August 2022 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes from the parish council meeting held on Monday 8th August 2022, at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
Present – Mr Gerald Garton (GG), Tracy Bourne (TB) and Rebecca Collishaw (RC)
Public Forum
It was reported that dog waste is worse down Green Dykes path. Has there been any update on the request for a street light for Greendykes. Nothing has been heard from LCC the Clerk to check.
The field at the rear of North Street has not been cultivated for last 2 years and the seeds from the weeds are blowing into all the gardens. The Clerk will check with Defra to see what the policy is for this set aside land.
Speeding is still a concern around the village and on the B1188, it was explained two archer reports have been received and the council have requested constantly for a response to the request for a speed reduction on the B1188, but have not received any answers.
District & County Councillors' Matters
There were no councillors present.
1. Chairman's Opening Remarks (22/115)
a) Welcome
Due to work commitments the Chairman James Bourne, could not attend the meeting. It was agreed GG to take the chair.
b) It has been noted that John Fry, (ex-councillor and Clerk) is leaving the village. The parish council wanted to record how very grateful they have been for his commitment and dedication to the parish and all that he has done for the village over the years as the Clerk and as a Councillor. He will be greatly missed and they wish him well on this next adventure in his life.
2. Apologies (22/116)
a) Apologies were received from DD, KG and KH due the holiday and JB due to work commitments. All were accepted.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (22/117)
a) Nil
4. Signing of the Minutes (22/118)
a) It was proposed by GG, seconded by RC and RESOLVED to accept the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 11th July 2022 as a true and accurate record of that meeting.
5. Planning Matters (22/119)
a) Planning Application received
Nil
b) Decision Notice Received
22/0550/FUL The Barn Adj. to Springwell Barn, Beck St. Conversion of existing outbuilding (former grain store) to form 1x residential dwelling.
Permission was refused by NKDC.
6. General Parish Matters (22/120)
a) Dog Fouling.
Dog fouling is increasing around the village. There are dog waste bins situated all around the village, also the waste can be bagged and deposited the ordinary litterbins. It was agreed to write a polite reminder to put in the noticeboard.
Action: Clerk to produce a notice.
b) Memorial for Cllr C Harvey and set a budget.
Due to the reduced number of parish councillors it was agreed to defer any decision to next meeting
Action: Agenda item for the next meeting
c) Dedicated Dog Exercise Area.
Due to the reduced number of parish councillors it was agreed to defer any decision to next meeting
Action: Agenda item for the next meeting.
d) New LALC Website and to Confirm Access Authorisation.
The Clerk explained LALC have a new website, and attended the training on 27th July. It has all the same sections as the old site with the addition of an enquiries section. The Chairman and Clerk to have access to the portal.
7. Highways (22/121)
a) Highways issues.
It was agreed to report the subsidence on Fen Road.
b) Respond to correspondence about maintenance of Greendykes, New Flood Relief scheme and The Smoot footpath.
The Greendykes path edges are cut monthly by the parish. It was agreed to obtain a price for cutting back the dyke, GG agreed to obtain the house number of the tree that is sticking out over the path and a letter will be sent. The new flood relief is the responsibility of LCC and they are still organising a maintenance contract for the area. The Smoot is an un-adopted path so LCC will not maintain it.
19.32 – District Cllr Jim Clarke arrived – He spoke about the recent news that the cost of the Enterprise park at Sleaford has increased by 14m, the extra funds have been agreed by NKDC.
19.42 – NKDC Cllr Clarke left the meeting.
8. The Village Hall (22/122)
a) There has not been a meeting of the committee since the last parish council meeting. So there was nothing to report.
9. Drainage (22/123)
a) Gas Pipe across The Beck
The Environment Agency have confirmed the gas pipe has been removed from the Beck.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (22/124)
a) Monthly inspection of the Play Equipment
The Aug inspection is still to be carried out. Once DD and KH have carried out the inspection, it will be decided if a checklist newly designed by RoSPA, tailored for our play equipment, should be purchased.
b) Update on New Equipment Installation.
The Clerk has made enquiries and the layout design plans should be available by next week and but no update has been received on a date for installation.
11. Allotments (22/125)
a) Updates from the Allotment Committee
As JB or KG were not present, no report from the Allotment Committee was available.
12. Finance (22/126)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation.
The bank balances were reported as:-
PC General Account 28,290.29
Allotment Acc 7,612.05
Mary Greswell Trust 5.45
The audit for 2021/22 has been signed off by the external auditors and all paperwork will be placed on the website shortly. It was confirmed that any printed copies required of the paperwork by the public will be a charge of £25.00
b) Income Received. nil
c) Approval of Payments.
It was proposed by GG, seconded TB and RESOLVED that the following payments be made.
Salaries/Expenses 638.50
Village Hall hire - May/Jun 24.00
Jewson 2x playbark 227.84 + 45.57 VAT
MalcFirth Grd Maint - Jun 378.38 + 75.68 VAT
CJP Gardenservices - Jul 60.00
Greensleeves – Lawn Maint 48.33 + 9.67 VAT
PKF Auditors – 2021/22 audit completion 200.00 + 40.00 VAT
d) Update on the new signatories for the council's bank account
The mandates are now available for the councillors to sign.
13. Correspondence (22/127)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) Central Lincolnshire Local Plan – Notice of submission of the Plan to Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. – All councillors informed 28th July.
d) Dr Caroline Johnson MP- Q&A session for Parish Councils 9th Aug. Cllr GG agreed to attend.
e) Lincolnshire Good Home Alliance project – Aims to provide advice & support to people to stay safe and warm in their homes by accessing services for adapting and improving homes, includes energy efficiency and support services. Currently carrying out a survey – www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/goodhomes-alliance-pilot - It was agreed to forward this to the Parish News Letter
f) Afternoon with LIVES – 15th Sept 22 at Epic Centre, Lincolnshire Showground.
g) Lincolnshire Police Priority Setting Measures. The 2 measures agreed to put forward were 1. Speeding in the rural communities 2. A visible police presence in the Community.
14. Dates of Future Meetings (22/128)
Parish Council meetings
For 2022 - 12th Sep, 10th Oct, 14th Nov, 12th Dec.
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (22/129)
Replacement Wooden mushrooms for play area.
16. Closed Session (22/130)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
This item was not required.
20.10hrs There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.