FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 2 JUNE 2025 AT 7.30 PM IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH
Present: Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Cllr Tim Hunter, Cllr Lee Sutton, Cllr Christina Chen
In attendance: Mrs. Viv Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr E Mossop
4 residents were present.
OPEN FORUM:
A parishioner gave a brief report and outcome regarding a potential flooding incident within the village.
After heavy rain, he noticed water flowing alongside the Main Road from the old garage down to Manna Farm, which was not entering the roadside drains, simply flowing past. They had reported this to ‘Fix My Street’ on 14 April, suspecting the drains were blocked. LCC replied stating that the drains had been inspected and there was no problem. These drains have subsequently been jetted. However, it had since rained on 27 April and the same issue had occurred.
As no further response had been received from Highways, Cllr Mansfield would write to chase up the outcome to this issue.
A resident asked if work to improve road surface drainage in Allenby, identified during the onsite meeting earlier in the year, had been done. The Chair had made two approaches to ELDC officer without a response. Our ELDC Councillor will follow this up.
The lady responsible for the new flower container at the southern end of the village, had suggested that the box was not completely visible as you travel northwards. It was decided to raise the height of this flower box. Cllr Hunter and the Chair would do this at some point.
The Parish Council noted that the bus timetable had changed, where the 51 service now runs from Louth to Hull, via Grimsby, and back. Already this had caused villagers to miss several appointments. As Stagecoach hadn’t informed the public, Cllr Mansfield has placed new timetables in each bus shelter to inform the public. There is also now a new 2 hourly Sunday service.
Cllr Mansfield had trimmed the grass around the bench at the northern end of the village.
The chair reported that he had met with the newly elected Lincolnshire County Councillor covering the Fotherby area, Cllr. Nick Hastings, who was looking forward to working with us.
66/20205 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from LCC Cllr N Hastings, Cllr Neil Tomlin & Cllr Kevin Ensell
67/2025 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
There were no declarations of interest.
68/2025 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 14.5.25
Cllr Sutton proposed, seconded Cllr Hunter approval of the minutes of 14 May 2025. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes
69/2025 CLERKS UPDATE
All items would be discussed later in the minutes.
70/2025 MATTERS ARISING FROM ACTION PLAN/MINUTES
Cllr Ensell had updated the Action Plan. There were no other actions outstanding
71/2025 PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
There were no applications.
72/2025 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
1458 V Davies Clerk Salary £242.16
1459 V Davies Clerk Expenses + £107.21
Reimburse
1460 Bush Landscaping Mowing £600.00
Balances
Treasurers Account £8,119.97 of which £209.78 relates to ring fenced account for
Fotherby Common ( 20.5.25)
Business Bank £2,560.80 (9.3.25)
Income
HMRC VAT Refund £846.57 27.4.25
ELDC Precept £5010.50 28.4.25
Allotment Income £30.00 6.5.25
73/2025 FLOOD RISK ITEMS
A flood report had been received from a parishioner as previously discussed in the open forum.
The Chair reported that the dyke beside the Old Sunday School Room was being cleared. Discussion took place regarding other sections of the village. Also looking overgrown was the dyke from the Main Road, around the back of the Almshouses along to Church Lane. Cllr Hunter would raise the issue with the Almshouses committee.
This issue would, when records are updated, be added to our Fotherby Flood documents.
The Chairman would write regarding the issue raised in the open meeting.
74/2025 PLANNING APPLICATION
There were no further planning applications.
75/2025 FOTHERBY COMMON:
The question was asked if the spraying of the hemlock had been completed and if it had been successful. This will be followed up by checking the site and asking our gardeners. There were no further issues.
An application would be made for East Lindsey grant funding and also the smaller Lottery Fund for repairs to Fotherby Top Road. A discussion ensued where it was noted that the Parish Council did not have a remit from the parishioners to use precept funds for this purpose. Various options were considered including planing out the old tarmac and replacing with more, which could be obtained locally at approximately £20 a ton. They also thought that there may be someone locally who could help with the spreading of any materials. Members felt it really required further consideration but initially, the BT line leading up the southerly side of the Common, needed burying deeper before any work begins. The clerk will contact BT to request this work be completed.
A parishioner wanted it to be understood, that at the top, it was not a car park, but the area was established as a vehicle passing/ depositing materials etc place, and also the entrance for the farmer to his field.
This issue will be discussed further at another meeting.
76/2025 LITTER STRATEGY & FLY TIPPING UPDATE
2 new litter signs had been erected to replace damaged ones. Thanks were offered to Cllr Ensell and the litter picking team.
77/2025 VILLAGE ASSETS
ALLOTMENTS
Allotment No.1 remained vacant. A resident from North Elkington had shown interest and the clerk would request that this person contact the chair for more details. It is recognised that the allotment will require clearing before being let.
78/2025 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 7 July 2025 at 7.30pm