09-09-25 TC MINS
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 9th SEPTEMBER 2025

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

Present Councillors: Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), J. Drake (JD), H. Filer (HF), G.E. Horton (GEH), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (Mrs. JMS), D. Moore (DM), Mrs. K. Parsons (Mrs. KP), P. Starsmore (PS), D.E. Wing (DEW).

Councillors Not Present: M. Barnes (MB), J. Baskett (JB), Mrs. P.F. Watson (Mrs. PFW).

Mayor’s Serjeant, Mrs. S. Dykes, the Mayor’s Chaplain, Reverend K. Dally, Reverend M. Croft, the Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips and the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Mrs. S. Chitauro-Adlard were also present.

Prior to the commencement of the formal meeting:
• The Council received the following reports from elected Members of East Lindsey District Council (ELDC):
In her capacity as an ELDC Cllr, Mrs. JMS reported that she was chairing ELDC’s Car Park Scrutiny panel and encouraged people to contact her with their thoughts regarding parking in Louth. She relayed that disabled parking in Louth may be reviewed and that there may be scope to increase prices in the ELDC-run car parks. She informed the meeting that she was planning to recommend that car parks should be adequately signed to indicate their precise locations. Cllr. Mrs. JMS went on to inform attendees that ELDC, Boston Borough Council and South Holland District Council were to be consulted on entering a district leisure contract, and finalised by reporting the sad news that a former Mayoress of Louth had recently passed away.
• The Mayor’s Chaplain, Rev. K. Dally said prayers.

T74. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. JB and Mrs. PFW.

T75. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
The following declarations of interest were made:
a. Cllr. JD declared that he had recently become a member of the Green Party.

T76. Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the notes of the Council Meetings held on 19th August 2025 be approved as the minutes.

T77. 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 – 22nd July 2025
b. Governance and Finance Committee – 24th June 2025
c. Personnel Committee – 6th May 2025

T78. Mayor’s Announcements
The Council received a list of the Mayor’s engagements from 20th May 2025 to 9th September 2025 and heard a short presentation from Cllr. DH about the events he had attended during his busy first few months as Mayor, including the Louth Lions Annual Car Show on 1st June and their Beer Festival on 28th June, as well as performances from the Louth Choral Society on 6th June, the Louth and District Concert Society on 14th June and the Phoenix Singers on 9th July. He continued that he had joined the Louth branch of Parkinsons UK for their 20th anniversary celebrations on 24th July and had attended the St. Barnabas Care for a Cuppa morning on 9th July, along with events in Spalding and Grantham. Cllr. DH shared that highlights included the launch of Austen Fen slipway by the Louth Navigation Trust in collaboration with local contributors and landowners, which saw a new facility open to all and free to access, allowing water-based activities such as kayaking and paddleboarding. He also spoke of his attendance at the 80th VJ Day commemorations organised by the newly reformed Royal British Legion on 15th August, the Louth Run for Life event held 29th June, and shared that he and the Mayoress of Louth had signed up to take part in the Santa Run for Life in December. Cllr. DH ended by expressing his thanks for the support he had received during his time as Mayor and that he looked forward to continuing to represent Louth Town Council both in the town and beyond.

T79. Presentation from Reverend M. Croft
The Council received a presentation from Rev. M. Croft on the emerging vision for the Church of England in Louth. Rev. Croft saw St. James’ Church as a quintessential part of Louth and wanted to develop a wider role for the Church which might grow it into what he described as the ‘St. James’ Campus’. He encouraged Councillors to join the initial consultations for the project, as the church were looking for collaborators to share ideas and develop the project further.

T80. Allotment Rent
After reviewing the above following the recent purchase of Trinity Allotments, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to continue with the current rent arrangement.

T81. Complaints Procedure
The Council reviewed the recently updated Complaints Procedure. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to adopt the policy for use.

T82. IT Policy
The Council reviewed a draft IT Policy, which was required by the Smaller Authorities’ Proper Practices Panel (SAPPP) in order for the Council to meet the requirements of the new Assertion 10 on its Annual Governance and Accountability Return. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to amend page two of the policy to read ‘no personal use is permitted’ and approve for use.

T83. Budget
Councillors noted that they should submit details of projects that they would like to see included in the next budget together with costings to the Town Clerk by 31st October 2025.

T84. Next Meeting
It was noted that the date of the next scheduled Town Council meeting would take place on 30th September 2025.

The Meeting Closed at 8.06pm.

Signed_______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________