03-14-23 TC MINS

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH

ON TUESDAY 14^th MARCH 2023

 

Present                                     The Deputy Mayor, Cllr. J. Simmons (JS) (in the chair).

 

Councillors:       Mrs. E. Ballard (EB), M. Bellwood (MB), L. Cooney (LMC), S. Crew (SC), H. Filer (HF), L. Frost (LF), D.J.E. Hall (DJEH), D. Hobson (DH), G.E. Horton (GEH), M. Lamb (ML), A. Leonard (AL), Mrs. S.E. Locking (SEL), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (JMS), K. Norman (KN), B. O’Brien (BO), P. Starsmore (PS), Mrs. P.F. Watson (PFW) and D.E. Wing (DEW)

 

Councillors not present: J. Garrett (JG), J. Baskett,

 

The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips and 21 members of the public were also present.

 

• Chairman’s Remarks
  The Chairman had no remarks to make.

• Apologies for Absence
  Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. JB and JG.
• Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
  1. DJEH – agenda item 6 – as a member of the ELDC Planning Committee
  2. Mrs. JMS and AL– agenda item 6 – as a member of ELDC and agenda item 12 – as a Trustee of Hubbard’s Hills
  3. DEW – agenda item 6 – as a Trustee of Hubbard’s Hills.
  4. GEH – agenda item 6 – as the ELDC Ward Member.

 

• Council Minutes
  It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the meeting of 10^th January 2023 as a correct record.
• Committee Minutes
  It was RESOLVED to adopt the resolutions contained within the Planning Committee Minutes of 13^th December 2022, 10^th January 2023 and 31^st January 2023.
• Presentation from Mr. J. Timson re. Proposed New 3G Football Pitch at Wood Lane
  The Council received a presentation from Mr. Timson who was leading a group which objected to the above. Their 3 main objectives were to 1) stop the pitch from going on that site, 2) locate an alternative site, 3) press ELDC to make a positive decision around Charles Street.  Timson detailed the groups objections and concerns.  He talked about raising money to take ELDC to a judicial review if they approved the Planning Application above and asked if the Town Council would assist with that.  The Council explained that it could not make a decision on that while in the period before an election known as purdah.  It therefore asked Mr. Timson to come back to Council after the election and it RESOLVED that the Town Clerk should write to ELDC and request that any decision on this planning application should be deferred until after the election.

• Co-option
  JS read out the letters of application for co-option that had been received. The Council then received presentations from the applicants and it was RESOLVED that Miss Laura Frost be co-opted onto Louth Town Council.
• Cheque Signatories
  It was RESOLVED that Councillors SC, JS and LMC be added to the Council’s bank mandate as cheque signatories.

• Deputy Mayor Elect 2023/24
  The Committee noted that:
  24. The current Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mrs. J. Simmons was in line to ascend to the position of Mayor in 2023/24.
  25. Candidates were expected to fulfil the role as Mayor as per the Mayoral Job Specification.
  26. Both the Mayor Elect and Deputy Mayor Elect for 2023/24 would be subject to re-election onto Louth Town Council and formal election at the Annual Town Council meeting on 16^th May 2023.

Councillor Mrs. JMS requested that the vote be taken in confidence.  It was RESOLVED that Cllr. SC be elected as Deputy Mayor Elect for 2023/24.

• Elections – May 2023
  Councillors confirmed receipt of election of documentation by email and receipt of the election timescales. Council noted that nomination packs etc., could also be found on ELDC’s website.
• Coronation of King Charles III
  The Council noted that the Events Working Group had met and received their recommendations. It was RESOLVED that the Council should pursue the following:
  1. Purchase and erect Union flag bunting for the town.
  2. That the town’s planters should be planted with plants in Coronation colours.
  3. That LCC should be asked if it would be decorating the roundabouts for the Coronation, similar to as for Remembrance.
  4. Participate in and promote St. James’ Church Community Blossoms event and consider how LTC could assist with planting at the front of the Church.
  5. Defer commissioning a bespoke Coronation planter pending advice from ELDC as to whether such would be allowed in the Cornmarket.
• Hubbard’s Hills
  A. Leonard, the Chairman of the Hubbard’s Hills Trust (HHT), spoke confirming that the HHT would be using money it had in its bank to pay for major projects such as riverbank repair, replacement of gabion baskets including production of specially made baskets for the curves, clearance of trees and replanting. He reported that 250m on both sides of the river needed attention and that the HHT had the funds to finance that.  He confirmed that the replacement bridge was being made and this would have a more natural look.  He explained that the 1^st instalment of 23/24 funds from the Town Council was due by the end of April.  He said that the riverbanks would cost in the region of £85,000 to repair and that this would swallow up a large portion of the HHT’s reserves.  He said that the HHT didn’t want to be in a position where funds were short and asked if the Town Council would consider accepting the invoice for the bridge when it came, funds for that to be taken from those earmarked for use on Hubbard’s Hills.  He reported that the invoice would be in the region of £16k but that the Town Council would be able to claim the VAT back on it.  The Council 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 item being of a 3^rd party nature in relation to Hubbard’s Hills.  A discussion of confidential information ensued.  Following this it was RESOLVED to return to open session and finally it was RESOLVED that the Town Council would meet the invoice for the bridge in the region of £16k provided that the invoice was addressed to the Town Council.

  As the length of the meeting was approaching 3 hours, it was RESOLVED to suspend Standing Orders to allow it to continue.

• Closed Sessions Item
  The Council 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 item being of a commercial nature in relation to grasscutting. The Council discussed quotes that had been received in relation to grasscutting of the Cemetery and of amenity grass.  It was RESOLVED to move back into open sessions and that D. Skells Transport Management Ltd be awarded the work for both the Cemetery and the Amenity Grass.

 

• Date of Next Meeting
  It was noted that the date of the Council’s next scheduled meeting was 25^th April 2023.

 

The Meeting Closed at 9.42pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Signed_______________________ (Chairman)                Dated_________________________