Minutes 6 October 2025 – Fotherby Parish Council

FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 6 OCTOBER 2025 AT 7.30 PM IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH

Present: Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Cllr Tim Hunter, Cllr Christina Chen.

In attendance: Mrs. Viv Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr E Mossop, LCC Cllr N Hastings.

1 resident was present.

OPEN FORUM:

No items were raised.

116/20205 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Neil Tomlin, Cllr K Ensell, Cllr Lee Sutton.

117/2025 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION

There were no declarations of interest.

118/2025 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 1.9.25

Cllr Hunter proposed, seconded Cllr Mansfield: approval of the minutes of 1 September 2025. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes

119/2025 CLERKS UPDATE

All items were included in the minutes.

120/2025 MATTERS ARISING FROM ACTION PLAN/MINUTES

Cllr Ensell had updated the Action Plan. There were no other actions outstanding.

121/2025 PLANNING APPLICATIONS.

03243/25/FUL. Installation of 2 Padel courts with fencing and floodlighting. Louth Tennis Centre, Scarborough Road, Fairfield Industrial Estate, Louth, Lincolnshire, LN11 0WD. There was no comment. The Chairman explained he had been in contact with the Planning Officer to ascertain if we should have received this application as it was considered not to be associated with Fotherby.

To Note

02803/25/FUL. Erection of 1 dwelling on the site of 2 garages which are to be demolished. Eastfield, Allenby Crescent, Fotherby, Lincolnshire, LN11 0UJ. Refused by ELDC

121/2025 FINANCE

Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation. Cllrs noted the financial reports. Proposed Cllr Hunter, seconded Cllr Mansfield approval of the cheques below.

Chq No

1474 WAVE Allotment Water £29.53

1475 Bush Landscaping Mowing £600.00

1501 V Davies Clerk Salary £301.32

1502 V Davies Clerk Expenses £25.41

8.9.25 Bank charges £8.25

Community Account (Formerly Treasurers Account) £2,916.69 of which £209.78 relates to ring fenced account for Fotherby Common (10.9.25)

COMM INST ACCESS (Formerly Business Bank) £2,571.00 (9.9.25)

Income

9.9.25 Lloyds Bank Interest £1.42

To consider budget items

The following items would be considered: -

Fotherby Top phase 2 maintenance – costs to be confirmed via new contractor. The Parish Council would possibly consider phase 3 too within budget year to complete the works if affordable

Gov.uk costs – set up and ongoing charges

Asset maintenance – from recent surveys, minor woodwork repairs to certain bus shelters and recoating the woodwork in places, on others.

New Keter sand bag store + slabs – plus sand bags if needed. The present sandbag store contains bag that, if halved, would provide sufficient bags for a new store, saving the cost of more sand. Some new bags would be required.

Dock reed removal – allowance for self-help approach.

The memorial wreaths would be reused from previous years. As the Parish Council was not purchasing memorial wreaths this year, Cllr Mansfield proposed, seconded Cllr Chen that the Parish Council make a donation of £30.00 to Royal British Legion. This was approved by Cllrs.

122/2025 FLOOD RISK ITEMS

The Chairman had met with Dave Bush at Fotherby Dock to consider how to deal with the over grown bullrushes. A quote had now been received from Bush Landscaping to clear these and take them away (£500 plus VAT). Another option would be to remove them using a digger, to dig out the bullrushes. A quote for £400 had been received for the digger and a local farmer would donate the use of a grain trailer to take away. Cllr Hunter advised there were no products available to spray the bullrushes to prevent regrowth. Further investigations would be required as to the feasibility of this option.

Cllr Hastings had enquired if LCC would pay for the bullrushes removal. This was not possible. However, it could possibly be part of LCC Cllr Hastings’ discretionary grant for 2026-27 in the Spring.

Discussion ensued regarding clearing of the ditch in Allenby Crescent. The Chair would send a reminder to Steve Ross at ELDC to ask if he could remind the farmer of his offer to sort this out after the harvest.

123/2025 FOTHERBY COMMON:

There was no update.

ROAD AT FOTHERBY TOP

The Parish Council would erect a disclaimer sign at Fotherby top. As Cllr Sutton could not attend the meeting, there was no update regarding the quotation he was obtaining. The clerk would chase this up with Cllr Sutton.

124/2025 LITTER STRATEGY & FLY TIPPING UPDATE

Litter picking continues. Thanks were given to Cllr Ensell and the litter picking team. Comments were made relating to the large amount of litter on the AI6. Cllrs. Mossop and Hastings were in agreement with the poor state of the verges in this area and would make approaches to the correct departments. Special mention was made regarding the litter exposed at the roundabout near Louth, where hedge clearing on the edge of this area, had exposed a large amount of litter which had not been removed. Fears were that this would simply remain and then get blown about,spreading it in all directions. They would raise the matter with their council officers but one difficulty is working on sites like this, safely, with such a heavy traffic flow.