August 2025 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 13th August 2025 at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
PRESENT – Cllrs H Snowden (HS); A Barnham (AB); G Garton (GG) and M Lewington (ML)
In Attendance – A McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
Public Forum
A resident enquired when the water monitors are being put on Beck Street, and there has been concerns about the overgrown Beck.
The council responded that a request has been sent asking why a water monitor device has not been placed in the Beck, and why the Beck has not been cut.
A resident then informed the council about the current situation of the planning application for land off North Street and supplied information on the deadlines for the Springwell Solar Farm application.
There was also a report of a tree/bush near the brick bus shelter obstructing the view of the approaching buses. This will be reported to the land owner.
District & County Councillors' Matters
Apologies received from County Councillor Kendrick
In the absence of the chairman, Cllr Snowden (HS), Vice Chairman, agreed to take the meeting.
The Vice-Chairman declared the meeting in session.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (25/123)
a) Welcome.
The Vice Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies for Absence (25/124)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received and accepted from K Groves (KG) and D Green (DG) due to family commitments and J Bourne (JB) due to work commitments.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (25/125)
a) Declarations of Interest.
HS declared an interest in item 5a
4. Signing of the Minutes (25/126)
a) It was proposed by GG, seconded by AB and RESOLVED that the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 9th July 2025 be accepted and signed as a true record.
5. Planning Matters (25/127)
a) Planning Applications Received.
HS had declared an interest in this and took no part is the discussion or decision.
25/0304/FUL – The Pony Paddock, Application for new entrance wall, gate & fencing, security lighting and cctv, portable WC/shower block. Horse feed container. Removal of planting outside of new wall (retrospective).
The response for any comments was needed to be sent by 3rd Aug. The council responded requesting further information on the lighting and CCTV coverage. It was stated in the response that light pollution should not be affecting the neighbouring properties. It was also asked how the waste water from the toilet block will be dealt with. NK Planning are obtaining the information and will notify us of the outcome.
25/0942/PNAGR – Bloxholm Farm Rearing Units, Bloxholm Lane -Erection of 6x Silos, application for prior notification.
No comments or objections
b) Decision Notice Received.
Nil.
c) Update on village planning matters and associated information regarding the Springwell Solar Farm.
There has been no further correspondence to date on the planning application off of North Street.
All the updates from Scopwick, regarding the Springwell Solar Farm application have been received and distributed to the councillors, the latest stage for written comments to the Planning Inspectorate was 12th Aug.
6. General Parish Matters (25/128)
a) IT policy.
The IT Policy was distributed last month and the Clerk has not received any amendments or wording requiring alteration from the council. It was agreed, after some discussion to hold off signing the policy until more members of the council were present and when more information from LALC is available on the IT requirements of Parish Councils.
Action: To be added to the agenda at a later date.
b) Footpath 9 and the reported obstruction.
The issue has been resolved, and stiles have been installed on the route.
c) Request for Improvements to the Footpath on Lincoln Road.
The FixMyStreet request to repair the footpath has generated a response. LCC Highway will not be carrying out any immediate action. The site has been visited and has been identified for a larger scale improvement scheme. There are no dates for the scheme or a definite commitment that it will be carried out due to works being completed on a priority basis compared with the rest of the County footway network and the resources available.
Action: It was agreed the council will continue monitor the area, and will review it with LCC on an annual basis.
d) Defibrillator
As it is now 11 years old, it has been recommended that it is replaced. Suggestions for replacements have been provided by Community Heartbeat. The Clerk is still gathering information on possibly hiring the equipment in the future. The Defib is currently fully serviceable.
Action: It was agreed the council will include replacing the unit when setting the budget for next year and will continue to research for a suitable replacement.
e) Village VJ celebrations.
A grant of up to £200 was agreed by GG, seconded by AB, to help with any celebrations of VJ Day, organised by the village.
7. Highways (25/129)
a) Pot Holes or Highways issues.
The Street light is still out at The Cross.
Action: AB agreed to report it on FixMyStreet.
8. The Village Hall (25/130)
a) Latest Minutes of the Committee.
A copy of the latest minutes was distributed to the councillors. There were no comments.
b) LCC Volunteers, Garden Area.
The Clerk met with the manager of the volunteers on 11th Aug to clarify the works required. It was identified that some top soil will be required as well as the grass seed to bring the low areas up to the level of the lawn for when the volunteers start work on 9th& 10th September. AB has acquired the grass seed; the Clerk will organise the delivering of some top soil. AB requires an estimate of the area for the coverage for the grass seed.
Also, the Village Hall Chairman has forwarded information about further volunteers from a building company that may be able to help with a day’s weeding and tidying up. This will take place on 23rd Sept, it was agreed any help will be much appreciated.
Action: The Clerk to work out the area for the grass seed and thank the village hall chairman for obtaining the extra offer of help in the garden.
9. Drainage (25/131)
a) LCC Flood Resilience Programme.
The Flood Resilience Team have notified the council that the installation of Telemetry Monitoring devices has taken place. It has been noted they are positioned on North Street and Station Road. The Clerk has written to ask when a device is to be fitted on the Beck. These devices measure water levels all year round every 15 mins. Training session to learn about the devices is being organised, by the Flood Resilience team, for the Village Emergency Response team and the Parish Council. This will be followed by a wider community drop-in session and the opportunity to sign up to the free alerts. This project is being funded by Defra as part of a £200million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme, managed by the Environment Agency.
Action: The Clerk to notify the councillors of the training date and time.
b) Drone Mapping of the Village.
The mapping took place on 11th Aug, the leaflet drop, notifying residents was completed by the Parish Councillors prior to that date. Once the imagery is processed, a meeting will be arranged with the partners to progress the next step.
Action: The Clerk to arrange a date for the next meeting with LCC, EA and IDB.
c) Further Drainage Issues.
The maintenance of the Beck has not been carried out by the Environment Agency (EA). GG requested the council try and find the money to get the Beck cut. Permission from EA will need to be obtained before a cut can take place. It was also agreed to request information, via our County Councillor, as to why the flood alleviation channel has only been half cut.
Action: The Clerk is to progress the request about the maintenance of The Beck with EA, in the meantime to obtain a price for cutting out the bottom of the Beck and obtain permission from EA. Also write the LCC Cllr Kendrick about the flood alleviation channel.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (25/132)
a) Monthly Inspection of Play Equipment
GG has completed the monthly inspection and recommends the Five a-side Goal on the west side of the field need removing, due to rusting. Also, the Toddler multi play item and the rocking Hare needs to be removed due to decay in areas. The RoSPA inspection report is due to be received this month. The Council agreed, if these issues are confirmed by the RoSPA inspection then the clerk has permission to obtain a price to remove the equipment and have the area made good.
Action: Circulate the RoSPA report to councillors when received, and the councillors will then confirm the action for the Clerk.
b) Progress of the Bowls Club Lease.
Still on going.
c) Progress on the New Play Equipment Project.
AB confirmed 2x full quotes have been received and a third still to come. Once this has been received the full plans can be shown to the parish council and then the public consultation will take place.
To help with fund raising for the equipment, details of a possible event - Gin Tasting - are being looked into. A local distillery is offering a tour and tasting session.
11. Allotments (25/133)
a) Updates from the Allotment Committee.
No representatives from the allotments were present so any update will follow later.
12. Finance (25/134)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of the Bank Reconciliation.
The bank balances were reported as:
PC General Account £28,965.33
Allotment Account £7,529.43
Mary Gresswell Trust £5.58
The bank reconciliation, forwarded to the councillors prior to the meeting, was approved.
b) Income.
There was no income received during the last month.
c) Approval of Payments.
It was proposed by AB, seconded by GG and all agreed the following payments are to be made.
Salaries/HMRC/Expences £969.38 + VAT £6.08 = £975.46
MalcFirth £513.00 + VAT £102.60 = £615.60
Greensleeves £59.17 + 1VAT £1.83 = £71.00
Autela Payroll £70.00 + VAT £14.00 = £84.00
Bank Charges £9.42
Reimburse Clerk for signage =Bespoke signs
& padlock £26.63 + VAT £2.80 = £29.43
d) Pay Increase Recommendations from the National Joint Council for the Local Government Services.
It was proposed by AB, seconded by HS that the Clerk receive the pay increase and to be back dated to 1st April 25. All agreed.
13. Correspondence (25/135)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors.
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) Correspondence – about trees overhanging a garden off the playing field.
Councillors look at trees in this area, and then report to the Clerk.
d) Free Trees and Funding Opportunities – Councillors to look to identify any areas suitable for more trees.
14. Dates of Future Meetings (25/136)
Parish Council Meetings for 2025 – Second Wednesday of the month – 10th Sep, 8th Oct, 12th Nov and 10th Dec.
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (24/137)
33 Hurn, remind NK to re-assess.
16. Closed Session (25/138)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
This item was not required.
21.15hrs – There being no further business the Vice-Chairman declared the meeting closed.