Draft Minutes 12 November 2025
Draft Minutes of the Irnham Parish Council Meeting
Held in St Andrew’s Church, Irnham on Wednesday 12 November 2025 at 7pm.
Present: Cllrs Amanda Ayre, Jon Crook, Jenny Crow, Trevor Vanson.
Parish Council Clerk: Jenny Crow
1) Apologies for absence
1/1 Cllr Hall
2) Members declaration of interest or request for dispensation
2/1 None declared.
3) Minutes of meetings
3/1Minutes of Parish Council Meeting 13/08/25 approved as a correct record and signed.
4) Matters arising
4/1 None
5) County Council/District Council matters
5/1 Cllrs have attended further Local Government Reorganisation meetings with LCC and SKDC. Currently there are 4 sets of plans being developed to be submitted to the Government by 28th November. The Government will then consult on the plans and determine which, if any, of the plans is to be adopted.
LCC are proposing 2 or 3 unitary authorities.
Unitary 1 (Population 789,502) (Existing LCC)
Unitary 2 (Population 330,000) (North East Lincs (159,911) North Lincs (171,366))
The situation with North and North East Lincolnshire is unclear as they are already separate Unitary authorities and under current legislation can’t be forced to merge.
SKDC are proposing 3 or 4 Unitary authorities. THE ORIGINAL PROPOSAL INCLUDED RUTLAND BUT CURRENTLY THE PLANS, FOR COMPLIANCE, DO NOT INCLUDE RUTLAND.
Unitary 1 (Population 368,917) (Existing SK, NK, SH)
Unitary 2 (Population 420,585) (Existing B, EL, WL, Lincoln City)
Unitary 3 (Population 171,366) (Existing N L)
Unitary 4 (Population 159,911) (Existing NE L)
A Greater Lincolnshire For All (ELDC, SHDC, BB) are proposing 2 unitary authorities:
Unitary 1 (Population 531,000) (Existing Lincoln City, N L, NE L, WL)
Unitary 2 (Population 574,000) (Existing BB, SH, SK, NK, EL)
City of Lincoln proposal
Unitary 1 (Population 208,000) (Expanded City area)
Unitary 2 (Population 573,000) (Rural Lincs)
Unitary 3 (Population 171,366) (Existing N L)
Unitary 4 (Population 159,911) (Existing NE L)
The original guidance was for unitary authorities to have populations of approximately 500,000. Irnham Parish Councillors are concerned about the LCC model of one large Unitary ie the current LCC taking on the responsibilities of all the existing District Councils. The new Unitary would be the third largest council, by population, in the country after Birmingham and Leeds but the area of Lincolnshire could fit 22 Birminghams.
SKDC will be discussing their final proposal on Thursday 20/11/25 with the final decision being made by the Cabinet on Monday 24/11/25. Despite changes in personnel the Government have confirmed the timescale is still as originally planned, ie decision in April 2026, new shadow Council elected May 2027 for implementation in May 2028. SKDC elections are due 2027. How the role/responsibilities of Parish/Town Councils may change with the possible implementation of new Area Committees is unclear.
At this stage, Irnham Parish Cllrs are tending towards supporting the two unitary model, A Greater Lincolnshire For All.
5/2 Cllrs were pleased to report that the new bin collection arrangements seem to have gone well.
6) Accounts
6/1 Income into the accounts since the last meeting has been interest on the Defibrillator Account of £5.65 and 2nd instalment of Community Cleaner Grant of £231.66. Cllrs approved the following payments: Donation to St Andrew’s Church for churchyard maintenance £300.00, X2 Connect £417.16 for materials to renovate the door to the phone box in Irnham, refund to Cllr Crow of £60 for additional lamp post poppies, refund to Cllr Crow of £50.26 for annual charge for Irnham.org domain name and email addresses. Cllrs noted the bank service charge of £4.25 per month.
6/2 The balance in the current account as at 12/11/25 is £5915.73, the balance in the Defibrillator account is £3593.72.
6/3 Cllrs agreed the bank reconciliation for 30/09/25.
6/4 VAT claim is £435.67. Cllrs agreed to claim this now.
6/5 Cllrs approved the amended Budget for 2025/26.
6/6 Cllrs discussed the Precept for 2026/27and in order to work toward an employed Clerk and to meet election expenses it was agreed to request £2250.
7) Planning applications/matters for the parish
7/1 Planning Application S25/1590 to vary planning permission at The Old Cottage, Hawthorpe to add a fire escape had been discussed by Cllrs. Cllrs raised no objections and approved by SKDC.
7/2 Planning Application S25/1638 to change the use of The Old School, Corby Road, Irnham from offices to dwelling had been discussed by Cllrs. Cllrs fully supported this application and decision is awaited from SKDC.
7/3 Planning Application S25/1693 to restore the grand entrance to Irnham Church with new gates had been discussed by Cllrs. Cllrs fully supported this application and decision is awaited from SKDC.
7/4 Planning Application S25/1832 to extend an existing garage and add an additional bedroom at Hartwell Grange, Irnham discussed by Cllrs. Cllrs fully supported this application and decision is awaited from SKDC.
7/5 Planning Application S25/2035 to add two conservation style roof windows to the rear of the proposed extension at Dairy Barns, Irnham which will also be reduced by one garage bay. This was discussed by Cllrs and fully supported. A decision is awaited from SKDC.
7/6 Planning Application S25/1800 to add a front porch extension, rear extension, garage extension, new windows and part render the front elevation at Larks Meadow, Bulby discussed by Cllrs and fully supported. A decision is awaited from SKDC.
8 Update on highways issues within the parish
8/1 Cllr Ayre reported that work was scheduled near the ford in Bulby but this has still not been done.
8/2 Cllr Ayre reported the very poor state of the Osgodby Road but there are no plans to resurface.
8/3 Cllr Ayre has followed up the report of the dangerous hole on the grass verge before the bridge in Hawthorpe where a cable is also exposed but this has still not been rectified.
8/4 Clerk has met with the landowner regarding improving the appearance of the field boundary opposite the pumping station. It has been agreed that 2 dead trees can be removed as well as old railings. A telephone cable needs raising back onto a pole. Clerk has attempted to contact Open Reach about this.
8/5 The marker wood at the front of the culvert in Bulby has been reported and is being investigated. Notification received that the work has been scheduled.
8/6 Cllrs are most grateful to see that the dropped kerb on Swinstead Road, below Stables House, has been reinstated which should help reduce flooding in heavy rain.
8/7 Anglian Water have been contacted regarding issues around the sewage plant in Irnham and the pumping station in Bulby. It appears that some of the fencing in Irnham is the responsibility of Irnham Estate and will be replaced.
8/8 Cllrs to request an update from Cllr Hill regarding work to reduce flooding impact from blocked ditches near Hall Farm, Bulby.
8/9 Cllrs are aware that various ditches in and around Bulby need cleaning out
8/10 Cllrs hope to find a suitable time for the annual clean up in Bulby.
8/11 Cllr Ayre to report a considerable break in the middle of the Keisby Road developing near the Hawthorpe junction.
8/12 A new battery has been purchased for the speed indicator but this appears to still not be holding charge for very long.
9) The Great Grid Upgrade
9/1 Cllrs have received a letter from the Planning Inspectorate regarding the Environmental Statement and the scoping process as part of the pre-application stage for this Nationally Significant Infrastructure Project.
The Clerk has contacted Corby Glen Chairman and Haconby and Stainfield Chairman to see if this is something the parishes should work together on. Cllrs also agreed to contact Cllr Hill for advice.
10) Parish projects/Events 2025/26
10/1 Cllrs recorded their thanks to the residents who carried out the repairs to the door of the ‘phone box in Irnham. Cllrs are most grateful for the way this resource is maintained. More information is available on the Parish Website.
10/2 The soldier silhouettes and additional poppies have been displayed for Remembrance. Residents were very appreciative of the additional poppies.
10/3 Cllrs are working on a photo album to capture the parish in the 21st century.
10/4 Cllrs will continue to place lights on the Christmas tree in Irnham.
11) Correspondence
11/1 Notification of two road closures, which are well advertised, to enable Anglian Water to complete work on the new pipeline.
11/2 Poster to display from Anglian Water regarding the proposed new reservoir in Sleaford area.
12) Irnham Parochial Church Council matters for the Parish
12/1 Cllrs personally provided a hamper for the auction which followed the Harvest Lunch on Sunday 19th October. This together with a cake which was auctioned separately raised £165. The Lunch was a most enjoyable Parish Event. Thanks to all involved in the organisation.
12/2 Cllr Ayre informed the meeting that there are 2 candidates for the vacant post of minister. Interviews will be held shortly.
13) Any other business
13/1 None
14) Date of next meeting
14/1 The next Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 18th February 2026 in St Andrew’s Church at 7pm.
Meeting ended at 8 pm.