October 2026 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 14th October 2026 at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall
PRESENT – Cllr H Snowden, Chairman (HS); Cllr J Bourne (JB); Cllr K Groves (KG) and Cllr D Long (DL)
In attendance – Mrs A McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
Public Forum
There were 2 residents present.
It was asked if the stone wall on the Smoot path, at the North Street end could be repaired and the hedge cut back. It was agreed to try and find out the ownership of the wall and hedge. County Councillor Rob Kendrick agreed to help.
A parishioner spoke about the NESCO’s Strategic Spatial Energy Plan and the 6 Environment Pathways that are being considered by the government and stressed the importance that these policies being made public for consultation on all the pathways, not just the one the government opt for.
They also noted the fantastic public response to objections to the Navenby substation.
District & County Councillors' Matters
County Councillor Kendrick offered help with promotion for volunteers for the village Community Speed Watch, if required. He also stated booking times for the tips are still being discussed by the County Council.
The condition of the roads around Digby were discussed. The subsidence on Digby Fen Road is seriously dangerous now and the hedge on the approach to the railway bridge is forcing vehicles out into on coming traffic. Both these issues have been reported on FixMyStreet but are not receiving a suitable response. Cllr Kendrick agreed to chase these.
Cllr Groves asked if Digby was successful in receiving a grant that was applied for to help towards the opening ceremony of the play equipment. Cllr Kendrick felt it did not comply. This was very disappointing.
District Cllr Bailey - Not present.
There was no more business to discuss in the public session so the Chairman declared the meeting in session.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (26/150)
a) Welcome.
The Chairman welcomed the new parish councillor David Long. Cllr D Long signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office form.
2. Apologies for Absence (26/151)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr M Lewington, Cllr G Garton and Cllr D Green.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (26/152)
a) Declarations of Interest.
JB declared and interest in item 11b
JB, KG, DL declared an interest in item 11c.
4. Signing of the Minutes (26/153)
a) It was proposed by JB, seconded by KG and RESOLVED to accept the minutes of the Parish
Council Meeting held on Wednesday 9th September 2026 as a true and accurate record.
5. Planning Matters (26/154)
a) Planning Applications Received.
Nil to date
b) Decision Notices Received.
Nil to date.
6. General Parish Matters (26/155)
a) Approve Clerk to attend LALC Clerk Networking Day – Training for new Digital AGAR
It was proposed by JB, seconded by DL, to pay the fee of £30.00 so the Clerk can attend the training, as it is vital to keep up to date.
7. Highways (26/156)
a) Pot holes/Highways Issues & Updates on FixMyStreet Requests.
The subsidence on Digby Fen Road was discussed in the public session and it was agreed to re-report the subsidence as well as asking Cllr Kendrick for help.
A tree was blocking the Jubilee Way footpath bridge and was removed by our ground maintenance man.
The faults reported on FixMyStreet have been acknowledge but no action has taken place by LCC so far.
b) Do the Village Grit Bins need Topping Up?
It was confirmed all the bins are full.
8. The Village Hall (26/157)
a) Minutes from the latest Meeting of the Committee.
There was no meeting held in the last month.
9. Drainage (26/158)
a) Update on the Completing of the Environment Agency (EA) Forms for De-silting Areas of The Beck.
The first set of forms have been completed and sent to EA. The EA have now followed up with further forms to be completed. This is currently being worked on.
b) Response from the Resilience Team on the Telemetry Device for North Drain.
The latest response confirms they are still waiting for permission from Witham IDB to install the device. The delay could not be explained.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (26/159)
a) Monthly Inspection of Play Equipment.
The monthly inspection was not carried out on the old play equipment as it was all removed at the beginning of Oct. The exercise equipment has been inspected. The Twister has a very stiff pad. KG proposed Wicksteed need to come out and look at it, this was seconded by HS.
Action: The Clerk to book an inspection from Wicksteed.
b) Report on the Progress of the Installation of the New Play Equipment.
The new play equipment is now installed and the safety surfaces to be laid on 15th Oct. We will then receive a completed inspection report.
c) Plans for the Opening Ceremony for the New Play Equipment.
The Opening ceremony is still on track to take place on 23rd Oct at 2.30pm. KG to send details via DG, to the Lord Lieutenants office. KG agreed to obtain a cake for the day. The Clerk has sent invites to the school and the Friends of Digby School. KG and the Clerk are to meet up to confirm the catering details, without and extra grant money available, the budget is set at £300.00 as agreed at the last meeting.
d) Quotes for the cutting of the Playing Field Side and Top of the Hedge surrounding the Bowls Club.
The Clerk read out the details of the 3 quotes. The quotes were considered and it was proposed by JB, seconded by DL and all agreed to accept J Lamyman contractors at £250.00 +VAT to cut the hedge.
Action: The Clerk to notify the contractor and the Bowls Club. The work can commence as soon as possible.
e) Consider an Additional Brown Bin for the Village Hall Garden for Next Year.
The groundsman has reported the bins are often overflowing and excess garden rubbish is needed to be taken away. There are currently 3 bins at the hall, so, it was proposed by JB and seconded by DL and all agreed to add an additional bin to next years order.
Action: The Clerk to order an additional bin for April.
11. Allotments (26/160)
a) Updates from the Allotment Committee.
JB reported there is a Christmas event planned for the allotment holders on 17th Dec. One of the plot holders has done very well in local competitions with the biggest pumpkin and heaviest pepper winner and also had other winning vegetables.
b) Applicants for the Rental of the Allotment Field.
JB declared and interest and took no part in the decision.
There has only been 1 applicant for the field. It was proposed by DL, seconded by KG and all agreed the applicant be accepted. It was agreed access to the field is available immediately.
Action: The agreement for the field was signed by the chairman and applicant.
c) Resolve to Extend the Allotment Association Lease to 2029.
This resolution was needed to be delayed due to the majority of councillors currently present at the meeting have an interest in the allotments.
Action: Item delayed to next month.
12. Finance (26/161)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of the Bank Reconciliation
The bank balances were reported as:-
PC General Account 23,608.92
Allotment Account 6,555.01
Mary Gresswell Trust. 5.58
The bank reconciliation was approved. The Clerk also distributed copies the half year accounts.
b) Income
Nil income was received during the last month.
c) Approval of payments.
It was proposed by KG, seconded by JB and resolved that the following payments are made.
Salaries/Expenses 961.74
Lloyds bank charges 8.50
Malcfirth – Sep grass cutting 646.38
Wicksteed – caps +using credit note 33.00
d) Consider any Projects for the Next Financial Year and arrange a Date for the Finance Group to Meet and Plan the Budget for 2027-28.
A request has been made for Electric Vehicle charging points, also the White Gates at the village boundaries. These items will be looked into for consideration when planning the budget.
The finance group to arrange a meeting in early November to make the initial plans for the budget to be presented at the November meeting.
13. Correspondence (26/162)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors.
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) County Councillors monthly report
d) NKDC – Parish Council Forum Tuesday 20th Oct – HS, KG and the Clerk to attend.
e) Citizens Advice requesting financial assistance towards their vital services. No action
f) Environment Agency newsfeed for September via their engagement platform.
g) Greensleeves – notification of change of lawn care team.
f) Watercourse, Pond Maintenance Services – details of a management company
g) Mural Artist – looking for potential projects. No further action.
h) Football Foundation: Grass Pitch Maintenance Fund – details on funding, the Clerk is to look further into this funding.
i) LCC Consultation: Lincolnshire Schools Published Admission Number changes.
j) Request Appeal – re NESCO’s Strategic Spatial Energy Plan and the Environmental Pathway Options Report to be public.
k) Central Lincolnshire Local Plan – Scoping consultation to commence from 22nd Oct to 3rd Dec. Documents and surveys will be available online at the start of the consultation.
l) Silver Duke of Edinburgh – Offer of volunteering. It was agreed to add this to next months Agenda to enable a full discussion.
m) Gaming Van available for events- details were forwarded to the Village Hall Committee
14. Dates of Future Meetings (26/163)
Parish Council Meetings for 2026 – Second Wednesday of the month – 11th Nov, 9th Dec.
Parish Council Meetings for 2027 – Second Wednesday of the month – 13th Jan, 10th Feb, 10th Mar, 14th April, 12th May, 9th Jun, 14th July, 11th Aug, 8th Sep, 13th Oct, 10th Nov and 8th Dec.
Annual Parish Meeting for 2027 - Mon 26th April.
Annual Parish Council Meeting for 2027 – Wed 12th May
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda & Councillors Reports (26/164)
Permission was given for the Clerk to order the Wreath for Novembers Remembrance Service and add to next months agenda to agree who is to laying the wreath.
16. Closed Session (26/165)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
This item was not required.
20.55hrs There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.