February 2024 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes from the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 14th February 2024, at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
PRESENT -James Bourne (JB), Gerald Garton (GG), and Karen Groves (KG)
1. Election of Chairman (24/017)
a) Before the meeting could commence a chairman was elected after the resignation of Cllr Davies. GG proposed JB for Chairman, KG seconded the motion. JB accepted the position.
The Chairman closed the meeting for the public to speak.
Public Forum
Questions were asked about if the issues raised at the public flood meeting are progressing and is there to be another follow up public meeting. A progress report was given and it was confirmed a follow meeting will be taking place on 26th Feb.
District & County Councillors' Matters
Lincolnshire County Councillor Rob Kendrick sent his apologies.
There being no other speakers the Chairman declared the meeting back in session.
2. Apologies & Vacancy (24/018)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Mike Lewington (ML)
The council acknowledge the resignation of Cllr. D Drysdale. NKDC have been informed and the vacancy has been displayed on the noticeboard and website.
b) Co-option to fill the 2 Vacancies on the Council.
There has not been a request for and election, so the council must fill these vacancies by co-option. The co-option vacancies have been advertised on the noticeboard and website,
No applications to fill these vacancies have been received.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (24/019)
a) There were no declarations of interest.
4. Signing of the Minutes (24/020)
a) It was proposed by GG, seconded by KG and RESOLVED to accept the notes of the Parish
Council Meeting held on Monday 10th January 2023 as a true and accurate record of that meeting.
5. Planning Matters (24/021)
a) Planning Applications Received.
23/1429/FUL – Erection of 37 dwellings, new estate roads, surface water drainage infrastructure and play area (part of residential site allocation NK/DIG/001). Land off Station Road, Digby.
The comments from the council were sent prior to this meeting as the cut off date for comments was the 4th Feb. The parish council objected to the application as it exceeds the number of new dwellings allocated in the Central Plan for Digby. Also, until the flooding issues of the village have been improved, the application should be refused. Although water from this site would flow into the new flood alleviation channel, there was concerns that the extra water entering the Beck to the east of the village could cause the water in the Beck to back up quicker and add to the already existing issues in Beck Street.
b) Notice of Appeal.
Appeal Reference APP/R2520/W/23/3333022
Barn adjacent to Springwell Barn, Beck Street (23/0362/PNND)
The current comments about the Public Footpath still stand.
c) Decision Notice Received.
Nil to Date.
6. General Parish Matters (24/022)
a) Update on the adoption of footpath ‘The Smoot’ from North Street to Green Dykes.
It has been confirmed by LCC that once the maintenance has been completed the footpath will be adopted.
b) Update on the Information Sheet from the Parish Council
The information sheet has been produced and distributed to all the dwellings in Digby. It contained contact details for the County, District and Parish Council and their responsibilities. It also contained all contact details for emergencies including flooding.
c) LALC Subscription and Training Scheme 2024/25.
Subscription to LALC at £245.60 and to the LALC Annual Training Scheme, at £150.00 were considered. The subscription to LALC provides all the legal information for the council, and the training scheme provides training for both councillors and the clerk. It was proposed by GG, seconded by KG and RESOLVED these amounts are to be paid.
d) Resignation of Litter Picker and Advertise the Position.
Our current litter has resigned, the clerk has sent thanks for all he has done for the village.
A poster has been produced to advertise the vacant position and GG agreed to add it to the village Facebook page.
Action: The Clerk to place advert in the village noticeboards.
7. Highways (24/023)
a) Report any Pot Holes or Highways issues.
JB continues to report the potholes along Fen Lane.
b) Update for the request for a new street light on B1188
No update from NKDC has been received.
Action: The Clerk to make inquiries.
c) Update regarding Public Footpath No.5.
No further information has been received.
8. The Village Hall (24/024)
a) Minutes from the Latest Meeting of the Committee.
The committee have not met yet this month, the minutes will be forwarded to the parish councillors after their meeting.
b) Village Hall Representative.
With the resignation of Cllr Drysdale, the position of the Parish Council Representative on the Village Hall Committee is vacant. It was suggested ML could carry out this role.
Action: The Clerk to contact ML to see if he will accept the position.
9. Drainage (24/025)
a) Update on the issues raised at the public meeting held on 27th Nov.
i) Meeting with outside agencies to consider further improvements to reduce flooding.
We are still waiting for a meeting to be arranged by the LCC Flood Officer.
Action: The Clerk to chase this.
ii) Update on the Emergency Plan Guide
The Emergency Plan is continuing to be produced and information is being gathered.
ii) Confirm agenda for the next public meeting.
The agenda will consist of an update on all the issues raised at the last meeting and followed by an open forum.
b) Quote for removing fallen tree from Greendykes
A quote of £180.00 plus VAT has been received, also a resident agreed to look to see if they could remove the tree for free. It was proposed by KG, seconded by JB, to accept the quote from P&P French, if the resident was unable to remove the tree.
Action: The Clerk to arrange removal of the tree.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (24/026)
a) Report of Monthly inspection of Play Equipment.
GG will carry out the inspection.
b) Emergency tree felling on Eastern Boundary of the Playing Field.
During the recent bad weather 2 large branches broke off a tree backing on to the properties on North Street. It was considered to be a health and safety risk so the Clerk was given authority to call out a tree surgeon. On inspection it was deemed unsafe and the whole tree was felled at a cost of £144.00.
c) Update on the Bowls Club lease –
This item is currently on hold due to other commitments
d) Update on the improvements to the playing field road.
As the area is still too wet, no work has been able to commence.
e) To consider improving the drainage on the Eastern boundary of the field
JB is still to arrange a meeting with IDB representatives, but there has been a delay due to the recent bad weather increasing the IDB work load.
f) Arrange Training for Councillors to Inspect the Play Equipment.
KG agreed to attend the training.
Action: The Clerk to book KG on a course.
11. Allotments (24/027)
a) Updates from the Allotment Committee.
KG reported the hedging trees are to arrive between 28th Feb and 6th March
12. Finance (24/028)
a) Bank balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation.
PC General Account 13,383.03
Allotment Account 6,851.48
Mary Gresswell Trust 5.49.
b) income Received during the last Month.
None to date.
c) Approval of the following Payments.
It was proposed by GG, seconded by KG and RESOLVED the following payments are made.
Salaries/Expenses 676.10
P&P Tree Services 144.00
Select electrical Services 116.58
Pelican Trust – printing of info sheet 14.00
13. Correspondence (24/029)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) Billinghay & District Community Pool – Looking for grants, donations or volunteer to help retain the facility.
d) Police & Crime Commissioner – Invite – Parish Council Engagement Session 25th June 24
14. Dates of Future Meetings (24/030)
Parish Council meetings for 2024 – Second Wednesday of the month - 13th Mar, 10th Apr, 8th May, 12th Jun, 10th Jul, 14th Aug, 11th Sep, 9th Oct, 13th Nov and 11th Dec.
Annual Parish Meeting 22nd April 2024
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (24/032)
Speed limit on B1188
Springwell Solar Farm public consultation at Blankney on 20th Feb
16. Closed Session (24/032)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960.
This item was not required.
20.00hrs There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.