July 2024 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the DIGBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 10th July 2024 at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
PRESENT – Cllr J Bourne, Chairman (JB); Cllr A Barnham (AB); Cllr L Crane (LC); Cllr G Garton (GG); Cllr K Groves (KG); Cllr H Snowden (HS)
Public Forum
A resident spoke about the proposed planning application for 27 dwellings, and notified the meeting of his communications with NKDC. The chairman confirmed when the application comes before NKDC Planning Committee, the parish council will attend and speak.
A resident asked if there were any plans to improve the flooding issues that were experienced last winter. It was explained the Section 19 reports are being worked through by LCC and it is hoped to have the results by September. Then the LCC Flood Officer will be in a position to consider any improvements.
District & County Councillors' Matters
County Cllr Kenrick stated the railway station request stop will be passed on to the MP now the general election had been completed. He also spoke about the progress of the Section 19 reports and confirmed the position of the LCC Flood Officer in detailing future works when the results have been considered.
District Cllr Bailey sent her apologies.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (24/098)
a) Welcome.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting
2. Apologies for Absence (24/099)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were given and accepted from Cllr Lewington
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (24/100)
a) None
4. Signing of the Minutes (24/101)
a) It was proposed by HS, seconded by KG and resolved to accept the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 12th June 2024 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
5. Planning Matters (24/102)
a) Planning Applications Received.
Nil to date.
b) Decision Notice Received.
Nil to date.
6. General Parish Matters (24/103)
a. Joint Application for a Saturday Bus Service with other local parish councils.
GG proposed the council write to all the parish councils of the surrounding villages to campaign for a Saturday bus service. It was agreed the clerk should write to each parish to gauge the response.
Action: Letter to be sent to local parish councils.
b. Training Courses – Consider sending KG on a social media course
It was proposed by JB, seconded by GG and all agreed to send KG on the course and pay the fee of £30.00
Action: Clerk to book the course via LALC.
7. Highways (24/104)
a) Pot Holes or Highways Issues.
LCC Highways have issued a road closure notice for Fen Road/Digby Fen from 1st Aug to 30th Aug 2024.
b) Maintenance of Public Footpaths No.2 and No.9/2.
These footpaths have not been cut.
Action: GG will report them on FixMyStreet
8. The Village Hall (24/105)
a) Minutes from the latest meeting of the committee.
The latest minutes have not been received.
Concerns about the poor state of the flower beds in the garden area have been expressed. JB agreed to speak to the gardener. HC suggested perhaps a voluntary village group may be interested to help. This needs to be looked into and be an agenda item next month
9. Drainage (24/106)
a) Maintain of Riparian Dykes.
The IDB stated at the flood meeting that they will investigate any riparian dykes not being maintained. It was agreed to report Greendykes to the IDB. The Clerk will try and find out who now owns the footpath side of Greendykes.
Action: The clerk to report Greendykes to the IDB.
b) Maintenance of the Flood Alleviation Channel.
This still has not been cut.
Action: JB to speak to IDB
c) Update on the meeting of the Emergency Group Volunteers.
Ian Davies is still waiting to hear from the LCC Resilience Forum as to whether our Emergency plan has been accepted, he agreed to chase it. A meeting of the volunteers is to take place on confirmation of the plan.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (24/107)
a) Monthly Inspection of Play Equipment.
GG has carried out the monthly inspection, the handle of the rocking hare is starting to loosen, it will be checked on the Asset Walk on the 16th July. Pest Control will be called out to deal with the moles.
RoSPA will be carrying out the annual inspection during August. The charges will be £78.00 for the Play equipment and a further £78.00 for the outdoor fitness equipment.
A meeting has been arranged with ESP Play Parks on 23rd July to look at suggestions for replacing some of the wooden play equipment.
b) Playing Field Road.
The work has now begun and JB reported it will be finished on 11th July.
c) Hedge Cutting Equipment.
It was agreed to consider purchasing a hedge cutter to be used by the litter picker. The Clerk to ask our litter picker to provide details and price of suitable equipment to be considered.
d) Bowls Club Lease.
Due to the several changes of councillors the work towards the lease was put on hold. It was agreed to allocate 2 councillors to reopen the work. It was proposed JB and GG will progress the lease.
e) Playing Field Trees, backing onto North Street.
A complaint about trees overhanging the garden of No. 23 North Street has been received. It was agreed to have this area looked at during the next inspection in the Autumn.
f) Slide – Bark safety surface
It was suggested to replace the wooden framework on the ground around the slide to retain the bark. This can be looked at on the Asset Walk on the 16th July and the clerk can look into the price of the timber.
11. Allotments (24/108)
a) Updates from the Allotment Committee.
JB stated the Open Afternoon was very good, but the weather could have been better.
Concerns have been expressed about sugar beet being planted in the adjoining field and whether there will be damage to the road when it is harvested.
12. Finance (24/109)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of the Bank Reconciliation.
The bank balances were reported as:-
PC General Account £29,321.72
Allotment Account £5.801.48
Mary Gresswell Trust £5.55
The bank reconciliation had been forwarded to the councillors prior to the meeting and was accepted.
b) Income received.
Pigeon Club Rent £38.22
This amount has been received by cheque and is to be banked.
c) Approval of Payments.
It was proposed by GG, seconded by KG, the following payments are made
Salaries/Expenses HMRC - £794.64 + VAT£7.44 Total £802.08
CJP Garden Services - £162.00
MalcFirth - £ 474.50 + VAT £94.90 Total £569.40
Autela payroll services - £62.54 + VAT £12.51 Total £75.07
RG Groundworks - £1,650.00
L Mallinson – Paint for dug-out - £31.96 + VAT £6.34 Total£ 37.96
d) Ground Rents.
The Clerk confirmed the rents to the Pigeon Club, Bowls Club, Football Club and Allotments have been invoiced
The football club are refusing to pay until the mole situation is sorted out.
13. Correspondence (24/110)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) LCC Flood Resilience Team – Have sent confirmation of properties that have reported flooding and section 19 reports are being carried out them.
d) Environment agency have sent a newsletter explaining the grass cutting maintenance
e) Poppy Appeal – Advance information to consider for our poppy appeal order.
f) Safety of Lithium Batteries & e-bikes and scooters – Request to support the campaign to improve the safety of the batteries and their disposal. Cllrs to look at the details of the campaign before responding.
14. Dates of Future Meetings (24/111)
Parish Council meetings for 2024 – Second Wednesday of the month - 14th Aug, 11th Sep, 9th Oct, 13th Nov and 11th Dec.
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (24/112)
Asset inspection results
Village garden voluntary group.
16. Closed Session (24/113)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
This item was not required
20.13hrs – There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.