Minutes 4 May 2021 Meeting with Parishioners

 

Fotherby Parish Council

 

Minutes of the Annual Meeting of Fotherby Parish Council with Parishioners held remotely on Tuesday, 4 May 2021 commencing at 7:00pm.

 

 

Present: Councillors Giles, Sutton, Hunter, Wait,

 

In attendance: Edward Mossop (ELDC), V Davies (Clerk)

 

8 Parishioners were in attendance.

 

1.APOLOGIES: NONE RECEIVED

 

2. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL MEETING HELD ON 5 AUGUST 2019

Minutes were checked and agreed to be a true and correct record of the meeting. Minutes were proposed by Cllr Giles and seconded by Cllr Wait. All in favour for the minutes to be signed.

 

3. PARISH COUNCIL UPDATE

Cllr Giles reported the following:-

After the last village meeting in 2019 we managed to get 3 of us villagers to form a PC as 3 is the minimum number to run a PC. Then 2 others joined and one of the original members has resigned. So now there are 4 of us and there are places for 7. Then Covid reared its ugly head and we had to follow the Government Guidelines. This was awkward in 2020 as there are several legal procedures we have to comply with, and these were achieved but without the Parish Meeting. Unfortunately. This year, the legislation is again a bit fluid, so we are having to second guess the government stance regarding meetings and legislation. We have therefore decided to hold this Virtual Village Meeting and it will be followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting - another legal requirement.

So what have we achieved over the recent past?

All processes and procedures are up to date and have been reviewed.

The Sewage and flooding problems at Allenby Crescent and Peppin Lane are still being investigated. Our District Councillor, Edward Mossop has been investigating and seeks more evidence in the form of dated photographs and contemporaneous notes.

The budget and finances are reported monthly now and available on the Parish Website.

Contract for grass cutting and Dock maintenance has been renewed.

The Common now has a Coordinator who is organising various good works with volunteer assistance - some of it quite exhausting - and bulbs have been planted, trees pruned and dead hedges laid.

We have offered contracts to 2 handypersons who are able to take on small projects in the village for a nominal hourly rate. This came about as previous plea for assistance didn't get a great response as most people are too busy earning a living or like me, with too many grey hairs. I anticipate that you will see a few changes and enhancement around the village soon.

The budget is in a healthy state so we had no need to increase the Precept and are covered for most foreseeable contingencies.

 

COMMON

Mrs Chester, the co-ordinator of Fotherby Common reported that so far this year the work done has included:

Spreading wood chippings on the designated footpaths and edging the paths with broken branches

Planting five different types of native wildflower bulbs

Splitting existing clumps of snowdrops to spread them around the site

Removing dead branches from trees and felling a few trees which were dead or dying

Using this wood to build a dead hedge on the western side of the wood to help create a windbreak

Litter picking

Building a dead hedge on the eastern side of the wood to create a barrier

 

There is much more to do. It would be nice to see wild flowers throughout the season and there are trees that will need to be felled in the autumn, If anyone has other ideas please let Mrs Chester know and she will then be able to put proposals to the Parish Council.

 

For full report please see Appendix 2.

 

ST MARYS CHURCH FOTHERBY

This was part of Fotherby Group of churches. There was no vicar at present. The doors had to be closed due to the pandemic. The church was now open and would follow COVID regulations. The church wardens are Mrs Chester and Mrs Hunter.

For Full report please see appendix 1

 

Jubilee Committee

Mrs Hunter advised the aim is to provide social opportunities for Fotherby, Utterby and Little Grimsby. Previous events have been:-

Quizzes

Carol Services

Treasure Hunts

Remembrance Sunday

The Committee is always seeking new ideas. The Jubilee Committee is also responsible for maintaining the village defibrillator. There is a sub committee of associate members who will always help when asked.

 

For full report please see Appendix 3

 

 

4. FINANCIAL MATTERS

The clerk reported that the carry forward is £7581.90. There is a high level of internal control and all expenditure is closely monitored by the parish council against the budgeted expenditure.

 

5. MATTERS RAISED BY ELECTORS

It was reported that the bus shelter at the end of Allenby Crescent still had the black plastic on it. The repairs would be progressed.

 

The meeting closed at 7:22pm.

 

Signed ………………………………………… Dated ……………………………….

Appendix 1

FOTHERBY COMMON

 

Report given at Annual Village meeting

Tuesday 4th May 2021.

 

Fotherby Common is, in my opinion, the jewel in the crown of the assets of Fotherby Parish Council.

 

Why do I say that?

It is an area that belongs to the village, yes on its outskirts, but an area that has been transformed over many years for the benefit of all who use it, and there are many - villagers and visitors.

 

What does it offer?

 

Why does it need our efforts and attention?

The woodland has experienced a number of years when management plans were set in place and a variety of work carried out but other periods when it has been neglected.

I am very grateful to the many villagers who have joined working parties that I have organised since the beginning of this year. They care that this area is maintained for the future.

 

So far this year the work done has included:

and there is much more to do.

It would be nice to see wild flowers throughout the season and there are trees that will need to be felled in the autumn, but if anyone has other ideas please let me know. I will then be able to put proposals to the Parish Council.

 

I want us to be able to give future generations the opportunity to look back, see what has been achieved and to want to continue using the area as intended. After all, the sign on the roadside says it is “open from dawn until dusk to the general public as a recreational common”.

We have a responsibility to keep it so.

 

Barbara Chester, Fotherby Common Co-ordinator for the Parish Council.

 

Appendix 2

St. Mary’s Church Fotherby

 

As you may know, St. Mary’s Church is linked to St. Edith's, Little Grimsby and they form part of Fotherby Group Parish which also includes Fulstow, Ludborough, Covenham and Utterby. The day to day running of St. Mary’s is by a District Church Council but ultimate responsibility belongs to the Parochial Church Council of the Fotherby Group.

 

The Church Wardens are Barbara Chester and Judith Hunter but we have no vicar at present, despite the post being advertised extensively before covid.

 

We had to close our doors when the pandemic struck, but St. Mary's is now open for services on the 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month at 3pm. One service is usually a Holy Communion led by the Rural Dean, Father James Robinson or a member of the retired clergy. The other Sunday is often led by the churchwardens and members of the Church Council. Current covid guidelines are strictly adhered to which means that, at present, Little Grimsby church is too small to be used.

 

Weddings, Funerals and Baptisms are also allowed by arrangement. You need to contact the Parish Office in Louth.

 

The Church Council have always been eager to enable the Church to be used not only by parishioners attending services but also by the wider community. We like to hold events (when possible) such as suppers, flower festivals and art exhibitions and of course, the weekly Pop In, which was very popular before covid closed us down.

 

The Church is also used on Wednesdays between 12.30 and 2.30pm when the Outreach Post Office is open. Banking transactions can be done there too and it really is a marvellous facility for the village. Private Prayer is also possible between the same times but in a private place up in the Chancel.

 

Prior to covid, St. Mary’s was used by other local groups.

Monthly Parish Council meetings were held in Church and hopefully soon will be again. Fotherby Jubilee Committee hope soon to be holding their meetings and events there too. As you know, we are often used as a Polling Station.

 

If you need further information, please contact either Church Warden and there is always an update in the latest edition of Keyhole.

 

Appendix 3

FJC report for Village Meeting

Tuesday 4th May 2021

 

Ted asked me some weeks ago to present an account of the workings of Fotherby Jubilee Committee- otherwise know as FJC. I thought that this was a superb opportunity for all of the groups within the village to inform the residents what we were up to. Great plan Ted as we are all working for the benefit of villagers.

 

So, I am Judith Hunter and the present chair of FJC. Our aim is to provide social opportunities for the villages of Fotherby, Brackenborough and Little Grimsby. We are a committee of 9 with the usual officers, chair, vice, treasurer, secretary totalling 9 in all. We do not aim to have a large bank balance but do aim to always have enough money in the bank to cover annual insurance (we do have a comprehensive 3rd party insurance policy) and be able to run the various events which happen in a normal year. Often events we hold will be free of charge and for some we aim to make a profit to keep the coffers topped up.

 

In a normal year we would aim to hold quizzes,a carol service, village lunches, afternoon tea/coffee morning, Produce show, village event (a big 3 day celebration was planned for last year to mark VE day) treasure hunt, potato in a bucket competition, Remembrance Sunday commemoration with laying of a wreath on behalf of us all plus some one off events like a Jazz band concert, auction and village fete.

We are always seeking out new ideas so would really welcome any suggestions from you. Please contact our Secretary Steve Mansfield (details in Keyhole) .

 

FJC is also responsible for maintaining the village defibrillator and keeping the remainder of the money which was raised by public subscription. The defibrillator is checked monthly and the money kept to buy new batteries etc if needed.

 

FJC is slightly unusual in that it also has a sub group- called Associate Members which really is a group of villagers who have no wish to be on a committee but will always help if they can when asked. We have quite a lot of names on the books and these associate members are a very valuable part of FJC. They do all sorts of things- running the Produce Show, manning car parks, running stalls at village events, serving refreshments to name but a few.

 

We hold an annual AGM in September in Church -except for last year of course. We do aim to hold one this September if we are allowed so please come along and see what we are doing. The financial report is given at the AGM- the accounts being independently examined every year.

 

We have already begun planning for 2021, hoping some things will be possible. Many of you have already collected your potato for the potato in a bucket competition. June is to be a scarecrow Festival and I have heard quite a few people discussing their plans. It will be a very exciting month for village walks!

 

You can find out what is happening via Keyhole and notices place at the dock plus some things will be on the Fotherby Community Facebook page.

 

So, thank you for this opportunity to tell you all about FJC and please contact us with ideas, offers to join the committee or be an associate member.

Happy potato growing and scarecrow creating!!