Minutes 3 January 2023

 

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON TUESDAY 3 JANUARY 2022 AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH.

 

Present: Cllr S Mansfield (Chairman), Cllr T Hunter, Cllr K Ensell, Cllr L Sutton and Cllr C Chen.

 

In attendance: Mrs V Davies (Clerk) ELDC Cllr Mossop.

No Parishioners were present therefore the meeting did not include an open forum.

 

None.

 

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

3/2023 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF 5 DECEMBER 2022.

Cllr Hunter proposed, seconded Cllr Sutton approval of the minutes of 5 December 2022. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes.

 

 

The clerk had submitted the precept form to ELDC (£9089 claim).

 

 

Proposed Cllr Sutton, Seconded Cllr Hunter approval of the cheques below:

 

1322 V Davies Clerk Salary £233.10

1323 V Davies Clerk Expenses £25.41

1324 WAVE Allotment Water £13.66

 

Balances. Treasurers Account £7327.23 (14.12.22), of which £209.78 is ring-fenced for Fotherby Common

Business Bank Account £2501.36 (9.8.22)

Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation.

 

Cllrs noted the Monthly Reports.

 

There were no further proposals for expenditure.

 

TO RATIFY FINANCIAL REGULATIONS.

Cllrs ratified the Financial Regulations

TO APPOINT AN INTERNAL AUDITOR.

Following discussion, Cllrs approved that the parish council use the same auditor as last year. Action Clerk to contact the internal auditor and to confirm the fee for the work.

There were no planning applications.

Cllr Mansfield and Cllr Ensell had met with Mr Moore from Anglian Water. Anglian Water had agreed to carry out a range of studies to better understand the current condition of the sewerage network in and around Allenby Crescent. By example, the sewer in Allenby Crescent was to be CCTV’d to check hydraulic capacity and the trunk sewer at beck crossing near the sewerage pumping station was to be checked for surface water ingress. No ingress had been found here. At the time of meeting, the works were still ongoing and a note confirming findings will be issued by Anglian Water; likely by end January subject to works progress and completion.

The question of sewer flooding mitigation locally to Allenby Crescent was also discussed on site. An option to fit non-return valves (NRV’s) to the sewerage connections at No’s 10 & 11 Allenby Crescent to prevent flood water entering the properties during heavy rainfall has been promoted within Anglian Water for prioritisation for investment. NRV’s still allow residents to use their water systems during heavy rainfall but the wastewater would be held in the sewer connection until the surcharge in the main highway sewer lapsed. The fitting of the NRVs would be a matter between the residents and Anglian Water and would be subject to drain tests to ensure rain water downpipes are not connected to the foul sewer.

Cllr Mossop noted that if the properties belonged to the Housing Association, then some collaborative works could be promoted to disconnect the rainwater systems to aid this flooding mitigation.

Discussion also took place about the need to provide a clear route for road drainage to be improved at the low point in Allenby Crescent to allow water to flow into the overgrown ditch. Cllr Mansfield agreed to contact the landowner to seek to promote some localised ditch clearance and roadway drainage improvements.

Cllrs noted that the works on Peppin Lane had been completed. LCC and Anglian Water Services had funded the works to clear the riparian drain and put a new seal on the foul water manhole cover to reduce surface water ingress to the foul system. This funding had been provided as part of the Flooding Partnership across the region. From recent observations during heavy rainfall, the flooding issues are resolved.

Cllrs noted that significant progress had been made by the Parish Council in the past few weeks to help resolve some challenging and long-standing issues here.

The bulb planting of the last few years is showing a success. There will be a working party in February/March to complete a variety of tasks. The main task will be to replace the bench in the centre of the common with a bench currently stored by Cllr Hunter.

There was no progress update from ELDC on progress with enforcement of litter tipping incidents. Discussion took place regarding the installation of gates across Short Lane west to prevent fly tipping and reduce littering at this hotspot. Action Cllr Mossop to chase up.

An article about litter and possible routes to reduce the blight in the village will be published in Keyhole early this year.

The clerk would chase up a response to the letter which had been sent to the Chief Solicitor at LCC in November. This had asked for permission to apply for a grant to improve the roadway without prejudice. This did not commit the parish council or LCC to future liability for the road. No response had been received to date.

Cllr Ensell had revised the current asset register to create a more detailed list of individual assets. This was to facilitate regular inspections, to provide a full view of assets and their value and to provide more informed discussions around maintenance needs at the budget setting cycle. Cllrs approved the asset register as being complete.

Cllr Ensell had produced inspection sheet based upon the revised asset register to provide annual inspection cycle. Cllrs resolved that annual inspections would be completed in the late Spring/ Early Summer.

The works had been completed on 2 bus shelters. Cllrs noted that the shelters were much improved, with clear glass panels and fully recoated inside and out to help extend asset life. Cllrs noted that the bus shelter by the old village shop had a small leak in the roof and that a quotation had been requested for repairs. It was noted that each bus shelter had been adopted which was welcomed to help keep shelters is good condition for all bus users in the village.

The next meeting would take place on Monday 6 February 2023 at 7.30 pm.

Cllr Ensell had drafted an action log to help track outstanding matters and that this log would be updated each meeting by the clerk and issued with the Minutes.

Speed device (SID). Cllr Sutton noted that UPS had claimed to have delivered the device on 9 December, but the delivery was not received. Cllr Sutton would chase.

It was proposed to increase the allotment tenancy fee from £20 to £30 pa. Cllr Mansfield and Cllr Chen would draft a letter to allotment holders to be included with the tenancy agreement and sent out prior to renewal date of April 1st 2023.