Minutes 5 January 2026
FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 5th JANUARY 2026 AT 7.30 PM IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH
Present: Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Cllr Tim Hunter, Cllr K Ensell, Cllr Lee Sutton, Cllr C Chen.
In attendance: Mrs. Viv Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr E Mossop
1 resident was present.
OPEN FORUM:
The poppy wreaths have been stored away with the Chair for future use. At that point, we will make another donation to the British Legion.
The Chair has submitted a report to FIXMYSTREET reporting the collapse/ poor condition of the steps and also cracks in the pedestrian access at the end of North Elkington Lane where it joins the A16.
A councillor highlighted an issue with parking on Church Lane during an event at
the Church before Christmas. The Chair pointed out that was a problem he was made aware of, by a member of a visiting brass band and it was dealt with fairly swiftly. Fotherby Church Council will be made aware of this although it was pointed out by Cllr. Hunter, that it was not a church event.
The free salt/grit had been received from LCC and delivered to Nut Tree Farm for safe keeping. Members are now aware that any required for the salt boxes, would have to be collected from the farm.
1/2026 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Neil Tomlin, LCC Cllr N Hastings.
2/2026 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
There were no declarations of interest.
3/2026 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 1.12.25
Discussion took place regarding item 146/2025. Proposed Cllr Mansfield, seconded Cllr
Hunter to approve the minutes of 1.12.25 and clarify item 145/2025 in 9/2026 Village
Assets. Cllr Mansfield signed the minutes.
4/2026 CLERKS UPDATE
The payment of £560 had been received from St Mary’s Church as a contribution towards
the grass cutting at the church yard.
5/2026 MATTERS ARISING FROM ACTION PLAN/MINUTES
Cllr Ensell had updated the Action Plan. Cllr Sutton had collected the sign for Fotherby Top
road and would erect it shortly, when the ground was not so hard.
6/2026 PLANNING APPLICATIONS.
There were no current applications.
7/2026 FINANCE
Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation. Cllrs noted the financial reports.
Proposed Cllr Sutton, seconded Cllr Mansfield approval of the cheques below.
Chq No
/1484 V Davies Clerk Salary £301.32
1485 V Davies Clerk Expenses £25.41
1486 Wave Allotment Water £34.35
1487 St Marys Church Room Hire £240.00
Bank Charges
7.10.25 £5.75
7.11.25 £5.75
8.12.25 £6.75
Community Account (Formerly Treasurers Account) £5,622.97 of which £209.78 relates to ring fenced account for Fotherby Common (20.12.25)
COMM INST ACCESS (Formerly Business Bank) £2,572.27 (9.10.25)
Income
9.10.25 Lloyds Bank Interest £1.27
10.11.25 Lloyds Bank Interest £1.35
2.12.25 St Mary’s Church £560
TO APPROVE FURTHER ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE
St Mary’s Church had submitted a request for payment for room hire. Proposed Cllr
Mansfield, seconded Cllr Ensell and approved by all councillors to make a payment of £240.00 to St Marys Church for room hire. The room hire agreement was signed.
TO APPROVE THE BUDGET 2026-27
Discussion took place regarding the budget for 2026-2027. Councillors considered a revised
budget option. This would allow for a forecast precept cover of 55% by year end (within the guidance of a minimum of 50% precept cover). Forecast total income £12,547.28, forecast total expenditure £12,539 with a precept £10,532. This equated to a 5.1% increase in precept. Proposed Cllr Ensell, seconded Cllr Sutton and agreed unanimously by all councillors to set the precept of £10,532.
The budget calculations required the allotment fees increase from £30 to £40 per annum to cover increases in water charges for the site.
Proposed Cllr Ensell, seconded Cllr Sutton to increase the allotment fees from £30 to £40 a year
8/2026 FLOOD RISK ITEMS
The Parish Council noted that a letter, created by a resident from that area, had been distributed to Allenby Crescent residents, highlighting that there was a Fotherby Flood Plan. This explained that there were drainage measures which the Parish Council were pursuing. Allenby residents were encouraged to report any flooding issues via the appropriate channels. The resident was thanked by members for his efforts to further promote the Fotherby Flood Plan.
9/2026 TRAFFIC SPEEDING IN THE VILLAGE
The Chair read out a letter from a resident expressing their concern regarding speeding vehicles through the village especially when traffic was diverted during A16 closure. Discussion took place as to whether a further Archer survey should be conducted. Before we request an Archer survey, Cllr Ensell proposed, seconded Cllr Sutton and approved by all councillors that we should republish results of the last traffic survey for the benefit of residents plus Cllr Mansfield should contact LCC to request further practical traffic calming measures (e.g.: Give and Take option, and more signage painted on the road.)
10/2026 PARISH COUNCIL ASSETS
Cllr Mansfield had contacted Nigel Brumby of LCC to ask about the progress of the parking restrictions near the bus stop near opposite the Church Lane junction, as it was now a year since it was first agreed. He was advised that the matter was now with the contractor and work would begin any time after 02/01/26.
11/2026 BUS SHELTERS
Discussion took place in order to clarify the decision made at the previous meeting (minute146/2025). The Parish council resolved that the parishioner would work on the bus shelter on a voluntary basis. The Chair would be present during the work and complete a safety inspection when the work was completed.
12/2026 FOTHERBY COMMON:
Stage 2 felling work was now complete and tidying of loose pieces would commence early Spring. There was no provision in 2026-2027 for Stage 3 tree felling at the common. Stage 3 works would be met from ring fenced monies of £209.78. This work would be in the Autumn of 2026.
13/2026 BULL RUSHES AT THE DOCK
An enquiry had been sent to LCC to request a contribution towards works at Fotherby Dock to remove some bullrushes. Cllr. Hastings had contacted them and had received the following response from LCC Highways. He wasn’t satisfied with this.
“Following discussions with local highways manager, LCC would not look to carry out
works at the dock at Fotherby. Furthermore, they request that the Parish Council do not
undertake the works themselves on this location.”
Further discussions would take place regarding removal of the bull rushes.
Cllr. Hunter had contacted a contractor and would follow this up to establish just what was possible and at what cost.
14/2026 LITTER STRATEGY & FLY TIPPING UPDATE
Litter picking continues. Thanks were given to Cllr Ensell and the litter picking volunteers across the village.
There had been several incidents of fly tipping which Cllr. Ensell had reported to the team at ELDC. The Parish Council had written to ELDC to request their support for a gating up notice to be issued by LCC for stopping up of Short Lane west. A response was outstanding. Cllr Mossop agreed to chase this up.
The meeting finished at 8.25pm.
15/2025 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 2 February 2026 at 7.30pm