Annual Parish Meetings

The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Little Hale held at the Methodist Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale, on Tuesday 7th May 2024 at 7.30 pm.

Present: Parish Cllrs S Poulton, P Ireland, A Lennox, J Stapleton, E Hill, NKDC Cllrs S Tarry and C Collard, six members of the public and Mrs D Scott (Clerk)

1. Councillor Lennox, as Chairman of the Parish Council, welcomed all to the Annual Parish Meeting. Apologies had been received from LCC Cllr Andrew Key.

2. The minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting, held on 16th May 2023. It was proposed by Cllr Ireland, seconded by Cllr Stapleton and agreed unanimously, that the minutes were an accurate record and were duly signed.

3. Poor Gardens and Land Charities Report

Mrs Nickols presented the report on behalf of the Charities.

LH Land Rents – Two rents of £215 had been received during the year as usual and donations made to the Chapel, Great Hale Church and Parva House. Three £35 book tokens had been given to students. The bank balance in March 2024 was £1,191.

Poor Garden – Mrs Nickols explained that two rental incomes of £1574 had been received and distributions had been made in May 2023 to Sixth Form students for transport and to University students for books. In December, the annual distribution of £30 each to 22 pensioners at the Coffee Morning. Six further donations (1 @ £150 and 5 @ £300) representing extra support for the cost of living had been made. The bank balance in March 2024 was £8,448.

4. Great Hale and Little Hale Joint Burial Committee

Mr Rooke, as a Trustee of the Burial Board and Chair for 2023-24, presented the report. He explained the origins of the Board as a Joint Burial Committee for the two parishes. During 2023-24, the Trustees had continued to hold working parties in the Cemetery to carry out seasonal maintenance. They had met as a Board twice during the year. Last summer the Commonwealth War Graves Commission had donated a plaque for the front railings informing visitors of the War Graves in the Cemetery. During the year there had been four funerals (three conducted by J Severs and one by D Holland (Dignity) of Grantham), four memorial applications from Wm Kent Memorials had been approved and five plots reserved for future use. The Board held long-term funds and decided during the year to move the funds to a new five-year savings account with Cambridge & Counties Bank, to increase the interest earnt. This was completed in January. Mr P Haynes was contracted to carry out the grass-cutting and the Trustees continue to be grateful for the contributions made by the Parish Councils towards those costs.

5. Parish Council Chairman’s Report.

Cllr Lennox thanked Mrs Nickols and Mr Rooke for their reports. She presented her report, thanking the Clerk and fellow Councillors for their support during her time as a Councillor and Chairman.

6. Matters Raised.

Solar Panel project on Little Hale Fen – a Member of the Public reminded the meeting of his previous concerns about the lack of direct consultation by the developers with the public. Cllr Tarry explained that the project was too small to be classified as a Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project (NSIP) and was therefore subject to the normal local planning processes instead of being dealt with by the Government through the Planning Inspectorate. The developers were therefore only obliged to publish notices on site and the District Council had consulted with the Parish Council, hence the extra Parish Council meeting in October whereas developer of NSIPs were required to consult directly with residents.

Highways – the member of the Public had wished to raise another matter but this was on the agenda for the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council later.

There were no other matters brought to the meeting.

The meeting closed at 7.40 pm.

The Annual Parish Meeting of Little Hale will be held at the Methodist Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale, on Tuesday 7th May 2024 at 7.30 pm.

All Councillors and residents of the Parish are welcome to attend.

Electors are eligible to vote on matters discussed.

Agenda

1. Welcome and Apologies for Absence

2. To approve the minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting, held on 16th May 2023

3. To receive the Poor Gardens and Charities Report

4. To receive the Hale Magna and Hale Parva Joint Burial Committee Report

5. To receive the report of the Chairman of the Parish Council

6. To discuss any matters raised by Councillors or members of the public including proposals for projects during 2024-25

Amy Lennox

Councillor Amy Lennox, Chairman, Little Hale Parish Council

27th April 2024

ALL WELCOME