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

ON TUESDAY 27^th AUGUST 2024

 

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

 

Present Councillors: J. Baskett (JB), L.M. Cooney (LMC), 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), Mrs. P.F. Watson (Mrs. PFW).

Councillors Not Present: M. Barnes (MB), Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), J. Simmons (JS), D.E. Wing (DEW).

 

The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips, the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Miss S. Chitauro, Mr. J. Irvine, Mr. R. Varrell and Ms. N. Wheeldon from Our Hall Louth Ltd., and six members of the public were also present.

 

Public Forum:

• A member of the public spoke on the planning application regarding a proposed 3G pitch at Wood Lane, believing that the implementation of the pitch would be taking away a green space in Louth and would have a huge impact on residents close by. He said that he was part of a community group called Save Wood Lane which had been established to protect the current grass pitch, and informed attendees that the group had started fundraising.  He explained that the money raised would be spent on a court case regarding the pitch and on football development at an appropriate site.
• A second member of the public expressed his support for the previous speaker. He affirmed that the current grass pitch was a vital green space not only for sportspeople but for everyone.  He expressed concerns with the noise, lighting and surface associated with the proposed pitch, as well as the potential traffic generation, and believed that the current pitch should not be changed.
• An update was given on Cllr. JS’ health.

The Council received the following reports from elected Members of Lincolnshire County Council (LCC) and East Lindsey District Council (ELDC):

• ELDC Cllr. Mrs. JMS gave an update on the Local Plan. She informed attendees that there would be a review of the housing plan which would be updated by Spring 2025 and that there would be discussions regarding planning policy in September 2024.  She went on to explain that ELDC were to receive a windfall of £9-10million to target deprivation, and that Louth Town Council would be able to approach ELDC for money towards bettering its town centre, business incentives, supporting local communities, tourism, heritage and events.  She then told attendees that devolution had not progressed, and finally, that caddies for food waste would be implemented by Spring 2026.
• ELDC Cllr. GEH disclosed that Magna Vitae were not confirmed to run the proposed 3G pitch at Wood Lane and that the proposed pitch was out to tender. He then told attendees that there would potentially be money available to help towards funds for the British Legion.
• Apologies for Absence
  Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. Mrs. EB, JS and DEW.

• Declarations of Interest / Dispensations
  The following dispensations were made:
  1. DH – Item 7 as a member of ELDC and Item 11 as a member of ELDC’s Licensing Committee.
  2. GEH – Item 7 as a member of ELDC and Item 11 as a member of ELDC’s Licensing Committee.
  3. Mrs. JMS – Item 8 as a member of the Hubbard’s Hills Trust.

• Minutes
  It was RESOLVED to approve as a correct record, the notes of the Council Meetings held on the 18^th June 2024, with the amendment of Cllr. PS as a present Councillor.
• Committee Minutes
  It was RESOLVED to confirm receipt of the minutes and adopt the resolutions contained therein of the following Committee Meetings:
  1. Governance and Finance – 30^th April 2024
  2. Governance and Finance – 18^th June 2024
  3. Personnel – 30^th April 2024
  4. Community Resources – 28^th May 2024
  5. Planning – 28^th May 2024
  6. Planning – 18^th June 2024
  7. Planning – 16^th July 2024
• Investment Policy
  Following receipt of above on 6^th August 2024 and discussion at the Governance and Finance Committee, it was RESOLVED to adopt the Investment Policy.
• National Savings and Investments Account
  The Council noted that the signatories on the account were currently Cllrs: EB, SC, DH, LMC and JS. It was RESOLVED to remove SC as a signatory on the account.
• Our Hall Louth Ltd.
  Members of the Our Hall Louth Ltd. group gave an update on their fundraising campaign for the former British Legion Hall, informing the Council that they had launched their crowdfunding and had raised £24,995. Wheeldon said that the group had upcoming press opportunities, and that the upstairs rooms and bar had been successfully sponsored.  Councillors questioned the group, and topics such as the businesses sustainability, a loan from Louth Town Council for developing the building and business, the cost of renovating the hall and potential grant funding.  It was RESOLVED that Louth Town Council would agree to lend Our Hall Louth Ltd., £182,000 in principle as long as a guarantor was provided, pending legal advice at that time.
• Hubbard’s Hills
  The Council noted that the 2^nd installment of the 2024/25 maintenance monies was due and that payment in the sum of £8,166 would be made to the Hubbard’s Hills Trust by the end of September.

  NB: Cllr. Mrs. JMS abstained from voting on this item.

• Community Plus Project, Youth and Community Centre, Park Avenue, Louth
  The Council considered supporting an application to ELDC for rate relief from the above who managed the youth and community centre for the benefit of the local community. It was RESOLVED to support the application and grant delegated authority to the Town Clerk to sign the application on the Council’s behalf.
• Louth United Charities
  Councillors received a copy of correspondence from the above regarding a change in its constitution which would alter the way in which Trustees were appointed. It was RESOLVED that the Council would respond explaining that Louth Town Council could only appoint representatives via democratic vote.

• Gambling Act 2005 – Review of Statement of Licensing Principles (Gambling Policy)
  Further to circulation by email of details of the above on 18^th July 2024 and subsequent responses from Cllrs., it was RESOLVED that no corporate response was required.

• Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan: Preferred approach consultation
  Further to circulation by email of details of the above on 1^st August 2024 and subsequent responses from Cllrs., it was RESOLVED that no corporate response was required.

• Louth Town Action Plan
  Following a recommendation from the Personnel Committee, the Council received and RESOLVED to adopt the above, which was required to make an application for the Local Council Foundation Award.

• Local Council Award Scheme – Foundation Award
  The Council received details of the criteria required to attain the Foundation Award, which would offer the Council the opportunity to show that it met the standards set by the sector after being assessed by its peers. It was RESOLVED to confirm that all documentation and information was in place to satisfy the criteria for the Award, the application for which would be submitted with the associated costs met from the EMR Quality Council / Office budget.

• Louth Town Plan

After consideration, the Council RESOLVED to assign £500 from reserves to support the costs of room hire (where necessary), publicity and associated costs for public and stakeholder meetings to support the development of a new Louth Town Plan and to give the Town Clerk delegated authority over this budget under the guidance of the group, and to amend the delegated powers to reflect this.

 

• Next Meeting
  It was noted that the date of the next scheduled Town Council meeting was 19^th November 2024.

 

The Meeting Closed at 9.30pm.

 

 

 

Signed_______________________ (Chairman)                Dated_________________________