FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 5 FEBRUARY 2024 AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH.
Present: Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Cllr Tim Hunter (Vice Chair), Cllr Kevin Ensell, Cllr Lee Sutton, Cllr Christina Chen
In attendance: Mrs Viv Davies (Clerk)
The meeting commenced with an open forum. 6 residents were present.
OPEN FORUM:
A parishioner raised the Northern Power Grid consultation about erecting pylons from Grimsby to Walpole to reinforce the National Grid. Information was distributed about the local consultation. Discussion took place about the option to place the infrastructure underground and that this could create a greater impact on the environment during construction but would leave no legacy impact from cables running underground. It was noted that there were existing approved plans to place the carbon capture pipes from Grimsby to Theddlethorpe underground and that one option might be for the new National Grid cables to be placed underground at the same time. If this was not feasible then the preferred option would be to put the National Grid infrastructure offshore on the seabed. The Parish council would submit an objection to the proposal and propose that the infrastructure be placed underground. The clerk would write to ELDC Cllr Mossop, Cllr A Hall, and the MP. In addition, parishioners were encouraged to submit their individual comments online. The parish councils in the area would also be contacted for their responses to the proposal.
BUSINESS TO BE TRANSACTED
16/2024 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from ELDC Cllr E Mossop.
17/2024 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
There were no declarations of interest.
18/2024 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2.1.24
Cllr Hunter proposed, seconded Cllr Ensell approval of the minutes of 2 January 2024. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes.
19/2024 CLERKS UPDATE
All items were covered in the minutes.
20/2024 MATTERS ARISING FROM ACTION PLAN/MINUTES
There were no matters arising.
21/2024 FINANCE
Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation. Cllrs noted the financial reports. Proposed Cllr Mansfield, seconded Cllr Ensell approval of the cheques below.
Chq No.
1376 V Davies Salary £224.60
1377 V Davies Clerk expenses and reimbursement £73.55
1378 PMP Printing Keyhole £118.44
1379 C Chen Reimburse materials SID repair £57.10
22/2024 PLANNING APPLICATIONS: TO CONSIDER ANY NEW OR ONGOING APPLICATIONS
The Parish Council noted that the appeal APP/D2510/W/23/3319749: Land at the rear of Style Furniture, Main Road, Fotherby had been upheld. The Clerk will contact the planning department to highlight the need for the planning conditions to be strictly enforced including proposals for lighting, archaeology, LPG storage and other matters pertinent to the proper discharge of conditions and also request a set of Full Planning Permission plans
23/2024 MAINTENANCE AT THE DOCK
A parishioner had submitted a tender to work for 4 hours at the dock between April and October. The parish council approved the tender.
24/2024 FLOOD RISK ITEMS:
FIELD DRAINAGE, REAR ALLENBY CRESCENT
The Alms house trust committee had rejected the proposal to locate the shed at the Alms houses to store sandbags. This was due to insurance implications and perceived disturbance of residents. It was considered that it may be difficult to move the existing shed owing to its condition. Following discussion, it was proposed (Cllr Ensell) seconded Cllr Mansfield and agreed by all councillors to purchase a container (up to £200) sufficient to store 30-50 sandbags at the back of the dock. Cllr Mansfield and Cllr Ensell would investigate and proceed.
Cllr Mansfield advised that the dyke at the side of church lane had been cleared.
The owner of the field at the back of Allenby Crescent had previously advised they would organise a contractor to undertake the works in the spring. The landowner would be contacted again in March for an update.
25/2024 FOTHERBY COMMON:
FOTHERBY COMMON UPDATE
A 5-year licence for felling was issued in December 2021 with the first stage of the felling (1/3 of the Common) taking place in 2022. The tree surgeon would commence the next stage of felling soon. Once the felling had been completed volunteers would be requested to assist at the common to place branches near the boundary. The Parish council advised that £209.78 is ringfenced within the Parish council financial accounts for Fotherby Common,
APPLICATION FOR LOTTERY FUNDING UPDATE FOR ROAD IMPROVEMENTS
Cllr Sutton had obtained a quotation from a road contractor for the road improvements at Fotherby top (£20,185). Cllr Ensell would complete and submit a lottery grant application in the coming weeks.
26/2024 PREPARATION FOR INTERNAL AUDIT: TO APPOINT INTERNAL AUDITOR
Following discussion, the parish council agreed to use the same internal auditor as in previous years (J Cooper).
27/2024 LITTER STRATEGY & FLY TIPPING UPDATE
There had been no further instances within the parish but progress in ELDC pursuing convictions for any fly tipping which had been identified had been glacial. Cllr Mossop had been contacted for a further update.
28/2024 VILLAGE ASSETS:
SID UPDATE
Cllr Chen confirmed that Mr. Drury was working to install the SID following minor repairs including a new battery, a cabinet lock and wiring joints. If the solar panel was operating correctly, the SID would be installed shortly.
29/2024 ALLOTMENT
A parishioner had expressed interest in taking over allotment 1. Due to the amount of work required to clear the plot, it was proposed that there would be no charge for 2024/25 as a gesture of goodwill.
The parish council noted that the hedge cutting had been completed and that sight lines along Peppin Lane had been much improved. Cllr Ensell suggested that when reletting the plots for 24/25, it be emphasized to all plot users that the hedges must be maintained correctly at this level during their tenure to avoid the need for major works in future.
30/2024. 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.
31/2024. CONSULTATION NORTHERN POWER GRID. CONSULTATION TO ERECT PYLONS.
This had been discussed at the open meeting.
32/2024 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
AMENDMENT TO FINANCIAL REGULATIONS AND STANDING ORDERS.
Proposed Cllr Mansfield, seconded Cllr Hunter and agreed by all Councillors to amend the financial regulations as below which would enable the chairman who was not a signatory on the bank account to verify the bank statements.
2.2 On a regular basis, at least once in each quarter, and at each financial year end, a councillor (who is not a bank account signatory) shall be appointed to verify bank reconciliations (for all accounts) produced by the RFO. The councillor shall sign the reconciliations and the original bank statements (or similar document) as evidence of verification. This activity shall on conclusion be reported, including any exceptions, to and noted by the council.
33/2024 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 4 March 2024