Fotherby Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday, 4th February 2019 at St Mary’s Church
Present: Councillors Pridgeon, Cotterill, A Thompson, L Thompson, Odlin, Lane and Cllr Tony Bridges (LCC)
Four Parishioners were present.
Introduction: Cllr Pridgeon welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Public Forum:
Parishioners raised the following matters for consideration and discussion:
Resurfacing of pathway near the Dock – question raised regarding reason for this and who was responsible. It was noted that this work had been recently undertaken, however it was not known who had authorised this. Action – No follow up required.
1. Apologies
No apologies were received.
2. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 7th January 2019
The minutes from the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record. The Clerk reported that the draft minutes had been incorrectly typed up and, as agreed by Councillors, had been amended prior to this meeting. Proposed by Cllr Cotterill – Seconded by Cllr L Thompson.
3. Matters Arising from the Minutes
3.1 Highways (potholes) – for repair
Cllr Bridges reported that he would be undertaking a visit across the village on 25th February 2019 with a Highways representative to review and point out the potholes requiring repair. Action – Cllr Bridges to follow up.
3.2 Highways (bus stop markings)
As above Cllr Bridges to highlight the lack of bus stop markings during his visit with Highways. Action – Cllr Bridges to follow up.
3.3 North Elkington Lane Guard/Fence Rails
It was noted that Highways had assessed the broken Guard/Fence Rails in North Elkington Lane and had responded that “no action would be taken at this time”. Cllr Bridges requested that a copy of this report be sent to him so that safety issues could be pointed out during his visit with Highways; in the meantime he would contact Highways regarding installing warning signs. Action – Clerk to forward Highways ‘Fix my Street’ report to Cllr Bridges.
4. Accounts
4.1 Amounts Received
No amounts had been received in January 2019.
4.2 Invoices to Pay
As per the summary the following invoices for payment had been received:
Ali’s Gardening Service (Nov 18 and Jan 19) £ 83.00
Clerk’s Salary for January 2019 £175.32
TOTAL £258.32
Proposed by Cllr A Thompson – Seconded by Cllr Odlin
4.3 Accounts Summary
Cllr Lane distributed the Accounts Summary and confirmed that there was a surplus of £2,011.00 to end December 2018; which is £2,546.00 better than budget. It was expected that there would be a surplus of just under £1,000 for the year ending 31st March 2019, this would be dependent on snow clearance costs.
5. Precept Funding
The Clerk reported that ELDC had acknowledged receipt of the 2019/20 precept and budget for £7,400.00.
6. Grass Cutting 2019/2021 Verge Costings and Contract
A contract had been drawn up for the additional grass verge cutting costs and sent to Bush Landscaping in line with their quote. Following discussion it was pointed out that this should be amended to cover eight cut per year and not seven. Action – Clerk to amend Contract and send to Bush Landscaping.
7. Dock Maintenance
The Clerk distributed the two quotes received for the ongoing dock maintenance work for 2019 to 2021; it was noted that three quotes had been requested from local organisations. It was agreed to award the contract to Ali’s Gardening Services. Proposed by Cllr Cotterill – Seconded by Cllr L Thompson – Agreed by all Councillors present.
8. Allotments – Rental Documents
Draft rental documents prepared for the allotments were distributed to Councillors during the meeting; Councillors Odlin and A. Thompson declared their interest as allotment holders. Agreement was reached by the remaining Councillors to maintain the allotment annual rent at £20 for 2019/2020 and to keep the current contract. Proposed by Cllr Cotterill – Seconded by Cllr Lane. Action – Clerk to prepare final contracts and distribute to allotment holders ready for the new financial year.
9. Countryside Access Volunteer
The Clerk reported on the January 2019 update from the Countryside Access Volunteer, as follows:
Field gate on Fotherby Top to Grange Farm bridleway dropped on hinges rendering difficult to open especially on horseback. LCC aware and planned in.
No visible reinstatement track across field beyond footbridge on footpath between Grove Farm (Holywell Lane) Utterby) and Covenham St Mary – LCC made aware.
No obvious signs of obstructions arising from recent gales.
A request had also been received from the Countryside Access Volunteer to keep the latest three months report on the website on a rolling basis. Following discussion it was agreed that a separate page be maintained for historic report previous to the three month period. Action – Clerk to update and set up the Website pages accordingly.
10. Parish Council Website
Further to circulation to Councillors for their review, a resolution was passed to agree and adopt the following policies and procedures:
Equal Opportunities Policy (February) – Agreed unanimously.
Environmental Policy (February 2019) – Agreed unanimously..
Cllr Pridgeon to look into the possibility of including the Alms Houses as a page on the website.
Action – Clerk to work on updating the Model Publications document to reflect available policies and information ready for agreement at the next Parish Council meeting.
11. Correspondence Received
The Clerk presented a summary list of correspondence received for January 2019 to Councillors – synopsis as follows:
Email from Green Cuts re arboricultural work – to be filed.
Clerk’s Forum discussion emails re receipt of salt bags – noted that these had been received for Fotherby.
Promotion of products from organisations – Arien Designs (sign displays), TWM Traffic – to be filed, no action.
ELDC and Community Lincs January 2019 News Bulletins – distributed for information.
Letter from Planning Services regarding mineral working and waste management; comments requested – Councillors to forward relevant comments to Clerk.
Information from LALC concerning proposed seminar and training event on temporary traffic regulations – to be filed.
30.1.19 email from EVO North regarding event being held at the end of February 2019 – no attendees at this time.
LALC update and invoice for annual training subscription, now £90 as including VAT; which can be claimed back later by the Parish Council – Clerk to complete invoice for payment to be forwarded to LALC in April 2019.
Email received detailing the launch of Lincolnshire’s Best Kept Village competition in March 2019 – to be forwarded to Councillors and included on next month’s agenda.
4.2.19 email received from LALC regarding award nomination invites at their AGM – to be forwarded to Councillors.
Cllr Pridgeon proposal to paint the village bus shelters – include on the Agenda in March 2019.
12. Planning
Notice of planning refusal N/052/02323/18).
13. Councillor Elections
The following updates were provided during the meeting by the Clerk:
An Election Brief was being held by ELDC which would include nomination packs for collection by attendees – Clerk to attend and bring packs to the next meeting.
Draft publicity material was distributed during the meeting – agreed subject to inclusion of date of nominations packs availability and deadline for submission to ELDC. Clerk to amend accordingly and prepare posters for display on noticeboards, etc and leaflets for distribution to all households in the village.
14. Clerk Position
A resolution was passed by all Councillors to discuss this matter in committee due to its confidentiality – members of the public were asked to leave.
Meeting closed 8:35pm
The next meeting will be at 7.00pm on the 4th March 2019.
Signed …........................................................ Dated …..........................………………
Chairman