March 2025 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the DIGBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 12th March 2025 at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall
PRESENT – Cllr A Barnham (AB); Cllr G Garton (GG); Cllr D Green (DG); Cllr K Groves (KG) and Cllr H Snowden (HS)
In attendance – Mrs A McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
Public Forum
It was asked when the footpath bridge on Jubilee Way will be repaired after being vandalised. It was confirmed it had been reported, LCC have inspected it so it is in hand.
It was asked if there was any update on cutting back the ivy near the cross, it was confirmed this is also in hand.
It was confirmed there is to be a village VE Day celebration. Details of the event are still being put together.
District & County Councillors' Matters
Apologies received from NKDC Cllr A Bailey
County Councillor Kendrick confirmed the purdah period is to start soon. He stated consultation is taking place for the eventual adoption of The Smoot footpath.
In the absence of the Chairman, KG agreed to Chair the meeting.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (25/038)
a) Welcome. KG welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies for Absence (25/039)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Bourne (JB) due to illness and Cllr Lewington (ML) due to family commitments.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (25/040)
a) Declarations of Interest.
HS declared an interest in item 6 (i) Bus shelter and KG declared an interest in item 11(b) Allotment rent review.
4. Signing of the Minutes (25/041)
a) It was proposed by GG, seconded by AB and RESOLVED to accept the notes of the Parish
Council Meeting held on Wednesday 12th February 2025 as a true record. It was agreed these be signed at a later date.
5. Planning Matters (25/042)
a) Planning Applications Received.
There were no new applications
There has been an update on application 24/1480/FUL – 9 dwellings off North Street, A Preliminary ecological appraisal report has been produced. Concerns were expressed that LCC Highways have asked for amended plans to include metalling the track and improvements to the access onto the B1188.
b) Decision Notice Received.
24/0654/OUT – Red Lion, North Street – Outline planning application for demolition of existing outbuildings, erection of one dwelling with separate access, together with reconfiguration of car park and alterations to car park access. The application was approved by NKDC
c) Update on Springwell Solar Farm application.
The Chairman and Clerk attended a further meeting at Scopwick. We were informed 457 entries have been submitted to the Planning Inspectorate; the majority of these entries are objections. There is to be a rally against solar farms/pylons in Lincolnshire taking place on 15th March in Lincoln.
6. General Parish Matters (25/043)
a) Improvements to the Footpath on Lincoln Road.
County Councillor Kendrick confirmed he has no further update as yet but the work is in the system.
b) Update on the emptying of Dog Waste Bins.
The bins, situated on Greendykes, were reported after the last meeting to Environmental Health at NKDC. There was a further report sent on 28th Feb after the situation had not improved. They have now been emptied properly. The bins are to be monitored.
c) VE Day Celebrations.
It was proposed by GG, seconded by DG that a grant amount of up to £300.00 be set aside for the village to assist with any VE Day Celebrations. Grant applications must be sent to the Clerk so they can be assessed by the parish council for approval.
d) Digby Emergency Plan – A table top exercise is to take place with the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum (LRF) to check the plans effectiveness. A selection of dates have been forwarded to Mr Davies, the Digby Emergency Plan co-ordinator and he is dealing directly with the LRF to arrange when this will take place.
e) Invitation to attend NKDC Parish & Town Council Forum
The meeting is to take place on 10th April and will include meeting the new NKDC Chief Executive. HS and the Clerk will be attending the meeting.
f) Update - to Plant a Tree on Beck Street.
The Clerk put a request in via our County Councillor. A completed Highways Licence Application to Plant in the Verge is required. It was agreed to delay this application for a while as the free tree received is too small to be placed in the verge. It will be allowed to grow for now and will be planted in a couple of year’s time.
g) Review of the Insurance Cover.
The review had been forwarded to the councillors prior to the meeting. It was agreed no further alterations are required. The company will be notified the War Memorial is now a listed monument.
Action: The Clerk to notify the insurance company of the War memorials new Listing.
h) No. 33 The Hurn
The property has had no action taken on it since it was burnt out during the summer. It is felt it is becoming dangerous as it is deteriorating due to being exposed to the weather. Although it is not known who to contact it was agreed to ask for advice from NKDC Empty Homes Officer.
Action: The Clerk to contact NKDC Empty Homes Officer.
i) Brick Bus Shelter – B1188
HS Declared an interest in this item and took no part in the decision.
The original agreement of the brick bus shelter was discussed and it was noted that the drainage pipes under the shelter had not been cleared for several years. It was proposed by GG and seconded by AB that the clerk should contact Mr Bradshaw and ask for a price to clear the pipes out.
Action: Clerk to obtain a price for clearing out the pipes.
7. Highways (25/044)
a) Highways issues.
It was noted some of the larger potholes have been filled in along Station Road beyond the railway bridge after the Clerk put in the request via FixMyStreet.
AB mentioned the condition of the footpaths in North Street, GG confirmed Highways know about them but it doesn’t hurt to continue to report any sections that appear to be getting worse.
Action: Councillors to report any deteriorating sections of North Street pavements to FixMyStreet.
8. The Village Hall (25/045)
a) Minutes from the latest Meeting of the Committee.
GG requested the Clerk check if there have been any meetings as we have not been in receipt of any minutes for a while.
Action: Clerk to check when last meeting was held.
b) Christmas tree lights.
The Clerk contacted the Chaiman of the village hall after the last meeting. He has confirmed he is happy to continue to help put the lights up but will require assistance in the future. It was agreed help will be organised.
9. Drainage (25/046)
a) Meeting held on 24th Feb with the LCC Flood Officers and partners.
It was agreed an up-to-date model of the land to the North and East of the village is required before any possible scheme to reduce the risk of flooding from that region can be produced. The Lincolnshire Resilience Forum (LRF) have agreed to use their drone to map out the area. They will notify us when it will take place so we can notify the parishioners. Also the Section 19 recommended a monitoring gauge on the Beck. LRF agreed to arrange the fitting of a gauge.
Anglian Water were unable to tell us when the updates to the Water Recycling Centre at Rowston are to be carried out. Since the meeting a letter from Anglian Water has stated no work is planned. This information has been sent to NKDC Planning and the Anglian Water Rep that attended to the meeting asking for clarification.
Action: The Clerk to draft a notice, ready to be distributed once a date for the drone is known
b) Update on the maintenance of Greendykes.
JB confirmed the Greendykes is now clear all the way to the Grainfield development. The Grainfield section of the dyke now needs to be now cleared by the landowners.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (25/047)
a) Monthly Inspection of Play Equipment.
The March inspection will be completed by GG
b) Bowls Club Lease.
No update from last months actions as JB is unavailable.
c) Progress on Plans for the New Equipment.
A working group meeting has taken place, the volunteers have been contacted. It was agreed to Invite representatives from Kompan, Wicksteed and ESP for a site meeting, at the playing field, to plan the infant section of the play area.
Action: The Clerk to arrange site visits.
d) To review the Ground Maintenance Contract for 2025-26
The revised prices for this seasons grass cutting from MalcFirth have been received and distributed to the councillors prior to the meeting. It shows an 8% increase, it was proposed by GG, seconded by HS and all agreed to accept the reviced prices.
e) NKDC Tree Officer – Inspection of the Playing Field Trees.
The Clerk has requested a date from the NKDC Tree Officer, for the inspection to be carried. It has been requested the area of trees backing on to the gardens of North Street be checked for safety.
The resident that wrote about the trees in this area will be notified of that an inspection is to be carried out
A notification has been received about the possible removal of some conifers along the School Boundary. As these trees are on the bank belonging to the LCC side of the riparian dyke, there were no objections.
Action: The Clerk will respond to the notification.
11. Allotments (25/048)
a) Updates from the Allotment Committee.
It was reported there is currently 1 vacant plot. The freed trees have been delivered and planted. A separate group has now formed for caring for chickens on the allotments.
b) Annual Review of Allotment Rents.
KG declared an interest in this item and took no part in the decision.
The current rent for the allotment plots is £15.60. It was proposed by GG, seconded by DG and all agreed this be increased to £16.00
The current rent for the allotment field is £655.20. It was proposed by GG, seconded by AB and all agreed this be increased to £675.00
All approved the increases.
Action: The Clerk will notify the Allotment Association committee and the land tenant.
12. Finance (25/049)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of the Bank Reconciliation.
The bank balances were reported as:
PC General Account £10,870.73
Allotment Account £6,161.48
Mary Gresswell Trust £ 5.58
The bank reconciliation was approved.
b) Income received during the last month.
None to date
c) Approval of Payments.
It was proposed by AB, seconded by GG the following payments are to be made.
Salaries/Expenses £794.82 +VAT £5.90 = £791.14
LALC annual training Scheme £162.00
ICO Data Protection Fee £47.00
Lloyds Bank charges £4.75
13. Correspondence (25/050)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) LCC Draft Lincolnshire rights of Way improvement plan 2025 – Survey
d) Access to GP Services – Survey https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/6KZF2P/
e) The Alpkit Foundation – supports projects to encourage people to experience the benefits of getting outdoors
14. Dates of Future Meetings (25/051)
Parish Council Meetings for 2025 – Second Wednesday of the month – 9th Apr, 14th May, 11th Jun, 9th Jul, 13th Aug, 10th Sep, 8th Oct, 12th Nov and 10th Dec
The Annual Parish Meeting is booked for 23rd April and the Annual Parish Council Meeting is booked for 14th May.
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (24/052)
None at this time, any items for the next agenda can be requested to the Clerk during the month.
16. Closed Session (25/053)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
It was RESOLVED to go into Closed Session – there were no members of the public.
a) To confirm the litter picker and gardeners rate of pay and hours from 1st April 2025.
It was agreed the increase the rates of pay in line with the National Minimum wage and the hours to increase as per the summer requirements of 14hrs a month for the litter picker/groundsman and 4hrs a month for the gardener.
This was proposed by AB, seconded by DG and agreed by all.
It was also agreed the gardener be employed for an extra 3 hours for March to help with getting back on top of the borders.
21.00Hrs – There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.