03-19-24 TC MINS

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LOUTH TOWN COUNCIL
HELD IN THE OLD COURT ROOM, THE SESSIONS HOUSE, LOUTH
ON TUESDAY 19th MARCH 2024

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

Present Councillors: Mrs. E. Ballard (Mrs. EB), J. Baskett (JB), L.M. Cooney (LMC), J. Drake (JD), H. Filer (HF), D. Hobson (DH), G.E. Horton (GEH), M. Lamb (ML), Mrs. J. Makinson-Sanders (Mrs. JMS), D. Moore (DM), Mrs. K. Parsons (Mrs. KP), P. Starsmore (PS) and D.E. Wing (DEW).

Councillors not present: M. Barnes (MB), L. Frost (LF) and Mrs. P.F. Watson (Mrs. PFW).

The Town Clerk, Mrs. L.M. Phillips, the Town Clerk’s Assistant, Miss S. Chitauro, ELDC Cllr. D.J.E Hall and two members of the public were also present.

Public Forum
• The Mayor, Cllr. JS, confirmed that the Easter eggs donated by Cllrs. would be distributed to the Endeavour food bank ASAP.

T82. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs. LF and Mrs. PFW.

T83. Declarations of Interest/Dispensations
The following declarations were made:
a. Cllr. Mrs. EB – Item 14 as a warden of the King Edward VI Almhouse School and Educational Charity.
b. Cllr. Mrs. JMS – Item 13 as a member of the Hubbard’s Hills Trust, and Item 14 as a member of the Independent Party.

T84. Minutes
It was RESOLVED to approve the minutes of the Council Meeting held on the 6th February 2024 and 27th February as a correct record.

T85. Committee Minutes
It was RESOLVED to confirm receipt of the minutes and adopt the resolutions contained therein of the following Committee Meetings:
a. Planning Committee – 12th December 2023
b. Planning Committee – 9th January 2024
c. Planning Committee – 30th January 2024
d. Governance and Finance Committee – 12th December 2023
e. Community Resources Committee – 31st October 2023
f. Personnel Committee –31st October 2023

T86. Co-option
Cllr. JS read out letters of application from applicants hoping to be co-opted onto the Council.  Councillors then received presentations from the two applicants.  It was RESOLVED to move into closed session to discuss confidential details of a personal nature.  After moving back into open session, it was RESOLVED that Mr. D.E. Wing (DEW), and Mr. D. Moore (DM) should both be co-opted onto Louth Town Council into St. Margaret’s Ward.  The two signed a Declaration of Acceptance of Office and joined the Council meeting.

T87. Cheque Signatories
It was RESOLVED that Cllr Mrs. KP would be added as a signatory to the Council’s mandate at Lloyds bank.

T88. Sessions House Key Holder
It was RESOLVED that Cllr. JD should become a new keyholder for the Sessions House.

T89. King Edward VI Almshouse School and Educational Charity at Louth
It was RESOLVED that the Council would elect Cllr. Mrs. JMS to the above body.

NB: Cllrs. Mrs. EB, ML and DM abstained from voting.

T90. Meeting Dates
The Council RESOLVED to approve the schedule of meeting dates for 2024/25.

T91. Insurance
The Council noted that the payment for the 3rd year of its 3 year insurance agreement with Zurich would shortly become due and it was RESOLVED that the Clerk should make payment of this when necessary.

T92. Payment for Trinity Allotments 2023/24
The Council RESOLVED to send payment of £967.53 for the annual rent of the Trinity Allotments, the calculation for which was based on the 2023 payment of £881.98 plus 9.7% RPI for 2023.

T93. White Ribbon Initiative
The Council considered supporting the above initiative by becoming a White Ribbon Supporter Organisation and committing to seven actions, including raising awareness about ending violence against women in their communities; inspiring people to become changemakers; signposting people to find help; and hosting fundraising events for White Ribbon UK.  After discussion, it was RESOLVED that the Town Clerk would circulate a brochure from the initiative to Councillors and Cllrs. Mrs. KP, HF and LMC would work together to create a plan of recommendation to present to the Council at a future date.

T94. Hubbard’s Hills Working Group
The Council received an update from members of the Hubbard’s Hills Working Group, who confirmed that there would be further updates at a later date.

T95. Civility and Respect Pledge
The Council RESOLVED to sign up to the civility and respect pledge and to amend governance documents to reflect the pledge, to demonstrate its commitment to treating Councillors, clerks, employees, members of the public, representatives of partner organisations and volunteers with civility and respect in their respective roles.

T96. Next Meeting
It was noted that the next scheduled meeting of the Town Council would take place on 14th May 2024.

 

The Meeting Closed at 8.35pm.

 

 

Signed_______________________ (Chairman)                Dated_________________________