May 2025 - Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting UNADOPTED
UNADOPTED Minutes of Hemswell Annual Parish Meeting Monday 19th May 2025 at 6.30 pm
Present: Parish Councillors: Cllr. J. Roberts (Chair), Cllr. P. Sutherland, Cllr. G. Jago, Cllr. R. James. Member(s) of the Public (MoP): 6 In attendance: County Cllr. C. Reeves, District Cllr. P Howitt-Cowan. Clerk: E. Raymond.
Agenda
01-24/25 Welcome and Remarks Cllr. James Roberts, Chair of Hemswell Parish Council, welcomed everyone and opened the meeting.
02-24/25 Apologies for Absence Apologies were received from Cllr. A. Horsfield due to a prior engagement.
03-24/25 To approve minutes of the previous meeting held Monday, 20th May 2024. Minutes were signed as a true and accurate record. Minutes available on PC website: https://hemswell.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/parish-information/parish-annual-meetings/2.
04-24/25 Reports and Presentations
a. Parish Council Annual Report - Cllr. James reported on the PC's work over the previous year covering; The Environment and Habitat, PC Assets and Heritage, Community Events/Commemorations, Community Grants and Donations, PC Governance and Accountability. An illustrated summary report is available on the PC website via the link: https://hemswell.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/file/179/chairsreportmay2025meet
b. The newly elected County Councillor Christopher Reeve introduced himself to the meeting and expressed his commitment to supporting the rural villages in his division. Cllr Reeves explained he aims to identify the local community's needs, provide reports and updates, and be visible and available to respond to concerns, either through the clerk at Hemswell PC or directly via LCC. The County Cllr. recognised the support given to Hemswell by the District Councillor and WLDC and explained he would like to build upon that work as a good County Councillor should do. Several residents and Cllr. James thanked the County Councillor for attending and speaking and welcomed his future attendance or submission of reports at PC meetings.
c. Hemswell & Harpswell Village Hall Trust Report - Bill Barker read an interim report on behalf of the committee, focussing on the very successful May Day celebration and the dedication and support of the small number of people who worked extremely hard to make the event a success for all residents and visitors on the day. Mr Barker encouraged people to visit the new Village Hall website (https://hemswellandharpswellvillagehall.co.uk and hoped people would attend the VH AGM meeting on held on Wednesday, 21st May 2025, at 7:00 pm. The report is available on the PC website at https://hemswell.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/parish-information/village-hall-minutes-meetings/1.
d. All Saints Church, Hemswell - Penny Gleadell informed the meeting of the very successful event on the 10th and 11th of May 2025 when All Saints Church welcomed visitors from across the county as part of the WL Churches Festival. The event raised £799 over the two days, and the PCC were extremely grateful to all those who had contributed and worked together to make the event a success and to those who visited the church.
e. District Councillor Paul Howitt-Cowan gave a short update on local matters, including the opening of Baltic Mill and the new cinema in Gainsborough, WLDC matters and commented on the beautiful flower arrangements, displays and churchyard at All Saints Church during the open weekend. A full report is available on the PC website via https://hemswell.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/downloads/download/65/district-cllr-report-may-2025
05-24/25 Questions and Comments: Members of the Public
A resident:
i. Enquired about the notice board that had stood outside the Pinfold and where it had gone. A member explained it had become unsafe and cut down before it fell over. The member advised the posts left in the ground would be allowed to weather/rot off to make removal easier at a later date.
Cllr. James concluded the meeting by thanking all those who had attended.
Meeting Concluded 19:15