FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 4 MARCH 2024 AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH.
Present: Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Cllr Tim Hunter (Vice Chair), Cllr Lee Sutton, Cllr Christina Chen, and Cllr Kevin Ensell.
In attendance: Mrs Viv Davies (Clerk), Cllr A Hall.
The meeting commenced with an open forum. 6 residents were present.
OPEN FORUM:
The parish council gave the church warden permission to contact the grass cutting contractor regarding the March cut in the churchyard.
A parishioner requested that the main road be swept. Cllr Mansfield would contact highways.
A parishioner requested an update regarding the missing lamp post at Allenby Crescent. Cllr Ensell will contact LCC Highways again for an update. Cllr Hall requested details of the street item.
BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED
34/2024 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from ELDC Cllr E Mossop
35/2024 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
There were no declarations of interest.
36/2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 5.2.24
Cllr Hunter proposed, seconded Cllr Sutton approval of the minutes of 5 February 2024. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes.
37/2024 CLERKS UPDATE
Internal Audit Procedures
The clerk had attended the LALC end of year audit procedures and was made aware that Parish Councils have been advised of the benefits of having a mid-year internal audit. Following detailed discussion, the parish council resolved that they considered that they had maintained throughout the year an adequate and effective system of internal audit of the accounting records and systems given the relative simplicity and minimum extent of transactions. The parish council resolved to retain the existing arrangements for internal audit. The current cost for the internal auditor was £45 compared to the £150 for LALC to complete a mid-year and end of year audit.
38/2024 MATTERS ARISING FROM ACTION PLAN/MINUTES
There were no matters arising.
39/2024 PLANNING APPLICATIONS: TO CONSIDER ANY NEW OR ONGOING APPLICATIONS
There were no planning applications.
40/2024 FLOOD RISK ITEMS:
FIELD DRAINAGE, REAR ALLENBY CRESCENT
The new locked sandbag storage unit had been erected sufficient to store 30-50 community sandbags at the rear of the Old Sunday School in Church Lane. Proposed Cllr Ensell, seconded Cllr Mansfield the purchase of the sandbags and bulk sand. Arrangements will be made this coming month to fill the sandbags and make them ready to use in the event of another flood risk storm. Contact details had been added to the door to arrange access and a simple laminated guidance note and plan has been placed inside to help villagers place sandbags effectively and in advance if necessary. This guidance is based on witnessed flood risk seen during Storm Babet in October 2023 around Church Lane and Main Road.
A follow up letter would be sent to the owner of the field at the back of Allenby Crescent to request an update on their progress in organising a contractor to undertake the works in the spring. It was agreed to leave this until conditions had dried out after the extremely wet February.
41/2024. CONSULTATION NATIONAL POWER GRID. CONSULTATION TO ERECT PYLONS.
Cllr Mansfield had contacted MP Victoria Atkins, and ELDC. A response had been received from Victoria Atkins who had responded and advised that she had raised the issue in parliament. A flyer had been distributed to parishioners advising of the consultation and giving information on how to respond to the consultation.
Cllr Mansfield attended a consultation meeting at Alford on the proposals. Cllr Mansfield has also been to a public meeting in Covenham regarding the proposals.
Discussions took place regarding the impact the pylons would have on a huge stretch of Lincolnshire. The Parish council resolved that they would lobby for an underground cabling option. The Parish Council resolved that Cllr Mansfield would complete the survey on behalf of the Parish Council and draft a suitable letter of objection for the Parish Council against the current proposals.
42/2024 FINANCE
Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation. Cllrs noted the financial reports. Proposed Cllr Sutton, seconded Cllr Hunter approval of the cheques below.
Chq No.
1380 V Davies Salary £224.60
1381 V Davies Clerk Expenses and reimburse £91.96
1382 S Mansfield Reimburse sandbag store £120.50
Balances
Treasurers Account £4779.50 of which £209.78 relates to ringfenced account for
Fotherby Common ( 9.2.24)
Business Bank £2,527.07 (9.1.24)
43/2024 FOTHERBY COMMON:
FOTHERBY COMMON UPDATE
The tree surgeon had commenced work. However, work had halted due to adverse weather. When the next stage of the felling is completed, a working party would be organised to help place trimmings at the plot boundary.
APPLICATION FOR LOTTERY FUNDING UPDATE FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
Cllr Ensell would complete and submit a lottery grant application in the coming weeks.
44/2024 LITTER STRATEGY & FLY TIPPING UPDATE
Two reports of fly tipping had been made to ELDC; a double mattress dumped on Main Rd towards Louth and a car wheel left in the hedgerow nearby. Both items were speedily collected by the ELDC Cleansing Team. Thanks for their support is noted in helping remove fly tipping promptly thereby reducing the risk of more accumulations.
Cllr Ensell wrote to the AONB highlighting the frustration around lack of visible, strategic leadership across authorities such as the AONB in tackling the general blight of litter. Correspondence is ongoing but constructive.
45/2024 VILLAGE ASSETS:
SID UPDATE
Cllr Chen confirmed that the SID had been re-erected following repairs. The clerk and the chairman would investigate applying for a matched funding grant for the purchase of a second SID to support the community to reduce speeding and risk to residents and visitors alike.
46/2024 ALLOTMENT
The parish council approved the updated tenancy agreement. The requirement to keep hedges at the same height at season end has been added as a responsibility of plot holders.
47/2024. DOG BIN CLOSE TO MAWER'S FARM, PEPPIN LANE.
The clerk had contacted the cleansing department to request a larger dog waste bin and would chase up the request.
Following discussions, it was suggested that an extra dog bin be requested and placed near the old rail crossing to provide a service to dog walkers using footpaths in and around this area. This might also help make capacity in the bin near Mawer’s Farm
A parishioner had raised objections to the smells from the dog bin near the dock which were noted.
.
51/2024 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Wednesday 3 April 2024