02-04-25 CR MINS

MINUTES OF THE LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL COMMUNITY RESOURCES COMMITTEE
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 4th FEBRUARY 2025
Councillor 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), P. Starsmore (PS) Mrs. P.F. Watson (Mrs. PFW).

Councillors not present: M. Barnes (MB), J. Baskett (JB), L.M. Cooney (LMC), Mrs. K. Parsons (KP), D.E. Wing (DEW).

The Town Clerk Mrs. L.M. Phillips and the Town Clerk’s Assistant Miss S. Chitauro were also present.

C36. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. MB, JB, LMC and KP.

C37. Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
The following declarations of interest or dispensations were made:
a. Cllr. DH – Item 4 as a member of East Lindsey District Council (ELDC).
b. Cllr. GEH – Item 4 as a member of ELDC.
c. Cllr. Mrs. JMS – Item 4 as a member of ELDC.

C38. Minutes
It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the notes of the Community Resources Committee Meeting held on 29th October 2024 be approved as the Minutes.

C39. CCTV
The Committee received a report containing updates and details from the East Lindsey CCTV Partnership meeting held on 16th January 2025.

C40. Consultation: Strengthening the Standards of Conduct Framework for Local Authorities in England 2025
The Committee received details of the above and it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to hold a separate informal meeting to formulate a draft corporate response to be brought back to the Governance and Finance Committee on 25th February 2025 for ratification and submission. It was noted that Councillors could also submit their own individual responses.

C41. Insurance
The Committee received an update from the Town Clerk following receipt of the Council’s Insurers Risk Assessor’s Report and noted that three risk improvements had been identified which needed to be actioned by specific target dates. Two had target dates of 3rd February which had been implemented. The third, obtaining a keyholding service had a target date of 24th March and would incur costs. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to delegate authority to the Town Clerk and the Chairman of the Community Resources Committee to make the necessary arrangements and incur expenditure as required for the third improvement.

C42. Allotments
a. The Committee received an update from the Town Clerk regarding the purchase of Trinity Allotments. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to give the Town Clerk in liaison with the Chairman of the Community Resources Committee delegated authority to continue the process of its purchase, committing to the expenditure of up to £2,000 solicitors fees and £615.94 search fees and incur any further expenditure as necessary.
b. The Committee received details of recent correspondence regarding a request for the removal of an item at the London Road Allotments. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to delegate authority to the Town Clerk in liaison with the Chairman of the Community Resources Committee to incur the necessary expenditure to facilitate the request.

 

C43. Closed Session
At 9.46pm it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to move into closed session in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings Act) 1960 due to business to be discussed in the following items, information being of a third party, commercial and confidential nature in relation to the following:
a. Amenity Grass Cutting – the Committee received quotes for amenity grass cutting in 2025/26 and, after consideration, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to award the work to Glendale.
b. Cemetery Grass Cutting – the Committee received and considered quotes for the cutting of the Cemetery grass in 2025/26, and it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to award the work to Glendale.
c. Sessions House – the Committee considered the quotes received for the work identified in the recent Chartered Surveyor’s Report for the Sessions House. It was noted that the quotes were not directly comparable and therefore the Town Clerk was asked to revisit the contractors to acquire further information. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to grant delegated authority to the Town Clerk in liaison with the Chairman of the Community Resources Committee to incur necessary expenditure and award the work.
d. Old Mill House – the Committee received correspondence between the Town Clerk and solicitors regarding Old Mill House and considered options for a way forward. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED to pursue forfeiture and grant delegated authority to the Town Clerk to proceed incurring expenditure as necessary.

At 9.37pm, it was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED that the meeting should move out of closed session.

C44. Next Meeting
The Committee noted that the date of the next scheduled Community Resources Committee meeting was 15th April 2025.

The Meeting Closed at 9.37pm.

 

Signed_______________________ (Chairman) Dated_________________________