2019 Annual Parish Meeting

DIGBY ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Wednesday 10th April at 7.00PM 2019 at DIGBY MEMORIAL HALL

Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting.  There were 14 members of the public present.

1.   CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS

Cllr James Bourne, Chairman of Digby Parish Council, welcomed everyone to the meeting. 

2.   APOLOGIES

No apologies had been received

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 2018

The minutes of the last Annual Parish meeting were read out by the Clerk.

It was proposed by GG, seconded by TB and agreed that the minutes be signed as a true record of the meeting held on Wednesday 4th April 2018.

4.   PRESENTATIONS (each presentation to be followed by questions and answers)

•   Digby Parish Council – 

The report from the Chairman gave details of the improvements in the playing field, the installation of the lighting in the village hall garden, and repairs to village assets. It covered the training the councillors and Clerk have attended and the plans for the next year.  Also due to the uncontested election in May a 2 further councillors are required.

There were no question

Copies of the Income and Expenditure accounts were distributed to the parishioners.

Q. Why had only half the allotment rent been received for the year, compared to the previous year?

A. The rent for the field has not been paid, it is being pursued.   We now have a new tenant for the field.

•   Lincolnshire County Council

Cllr Kendrick was not present.

•   North Kesteven District Council 

District Councillor Steve Clegg gave a report on achievements of the District Council over the last year and showed a copy of the NK Plan for 2019 to 2022.  The achievements included improvements to our Communities, 
Our Environment, Our Economy, Our Homes, and Other ‘Interesting Facts’ 

Q.  Is there a plan to get the services for example sports, out to the rural communities, rather than having to travel into a central point.

A.  There are outreach services, funding is available.  NK has capacity to offer funding for local facilities.

Q.  What is the Policy on detection and prosecution for fly tipping?

A.  NK are active in clearing the fly tipping.  Report it quickly so it can be collected promptly and so any evidence can be gathered.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Clegg for his report and for his regular attendance to our meetings and his help throughout the year.

•   PCSO Nicole Page 

The PCSO was not present and the Chairman read a brief report, which stated there has been little crime in this area.

2.

•   Digby Bowls Club 

Steve Priestley reported the Bowls Club is still here.  It has a steadily ageing membership, but did come second in the Sleaford League.

The Club is struggling for finances, as money only comes from members fees.  They would welcome new members of any abilities. They are currently busy preparing the green and plan to be ready for opening matches from the end of month. For information the regular club night is Wednesday evenings.

There were no questions

•   Village Hall Committee 

Amanda Redsell reported the Village Hall now has a nice new floor, in the hall and the kitchen and the kitchen has been decorated.  The Committee are continuing to organise events to raise funds for further improvements.  The Christmas market went well, the coffee mornings are doing very well and the recent Duck Race was successful. The Village Fayre is being arranged for 6th July. Money still needs to raise to complete the proposed works in the foyer and toilets.

There were no questions.

•   Allotments  

Neill Gardiner reported it was a challenging year, a cold and wet spring from the Beast of the East, then a very dry summer. The Public Facebook page is now available for everyone to keep upto date with events on the Allotments.  They have obtained a grant for sensory garden, 

Neill also reported on the sudden loss of Mark Davies, one of their active members, he will be sadly missed.  There are plans to hold an Open Day on 13th July for the Sensory garden as a memorial to Mark.  The day will include a BBQ and games, all are welcome.

The allotment holders are working with the neighbouring Egg Farm on an organic project. 

There are currently three plots available if anyone would like to contact the Allotment Committee. 

There were no questions.

•   Digby Primary School

No-one from the School was available but Gerald Garton, as a School Governor reported since the last meeting the Head Teacher Graham Boyall resigned and recruitment of Emma Negas Hill has taken place.  An Ofsten inspection has taken place and the results were favourable. One of the biggest challenges as a governor is dealing with finance.

There were no questions.
   
•   St Thomas Church 

Rev Mark Kennard stated he has spent most of the last year getting to know everyone and with only officially working for 2and half days a week, it takes time.  The plans are starting to take big steps to get things done at the Church that have not been done for some time.  First the planning process commences to put in order and prioritize the work and then then the investigation into available funding takes place. We know the estimate to repair the North wall will cost around  £60,000 to £70,000. Money will need to be raised to set aside for architects fees.  This is a long term project.

But on a more community project the church are currently working with the school to plan wild life area within the Churchyard.

There were no questions.

•   Telephone Kiosk library/book share

The Chairman reported the kiosk is now open as a library/book share facility.

3.   •   Football club

In the report from Noel Luther and Paul Bainbridge, they thanked the Bowls for all their support over the last year and announced the summer training will commence again. A Race Night is planned during May and the raffle money will be donated to local charities.  

They then took the opportunity to present the raffle money from their last event of £320 to Digby Primary School.  The money was accepted by Gerald Garton on behalf of the school.

They are planning another musical event in Nov, the date to be confirmed.  They thanked everyone at Digby for looking after them, the team is doing well and everyone is enjoying playing here.

There were no questions.
 
The Chairman encouraged them and all local groups to put reports in the parish magazine. 

There were no further reports and it was agreed to carry on with the Public Forum and have the refreshments at the end.

5.   PUBLIC FORUM

There were no further questions or issues raised.

There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed at 20.05hrs and invited everyone to stay for refreshments.