FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.
 
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 2 DECEMBER 2024 AT 7.30 IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH
 
Present: Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Cllr Kevin Ensell, Cllr Tim Hunter, Cllr Christina Chen, Cllr Neil Tomlin, Cllr Lee Sutton.
 
In attendance: Mrs. Viv Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr E Mossop, Cllr A Hall.
 
The meeting commenced with an open forum. 4 residents were present.
 
OPEN FORUM:
 
The Chair opened the meeting stating that in recent months there had been several disturbing incidents in the village including burglary and attempted thefts from vehicles. This was very unusual for this village. As we have had no police response to an early morning incident affecting several vulnerable residents, the Council will write to the police to place on record the facts of these events copied to the Crime Commissioner seeking their comments.
 
The dyke at field at the rear of Allenby field immediately behind the properties affected by surface water run-off had been reinstated by the landowner. A member of the public gave a brief update of the works and was pleased with the water flow in the field. Fields and the dyke will be monitored under future storm conditions, but the aftermath of Storm Bert had no impact on residents’ gardens. Thanks were given to the landowner for their cooperation and collaboration to help solve a longstanding surface water flooding problem in the village.
 
In another unrelated event, the main pumping foul sewer from Fotherby sewerage pumping station to Louth Treatment Works had burst on two occasions within a few days in a field behind a property in Peppin Lane. Anglian Water had responded quickly to repair the asset and to mitigate risks of sewage entering the local watercourse by deployment of tankers to remove water from the stream. Some short-term disruption during repairs was noted.
 
 
162/2024 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
All councillors were present.
163/2024 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
There were no declarations of interest.
164/2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 4.11.24
Cllr Ensell proposed, seconded Cllr Hunter approval of the minutes of 4 November 2024. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes
 
165/2024 CLERKS UPDATE
Mowing Contract
 
The clerk had posted two contracts to Bush Landscaping asking them to sign and return both copies. A copy of their Risk and Method Assessment and their Public Liability and Employers Liability Certificates has also been requested. No response had yet been received. To be reviewed before the Contract start date in 2025.
 
The Clerk and Cllr Ensell would work on the draft budget.
 
166/2024 MATTERS ARISING FROM ACTION PLAN/MINUTES
Cllr Ensell had updated the Action Plan.
167/2024 FINANCE
Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation. Cllrs noted the financial reports. Proposed Cllr Hunter, seconded Cllr Ensell approval of the cheques below.
Chq No
1426 Fotherby Church Room Hire £240.00
1428 T Hunter Reimburse Cost Water £127.20
Trough
1429 V Davies Clerk Salary £224.60
1430 V Davies Clerk Expenses + £81.61
Reimburse
 
Balances
Treasurers Account £6,649.21 of which £209.78 relates to ring fenced account for
Fotherby Common ( 20.10.24)
Business Bank £2,550.26 (10.10.24)
 
Income
 
Lloyds Bank Interest £2.09 11.10.24
 
REQUEST TO CONSIDER FURTHER ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE.
 
Further felling work is required on the Common, within the next year and a request was made for the Parish Council to fund the remaining two stages of the work. It was noted that the Parish own the Common and therefore have liability for maintenance and safety of the place. See item 170/2024
 
168/2024 FLOOD RISK ITEMS
FIELD DRAINAGE, REAR ALLENBY CRESCENT
The Allenby Field drainage was discussed in the open forum. The Dyke, beside the Old Sunday School Room, in Church Lane had been cleared and the water was flowing freely during recent heavy rainfall.
 
Cllr Mansfield and Cllr Hunter would liaise with the contractor about the removal of some bull rushes at the Dock to maintain the village feature. There will be a cost for this work to be paid for by the Parish Council.
 
169/2024 PLANNING APPLICATION
There we no planning applications.
 
170/2024 FOTHERBY COMMON:
There had been no progress on felling since February 2024 due to weather conditions. In June a volunteer working party had spread wood chippings.
The previous parishioner who voluntarily felled the trees was no longer able to assist in felling. It was noted that the Felling licence will run out in December 2026.
A request was made for the Parish council to consider funding the re-instatement of felling work. Cllr Tomlin, the nominated Parish Tree Warden would visit the common and provide a quotation for the works. This could be completed over 1 or 2 budget years. A ringfenced amount of £209.78 remaining from the grant for the common would be used towards the cost of felling. The parish council would consider the budget/precept at the January meeting and would discuss making provision within the budget for tree felling.
171/2024 LITTER STRATEGY & FLY TIPPING UPDATE
Cllr Ensell reported that litter picking continues. Cllr Mossop would meet with Cllrs Mansfield & Ensell to discuss options for ELDC to support voluntary efforts of residents to remove litter from the local lanes including enforcement.
 
172/2024 VILLAGE ASSETS
 
PARKING RESTRICTIONS
 
A proposal was received from LCC following the request for parking restrictions in and around the Old PO bus stop lay by and around the exit from Church Lane outside the Alms houses. Traffic leaving Church Lane would then have a clearer view when exiting and bus users could alight more safely via the raised kerb. The clerk would respond to LCC advising that the Parish Council will support the proposal. A copy will be placed in the village noticeboard.
 
Signage on the Main Road through Fotherby. The Parish Council noted the offer by LCC Highways to provide improved speed control measures across the village. “SLOW” would be written on the road and the 30mph signage would be improved.
 
 
DOG BIN CLOSE TO MAWER'S FARM, PEPPIN LANE.
 
A response has been received from ELDC about the relocation of one dog bin. The supervisor responsible for cleansing in the area would deal with this request with urgency owing to their delayed response.
 
Cllr Mansfield would look again at options to re-site the dog bin from near the Dock given comments from residents about possible relocation sites. Following a brief discussion, it was decided to explore the possibility of siting it at the very end of Peppin, just before the farm track. This he will do.
 
173/2024 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
 
Cllr Ensell commented that he had contacted EVRI regarding incidents of opened parcels being fly tipped in the village in North Elkington Lane and Short Lane West. An EVRI label had been found with waste boxes. No response had yet been received.
 
174/2024 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 6 January 2025 at 7.30 pm.