Full Council Minutes 2024

14 April 2025

CHAPEL ST LEONARDS PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Held on 14 April 2025 at 7.00pm

Present:   Cllr P. Robinson (Chairman), Cllr C. Jude (Vice Chairman), Cllr S. Whitmore, Cllr G. Ward, Cllr D. Wilson, Cllr C. Briggs and Cllr P. Hamilton

In Attendance:  C Cllr Colin Davie and D Cllr Roger Dawson

Absent:  None

Members of Public:  10

Clerk/RFO:  Valerie Anne Worley

 

Chairman’s Welcome

The Chairman, Cllr P. Robinson welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked them for coming.  The public were asked respectfully not to speak whilst the agenda items were being discussed unless asked to do so.

The Chairman invited C Cllr Colin Davie to speak as he had requested to speak first because he had a meeting to attend.

C Cllr Colin Davie spoke about the road works that had been completed at Chapel Point.

In mid-May there will be revised proposals for a second pylon route probably coming east to west rather than north to south connecting to the grid at Alford

A member of public asked if C Cllr Colin Davie will be standing for Mayor.

C Cllr Colin Davie replied that he would not be standing.

He stated that his issues are pylons. The wider picture is challenging energy costs.

The Chairman thanked C Cllr Colin Davie for coming to the meeting. He left the meeting at 7.10pm.

D Cllr Roger Dawson was asked if he had anything to report.  He spoke about the dead seals on the beach and who this should be reported to.  It was stated that the Environment Agency were to be contacted.  D Cllr Roger Dawson informed the Council that the seals were the only subject he wanted to report on.

A member of the public mentioned that she felt that the grass in the playpark was too long which made it difficult for the older children to play football.  It was explained that the grass contractor had nothing in his contract about the length of the grass.

A member of the public thanked the Chairman for his welcome back after an illness and stated that the Council Operatives are doing a fantastic job with keeping Chapel St Leonards clean and tidy. The Chairman replied that the Councillors make decisions by investing in the workforce.  The Chairman explained that two operatives had retired, and the Council had employed 2 new employees.  He thanked her for her kind words and said that when he walks round the village, he would say that the Council are doing a good job.

FC/01/04-25    Apologies for absence – To receive and approve apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk/RFO prior to the meeting.

None

FC/02/04-25    To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 –recorded on Members’ being any pecuniary interest in agenda items not previously Register of Interests.

There were none recorded.

FC/03/04-25     Resignation of Cllr B. Holmes

The Chairman announced that it was very sad to receive the resignation of Cllr B. Holmes.  She will be missed.  She is moving away and will be beyond the 3-mile limit to be a Councillor at Chapel St Leonards Parish Council.  The Chairman stated that she would like to give her recognition for the work that Cllr B. Holmes has contributed while carrying out her role as a Councillor.

FC/04/04-25     Cllr G. Ward and Cllr C. Briggs to sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

Cllr G. Ward and Cllr C. Briggs signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office as Councillors.

FC/05/04-25    To receive and approve the draft minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 27 February and 27 March 2025.

The minutes were unanimously approved and signed by the Chairman.  It was proposed by Cllr G. Ward and proposed by Cllr S. Whitmore.

FC/06/04-25     A request from the Carnival Committee for use of the Village Green.

A request for use of the Village Green on 9 and 10 August 2025.  This was agreed and RESOLVED by full council for £75.00 per day. Proposed by Cllr S. Whitmore and seconded by Cllr G. Ward

Chairman’s Report

  1. Parish Meeting

This had been successful.There had been positive feedback.A member of public asked for a copy of the Chairman’s Report.The Clerk/RFO will make this available.

 

  1. Appointment of Clerk/RFO

 

The Chairman announced the appointment of Valerie Worley as the new Clerk/RFO.She had been interviewed and had been carrying out the role of Clerk/RFO for the past 4 months.The Chair and Valerie Worley signed the Contract of Employment.

 

  1. Mobile Sauna

Zoky the Mobile Sauna was unable to launch on Sunday 13 April because a window had been broken in the unit, and this would take two weeks to fix as it was bespoke.They requested the 3 May 2025 and the 11 May 2025 and would like more dates going forward.It was not agreed by Council for the launch to be Sunday 3 due to the Bank holiday and the overflow car park being in use.It was RESOLVED that the launch will be held on Sunday, 11 May 2025.It was proposed by Cllr C. Briggs and seconded by Cllr P. Robinson.Any future dates will have to be discussed at a Full Council Meeting.Cllr P. Robinson and the Clerk/RFO had been sent free tickets, but they were unable to accept these.

 

  1. Great Tommy Sleepout

Two gentlemen slept overnight on the Village Green to raise money for Help the Heroes.They raised £1,623.00 in total.Well done to them.

 

  1. New Vehicle

Thank you to Cllr C. Jude for sorting the new vehicle.The Operatives are very happy with the vehicle.The new vehicle will be called Chappie 2.

 

  1. S106 Funding Update

This is work in progress.There has been no objection from the members of the public.Prices have been obtained by Cllr D. Wilson for refurbishing posts around the Village Green.It was agreed and RESOLVED by all members of the Council.Cllr D. Wilson proposed, and Cllr G. Ward seconded the motion.

FC/08/04-25     Clerk’s Report

  1. Playpark Update

Quotations are being obtained for the repairs to the play equipment.The Operatives can carry out certain repairs but outside contractors will carry out major repairs.Two children’s rides will have to be replaced for safety reasons.

  1. AGAR

The Chairman and Clerk signed Section 1 and 2 of the AGAR Form. This will be completed and signed by the Internal Auditor.

  1. Approval of list of outgoings for April attached.

The Clerk/RFO listed all the outgoing and incoming expenditure for April 2025 which was approved by Council.Each Councillor received a copy.

  1. Cemetery Mapping

The Clerk/RFO discussed cemetery mapping with the Council and explained the advantage of using it for the webpage.It will be an easier system to keep updated.It will also be useful for residents and members of the public to research the records.

It was RESOLVED to use Pear Technology to carry out the cemetery mapping with Edge to place it on the Council webpage.Cllr D. Wilson proposed and Cllr G. Ward seconded the motion.

 

FC/09/04-25     Flood Resilience - Update   

Cllr D. Wilson spoke about rest centres and emergency centres.  He explained that it would take him about 4 weeks to share his research on flood resilience.  The Chairman thanked him for his update.

FC/10/04-25   To RESOLVE spends and review and update Financial Regulations.

It was RESOLVED that the Clerk/RFO should have £1,000 budget spending and anything over this amount should be by approval by the Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Council. For the Committees their budget spending shall be £1,500 and anything over this amount should go to full council for approval.  This was the recommendation of the Internal Auditor.  It was RESOLVED to update the Standing Orders and the Financial Regulations on website.  This was proposed by Cllr P. Hamilton and seconded by Cllr D. Wilson.

FC/11/04-25     To RESOLVE to review and update Standing Orders.

This was RESOLVED in FC/10/04-25.

FC/12/04-25     Councillors’ Surgery.

This will be held on 29 April 2025 at the Village Hall, Chapel St Leonards at 10.30am to 11.30am.  Cllr S. Whitmore, Cllr P. Hamilton (Chaiman) and Cllr G. Ward.

FC/13/04-25     Events Committee

VE Day May 4th, 2025.

There will be:

  1. A few classic cars.
  2. Morris Dancers.  If raining this will be held inside the Village Hall.
  3. Bucking Bronto
  4. Bouncy Castle
  5. Children’s area
  6. Hoopla
  7. Lucky Dip  
  8. Stalls   etc.

Flyers and posters have been delivered.

FC/14/04-25     Cemetery Committee Update

There are 15 saplings that are being cared for at the Chairman’s house.  These will be planted in May which has been advised to do by the Chapel Parish Council Gardener.

FC/15/04-25     Finance Committee Update

In the Chapel Parish bank accounts, there are £17,200.00 in current account and £96,938.00 in the flex account.  VAT £1,299.00 on the present quarter.

FC/16/04-25     Environment & Amenities Committee Update.

The annual beach hut inspections have been completed.

FC/17/04-25     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/031/01945/24 – Duneside, Sea Bank Road, Chapel-St-Leonards, Skegness, PE24 5QU – planning permission – extensions and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation.

This has been withdrawn.

N/031/01847/24  -  Oaklands Caravan Park, Skegness Road, Chapel St Leonards, PE24 5UQ – planning permission – alteration to existing plans already passed.

This has been passed.

FC/18/04-25     Date and time of next Full Council Meeting (AGM)

The next Full Council Meeting (AGM) will be held on Monday,12 May 2025 at 7.00pm

The Full Council Meeting concluded at 8.15pm.

 

TO RESOLVE TO MOVE TO 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:

  1. Cemetery issues
  2. Committee discussions

The closed session concluded at 8.45pm

The minutes for these items will be kept in a confidential file.