February 2026 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 11th February 2026 at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
Present – Cllr K Groves, Chairman (KG); Cllr G Garton (GG); Cllr D Green (DG) and Cllr H Snowden (HS)
In Attendance - Mrs A McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer.
Public Forum.
There was one member of the public present, but they did not wish to speak.
District & County Councillors' Matters.
County Councillor Kendrick (RK) and spoke about concerns about the scrutiny of committees within the council.
GG requested RK look into why the telemetry device has been moved from the North Drain..
The Chairman declared the meeting in session.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (26/017)
a) Welcome.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies for Absence (26/018)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Lewington (ML) due to other commitments and Cllr J Bourne (JB) due to illness.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (26/019)
a) Declarations of Interest.
HS declared an interest in Item 12(c) and KG declared an interest in Item 11(b)
4. Signing of the Minutes (26/020)
a) It was proposed by GG, seconded by DG and resolved to accept the minutes of the Parish
Council Meeting held on Wednesday 14th January 2026 as a true and accurate record.
5. Planning Matters (26/021)
a) Planning Applications Received.
26/0070/HOUS – 33 Chestnut Close, Addition of trellis to existing fencing between nos.33 and 31 Chestnut Close. Replacement of existing fencing and gate to side of the property, including new trellis.
There were no objections and no comments to this application.
Action: The Clerk to notify NKDC Planning.
b) Decision Notice Received.
Nil to date
6. General Parish Matters (26/022)
a) Dog Fouling around the Village.
Dog fouling around the village footpaths is increasing. The parish council are aware of the issue.
It was agreed to obtain a No Fouling sign for the village hall garden.
b) Public Footpath No.5.
There has been no request to divert public footpath No.5 recorded at the LCC Countryside Office. GG agreed to make some enquiries locally and KG requested this be discussed at the next meeting.
Action: Item to be added to the next agenda.
c) Litter Picker and Gardener’s wage Increase.
It was proposed by HS, seconded by GG and all agreed to increase the wages in line with the National living wage from 1st April.
Action: The Clerk to notify the employees and the payroll company.
e) Update on the Volunteer Completing a Duke of Edinburgh Award.
A meeting took place with the volunteer, the Chairman and the Clerk. It was agreed the council would act as an Assessor and will complete the paperwork. The volunteer work will be within the playing field to include litter picking and help with an environment project. This will be carried out over 16 weeks in 1 hour blocks.
f) Application for a Free Defib.
KG found the British Heart foundation are offer free defibrillators. The Clerk has completed an application for a free defib. We will be notified by the end of February if we have been successful.
g) Cover for Defib Inspection
Since the resignation of AB cover is required to inspect the defib for 28th Feb & 11th Apr. GG agreed to cover those dates.
7. Highways (26/023)
a) Highways issues.
Potholes on Fen Road have been reported. Notification that some work has been carried out, but it will be checked and any further holes will be reported.
Action: DG to check the Fen Road and report any issues.
8. The Village Hall (26/024)
a) Minutes from the Latest Meeting.
There has not been a meeting in the last month.
b) Request for donation for the Halls Insurance.
It was proposed by DG, seconded by GG that a donation of £250.00 be given to help towards payment of the village hall insurance. All agreed.
Action: The Clerk to inform the Village Hall Committee of the donation and make the payment into their account
9. Drainage (26/025)
a) Village Issues.
GG reported the moving of the telemetry device from the North Drain to The Beck and has left The Hurn area vulnerable. This dyke is responsible for the majority of flooding in The Hurn. It was agreed to contact the Environmental Risk and Resilience Officer to request information on why the device has been moved.
Action: The clerk to request information.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (26/026)
a) Monthly Inspection of Play Equipment and update on the Funding Application.
GG completed the inspection and identified 4 new u-bolts are required for toddler swings. It was proposed by HS, seconded by KG, and all agreed, these bolts should be purchased.
Also bolt covers are required for multi gym equipment.
KG then gave an update on the funding application. Further information in addition to the information completed on the application has been asked for, this has been actioned sent in.
Action: New U-bolts and bolt covers are to be purchased.
b) Work on the Trees within the Playing Field.
As the three quotations need to be considered it was resolved to discuss this in the Closed Session at the end of the meeting.
c) Update on the Bowls Club lease.
The Clerk confirmed a copy of the lease had been sent to the Chairman of the Bowls Club after the last meeting. No comments have been received about the lease to date. It was agreed to arrange a meeting with the Bowls Club representatives before the next meeting to progress to getting the lease signed.
Action: The Clerk to arrange a meeting.
d) Annual Review of the Rents for the for the Field Access.
It was proposed by GG , seconded by KG and all agreed the rates for 2026 will be:-
Bowls £70.00
Pigeon Club £40.00
Football Club £210.00
Action: The Clerk will notify the Clubs of the new rates.
e) Street Light on Beck Street
The light near the Cross, that has not been working for over a year, has been reported fixed by LCC FixMyStreet. It has been reported the next light on Beck Street is now not working.
Action: This will be checked and reported on FixMyStreet if required.
f) Grass Cutting Contract and Costs for 2026 season.
MalcFirth have sent through the rates for the grass cutting for 2026-27 season, it is a 4% increase. It was agreed the work carried out by the company is good and it was proposed by KG, seconded by DG and all agreed to accept the increase and ask MalcFirth to continue cutting the grass.
Action: The Clerk to notify MalcFirth the increase has been accepted.
11. Allotments (26/027)
a) Updates from the Allotment Committee.
No update available.
b) Annual Review of rents for the Allotments and the Allotment Field.
KG delared an interest in this item and took no part in the discussion or the decision.
It was proposed by GG, seconded by HS and all agreed the allotment rents will be increased by 3%
Therefore, the individual plot will be £17.00, the Field rent will be £675.00
Action: The clerk to notify the Allotment Association and the tenant of the increase.
12. Finance (26/028)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation.
PC Account 16,950.64
Allotment Acc. 7,503.93
Mary Gresswell Trust 5.58
The bank reconciliation was approved.
b) Income.
Nil
c) Approval of the Following Payments.
HS declared an interest in a payment item and took no part in the decision.
It was proposed by DG, seconded by KG and all agreed the following payments are made.
Salaries/Expenses 952.60
Lloyds bank charges 4.25
Bus Shelter land rent 5.00
d) 2026-27 Precept
Confirmation from NKDC has been received to say the Precept request for 2026-27 has been submitted by the Clerk and received by them.
The Clerk also gave a brief report on the functions of the internal auditor.
13. Correspondence (26/029)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors.
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) NALC – survey on housing estates with unadopted amenities – Distributed to all councillors
d) LCC – National Highways & Transport Survey -Distributed to all councillors for them to complete.
e) NKDC Partnership Team – February News Items – Distributed to all councillors.
f) NKDC – Local Government Organisation in Greater Lincolnshire
LCC Launch od Local Government Reorganisation – Both sets of information was distributed to all councillors
g) County Cllr Kendricks monthly report – forwarded to the councillors
h) Greater Lincolnshire Nature Recovery Strategy – Distributed to all councillors
i) NHS Lincolnshire – Supporting Residents with Sigh or Hearing Loss – Distriburted to all councillors
j) Football pitch – request from Leasingham team to use the field, but due to the waterlogged pitch this request was declined.
k) Correspondence – concerns about a possible business setting up in the Station area and the effects it may have on the residents. The information provided will be retained and will be very helpful when a planning application is submitted.
Action: The Clerk to respond to the resident.
14. Dates of Future Meetings (26/030)
Parish Council Meetings for 2026 – Second Wednesday of the month – 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 (26/031)
None at this time. Items can be added by contacting the Clerk.
The Chairman declared the meeting to go into the Closed Session, all members of the public left the room.
16. Closed Session (26/032)
a) Work on Trees in the Playing Field (Item 10b)
After the 3 quotes were review and discussed a vote was taken. It was Proposed by GG, seconded by KG and all agreed to accept the quotation from P&P French of £2,590.00 + VAT to fell 18 trees affected by Sooty Bark disease and pollard 3 further trees. All wood will need to be removed from the site due to the Sooty Bark disease.
Action: The Clerk to notify the contractors of the decision.
20.20hrs – There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.