FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 4 NOVEMBER 2024 AT 7.30 IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH
Present: Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Cllr Kevin Ensell, Cllr Tim Hunter, Cllr Christina Chen, Cllr Neil Tomlin.
In attendance: Mrs. Viv Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr E Mossop, Cllr A Hall.
The meeting commenced with an open forum. 3 residents were present.
OPEN FORUM:
A parishioner asked if there was an update, regarding the drainage contractors, on the field at the rear of Allenby Crescent. As there was no recent update, the clerk would contact the owner of the field to ask about the latest progress.
The chairman explained the present position with dyke clearance outside the Old Sunday School Room, Church Lane. It is hoped the dyke would be cleared within the next two weeks. This is important to increase capacity of the dyke at this point to carry more water and prevent upstream flooding as seen during Storm Babet in October 2023
149/2024 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Lee Sutton.
150/2024 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
There were no declarations of interest.
151/2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 7.10.24
Cllr Ensell proposed, seconded Cllr Hunter approval of the minutes of 7 October 2024. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes
152/2024 CLERKS UPDATE
The clerk reported that the mowing contract renewal would be remain at the same prices. The renewal would be in March 2025. The clerk is to request a copy of the Public Liability insurance and risk assessment from the grass cutting contractors.
The clerk report that Lloyds Bank had changed the Treasurers Bank account to a Community Bank Account. There now would be monthly charges to operate the account. The Clerk would assess the likely annual charges accruing as charges are transactional.
Cllr Chen asked about the application process to create a Neighbourhood Plan. ELDC Cllr Mossop briefly explained the present situation and is to forward the contact details to Cllr Chen for her information. He did inform members that developing a plan would be a very lengthy and quite complex process.
153/2024 MATTERS ARISING FROM ACTION PLAN/MINUTES
Cllr Ensell had updated the Action Plan.
154/2024 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
1422 PMP Printing Keyhole £122.43
1423 V Davies Clerk Salary + £327.21
Clerk Expenses +
reimbursement
1424 Information Commissioner Data Protection £40.00
1425 Bush Landscaping Mowing £600.00
The parish council was awaiting a cheque book to be delivered from the Bank. Once this is received the parish council approved further cheques.
T Hunter. Reimbursement costs for Water Trough £127.20
Fotherby Church. Room Hire £240.
Balances
Treasurers Account £6,649.21 of which £209.78 relates to ring fenced account for
Fotherby Common ( 20.10.24)
Business Bank £2,548.17 (10.8.24)
Income
Lloyds Bank Interest £2.16 11.9.24
Budget Initial Considerations
The clerk would produce a draft budget.
155/2024 FLOOD RISK ITEMS
FIELD DRAINAGE, REAR ALLENBY CRESCENT
There was no further update. The clerk would contact the owner to request an update. A member of the public confirmed that there had been no further problems with the sewerage system in Allenby Crescent during heavy rainfall as before since the pumping system was upgraded. It was noted that the system had yet to be tested under storm conditions.
156/2024 PLANNING APPLICATION
Planning Ref. EZY/0107/24/TPA
Tree Preservation Order: Fotherby, 1988(52.03), Tree(s): T1
Application Ref Number: 0107/24/TPA. Copper Beech tree at Holly House, Church Lane, Fotherby
There was a request from the owners, to reduce the crown by 5m(approx.) reducing the existing height of (approx.) 27m by 3m and reduce the radial spread of 15m by 4.5m.
Cllr Tomlin had previously contacted the owners and been to look at the Copper Beech tree, on behalf of the council. Details of his report was read out to members to assist their consideration.
The Parish Council would respond that they had no objections to the work being carried out sympathetically provided the work was carried out by a recognised professional and qualified Arboriculturist.
The chairman would respond to the ELDC with comments as this was required by the following day, Tuesday 5th November 2024
156/2024 APPOINTMENT OF TREE WARDEN
Proposed Cllr Mansfield, seconded Cllr Hunter and agreed by all Councillors to appoint Cllr Tomlin as Fotherby Parish Council tree warden. Tree wardens had been appointed in the past in the village and their efforts were acknowledged and recognised with thanks.
157/2024 FOTHERBY COMMON:
There was no update.
158/2024 LITTER STRATEGY & FLY TIPPING UPDATE
There had been incidents of fly-tipping in near Utterby and Brackenborough reported by residents and passed forward to the ELDC Cleansing Team. Councillors thanked the ELDC Cleansing Team for their very prompt attention in removing the waste to prevent further waste being placed.
There were issues with ongoing littering in Short Lane West. Cllr Ensell asked Cllr Hall (LCC) if LCC Highways might reconsider the request to place a gate at the western end of Short Lane West to remove the risk of persistent littering and fly tipping at the dead end. Cllr Ensell pointed out that whilst litter picking removes the immediate blight, helping to prevent littering in the long term will need a collaborative approach between local volunteers, ELDC and LCC using options to prevent and deter. More needs to be done here to make the clean spaces we now enjoy fully sustainable in the future
A discussion took place regarding this. A suggestion was made to provide additional litter bins to alleviate the littering issue, at the western end of North Elkington Lane and the other side of the by pass in Short Lane. This would be placed on the agenda of our next meeting for consideration.
159/2024 VILLAGE ASSETS
PARKING RESTRICTIONS
The Parish Council had submitted a request via LCC Cllr Hall for parking restrictions in the bus stop lay by, along the edge of the bus shelter pavement and on the opposite side of the road from the corner of Church Lane outside the Alms houses. Traffic leaving Church Lane would then have a clearer view when exiting and bus users could alight more safely via the raised kerb.
DOG BIN CLOSE TO MAWER'S FARM, PEPPIN LANE.
Cllr Mossop had chased up the request for a cost for the dog bin at the Dock to be relocated near to the old railway crossing. At this point he had received no response. It was once again pointed out that all the council required at this time, is a price for the work to move the one bin. A response was read out from a householder of Peppin Lane where people in that area did not want the bin to be sited.
The Parish council would liaise with neighbouring properties regarding the relocation of the dog bin and discuss it further at their next meeting.
160/2024 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
161/2024 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 2 December at 7.30 pm.