2026 Minutes

INGOLDSBY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Minutes of the Ingoldsby Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 25 March 2026 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall, Main Street, Ingoldsby

1) WELCOME REMARKS BY THE CHAIR

The Chair, Councillor Eldred welcomed Parish Councillors and one parishioner to the meeting.  She reminded the meeting that the litter pick will be taking place on Saturday 28 March 2026.

2) PUBLIC FORUM

There was one parishioner present. 

3) PRESENT

Councillor Eldred, Chair

Councillor Kenyon

Councillor Leigh

Councillor Searson

4) APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Councillor Nelson.  The reasons for her absence were noted and accepted. 

5) DECLARATIONS OF PECUNIARY INTEREST & DISPENSATIONS

The Chair reported her interests in relation to the Village Hall Committee.  

6) MINUTES

Councillor Searson proposed that the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 28 January 2026 are accepted as a true and accurate record of that meeting. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Leigh, and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

7) GENERAL MATTERS

a) District Council Report

District Councillor Trotter reported that the District Council Annual General meeting will take place in May 2026.  She reminded members about the roll out of the food recycling bins with first collections on 7 April 2026.  She said that social housing inspections are taking place by the Regulator.  There have been some announcements by Central Government today in relation to Local Government Reorganisation. She reported on the percentage increase to Council Tax in South Kesteven.  She said that the District Council are taking nominations until 31 March 2026 for Community Champions and reported on the different categories for nomination. 

b) St Bartholomew’s Church Funding Request

The Clerk confirmed that there are spending powers for the Parish Council to support the Church.  Councillor Kenyon said that he would like to see a village wide referendum to gauge support among the electorate.   Councillor Searson also suggested an open meeting at the Village Hall. The Clerk suggested that the Parish Council do due diligence by inspecting the PCC’s accounts to ensure that there is a need for financial support.  

Action:  Clerk to contact the Monitoring Officer Graham Kitchen (copy in Carol Drury and Councillor Trotter) at SK. Mr Mortlock to feedback to the PCC.  The PCC and PC are to coordinate a joint meeting.

c) New Policies 

Councillor Kenyon proposed that the following policies are adopted.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Leigh, and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

• Standing Orders
• IT Policy
• Risk Register
• Expenses Policy – Staff & Councillors

Members noted that the data mapping exercise has been completed and will be reviewed annually with all policy documentation. 

d) Defibrillator

The Clerk reported that SHOCK Sleaford are unable to take on administration of the defibrillator in Ingoldsby as it falls out with their catchment area. They also must replace an estimated 25 defibrillators in their current inventory within the next three years; Lifepak Physio Control CR2 defibrillators and their replacement parts are no longer manufactured.

e) New Bench  

Councillor Kenyon proposed a search of land registry to verify ownership of the triangle on Humby Green. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Searson, and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.   Councillor Leigh proposed that the Parish Council purchase the Elwood Bench from Glasdon at a cost of £848.19   The proposal was seconded by Councillor Searson and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

Action:  Clerk to purchase the bench and schedule delivery and carry out the land registry search. 

f) BT Broadband

The Chair proposed that members ratify a decision to renew the broadband contract with BT for a period of 24-months at a cost of £33.95 per month. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Leigh, and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

g) Temporary Traffic Restriction Orders

Members noted that all notifications relating to temporary traffic restrictions will be place on the Parish Council website and Facebook page and shared to the Ingoldsby & Surrounding Areas Facebook page. 

• Scotland Lane (27 April 2026 through to 1 May 2026)

9) PLANNING MATTERS

a) Members noted the new Planning Matters

b)         Members noted the decisions received or pending

10) FINANCE 

a) Members noted the bank balances as of 18 March 2026.

b)         Members noted the income received between 22 January 2026 and 18 March 2026.

c) The Chair proposed that the following items of expenditure paid between 22 January 2026 and 18 March 2026 in line with the approved list of Regular payments or to be approved or ratified are accepted.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Leigh, and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

d) Members noted the record of reserves dated 18 March 2026.

e) Transfers

Councillor Leigh proposed that the following transfers are ratified.  The proposal was seconded by Councillor Searson, and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council. 

f) Bank Reconciliation

Councillor Kenyon proposed that the monthly income and expenditure accounts and bank reconciliation for February through to March 2026 are accepted. The proposal was seconded by Councillor Searson,  and the motion was passed unanimously by resolution of the Council.

g) Bank Mandate

The Clerk informed Councillors that the bank mandate had been rejected.  The new mandate has been completed digitally, and all Councillors are requested to check their emails and follow the instructions to add their digital signature. 

Action:  Clerk to call HSBC to amend the telephone number for Councillor Kenyon.

h) Budget Review 

In terms of expenditure the Parish Council has spent 88% against the budget. The staff budget sub-heading was over budget by just 1%.  The expenses budget sub-heading was over budget by 47% due to the in-house printing of the newsletter.  All other budget sub-headings were under budget.  The Parish Council received 20% more income than predicted. 

i) To review internal audit arrangements for the year ending 2025/26

Mr Jackson has confirmed that he is available to do the internal audit and the Clerk is scheduling an appointment with him for the week commencing 20 April. 

j) Section 137

Members noted that the Section 137 figure per elector for 2026/27 is £11.60 (up from £11.10 in 2025/26).

11) CORRESPONDENCE

Members noted the following correspondence sent by email:

a) SK dated 12 March 2026 in relation to SK Community Awards. 

b) SK dated 13 March 2026 in relation to the Planning Policy Consultations and Local Plan Timetable. 

c) SK dated 16 March in relation to Draft Design Code Engagement Workshops.

d) LCC dated 5 March in relation to Local Government Reorganisation.  

e) SK dated 20 March 2026 in relation to approval of their 2026/27 budget. 

12) DATE AND TIME OF NEXT MEETING 

Members agreed to move the May APCM and APM from Wednesday 6 May 2026 to 27 May 2026 at 7.30pm. 

The Chair closed the meeting at 8.55pm.