10 February 2025
CHAPEL ST LEONARDS PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Held on 10 February 2025 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllr P. Robinson (Chairman), Cllr D. Wilson, Cllr S. Whitmore, Cllr G. Ward, Cllr B. Holmes, Cllr C. Briggs and Cllr P. Hamilton
Assistant Parish Clerk: Mrs Valerie Worley
Members of Public: 8
Chairman’s Welcome
The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting. The public were asked respectfully not to speak whilst the agenda items were being discussed unless asked to do so.
Public Participation
A member of public enquired about the dykes. The Chairman referred to an earlier meeting where CCllr Colin Davie had confirmed that the dykes were a priority for LCC to maintain a flow from inland to the sea.
Move to Council meeting.
FC/01/02-25 Apologies for Absence
Apologies received from CCllr Colin Davie, DCllr Stephen Evans, DCllr Roger Dawson and Cllr Charles Jude who is on holiday.
CCllr Colin Davie reported that the 3% council tax rise is going to commence on the 21st of February 2025. Lincolnshire County Council elections will be held on 1st May 2025. He will be coming to Chapel St Leonards to look at the roads in Chapel. One of the roads will be Church Lane. There are no updates from the District Councillors.
FC/02/02-25 To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests.
None recorded.
FC03/02-25 To receive and approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 13 January 2025.
Cllr George Ward proposed, and Cllr Caroline Briggs seconded, and it was unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the draft minutes, as the minutes of the meeting of the 13 January 2025, which the Chairman signed.
FC/04/02-25 To Resolve Facebook Policy
All Councillors were given a copy of the Facebook Policy. Cllr Beth Holmes proposed, and Cllr George Ward seconded, and it was unanimously RESOLVED to adopt the Facebook Policy.
FC/05/02-25 MUGA Update
The work is now completed with 3 metre poles and another metre of netting added. The residents on Wilton Avenue have been appreciative of the steps the Council have taken and accept we have done all that we can to alleviate the problem. The final impact report to the Grassroot Funders has been sent.
FC/06/02-25 Archery Group request
The Archery Group requested to use the right side of the playpark for archery. As this is an open area, a decision was made that this was not appropriate for public space. This would restrict other users and the health and safety aspect of it was an issue. It was proposed, seconded and RESOLVED not to give the Archery Group permission to use the right side of the park area.
FC/07/02-25 Mobile Sauna Request
A decision was made that this would bring people to the village and Observatory. It was a unique proposal. This was approved in principle as Council wanted more details such as water access etc. It was suggested to have a pilot trial then evaluate the situation. Cllr David Wilson proposed, Cllr Beth Holmes seconded and there were no objections from Council.
FC/08/02-25 Gardening Contract – Updates with Amendments
There have been a couple of changes to the gardening contract. There will be grass collection on the first cut on the verges to eliminate the amount of grass left on the pavements. An extra cut Middle March to the end of March for the footpaths has been agreed.
FC/09/02-25 Flood Resilience – Working Party Update
At the moment this is information gathering. Risk areas are the lower pieces of land. Cllrs D. Wilson, C. Jude and G. Ward are just collecting information at this stage. This will be an ongoing agenda item.
FC/10/02-25 Councillors’ Surgery Update.
Cllr Pam Robinson and Cllr Beth Holmes had two enquiries. The next surgery will be Tuesday, 25 February 2025 at 10.30 to 11.30 at the Village Hall. The Councillors attending will be Cllrs Sue Whitmore, Pam Robinson, Beth Holmes and David Wilson.
FC/11/02-25 Planning Inspectorate Appeal Date – Resolution
We have been informed by the planning inspectorate that the decision for the Roman Bank Public right of way Appeal will now be decided by written representation. The Public Enquiry date booked for the Village Hall for the 25 February 2025 has now been cancelled. Notices to this effect are on the notice board.
FC/12/02-25 Planning – To consider new planning applications as a statutory Consultee and to note Planning Authority decisions and receive updates on previous applications consulted on.
N/031/0081/24 – Land to the south of Regina Walk, Chapel St Leonards – Planning Permission – erection of 1No. machine/factory store with an extension to access road. On-going.
N/031/01945/24 – Duneside, Sea Bank Road, Chapel St Leonards, Skegness, PE24 5QU – Planning Permission – extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation.
N/031/01847124 – Oaklands Caravan Park, Skegness Road, Chapel St Leonards, PE24 5UQ – Planning Permission – alteration to existing plans already passed.
FC/13/02-25 Clerk’s Report:
a) To authorise the signing of orders for payment and note the income for January 2025.
b) To receive Bank Reconciliation for January 2025
c) To receive Monthly Statement
The Assistant Parish Clerk produced a list of monthly outgoings for the Chapel St Leonard Parish Council to be paid by BACS for approval attached. These were approved. The balance of the Current Account is £20,808.38 and Savings Account is £131,623.76.
The Assistant Parish Clerk was complimented by the Members of Council for all her work she had produced since taking over the role of delegated Clerk/RFO.
The Clerk also mentioned that the Construction Company repairing Anderby Road requested to use the car park at Chapel Point for residents whilst the road was out of use. The Council Resolved that the car park would be available. The Construction Company suggested the 24th February 2025 but will update the Council and provide car registrations for the residents affected by this.
FC/14/02-25 Events Committee Update
Cllr Sue Whitmore (Chair) informed everyone that everything was being organised for the VE Day celebration and to ‘watch this space’.
FC/15/02-25 Cemetery Committee Update
New trees will arrive soon – saplings. The Parish Council will be asking for volunteers for planting. The Parish Council are looking into repairing the footpath, but this may not be finished until next year.
FC/16/02-25 Finance Committee Update
No report from the Finance Committee – see Clerk’s Report.
FC/17/02-25 Environment & Amenities Committee Update
Cllr Pam Robinson (Chair) informed everyone that she had nothing to report.
FC/18/02-25 Date and time of next meeting
10 March 2025 at 7.00pm
The meeting concluded at 7.43pm
FC/19/02-25 TO RESOLVE TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLIC BODIES (ADMISSION TO MEETINGS) ACT 1960 DUE TO THE CONFIDENTIAL NATURE OF THE BUSINESS TO BE DISCUSSED IN RELATION TO THE FOLLOWING:
Personnel
- To RESOLVE salary.
- To RESOLVE access to email and HMRC.
- To RESOLVE Standing Orders 15a – to carry out duties of the Clerk/RFO
- Cemetery plots
The Assistant Parish Clerk left the meeting as personnel issues were being discussed. The minutes will be confidentially filed.
The Assistant Parish Clerk was invited back into the meeting after 15 minutes to discuss Cemetery Plots. After discussions by Council, it was RESOLVED to get the cemetery mapped by a Mapping Company.
The closed session concluded at 9.15pm