March 2026 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 11th March 2026 at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall
Present – Cllr K Groves (KG), Chairman; Cllr J Bourne (JB); Cllr G Garton (GG) and Cllr H Snowden (HS)
In attendance – Mrs A McDonald, Clerk and Proper Officer
Public Forum
There were no members of the public present
District & County Councillors' Matters.
Apologies had been received from County Councillor Kendrick.
As there were no members of the public and no District and County Councillors, the Chairman declared the meeting in session
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (26/033)
a) Welcome.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies for Absence & Co-option (26/034)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr M Lewington due to other commitments and Cllr Green due to illness
b) Co-option.
No applications to become a councillor have been received. The vacancy will continue to be advertised.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (26/035)
a) Declarations of Interest.
Nil
4. Signing of the Minutes (26/036)
a) It was proposed by GG, seconded by HS and resolve to accept the notes of the Parish
Council Meeting held on Wednesday 11th February 2026 as a true and accurate record.
5. Planning Matters (26/037)
a) Planning Applications Received.
No applications were received since the last meeting.
b) Decision Notices Received.
No decision notices were received since the last meeting.
6. General Parish Matters (26/038)
a) Review of the Insurance Policy
The documentation giving the current insurance details was sent to the councillors prior to the meeting so they had the opportunity to review the policy and amounts.
It was proposed by GG, seconded by HS the details of the insurance were correct and covered the council’s needs.
Action: The Clerk to notify the insurance company.
b) Update on the Proposed Diversion to footpath No.5.
GG had spoken to the family that were considering requesting a diversion of footpath No.5, and they confirmed they are not currently pursuing this action. The situation of the stiles was discussed, but it was recognised it was the decision of the landowner regarding the permitting of access of dogs through the stiles.
c) Annual Parish Meeting.
The meeting is to take place on 22nd April, the council confirmed the invites to local groups should be sent out as soon as possible.
Action: The Clerk to send the invites to the local groups.
7. Highways (26/039)
a) Highways Issues.
Fen Road potholes have been reported by JB. The pothole on Church Street at the junction with the B1188 will be reported by the Chairman.
Action: The potholes will be reported on FixMyStreet.
b) Notified Road Closure
The road will be closed at the Railway bridge, Fen Road on 12th April at 23.00hrs to 07.00hrs on 13th April for vegetation removal.
8. The Village Hall (26/040)
a) Minutes from the Latest Meeting of the Committee.
The minutes of the meeting held on 26th Feb were distributed to the councillors. The Clerk reported a message of ‘Thanks’ has been received from the village hall committee for the contribution towards the village hall insurance.
9. Drainage (26/041)
a) The North Drain telemetry device.
Since the removal of the sensor last month the Clerk has received a statement from Project Groundwater, saying the device was removed as it did not have the necessary permission, and was moved to a new location on the Beck. The next phase of the programme supplying the devices is currently underway and includes a new device for North Drain. Permission has now been arranged and the telemetry device should be installed within the next 2 months. The Clerk has notified the Digby Emergency Team.
b) First Cut of the Beck and Greendykes.
It was agreed the first cut of the Beck should be booked for the middle of May. JB will contact P Baumber and arrange the cutting of Greendykes.
Action: The Clerk to book the Becks cut. JB to book the Greendykes cut.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (26/042)
a) Report of monthly inspection of Play Equipment and any update on the funding application.
HS completed the inspection this month, the continued decaying of some of the wooden equipment was noted and action depends on the results of the funding. If the funding request is successful all the equipment is going to be replaced very soon.
Friends of Digby School are organising a fund-raising bingo night on 28th March in the village hall. and if the council organise and serve the refreshments, the Friends have agreed the proceeds from the refreshments can go to the new play equipment fund. The council confirmed they will arrange the refreshments for the evening.
Also noted was the update on tree works in the playing field. – The contractor will carry out the work on 13th & 14th April.
b) Ruskington Lions using the Football Pitch.
The Clerk confirmed the Digby team that had reserved the field is now unable to find enough players so the field is now available. The Ruskington Lions have requested to use the pitch for 2-3 months for 9v9 teams. They will bring all their own equipment. It was proposed by GG, seconded by HS and all agreed to offer the field for £100.00 for the 3 months. They will be made aware of the changing facilities & parking situation.
Action: The Clerk to notify the Ruskington Lions the pitch is available.
c) Update on the progress with the Bowls Club lease.
The Clerk had sent a copy of the Lease to the Bowls Club Chairman, as requested by the council after the last meeting. The Chairman has come back with a couple of amendments and these had been forwarded to the councillors. It was proposed by GG, seconded by HS the amendments be incorporated and a meeting then be arranged to sign the Lease.
Action: The Clerk to action the amendments and arrange a meeting.
d) Update on Street Light No.1 on Beck Street still being unserviceable.
After the notification of Street Light No.1 being fixed, it was confirmed this was not the case. The Clerk has reported it again on FixMyStreet and ask County Councillor Kendrick to find out why it has been out of use for over a year now. We are awaiting a response.
11. Allotments (26/043)
a) Updates from the Allotment Committee.
JB reported there are currently 2 vacant allotment plots, and there is a committee meeting scheduled for the coming weekend.
The Clerk reported no payment had been received for the main field rent. The invoice was sent out in January. It was considered that the invoice may have been delivered to the wrong address, so it was agreed to resend the invoice.
Action: The Clerk to re-send the invoice for the field rent.
12. Finance (26/044)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation
PC General Account 15,737.87
Allotments 7,499.68
Mary Gresswell Trust 5.58
The bank balance was approved. The Clerk had provided the councillors with a copy of the accounts to date.
b) Income.
No income was received since the last meeting.
c) Approval of Payments.
It was proposed by GG, seconded by HS the following accounts are to be paid.
Salaries/Expenses 850.68
Lloyds bank charges 4.25
ICO subscription 47.00
13. Correspondence (26/045)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors.
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) County Cllrs Newsletter – Distributed to all councillors
d) LALC update on remote meetings and proxy voting – Distributed to all councillors
e) New Speed Reduction Initiative – Police motorbikes are being used to monitor speeding drivers. – information passed to all councillors
f) LGR notification of virtual events 9th & 19th March on Local Government Reorganisation – information passed to all councillors
g) LCC Bus Shelter Grant Scheme – Distributed to all councillors
14. Dates of Future Meetings (26/046)
Parish Council Meetings for 2026 – Second Wednesday of the month – 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 (26/047)
To be notified to the Clerk.
16. Closed Session (26/048)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
This item was not required.
20.25hrs – There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.