November 2019 Minutes
MEETING OF DIGBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes from the Parish Council meeting held in Digby Memorial Hall on Wednesday 13th November 2019 at 7pm
PRESENT Parish Cllrs. James Bourne (JB) Chairman; Tracy Bourne (TB); Gerald Garton (GG); Colin Harvey (CH) and Amanda Redsell (AR)
District Cllrs. Steve Clegg (SC) and Jim Clarke (JC)
County Councillor Rob Kendrick (RK)
In Attendance: Angie McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
PUBLIC FORUM
A resident from North Street has suffered flooding, she has been in contact with the Drainage Board and has had a LCC representative out to the property. Her solicitor has provided copies of drainage plans of the area around her property and can see some of these ditches have not been maintained. The resident asked the Parish Council to look into this situation. The Chairman explained that even though the parish council has no authority to force the work to be carried out on private land, it will support her request with the relevant authorities. GG informed the meeting that the original area was worked on by LCC.
DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ MATTERS
County Councillor Kendrick (RK) – His monthly report had been forwarded to all councillors prior to the meeting. RK stated flooding issues are causing serious problems all around the county. He feels a site meeting may be required to cover local problems and he asked the resident of North Street to contact him directly.
District Councillor Clegg (SC) – Informed the meeting that the local flooding problems have been passed on to the NKDC representative on the Internal Drainage Board.
District Councillor Clarke –Informed the meeting the NK forward plan is to be printed on 1st Dec.
POLICE
Nil report received.
1. CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS.(19/164)
a) The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. APOLOGIES and CO- OPTION (19/165)
a) Apologies.
There were no apologies as all councillors were present.
b) Applicants for co-option and Notification of Vacancy Advertised
There were no applicants to fill the vacancy from the May election.
The additional vacancy created by the resignation of John Fry has been notified to NKDC and a notice of the vacancy displayed in both noticeboards. If no request for an election is made by 26th Nov, the Parish Council will advertise the vacancy to be filled by co-option at the next meeting.
3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION (19/166)
a) Declaration of Interests.
There were no declarations of interest.
4. SIGNING OF THE MINUTES (19/167)
a) It was proposed by CH, seconded by GG and RESOLVED to accept the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 16th Oct 2019 as a true and accurate record of that meeting.
b) It was proposed by GG, seconded by CH and RESOLVED the notes from the Confidential Report from the Closed Session of that meeting was a true and accurate record of that session.
5. PLANNING MATTERS (19/168)
a) Planning Applications Received
17/1385/FUL Bloxholm Farm (North End Rearing Farm), Demolition of 5x poultry rearing units and erection of 6x poultry rearing units. Comments by 1st Dec.
No objections
Action: The Clerk to forward this decision the NK Planning.
It was reported under planning matters that the residents of 10 Beck Street have excavated the highway to put in a drainage pipe to the Beck. This information will be forwarded to LCC Highways and NKDC Planning.
Action: The Clerk to report this to the relevant authorities.
b) Decision Notice.
Nil received to date
6. GENERAL PARISH MATTERS (19/169)
a) Name for the New Development off Station Road.
NKDC have asked if the Parish Council could suggest a street name for the proposed new development off Station Road. GG suggested Greendikes, as this was the name shown on the Enclosures Act. There were no other suggestions put forward from the council.
Action: The Clerk to forward the suggestion to NKDC Planning.
b) Closure of the Mary Gresswell Trust.
The Wayleave of £33.24 has now been received. The Charity Commission has given advice on how to close the account, if this is decided to be required.
It was agreed by the Trustees that the Trust will continue for the time being.
c) Street Lighting in The Hurn (AR)
AR asked why the street lighting is turned off in the Hurn at midnight but lights remain on in other areas of the village. GG explained the other street lights are the responsibility of NKDC. The Hurn street lighting comes under LCC and it is their policy to turn off the lights at midnight.
d) Publication Policy
Awaiting confirmation from LALC.
7. HIGHWAYS (19/170)
a) Potholes or Highways Issues.
Residents of Beckside have complained about the number of potholes along the road.
Action: The Clerk to check these have been reported to LCC Highways.
b) Mobile Speed Indicator Device.
Confirmation from Ruskington clerk has been received, the other users of the SID are happy for Digby to be included in using the equipment, if we take on an equal share of the running/maintenance costs and the cost of the insurance. The SID is currently out of action for repairs. By joining the scheme it would show the Parish council is serious about trying to reduce the speeding through the village. GG agreed he would put the SID in position.
It was proposed to go ahead with joining the scheme in principle, once the average costs are known
A vote was taken. There was 2 in favour, in principle, of joining the scheme, 1 against and 2 abstentions.
Action: The Clerk to investigate the average running costs the other villages have had to pay over the last couple of years for the SID, report to next meeting.
c) The Junction of the B1188 and Ashby Road.
CH has reported he is actively continuing to request this area be resurfaced.
8. THE VILLAGE HALL (19/171)
a) Village Hall Committee Meeting Minutes.
The latest minutes have been distributed to the councillors and displayed on the website.
AR reported the improvements to the toilets are progressing.
b) Footpath Lights
AR asked why the red lights along the footpath have been changed to white lights. GG and JB explained they have not been changed but the lights coloured filters have faded. JB stated he would discuss this with the electrical contractor.
9. DRAINAGE (19/172)
a) Updates from IDB or the Environment Agency.
There are no updates but members of the IDB and Environment Agency have been to the village over the last few weeks.
GG reported he visited 33 North Street, during the flooding to help, but received abuse from a member of the public regarding the Parish Councils lack of action to prevent the flooding. The Parish Council has no jurisdiction to carry out, or, enforce work to be carried out on private land. GG left the property and returned later, but the member of the public continued with the same abuse, so GG stated he would be reluctant to attend again. No councillor should be harassed when trying to assist other members of the public.
An email concerning the flooding along North Street has been received and a copy has been passed onto our County Councillor.
b) Improvements to the drainage around Digby Fen.
The residents of Digby Fen have written to the local MP. A copy of the response from the Environment Agency regarding the recent floods at Digby Fen was forwarded to the council. The meeting was informed the residents will continue to pursue trying to get improvements to the drainage.
10. PLAYING FIELD, PLAY AREAS AND VILLAGE GENERAL (19/173)
a) Monthly Inspection of Play Equipment.
AR has completed the monthly inspection and forwarded a copy of the inspection to the Clerk. There were no immediate works required.
c) Works on the playing Field Trees.
The Clerk reported only one price for the work has been received so far. She has contacted several companies and is awaiting further responses.
Action: Add to next month’s agenda.
d) Play Bark.
Jewson have agreed to hold the delivery of the bark until the weather is better and the playing field ground is hard enough for the vehicle to enter the field.
e) Replacement Seat for Harrowby Close – Asset Repairs
It was agreed a seat made from recycled products should replace the broken wooden seat on Harrowby Close.
The Clerk has obtained a price of £40.00 to install the replacement litter bin within the bus shelter. It was proposed by GG, seconded by CH and all agreed to accept the price and have the litterbin installed.
Action: Clerk to arrange the installation of the litterbin and obtain prices for a replacement seat.
f) Update on the Dugout
JB reported it has been too wet to progress this with the football club. To be added to next month’s agenda.
Action: Add to next month’s agenda.
g) Remembrance Sunday Wreath.
The Clerk had purchased the wreath at £18.50 and delivered it to GG. GG arranged for it to be laid at the memorial on Remembrance Sunday. Mr Frankish had kindly swept the memorial and cut the edges of the grass around the area prior to the service. It was agreed a letter of thanks be sent.
Action: The Clerk to write and thank Mr Frankish.
11. ALLOTMENTS (19/174)
a) Allotment Association Meeting.
JB could not attend the last meeting, but minutes should be forwarded shortly.
b) Update Regarding Overdue Rent.
This situation is still ongoing and will be added to next month’s agenda.
Action: Add to next month’s agenda.
c) Follow up to the Flooding on the Allotment Field.
JB will discuss the parish council’s proposal to look into improving the drainage of the allotment site at the January Allotment Association Committee meeting.
12. FINANCE (19/175)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of the Bank Reconciliation.
The bank balances were reported as:
PC General Account 20,044.66
Allotment Acc 3,950.61
Mary Gresswell Trust 5.45
The bank reconciliation was approved.
b) Income Received.
The cheque for the Wayleave of £33.24 has been received and will be banked shortly.
c) Approval of Payments.
It was proposed by CH, seconded by AR and RESOLVED that the following payments be made.
Invoice VAT Total
Salaries/Expenses 607.79 607.79
Village Hall Rent Aug/Sep 24.00 24.00
MalcFirth – Grass cutting 351.63 70.33 421.96
d) Report from the Internal Auditor
The Internal Auditor is in the process of completing the audit. A report will be distributed to the councillors for the next meeting
13. CORRESPONDENCE (19/176)
a) LALC – Weekly newsletter. Distributed to all councillors
b) NKDC Christmas Collections dates confirmed – Distributed to councillors and put on the Noticeboard
c) Flood Action Campaign – Scheme arranged by Environment Agency. Flood Action Week 11 to 17 Nov. Distributed to all councillors 25.10.19
d) Flood Action Week postponed – Distributed to all councillors 7.11.19
e) Request to consider a donation to L.I.V.E.S. when considering budgets.
14. DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS (19/177)
Parish Council meetings for 2019
18th Dec
Parish Council meetings for 2020
15th Jan, 19th Feb, 18th Mar, 15th Apr, 20th May, 17th Jun, 15th Jul, 19th Aug, 16th Sep, 21st Oct, 18th Nov and 16th Dec
15. ANY BUSINESS TO NOTE FOR THE NEXT AGENDA (19/178)
Review Publication policy
Consider budget for 2020/21
Honorarium
Grant Application from Digby School
16. CLOSED SESSION (for confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960) If required.(19/179)
This item was not required.
20.45hrs There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.