Parish Meeting 2025

Minutes 15th May 2025

Draft

PARISH OF DOWSBY

 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 2025

Held 7.00p.m., 15th May, 2025 at Dowsby Village Hall.

 

PRESENT:      Dowsby Parish Councillors: Messrs: C. Chambers, G. Ridgway, V. Barker

District Councillor: R. Dixon-Warren

Members of the Public: None

 

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE – Cllr M. Hill, M. Randall

Resignation – Cllr L. Rowsell

 

  1. PUBLIC DISCUSSION

2.1       The clerk raised the previously mentioned speeding concern by a resident on the main road and it was confirmed that nothing further can be done with the limited funds that the council has. It was observed that a traffic survey device had been installed on the main road. Clerk to investigate for obtaining data to validate the situation.

 

  1. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT (Cllr C. Chambers):

3.1       Development proposal for Spinney Farm – new estate agent appointed as per For Sale board

3.2       Children’s care home progressing, invite for councillors to look around when ready to open

3.3       Flooding concerns limited with the recent dry spell, maintenance completed

 

  1. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS 31st MARCH, 2025.
  1. Summary of Payments & Receipts, year ended 31st March 2025 was made available to the meeting. Funds carried forward 1st April, 2024 £4,496. A copy of the accounts summary is attached to these minutes.  There were no questions on the accounts.
    1. The accounts have been reviewed by Mrs. Michelle Free and her report from 11th May 2025 has been received. Although the numbers are correct, there were several procedural issues that should be addressed. Mrs. Free completed the AGAR on 11th May 2025.

 

  1. APPROVE MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

Minutes of Annual Meeting, held 9th May, 2024, having been previously

circulated and published, were approved and signed. 

Proposed by Cllr. G. Ridgway, seconded by Cllr. V. Barker

 

  1. MATTERS ARISING FROM THESE MINUTES - None

 

  1. RECEIVE REPORT FROM DOWSBY VILLAGE HALL & PLAYGROUND ASSOCIATION. (DVHA). –  Chairman: Mel Randall. Presented by Cllr G Ridgway

7.1       We have had the lower half of the walls damp proof injected and rendered. This was done over the Christmas period with limited disruption to weekly events

7.2       We have had the loft insulated with 6 inches of loft insulation; at the same time some extra bracing was installed but the roof is generally in a good condition. The loft access has been increased in size.

7.3       Future projects

Removal of chimney breast and insulation to the back wall.

Replacement of kitchen ceiling and insulation. We have a quote from the same contractor who did the roof insulation £ 2700. Plus, skip costs of £180

7.4       Events update

            Quiz nights on 1/3/25 was a success with 8 teams

Weekly Bingo is going well with average of 55 players. (we need more chairs on some days)

Coffee mornings have had a slight revamp, Unfortunately Gary & Kate can no longer do the event due to personal commitments, (thanks for their support over the years) Maxine & Tressa have now committed to running this on the 1st & 3rd Thursday. Your attendance would be welcomed. 

We have had a couple of private booking & election booking. All have commented on how good the hall is.

The scouts have used the hall for some 6 weeks this I believe went well.

We decided that we would not put on any events around the VE day celebrations as villages around us had events running

7.5       Future events

17th May race night

6th June Craft sale and tabletop sale

6th June Quiz night

7th July Church afternoon tea??

19th July Village fete

7.6       Thanks to the PC for their continued support.

 

7.7       Cllr. Barker observed how good it was to see the Village Hall being run so well.

 

  1. QUESTIONS FROM THE PUBLIC

None

 

There being no further business, the Annual Meeting closed at 7.30p.m.

Phil Galpin, Clerk, 24th May, 2025