April 2025 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the DIGBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 9th April 2025 at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
Present – Cllr K Groves (KG), Cllr G Garton (GG), Cllr D Green (DG), Cllr M Lewington and Cllr H Snowden (HS)
In attendance – A McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
Public Forum
It was asked if there were any updates from the meeting with the flood officers. It was explained we are on a list for the drone service and for a depth measure to be installed in the Beck.
It was asked if the council receive reports for the Community Speed Watch group. It was agreed this could be asked for.
A representative from the Bowls Club came to speak about the request for the council to help support the group as per the correspondence that was sent to the Clerk. This is to be discussed under Item 10 (e)
District & County Councillors' Matters
District Councillor A Bailey sent her apologies.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (25/054)
a) Welcome.
In the absence of JB, KG welcomed everyone to the meeting and explained James is still recovering
2. Apologies for Absence (25/055)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Anne Barnham (AB) due to work commitments and Cllr James Bourne (JB) due to illness.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (25/056)
a) Declarations of Interest.
HS declared an interest in Items 5(a) & 6(d).
4. Signing of the Minutes (25/057)
a) It was proposed by GG, seconded by HS and RESOLVED to accept the notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 12th March 2025 as a true record.
5. Planning Matters (25/058)
a) Planning Applications Received.
17th March 25.
HS declared an interest in this item.
24/1483/VARCON The Pony Paddock, The Pinfold, Application to vary conditions 2(materials) and 7 (approved plans) re planning permission 24/0022/FUL (Erection of a detached timber clad stable block). There were no objections.
b) Decision Notice Received.
9th April
24/1483/VARCON The Pony Paddock, The Pinfold, Application to vary conditions 2(materials) and 7 (approved plans) re planning permission 24/0022/FUL (Erection of a detached timber clad stable block). Approved by NKDC Planning.
c) Updates on the Rowston Water Treatment Plant
Anglian Water have confirmed there are no proposed improvements scheduled for the plant. This information was forwarded to the Planning Officer, who has responded with an explanation of the conditions of planning that have been placed on the developer of the 35 dwellings at Station Road.
d) Correspondence From the Planning Inspectorate
An invitation has been received to the preliminary meeting and notification of hearings at Lincoln County Assembly Rooms, Wed 7th May.
6. General Parish Matters (25/059)
a) Update on the request for improvements to the footpath on Lincoln Road.
We are still waiting information from LCC Highways.
b) Update on VE Day celebrations & consider any grant applications.
No grant applications have been received. The council have been notified celebrations have been arranged to take place from 13.00 to 18.00 on the 5th May in the village hall and surrounding area. A request has been received to use the grass areas outside the village hall for just tables and chairs. As it will be for just seating, this was approved by the council.
Action: The Clerk to inform the Village Hall Committee permission has been granted, but if any other activities are to take place in the area an event insurance will be needed.
c) Update on 33 The Hurn
NKDC Building Control have confirmed they are aware of the situation and have carried out a safety inspection they will also be keeping checks on the site. It is now in the hands of the insurance company.
d) Update on the Pipes under the Brick Bus Shelter.
HS declared an interest in this item.
Investigation of the site has been completed and it has been found the pipework is now below the level of the bottom of the dyke. On consultation with the owner of the land it was agreed no further action, with regard to clearing the pipework out is now required, unless the dyke is dug out to its original depth.
e) Annual Parish Meeting.
The agenda for the meeting has been published and the invites sent to the local groups/clubs. The local police have sent their apologies along with our District Councillor, she has provided a report to be read out.
f) Old Pond Area, North Street,
This item was deferred from our Dec meeting to be discussed in the new financial year. It was agreed before any further action can be considered about the maintenances of the area, the ownership of the land needs to be established.
Action: The Clerk to look into the land ownership
g) LALC Summer Conference 16th July
It was proposed by GG, the Clerk can attend the all-day conference at £45.00 fee per head, seconded by KG and all agreed.
Action: The Clerk to book a place.
7. Highways (25/060)
a) Highways Issues.
Nothing to report at this time.
b) LCC Volunteer Days
It was suggested to ask if the LCC Volunteers could carry out weeding in the village hall garden.
Action: The Clerk to make enquiries.
8. The Village Hall (25/061)
a) Minutes from the latest Meeting of the Committee.
A meeting was held on 7th April and when the minutes are published the councillors will receive a copy. ML attended the meeting there was nothing that needed attention from the parish council.
9. Drainage (25/062)
a) Updates from the Flood Meeting.
The Clerk confirmed she has asked for updates on the public flood information session that was suggested for June. No response has been received so far.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (25/063)
a) Report of monthly inspection of Play Equipment
It was agreed the bench seating and the swing seats need a clean.
GG proposed bark is purchased for under the slide, there was no seconder for this motion at this time. ML HS, KG, were against, as plans for the new equipment are progressing.
b) Progress of the Bowls Club Lease.
It was agreed this item is on hold.
c) Progress on the New Play Equipment.
A meeting with EPS equipment suppliers has taken place and a meeting with Kompan is planned for 16th April and Wicksteed on 24th April. From this, plans will be produced to then go for public consultation. Fund raising is commencing with a Table Top Sale on 21st June 10 til 2, in the Village Hall.
d) NKDC Tree Officer Inspection & Request to Remove a Dead Tree.
The NKDC Tree Officers inspection of the trees in the playing field will take place in October. It was agreed the request to remove a dead tree by a resident, needs to be confirmed by our insurance company before it is cut down.
Action: The Clerk to request information from the insurance company.
e) Bowls Clubs Request for Assistance.
The chairman of the bowls club has written explaining the financial situation and has requested help with the insurance and the maintenance of the outside of the hedge that surrounds the green.
GG proposed a grant of £200, seconded by DG but 3 were against and the motion was not passed. It was stated that there was no budget at this time but help with the insurance, but it could be added to next years budget. With regard to the maintenance of the hedge again the fields maintenance budget has been set for this year, but costings could be looked into and it can be considered to be added to next years budget. It was proposed by KG, seconded by HS and 2 agreed to consider the request by adding it to next years budget. There was 1 against. The motion was carried.
f) Dog Waste Bin – Broken Post
A post holding a dog bin was reported broken in the playing field. After consulting the council at the time, the clerk asked Mr Bradshaw to replace the broken post. This has been done at a cost of £60.00, all approved this expenditure.
11. Allotments (25/064)
a) Allotment Committee.
The next meeting is scheduled for 12th April
b) Update on Allotment Field Rent
We have been in receipt of part of the field rent in March, the Clerk has requested the outstanding balance to be paid as soon as possible.
12. Finance (25/065)
a) Bank Balances, Approval of Bank Reconciliation and Sign off the Accounts.
The bank balances were reported as
PC General Account £35,125.54
Allotment Account £6,517.23
Mary Gresswell Trust £5.58
The bank reconciliation was approved.
The accounts ledger and copies of the end of year bank statements were presented to the council. It was agreed all was correct and the Chairman signed the ledger. The Clerk will now arrange the internal auditor to sign off the required section of the AGAR. The full AGAR document will be presented to the council at the next meeting to be completed for the external audit.
b) Income
Precept £25,295.00
This amount is included in the bank balance
c) Approval of the Following Payments.
It was proposed by GG, seconded by HS and RESOLVED the following payments are made.
MalcFirth 474.50 +VAT94.90 +569.40
Autela Payroll services 91.81 +VAT18.36 =110.17
Salaries/Expenses 965.62
Greensleeves 59.17 +VAT 11.83 =71.00
NKDC Brown Bins 61.00
Village Hire Jan to Mar 42.00
Bank charges 13.17
F Bradshaw 60.00
13. Correspondence (25/066)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors. Clerk to attend JADU training in May
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) Gallagher Newsletter – Distributed to all councillors.
d) NKDC Grant for VE and VJ Day – forwarded to Village Hall Committee
e) NKDC – correspondence on Local Government Reorganisation
f) Issue of a tree with a TPO overhanging a property has been raised with the council, It was recommended contact with NKDC would be the way forward
g) LALC – Notification of Model Standing Orders Update is imminent.
h) LALC – Notification that parish councils must have gov.uk emails addresses.
Action: The Clerk to get confirmation of this and to research costings for the next meeting.
14. Dates of Future Meetings (25/067)
Parish Council Meetings for 2025 – Second Wednesday of the month – 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 (24/068)
TBN
16. Closed Session (25/069)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960.
This item was not needed.