FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 1 SEPTEMBER 2025 AT 7.30 PM IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH
Present: Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Cllr Kevin Ensell, Cllr Lee Sutton, Cllr Tim Hunter. Cllr Christina Chen.
In attendance: Mrs. Viv Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr E Mossop,
4 residents were present.
OPEN FORUM:
No items were raised.
104/20205 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Neil Tomlin and LCC Cllr N Hastings.
105/2025 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
There were no declarations of interest.
106/2025 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 4.8.25
Cllr Hunter proposed, seconded Cllr Ensell approval of the minutes of 4 August 2025. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes
107/2025 CLERKS UPDATE
All items were discussed in the minutes.
108/2025 MATTERS ARISING FROM ACTION PLAN/MINUTES
Cllr Ensell has updated the Action Plan. There were very few outstanding actions.
109/2025 PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
02803/25/FUL . Erection of 1. dwelling on the site of 2 garages which are to be demolished. Eastfield, Allenby Crescent, Fotherby, Lincolnshire, LN11.
Following a brief discussion, the parish council had no comment and would respond to this effect.
110/2025 FINANCE
Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation. Cllrs noted the financial reports. Proposed Cllr Hunter, seconded Cllr Sutton approval of the cheques below.
Chq No
1472 Bush Landscaping Mowing £600.00
1473 V Davies Clerk Salary and Expenses + reimburse £371.13
5.8.25 Bank charges £4.75
Community Account (Formerly Treasurers Account) £3,896.07 of which £209.78 relates to ring fenced account for Fotherby Common ( 20.7.25)
COMM INST ACCESS (Formerly Business Bank) £2,564.76 (9.5.25)
Income
111/2025 FLOOD RISK ITEMS
Discussion took place regarding the bull rushes which had been removed from the dock in 2024 as this had encouraged regrowth. The parish council had previously received a quote £300-£400 for the digger, £1800 to remove. Cllr Hunter would explore other options. This item would be on the agenda of the next meeting. In addition, the clerk would contact Bush Landscaping to ask if they were able to treat the bull rushes with a product suited for use on watercourses.
112/2025 FOTHERBY COMMON:
A contractor had contacted about tree works in the next phase of the planned works at the Common. A request was made to confirm that this Contractor had the necessary competence and qualifications and held suitable public liability insurance. Following discussion, it was noted that these works were not included in the current budget but that this shall be considered when drafting the budget 2026-2027.
ROAD AT FOTHERBY TOP
Following recent works by a private landowner, the parish council would erect a disclaimer sign at Fotherby top. The wording was discussed and agreed as follows: “Private, Unmaintained Track. This track is not adopted nor maintained by Fotherby Parish Council. Use at your own risk.” Cllr Sutton would obtain a quotation for the sign.
113/2025 LITTER STRATEGY & FLY TIPPING UPDATE
Litter picking continues. Thanks were given to Cllr Ensell and the litter picking volunteers around the village. There had been a fly tipping incident in North Elkington Lane which was reported and removed by the ELDC Teams promptly. Thanks were given for this service. The Parish council had written to ELDC to request their support for a gating up notice to be issued by LCC for stopping up of Short Lane west. A response was outstanding. Cllr Mossop agreed to chase this up.
114/2025 VILLAGE ASSETS - ALLOTMENTS
The parish council noted that the existing tenancy agreement did not permit persons to reside on any allotment.
ANNUAL SAFETY INSPECTION
Cllr Mansfield and Cllr Ensell had conducted the inspection of parish council assets in late August and classified their status as red, amber or green signifying their condition and maintenance needs. The parish council noted that the condition of the assets had improved over the past 3 years since there had been a focus on both inspection and routine maintenance. Small issues had been highlighted which would be addressed during budget discussions for 2026-27. There were no matters of safety noted.
115/2025 DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday 6 October 2025 at 7.30pm