FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2024 AT 7.30 IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH
Present: Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Cllr Lee Sutton, Cllr Kevin Ensell, Cllr Tim Hunter.
In attendance: Mrs. Viv Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr E Mossop.
The meeting commenced with an open forum. 9 residents were present.
OPEN FORUM:
There was a concern raised that the post office franchise which Fotherby once enjoyed had been absent for around 2 years. It was noted that Legbourne had a mobile post office van visit the village weekly. A parishioner had visited the mobile unit in Legbourne and had since arranged a meeting with the local Post Office Area Manager to understand options to restore a basic Post Office service to Fotherby. Following discussion, it was agreed that Cllr Ensell would draft a letter to lobby the Postal Affairs Minister seeking his/her support to restore post office services in Fotherby and other rural areas around Lincolnshire.
A parishioner asked about flooding updates. This would be covered later in the agenda.
A parishioner who lived within 3 miles of Fotherby was prepared to be co-opted as a councillor. This would be an agenda item at the next meeting.
122/2024 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Christina Chen.
123/2024 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
Cllr Ensell declared an interest in item 131/2024.
124/2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2.8.24
Cllr Ensell proposed, seconded Cllr Hunter approval of the minutes of 2 August 2024. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes.
125/2024 CLERKS UPDATE
An allotment tenant who has gates to his allotment had requested permission to replace the gates at his expense. This was approved by the parish council.
126/2024 MATTERS ARISING FROM ACTION PLAN/MINUTES
Cllr Ensell has updated the Action Plan. Many actions had been completed following the annual inspection of village assets and the action plan was in good health.
127/2024 FINANCE
Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation. Cllrs noted the financial reports. Proposed Cllr Sutton, seconded Cllr Ensell approval of the cheques below.
Chq No.
1411 V Davies Clerk Salary £224.80
1412 V Davies Clerk Expenses + £81.41
reimbursement
1414 Bush Landscaping Mowing £600.00
1416 S Cook Bus Shelter Repairs £1250.00
Balances
Treasurers Account £9,782.16 of which £209.78 relates to ringfenced account for
Fotherby Common ( 20.8.24)
Business Bank £2,40.87 (10.6.24)
Income
Lloyds Bank Interest £2.89 10.6.24
128/2024 FLOOD RISK ITEMS:
FIELD DRAINAGE, REAR ALLENBY CRESCENT
Following discussions, the Parish Council agreed that they will monitor progress to improve drainage works for the benefit of neighbouring properties as this was works being carried out on private land.
129/2024 PLANNING APPLICATION
N/052/01191/24 WITHYWINDLE, SHORT LANE, FOTHERBY, LOUTH, LN11 0TE. Erection of a detached granny annex to be used as ancillary living accommodation to the existing dwelling.
The parish council neither approved nor objected to the application but agreed to submit the following comments. The Parish Council noted that there was a window overlooking an adjoining the property. They suggest that the window be of frosted glass or alternatively a Velux style roof light.
One parishioner had raised objections and had submitted their own comments.
130/2024 FOTHERBY COMMON:
FOTHERBY COMMON UPDATE
There was no update.
131/2024 THE APPOINTMENT OF ALMS HOUSES TRUST REPRESENTATIVE
The Trustees asked if the Parish Council would accept Mrs Ensell as the Parish Council representative. The Parish council agreed to the appointment.
132/2024 LITTER STRATEGY & FLY TIPPING UPDATE
There were no issues to report.
132/2024 VILLAGE ASSETS
It was noted that that two bus shelters had been repaired and repainted and that water from the gutters had been diverted away from the wooden structures to reduce water damage in future. Three benches had also been repainted to extend useful life. All 5 bus shelter in the village were now deemed to be in very good condition following 2 years of regular maintenance. Condition would continue to be monitored via the annual inspection process in place.
Discussion took place regarding removal some of the bull rushes in the Dock using an excavator. It was noted the importance of suitable warning cones/barriers being in place during the works to manage the safety of pedestrians and that a simple risk assessment be in place before the works commence and that there was suitable supervision. It was noted that the price for the 8m3 skip to remove the waste would be £245 plus VAT. Cllr Hunter agreed to explore other options before a decision to proceed is made in the autumn.
Discussion took place regarding the poor condition of the flower box at the southern end of the village. The volunteer looking after the flower box had requested that if this was replaced, it be moved slightly owing to risks of maintenance near the brow of the hill. It was agreed that placing the box elsewhere away from the Fotherby sign would undermine the reason for having a flower box at the entrance to the village. It was considered that it may be better to purchase a galvanized trough. Cllr Hunter agreed to review options and prices including repair of the existing flower box.
A quotation had been received to dig out the dyke near the old Sunday School. The quote was £600 plus VAT. Regular maintenance would be charged at £50 plus VAT during the growing season. This was rejected.
The Old Sunday School Trust would cover the cost via an alternative quotation of £300 + VAT on this occasion despite the dyke not belonging to the Trust. It was noted that the Old Sunday School was at risk of flooding if the dyke remained blocked. Cllr Mansfield had contacted highways regarding the dyke who had responded that under the Land Drainage Act, the responsibility for maintenance lay with the riparian landowner. The Parish council would discuss with and write to the landowner requesting that the culvert be cleared twice a year in future to reduce flood risk to neighbouring properties.
DOG BIN CLOSE TO MAWER'S FARM, PEPPIN LANE.
Cllr Mossop would chase up the request for the dog bin at the Dock to be relocated near to the old railway crossing.
GRASS CUTTING
Cllr Ensell would revise the consolidated contract again to exclude the Dyke near the Old Sunday School before the re-let in April 2025. A revised contract will be sent to the Clerk for quote(s) to be received.
132/2024 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
A parishioner asked if there was a response to removing the dead beech tree overhanging Peppin Lane near the allotments. This had been logged as a fault on LCC FixMyStreet and is being dealt with by Lincolnshire County Council as a matter of public safety.
133/2024 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 7 October at 7.30 pm.