May 2026

Minutes 21st May

Draft  5th June

Minutes of Dowsby Parish Council Annual General Meeting

Held 21st May, 2026, 7-30p.m. (after Annual Parish Meeting) at Dowsby Village Hall.

 

Present:   Cllrs C. Chambers, V. Barker, J. Dixon, T. Morris

County councillor: M. Hill

Members of the Public: Peter Thurston

 

1170    APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: - Cllr. K. Abel

 

1171    ELECTION OF OFFICERS:

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  1. Chairman of the Parish Council: Cllr Christopher Chambers, Cllr Barker proposed, Cllr Dixon seconded
    1. Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council: Cllr Tessa Morris, Cllr Dixon proposed, no seconder was forthcoming so it was not possible elect a vice chairman at this stage and the council would run without a vice chairman.
    2. Cllr Victor Barker announced that he would be resigning from the council at the end of the meeting. He was duly thanked for his service and commitment to the council for a period in the region of 30 years. This vacancy to be announced on the website and SKDC to be informed.

 

  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Cllr J. Dixon is Treasurer of Dowsby Village Hall committee

 

  1. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVES ON OUTSIDE BODIES –

1173.1 County Cllr M. Hill observed that there were now traffic lights in Dowsby for the road subsidence where the new houses at Spinney Farm have been connected to the main sewer. There was no information on a timescale for this to be resolved.

1173.2 During the surface dressing taking place in the local area lorries had been parked without consideration for other road users.

1173.3 There is a heating oil subsidy available for those on low income. (details had been sent to the councillors – item 74 in the correspondence)

 

  1. NOTES OF MEETING 3rd February 2026 were approved as Minutes. Proposed by Cllr J. Dixon, seconded by Cllr T. Morris
  1. Reference to dog bins required being addressed by Kyle Abel. Clerk to follow.

 

8-50pm Cllr Hill left the meeting

 

1175    CLERK’S REPORT ON MATTERS OUTSTANDING

1175.1 Website is being continually updated

1175.2 Clerks contract and job description. Clerk to follow and issue.

1175.3 Co-option of new councillor. Peter Thurston is interested to join. The vacancy period for the vacancy created by Gary Ridgway ends on 28th May after which Peter can be co-opted. This will be carried over to the next meeting although all were agreed this should happen.

 

1176FINANCE.

1176.1 Minute 1143.1 has not been implemented from the last AGM. This is to be addressed. Clerk to action introduction of a contract of employment and job description. This would now be from the start of the financial year 2026/27 and so back dated. 2027/28 precept to be increased accordingly.

 

1176.2 Bills for Approval and Bank Accounts.

 

Phil Galpin (2026/7 1st qtr net payment) (100442)         £201.60

HMRC (2026/7 1st qtr tax payment)        (100443)         £50.40

Zurich Municipal                                         (100444)         £244.60

V. M. Free                                                      (100445)         £100.00

Total bills:                                                                             £596.60

 

Cheque account on 30.4.26                                                 £3995.82

Savings account on 30.4.26                                                 £1997.51

Total available funds:                                                        £5993.33

 

            All payments agreed and approved.

 

            Percentage of precept spent                                               26.5%

            Percentage of precept left                                                   73.5%

 

  1. The councillors reviewed and approved ‘Certificate of Exemption – AGAR 2025/26 Form 2’ from the external audit annual return for the year ended 31st March 2026.

 

  1. The councillors reviewed and approved ‘Section 1 – Annual governance statement for Dowsby Parish Council’, from the external audit annual return for the year ended 31st March 2026.

 

1176.5 The external audit annual return ‘Section 2 – Accounting Statements for Dowsby Parish Council’ for the year ended 31st March 2026 were agreed and approved.

 

1176.6 The internal auditor identified several items that should be addressed.

            There are no policies and procedures that the council operates to. This was discussed in some detail as the clerk made the councillors aware of the situation.

            Clerk to finalise a contract of employment in support of item 1176.1. Clerk to address observations going forward.

 

1176.7 The mandate for signatories on the bank account needs to be updated to remove Gary Ridgway and add Tessa Morris. This was not ready in time for the meeting and so it was agreed that the clerk act as second authority with the chairman to authorise the cheques. Update should be complete for the next meeting.

 

1177    PLANNING

1177.1 Weekly planning report checked

1177.2 S26/0483 Briar House, Fen Road, change of use to residential and dog agility training. No representations.

           

1178    CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED.

  1. (SunshineGym) Promotional Information
  2. (Clerks & Councils Direct) Newsletter – March 2026 Issue 164
  3. (Barclays) Statements
  4. (ScoutsStamford&Bourne) Letter of thanks
  5. (NationalGrid) Gromsby to Walpole update
  6. (Clerks & Councils Direct) Newsletter – May 2026 Issue 165
  7. (HMRC) Basic PAYE year end information
  8. email(ElectricalSafetyFirst) Promotional information
  9. email(Elite Pest Solutions) Promotional information
  10. email(Rural Services) Newsletter 4.2.26
  11. email(GordonEllis) Promotional information
  12. email(LCC) Local Government reorganisation consultation
  13. email(LICB) Sight or hearing loss survey
  14. email(LALC) E news 6.2.26 and February training bulletin
  15. email(SKDC) Local Government reorganisation consultation launch
  16. email(Intermedical UK) AED promotional information
  17. email(SKDC) Walking festival invitation
  18. email(Sports and Play consulting) Promotional information
  19. email(AbleCommunityCare) Free Do not knock stickers available
  20. email(Rural Services) Bulletin 11.2.26
  21. email(LincsEP) Community resilience planning Spring 26
  22. email(KeepBritainTidy) Spring Clean 2026
  23. email(SaferPlay) Promotional information
  24. email(Rural Services) Bulletin 18.2.26
  25. email(LALC) E news 20.2.26
  26. email(LCC) Town and Parish council newsletter February
  27. email(Rural Services) Bulletin 25.2.26
  28. email(LCC) County catch up
  29. email(HWLincs) February 2026 newsletter
  30. email(SKDC) Remembrance trees installation
  31. email(LNEA) March update
  32. email(SKDC) Budget approved
  33. email(Rural Services) Newsletter 4.3.26
  34. email(LCC-TSG) Bus shelter grant scheme
  35. email(National Grid) Weston Marsh to East Leicestershire update
  36. email(LCC) Local government consultation events
  37. email(LALC) E news 6.3.26 and Training Bulletin
  38. email(Utility-Aid) Update
  39. email(Red Lynch) Promotional information
  40. email(SKDC) Age friendly community survey
  41. email(Nottsport) Promotional information
  42. email(Rural Services) Bulletin 11.3.26
  43. email(LALC) E news 19.12.25
  44. email(SKDC) Community Awards information
  45. email(LALC) Contact details check
  46. email(SKDC) Planning policy consultation
  47. email(Garys Gardens) Promotional updates
  48. email(SKDC) Planning policy workshop
  49. email(LALC) Neuro Diversity Training
  50. email(Meon UK) Promotional information
  51. email(Rural Services) Bulletin 18.3.26
  52. email(HWLincs) March newsletter
  53. email(Ben Charrington) Promotional information
  54. email(LALC) E news 20.3.26
  55. email(LCC) County newsletter
  56. email(PKF Littlejohn) Audit information
  57. email(ElevatePlay) Promotional information
  58. email(Rural Services) Bulletin 25.3.26
  59. email(BHF Circuit) Spring update
  60. email(LCC) Town and Parish council newsletter March
  61. email(SKDC) Food waste collection start
  62. email(National Grid) Grimsby to Walpole update
  63. email(Lives) Fundraising information
  64. email(LALC) Webmaster vacancy
  65. email(NDspt) Spring 2026 newsletter
  66. email(Rural Services) Newsletter 1.4.26
  67. email(Creative Play) Promotional information
  68. email(SKDC) Precept payment
  69. email(Zurich) Renewal information
  70. email(EA) April update
  71. email(Rural Services) Newsletter 9.4.26
  72. email(LALC) Training bulletin April
  73. email(LALC) E news 10.4.26
  74. email(Lincolnshire Community Foundation) Oil support
  75. email(Local Government Academy) Report writing training
  76. email(Rural Services) Newsletter 15.4.26
  77. email(SLCC) Regional training seminar
  78. email(Rural Services) Newsletter 22.4.26
  79. email(LALC) E news 24.4.26
  80. email(Sun-lite) Promotional information
  81. email(LALC) Training courses
  82. email(NAS) National allotment survey
  83. email(LCC) Town and Parish council newsletter April
  84. email(RuralSevices) Bulletin 29.4.26
  85. email(LIVES) April newsletter
  86. email(LCC) County newsletter
  87. email(RONIN) Health and Safety survey
  88. email(LALC) Awards deadline
  89. email(Zurich) Renewal quotation
  90. email(LALC) Martyns Law webinars
  91. email(SKDC) D Day walks
  92. email(SKDC) Community Grant scheme
  93. email(LCC) Foster care fortmight
  94. email(TheKnowledgeStore) Summer event training
  95. email(Rural Services) Bulletin 7.5.26
  96. email(Flagmakers) Promotional information
  97. email(LALC) E news 8.5.26
  98. email(LALC) In person councillor training
  99. email(Lincspolice) Volunteer recruitment
  100. email(Nottssport) Promotional information
  101. email(EA) May update
  102. email(TheCircuit) Status check
  103. email(RuralServices) Bulletin 13.5.26
  104. email(LincsEP) Community resilience newsletter
  105. email(LCCHighways) LALC event questionnaire
  106. email(MichelleFree) Internal audit report

 

1179    MATTERS OF AN URGENT NATURE & AOB - None

            AOB items to be added in advance to the Agenda

 

1180    DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Thursday 6th August, 7.30p.m, Village Hall, Dowsby.

 

There being no further business, the meeting was closed at 9:25p.m.

 

Phil Galpin,

Clerk to the Council,                                                                     

3rd June, 2026.