FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 3 MARCH 2025 AT 7.30 IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH
Present: Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Cllr Kevin Ensell, Cllr Tim Hunter, Cllr Christina Chen, Cllr Lee Sutton.
In attendance: Mrs. Viv Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr E Mossop, LCC Cllr A Hall,
The meeting commenced with an open forum. 4 residents were present.
OPEN FORUM:
A local contractor had trimmed lower branches of the trees on Louth Rd opposite the old garage. Action: Clerk to write to Louth Park Farm with thanks for cutting the trees.
Cllr Mansfield reported that a resident is having a steel model of a wartime Lancaster plane made with an18 inch wingspan and asked if this be situated in a prominent position in the village. It was proposed by Cllr Mansfield that the model be erected near the flagpole at the dock. Following discussion, the proposal was agreed and the Clerk will contact LCC Highways for permission to install on verge.
30/2025 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Neil Tomlin. The parish council accepted the apologies.
31/2025 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
There were no declarations of interest.
32/2025 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 3.2.25
Cllr Ensell proposed, seconded Cllr Hunter approval of the minutes of 3 February 2025. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes
33/2025 CLERKS UPDATE
All items included in the minutes.
34/2025 MATTERS ARISING FROM ACTION PLAN/MINUTES
Cllr Ensell has updated the Action Plan.
35/2025 PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
There were no applications.
36/2025 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
1444 V Davies Clerk Salary £233.56
1445 V Davies Clerk Expenses + £83.61
Reimburse
Balances
Treasurers Account £4,110.06 of which £209.78 relates to ring fenced account for
Fotherby Common ( 6.3.25)
Business Bank £2,557.70 (9.2.25)
Income
Lloyds Bank Interest £2.17 9.1.25
REQUEST TO CONSIDER FURTHER ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE.
There were no further items of expenditure. It was noted that the current year budget allowed for the removal of some of the bull rushes to prevent further spread. Following discussion, it was agreed to do this work during March to meet budget assumptions. Action Cllr Hunter
37/2025 FLOOD RISK ITEMS
It was confirmed that ELDC had carried out some road gulley cleansing in both Peppin Lane and Allenby Crescent today at surface water flooding hotspots as a preventative measure.
A draft plan had been circulated documenting historic sewer and surface water flooding in the village following a suggestion from a parishioner. This document would be used in future as evidence of the long-term flooding issues in Fotherby when dealing with flooding agencies including ELDC, Anglian Water and LCC. It would also be used to highlight potential infrastructure issues when commenting on future planning applications. It was suggested that the document could better differentiate between surface water and sewerage. It was confirmed that this would be a working document and updated as events occurred and currently marked as a draft copy. Following discussion, Cllr Mossop asked if the document could be shared with neighbouring villages in due course so they could adopt the same format, and which would further evidence flooding issues across the local region. Once the document is formally adopted, it will be published on the Fotherby PC website.
It was noted that a site meeting had taken place with Anglian Water and ELDC in early February where flooding hotspots were visited. This meeting was engaging and created a set of actions to be taken by all parties to support a collaborative approach to reducing flood risks.
A parishioner asked if there were grants available for flooding support. Grants were available from LCC under Section 19 for instances where water had caused internal flooding of properties.
38/2025 FOTHERBY COMMON:
Cllr Tomlin and a parishioner had met at the common to formulate a plan to complete the tree felling at the common. Several issues had been highlighted. Several trees need felling and these had been identified.
The trees which had been more recently planted will be checked. If they have survived the guards would be left, otherwise the guards and stakes would be removed.
It was further stated that further tree maintenance could not go ahead until the road alongside the Common was made safe for vehicles. It was noted that an application for Lottery Funding to remediate the road had been refused in 2023. Further opportunities for grant funding would be explored by the Parish Council on the basis that funding could not come from the precept and that a lower cost option may need to be explored.
39/2025 LITTER STRATEGY & FLY TIPPING UPDATE
There were no issues of fly tipping during the month. Maintenance litter picking continues by volunteers. A further volunteer had received equipment and bags to support extra maintenance litter picking. This parishioner was thanked, and further volunteers were encouraged
40/2025 VILLAGE ASSETS
PARKING AT THE BUS STOP
Cllr Mansfield had requested LCC to make minor alterations to the plan to restrict parking by the bus layby following representations by residents.
ALLOTMENTS
The allotment contracts would be issued. Allotment 1 would be vacant. The Parish Council noted that work would be needed on this allotment before it could be let.
41/2025 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
42/2025 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 7 April 2025 at 7.30 pm.
Wednesday 14 May 2025 at 7pm (Annual Meeting with Parishioners and Annual Meeting of Parish Council).