as follows: Cllr Mrs. JMS, GEH, JB, JD, with Cllrs. PS and Mrs. KP taking the two vacant seats.
T24. Annual Town Meeting Minutes 2024/25
The Committee received the notes of the Annual Town Meeting held on 22nd April 2025. After review, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve the minutes, with the amendment of the addition of Cllr. PS in attendance. It was then subsequently agreed that, unless there was a contentious subject that required discussion in 2026, the Annual Town Meeting would be held at the Sessions House. Cllr. Mrs KP said that she was looking into item 5b of the Annual Town Meeting minutes and agreed to bring back her findings for discussion.
T25. Working Groups
Councillors received a schedule containing the terms of reference for the previous years’ Working Groups, it was then proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to re-establish the Working Groups as per the schedule with the following amendments:
a. Events
i. Members in 2025/26: Cllrs. DH (Chair TC), Mrs. KP (Vice Chair TC), PS, DM, JB
b. Past Mayors
i. Members in 2025/26: Cllrs. Mrs. EB, JB, DH, GEH, Mrs. JMS, Mrs. PFW, DEW
c. Floral Enhancement / Lovely Louth
i. Members in 2025/26: Mrs. KP, PS and the Town Clerk
d. Speed Awareness
i. Members in 2025/26: PS, Mrs. KP, DM, MB, DH
e. Asset Review
i. Members in 2025/26: DH, Mrs. EB, PS, GEH, DM
ii. Remit: to be amended to confirm that it should bring recommendations to Town Council.
f. Hubbard’s Hills
i. Members in 2025/26: Mrs. EB, Mrs. KP, JD, PS and the Town Clerk
T26. Standing Orders
After review, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve changes to Standing Orders at section 3. t. ii. following resolution at the Governance and Finance Meeting held 13th May 2025 and amendment to Appendix 1, Committee Terms of Reference, page 21 to remove reference to the community resources committee.
T27. Domestic Abuse
The Council received a draft Domestic Abuse Policy Statement. After discussion it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED:
a. To adopt the policy statement for use, with the addition of ‘or in the same household’ to ‘personally connected definition’.
b. To identify Cllr. Mrs. KP as the lead officer.
c. That Councillors would individually undertake induction training.
d. That Councillors would inform themselves of the information to make a referral.
T28. Hubbard’s Hills
The Council received an update from the Hubbard’s Hills working group, along with a draft tender document. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to use the draft tender for bin emptying at Hubbard’s Hills.
T29. Town Map Dispensers
The Council received correspondence from Cityscape Maps containing two options for the Council to consider regarding the town map dispensers. Cllr. JD proposed a third option to approach Cityscape Maps with the offer of £100 per board for the Council to put a map in each or Cityscape Maps do the same at their cost and then do not have to pay for removal. The proposal was seconded and it was RESOLVED to move forward with option three.
T30. Kenwick Road Bus Shelter
The Council noted that, following damage to the above by a third party, the council’s insurer had agreed a settlement figure and a new bus shelter was in the process of being ordered and installed.
T31. Julian Bower Resurfacing
Following previous discussions, the Council received a proposal from the residents of Julian Bower regarding the resurfacing of the road. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that Louth Town Council would pay £2,168 towards the resurfacing, which was to be directly invoiced to the Council, and that a time limit would be set for when residents could approach the Council for assistance with future roadworks.
NB: Cllr. Mrs. PFW disagreed with the ratio of costs and the amount that Louth Town Council was to pay and voted in objection to the proposal.
NB: Three Councillors abstained from voting on this item.
T32. Lincolnshire County Council (LCC)
Cllr. Watson proposed that, where possible Councillors on LCC and ELDC should undertake all necessary investigations to support requests for their respective Councils, and, in addition, townsfolk who request actions that can only be dealt with by District or County Councils should initially be directed by the Town Councillor to the relevant District or County Councillor without discussion or submission to the Town Clerk, who was at risk of being overloaded with work meant for Officers and Councillors at District and County levels. The proposal was seconded, and it was RESOLVED to enforce the proposal, where possible.
T33. St. James’ Clock
The Council noted that due to synchronicity issues with the above, Smith of Derby the Clockmakers had undertaken a site visit to determine what repairs were needed (cost £450 + VAT), proposing that the following work was required: attending, cleaning the going train, installing a PAR battery, correcting the PAR sensor, installing accurate discharge and installing additional weight, totaling £2,279 + VAT. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to proceed with the work required and make payment of £2,279 + VAT.
T34. Review of Notices, Policies and Procedures
The Council noted that the following had been reviewed, and it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve their continued use:
a. Members Allowance Policy
b. LTC Co-option Policy
c. LTC Vehicle Usage and Driving at Work Policy
T35. Closed Session
At 9.33pm upon a proposal from Cllr. PS, seconded by Cllr. DM, 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 third party, commercial, confidential and/or legal nature in regard to:
a. Old Mill House
i. 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 and that dependent upon the Barrister’s advice the Council might be forced to proceed with sale of the freehold at the value previously calculated by the District Valuer.
ii. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to approve payment of Wilkin Chapman’s fees in the sum of £2,000 plus VAT.
iii. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED, to ratify the actions of the Town Clerk and Mayor in approving expenditure in the sum of £2,250 plus VAT with the Barrister.
iv. Dependent on the Barrister’s advice it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Town Clerk should progress the freehold sale of the building unless the Barrister was able to offer a cast iron option for retention.
v. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the Town Clerk be granted delegated power to progress the matter and incur expenditure as required.
NB: Cllr. EB abstained from voting on this item.
At 9.55pm it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to move out of closed session.
T36. 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 9.55pm.
Signed_______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________