2021 Annual Parish Meeting

DIGBY ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Monday 4th Oct at 7.00PM 2021 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

Apologies were received from Colin Harvey.

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 2019

No meeting was held in 2020 because of Covid so the minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 10th April 2019 were read out by the Clerk.  It was proposed by Mr G Garton, seconded by Mrs T Bourne and agreed the minutes be signed as a true record 

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

•   Digby Parish Council – 

The Chairman reported on the achievements of 2020 during the lock down which included installation of a Happy to Chat seat in the Village Hall grounds, a replacement bench at Harrowby Close, new glass in the bus shelter and external lights on the village hall to improve the route to the defibrillator.  There were grants to the school, the village hall, the churchyard and for repairs to Santa’s Sleigh. We still have a vacancy for a parish councillor.  Plans for this coming year are installing exercise equipment in the playing field.

Mrs Gillatt thanked the council for the contribution to the maintenance of the Churchyard.

There were no questions.

Copies of the Income and Expenditure account were distributed to the parishioners present.  The Clerk gave a brief explanation of the accounts.

There were no questions.

•   Lincolnshire County Council

Cllr Rob Kendrick was not present.

•   North Kesteven District Council 

District Councillor Steve Clegg and District Councillor Jim Clarke.

Councillor Clegg explained NKDC had adapted quickly to work for home, within a week of the restrictions being enforced.  Lincs Resilience forum was formed to give support to the most vulnerable during the pandemic.  Businesses were supported by £28million, which was distributed by NKDC, throughout the pandemic.  A £1.2million refurbishment to the HUB has been completed. Whisby nature reserve was open during the restrictions, offering great outdoor space.  The council is stepping up to the challenge to keep up with demand for council houses. Laffort homes are also providing rented accommodation.  The new purple bin scheme, which was rolled out this year, generates a significant income for the District.

Q.  Has plans to open Sleaford Cinema been shelved. 

A. An announcement on its progress will published by the end of the year

Q. Are any more variation of bins likely?

A. No, not at this time.

Cllr Clarke then spoke and offered the opportunity to visit the District Council Offices to any parishioners, they just need to contact him.

•   Local PCSO  

Could not attend 

•   Digby Bowls Club 

Sam Verity, secretary of Bowls Club, spoke about how the 2020 season was shelved because of the pandemic.  But the club is now back in action and are pleased to see a few new members, and welcomes anyone that wishes to join them. The Facebook page is up and running.  Grants have helped to revamp the green and it is now an excellent facility.  Grants have helped to keep the club running

Representatives from the School offered to send out information to the parents about the club and events taking place and asked if the children would be welcome to come for taster sessions.

Sam confirmed they will organised this in the spring. 

Q. It was asked if the club are still happy with the football club using the facilities.

A.  Sam confirmed it is working well.
    , 
•   Village Hall Committee 

Neil Bathard confirmed the hall is now back open and the committee continues to work on improvements for the hall.  New front doors have been fitted and new lighting for the stage has been purchased.  The coffee mornings are now taking place, and on 12th Nov there is a duo performing a Jazz session.  

Q.  Will there be a Christmas market this year.

A. No but there will be crafts and small stalls at the regular Coffee mornings.

Q. The school asked if they could use the village hall stage for plays.

A. Yes just book through the booking clerk, details on the website.

Q, Is the film nights start up again.

A. The funding has stopped for the film nights, so not at this time.
   
•   Allotments  

Neil Bathard confirmed the sensory garden was completed and most of the allotments are taken. 

There is nothing else to report at this time.
   
•   Digby Primary School

Donna Winters, deputy head, and Sharon Keen confirmed there is now a new head teacher, Mr Walls. There are currently 56 pupils at the school.  Wellbeing has come to the forefront and mental health trained councillors are available for pupils.  The primary school is linked with Carrs Grammar school for sport and the school is proud to have received a platinum award for sporting activities.  The whole school and the teachers take part in the mile a day challenge.  A new parent and toddler group has been set up and 22 people turned up to the first session.  There is a school Open day in Oct and Nov and Careers week takes place on 8th to 11th Nov, so they are looking for people to come in and talk about their jobs.

It is planned to perform the Nativity several times this year so more people can come and watch, they are also planning to sing carols in the village hall garden nearer Christmas.

Q.   Would the school children come sing at a coffee morning?

A.  Most probably yes, it just needs to be arranged.

•   St Thomas ‘a’ Beckett Church 

Helen Gillatt representing the PCC confirmed there are services every 6 weeks at the church, and members from other parishes do attend. The PCC are actively raising funds for the churches upkeep.  The Church is a central feature of the village and the churchyard takes a lot of maintaining, but there is now a very willing bunch of volunteers helping to keep it tidy.

Future events planned is the Big Breakfast on Nov 13th and The Christmas Tree Festival Sunday before Christmas.

For information GG has the costumes from the church plays.

The School offered to forward any information about events to the parents

5.   PUBLIC FORUM

Q.  Neil asked about the gym equipment in the playing field, is it still going ahead?

A.  The Clerk explained yes and also there may be need to replace some of the children’s equipment so there is a slight delay in applying for the grant.

Q.  Greendykes path, since new dyke was installed the dropped kerb at Chestnut Close end has disappeared. Maintenance of the new dyke still has not taken place and the dyke is being filled in by the developer.

A. The Parish Council have been chasing these issues.

Q.  The Street light is not working on North Street at the corner to Rowston.  It hasn’t worked since the new flood scheme has been put in.

A. This needs chasing.

Q.  Why has the Beck been so over grown this year and then it’s a disgrace when it has been cut, the rubbish left. Would a petition to help asking EA to support clearing this?

A.  It was confirmed the Parish council have been arguing this point all year with the Environment Agency, a petition would not hurt. 

Q.  Many of the footways around the village need replacing and are not suitable for disabled buggies.  

A.  The parish council have reported the state of the footways over a period of time.  More support from the public by individually reporting the issues on Fix-my-Street would help.

Q. Speeding is an issue around the village

A.  The Chairman explained we are trying to reduce the speed of traffic on B1188 and speed restrictions being actively being looked at for the village.

There were no further questions or points raised.

6.  Refreshments

20.25hrs.  There was no further business so the Chairman declared the meeting closed and offered everyone to stay for refreshments.