August 2020 Minutes
MEETING OF DIGBY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes from the virtual Digby Parish Council meeting held on 19th August 2020 at 7pm.
PRESENT Parish Cllrs James Bourne (JB), Chairman; Tracy Bourne (TB); Gerald Garton and Karen Groves (KG)
In attendance: Angie McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
PUBLIC FORUM
No members of the public joined the meeting, so it was RESOLVED to continue.
DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLORS’ MATTERS
Apologies were received from District Councillors Steve Clegg and Jim Clarke, and County Councillor Kendrick. Both District and County Councillors submitted reports which have been distributed to the councillors.
POLICE
No report received.
GG lost connection with the meeting.
1. CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS. (20/100)
a) The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. APOLOGIES
a) Apologies.
No apologies received, although CH was unable to join the meeting due to technical difficulties
3. DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & APPLICATIONS FOR DISPENSATION (20/101)
a) Declaration of Interest.
None.
4. SIGNING OF THE MINUTES (20/102)
a) It was proposed by TB, seconded by KG and RESOLVED to accept the notes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 15th July 2020 as a true and accurate record of that meeting.
5. PLANNING MATTERS (20/103)
a) Planning Applications Received
Nil
b) Decision Notice.
Nil
6. GENERAL PARISH MATTERS (20/104)
a) Old Pond Area off North Street.
It was agreed to arrange a site meeting with a contractor to discuss whether a maintenance program would prevent further depositing of garden waste in the area.
Action: Clerk to arrange meeting.
b) Progress of the area of sunken Footpath off North Street.
This is still ongoing, the building contractors carrying out the work have had delays on the building site.
c) Progress of the ‘Happy to Chat’ bench.
The bench has not yet been delivered, but as soon as it arrives it will be installed.
d) Request for additional Recycling Facilities.
NKDC do not provide any additional public recycling facilities, but residents can arrange to have larger recycling bins.
Action: The Clerk will forward this information to the resident requesting additional recycling facilities
e) Litter Picking Grant from NKDC.
It was agreed to apply for the Litter Picking Grant.
Action: The Clerk to complete the application.
f) PPE for council staff.
The Clerk will discuss this with the litter picker.
7. HIGHWAYS (20/105)
a) Potholes or Highways Problems.
The road is subsiding on the Digby Fen road between Mablethorpe’s drive and the sharp bend towards Billinghay.
Action: The Clerk to report to Fix My Street
b) Overgrown Hedge on the Railway Bridge.
This has been reported to Highways by the Clerk.
The 30mph sign is missing so will also be reported.
c) Request for a 40mph speed limit on B1188 within the Village Boundary.
Our County Councillor has requested a speed survey of this area. It was agreed to write and support the request for the area to be made a 40mph zone.
Action: The Clerk to write to Highways and Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership
d) Repair work to BT Cable Laying.
This item was request by CH, so will need to be discussed next month.
Action: Add to next months agenda.
8. THE VILLAGE HALL (20/106)
a) Clothes Bank in the Car Park.
The clothes bank had been overflowing, due to Covid19 lockdown measures the Air Ambulance group could not send anyone out to empty it. It has now been emptied.
b) Village Hall Rep.
A village hall rep is required. This will be an agenda item for next month.
Action: Add to next months agenda
9. DRAINAGE (20/107)
a) Updates from IDB or the Environment Agency.
None
b) Meeting with the Environmental Agency regarding The Beck.
A meeting with representatives from EA and IDB took place. Although there was no commitment to carry out immediate maintenance work, it has initiated a review of the maintenance of the Beck. The Clerk will maintain contact and monitor the progress of the review.
10. PLAYING FIELD, PLAY AREAS AND VILLAGE GENERAL (20/108)
a) Monthly Play Equipment Inspection.
RoSPA is to carry out an inspection of the play equipment on 21st Aug.
b) Removal of tree opposite No11 North Street and self-seeded Elder on school boundary.
It was agreed to consider this during the Autumn maintenance program GG rejoined the meeting.
c) Asset inspection carried out by the Clerk.
A copy of the inspection was forwarded to the councillors prior to the meeting.
It was agreed to wood treat the doors of the stone lock up and to obtain quotes for having the wall rebuilt on the dug-out on the playing field. GG agreed to look at whether the bench seat in the metal bus shelter needs painting.
Action: Clerk to arrange repairs
11. ALLOTMENTS (20/109)
a) Update from the Allotment representative.
The new water system has been installed and water is being collected from the meeting room roof.
12. FINANCE (20/110)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation.
The bank balances were reported as:-
PC General Acc 24,611.70
Allotment Acc 5,075.61
Mary Gresswell Trust 5.45
Copies of the bank reconciliation and a budget review were forwarded to the councillors prior to the meeting. It was noted that the council is working within its planned budget. It was RESOLVED to accept the reconciliation.
b) Income Received.
Nil
c) Approval for the Following Payments.
It was proposed by GG, seconded by KG and RESOLVED the following payments are approved for payment
Invoice VAT Total
Salaries/Expenses 586.30 586.30
MalcFirth Grass cutting Jul 351.63 70.33 421.96
JMH – Bench seat 475.00 95.00 570.00
Sign Shop – Happy to chat sign 25.00 5.00 30.00
13. CORRESPONDENCE (20/111)
a) LALC – Weekly newsletter. Distributed to all councillors
b) NKDC Weekly Newsletter – Distributed to all the councillor
c) County Councillors Report- Distributed to all the councillors
d) Notification of the mobile library times commencing from 10th Aug. Displayed in the noticeboard.
e) Bonfire at Grainfield Site – Environmental Services informed of a bonfire on 31st Jul
f) Alleged Code of Conduct reported, NKDC Monitoring Officer to follow up, if required.
g) NKDC – Changes to Ward Boundaries- consultation. There were no objections to the boundaries changes that effect Digby.
14. DATE OF FUTURE MEETINGS (20/112)
Parish Council meetings for 2020
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 (20/113)
Teenage Shelter - To be considered when the lockdown is lifted
Village Boundary Sign – To be considered when the lockdown is lifted
Manor house – Hedges overgrowing footpaths
16. CLOSED SESSION (for confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960) If required. (20/114)
20.07 - There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed