Minutes of Meeting 2024

MINUTES OF EAST KEAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING OF THE COUNCIL
HELD ON 12 th SEPTEMBER 2024 AT THE KEALS VILLAGE HALL, WEST KEAL AT 7.00PM

Present
Cllr Mahoney (Chair), Cllr Cooper, Cllr Pearson, Cllr Stickland ; 8 members of the public plus
Pauline Murray the new Parish Clerk and County Cllr Gray.

1. Apologies for Absence
Cllr Wrisdale gave his apologies due to a family appointment. Cllr Thornley was on holiday. This was agreed by all councillors. District Cllr Taylor sent his apologies – he had a conflicting meeting.

Public Forum – The Committee took questions from the floor for 15 minutes these included:-
A lady will be standing down from several years of putting the poppies up around the village for Remembrance Day. She handed in the knitted poppy bands with instructions for washing and other names that help with this. There were several comments about the overhanging trees and overgrown footpaths – Cllrs suggested that a work party be formed to tackle some of the smaller areas and the Clerk contact East Lindsey PRIDE Team regarding the bigger areas Action 24/01

Meeting commenced at 7.15pm

2. Declaration of Interest (if any)
Cllr Pearson declared an interest in the planning item S/045/01608/23 – New Build in that he had previously tried to buy the land to retain as a wildlife area and for Alpaca Walking.

3. Approving and signing minutes of a meeting held on 11/07/2024
The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted by all councillors and a copy signed by the Chair Cllr Mahoney.

4. Update from Delegated Groups
a. HR Committee
The basic update was that the new Clerk had been appointed and was at this meeting.

b. Update in regard to Village Volunteers
No actual update but the Chair suggested that a survey be compiled so that the time and skills availability can be deciphered before allocating batches of jobs. A vote of thanks was given to Alan Goddard for his work re benches and organising workers.

c. Update by the Highways Working Group
Cllr Pearson provided a comprehensive update on a circulated document which included the following items:-
i) A16 junction with Old Bolingbroke Road (Switchback) – numerous potholes; flooding
ii)Blacksmiths Lane – several drains for clearance and broken pipe
iii)Church Lane – water leak
iv)Fen Lane – ongoing investigations along the road to improve
v) Hall Corner - Speed camera not working, white lines need painting; bus stop overgrown
vi)Keal Hill – footpath overground and overhanging hedges; trees

d. Update on the Time Capsule
Cllr Thornley was on holiday but sent this message for the meeting:-
The Parish Council would like to say thank you to:-
Councillor Graham Pearson for his initial suggestion of a Time Capsule being a good community project. Gavin Motley, for making our wonderful the time capsule - Anne Mhairi Simpson for producing the perfect leaflet, Roy Thornley, Grahame and Anita Chapman, their grandson Max, Tim Wrisdale and his father Stephen, Malc Keal, David Muller and John Cuppleditch for their contributions towards turning our War Memorial into the lovely community space, and hopefully one that will continue to be enjoyed in the years to come. To Julie, Andy and Emma who very kindly kept the time-capsule in their/our village shop, promoting the event; enabling access to all.

To Diane White, our community champion. For facilitated access to the Time-Capsule during her Community Cafe’ events, and someone who’s always there with an encouraging word. To Sue Hancock for her invaluable support on Facebook, could not have done it with her knowledge and skills.

But most of all the Parish Council would like to thank everyone who took the time to contribute to filling the time capsule, and those who are able to be here today contributing to our picnic and making this day in my view a very Special Day for the East Keal.

5. Remembrance Service (Sunday 10 th November)
Councillor Cooper advised that Geoff Boxer will lead the service and together they will work out the details. There will be organ music and an order of service needed. About 50 people normally attend. The Chair will go to Skegness British Legion to buy the wreath after conferring with a member of public about it. Action 24/02

6. Update on Village Assets
A discussion took place regarding the review and repair of the village assets. A staggered plan should be formed which could be aligned to the skills which come out from the survey results.
A member of public pointed out that the bench on Keal Hill was maintained by the family of whom it is dedicated to so we should leave that one alone. The Chair to send Asset Register to Clerk
Action 24/03 for circulation to Committee. Then photographs can be added to locations.

7. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
a. County Councillor
Cllr Gray was in attendance and mentioned the following items:-
i) Bus tokens are available to pensioners
ii) Whooping cough is prevalent once more
iii) Farmers needing support especially now blue tongue cases found
iv) Potholes – 8000 were repaired in July 2024
v) District Council have new grants giving out Post Office vouchers for those in need
vi) Warm spaces can apply for extra money towards heating
vii) Food banks – speak to Roxanne Warwick also Age UK have packs available the needy

b. District Councillor
Cllr Taylor was unable to attend the meeting due to other commitments however he advised that all updates had been communicated to the Council via email which had the
following items:-
i)Nominations for recognition awards within East Lindsey – various categories including Outstanding Achievement and Group Champion
ii)Drainage Board Funding – 15 Councils have been awarded funding in recognition of the negative pressure of Draining Board levies impact - £834k for East Lindsey District Council
iii)Possible increased restrictions of dogs being allowed on beaches and a ban on non- permitted street traders in Skegness is being consulted on currently
iv) Wellbeing Service – after a tendering exercise this service will remain with the four councils (East Lindsey, North Kesteven, Lincoln City and West Lindsey) for a further 5-10 yrs

8. Planning:-
i)S/045/01608/23 – New Build – this is a further submission – it was voted on; resolved unanimously to object to this planning application however it was noted that the deadline for
objections had passed. Clerk to put objection in with reasons why we were late Action 24/04
Councillor Pearson having declared an interest left the building for the duration of this agenda item

ii)S/086/01190/24 – Grimsby to Walpole project – Clerk has already put an objection in for this

9. New Code of Conduct issued by NALC plus Standing Orders; Financial Regulations
There was no update but it was decided that we revise these documents individually – so the first will be the Code of Conduct at the next meeting.

10. Property in disrepair - Glengarry
This is a Grade 2 listed building in disrepair. The hedge is grown too high and is in general disrepair – no one is living there. Clerk to email Emilie Wales at East Lindsey DC and cc Cllr Taylor in regarding this – Action 24/05

11. Purchase of a Flagpole
The need for a flagpole was discussed and voted on – this was voted on and resolved unanimously to a maximum cost of £100 with remembrance and UK flags. Clerk to bring costs of flagpole and new tubs for flowers to next meeting Action 24/06 Chair to look into insurance Action 24/07

12. Speed Awareness
On the A16 just passed the village hall there Is an aquaplane risk in the wet – it should be brought down to from 50pmh to 40pmh stated Cllr Pearson. County Councillor Gray agreed to take the request forward to discuss with Highways.

13. Financial Update:
a. An update on payments made since the previous meeting Information Commissioners Office subscription - £35 direct debit
b. Bank Reconciliation Statement; Financial Report as at 31/08/24
The current bank balance in Lloyds is £5,181 and in Santander £2,102
This was voted and resolved unanimously
c. HMRC penalty
The Council have received a £100 penalty for late submission on the payroll software – this
happens mostly when there is no submission to be made – strangely a nil submission does
need to be put in every month but as there was no Clerk available this wasn’t done. Clerk
to appeal Action 24/08

14. Co-opting of a new Councillor
As Cllr Goddard has resigned there is now a vacant seat – a notice stating interested parties should contact the Clerk should go on to the notice boards and on the website (Action 24/09 Cllr Pearson) with 28 days notice to receive applications. These applications can then go to the November for voting.

15. Correspondence and Feedback
One member of the public is interested in ‘lighting East Keal up’ for Christmas. She is wanting to know if the Parish Council is supportive of her supplying and placing solar lights around the village for Christmas. The meeting discuss this and agreed that this was to be supported but not financed.
Cllr Pearson would like to see the Church used for Parish Council meetings as its more central and may encourage more residents to join the meetings. However to do so would require toilet facilities and heating – to be included in the survey to see if this is what residents want.

16. Matters Arising for next Agenda
- Audit list of tasks
- Survey to residents
- Code of Conduct
The meeting closed at 9.19pm - next meeting Wednesday, 20 th Nov 2024 at 7pm at Keals Village Hall.

Additional Information:

please see the link below to the Agenda page for an extraordinary meeting that has been called at short notice regarding a planning application for land at Blacksmiths Lane. This meeting to be held at 7pm Monday 7th October at St. Helens Church, Church Lane, East Keal.

https://east-keal.parish.lincolnshire.gov.uk/council-business/agenda-15720