September 2021 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes from the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 13th September 2021 at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
PRESENT - James Bourne (JB), Chairman; Tracy Bourne (TB); John Fry (JF); Gerald Garton (GG); Karen Groves (KG) and Colin Harvey (CH).
In Attendance - Angie McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
Public Forum
Mrs Bourne kindly gave a report on comments she received from parishioners as they viewed the play equipment designs presented at the Village hall coffee morning on 4th Sept. The overall support was for the Wicksteed design 1 with a request for an additional equipment from Design 3. The request was for a space walker and an additional pull up bar to be added to Design 1. It was also suggested the equipment be spaced out to permit more people to use it at the same time.
District & County Councillors' Matters
Cllr Kendrick stated he had sent out his monthly newsletter. He confirmed he had received several letters from parishioners regarding the Parish Councils request for the review for the speed limit reduction on B1188 and he had forwarded them to the relevant departments within LCC. The County Council have been informed there may be additional funds available for minor road repairs.
Cllr Clegg confirmed the new Purple Bins contract will be active from 27th Sept. He also suggested the parish council may like to put forward suggestions for 5 minute talks on NK subjects, that he would present at the begining of future parish council meetings.
It was RESOLVED to commence the full council meeting.
1. Chairman's Opening Remarks (21/131)
a) The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies (21/132)
a) There were no apologies.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (21/133)
a) There were no declarations of interest.
4. Signing of the Minutes (21/134)
a) It was proposed by CH, seconded by JB and RESOLVED to accept the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 9th August 2021 as a true and accurate record of that meeting.
5. Planning Matters (21/135)
a) Planning Applications Received.
Nil
b) Decision Notices.
Nil
6. General Parish Matters (21/136)
a) Update on Measures to Reduce Speeding.
Acknowledgement from LCC Highways for the request to review reducing the speed limit of the B1188 within the village boundary has been received and Cllr Kendrick has supported the request.
The Clerk read out a letter received from a parishioner, regarding concerns for childrens safety crossing the B1188. It has been forwarded to our County Councillor and requested it be passed to the relevant departments at Highways for their attention.
b) Update on the Cross information.
There has been no information received from Historic England.
c) Annual Parish Meeting.
The Clerk confirmed the APM date booked, Monday 4th Oct. The council agreed to invite the local village clubs to give a 5min talk.
Action: The Clerk to send out invites and display the notices for the meeting.
d) LCC Treescapes Fund -
An offer for free trees to parishes has been received. Although the closing date was the 3rd Sept to apply for the free trees, the Clerk has recieved information that applications are still being taken and they will form part of a planting programme for next year. It was agreed to apply for a selection of trees to replace lost trees in the playing field.
e) NKDC Litter Picking Grant.
The clerk confirmed the grant has been applied for and the annual report completed and sent to NKDC.
f) Obstruction of Footpaths.
This Item was not needed.
g) Update Councillors Responsibilities List.
A review of the list is needed. JF confirmed he will be the North Street and Pinfold representative.
Action: The Clerk to amend the list and display the information in the noticeboards.
7. Highways (21/137)
a) Pot Holes or Highways issues.
The junction of the Ashby Road with the B1188 has been patched. It is a very inferior repair and this will be reported to County Cllr Kendrick.
JF reported the pavement between Nos.6-10 North Street is unsafe for anyone using a walking frame or are not steady on their feet.
Action: The Clerk will report it.
19.45 The Chairman declared the meeting closed for District Cllr Jim Clarke to speak, he was late as he had attended another Parish council meeting that evening.
Cllr Clarke spoke of free trees for the Queens Jubilee via Woodland trust. Changes that are proposed to planning rules are still being discussed. It is reported 30 refugee families are proposed to come into this county in the next few months. The Local Plan has had 1400 comments made from the latest consultation and the revised plan will be published in the Spring.
19.55 The Chairman declared the meeting back in session. Cllr Clarke left the meeting.
8. The Village Hall (21/138)
a) Minutes from the Village Hall committee.
The minutes had been distributed. GG asked JF if the committee would be prepared to reconsider broadband for the hall with support from the Parish Council as was previously approved.
b) Update on the Village Hall garden maintenance.
The major work has been completed, all the shrubs and bushes have been pruned back. The Clerk has received a price from one company to now maintain the garden, and another is on its way. It was agreed to confirm at the next meeting the contractor to continue the routine maintenance of the garden.
9. Drainage (21/139)
a) Meeting with LCC Flood Officer & LCC Representatives.
The meeting took place on Wed 8th Sept. It was a 'walk about' to confirm the completion of the project. The lack of cutting/maintenance was raised by the parish council and the Technical Engineer confirmed this will be checked. No one from the IDB had been invited. The Parish council requested the need to push for a flood scheme for North Street.
The chairman agreed to contact IDB direct about the maintenance of the dyke.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (21/140)
a) Report on the monthly inspection of the Play Equipment has been carried out by the Clerk and discuss RoSPA annual report has been received and distributed to the councillors.
Clerk recommended a site meeting to discuss the annual inspection report. KG/JF/CH agreed to attend.
b) Update on the bin at the playing field
This has now been sited by JF and NKDC have been informed.
c) Playing Field Improvements - New Equipment
The display of the designs at the Village Hall coffee morning went very well. 43 responses to the questionnaire have so far been recieved. The Wicksteed Design option 1 is most favoured, with 2 additions, and it was agreed the Clerk obtain a new quote with the exact requirements and costings. The revised design will then be displayed in the noticeboard, this information will be placed on facebook requested any further comments to be emailed to the Clerk.
Action: The Clerk will commence the grant application process.
d) Footpath Entrance of the Playing Field from B1188.
It was agreed the Clerk will contact a fencing contractor to carrry out the work.
e) Use of the strimmer at the Churchyard.
JF requested to use the parish council strimmer to assist with cutting the Churchyard. Unfortunately this will not be possible due to the insurance cover
f) Spires and Steeples footpath - PRoW no.5
There had been a request to improve the accessibilty of this route for all. LCC have responded that this will not be possible. It was agreed to write again for clarification from the Countryside Officer and to contact NKDC regarding this route as part of their Stepping out walks.
11. Allotments (21/141)
a) There were no updates from the Allotment Committee. The Clerk will forward the invoice for the plots to KG to be passed onto the committee
12. Finance (21/142)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation.
The bank balances were reported as :-
PC General Account £32,008.51
Allotment Account £ 5,627.88
Mary Gresswell Trust £ 5.45
b) Income Received.
From the Football club - rent £180.00
c) Approval of the Following Payments.
It was proposed by JB, seconded by CH and RESOLVED the following payments should be made:-
Salaries/Expenses £668.30
Malcfirth - Grass cutting £360.38 + VAT £72.08 = £432.46
D&G Garden Services - Village Hall £600.00
Burdens - Strimmer service £59.27 + VAT £11.85 = £71.12
Playsafety Ltd - Play equip inspection £93.00 + VAT £18.60 = £111.60
LALC - Website Maint to March £35.00 + VAT £7.00 = £42.00
Mr Fry - 2 x postmix for bin siting £7.50
13. Correspondence (21/143)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors Karen to AGM CH/JF
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) NKDC Lottery - Good Cause Launch 13th Sept.
d) LCC New interactive map showing road improvements. Visit www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/worksprogrammes
e) Royal British Legion - Introducing the 'TOMMY' and providing details of costs. JR asked if a donation could be made to purchasing a 'Tommy' for the Memorial Hall. It was agreed, in principle of upto £50.00 would be condsiered. JF to pass the information onto the Hall Committee.
f) LCC Highways - Road Closure, Metheringham level crossing 14th Oct 23.00hrs to 15th Oct 05.30hrs
14. Dates of Future Meetings (21/144)
Parish Council meetings
11th Oct, 8th Nov and 13th Dec
Annual Parish Meeting 4th Oct
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (21/145)
Wreath for War Memorial.
16. Closed Session (21/146)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
This item was not needed.
20.57hrs There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed