August 2026 Minutes
Digby Parish Council
Notes of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING held on Wednesday 12th Aug 2026 at 7pm, in Digby War Memorial Hall.
Public Forum
There was one member of the public present but they did not wish to speak.
District & County Councillors' Matters
There were no district and County councillors present, apologies were received.
There being no further business from the public forum the council agreed to move into session.
1.Chairman’s Opening Remarks. (26/118)
a) Welcome.
With the Chairman absent it was proposed by GG, seconded by DG that JB would be the acting chairman for this meeting.
JB welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies for Absence & Resignation (26/119)
a) Apologies.
Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr H Snowden.
b) Resignation of Cllr Miller.
Cllr Miller handed her resignation to the Chairman after the last meeting. NKDC were informed and the vacancy has been displayed in the noticeboard and on the website. If there is no request for an election from the public by 13th Aug, NKDC will advise that the council can fill the vacancy by co-option. It was agreed to advertise the vacancy once the council are notified by NKDC.
3. Declarations of Pecuniary Interest & Applications of Dispensation (26/120)
a) Declarations of Interest.
There were no declarations if interest.
4. Signing of the Minutes (26/121)
a) It was proposed by GG, seconded by DG and resolved to accept the notes of the Parish
Council Meeting held on Wednesday 8th July 2026 as a true and accurate record.
5. Planning Matters (26/122)
a) Planning Applications Received.
25/1421/FUL – Land at Grange Farm, Digby Fen, Billinghay – Construction of 4 no. dwellings and associated garaging/carports.
No comments or objections to this application.
Notification of application 26/0575/FUL Navenby for a 400kV Substation has been received. Springwell Solar Action Group have provided additional information and any comments on the application, to be submitted to NKDC by 23rd Aug.
It was agreed to write a letter of objection – The Lincolnshire aquafer that runs under the site of this application could be seriously polluted if a fire was to break out on the site.
Action: The Clerk to compose a letter of objection.
b) Decision Notices Received.
25/0304/FUL: The Pony Paddocks, The Pinfold, Application for new entrance wall, gates and fencing, security lighting and cctv, Horses feed container. Removal of planting outside of new wall (Retrospective). This has been approved by NKDC.
6. General Parish Matters (26/123)
a) LALC response to Gov.UK emails being opened in Google and to confirm the IT Policy is robust.
The response from LALC regarding the question from the previous month had been distributed to the council. It was felt the current system is working for the council and the IT Policy is robust.
b) Local Government Review Briefing at NKDC
An invitation to the above briefing with the Leader and Chief Executive on 8th Sept, 10.30am, has been received. The Chairman and clerk have agreed to attend.
7. Highways (26/124)
a) Highways issues.
The overgrown hedge on the approach to the railway bridge on Station Road is forcing traffic out into oncoming traffic and the subsidence of the road near the bungalow of Wellend Farm on Fen Road has returned again.
Action: The Clerk to report these issues on FixMyStreet.
8. The Village Hall (26/125)
a) Minutes from the latest meeting of the committee
No meeting to be held in Aug.
9. Drainage (26/126)
a) Greendykes
The Clerk confirmed the Greendyke was cut during July. GG confirmed a good job was done.
b) Environment Agency (EA) site meeting at the Beck.
The site meeting took place on Fri 31st July. The council met with 2 representatives from EA and 3 members of the public. The length of Beck Street was walked and the areas of silting pointed out. The reps agreed to take the information back to investigate whether there is funding available to clear this or whether permission could be given for the village to remove the silt. No response has been received with this information to date.
JB informed the meeting Queen dyke has been cut.
c) Response from LCC on Telemetry devices and maintenance of the flood relief channel.
The response was forwarded to the councillors. LCC confirmed the IDB has the contract to maintain the channel. JB agreed to speak to the IDB to find out when this will be carried out. The lack of action to replace the telemetry device on North Drain was very frustrating.
10. Playing Field, Play Areas and Village General (26/127)
a) Report of monthly inspection of Play Equipment.
HS to carry out the inspection of the Play Equipment.
b) Planning of Opening Ceremony for the New Play Equipment.
It was agreed an invite will be sent to FCC rep, DG to see if the Lord Lieutenant is available. It was agreed to invite the children from the Primary School. The Clerk to organise a proof for signage for the play area. It was agreed to try and arrange the opening before the children break up for half term in October. Refreshments are to be discussed once the attendance numbers are firmed up.
It was proposed by JB a sum of up to £500.00 be available to cover the costs, seconded by KG and the majority agreed.
The Clerk will try to obtain a grant once figures for costs have been confirmed.
Action: A meeting of the playing field group will take place to progress the plans during the month.
b) Any Further Updates from the Village Asset Inspection.
It was agreed to forward the details to FixMyStreet of the properties that have not cut back the shrubs to the boundary of their properties. GG reported the bin covers not being put back on base and locked by NKDC refuse collectors. One lid is now split , GG to keep eye on it.
Action: The Clerk to action the FixMyStreet issues and contact NKDC Environmental Health about the bins.
c) Update on the progress with the Bowls Club lease.
All the latest amendments were accepted and it was resolved to arrange the meeting for the document to be signed.
Action: The Clerk to contact Bowls Club Chairman.
d) Football Pitch Use.
The Clerk confirm the Ruskington Lions Jnr teams have started using the field this year, the agreement has been signed and fee has been paid.
11. Allotments (26/128)
a) Allotment Committee.
There hasn’t been a meeting this month.
12. Finance (26/129)
a) Bank Balances and Approval of the Bank Reconciliation
The bank balances were reported as:-
PC General Account – 28,251.82
Allotment Account 6,563.51
Mary Gresswell Trust 5.58
The bank reconciliation was distributed to the councillors and approved.
b) Income.
The following was received during the last month.
From the British Heart Foundation - repayment of £160.01
This amount is included in the reported bank balance.
c) Payments.
It was proposed by KG, seconded by GG and all agreed to approve the following payments
Salaries/Expenses 961.94
Lloyds bank charges 4.25
Malcfirth – Jun grass cutting 646.38
MalFirth – Jul grass cutting 646.38
Lamyman Grange Contractors – Greendykes 300.00
PKLittlejohn – External Audit completed 252.00
Greensleeves 71.00
d) External Audit
Notification that the external audit has been completed. The Notice of Conclusion will posted on the Noticeboard and website complete with Sections 1,2 &3 of the AGAR.
13. Correspondence (26/130)
a) LALC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors.
b) NKDC Newsletter - Distributed to all councillors
c) County Councillors monthly report
d) NK Partnerships Team – information on funding opportunities
e) Lincolnshire Fire & Rescue Response Review Engagement – review closes 23rd Aug
.
14. Dates of Future Meetings (26/131)
Parish Council Meetings for 2026 – Second Wednesday of the month – 9th Sep, 7th Oct, 11th Nov, 9th Dec.
15. Any Business to Note for the Next Agenda & Councillors Reports (26/132)
Any items to be notified to the Clerk.
16. Closed Session (26/133)
For confidential items in accordance with the Public Bodies Act 1960.
This item was not required
20.26 hrs – There being no further business the Chairman declared the meeting closed.