FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 2 OCTOBER 2023 AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH.
Present: Cllr S Mansfield (Chairman), Cllr T Hunter, Cllr C Chen, Cllr K Ensell.
In attendance: Mrs V Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr Mossop
The meeting commenced with an open forum. 2 residents were present.
OPEN FORUM
The landowner of the field behind Allenby Close had previously been contacted by the parish council with a request that the ditches be reinstated to prevent flooding to properties in Allenby Close. However there had been no progress. Cllr Mansfield would contact the landowner again on behalf of the residents at risk..
134/2023 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from LCC Cllr A Hall, Cllr L Sutton.
135/2023 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
There were no declarations of interest.
136/2023 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF 4 SEPTEMBER 2023.
Cllr Hunter proposed, seconded Cllr Ensell approval of the minutes of 4 September 2023. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes.
137/2023. CLERKS UPDATE.
The Council noted that a parishioner had complained verbally about the hedge which had been cut in Allenby Close/ Crescent. In contrast, another parishioner had been extremely happy that the hedge had been cut as this had improved visibility and safety in the area.
The clerk had advised LCC that the parish council was not able to progress the Community Orchard at this time but would reconsider if a land parcel became available and the offer of trees remained open.
The budget for 2024-25 would be discussed at the next meeting. The parish council noted that contract for mowing in the parish would cover the next financial year and that fees would be fixed until March 2025.
138/2023 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ACTION PLAN
The action plan had been updated and several actions had been closed. Inspections had taken place and some of the works had been completed. Cllr Ensell will review the action log, update and recirculate the latest version. Action Cllr Ensell
139/2023 FINANCE
Proposed Cllr Ensell seconded Cllr Chen approval of the cheques below:
1359 Fotherby Church Room Hire £240.00
1360 WAVE Allotment Water £31.75
1361 V Davies Clerk Salary £195.80
1362 V Davies Clerk expenses/
Reimbursement £89.58
1363 Bush Landscaping Mowing £600.00
Balances. Treasurers Account £9518.39 (18.9.23), of which £209.78 is ring-fenced for Fotherby Common
Business Bank Account £2514.14 (10.8.23)
Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation.
Income
14.9.23 Fotherby Church Mowing Contribution. £560
9.8.23 Lloyds Bank Interest £1.86
Cllrs noted the Monthly Financial reports.
TO APPROVE ANY OTHER EXPENDITURE SUPPORTED BY A SUCCESSFUL
PROPOSAL
Owing to the condition of the remaining bus shelters, the forthcoming bad winter weather and that a live quotation had been received that was considered value for money, Cllrs approved the refurbishment of all remaining bus shelters (numbers 2, 4 and 5) for £1500 as discussed in 146/2023. Cllrs noted that in refurbishing these remaining assets now, the maintenance costs in future will be much reduced but that a small sum be included in future budgets for minor maintenance to keep the assets in good condition and to help reduce needs for further costly, major maintenance.
140/2023 PLANNING
To note.
N/052/01682/23. Hedge End, Peppin Lane. Planning Permission, Construction of Vehicular Access. Retrospective planning permission. Following discussion last month, the parish council had subsequently opposed the application.
N052/02126/2. Land at rear of Styles Furniture, Main Road, Fotherby. There was no further update. When the case is allocated to the Planning Inspector, every resident who made representation will be contacted to advise of the start of the Appeal by the Applicant. This may take many months as the Planning Inspector backlog is understood to be significant.
141/2023 MAINTENANCE AT THE DOCK
Discussion took place about finding a sustainable solution for the Dock gardens in good condition as a focal point in the village. Whilst the landscape contractor maintains the shrubs, they do not undertake general gardening duties. Cllr Mansfield had been in touch with a gardener to discuss services and costs. Cllrs resolved that provision would be made within the 2024/2025 budget to provide 4 hours per month gardening from April to September.
The parish council noted that the bullrushes at the dock needed addressing. Cllr Hunter would contact a contractor for a quotation in due course when the rushes are dormant.
142/2023 ALLOTMENTS
The Parish Council resolved that allotments should be well maintained and be productive as part of the re-letting agreement. Cllrs noted that the tenant at allotment 1 had terminated the tenancy with immediate effect. The vacant allotment would be advertised on the Fotherby Facebook page and in the Keyhole.
Discussion took place regarding the allotment hedges and their condition in respect to sight lines for vehicles traveling along Peppin Lane. To restore the hedges that have become overgrown, Cllr Mansfield would obtain a quotation. If accepted and the work is completed, hedges would again become the responsibility of the plot holders to maintain at an appropriate height. The hedges around the entrance to Mawes Farm are included here.
Cllr Ensell asked that the hedges and shrubs around Plot 1 be also assessed as these were high and restricted light to this plot. If costs are acceptable, these should also be reduced in height ahead of reletting the plot to make the plot more productive in future. Cllr Mansfield to speak to the contractor
The parish council noted that at the back of allotment 3 there is a dead chestnut tree. Cllr Mansfield would speak to the landowner.
143/2023. FOTHERBY COMMON UPDATE
There was no further update. Cllr Mansfield had spoken to the landowner neighbouring the common and requested that the weeds be treated to help avoid further invasion into Fotherby Common. The landowner had agreed to treat the weeds.
A parishioner had asked if a memorial bench could be erected on the Common. The parish council agreed in principle. However, to be more ecologically friendly and to remove future maintenance costs for the parish, it requested that there be consideration in obtaining a bench recycled plastic. This material is quite common for street furniture and would maintain the aesthetic and tranquillity of the common. The Clerk would contact the parishioner to confirm the decision, the type of bench required and to confirm arrangements for installation and details of any inscriptions. The Clerk will also contact Mrs Chester to discuss location for the bench.
144/2023 LITTER STRATEGY
The had been one further incident of fly tipping; a tyre in Little Grimsby Lane. This was collected quickly by the ELDC Cleansing Team which was appreciated. It was noted that it had been previously proposed to gate up Short Lane West to reduce litter and fly tipping risks but with easy access for verge, trees and ditch maintenance by the landowners. Consideration should be given as to whether a further bin should be installed on the other side of the bypass in pace of the dog bin that has fallen from the highway post.
Clerk to email Cllr to Hall to ask about the progress of the proposal to gate up the Western end of Short Lane to prevent car access but maintain access for walkers and cyclists.
The Pride in Lindsey team had been out and tidied up the North Elkington dead end in the village. The stretch of pavement between the old garage and the village centre had been added to their list and will be assessed by the Team for works to widen the path from overgrown grass.
Cllr Ensell would contact the Cleansing Team at East Lindsey to advise on the success on the Pride in Lindsey team in Fotherby to encourage further budget for these works in 24/25.
145/2023 FOTHERBY TOP ROAD
This was progressing. Questionnaires had been completed by parishioners giving their support for the parish council to apply for a lottery grant for Fotherby Top Road. There would be no cost to the parishioners. Cllr Ensell to draft the bid when time allows in the coming months. A quotation would be required for road remediation. A draft road specification had been received from LCC Highways.
146/2023 VILLAGE ASSETS
Cllr Mansfield contacted a contractor and quotations had been received for bus shelters No 2, No 4 and No 5 at a cost of £1500. See 139/2023 above. Cllr Ensell proposed that the refurbishments of bus shelters No 2,4 and 5 be completed in this financial year. Proposed Cllr Ensell seconded Cllr Chen and unanimously agreed by all Councillors to complete the works on the remaining bus shelters. Cllr Mansfield will contact the contractor.
Cllr Mansfield had completed a survey of 30 mph signs across the village for condition and location with a view to making any improvements. There were many signs facing North and discussion took place regarding reversing one sign. Cllr Mansfield would clean up the signs. However, it was considered that possible three signs required replacing. Further discussion would take place at the next meeting.
147/2023 UPDATE ON SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE (S.I.D.)
The Clerk had collected the SID from the repairer. Cllr Sutton would investigate reinstalling the SID when time allowed. New electrical connectors may be needed to remedy the defect as the S.I.D, is functioning correctly when on the bench. The clerk would enquire with Cllr Sutton on the status of the SID.
148/2023
Discussion took place regarding how the Remembrance wreaths purchased this year would be placed on the war graves for Remembrance Sunday. It was proposed that Cllrs would place the Remembrance wreaths on the war graves following the service at the Dock on Saturday 11 November. The details of the service and wreath placing would be put on the Facebook page. The wreaths would be preserved after the event to reduce waste. If these were preserved for reuse, a donation would be made to the Royal British Legion by the parish council in lieu of repurchase in the next financial year.
149/2023 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
150/2023. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 6 November 2023.