11th September 2023 Minutes
INGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of Ingham Parish Council
Date: Monday 11th September 2023
Venue: Ingham Village Hall
Attendance: Councillors: N. Brown (Vice Chairman), G. Stonham, T. Miller, S. Jacklin, S. Lee, P. Bell and H. Wilson.
Also attending: G. Monks (Clerk), M. Couzens (Village Caretaker), PCSO McFaul and 2 members of the public.
278/ September 2023 Public Session
A member of the public said that he had refurbished the seat on The Green in front of All Saints’ Church. Councillors thanked him for the time spent and quality of the work. He requested the bench should be called ‘Chris’ Bench’. Councillors agreed. It will be used as a remembrance bench.
A second member of the public asked for clarity on whether the MUGA project would include continued use of the Tennis Court and whether the court will be locked. She also requested that the grass be cut shorter on the playing field.
279/ September 2023 Apologies for absence
Councillor M. Nicholson, County Councillor Butroid and District Councillor Patterson.
280/ September 2023 Consideration of public session matters
Councillors agreed to the naming of the bench and the playing field grass will be an agenda item at the next meeting.
281/ September 2023 Declarations of interest from members in accordance with the Local Government Act (members may make declarations of interest and dispensations at this point but may also make them at any time during the course of the meeting)
282/ September 2023 Village Caretaker’s report
The Village Caretaker reported that he had completed the safety checks of the play park and litter picks in the village. He has also refurbished the sheds in the Tennis Court, tightened the screws on the motorcycle rocker play equipment and changed the SID battery. Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to ratify the decision to purchase timber for the shed refurbishment at a cost of £288.
283/ September 2023 Notes of the Meeting of Ingham Parish Council held on the 10th July 2023 to be approved as the Minutes
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Minutes of the meeting of 10th July 2023.
284/ September 2023 Police report
PCSO McFaul reported that this would be the last time that she would attend a Parish Council meeting as she has been relocated to Gainsborough. This is due to the halving of the numbers of PCSOs in the region. Residents can still ring 101 or 999 if there is a issue to report but this will now be managed by a police officer rather than a PCSO. Councillors noted their thanks for the support PCSO McFaul has given to the village and that they are sorry to lose her. There were 2 incidents reported in August, one of the theft of a caravan from the village and the second not for the public’s interest.
285/ September 2023 Clerk’s report on matters outstanding
HW left the room 19.46 – returned 19.49.
TM left the room 19.49, returned 19.50.
Road across The Green – the County Councillor is arranging a meeting with Highways; Play Area contract – the Clerk will write to the school to request their agreement on the terms of any changes to the playground by them; Easement of the dyke – discussed in later agenda item; Commemorative Tree – a new tree is permitted and may be able to be introduced when another tree is removed. Speed sign – a solar option will require an extra post at a cost of £300; Defibrillator replacement – an outcome to the grant application is awaited; Pond site excavation – the Clerk noted that it is illegal to disrupt soil or fence off Village Green. The Clerk will check whether the status of Village Green areas is correctly recorded with the Land Registry and LCC. Councillor Bell noted his thanks to the Clerk for his assistance; Speed data – the average on Lincoln Road in Aug/ Sept 23 was 28.1 mph with a high of 59.3;
The Clerk noted that Grange Lane hedge had been reported to LCC Highways for cutting and the Clerk had submitted the FCC Communities grant progress report. There was discussion about Village Venture content and the Clerk will include a message that the community should let us know what they think needs to be done in the village and that they also need to do their part.
286/ September 2023 P3 Liaison Officer’s report
Councillor Stonham reported that there are 2 footpath modification notices in the village to ensure that footpaths are formally registered with LCC. The footpath behind Ingham House is being affected by a collapsed fence. The Clerk will contact the landowner about this. There is a missing finger post at the end of Long Lane. The Clerk will report this to Countryside Access. The seat on Long Lane requires a clean and there was a fridge left at the end of Long Lane which has now been removed. There are 2 seats that need refurbishing near Farriers Courtyard and outside 6 High Street. There are also 2 slats that need replacing on the bin at the pond site. The Caretaker will attend to these. The bus stop sign needs cleaning opposite the surgery. A plaque is required for the seat on The Green to commemorate Queen Elizabeth 11.
287/ September 2023 Items raised by Councillors for future agenda
Councillor Brown requested that the Christmas Tree and lighting ceremony is on the next agenda along with the grass cutting of the playing field and Saxon Way trees.
288/ September 2023 County Council Issues
Councillor Butroid sent apologies.
289/ September 2023 District Council issues
District Councillor Patterson sent apologies.
290/ September 2023 External Audit report
Councillors noted the report that stated ‘Section 2, Box 4 incorrectly includes items which are not staff costs as defined in the Joint Panel on Accountability and Governance Practitioners’ Guide. Please note that Box 4 should comprise payments made in relation to the employment of staff including only gross salary, employers’ national insurance contributions, employers’ pension contributions, gratuities for employees or former employees and severance or terminations payments to employees. Employment expenses which are benefits (mileage, travel, etc.) and items of reimbursement of expenses for postage, stationery or other outlays made on behalf of the smaller authority are not staff costs for the purpose of completion of the AGAR in accordance with proper practice. The figures in Section 2, Boxes 4 and 6 2021/22 should read £10,575 and £11,361 (respectively) and 2022/23 should read £12,062 and £62,407 (respectively)’. Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to pay £378 for the service.
291/ September 2023 Financial report including resolution to make payments to:
Cheque Number Payee Amount
E008 Listers Timber and Building Merchants (Shed timber) £288.48
E009 G. Monks (July 2023 salary) £
E010 M. Couzens (salary July 2023) £
E011 G. Monks (August 2023 salary) £
E012 M. Couzens (salary August 2023) £
E013 PKF Littlejohn LLP (external Audit fee) £378
E014 Green Grass Contracting (inv 2922 & 2942) £927.36
E015 Earth Anchors Ltd (New seat) £662.40
E016 Wicksteed Leisure Limited (Annual Play Inspection report) £400
E017 Tree Generation (Tree survey)
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to make payments E008-E017.
292/ September 2023 Budget 24/25
Councillors were reminded to consider any budgetary items for the forthcoming financial year.
293/ September 2023 Planning Matters to be Reported and Considered
147165, The Old Scrapyard, Stow Lane, Ingham, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, LN1 2YP, Application to Modify Section 106 Agreement dated 10 February 2016 – The Clerk will clarify whether a lit, all weather footpath will be retained as part of the proposal and that monies that would have been used for the piping of the dyke should be redirected to a community project.
146870, Church View Church Hill Ingham Lincoln LN1 2XW, single storey garden building for use as home office – comments were agreed that material used should be in keeping with the surrounding area.
294/ September 2023 Risk Assessment Play Area and Playground
The Clerk presented the report which noted that equipment was operationally safe and the defibrillators were emergency ready. It was noted that there is some subsidence of the play surface around the climbing trapeze. The Clerk will check the warranty for this.
295/ September 2023 Annual Play Area Assessment Report
The report was noted by Councillors which raised some minor issues to monitor.
296/ September 2023 Tree Survey
The tree survey report was reviewed and it was agreed to pursue the removal of an unhealthy tree close to the road across the Green as advised in the report. The Clerk will request 3 quotes for the works suggested in the report and request some extra reduction of the Weeping Ash tree and Cherry Trees.
297/ September 2023 Parishioner Letter
A letter highlighted some issues around the village which were recognised by Councillors. It was agreed to relocate the seat close to the Parish Council noticeboard to ensure it is away from the adjacent tree canopy. It was pointed out that weed spraying is expected by LCC in the coming weeks and a road sweeper can be requested using Fixmystreet. In terms of dog fouling, this is a constant problem but if any parishioner can obtain photographic evidence of the fouling act then a prosecution is possible.
298/ September 2023 Multi Use Games Area and car park surface
There have been 15 email responses and 16 paper questionnaire responses to date. The Clerk will include a message in Village Venture for residents to complete these and that the deadline is extended. Copies will be left in the Book Exchange, at bus stops online and in the shop. Councillor Lee asked for a picture ID and lanyard for Councillors. The Clerk will look into this.
299/ September 2023 Neighbourhood Plan
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to accept the offer of a neighbourhood plan grant of £6,075 by Groundwork UK.
300/ September 2023 New Speed Indicator Device
The Clerk will arrange a site meeting with Lincolnshire Road Safety Partnership.
301/ September 2023 Solar Farm Proposals
The meeting proposed for 30th August was cancelled. The Parish Council submitted comments to the Gate Burton consultation.
302/ September 2023 Scampton Base
Councillors noted that there had been a stop notice issued by WLDC.
303/ September 2023 Lincoln Road hedge
The Clerk confirmed that there was a planning condition for the hawthorn hedge to be replanted however it is unclear if this is reflected in the title deeds for home owners. Councillors will try to find out if this is present.
304/ September 2023 Daffodil Planting
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to allow the planting of daffodils adjacent to the road across the Green.
305/ September 2023 Remembrance Day
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to purchase 2 wreaths from Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.
306/ September 2023 Bonfire Night
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to allow the use of the car park and playing field for the Village Hall Committee to run the Bonfire Night event on the condition that all insurance requirements are met and the site is returned to its original condition afterwards.
307/ September 2023 Correspondence Received
All correspondence was discussed as part of agenda items except for a notice that the B1398 will be undergoing retexturing works during October 2023.
308/ September 2023 Date of the next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of Ingham Parish Council will be on Monday 9th October 2023.
309/ September 2023 Proposal to move to closed session, in accordance with the Public Bodies (admissions to meetings) Act 1960, that in view of the confidential nature of the business to be transacted, it is advisable in the public interest that the press and public be temporarily excluded and they are therefore instructed to withdraw from the meeting for the following items of business. Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to enter closed session.
310/ September 2023 Employee contracts
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to update the Clerks contract to the model contract provided by LALC. The Clerk will sign and return this as soon as possible.
311/ September 2023 Staff Appraisals
The Clerk said that staff appraisals were due and these will be arranged with the Clerk and Village Caretaker.
312/ September 2023 Home working policy
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to adopt the home working policy. The Clerk will complete a display screen equipment review.
Closed session ended 21.20