April 2023 Minutes Annual Parish Meeting
DIGBY ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Minutes from the Annual Parish Meeting held on Wednesday 26th April at 7.00pm 2023 at DIGBY MEMORIAL HALL
There were11 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, Cllr James Bourne, welcomed everyone to the Annual Parish Meeting.
2. APOLOGIES
Apologies were received from District Councillors Steve Clegg and Jim Clarke, County Councillor Rob Kendrick. Steve Priestley (Village Hall), Karen Groves, Mrs Miller (Digby Primary School) and Neil Bathard (Kings Coronation Celebrations).
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES FROM THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 2022
The Clerk read the minutes from the meeting held on 13th April 2022. It was proposed by GG and all agreed the minutes to be signed as a true record.
4. PRESENTATIONS
• Digby Parish Council –
The Chairman gave a report of the years activities, which included the installation of the new exercise equipment and the projects for the Queens Jubilee. It also included the maintenance of assets and the consultations with other authorities.
Copies of the Income and Expenditure accounts were available and the Clerk gave a brief report.
There were no questions.
• Lincolnshire County Council
Not present
• North Kesteven District Council
Not Present
• Police Rep – Maisie McMahon, Safer Together Co-ordinator for North and South Kesteven
Neighbourhood attended and gave a brief outline of her work.
Q. Why the Reduction of PCSOs –
A. She cannot answer this as it was a Police Force decision. She recommended direct contact to the Force to ask this question
Q. Lack of response from the police to a local anti-social behaviour issue which is causing great anxiety.
A. After listening to the concerns, she agreed to pass it on to Neighbourhood policing and she spoke privately to the resident concerned.
• Village Hall Committee
Steve Priestley could not be present but sent a report which was read out by Darren Drysdale. It covered the fund-raising events and the maintenance that had been carried out on the hall over the last year.
There were no questions.
• Allotments
Not present
• Digby Primary School
Not Present
• St Thomas Church
Mrs Gillatt gave a brief outline of how the group of six parishes work together by providing a service every week in at least one of the churches. The churchyard grass is continuing to be cut by volunteers and the system is working well. Fund raising activities are going on throughout the year.
There were no questions.
• Digby Bowls Club
Not present
• The Kings Coronation Celebrations
Neil Bathard could not be present but sent a report which was read out by the Clerk. It gave details of the timings and activities that are going to be happening on the Sunday 7th May of the Coronation weekend.
There were no questions.
5. REFRESHMENTS
Due to the hall being double booked, there was no access to the kitchen area.
6. PUBLIC FORUM
The Chairman opened the meeting for any other matters to be discussed
a) Concerns were expressed about the Solar farms and the environmental impact to the area.
b) Also public footpath No.8. The sign has fell over, and a builder has left rubble making the track dangerous.
c) Where is the dropped kerb at the end of Greendykes path (Rowston end) it is preventing Mobility Scooters access.
d) Can street lighting be put on B1188 in the vicinity of bus stop as it is very dark in the winter. A light would help drivers spot any pedestrians.
Meeting closed 20.05hrs