Minutes 13 April 2026
FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF FOTHERBY PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON MONDAY 13 APRIL 2026 AT 7.30 PM IN ST. MARY’S CHURCH
Present: Cllr Steve Mansfield (Chair), Cllr Tim Hunter, Cllr K Ensell,
In attendance: Mrs. Viv Davies (Clerk), ELDC Cllr E Mossop,
6 residents were present.
OPEN FORUM:
A
The Parish Council was informed that a person related to an allotment tenant had been residing on an allotment overnight contravening the Tenancy Agreement of that plot. This person caused further problems by damaging plants and turning over a bin belonging to a nearby property of another allotment holder. He then continued to threaten the tenant and his wife. He had also previously vandalised his father’s plot
The tenant, accepting that the damage and distress had been caused by his relative, surrendered his allotment immediately during the month and that the tenant has no longer rights of access.
A full discussion ensued where this whole matter was considered. It was decided to further consider all aspects of allotment management to ensure that all future matters can be better resolved to the full satisfaction of both Council and Tenants. In their considerations the Council will include aspects such as water usage, hedge trimming and general maintenance.
It was stated that the Council does try to work with tenants and has a history of doing so to ensure that their needs are considered and allotments kept in good condition for the benefit of all.
One resident requested information detailing the allotment water costs & usage during the previous 3 years. The clerk will provide this information.
Cllr Mansfield reported the following: -
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A letter of thanks had been sent to Neil Tomlin who had to resign as a councillor due to ill health. This had been circulated to all members.
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The flower box was now in position at the southern edge of the village and the metal trough had been placed as a planter beside the Dock.
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Cllr Mansfield had received a response to his contact to Utterby Parish Council to discuss shared issues. Unfortunately, the chair had recently stood down but his request has been passed on to the new Chair. He was also awaiting a response from Ludborough Parish Council.
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A damaged manhole cover on the footpath through Mawer’s Farm had been reported on FIXMYSTREET and repaired by Anglian Water.
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When inspected by the ELDC Enforcement Department, the recently installed field gate in Peppin Lane was found to be in order. The owner of the recently installed field gate in Main Road will need to apply for permission.
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The issue of sandstone on the roadside in Peppin Lane reported on FIXMYSTREET had been considered by LCC and after inspection, that they do not view this as an issue. This practice is widespread deemed acceptable across the County.
40/2026 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Lee Sutton, LCC Cllr N Hastings. There was no contact received from Cllr Chen.
41/2026 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – TO BE STATED IN ANY PROPOSITION
There were no declarations of interest.
42/2026 APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF 2.3.26
Proposed Cllr Ensell, seconded Cllr Hunter to approve the minutes of 2.3.26.
43/2026 CLERKS UPDATE
The documents for the Annual Governance and Accountability Return had been submitted to the internal auditor. Annual Governance and Accountability forms would be signed at the May meeting. The carry forward (1.4.26) is £6,881.83.
44/2026 MATTERS ARISING FROM ACTION PLAN/MINUTES
Cllr Ensell had updated the action plan.
45/2026 FINANCE
Cllr Mansfield had verified the bank reconciliation. Cllrs noted the financial reports.
Proposed Cllr Ensell, seconded Cllr Mansfield approval of the cheques below.
Chq No
1494 V Davies Clerk Salary £301.32
1495 V Davies Clerk Expenses £83.53
1497 WAVE Allotment Water £19.01
1498 LALC Membership £179.52
1499 Bush Landscaping Mowing £600.00
Bank Charges
10.3.26 £5.75
Community Account (Formerly Treasurers Account) £4,543.52 of which £209.78 relates to ring fenced account for Fotherby Common (31.3.26)
COMM INST ACCESS (Formerly Business Bank) £2,578.31 (31.3.26)
TO APPROVE FURTHER ITEMS OF EXPENDITURE
There were no further items of expenditure.
46/2026 FLOOD RISK ITEMS
Cllrs noted the flood log which had been updated and circulated. Cllr Ensell noted that the Flood Plan was due to receive an annual update in April. The Flood Register of residents reports for the past 12 months would be central to this update together with minor updates for contact details. Action Cllr Ensell
47/2026 PLANNING APPLICATION
TO NOTE
00229/26FUL. Land East of Louth Road Fotherby Lincolnshire. Erection of 5no. dwellings, construction of a vehicular accesses, internal access road and erection of a field gate
The Parish Council noted that Anglian Water had also objected to the application.
Cllr Mossop had requested that this planning application be considered by the planning committee. If accepted then the Parish Council would be entitled to address the Planning Committee at their meeting giving their views of this development.
A parishioner suggested obtaining a digital sewerage map of Fotherby via DIGDAT. Cllr Ensell would explore the costs of this proposal.
49/2026 LITTER STRATEGY & FLY TIPPING UPDATE
Litter picking continues. Thanks were given to Cllr Ensell and the litter picking volunteers across the village and beyond. There had been several incidents of fly tipping reported both in the village and across lanes nearby. Waste has been removed promptly by the ELDC Cleansing Team and thanks were again noted for their timely service to help prevent more waste being tipped.
Coun. Ensell also publicly thanked the local cyclist who reports the more outlying fly tipping across the local countryside.
There was no progress in the request for the gating up of Short Lane West although conditions here had improved recently. Cllr Ensell would seek support from Cllr N Hastings in the process of contacting LCC Highways.
50/2026 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
Monday 11 May 2026 at 7pm meeting with Parishioners followed by Annual Meeting of Parish Council.
The meeting finished at 8.30 pm.