FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL.
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 7 AUGUST 2023 AT ST. MARY’S CHURCH.
Present: Cllr S Mansfield (Chairman), Cllr T Hunter, Cllr K Ensell, Cllr L Sutton.
In attendance: Mrs V Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr Mossop
The meeting commenced with an open forum. 7 residents were present.
OPEN FORUM
Cllr Mansfield reported that the ELDC village pride project had completed further work in the village to improve the width of some footpaths in the village centre and at the top of Peppin Lane. The team will return to do more works in the coming months. The initiative was much welcomed by Councillors and they thanked the team for their efforts.
103/2023 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from LCC Cllr A Hall and Cllr C Chen.
104/2023 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
Cllr Mansfield and Cllr Hunter declared an interest in item 103/22023 St Marys church contribution.
105/2023 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF 3 JULY 2023.
Cllr Hunter proposed, seconded Cllr Ensell approval of the minutes of 3 July 2023. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes.
106/2023. CLERKS UPDATE.
A resident had advised that a hedge and bushes were encroaching on the road in Allenby Close causing narrowing of the roadway. In addition, the lamp post had been removed due to its dangerous condition and had not been replaced. A resident had submitted a “fix my street” report to LCC. However, LCC had responded that the hedge is the responsibility of the landowner. Cllr Mansfield had responded to LCC via “fix my street” to resolve the issue with the hedge and lamp post.
107/2023 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ACTION PLAN
The action plan had been updated and several actions had been closed.
An annual inspection of parish council assets had taken place by Cllrs Mansfield and Ensell. A small number of issues were noted, and some remedial action taken immediately to prevent harm. A signed batch of inspection sheets have been retained by the Clerk for future reference. Cllr Mansfield had obtained wood to repair the seat near bus shelter 2 near the end of Allenby Crescent. In addition, the missing leg on the bench in bus shelter 1 had been replaced. The annual inspection process is an important task to ensure village assets remain in safe and useable condition and to flag any minor maintenance needs.
108/2023 FINANCE
Proposed Cllr Hunter seconded Cllr Sutton approval of the cheques below:
1352 V Davies Clerk Salary £196.00
1353 V Davies Clerk expenses/
Reimbursement £347.60
1354 Bush Landscaping Mowing £600.00
Balances. Treasurers Account £12,038.07 (13.6.23), of which £209.78 is ring-fenced for Fotherby Common
Business Bank Account £2508.97 (31.5.22)
Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation.
Income
No further income received.
Cllrs noted the Monthly Financial reports.
The discussion regarding the contribution required from St Marys Church for mowing was deferred.
TO APPROVE ANY OTHER EXPENDITURE SUPPORTED BY A SUCCESSFUL
PROPOSAL
There were no further items of expenditure.
109/2023 PLANNING
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.
Discussion took place regarding the planning conditions relating to Planning application N/052/01958/16 & N/052/00676/17 residential properties in Peppin Lane Fotherby.
N/052/01382/23 / PRIMROSE COTTAGE, PEPPIN LANE, FOTHERBY, LOUTH, LN11 0UW. Section 73 application for removal of condition no. 2 (holiday occupancy) and condition no. 3 (a daily record of occupants be maintained) as imposed on planning permission reference no. N/052/1424/00 which was for the change of use, conversion of, extension and alterations to existing garden store to form holiday accommodation.
Following discussion, the Parish Council submitted an objection to the application.
110/2023 MAINTENANCE AT THE DOCK
Discussion took place about finding a sustainable solution to maintaining the Dock gardens to maintain the site in good condition as a focal point in the village. Whilst the landscape contractor maintains the shrubs, they do not undertake general gardening duties. The Clerk had contacted one gardening supplier. Cllr Mansfield would meet the gardener to discuss services and costs.
111/2023 ALLOTMENTS
The Parish Council has agreed that allotments should be well maintained and be productive as part of the reletting agreement. Following review, the lease on Plot 3 has been terminated with due notice owing to the very poor condition of the plot. The Clerk will confirm to the current holder of Plot 3 that the plot will be re-let from 14 August 2023. All plots had been inspected during the recent village asset inspections. Cllr Mansfield and Cllr Ensell will circulate draft letters for all plot holders to all Councilors confirming the results of the inspections and any remedial actions needed by plot holders to maintain their plots to the minimum standards.
112/2023. FOTHERBY COMMON UPDATE
The weeds at Fotherby Common had been sprayed. This had resolved the issue.
113/2023 LITTER STRATEGY
A further litter bin had been obtained. This would be located near the bus shelter no 5.
There had been a further fly tip in Little Grimsby Lane where evidence of ownership was identified. This was reported to the ELDC enforcement team, and a witness statement has been submitted. 3 witness statements for fly tipping have been lodged in the past 12 months and all cases remain in progress by the ELDC enforcement team. The Parish Council remain committed to cooperating with the ELDC enforcement team to reduce fly tipping and support any legal action that might be taken.
114/2023. FOTHERBY TOP ROAD
Twenty residents had completed the form confirming support for the Parish Council to pursue a funding bid to improve the access road without any liability on the parish precept. Cllr Sutton would obtain a quotation for a suitable road surface. This quotation is needed for and will submitted with the lottery bid.
115/2023 VILLAGE ASSETS
Cllr Mansfield and Cllr Ensell had inspected all the village assets. The salt box at Allenby Crescent required replacement. As this belongs to LCC, Cllr Mansfield would raise a fault on “fix my street”.
116/2023 UPDATE ON S.I.D.
Following many attempts to contact the repairer in East London area, the Clerk would call in person during a forthcoming trip south in attempt to collect the device. It is feared that this small business has failed. If the device cannot be collected, then consideration may be given to an insurance claim.
117/2023 ANY OTHER BUSINESS
A planning application is being processed to fell the weeping ash tree in the churchyard which has a tree preservation order (TPO). The tree has ash die back and is cordoned off for safety reasons. The tree surgeon had advised that the only solution is to fell the tree.
117/2023. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will take place on Monday 4 September 2023.