April 2022 Minutes Annual Parish Meeting
DIGBY ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Minutes from the Annual Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 13th April 2022 at 7.00pm at Digby Memorial Hall
There were 8 members of the public present.
The Chairman of Digby Parish Council, by nature of his office, presided over the meeting.
1. CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Annual Parish Meeting.
2. APOLOGIES
Apologies had been received from District Councillors Steve Clegg and Jim Clarke.
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 2021
The Clerk read the minutes from the meeting held on 4th Oct 2021. It was proposed by Helen Gillat, seconded by Gerald Garton, and all agreed the minutes be signed as a true record
4. PRESENTATIONS
• Digby Parish Council –
The Council are working on several projects as well as the normal village maintenance. The request to reduce the speed on B1188 is with the Road Safety team, as is the request for a school safety zone. For the Queen's Platinum Jubilee we are rejuvenating the Village Hall garden and installing the outdoor exercise equipment in the playing field. Several trees have already been planted in the playing field as part of the Queen's Green Canopy scheme. Also in the playing field the existing play equipment is having some repairs carried out and being repainted and, finally, we are erecting name plates with the Queen's Jubilee emblem on them on all the village footpaths. We have had the results of the consultation carried out by the Environment Agency and they are not going to be making any improvements to the maintenance of the Beck.
The Parish council have given grants to the Church for the church yard maintenance, to Digby Elves for delivering mince pies at Christmas and the village hall as a contribution to their insurance and the metal ‘Tommies’ either side of the village hall notice board.
Copies of the Income and Expenditure were available to all present and the Clerk gave a short explanation
Q. It is seen there is a reserve for Jubilee projects, can members of the village have access to this money -
A. It is possible but it needs to be for something that is open/available for all the village.
• Lincolnshire County Council
Cllr Rob Kendrick gave a report. During Covid LCC were able to support small business that were not entitled to the government grants.
Highways/Roads, There has been a cut to road budget from government, and LCC made up difference from reserves. Cllr Kendrick reminded everyone to please use FixMyStreet to report any road issues. Adult care is a massive part of the LCC budget, and includes housing. Children and young people service is a very important service, there have been increased issues with mental health during Covid
LCC are building new children’s homes around the county and carrying out more work into special educational needs. He mentioned there is a grant available of up to £5,000 to help people that have been previously flooded. And finally there are planned improvements to tourism in the county.
Q. With the improvements to tourism, does it include improvements to roads?
A. There are plans in 2025 to start the North Hykeham relief road to complete the Lincoln ring road and also improvements planned to the A17.
• North Kesteven District Council
Neither councillors were present, but forwarded a report which the Clerk read out
• Local PCSO
Not present
• Digby Bowls Club
Steve Priestley - Confirmed the Bowls Club is still open, not exactly thriving but they are still playing in the league. Wed evenings are club nights and there are about 15 active members. A big refurbishment of the green has taken place and the club house has been decorated.
4th May is the start of the club nights and the first league match begins in June.
Q. Where is the club in the league?
A. About in the middle.
• Village Hall Committee
The Village Hall is financially sound thanks to the recent grants, and although through Covid there was no income the committee were able to get some much needed work completed. All the back rooms have been redecorated and the floors done and new front doors have been put at the entrance. Bookings started slowly once we came out of the Covid restriction and have recovered well, some groups have stopped but we also have new clients. We had a new Booking clerk after Noggy resigned and she too is now being replaced. Neil is new onto the committee. Coffee mornings have resumed and are well attended and help generate income and are also a good social activity for the village. Live/Local has started up again and we are planning for possibly 3 more performances during the year.
No questions.
• Allotments
All the Allotments are in use and there is a waiting list. The Allotment committee are starting to meeting again regularly
No questions.
• Digby Primary School
Not present
• St Thomas Church
Helen Gillatt reported Digby is part of a group of six parishes and services held every six weeks in Digby. The volunteers are continuing to maintain the churchyard and Gill Gray & Alison Frankish provides refreshments for the volunteers.
On 7th May there is to be a Quiz with refreshments. There are plans for the Queens Jubilees to be notified.
Q. Is there a breakfast/or afternoon tea in the pipeline?
A. More than likely, but no details yet.
5. REFRESHMENTS
It was agreed to save the refreshments until after the Public Forum
6. PUBLIC FORUM
Q. Can we get the PCSO to attend?
A. We send out an invite every year but it depends on the work commitments and shift patterns as to whether they can attend.
Q. The Football pitch showing signs of wear now it is being used regularly
A. The Parish Council will to get a company to look at it and give a recommendation on how to proceed.
20.21hrs There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed and offered refreshments to anyone that wished to stay.