June 2026 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 10th June 2026, at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall
PRESENT – Cllr H Snowden, Chairman (HS); Cllr J Bourne (JB); Cllr G Garton (GG); Cllr K Groves and Cllr L Miller (LM)
Public Forum
A resident from adjacent The Beck asked if any desilting will be taking place. If it is not happening because of cut backs could approval from Environmental Agency (EA) be obtain for it to be carried out locally. It was agreed to request a site meeting with EA to discuss the maintenance of the Beck
A resident gave an update on the solar farm situation, confirming the County and District council have requested a judicial review. The plans for Navenby battery storage unit has been presented to NK planning but the planning department require more information, so its not on the planning portal yet.
It was asked if the footpath diversion been approved to the north of the village. The parish council have not yet been notified by LCC.
District & County Councillors' Matters
There were no County or District Councillors present.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (26/086)
a) Welcome.
The Chairman welcomed everyone at the meeting.
2. Apologies for Absence (26/087)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr D Green (DG)and Cllr M Lewington (ML) due to other commitments
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (26/088)
a) Declarations of Interest.
There were no declarations of interest.
4. Signing of the Minutes (26/089)
a) It was proposed by GG, seconded by KG and RESOLVED to accept the notes of the Annual
Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 13th May 2026 as a true and accurate record.
5. Planning Matters (26/090)
a) Planning Applications Received.
Nil to date
b) Decision Notices Received.
Nil to date.
6. General Parish Matters (26/091)
a) New Defibrillator and its installation.
The new cabinet and the new defib have finally been delivered and because of the time taken for the British Heart Foundation to complete this order we have been offered a discount, which the Clerk is dealing with their admin/finance section. JB agreed to arrange for an electrician to install the new cabinet and defib. If the installation is to be over £300, further quotes will be required.
Action: JB to arrange installation
b) Village Hall Footway Lighting.
JB to arrange the electrician to look at the lights and obtain a price for any repairs. These will be presented at the next meeting for discussion.
Action: JB to obtain repair quote.
c) Date for the Village Asset Inspection.
It was agreed the asset inspection will take place on 25th June at 2pm.
Action: Clerk to send out the list of inspection details prior to that date.
d) Review of the Accessibility Statement and the Parish Councils Health and Safety policy.
With the email changes to the Accessibility Statement completed, it was agreed the review of the current statement was complete.
The Clerk provided details of Health and Safety Policy and the councils Health and Safety policy statement. After the removal of the instruction to contact the Vice-Chairman and inserting - All Councillors it was agreed to adopt both the statement and the policy.
Action: The Clerk to annotate the amendments.
7. Highways (26/092)
a) Highways Issues.
JB stated several of the pot holes on the Fen Road have been fixed. LM agreed to report the edge of the road collapsing on North Street to FixMyStreet.
b) Update on request for signage to restrict horses using a local pathway.
The LCC response for the request for signage, showed there is no legally enforceable signage to prevent the leading of horses along a footpath. The Parish Council has no power to place an enforcement on land they do not own. It was agreed to respond to the resident explaining this situation.
Action: The Clerk to respond.
8. The Village Hall (26/093)
a) Minutes from the Latest Meeting of the Committee.
There does not appear to have been a meeting this month.
9. Drainage (26/094)
a) Greendykes maintenance.
Greendykes requires cutting, it was agreed the Clerk will obtain a price.
Action: The Clerk to notify the councillors of the price; agenda item next moth to authorise.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (26/095)
a) Monthly Inspection of Play Equipment and the update on the New Play Equipment Grant.
GG has completed the monthly inspection of the playing field. The protective bolt caps for the exercise equipment have been purchased.
Since the last meeting there have been further last-minute increases from Creative Play for the new play equipment, due to the Iran conflict and the increase in oil prices. This was not acceptable and KG entered into negotiations between Creative Play and the FCC funding group. Finally a solution has been found by altering the type of safety surface. It will now be made from recycled rubber, which is available in the country now. The contract has now been signed. Once Creative Play set an installation date the funding will be released on completion. The work on the new play equipment for the playing field is scheduled to commence in September, but will be confirmed.
b) Trees/Shrubs and Foliage - Overhanging the Footpaths.
Several properties have been identified and the Clerk will send out polite reminders to ask for the growth to be cut back to the property’s boundaries.
c) Update on the progress with the Bowls Club lease.
A date of 6th June, was set to carry out the amendments.
11. Allotments (26/096)
a) Updates from the Allotment Committee.
JB reported there is to be social event taking place on July 4th.
The Clerk notified the council that all the allotment plot rents have been paid. The Allotment field rent is still outstanding.
Action: The Clerk to sent out a reminder for the Allotment Field payment.
12. Finance (26/097)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of Bank Reconciliation
The bank balances were reported as:-
PC General Account 31,627.83
Allotment Account 5,916.81
Mary Gresswell Trust 5.58
The bank reconciliation was distributed to the councillors and approved.
b) Income
The following income has been received since the last meeting.
Pigeon Club 40.00
Bowls Club 70.00
VAT Claim 1,513.75
Digby Allotment Assoc. (Plots) 802.40
c) Payments.
It was proposed by JB, seconded by KG and all agreed the following accounts be paid
Salaries/Expenses 1,059.38
Lloyds bank charges 4.25
Lamyman Grange Contractors – The Beck 210.00
Greensleeves – village hall lawn care 72.00
Wicksteed Leisure – caps 20.04
d) AGAR and Insurance.
The Clerk confirmed the AGAR has been sent to the external auditors. Copies of the AGAR and Statutory Public Notices have been displayed in the notice board and on the website.
Also, the Clerk confirmed that the insurance premium has been paid.
13. Correspondence (26/098)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors.
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) LALC AGM 9th July at 6.30pm via zoom.
d) LALC have employed a new Webmaster
e) NKDC Parish & Town Council Forum – 30th June 10.00am - Clerk and HS to attend
f) NKDC – updating the Declaration of Interest forms. The councillors were informed of the changes.
g) Request to use the Village Hall Garden for fund-raising event 15th Aug. It was agreed the garden can be used and the organiser will provide details of the activities to take place.
h) NKDC – Call for nominations for the Community Champion Awards.
14. Dates of Future Meetings (26/099)
Parish Council Meetings for 2026 – Second Wednesday of the month – 8th Jul, 12th Aug KG Absent, 9th Sep, 7th Oct, 11th Nov, 9th Dec.
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda (26/100)
Cyber Security Training
Increase in mileage allowance rate
16. Closed Session (26/101)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960, if required.
20.34hrs There being no further business the Chairman, declared the meeting closed.