August 2023 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes from the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 14th August 2023, at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
Present: Ian Davies, Chairman (ID); James Bourne (JB); Darren Drysdale (DD); Gerald Garton (GG); Karen Groves (KG) and Ken Hand (KH).
In attendance: Angie McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
Public Forum
Two members of the public were present and requested to hold a Dog Show on the playing field on 30th September. They have got stalls interested in attending. It will run from 10am to 4pm, all money raised will go to a local dog trust. The council agreed to discuss this and get back to the residents as soon as possible.
District & County Councillors' Matters
NKDC – Cllr Bailey (AB) mentioned a group called Planning for the Planet; their details are online. She is aware there are changes being made to the plans for the solar farm development. She reminded the council about the Community Larder in Sleaford and Lincoln and also carers are entitled to breaks and can contact Carefree Breaks for more information. GG reported fly tipping of 2 straw bales near the Beck and rubbish dumped on B1188 near arches between Digby and Dorrington. JJ mentioned he attended the local doctors meeting and was concerned about the number of missed appointments at local doctor’s surgeries.
LCC – Cllr Kendrick (RK) provided his monthly newsletter which has been forwarded to all the councillors. He mentioned tourism is important to Lincolnshire and the castle is a big draw. With the cancellation of the Christmas Market there will be additional events within the castle this winter.
The Clerk asked for updates on the adoption of the footpath ‘The Smoot’ from North Street to Greendykes and the installation of the 40mph speed restriction on the B1188, RK agreed to report back to the council. GG was disappointed with the response from Floodline when he reported the 2 bales of straw that had fallen in and was blocking the Beck . RK agreed to look into the responsibilities of Floodline.
A discussion then took place regarding the concerns about the digester proposed for Walcott, although the formal planning application has not yet been presented to LCC , there is to be a public consultation, held by the developers, in October, date to be notified.
1. Chairman's Opening Remarks (23/116)
a) Welcome
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies & Vacancy (23/117)
a) Apologies.
None, all councillors were present.
b) Co-option of a councillor on to the Parish Council.
No applications had been received by the Clerk.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (23/118)
a) Declarations of Interest.
GG declared and interest in item (23/121) (c) the painting of the telephone kiosk.
4. Signing of the Minutes (23/119)
a) GG stated a reason was needed to be added to the minutes as to why the council’s decision was altered as to when to purchased the equipment for the Community Speed Watch team. Previously in Minute (23/038)(a) it was agreed to purchase after locations had been approved. We were since notified by LRSP, the team needed to be trained and ready to deploy before Lincolnshire Road Safety Team would inspect and confirm the sites. This meant purchasing the equipment sooner.
It was proposed by JB, seconded by KG that after a correction to the minutes to accept the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Monday 10th July 2023 as a true and accurate record of that meeting.
5. Planning Matters (23/120)
a) Planning Applications Received.
Nil to date
b) Decision Notice Received.
Nil to date.
c) Solar Farm.
The Chairman had been invited to attend a meeting at Scopwick regarding the solar farm development. Concerns over the miss-identified grades of the agricultural land, that is to be developed, is being investigated and further information is being collected on if there is a fire and effects there could be on the local water course. As a neighbour to the proposed development, Scopwick will keep us informed of any further developments and forward the minutes from any further meetings. Their next meeting is to take place on 24th Aug.
6. General Parish Matters (23/121)
a) Update on The Cross and the Adoption of Footpath ‘The Smoot’ from North Street to Green Dykes.
The cross is still to be inspected by Historic England. The previous planned inspection was cancelled.
There is still no news on the adoption of the footpath. The Clerk has sent 2 reminder requests to LCC since the last meeting. RK is going to chase this.
b) Telephone Kiosk.
It was agreed the kiosk needs to be repainted. The Clerk has sourced the correct paint. It was agreed to obtain quotes from local painters for the work. DD, GG and ID to pass on details of painters.
Action: Ther Clerk to obtain quotes.
c) Work on the Trees in the Pond Area on North Street.
Two tree specialists have provided quotes to pollard the large willow and reduce the size of the Cherry, that is currently overhanging the road. It has been identified this land is classed as Common Land and as the risk has been identified the council agreed work needs to be carried out to reduce the possibility of damage to the adjoining property. Both quotes were considered and it was proposed by KH, seconded by ID and all agreed to accept the quote from P P French for £1800.00.
Action: The Clerk is to request the work is carried out as soon as possible.
7. Highways (23/122)
a) Pot Holes or Highways Issues.
No issues were reported.
b) School Safety Zone and Request for a New Street Light on B1188.
Highways have started marking the area out for the school safety zone.
NKDC have confirmed they are still considering the provision of the street light.
c) Community Speed Watch.
All the equipment has been purchased and is to be held by the Community Watch group. We are still awaiting LRSP confirmation of the site locations. The insurance company have been informed of the formation of the group and are covered by the Public Liability. There are possibly 2 additional recruits for the team. Training will be arranged for them once they have been confirmed.
d) LCC Survey of Parish Drains.
LCC are asking the parishes to carry out a survey of the drains and dykes and to mark any additional ones that are missing off their maps. Each councillor was given an area to check. The survey to be completed by Oct.
8. The Village Hall (23/123)
a) Village Hall Meeting.
Minutes from the latest meeting of the committee had been distributed to the councillors prior to this meeting. There were no comments for the minutes.
It has been notified the Red Lion held a summer event and placed a bouncy castle on the village hall lawn without permission.
Action: The Clerk to write explaining the need for permission and insurance cover for inflatables on parish land.
b) Improvements to the Village Hall Lawn.
A meeting with Greensleeves took place on 18th July. A recommendation on how to proceed has been forwarded to the councillors. The work to commence in September with the area scarified at £234.00 followed by an autumn treatment at £64.00, any bare areas to be reseeded by hand. All agreed this needs to be carried out.
JB stated the gardener needs extra hours 2hrs a month during the summer growing season. It was proposed by ID, seconded by KH and all agreed the gardeners hours can be extended by an extra 2hrs during the summer.
9. Drainage (22/124)
a) Drainage Issues.
JB reported the dyke has been cleared from the pumping station to the Queen dyke.
GG asked if there is to be any follow up by LCC to the Riparian Leaflet sent out.
Action: The Clerk to check with LCC .
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (23/125)
a) Monthly Inspection of the Play Equipment/Playing Field.
The RoSPA report on the annual inspection will be circulated as soon as it arrives.
Regarding the Dog Show request from the Public Forum, it was agreed it could go ahead on the playing field on receipt of a copy of adequate event insurance and a copy of a risk assessment. All dogs will need to be kept on leads, a licence obtain if alcohol is to be sold, and a parking area designated.
Action: Clerk to notify the organisers and have receipt of documents 14 days prior to the event.
It was reported that replacement bin bags are not being put in the litter/dog bins by NKDC when they have been emptied. There is no bin bag in the bin near the dug-out or the dog bin on Greendykes, behind Chestnut Close and the wheelie bin in Harrowby Close is over flowing.
Action: The Clerk to report the situation and the overflowing bin.
b) Dug-out Reconstruction.
The fallen roof and all the tin and wood have been removed from the site, so it is safe during the school holidays. ID is still waiting for a quote for the rebuilding of the dug-out. JB will also obtain a quote for the rebuild.
c) Grass Cutting of Greendykes and Clearing of the Dyke.
KG is concerned that the grass is not being cut along Greendykes, as per our contract, by MalcFirth. A local resident is currently cutting the path and other areas around the village.
Action: The Clerk to check with MalcFirth.
JB/KH will ask Philip Baumber to clear the dyke along Greendykes as far as he can and cut the dyke and hedge at the allotments. Also, they will ask if he can recommend someone to complete the rest dyke at Greendykes that cannot be reached by tractor.
11. Allotments (23/126)
a) Allotment Committee.
It was reported the BBQ event was well attended. The quotes for the road repairs have not been received yet.
12. Finance (23/127)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of the Bank Reconciliation
PC Account 24,841.80
Allotment Account 6,851.48
Mary Gresswell Account 5.45
The bank reconciliation was approved.
b) Income Received.
There has been no income received since the last meeting.
c) Approval of the following Payments.
It was proposed by GG, seconded by ID and RESOLVED the following account are paid.
Salaries/Expenses 715.50
Malc Firth 525.00
Protect Signs – Community Speed Watch 109.71
Laser Tech UK LTD – Speed radar 346.80
Howsafe Ltd – High Vis Jackets 45.89
Mr Hand – Petrol for mower 7.30
NKDC – Election costs 68.40
13. Correspondence (23/128)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
The Clerk and Chairman are to attend the Chairman and Clerks training course on 4th Oct.
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
14. Dates of Future Meetings (23/129)
Parish Council meetings
For 2023 - 11th Sep, 9th Oct, 13th Nov, 11th Dec.
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (23/130)
Review media policy
16. Closed Session (23/131)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
This item was not required.
20.53hrs There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.