FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 4 SEPTEMBER 2023 AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH.
Present: Cllr S Mansfield (Chairman), Cllr T Hunter, Cllr L Sutton, Cllr C Chen, Cllr K Ensell.
In attendance: Mrs V Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr Mossop
The meeting commenced with an open forum. 7 residents were present.
OPEN FORUM
The parish council noted that permission had been obtained for the felling of the weeping ash tree in the churchyard because of disease and a dangerous branch.
118/2023 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from LCC Cllr A Hall.
119/2023 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
Cllr Mansfield and Cllr Hunter declared an interest in item 123/2023 St Marys church contribution.
Cllr Mansfield and Cllr Chen declared an interest in 109/2023 Planning N/052/01682/23
120/2023 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF 7 AUGUST 2023.
Cllr Hunter proposed, seconded Cllr Ensell approval of the minutes of 7 August 2023. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes.
121/2023. CLERKS UPDATE.
Community Orchard. Cllr Mansfield had offered to go along little Grimsby Lane to look at the possible siting for the orchard. As this was not suitable, the Parish council decided not to progress this matter at this time but reconsider if a land parcel became available and the offer of trees remained open.
LCC had requested that parish councils carry out a Highways Drain Survey. The parish council resolved that at this time the council is very busy addressing the issues in the parish and could not complete the work on behalf of LCC.
122/2023 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ACTION PLAN
The action plan had been updated and several actions had been closed including repairing the bench near the bus stop on Main Road at the end of Allenby Crescent
123/2023 FINANCE
Proposed Cllr Ensell seconded Cllr Sutton approval of the cheques below:
1355 V Davies Clerk Salary £195.80
1356 V Davies Clerk expenses/
Reimbursement £86.41
1357 PMP Printing Keyhole £116.95
1358 Bush Landscaping Mowing £600.00
Balances. Treasurers Account £9957.55 (18.8.23), of which £209.78 is ring-fenced for Fotherby Common
Business Bank Account £2512.28 (10.7.23)
Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation.
Income
|
Lloyds Bank Interest
|
£1.60
|
9.6.23
|
|
Lloyds Bank Interest
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1.71
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9.7.23
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9.6.23 Lloyds Bank Interest £1.60
9.7.23 Lloyds Bank Interest £1.71
Cllrs noted the Monthly Financial reports.
Contribution from St Marys Church.
Following discussion, the parish council resolved to request a contribution of £560 from St Marys Church for 2023/24. The clerk would issue an invoice to St Marys Church.
In addition and following discussion, the parish council resolved to pay £240 (£20 per meeting) to St Mary’s Church to cover heating and lighting costs during Parish Council meetings in the light of considerable increases in energy costs seen this year. The parish council requested St Mary’s Church to issue an invoice.
TO APPROVE ANY OTHER EXPENDITURE SUPPORTED BY A SUCCESSFUL
PROPOSAL
There were no further items of expenditure.
124/2023 PLANNING
N/052/01682/23. Hedge End, Peppin Lane. Planning Permission, Construction of Vehicular Access. Retrospective planning permission.
Following discussion, the parish council opposed the application.
It was reported that there was no further update on the appeal submitted for planning application N052/02126/2. Land at rear of Styles Furniture, Main Road, Fotherby. When the case is allocated to the Planning Inspector, every resident who made representation will be contacted to advise of the start of the Appeal by the Applicant.
It was also reported that application N/052/01382/23 / Primrose Cottage, Peppin Lane, Fotherby, Louth LN11 0UW in respect of change of use had been rejected.
125/2023 MAINTENANCE AT THE DOCK
Discussion took place about finding a sustainable solution for the Dock gardens in good condition as a focal point in the village. Whilst the landscape contractor maintains the shrubs, they do not undertake general gardening duties. Cllr Mansfield would meet a gardener to discuss services and costs.
The parish council noted that the bullrushes at the dock needed addressing. Cllr Hunter would contact a contractor for a quotation.
126/2023 ALLOTMENTS
The Parish Council resolved that allotments should be well maintained and be productive as part of the re-letting agreement.
The clerk had confirmed that Plot 3 had been terminated with due notice. This had been re-let. Due to the condition of the allotment at the point of surrender, there would be no charge for the new tenant for this year to end March 2024.
A letter had been sent to the owner of another allotment requesting that the condition of their allotment be addressed.
Discussion took place regarding the allotment hedges and their condition in respect to sight lines for vehicles travelling along Peppin Lane. To restore the hedges that have become overgrown, Cllr Mansfield would obtain a quotation. If accepted and the work is completed, hedges would again become the responsibility of the plot holders to maintain at an appropriate height.
127/2023. FOTHERBY COMMON UPDATE
Wood chippings were delivered to the Common in August. Thanks were given to Neil Tomlin the tree surgeon for this donation. The chippings were spread by volunteers. The weeds on the South side of the common had been destroyed however it was noted that these will return as it is in a neighbouring field edge. Cllr Mansfield agreed to speak to the landowner to request that the weeds be treated to help avoid further invasion into Fotherby Common.
128/2023 LITTER STRATEGY
A further litter bin had been obtained and this will be located near the bus shelter no 5.Cllr Sutton had installed a new concrete base and will install the new litter bin shortly. The Clerk would contact the ELDC waste team to inform the team of additional bin once the bin had been installed. Cllr Ensell noted that there was currently a low level of litter in the village and no incidents of fly tipping in the past month. 3 fly tipping events remain live with ELDC with witness statements submitted for each. Roadside notices seem to be helping to reduce littering albeit with no guarantee that litter will not be thrown from passing vehicles. Thanks were given to the many volunteers who pick up litter across the village, lanes, and footpaths.
129/2023 FOTHERBY TOP ROAD
Questionnaires had been completed by parishioners giving their support for the parish council to apply for a lottery grant for Fotherby Top Road. There would be no cost to the parishioners. Cllr Ensell to draft the bid when time allows in the coming months.
130/2023 VILLAGE ASSETS
An annual inspection of parish council assets took place by Cllrs Mansfield and Ensell. A small number of issues were noted, and some remedial action taken immediately to prevent harm. A seat had been replaced and the missing leg on the bench on bus shelter 1 had been replaced.
The window needed replacing at bus stop 2 and refurbishment was required for bus stop 5. Cllr Mansfield would obtain quotations.
Cllr Mansfield would complete a survey of 30 mph signs across the village for condition and location with a view to making any improvements.
131/2023 UPDATE ON SPEED INDICATOR DEVICE (S.I.D.)
The Clerk had collected the SID from the repairer. Cllr Sutton would investigate reinstalling the SID when time allowed. New electrical connectors may be needed to remedy the defect as the S.I.D, is functioning correctly when on the bench.
132/2023 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
There was no other business.
133/2023. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 2 October 2023.