August 2024 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the DIGBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 14th August 2024 at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
PRESENT - Cllrs James Bourne, Chairman (JB); Anne Barnham (AB); Gerald Garton (GG); Karen Groves (KG) and Helen Snowden (HS)
In attendance – Angie McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer
Public Forum
7 members of the public were present.
A request was made to register the Red Lion as an Asset of Community Value. Concerns were expressed about the possible loss of a community asset in light of the recent outline application to build a dwelling in the car park area. This is an agenda item to be spoken about later in the meeting.
Also, a request for new members for the Community Speed Watch was made.
District & County Councillors' Matters
No District or County Councillors were present.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (24/114)
a) Welcome.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting. The Chairman noted Councillor Crane
had handed in her resignation.
Action: The Clerk to notify NKDC.
2. Apologies for Absence (24/115)
a) Apologies.
Apologies have been received and accepted from ML due to family commitments.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (24/116)
a) Declarations of Interest.
GG declared an interests in item 5a – application 24/0788/HOUS as he is a neighbour.
4. Signing of the Minutes (24/117)
a) It was proposed by HS, seconded by GG and RESOLVED to accept the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 10th July 2024.
5. Planning Matters (24/118)
a) Planning Applications Received.
24/0806/PNH – Spring well Cottage 22 Beck Street, Single storey rear extension 8.0m in length from original wall, eaves height of 3.0m and maximum height of 3.7m
No objections.
24/0654/OUT – Red Lion Inn, North Street, outline planning application for demolition of existing outbuildings and erection of one new dwelling with separate access, together with reconfiguration of existing par park with access, landscaping, layout and scale to be considered.
Objections had been sent as the cut of date for comment was prior to the meeting. The objections were based on the negative impact on the central village street scene.
24/0788/HOUS – 28 The Hurn, erection of a tree house (retrospective)
GG took no part in the discussion. The council had no comments on this application.
b) Decision Notice Received.
Nil to date.
c) An invitation has been received to attend an event on 17th Sept from the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan Team to an event on preparing a Design Code for Central Lincolnshire.
Action : GG agreed to attend.
d) Invitation to listen to the Pre-Planning Forum on 9th September. This is in relation to a presentation by National Grid for a proposed development of a new electricity substation on Navenby Heath, which is required to connect the proposed Fosse Green and Springwell solar NSIP
Action: JB agreed to take part
6. General Parish Matters (24/119)
a. Update on the request for a Saturday bus service.
The Clerk has contacted our County Councillor for support and is awaiting a response.
b. Update from KG on media training and the LALC Summer Conference.
KG reported the Conference was interesting and informative. One of the topics discussed was Project Ground Water. She also arranged for Kompan Play Equipment company to provide a quote for replacing the multi-play equipment in the playing field and we should hear from them soon.
The Media training was useful and it was agreed an internal training session of the council should be arranged to go through all the procedures.
Action: The Clerk to arrange a suitable time for the training.
c. Abandoned Vehicle on Church Street and Fly Tipping.
The abandoned vehicle was reported to FixMyStreet and a sticker has been placed on it from NKDC.
The fly tipping on Station Road, after the railway bridge has been reported.
Action: The Clerk to find out when the vehicle is due to be moved.
d. The Red Lion an Asset of Community Value.
Before the meeting the Clerk had forwarded the information relating to the Asset of Community Value registration. It was agreed that although the parish council did not have the Power of Competence so therefore could not be involved in the purchase or running of the Red Lion Inn should it be purchased by the community, it could complete the application on behalf of the village. A vote was taken and the majority of the council agreed the application should be completed.
Action: The Clerk will complete the registration form.
7. Highways (24/120)
a) Pot holes or Highways issues.
The Fen Road is currently being re-surfaced, and there have been several water leaks repaired in the village by Anglian Water.
b) LCC - Proposed new speed limit of 40mph from Digby to Ruskington.
Notification of imposing a speed limit of 40mph from Digby to Ruskington has been received from LCC Highways. The clerk had passed this information to the Community Speed Watch Team and they felt it was a good idea. It was agreed to write in favour of the proposal.
Action: The Clerk to confirmation to LCC Highways
c) Temporary Road Closure.
Notification of a temporary road closure on North Street to repair a burst main from 10th Aug to 16th Aug had been received.
8. The Village Hall (24/121)
a) Minutes from the latest meeting of the committee.
Not received.
b) Village Hall Garden – Maintenance.
As the current gardener has handed in his notice Mr M Frankish has agreed to take on cutting the grass. It was agreed to accept his offer, the extra hours will be added to his litter picking duties.
The maintenance of the flower beds was discussed that perhaps a voluntary group could help. Also, the Council will continue to find a gardener.
Action: To try and find volunteers and continue to look for a permanent gardener.
9. Drainage (24/122)
a) Update on Maintenance of Greendykes.
The Clerk had forwarded a short report to the councillors prior to the meeting from the IDB enforcement officer, of the issues of maintaining the dyke with so many people being responsible for keeping it clear. She explained her role was reactive not proactive so is limited on what can be achieved when the dyke is not blocked, but understands the councils wish to prevent it becoming into that state. She put forward 2 suggestions on how it could be managed for the council to consider.
i) Involve a solicitor to write to all the residents concerned, but this may lead to further letters and unlimited costs.
ii) The parish consider taking on the maintenance for the good of the village.
The parish council agreed the solicitor route was not the way forward. Regarding the parish taking on this dyke, the cost would need to be known before this suggestion could be considered.
Action: The Clerk to obtain the cost of maintaining the dyke from the IDB and MalcFirth.
b) Update on the Maintenance of the Flood Alleviation Channel.
The upper section, through Grainfield Lane, has been cut, but the area beyond the Station Road culvert has not been cut.
Action: JB to phone IDB to find out when this area is due to be cut.
c) Update on the Meeting of the Emergency Group Volunteers.
Ian Davies has been communicating with the Lincolnshire Resilience Flood Team (LRF) and since our initial completion of the Emergency Plan form a new format has been produced. Now a member of the LRF is adapting our plan into this new format. Once the revised plan, with the flood mapping inserted, has been received, a meeting of the volunteers will be called.
It was agreed the plan will belong to the Digby Community Emergency Plan (DCEP) team and can be amended by them when necessary.
Action: To notify Ian of the council’s agreement that the plan is owned by DCEP team and to thank him for all his time and work spent on producing this plan.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (24/123)
a) Report of Monthly inspection of Play Equipment.
The annual inspection by RoSPA has been completed during the last month and the report sent out to all the councillors. The full report will be discussed at the next meeting. There are no emergency repairs needing to be carried out. It was agreed to repaint the 5 a-side goal posts and rehang the nets.
Action: Add inspection report to next agenda, and the clerk to purchase paint and cable ties for the 5 a-side goal posts
b) Village Asset Walk-About.
The walk about took place on 23rd July. In general, the village assets are in good condition. The benches and seats in the playing field and a couple of bins need cleaning to remove lichen and an internal hedge at the playing field needs cutting back to allow the grass cutters better access. In addition to the asset inspection the walk about highlighted the following items to be dealt with.
i) To request a replacement footpath with kerbing on Lincoln Road from Church Street junction to the playing field pedestrian entrance.
ii) The public footpath sign needs to be reinstated at the Pinfold and the path needs cutting.
iii) letters to be sent to 2 properties with overgrown hedges blocking part of a footpath and restricting drivers’ visibility.
iii) Inform Highways of a mirror that has been erected opposite Harrowby Close junction.
iv) Agenda items for next month’s meeting to include discussing the pond area off North Street and the removal of a fallen tree in that area.
Action: The Clerk to progress the list of works as above.
c) Hedge Cutting Equipment for the Litter Picker.
It was agreed there are areas within the village that would benefit from the litter picker being able to cut them back, so a suitable hedge trimmer was suggested for £69.98. IT was proposed by JB, seconded by GG and agreed this be purchased.
Action: Clerk to arrange purchase of hedge trimmer
d) Progress of the Bowls Club Lease.
Due to work commits of the councillors this has not been progressed.
e) Plans for Replacing the Multi-play Equipment.
Kompan, Wicksteed and ESP Play Parks have been asked to produce plans/styles of equipment to be considered for the replacement of the existing multi-play equipment in the playing field. Once received, public consultation can take place to establish the style of equipment preferred and then applications for grants can commence.
f) Ground Framework around the Slide to Retain the Bark and Purchase of Bark.
It was agreed to put this on hold until the new play equipment designs had been received as some may include a slide design.
11. Allotments (24/124)
a) To report on any updates from the Allotment Committee.
There were no updates
12. Finance (24/125)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation.
General PC Account £27,950.27
Allotment Account £5,801.48
Mary Gresswell Trust £5.57
The bank reconciliation was approved.
b) Income.
The following income was received during the last month.
Red Lion Football Club £196.56
Bowls Club £ 65.52
c) Approval of Payments
It was proposed by GG, seconded by AB and RESOLVED that the following payments are made.
Salaries/Expenses/HMRC £874.79
CJP Garden Services £54.00
MalcFirth £949.00 + VAT £189.80 Total £1,138.80
LALC Training/Conference £70.00 + VAT £14.00 Total £84.00
K Groves - gate key £7.50 + VAT £1.50 Total £9.00
Mr Walker - roadway £2,849.50
Greensleeves - lawn £55.83 + VAT £11.17 Total £67.00
13. Correspondence (24/126)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan – Consultation ends 24th Sept 24.
d) Digby War Memorial has been given a Grade ll listed building category.
e) Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Greater Lincolnshire – LCC are running a survey, it will close 2nd September.
f) NKDC Climate Action Survey – Closing date 30th Aug
14. Dates of Future Meetings (24/127)
Parish Council meetings for 2024 – Second Wednesday of the month - 11th Sep, 9th Oct, 13th Nov and 11th Dec.
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (24/128)
Purchase of shrubs for village hall garden
Greendykes (Malcfirth/IDB quotes)
16. Closed Session (24/129)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
This item was not required.
21.20hrs – There being no further business the chairman declared the meeting closed.