Chairman's Report for Annual Parish Meeting 2026
IRNHAM ANNUAL PARISH MEETING 15th APRIL 2026
Chairman’s Report
Chairman’s Report
Your Parish Council consists of 5 elected volunteers who endeavour to look after the interests of the parish. We are people of very different backgrounds and interests, and we hope that these backgrounds give us a reasonable ability to be fair and reasonably wise in our judgments of parish matters.
What do your parish council actually do?
One of our main functions is to review planning applications, accepting/rejecting or perhaps asking for modifications. There are limits and guidance to what we may recommend and the final decision is made by South Kesteven District Council who we hope take our recommendations into account.
We frequently point out where potholes require mending, We recently had a meeting with LCC Highways asking for drains to be cleared in Bulby, improvements to ditches to reduce water flow down the road in heavy rain and also requesting that the Bulby ford receives some attention to make it safer for the unwary who try to use it in poor conditions which has resulted in some dangerous situations.
We are hoping to install an automatic flashing warning at the ford operating when the depth becomes difficult.
About a year ago we reported the roadside had been washed away east of the Irnham-Hawthorpe bridge, although it was inspected by SKDC at that time it is only recently that this has been taken seriously by them. We are hoping that the frequent flooding in this area will be dealt with by a new ditch being dug as the drainage pipe is frequently blocked.
You appreciate that we are a small parish, which also means that we have limited funds – which are from your council tax – and this last year, 2025-26, as you will see in our accounts this amounts to £2,140.
Year on year there is an increasing demand for parish councils to comply with legislation. This requires the services of a competent person to keep up with and execute all the necessary paperwork.
Larger parishes are able to pay a clerk to carry out this task. Our precept does not cover the cost of a paid clerk and we are extremely lucky that Parish Councillor, Jenny Crow has dedicated herself to this task which she carries out diligently. I must advise you that as she is a Councillor we are not permitted to pay her and she does not ask for expenses to which she is entitled.
On behalf of the parish, and parish council, I thank Jenny for the many hours she works on our behalf.
Councillors are not only involved with our public meetings but have to consult about matters in the parish as they present themselves and so we are in regular contact with each other and at times with our District and County Councillors.
A recent example of this was a meeting with Councillor Martin Hill. The Swinstead Road had been resurfaced raising the road surface which permitted heavy rain over a kerb stone, resulting in flooding within an inch of a house doorstep. Martin pressured the road authority to raise the kerb stones which directed the water away from property.
We have not undertaken any major capital work this year, just maintenance where required.
We are mindful that in May 2027 this council is due for election, there will be at least one vacancy. If we have suitable volunteers to replace vacant seats, we do not need to have an election but if we have more people wishing to be on the parish council than there are available seats an election must be held. If anyone would like to join us in our endeavours please contact Jenny.
Several parishioners help with various matters for which we give our grateful thanks:
Mr and Mrs Dawson look after our telephone kiosk book swap.
Martin Fuggle is our internal parish accounts auditor.
Charlie Leggatt provides and takes great care of the flowers at the water pump on Corby Road and the flagpole area.
I think that we live in a fantastic small parish environment which many parishioners help with, develop and maintain.
Thank you all for your contributions.
Trevor Vanson
Chairman Irnham Parish Council
Chairman Irnham Parish Council