Annual Report April 2023
EAST KEAL PARISH COUNCIL
Annual Report 2022-23
Councillors
In May 2022 your councillors were Grahame Smith, Chair; Lynn Kemp, Deputy Chair; Geoff Boxer; Tim Wrisdale; Dennis Cooper. There were two vacancies since March through until November when Heather Edwards was co-opted on to the council. With no one else willing to come forward, this left one place available and is the position now.
We had the wonderful, skilful support and hard work from Libby Martin, our Parish Clerk.
We have also had great support and regular attendance from our District Councillor, Terry Taylor and County Councillor, William Grey.
We are very grateful to Dawn Keal who continued as our Internal Auditor.
Significant Events
a) In June 2022 your Parish Council contributed £120 towards the cost of toilet hire for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations. The Parish Council also purchased jubilee mugs and donated one to each household in the parish.
b) We called a public meeting to address highways issues which attracted around forty residents who were able to express views to and ask questions of officers from Lincolnshire County Council. As a result, many suggestions were considered. We now have more ‘roundels’ signs on the road surface and we are told the camber on Hall Corner is to be adjusted during 2023. A speed assessment of traffic on the A16 through East Keal was conducted, the results of which are posted on our website.
Residents raised concern over speeding vehicles in Keal Cotes, we have contacted West Keal PC to work together to find improvements.
It is expected that Balfour Beatty will donate their flashing speed signs and we have requested Highways to place one in Keal Cotes and the other on the approach to Hall Corner.
c) Update to the arrangements for the lease of the parish council field has been agreed.
d) The Clerks laptop and printer equipment was renewed, a year before it was planned due to them failing, being slow and out of date.
The Four Year Plan
In February councillors met to assess the progress in the Four Year Plan. It was agreed that all objectives have generally been met, except the provision of a ‘public open space’. This has been included in the new plan starting in 2024, which is posted on our website.
Drains
Regular discussion and dialogue with Highways has resulted in November the drains at Hall Corner were cleaned out and a promise of more often and regular cleaning was received. Blocked street drains in the lanes were cleaned after we highlighted the situation and provided a map of their locations.
Communications
Due to inaccurate information on social media and mis-use of Facebook pages, the parish council fazed out using it. We encourage people to contact the council directly if they have an issue or question when it can be dealt with accurately, as well as finding information on our website which is kept up to date and on the new large noticeboard. We continue to email out important information to residents who have provided their emails with permission. You can add yours to this by contacting the Clerk.
The noticeboard by the crossroads was damaged by winds recently and has been removed due to its dangerous condition.
Footpaths
These have generally been kept clear by land owners and volunteers. We did contact the County Council Footpaths Officer regarding the path across the fields from Hall Corner to the top of Fen Lane, as it was continuously impassable. Thankfully, they did send their team to clear away the brambles and overgrowth.
War Memorial
We purchased flowers for the war memorial and tubs around the village last year. We do still need people to volunteer to keep tidy the grounds here. At the memorial service in November over sixty people attended, many thanks go to David Rossdale for conducting the service.
Litter Picking
The first large litter pick on 14th May was supported by 15 volunteers. We noticed that along the A16, litter from passing vehicles appeared again shortly afterwards and that this was a common occurrence. Such litter we estimate constitutes around 95% of that found in our parish. As a result, we have trialled a system of having a few people picking litter more often which has seen good results with less litter lying around for a long time. A councillor has been out picking litter more than nine times since the new year and residents out walking or running have made a massive difference. Many thanks go to all people who do any litter picking, keeping our roadsides tidy.
Benches
The bench located at the bus stop by the War Memorial received an excellent overhaul and refurbishment, thanks to hard work from a couple of volunteer residents.
We received a new bench, now located by the crossroads of Blacksmiths Lane and Fen Lane.
This was donated as a memorial by the family of a resident who passed away and who wanted it to be useful to walkers.
Other issues considered
A horse rider has been using the footpath at Barrow Hole; dangerous parking on the slip road by the green; Damage caused by vehicles turning in School Lane; Several fly tipping incidents reported, especially on the Mavis Enderby road.
Planning
Several planning applications have been received and considered. The refusal to build six houses on the field by The Manor has now gone to appeal. Also, refused was permission for houses in the field by Marden House.
Volunteers
We continue to be very grateful to those volunteers that continue to cut the grass verges around the village, your efforts are immense. Some people clear away fallen branches and fix gate posts, prune roses and tend to our plant pots, thanks go out to all of you.
If you can volunteer, please contact the Clerk.
Finances
The annual finances are published and a copy is available at this meeting. After some years of no increase in our council tax element, rising costs means this had to change.
To contact your Parish Council: Libby Martin, Clerk 01790 752083
Grahame Smith, Chair