September 2024 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the DIGBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 11th September 2024 at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
PRESENT – James Bourne, Chairman (JB); Ann Barnham (AB); Gerald Garton (GG); Karen Groves (KG); Mike Lewington (ML) and Helen Snowden (HS)
In Attendance – Angie McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
Public Forum
There was one member of the public present but they did not wish to speak.
District & County Councillors' Matters
Cllr Kendrick agreed to support the application to nominate the Red Lion as an Asset of Community Value. He also mentioned that since the change in Government the Capital Funding programme is being reviewed and this may affect the building of the next phase of the Lincoln by-pass.
Finally, the investigations into the Section 19 reports after the flooding last winter are coming to an end so the results of actions to be taken will soon be known.
The District Councillor was not present so the Chairman declared the meeting in session.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (24/130)
a) Welcome.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies for Absence & Consider Co-option (24/131)
a) Apologies.
All councillors were present.
b) Vacancy on the Council.
It was agreed If no election was called by NKDC the clerk will advertise the vacancy to be filled by co-option.
Action: The Clerk to place a Notice of Co-option on the noticeboards and Website
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (24/132)
a) Declarations of Interest.
There were none declared.
4. Signing of the Minutes (24/133)
a) It was proposed by GG. seconded by HS, and RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the
Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 14th August 2024 as a true and accurate record.
5. Planning Matters (24/134)
a) Planning Applications Received.
24/098/PNAGR – Land south of Beck Street, Agricultural Storage Building
No objections, although it was noted to inform Highways the road will need strengthening from the bridge to the junction of the lane to cater for the increase of vehicles.
b) Decision Notice Received.
Nil to date.
c) Responses to Planning Applications.
ML asked, if ‘How the council responds to planning applications’, could be formalised?’. Presently it was felt there were no formal guidelines. Discussion took place on the possible options and it was agreed the Clerk will look into how other councils respond and the guidelines they may have in place, and then bring these back to the next meeting for consideration.
Action: The Clerk to investigate and produce a draft set of guidelines for consideration.
d) Information from the Solar Farm Sub-station pre-application meeting at NKDC held on 9th September.
JB logged and listened to the planning meeting, which explained the position and size of the proposed sub-station, should the solar farm application be approved. It will be sited 1.4miles from Navenby. An open public consultation is to take place on 27th Sept at The Venue, Navenby.
6. General Parish Matters (24/135)
a) Update on the request for a Saturday bus service
No information has been received from our County Councillor, but he will continue to put forward our request.
b) Updates on the abandoned vehicle on Church Street.
The vehicle has finally been removed.
c) The Red Lion - Asset of Community Value Application.
The application form has been completed as requested at the last meeting and letters of support gathered. ML asked why the application is being made as the pub is currently up for sale and if a group were interested in purchasing it why are they not going down that route.
It was explained that at the last meeting, the Parish Council had been approached by residents to complete this form and it was felt this was a positive way to support the village.
A vote was taken as to whether the application should be signed and submitted. There were five votes for and one against, so the motion was carried. The Chairman signed the application form on behalf of the Parish Council.
Action: The Clerk to submit the application on receipt of the County Councillors letter of support.
d) Maintenance of the Pond Area on North Street.
A tree has been brought down, within the old pond area, by the weight of the ivy and is now leaning on a garage. This area of land does not belong to anyone, JB proposed the Clerk obtain a price to remove the tree and clean up the area surrounding it, this was seconded by KG. There were four votes for, and 2 against so the motion was carried.
Action: The Clerk to obtain a price for removing the tree and clearing the area surrounding it.
e) Replacement Spare Pads for the Defibrillator
The spare pads are now out of date, so it was agreed new pads must be ordered.
Action: The Clerk to order the new pads.
7. Highways (24/136)
a) Pot holes or Highways Issues.
It was noted the footpath along North Street is deteriorating in places. It was agreed ML will report it on FixMy Street the areas of concern.
Action: ML to report the footpath issues on FixMyStreet.
8. The Village Hall (24/137)
a) Minutes from the Latest Meeting of the Committee,
ML reported the meeting was cancelled and it is to be re-scheduled.
b) Village Hall Gardener and Grass cutting of the Lawn.
It was agreed to employ a gardener for 4hrs month in the summer and 2hrs a month in the winter. Extra hours can be allocated to get back on top of the garden. The position is to be offered to Mr O Hodson. The Clerk to look into aand report back to the council the details of the living wage, then a rate will be approved.
The Village Hall Grass cutting – 2 extra hours a month from 1st April to 30th Sept to be added to the litter picker/ground maintenance workers salary to cover cutting the village hall lawn. An edge trimmer will be provided by AB. She agreed to drop it off at the home of the Litter Picker.
Action: The Clerk to obtain details of living wage and update the litter pickers contract.
c) Signage for Wall of Village Hall.
Due to information from the parish councils insurers, the council must see a copy of insurance from any group/individual carrying out events on land owned or managed by the parish council. It was agreed a sign is needed to be mounted on the village hall to advertise this.
Suggested wording – Any activities/events using the village hall garden must request permission from Digby Parish Council. Contact Digbypc@gmail.com
Action: The Clerk to obtain a price for this notice and ask permission from the village hall committee to erect the sign once approved.
d) The Purchase of New Shrubs for the Garden.
It was agreed additional shrubs are needed to be planted in the village hall garden area.
It was proposed by JB and seconded by AB, that up to £100 could be spent on new shrubs.
Action: KG to arrange the purchase of the shrubs.
9. Drainage (24/138)
a) Update on maintenance of Greendykes.
We are still waiting for a price for the maintenance for the dyke from the IDB. P Baumber has submitted a price of £315.
b) Update on the maintenance of the Flood Alleviation Channel.
We have been notified the last part of the channel, beyond the Station Road culvert will be cut back once the crop has been lifted from the field.
c) Update on the Emergency Plan.
No further update available.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (24/139)
a) Monthly inspection of Play Equipment
GG to complete this for this month. KG and HS to complete the play equipment inspection training on the 12th September. The RoSPA inspection has been read by the councillors and the remedial work will be carried out.
b) Digby Dog Fest – Insurance.
A copy of the insurance for the Dog Fest has been received and was distributed to the councillors prior to the meeting.
c) Progress of the Bowls Club Lease.
Still to be actioned.
d) Designs from Play Equipment Companies
The first of the designs has been received from ESP Playparks. We are still waiting for designs from Wicksteed and Kompan.
e) Village Walk About.
Since the noted actions from last months meeting, the request for a new footpath on a section of Lincoln Road, with kerbing has been made to Highways via our County Councillor. A request for a replacement public footpath sign off the Pinfold has been made to FixMyStreet and also the cutting back of all the vegetation to permit access. Letters have been sent to the properties identified with hedges growing out into the footways and the mirror on Station Road at the Harrowby Close junction has been reported to Highways.
11. Allotments (24/140)
a) Updates from the Allotment Committee.
A Meeting is to take place on the weekend of 14th Sept.
12. Finance (24/141)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of the Bank Reconciliation.
The bank balances were reported as:-
PC General Account £22,875.40
Allotment Account £ 5,801.48
Mary Gresswell Trust £ 5.57
The bank reconciliation was forwarded to the councillors prior to the meeting and was approved.
b) Income.
There was no income received during the last month.
c) Approval of Payments.
It was proposed by GG, seconded by AB and resolved; the following payments were to be made.
Salaries/Expenses £770.13 plus VAT £5.75 = £775.88
MalcFirth £475.50 plus VAT £94.90 = £569.40
CJP Garden Services £90.00
Mr K Hand – Bus shelter paint £36.64 plus VAT £7.34 = £43.98
Play safety - RoSPA £244.00 plus VAT £48.80 = £292.80
Mrs McDonald – Hedge Trimmer £58.32 plus VAT £11.66 = £69.98
13. Correspondence (24/142)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) NKDC Climate Action in NK Survey
d) NKDC Community Champion Awards nomination
e) Confirmation that Digby War Memorial is now a new listed building
f) Citizens Advice – request to consider a donation
g) NKDC Litter Picking Grant application. Distributed to the Councillors. The Clerk to complete and send off
h) Central Lincolnshire Design Code -survey details will be put in the noticeboard.
14. Dates of Future Meetings (24/143)
Parish Council meetings for 2024 – Second Wednesday of the month - 9th Oct, 13th Nov and 11th Dec.
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (24/144)
TBN
16. Closed Session (24/145)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960.
This item was not required.
21.00hrs There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.