DRAFT 8th September 2025 Minutes
INGHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of Ingham Parish Council
Date: Monday 8th September 2025
Venue: Ingham & Cammeringham Village Hall
Attendance: Councillors: H. Wilson, N. Brown, G. Stonham, P. Bell, S. Lee and J. Keir. Also attending: G. Monks (Clerk), M. Couzens (Village Caretaker), County Councillor Wimhurst & 2 members of the public.
862/ September 2025 Public Session
A member of the public raised concerns about possible signs of building on the plot behind her house. She also noted that there had been a number of thefts in the village recently. She thanked the Clerk for his actions to maintain footpaths.
A member of the Village Hall Committee requested use of the carpark and playing field for Bonfire Night. She also noted that insurance premiums are high for the event and enquired whether the Parish Council policy could be utilised. A new cleaner and caretaker have been appointed for the Village Hall and there will be a money raising event for a seat to commemorate the sad passing of Mr Powell.
863/ September 2025 Apologies for absence
Councillors T. Miller and S. Jacklin and District Councillor Patterson
864/ September 2025 Consideration of public session matters
Councillors agreed unanimously to allow the use of the playing field and car park for the Bonfire Night event subject to the insurance being in place and the necessary safety and clear up processes are used. This will be ratified at the next meeting.
The Clerk will contact the Parish Council insurer about the use of the insurance policy for the event. The Village Caretaker will open the playing field gates on 31st October.
865/ September 2025 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). None declared.
866/ September 2025 Village Caretaker’s report
The Village Caretaker reported that he had trimmed branches at the old pond site and noted that the play park gate appears to have been lifted open.
867/ September 2025 Notes of the Meeting of Ingham Parish Council held on the 21st July 2025 to be approved as the Minutes
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to approve the Minutes of the meeting of Ingham Parish Council on 21st July 2025.
868/ September 2025 Police statistics review
There was one new incident in Ingham during June.
869/ September 2025 Clerk’s report on matters outstanding
Subsiding play surface –Kompan will undertake repairs in late September; Crossways/ Cadent – there are red and white barriers in place which may be causing a visual obstruction. The Clerk will contact Cadent to request removal; Seat Saxon Way – a parishioner has raised concern about the condition of the seat. Councillors agreed in principle to purchase a replacement which could be dedicated to Mr Powell; Tree at Churchfield – reported to Highways; Tree overhanging footpath – a tree survey will be organised; Road adjacent to telephone box – the Clerk has reported a poor pot hole repair; Car Park – quotations for repair are being obtained. The Clerk will ask Green Grass Contracting to move to a cut every 3 weeks.
The Lincoln Road average speed was in 22.97 mph, out 24.57 mph and on Church Hill 35.5mph during September.
870/ September 2025 P3 Liaison Officer report
Councillor Stonham reported that dog fouling has worsened and the path behind Ingham House need nettles to be removed.
871/ September 2025 District Councillor report
The District Councillor sent apologies and the Clerk read out a report submitted by him.
872/ September 2025 County Councillor report
The County Councillor introduced himself to Councillors.
873/ September 2025 Items raised by Councillors for future agenda
Councillor Stonham said that the Methodist Church is still in a poor state of repair. The Clerk will raise this with planning enforcement. She also noted that the trees are hanging low on the old pond site. The Clerk will ask the West Lindsey Tree Officer if permission is required to remove these. Councillor Lee raised the idea of Christmas Ingham Illuminations. This will be an agenda item at the next meeting.
874/ September 2025 External Audit
Councillors reviewed the audit certificate and thanked the Clerk. Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to pay the invoice of £252.
875/ September 2025 Internal Audit
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to agree to a two-year agreement with LALC for Internal Audit provision.
876/ September 2025 Financial report including resolution to make payments to:
Pay reference Payee Amount
E144 G. Monks (July salary) Combined £1083.15
E145 M. Couzens (July salary) £
E146 G. Monks (August salary) Combined £1083.35
E147 M. Couzens (August salary)
E148 Green Grass Contracting (Grass cuts inv 3150 & 3158) £974.98
E149 Nicholsons (Professional fees) £66
E150 PKF Littlejohn LLP (External audit fee) £252
E151 M. Couzens (Reimbursement steel parts) £11.88
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to pay electronic payments e144-151. The Chairman signed the HSBC bank statements to confirm the balance at 21st July 2025 of £37,462.24 and 21st August 2025 of £36,261.28.
877/ September 2025 Budget 2026/27
The Clerk noted that Councillors should let him know of any budgetary items for the forthcoming financial year.
878/ September 2025 NALC salary rates
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to adopt the new rates and apply these to employee salaries and pay back pay to April 2025.
879/ September 2025 Planning Matters to be Reported and Considered
None.
880/ September 2025 Risk Assessment Play Area
The Clerk presented a report undertaken on 7th September that found no operational risk concerns with equipment but noted the known issues with the subsiding play surface. Defibrillators are emergency ready.
881/ September 2025 MUGA and Car Park
The Clerk will establish whether a tender process is necessary prior to a grant application.
882/ September 2025 Neighbourhood Plan
The Clerk said that West Lindsey are reviewing the draft plan.
883/ September 2025 Remembrance Day
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to purchase 2 wreaths and 10 large poppies from Royal British Legion (Free Resource Power to incur expenditure not otherwise authorised on anything which in the council's opinion is in the interests of the area or part of it or all or some of the inhabitants LGA 1972, section 137)
884/ September 2025 Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony
The Clerk was asked to obtain a quote for the Christmas Tree and whether it will be installed and removed too. The Clerk will also find whether there is any insurance concern if Councillors/ employees help install the tree.
885/ September 2025 Defibrillator training
The Clerk has arranged a session by LIVES for 8th October. Promotions will be posted on noticeboards and Facebook and the Parish Council website.
886/ September 2025 Crossways Junction
This was discussed during a prior agenda item.
887/ September 2025 Village Venture
Councillors RESOLVED unanimously to pay the invoice from Village Venture for publishing costs (LGA 1972, section 142).
887/ September 2025 Village Hall grant aid
There was no request received.
888/ September 2025 Speed sign warranty
The Clerk will check whether the fee listed is an annual charge and the cover it would provide.
889/ September 2025 Bonfire Night
This was discussed under an earlier agenda item.
890/ September 2025 Correspondence Received
All correspondence was discussed as part of agenda items.
891/ September 2025 Date of the next Parish Council Meeting
The next meeting of Ingham Parish Council will be on Monday 13th October 2025.
Meeting Ended 21.03