July 2021 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes from the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 12th July 2021 commencing at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
PRESENT - James Bourne, Chairman (JB); Tracy Bourne (TB); Gerald Garton (GG); Karen Groves (KG) and Colin Harvey (CH)
In Attendance - Angie McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
Public Forum
There were no members of the public present.
District & County Councillors' Matters
County Cllr Rob Kendrick confirmed he has requested a traffic survey for Church Street and he will chase getting the road signs removed that had been left after the road surfacing of North Street. He also stated further money is being made available by LCC for further road repairs around the county. LCC are looking for sites for trees as part of the Big Tree Project in conjunction with The Queens Jubilee Green Canopy project. The plan is to plant 750,000 trees in the county, the District Councils are joining in with the planning of the sites.
It was RESOLVED to continue with the full council meeting
1. Chairman's Opening Remarks (21/099)
a) The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies (21/100)
a) Apologies - None
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (21/101)
a) None
4. Signing of the Minutes (21/102)
a) It was proposed by GG, seconded by TB and RESOLVED to accept the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 16th June 2021 as a true and accurate record of that meeting.
5. Planning Matters (21/103)
a) Planning Applications Received
21/0908/PNH 21 The Pinfold, Single storey rear extension 5.6 in length from the original wall, eaves height of 2.9m and maximum height of 2.9m.
No objections or comments.
b) Decision Notices
21/0736/PNND Station Yard, Station Road - Change of use from offices to dwelling - The Prior notification application approved subject to noise mitigation measures being implemented by way of condition.
6. General Parish Matters (21/104)
a) Old Pond Area off North Street.
JB has spoken to the developer and the area will cleared and seeded when the site is finished. JB has asked P Baumber to cut the area in the meantime to tidy it up.
b) Report of Hedge Obstructing the Footpath on North Street.
It was reported that the hedge at 1 Thomas A Beckett close has overgrown blocking the footpath and restricting visibility for vehicles.
Action: Clerk to write and ask for the hedge to be cut back
c) Speed Issues
Further complaints have been received about the speed along Church Street and Beck Street. A traffic survey is to be completed by the Road Safety Partnership. Once the information is gathered a meeting with the Road Safety Partnership can be arranged to discuss any issues.
d) The Cross
Discussions took place regarding the condition of the Cross, including the concerns about the cost involved in any repairs. It was agreed it would be prudent to consult with an expert about whether it needs an inspection.
7. Highways (21/105)
a) The various potholes will be reported by individual councillors.
8. Village Hall (21/106)
a) Minutes from the Committee Meeting
Copies of the minutes had been distributed to the councillors prior to the meeting. There were no comments. With the resignation of A Redsell a parish council rep will need to be elected.
Action: The Clerk to add to the next agenda.
b) Gardening Contractor for Village Hall Garden.
The Clerk has obtained a couple of contact details and GG agree to meet with the contractors to discuss the maintenance of the garden. It was agreed to obtain a price for an initial tidy up and then a price for monthly maintenance.
Action: The Clerk to arrange meetings with the contractors.
9. Drainage (21/107)
a) Maintenance of the New Flood Alleviation Scheme.
Last month LCC confirmed IDB will maintain the new dyke. It was agreed to find out what maintenance will be done by the IDB. The grass areas along the Greendykes footpath and the top of the Beck are not being cut regularly.
Action: The Clerk to chase the grass cutting contractor and talk to IDB
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (21/108)
a) Monthly inspection of the Play Equipment.
GG completed the inspection. It was noted the leg of the toddler swings has some damage done by the grass cutter, the Clerk has passed this info to the grass cutting contractor.
b) Update on the Bin at the Playing Field
There still has not been any response for the siting of the bin. It was agreed to try and find another contractor to fit it.
19.55hrs Chairman declared the meeting closed so NKDC Cllr Jim Clark could speak. He spoke of various meetings taking place at NKDC and passed on information about the stone cross repairs at Cranwell. GG asked about NKDCs part in Big Tree Planting scheme, but Cllr Clarke did not have any information on it.
20.08 The Chairman re-convened the meeting.
c) Playing Field Equipment Improvements.
The four quotes were discussed and narrowed down to 2. It was agreed to display the information at a Coffee morning and in the noticeboard for the public to choose the equipment they would prefer to see and use. Evidence of the choices will be gathered to be used to support the application for a grant.
d) Improvments to the Footpath Entrance of the Field from B1188.
No quote has been received from the contractor to fit the fencing so it was agreed the Clerk to obtain a quote to supply and fit from a different contractor for the next meeting.
e) Update on the Damaged Swingframe.
The Clerk has been notified the new legs for the damaged swing should be installed next week.
11. Allotments (21/109)
a) There has been no update from the Allotment Committee.
12. Finance (21/110)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation.
The bank balances were reported as:-
PC General Account 34,517.55
Allotment Acc 5,627.88
Mary Gresswell Trust 5.45
The bank reconcilation was forwarded to the councillor prior to the meeting and accepted.
b) Income Received.
None. The invoice for the football rent has been sent out by the Clerk.
c) Approval of Payments
It was proposed by GG, seconded by CH and RESOLVED the following payments are made:-
Salaries/Expenses 612.50
Malcfirth - Grass cutting May/Jun 720.76 + VAT 144.16 = 864.92
Autella pay roll 44.63 + VAT 8.93 = 53.56
Village Hall Rent 12.00
13. Correspondence (21/111)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
b) NKDC consultation - review of Sexual entertainment Venues Licensing Policy
c) Assistant Chief Constable - Letter - Investing in new Community Beat Constables and a roving Community Crime Team
d) LCC working with Broadband Delivery UK to deliver upgraded broadband speeds to the county.
e) NKDC - Parish Council Vacancy - No request for an election was made so co-option to fill the vacancy can take place. Mr J Fry has requested to be co-opted. It was proposed by GG seconded CH to accept Mr J Fry. There is still one further vacancy and the Clerk will advertise the postion in the noticeboard.
14. Dates of Future Meetings (21/112)
To enable full attendance of councillors at meetings is was agreed to move the meetings to the second Monday of the month.
The next meeting will be 9th Aug
The Annual Parish Meeting is still on hold until public can gather indoors safely. The decision to set a date be made at next full council meeting.
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (21/113)
Co-option of councillor
Election of Village Hall Rep
16. Closed Session (21/114)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960.
This item was not required.
20.45 There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.