FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF A MEETING OF A MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 4 OCTOBER 2021 IN ST MARYS CHURCH.
Present: Cllr T Giles, Cllr L Sutton, Cllr T Wait, Cllr T Hunter, Cllr C Chen,
In attendance: Cllr E Mossop (ELDC), Mrs V Davies (clerk).
Ten parishioners were present.
OPEN FORUM.
A parishioner highlighted that the Common Road is deteriorating which is the only access to his farm. He had sent quotations for the repairs to the Chairman. The Chairman had met with the head of highways and was awaiting a response. The Chairman would chase the head of highways, Another parishioner advised that historically Lincolnshire County Council agreed to complete repairs on a once-only basis, However they had filled in the road with substandard tarmac/hardcore which had gone off.
Another resident of the village requested that the Parish Council acknowledge the two people who clean the bus shelters. The Parish Council would send a thank you letter on behalf of the council.
A parishioner asked if the litter strategy is ready for approval. The council is looking at additional litter bins. This is progressing.
118/2021. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr A Hall (LCC),
119/2021. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
There were no declarations of interest.
120/2021. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 6.9.21.
Proposed Cllr Hunter seconded Cllr Sutton that the minutes be approved. The Chairman signed the minutes.
121/2021. CLERKS UPDATE
The clerk had raised the issue of parking in the lay-by opposite Fotherby Care Home. LLC Cllr Hall had requested a Traffic Regulation Order. The clerk had contacted highways again but there was no further update to report.
The Fotherby Jubilee Committee will inform the Parish Council when they had decided on Jubilee celebrations for next year.
The clerk had ordered a wreath for remembrance celebrations. The Parish council would present this at the Remembrance church service and the it would be placed at the memorial.
122/2021. FINANCE
1249 V Davies Clerk Expenses £47.39
1250 V Davies Clerk Salary £229.14
1251 PMP Keyhole Printing £99.06
1252 WAVE Water Supply £6.06
1253 C Birchmore Village Maintenance £15.00
1254 Bush Landscaping Mowing £540.00
Proposed Cllr Hunter, seconded Cllr Sutton approval of the expenditure.
TO APPROVE ANY OTHER EXPENDITURE SUPPORTED BY A SUCCESSFUL PROPOSAL.
In order to reclaim the VAT for works carried out by the village handyman, it was proposed that the Parish Council open a monthly account with Louth Building Supplies. The village Handyman would only be authorised to purchase the supplies approved by the parish council. Proposed Cllr Hunter seconded Cllr Wait and agreed by councillors.
Cllrs noted the monthly financial reports.
123/2021. PLANNING
N/019/01887/21. Planning Permission - Erection of a detached triple garage with a games room over. HAMPTON HOUSE, CORDEAUX CORNER, LOUTH, LN11 0SZ. The Parish council had no comments.
N/019/01353/21. Planning Permission - Erection of wrought iron railing and an
access gate with gate pillars and lamps to the maximum height of 2.5 metres.
LOCATION: THE MANOR HOUSE, FOTHERBY ROAD, LITTLE GRIMSBY, LOUTH,
LN11 0UU
The Parish Council approved the application.
124/2021.FLOODING IN PEPPIN LANE AND ALLENBY CRESCENT.
Cllr Mossop who would progress the matter when further information was available.
125/2021 UPDATE FROM FOTHERBY COMMON WORKING PARTY
To approve resolutions
RESOLUTION
TO AGREE THAT CLLR HUNTER SIGN DOCUMENTATION ON BEHALF OF THE PARISH COUNCIL RELATING TO APPLICATION FOR GRANTS AND MAINTENANCE OF THE COMMON. Proposed Cllr Sutton, seconded Cllr Chen and unanimously approved by all councillors.
RESOLUTION
GRANTS FOR EXPENDITURE FOR THE COMMON WOULD BE SOUGHT. EXPECTED EXPENDITURE RELATING TO THE COMMON WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE ANNUAL BUDGET. ANY EXPENDITURE INCURRED BY THE PARISH COUNCIL RELATING TO THE COMMON WOULD BE SUBJECT TO PRIOR APPROVAL AT A PARISH COUNCIL MEETING. Proposed Cllr Sutton, Seconded Cllr Chen and approved by councillors.
Many parishioners had contacted the Parish council over the last few days (see appendix 1) to show their appreciation of the common. The Parish Council thanked the parishioners for their correspondence.
126/2021 LITTER STRATEGY
The Clerk had submitted the form for quotations for additional bins.
127/2021 TO RECEIVE AN UPDATE ON THE SCHEDULE OF VILLAGE MAINTENANCE.
Expenditure on the bus shelter at Style had been approved. This would be painted in Woodland Green with a black roof.
127/2021. LCC FUNDING FOR TREES.
The clerk had submitted the grant application for tree planting. The clerk would respond to the questions regarding the tree planting.
128/2021. SID SIGN ISSUES.
Complaints had been received about the location of the SID. Cllr Sutton would look at changing the range adjustment and turn the indicator around. Action: Cllr Sutton to investigate.
Cllr Chen was looking into proposals for a second Speed Indicator Device. This was a long term plan.
129/2021. Date of next meeting Monday 1 November 2021 –7pm.
Meeting closed at 8.00.
Appendix 1
Sent: Sunday, 3 October 2021, 16:45:31 BST
Subject: 4 Oct meeting, (Fotherby Common)
Dear parish councillors.
It has come to my attention that funding for the development and maintenance of Fotherby Common is to be discussed, and voted on, at the meeting tomorrow.
I am not able to attend the meeting as I have a choir practice each Monday but I would urge you to give all your support to Barbara Chester who has put a great deal of time and effort into organising work there during this year and has further ideas for the future.
In these times, when so much is needed to rejuvenate the countryside and contribute to the effort to prevent further global warming, I hope that you will encourage us all to continue the good work started at the common and direct some funding in that direction.
Yours hopefully,
G........volunteer.
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Sent: Monday, 4 October 2021, 10:19:59 BST
Subject: Comments on Fotherby Common,
Hi Viv,
Following comments about Fotherby Common at your last meeting we did want the Council members to realise that many individuals and groups find that area very interesting, peaceful and inspirational. Whilst carrying out volunteer work up there it amazes us the numbers of people who walk through or simply sit on the benches.
We hope that as custodians of the site, the Parish Council fully appreciate the pleasure the area brings to a large number and the genuine hard work that volunteers carry out up there.
It appears that funding is out there, so little is needed from the Parish Purse, but feel an all round committed effort is required.
Kind regards,
S&C
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Sent: Sunday, 3 October 2021, 19:45:53 BST
Subject: Fotherby Common - Parish Meeting 4/10/2021
Good evening
We are aware that you will be discussing Fotherby Common, and its upkeep at the Parish Council meeting this Monday, and we wanted to share our thoughts and experiences as residents of the village.
We moved to Fotherby with our two children, now both adults, in 2004 and the common played a large part of our family walks, and indeed it still does. Our daughter moved away for University but returned last September and has enjoyed revisiting the common on walks, and our son, who now has a home of his own enjoys revisiting on walks with his fiancée and dog.
My husband attended the common with a team coordinator and others from the village and spent a few hours there assisting with the litter pick. During this time he observed several other groups visiting the common, including some walkers, and some young people and he commented on his return that it was great to see so many people enjoying the outside. I know that my husband and the other members of the party have all stated that they would be more than happy to help out again in the future.
I personally enjoy visiting the common to sit within the trees, or overlooking the woods on the opposite side of the small valley as I find it beneficial for my mental health, I have a chronic health condition which means I can’t always go so far afield, but having somewhere like this just a short drive away (I can no longer walk there) has been a great relief to me.
Being able to access nature is indeed beneficial to many, there have been many studies on Mindfulness and Forest Bathing in recent years which all cite the many benefits of it; indeed Ray Mears (Bushcraft Expert) stated in the most recent edition of the National Trust Members Magazine that ‘Human Well-being depends on people looking after forests for the future, so we can all spend time among the trees” and while Fotherby Common may not be classed as a forest, it is certainly a little haven of loveliness that should be maintained.
Fotherby has very few resources available to the villagers, there is no pub, no park or playing fields, and no longer a shop so what facilities we have we need to cherish and preserve not just for us but also for future generations.
Yours sincerely
S&P
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Sent: Saturday, 2 October 2021, 16:23:05 BST
Subject: Fotherby Common
It has been brought to my attention that there will be a vote on the bringing Fotherby common back to life. I would like to pledge C and myself to support the maintenance of the common. At our house we have planted so many trees to do our very small bit to help save the planet. We think it’s so important that we look after these trees.
This also gives people a place to relieve the stress of the modern life style. It can be a place to go and hug a tree to become at one with nature.
C and P would like to vote in favour of keeping the Common maintained.
Kind regards
P
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Sent: Saturday, 2 October 2021, 08:40:24 BST
Subject: Forgery common
To the Parish Clerk
It has come to my attention that there is to be a vote at next Mondays Parish Council meeting regarding continuing work at our common. I would be grateful if you would read this email to the committee on my behalf.
Forgery is not blessed with community resources, but our common is such a resource.
It may seem to some people that no one goes there. Well I would most certainly refute that as when I have been there I have met locals either there or coming or leaving. What has been particularly encouraging is that an increasing number of families are making use of the resource as one feels that you can immerse yourself in nature and enjoy fun and games there too. Whenever my grandchildren visit we always go up there as it is a place where they can learn and explore in the natural world.
Of recent much work has been undertaken by a good number of village volunteers to create a better environment for flora to flourish. This ought to be encouraged by the village council as we learn increasingly about global warming and the need to rebalance with nature. If we all play our small part in helping to support wildlife then there is every chance that there will be a world worth living in for our grandchildren and their children.
So, please councillors, vote in favour of continuing your support for our common.
Yours hopefully
TG
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Sent: Saturday, 2 October 2021, 18:34:17 BST
Subject: Fotherby Common
Dear Fotherby Parish Councillors,
I understand that there are resolutions to be voted on on Monday evening with regard to the upkeep of Fotherby Common.
I would like to add my support to the continued upkeep of this beautiful area, as I feel sure that many members of the community would. This is surely been borne out by the number of volunteers who have, and continue to, give up their spare time to care for and improve this natural beauty.
In a time when we have been mentally stretched to our breaking points, it is essential that we all have access to natural areas of calm, peace and relaxation. It is proven that access to the outdoors, particularly woodland, is extremely beneficial to people’s mental health, so to lose this natural resource on our doorstep would be more than a shame.
I sincerely hope that you all decide to vote in favour of the continued upkeep of our beautiful Common.
Regards,
RB