June 2020 Minutes
MEETING OF DIGBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes from the virtual Digby Parish Council meeting held on 17th June 2020 at 7pm.
PRESENT Parish Cllrs James Bourne (JB) Chairman; Tracy Bourne (TB); Gerald Garton (GG); Karen Groves (KG); Colin Harvey (CH) and Amanda Redsell (AR); District Councillor Steve Clegg (SC)
In attendance – Angie McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
PUBLIC FORUM
No public joined the meeting, so it was RESOLVED to continue.
DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ MATTERS
County Councillor Kendrick (RK).
Councillor Kendrick was not present but had forwarded his monthly report, this had been distributed by the Clerk to the councillors.
District Councillor Clegg (SC).
Councillor Clegg confirmed that members will not be returning to the District Council offices until the New Year. The District Council is still fully functional via virtual meetings and the many staff working from home. NKDC have been providing signage to maintain social distancing in shopping areas.
The Chairman reported fly-tipping along Digby Fen.
Police.
No report had been provided by the local PCSO.
1. CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS. (20/70)
a) The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. APOLOGIES (20/71)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received from District Councillor Clarke.
3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION (20/72)
a) Declaration of Interest.
There were no declarations of interest
4. SIGNING OF THE MINUTES (20/73)
a) It was proposed by TB, seconded by GG and RESOLVED to accept the notes of the virtual Annual Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 20th May 2020 as a true and accurate record of that meeting.
5. PLANNING MATTERS (20/74)
a) Planning Applications Received
Nil
b) Decision Notice.
Nil
6. GENERAL PARISH MATTERS (20/75)
a) Green Dykes.
Hedge cuttings have been left in the dyke from the erection of a new fence to a property in The Hurn. It was agreed to write and ask for these to be removed and remind the residents of their riparian ownership of this dyke.
Action: Clerk to write
b) Footpath off North Street.
Permission has been granted by LCC to reinstate the sunken area of footpath at the rear of properties on North Street. This will help reduce the risk of flooding. The developer building houses on North Street has agreed to supply the soil and manpower needed to complete the work.
Action: James to liaise with the developer to commence the work.
c) ‘Happy to Chat’ Bench.
A very kind donation of £600 has been offered to purchase and install a bench in the vicinity of the village hall gardens. The bench will have a memorial plaque dedicate to June Mavis Robinson, nee North 1935-2020. Now some of the Covid19 restrictions have been lifted, the bench and signage can be ordered.
Action: The Clerk to order bench and signage. AR to ask Mr Bowring if he can install the bench
d) Grant for ‘Santa Sleigh’.
The Sleigh requires a complete overhaul. A request for a grant of £400 has been asked for to help complete the £800 overhaul. It was proposed by CH, seconded by AR that a grant of £400 be made.
Action: The Clerk to raise a cheque.
e) Review of the Social Media Policy.
A copy of the current policy had been distributed to the councillors for review. There were no amendments needed and therefore t was RESOLVED to accept the current Social Media Policy.
Action: The Clerk to note the review and update the website.
7. HIGHWAYS (20/76)
a) Potholes or Highways Issues.
Complaints have been received by AR from the residents of the south side of Beck Street about the increased number of potholes and damage to the road on that side of the Beck.
Action: AR to inform the residents to report the problems on the LCC Highways fault reporting site. The Clerk to also report the faults.
8. THE VILLAGE HALL
a) External Lighting.
The teething problems with the lights have now been fixed, and they are working well.
b) Replacement Trees.
When the trees on the boundary of the gardens were removed earlier this year, there was an offer to replace them. This was discussed and agreed that the trees will not need to be replaced along this boundary.
9. DRAINAGE (20/77)
a) Updates from IDB or the Environment Agency.
There has not been a response from the EA in response to our letter about the flooding around Dovetail Farm. A follow up letter has been sent by the Clerk. A response from the Internal Drainage Board had been circulated prior to the meeting, which recognises work is needed.
b) Flood Alleviation Scheme
LCC have sent out a progress report on the scheme, the first culvert has been put in place on Station Road and now work is commencing on the culvert on North Street.
10. PLAYING FIELD, PLAY AREAS AND VILLAGE GENERAL (20/78)
a) Bark for Slide.
The bark has been received and laid under the slide.
b) Bus Shelter Litter bin.
The bin has been reinstated at the bus shelter at a cost of £20.00
c) Encroachment of Hedges over Footpaths.
GG will provide details of the properties where hedges are growing out over the footpaths and where there has been no action to the polite request from the parish council. The Clerk will forward the details to LCC.
11. ALLOTMENTS (20/79)
a) Allotment Rent
The Clerk confirmed the invoice has been sent out for the Allotment rents.
The Chairman confirmed work has commenced on the improvements to the road.
12. FINANCE (20/80)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation
The bank balances were reported as:-
PC General Acc 28,378.53
Allotment Acc 5,150.61
Mary Gresswell Trust 5.45
A copy of the bank reconciliation had been forwarded to the councillors prior to the meeting. The reconciliation was approved.
b) Income Received.
No income was received during the last month
c) Approval of Payments.
It was proposed by CH, seconded by GG and RESOLVED the following payments are made.
Invoice VAT Total
Salaries/Expenses 570.30 570.30
MalcFirth- Parish Grass Cutting 351.63 70.33 421.96
Jewson- Bark 95.21 19.04 114.25
J Bowring – Litter bin at bus shelter 20.00 20.00
Select Electrical Services 276.26 55.25 331.51
Santas Sleigh Grant 400.00 400.00
13. CORRESPONDENCE (20/81)
a) LALC – Weekly newsletter. Distributed to all councillors
b) NKDC Weekly Newsletter – Distributed to all the councillor
c) Digby Parochial Church Council – Thank you letter for the grant for the grass cutting
d) RoSPA – Notification of inspection of play equipment – Aug 20
14. DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS (20/82)
Parish Council meetings for 2020
15th Jul, 19th Aug, 16th Sep, 21st Oct, 18th Nov and 16th Dec
Annual Parish Meeting – Delayed until further notice
15. ANY BUSINESS TO NOTE FOR THE NEXT AGENDA (20/83)
- Teenage Shelter - To be considered when the lockdown is lifted
- Village Boundary Sign – To be considered when the lockdown is lifted
16. CLOSED SESSION (for confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960) If required. (20/84)This item was not required
19.55hrs There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.