October 2025 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 8th October 2025, at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
Present – Cllrs K Groves, Chairman (KG), A Barnham (AB), D Green (DG), G Garton (GG) and H Snowdon (HS)
In attendance – A McDonald, Parish Clerk and Proper Officer.
Public Forum
A resident spoke about local drainage and flooding issues and hoped the information he supplied will help the council with future drainage planning for the village.
District & County Councillors' Matters
Neither the District or County Councillor was present.
The Chairman declared the meeting in session.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (25/155)
a) Welcome.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies for Absence (25/156)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received and accepted from M Lewington (ML) and J Bourne (JB).
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (25/157)
a) Declarations of Interest.
There were no declarations of interest.
4. Signing of the Minutes (25/158)
a) It was proposed by HS, seconded by AB and resolved to accept the notes of the
Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 10th September 2025 as a true record. The chairman signed the minutes.
5. Planning Matters (25/159)
a) Planning Applications Received.
Nil to date
b) Decision Notice Received.
Nil to date.
6. General Parish Matters (25/160)
a) Community Heartbeat Quotation for a replacement Defibrillator.
The quotation for a replacement defibrillator and new cabinet was £1,620.00 + VAT. It was proposed by KG, seconded by HS and all agreed to accept this quotation. The Community Heartbeat understand we would not be considering replacing the existing defibrillator until the next financial year and the quote was for budgeting purposes. The cost of replacement will be added to the budget planning for the next financial year. The current defib is serviceable and working.
Action: To be added to the budget planning for 2026-27.
b) NKDC Litter Picking Grant.
The Clerk confirmed the annual report had been sent to NKDC along with the request for the grant. Confirmation of the award of the grant for £186.62, from NKDC, has been received and will be deposited in the council’s bank account shortly.
c) Move to a Gov.UK Domain.
The Council discussed how they must reconsider their original decision of waiting until it became compulsory, since the response from the External Auditor.
The External Audit recommended the move to a Gov.UK domain, to be in line with the JPAG
Practioners Guide 2025, as the council will need to prove they have complied with the digital security guidelines for next years audit. It was proposed by GG to move to a Gov.UK domain using Cloud Next, this was seconded by KG and all agreed
Action: The Clerk to complete the move and issue new emails to the councillors.
7. Highways (25/161)
a) Highways Issues.
The road is subsiding again on Fen Road. This will be reported on FixMyStreet.
Report of overhanging ivy was noted and letter will be sent requesting it be cut back.
Action: The Clerk to deal with the reports.
8. The Village Hall (25/162)
a) Minutes from the latest meeting of the committee.
The next meeting is not until 13th Oct. On receiving the minutes from that meeting, they will be distributed to the councillors.
b) Shrubs – Village Hall Garden.
Since the work carried out by the LCC volunteers it was agreed new shrubs were needed to fill the spaces. KG proposed a selection of 8 shrubs be purchased for approximately £110 for the village hall garden, this was seconded by AB an all agreed.
Action: KG to purchase the new shrubs.
9. Drainage (25/163)
a) Flooding Reduction.
It was agreed now the drone footage is available, the proposed plan to reduce the surface water entering the village from the south and east must be discussed and a scheme be produced.
It was agreed to write LCC, with a copy to Rt Hon Caroline Johnson MP, LCC Cllr Kendrick and Chairman of the County Council with a request to commence plans.
Action: The Clerk to carry out the above action.
b) Quote for cutting the Beck next year.
A verbal quote of £200.00 per cut has been received. The Clerk is waiting for this to be finalised in writing.
Action: Add to next agenda to consider.
c) Newsletter.
The newsletter was produced and distributed and was well received. Two emails have been received about an item, the Christmas light switch on event. The Chairman is responding.
d) Fallen Tree – Greendykes
A tree stump from No2 The Hurn has fallen into the dyke and will reduce the flow. It was agreed as this area is under riparian ownership the council will request if be removed.
Action: The Clerk to send the request.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (25/164)
a) Monthly Inspection of Play Equipment.
GG completed the inspection and recommended the removal of one the five a side goal post due to rusting. Also, due to deterioration of areas on the toddlers multi-play equipment it should be closed off. Repairs may be possible, but if not, the access to the equipment will need to be prevented until the new equipment is installed. This was seconded by HS. Tape to cordon off the area will need to be purchased and signs produced.
Action: GG to look into the removal of the goalpost and the repairs to the equipment. Clerk to obtain tape and produce signage if needed.
North Kyme Football club have asked to use the football pitch for the rest of their home games. The Clerk is currently checking to confirm the Glebe Football Club no longer wish to use the field. If it is confirmed, it was agreed North Kyme Football club will be welcome to use the field.
b) Consultation for the New Play Equipment Project.
KG reported the consultation took place at the local coffee morning and went very well. Twenty three comment sheets were completed. The overall choice of design was 10 for Creative Play, there was a close second of 9 for ESP and 4 for the Wicksteed design. It was agreed to contact the school to see if there was a possibility to display the designs for further comments from the children and parents. HS will look into this.
The planning of the next fund-raising event for the play equipment on 29th Nov, is progressing. The serviceability of the Christmas tree lights needs to be checked and a request for art equipment has gone out. Raffle prizes and volunteers will be needed.
c) Lead Signature – Funding Application
It was proposed by GG, seconded by DG to approve the Chairman to sign as the lead applicant for the funding application to the FCC. The filling in of the application is progressing nicely and needs to be submitted by 9th Nov.
d) Work on Trees.
The quote for work on the trees at the rear of 23 North Street is £470.00. All agreed the work be carried out as a health and safety issue and it is scheduled for 6th November. It was also agreed the work on Sorbus at the Village Hall to reduce, shape and remove any dead wood at a cost of £290.00 also be carried out.
11. Allotments (25/165)
a) Updates from the Allotment Committee.
The representative was not present so there was nothing to report.
12. Finance (25/166)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation.
The bank balances were reported as:-
PC General Account £24,516.48
Allotment Account £ 7,520.93
Mary Gresswell Trust £ 5.58
The clerk had forwarded a copy of the half yearly accounts for the councillors as well as the bank reconciliation. The bank reconciliation was approved. The councillors will be able to review the accounts to confirm the council is remaining with the planned budget for the year.
b) Income
A donation to play equipment fund raising of £61.07 received during the last month.
c) Approval of Payments.
It was proposed by KG, seconded by DG and resolved that the following payments are made
Salaries/Expenses 1,018.28
Lloyds bank charges 4.25
MalcFirth 615.60
Poppy Wreath (reimburse the Clerk) 24.49
Hose attachments 14.99
d) Update on signatories for the bank account.
The clerk is progressing this item.
13. Correspondence (25/167)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors.
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) Central Lincolnshire Local Plan – Playing pitch & Outdoor Sports Strategy and Indoor & Built Facility Strategy - Research consultants Knight, Kavanagh & Page have sent out survey.
d) NKDC – Local Government Reorganisation – Survey. Details forwarded to all councillors.
e) NKDC – Partnerships Team – info on Wildlife Trust – Green Community Grants and Our Planet Our District young persons poster challenge. Details forwarded to all councillors.
f) LALC – Free Webinar, Martyn’s Law 21st Oct, details forwarded to all councillors.
14. Dates of Future Meetings (25/168)
Parish Council Meetings for 2025 – Second Wednesday of the month – 12th Nov and 10th Dec
Parish Council Meetings for 2026 – Second Wednesday of the month – 14th Jan, 11th Feb, 11th Mar, 8th Apr, 13th May,10th Jun, 8th Jul, 12th Aug, 9th Sep, 7th Oct, 11th Nov, 9th Dec.
Annual Parish Meeting 22nd April 2026.
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (24/169)
Consider projects for 2026-27 for budget planning.
Pest control for playing field
16. Closed Session (25/170)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
This item was not required.
20.52 - There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed
Meeting Closed