July 2025 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING to be held on Wednesday 9th July 2025, at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
PRESENT – Cllrs K Groves, Chairman (KG); A Barnham (AB); J Bourne (JB); G Garton (GG); D Green (DG) and H Snowden (HS)
In attendance - A McDonald, Parish Clerk and Proper Officer.
Public Forum
There were 2 members of the public present. There were questions about the flow of water from Greendykes, why the Beck has not been cut and clarification about the Drone? The response to the questions from the council were accepted.
District & County Councillors' Matters
County Councillor Kendrick was not present.
District Council Bailey spoke about the progress of the planning schedule for the Solar farm application, confirming NKDC objections. She also informed the meeting that the County Council Leader wishes to attend parish council meetings. There were no objections.
The Chairman then declared the meeting in session.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (25/106)
a) Welcome.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting on such a hot evening.
2. Apologies for Absence (25/107)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Lewington (ML) due to family commitments.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (25/108)
a) Declarations of Interest.
There were no declarations of interest.
4. Signing of the Minutes (25/109)
a) It was proposed by AB, seconded by GG and RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the
Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 11th June 2025 as a true and accurate record.
It was proposed by GG, seconded by HS and resolved to accept the minutes of the planning meeting held on the 18th June 2025 as a true and accurate record.
5. Planning Matters (25/110)
a) Planning Applications Received.
No applications have been received during the month
b) Decision Notice Received.
No decision notices have been received.
c) Update on Planning Matters and Associated Information on the Springwell Solar Farm.
The Clerk reported the response to the planning appeal of the 9 dwellings off North Street had been sent to the planning Inspectorate.
The Scopwick Action Group have kept the parish council informed of the progress of the solar farm application.
6. General Parish Matters (25/112)
a) Adoption of Policies –
Tree Management Policy.
It was discussed that it would be best practice to have a tree management policy. A copy of the proposed policy had been forwarded to the councillors prior to the meeting. It was proposed by DG, seconded by AB, and all agreed to adopt the Tree Management Policy.
IT Policy.
It was discussed that an IT policy was required and a draft model policy had been forwarded to the councillors prior to the meeting. The policy needs further adaptation, from its model design, to suit the needs of the council. It was proposed by JB, seconded by AB and all agreed to further review the document.
Action: To be added to next months agenda.
b) Village Assets Inspection
The Village Asset Inspection took place on Friday 4th July. All assets were inspected and found to be in a good condition; a few minor cleaning jobs were raised and have been actioned by the Clerk. Branches overhanging footpaths and shrubs reducing the width of footpaths were noted along various streets and letters will be sent to the householders. Potholes and an obscured streetlight were reported via FixMyStreet
Action: Letters to householders to be sent out.
c) Improvements to the Footpath on Lincoln Road.
After the last meeting our County Councillor informed the council that although the work on this path had been put forward for assessment, if we had concerns it should be reported on FixMyStreet. As it is nearly a year since the first request for improvements to this footpath were made the Clerk has reported the area on FixMyStreet.
d) Update on the Old Pond Area, North Street.
The Clerk had sent a request to Land Registry for details of any Title Registers and Title Plan on the area of land. Notification has been received to confirm there are no Title Registers and Title Plan on this area. LCC have not yet responded to our request to discover whether it appears on their register of Common Land.
After discussion about the area and the required maintenance to the existing trees it was proposed by DG, seconded by KG that the council resolve to maintain the land in a safe condition. This was agreed by a further 3 councillors and 1 abstained. It was agreed to add the trees on this land to the list of trees to inspected on the next survey in the autumn.
e) The Defibrillator.
The Clerk informed the council that ‘The Circuit’, operated by the British Heart foundation, is now the point to register the serviceability and availability of the defibrillator for the Ambulance Service. It was agreed to still maintain contact with Community Heartbeat via Webnos, as well, as they provide spares and support for the equipment. ‘The Circuit’ is only a central reporting point interested in the serviceability of the unit.
7. Highways (25/113)
a) Highways issues.
Nil, as those picked up on the ‘Village Walk About’ have already been reported.
8. The Village Hall (25/114)
a) Minutes from the latest Meeting of the Committee,
These have not been received yet and will be distributed to the councillors on receipt.
b) The Bar Area.
The Chairman has looked into the requirements of the Charity Commission and has been in contact with the Chairman of the Village Hall about the new bar set up. The Village Hall Chairman has given an explanation of how the new system is to work and it was agreed this was acceptable. GG thanked the Chairman for looking into this item.
c) LCC Volunteers - Village Hall Garden
The LCC Volunteers have agreed carry out work on the garden in September. The work is to include reducing the width of the flower borders and extending the grass areas.
The lock on the gated area works intermittently and is showing signs of wear, so it was proposed by GG, seconded by DG, and all agreed the Clerk should purchase a combination padlock and chain.
Action: The Clerk to purchase and install the padlock.
9. Drainage (25/115)
a) Meeting with the LCC Flood Officers
A request has been sent to LCC Flood Officers to discuss the update on the maintenance of the waterways around Digby.
Information on the de-silting of the Beck has been received. The administrative requirements need to be looked into, but on first perusal it looks beyond our abilities.
b) Drone - Mapping of the Village.
It has been confirmed the mapping of the village, by the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum drone, will take place on 11th August. A leaflet drop will be organised to inform all the residents of the flight once the timings are known.
Action: Clerk to print the leaflet and deliver to councillors for distribution.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (25/116)
a) Inspection of Play Equipment.
The monthly inspection has been carried out.
It was also noted the RoSPA annual inspection will take place during August.
b) Progress of the Bowls Club Lease.
Still progressing
c) New Play Equipment Project.
The Chairman explained the list of chosen equipment has been forwarded to the play equipment companies and they are currently producing drawings and prices so these can then be used for the public consultation.
The first Community Fundraising Event has taken place and raised £133.57, the next event will take place near Christmas.
d) Football Pitch Availability.
There are currently no teams using the football pitch. There were no suggestions as to where the pitch could be advertised.
11. Allotments (25/117)
a) Allotment Committee Report.
JB reported the Open day went very well. Also the Allotment Association has been successful in receiving a grant to refurbish the cabin area.
12. Finance (25/118)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation
The bank balances were reported as:
PC general account £31,143.28
Allotment account £ 7,533.68
Mary Gresswell Trust £ 5.58
The bank reconciliation had been distributed to the councillors and was approved.
b) Income
The following income was received during the last month and is included in the bank balance.
VAT Return £1,309.68
Community Fund Raising (Table Top Sale) £133.57
Digby Bowls Club £67.50
The following amount was received and is deposited but not yet shown in the above bank balance
Pigeon Club £39.50
c) Approval of Payments
It was proposed by GG, seconded by KG and all agreed the following payments be made.
Salaries/Expenses £976.83
Bank Charges £4.25
MalFirth 2xmonths grass cutting £1026.00 plus VAT £205.20 = £1,231.20
13. Correspondence (25/119)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors. The Clerk registered and attended the LALC AGM
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) NKDC Licensing Act 2003: Statement of Licensing Policy – Consultation
d) Bonfire nuisance reported, this was forwarded onto NKDC Environmental Health Team
e) NKDC Pleasure Boat and Boatman Licensing Policy Consultation
f) Local Policing and Prevention – Invite received to Parish Council Briefing Session 16th Sept
g) Further correspondence in response to a complaint has been received and it was agreed that no further action be taken.
14. Dates of Future Meetings (25/120)
Parish Council Meetings for 2025 – Second Wednesday of the month – 13th Aug, 10th Sep, 8th Oct, 12th Nov and 10th Dec
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (24/121)
Discuss availability of grant for VJ Day, 15th Aug.
Discuss replacing the Defibrillator due to age.
16. Closed Session (25/122)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
This item was not required.
20.50hrs. There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed, meeting closed.