8th January 2024 Minutes
INGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of Ingham Parish Council
Date: Monday 8th January 2024
Venue: Ingham Village Hall
Attendance: Councillors: M. Nicholson (Chairperson), N. Brown, G. Stonham, T. Miller, S. Jacklin, H. Wilson, P. Bell S. Lee & County Councillor Butroid. Also attending: G. Monks (Clerk), M. Couzens (Village Caretaker).
398/ January 2024 Apologies for absence
District Councillor Patterson.
399/ January 2024 Tribute to Mike Dickinson
Councillor Nicholson led a tribute to Mike Dickinson who sadly passed away recently, noting his exceptional service as both a District Councillor and Parish Councillor over a 35 year period. He was a great ambassador for the village. The flag on The Green was flown at half-mast following his passing.
400/ January 2024 Consideration of public session matters
None.
401/ January 2024 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)
402/ January 2024 Village Caretaker’s report
The Village Caretaker provided an update.
403/ January 2024 Notes of the Meeting of Ingham Parish Council held on the 11th December 2023 to be approved as the Minutes
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Minutes of the meeting of 11th December 2023 with one amendment.
404/ January 2024 Police report
The Clerk said there had been one incident reported in November.
405/ January 2024 Clerk’s report on matters outstanding
Road across The Green – a response from Highways is awaited. WLDC have said that they are not liable for damage to the road but they will prevent bin lorries using it in future. MN will contact Mr Slack to see if he recalls the history of the road. The Clerk will ask the Parish Council insurers if loose chippings can be put down as a temporary measure. Play Area contract – solicitors are concluding the proceedings; Speed sign – the new sign has been received. The average speed on Lincoln Road in Dec was 27.7 mph with a high speed of 53.1mph; Tree survey – results are awaited from WLDC; Openreach manhole – action is awaited. Crossways sign – a replacement Give Way sign is awaited; Pot holes on road across the Green – reported to LCC.
It was agreed that the Christmas Tree lights should be removed as soon as possible so that Fillingham Trees can remove it. Councillors considered a message from a parishioner requesting a commemorative tree. Councillors suggested a plaque on the memorial bench instead. The Clerk will arrange for LIVES to provide a defibrillator training session.
406/ January 2024 P3 Liaison Officer’s report
Councillor Stonham reported that Long Lane is very wet and the tarmac is breaking up in places.
407/ January 2024 Items raised by Councillors for future agenda
Councillor Brown requested that Village Venture is added to the next agenda.
408/ January 2024 County Council Issues
Councillor Butroid arrived 19.53 and reported that he had met with the Highways officer to raise the issue of the road across the Green again and it was confirmed that a response is expected by end January 2024. The Clerk will send a picture of the tree debris on the High Street to the County Councillor so that arrangements can be made to remove it.
409/ January 2024 District Council issues
District Councillor Patterson sent apologies
410/ January2024 Financial report including resolution to make payments to:
Cheque Number Payee Amount
E032 G. Monks (December 2024 salary) £
E033 M. Couzens (December 2024 salary) £
E034 HMRC (PAYE Oct-Dec incl underpay of 20p) £157.21
E035 West Lindsey District Council (Village Hall defib install) £400
E036 West Lindsey District Council (Surgery defib install) £400
E037 West Lindsey District Council (Village Hall maintenance pro rata) £33.34
E038 West Lindsey District Council (Surgery maintenance pro rata) £33.34
E039 G. Monks (reimbursement grip tape) £17.99
E040 R. D. Mackinder (Tree felling bowling green) £900
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to make payments E032-E040. The Chairman signed the bank statement to confirm the balance at 21st December 2024 of £23,245.76.
411/ January 2024 Budget 2024/25
Councillors reviewed the budget for the forthcoming financial year.
412/ January 2024 Final Precept 2024/25
Councillors discussed either a 4% increase in precept or a 5% increase. Councillors voted which resulted in 4 votes for a 4% increase and 4 votes for a 5% increase. The casting vote was made by the Chairman of a 5% increase, being £25,358. Due to an increase in households in the village this will represent just a 3.91% increase in the Parish Council element of Council Tax for the average band D house. (Power to raise money through them precept - Local Government Act 1982, s150).
413/ January 2024 Interim Audit
Councillors reviewed the audit outcome which reported: ‘I have examined council business including policies, agendas & minutes, accounting and financial statements and other documents relevant to this audit. The Internal Audit Report for 2022-2024 was made available. There were no items or recommendations to be addressed. During this interim audit, there were a few areas where I have made recommendations as suggestions for improvement. Other than the items flagged, I saw evidence of a sound system of internal control and robust management practices.’ The Parish Council will adopt the recommendations made.
414/ January 2024 Planning Matters to be Reported and Considered
None.
415/ January 2024 Risk Assessment Play Area and Playground
The Clerk presented the report which noted that equipment was operationally safe and the defibrillators were emergency ready.
416/ January 2024 Multi Use Games Area and car park surface
Councillor Lee has drafted a questionnaire for school children.
417/ January 2024 Neighbourhood Plan
The Neighborhood plan committee have met and have made further progress with the draft plan. A 6 week public consultation will take place in February following the review of the document by the Parish Council at their next meeting on 5th February.
418/ January 2024 Solar Farm Proposals
There was no update.
419/ January 2024 Scampton Base
County Councillor Butroid said that WLDC are appealing the recent decision. Stop orders continue to be in place.
420/ January 2024 Remembrance Bench rules
Councillors reviewed the draft policy and RESOLVED unanimously to adopt it.
421/ January 2024 Tree works
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to ratify the decision to accept the quote for the tree at the bowling green to be felled following storm damage. (Commons Act 1899, ss 4 & 5)
422/ January 2024 Parishioner EMail
Councillors considered the comments from a parishioner about the condition of the road across the green and the speed humps to the car park. The speed hump removal/ alteration will be considered when the road is resurfaced in the future.
423/ January 2024 Correspondence Received
All correspondence was discussed as part of agenda items.
424/ January 2024 Date of the next Parish Council Meeting
The next Meeting of Ingham Parish Council will be on Monday 5th February 2024.
Meeting Ended 20.59