Annual Parish Meetings

The Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting of Little Hale held at the Methodist Chapel, Chapel Lane, Little Hale, on Tuesday 3rd May 2016 at 7.30 pm.

Present: Parish Cllrs P Ireland, J Needham, N Rooke and D Cox NKDC Cllrs S Ogden and S Tarry, 3 members of the public and Mrs D Scott (Clerk)

1. Councillor Needham welcomed all to the Annual Parish Meeting.

2. The minutes of the last Annual Parish Meeting, held on 12th May 2015. It was proposed by Cllr Cox, seconded by Cllr Ireland and agreed unanimously, that the minutes were an accurate record and were duly signed.

3. Poor Gardens and Land Charities Report

Mrs Cox and Mrs Freeman presented the report on behalf of the Charities. Mrs Cox circulated copies of the accounts and explained that Poor Garden rents received had totalled £3100 and distributions had been made as usual, together with a donation to the Heckington Area Voluntary Car Service. A new Heating Allowance of £200 had been paid to each of 5 parishioners felt to be in need and in January £225 had been paid to vehicle-less households to help with journeys. Three university students had each received £150 by cheque. A new Sixth Form travel grant had been agreed and 4 grants of £200 each had been made

The Land Rents had received £430 in rent. Having set aside money last year to put towards the Defibrillator, which was not then needed, the Charity had been able to increase the grants made in 2015-16 including a grant to HAVCS of £90.

Cllr Ireland asked that thanks to the Charities be recorded for taking on the costs of the HAVCS contribution.

4. Great Hale and Little Hale Joint Burial Committee

Mrs Scott, in her capacity as Clerk to the Burial Board, gave the report on behalf of the Trustees, and circulated copies of the accounts.

She pointed out that the contributions made by both Parish Councils towards costs, especially grass cutting, was very much appreciated as the Board’s income was by its very nature, extremely unreliable and the grass cutting costs varied according to the weather during the growing season. She explained that the grass was cut regularly as appropriate to a small rural cemetery.

5. Parish Council Chairman’s Report.

Cllr Needham thanked her fellow Councillors and the Clerk for their support over the last year. She said that the Parish Council had been sorry to lose Paul Pocklington due to work pressures but it was hoped that a replacement would be co-opted later that evening at the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.

She also thanked the Charities and the Burial Board for the services they provide for the Parish.

Cllr Needham reported that she had received a letter from Mr Laidlow saying that, sadly, due to his recent stroke, he would not be able to do as much litter-picking and tidying around the village as he wished. It was agreed that a letter of thanks and best wishes for continued recovery be sent.

The Chapel extension had been competed during the year and would hopefully prove to be an asset for the Parish. 

The defibrillator continued to be looked after by the Defib Reporting Team and an extra Community First Aid Course, held in January, had been well attended. Recent repairs meant that the phone box was now illuminated at night which would be useful.

Cllr Needham explained that the Parish Council had been very concerned about the amount of dog mess left on the paths around the village, but the problem seemed to have eased somewhat. Parking on pavements was a similar ongoing concern.

The Parish Council continued to respond to Planning Applications, of which the operations at the Chestnuts had been the most contentious.

The state of the roads, potholes etc was a recurring problem and the Parish Council would continue to report issues to NKDC. Residents were reminded that they could report directly to LCC as well.

6. Matters Raised.

Cllr Ireland raised the issue of the Community Building Fund, which currently amounted to £95.40, being held in the Parish Council’s Bank Account. It was noted that as well as the Bicker Fund, there would also be fund set up in respect of the Triton Knoll, and probably the Viking Link, projects. It was agreed that it would need a separately constituted community group (which could include Parish Councillors) to be set up, as the above funds were likely to be not available to Parish Councillors. Cllr Needham suggested she would talk to Mr Doughty.

There being no other items brought for discussion, the meeting closed at 8.03 pm

2nd May 2017 - The Minutes were agreed as a true record and signed by Cllr Nicki Rooke