15 May 25 - Annual Parish Meeting Minutes
HELPRINGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
helpringhamparishcouncil@gmail.com
helpringham.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk
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Draft Notes of the ANNUAL PARISH MEETING held on WEDNESDAY 15th MAY 2025
PRESENT:
Councillor Geoff Hotchkin
Six members of the public were present.
1. Cllr Geoff Hotchkin welcomed everyone to the meeting and accepted apologies for absence from Dennis Pell (Playing Field Committee) and Fiona Lightfoot (Helpringham Church Warden)
2. It was resolved to approve the Clerk’s notes for the Annual Parish Meeting held on 8th May 2024 as true and correct record of the meeting.
3. Chairman’s Report
Cllr Geoff Hotchkin welcomed everyone to the meeting and reported the following:
Tree maintenance – in accordance with insurance requirements the trees under the responsibility of the Parish Council had been inspected and various essential and desirable work had been identified. As the desirable work would soon become essential it was resolved to have all the work carried out. Due to the cost of this work it was necessary to increase the 2025/26 precept. Work started on the 15th May 2025 and is going well.
Church Clock – it was resolved during the year to donate the winding mechanism of the church clock to the PCC so that it now comes under their responsibility.
Annual Audit – it had been decided to use LALC for the interim and annual audit for 2024/25 which has lead to unforeseen extra work for the clerk.
Local Government Reorganisation – Cllr Hotchkin had attended a meeting about this and reported that the current proposal is that the county is split into 3 districts – North Lincs/Mid Lincs/South Lincs.
Grass cutting – the contract had been renewed and awarded to CJP Garden Services for another 3 years. Thanks were extended to Chris for the great work that he does keeping the village looking good.
VE Day 80th Anniversary - a commemorative ‘Unknown Tommy Statue’ had been purchased and placed near the memorial on the green.
Planning – the Parish Council continues to be disappointed with the response from NKDC in the respect of planning issues.
Attendance of District and County Councillors – the Parish Council is disappointed by how infrequently the Councillors attend the Parish Council Meetings.
Finally Cllr Hotchkin expressed the Parish Council’s sadness at the resignation of Rob Spencer and extended their thanks to him for his many years of support.
4. Presentations by village organisations.
A report about the Memorial Hall was presented and is attached. The hall is extremely well used but unfortunately there have been no new offers to help with the administration required. This could lead to a potential closure of the hall at a future date.
A report had been received from St Andrew’s Church outlining work at the church, the community café, the food bank and the church clock. This report is attached. Many thanks to the Church Warden for sending this.
5. Questions and comments from members of the public - none
6. The meeting closed at 7.25pm