Minutes of meeting 15th September 2021
A meeting of East Keal Parish Council Meeting was held on 15.9.2021 at 7pm. At The Keal’s Village Hall, West Keal.
Welcome. Cllr Grahame Smith welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Present. Cllr Smith, Cllr Boxer, Cllr Mckinlay, Cllr Swanson, Clerk to the Council, Mrs E Martin and one member of the public.
Public Forum. There were no items for discussion.
1. Apologies for Absence. These were received from Cllr T Wrisdale & Cllr L Kemp. Apologies accepted for the reasons given. Apologies were also received from Cllr Gray and Mr & Mrs White.
2. Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 21.7.2021 to be approved as the minutes. It was resolved that the notes be accepted as minutes of the meeting, proposed by Cllr Boxer and Seconded by Cllr Mckinlay. All agreed and the minutes were then signed.
3. Declaration of Interest. None given from East Keal Parish Councillors.
Cllr Swanson asked that it be noted that he had interest in respect of the proposed development on land near the shop as he is on the planning committee at ELDC.
4. Reports from Representatives on outside bodies.
a) County Councillor.
A report had been circulated from Cllr Gray to all Councillors before the meeting. The main points being; -
a. Recycling. As from 1.9.21 there is no longer any need to book a slot at these centres.
b. Natasha’s Law. From 1.10.21 the law regarding the labelling of allergen foods on prepacked food is coming into force. To register for the prepacked foods webinar, please visit ppdsbusiness.fsaevents.co.uk/home#register. Lincolnshire businesses reminded about allergen law change
c. Lincolnshire Archives. This is now opening on the first Saturday of each month, in addition to existing openings. You still need to book a slot to visit the search room. Bookings and document ordering can be done by emailing archive.bookings@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
d. Survey for autistic people and their families. Views received will be used to shape the five-year policy of the LCC. Help improve support for autistic people and their carers in Lincolnshire
e. Look after your eyes. With many of us now taking part in online meetings as well as carrying out our usual work on computers, it's more important than ever that we take care of our eyes.
Here are some useful tips:
Plan your work day to include different tasks so you can take regular breaks to reduce screen time.
Frequent short breaks from the screen are better than infrequent longer breaks – e.g. 5-10 minutes per hour. You don't even need to leave your desk to give your eyes a break from the screen - just look away from the screen at regular intervals, e.g. out of the window or into the distance.
Ensure that your screen is well-positioned and properly-adjusted.
Ensure that lighting conditions are suitable to reduce glare and reflection.
If you wear bifocals, you may need to switch to a specific type of glasses for Display Screen Equipment work only - if in doubt, consult your optician or GP.
Contact lens wearers may find the drier air produced by computers and other equipment is uncomfortable on their eyes. Try blinking more frequently, or using tear substitute drops to increase moisture to the eye.
f. Reducing alcohol consumption. Any reduction in your weekly alcohol intake will be beneficial and our healthy lifestyle partner One You Lincolnshire is there to support you OneYou website - www.oneyoulincolnshire.org.uk/lincolnshire-residents
g. Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group AGM is to be held on 22.9.21 from 5pm to 7pm. Joining instructions can be found on the CCG website www.lincolnshireccg.nhs.uk
h. Grab a jab. Walk ins area still available at Boston and Lincoln Showground. For more details on this and information about the opening times of other sites across the county, please see https://lincolnshireccg.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab/.
Alternatively, if you want to make a pre-booked appointment you can book an appointment online or call 119.
i. Highways’ update.
a. Chevron Sign. Unfortunately, this has not yet been repaired and Cllr Gray will chase it up.
b. Speed limit signs. These have now been erected in the village and many residents have thanked the Council for achieving this.
b) District Councillor.
i. Afghan Refugees. ELDC and all Councils in Lincolnshire are supporting the government scheme to help relocate Afghan refugees.
ii. S/045/01392/21. Cllr Swanson stated that he had ‘called in’ this application. As yet he has had no response from ELDC planning. His understanding is that as yet there is no date set for this to be discussed by planning but he suggested that EKPC request to be informed when this date might be to allow the Council to be represented and speak at the meeting. Clerk to contact planning.
c) Neighbourhood Watch. Information received has been circulated regularly.
In addition, the letter circulated round the village about the apt ‘next door’ Cllr Boxer felt that there was no clash between this and the East Keal community facebook.
He also reminded residents that there is information regarding carbon monoxide poisoning available. This is a silent killer and residents should be encouraged to ensure their chimneys are swept regularly.
d) Village Hall.
i. The recent quiz night was a success. Another is being planned for October 8th at 7pm.
ii. A new shed is being purchased so all village groups can keep equipment together.
iii. The introduction of broadband at the hall has been well received.
iv. On 2.10.21 there will be another coffee morning from 10am to 1pm. These will be held on the first Saturday of each month. Any money raised will go towards the Jubilee fund.
5. Village Groups
a. PCC. Forthcoming events include the launch of the Friends of St Helen’s. This will be at a cheese and wine evening on 17.9.21. The following day,18.9.21 at 2pm, residents are invited to meet with Heritage Lottery representatives to discuss what they would like the Church to be used for in the future.
The Harvest service will be on 3.10.21 at 3pm, where any donations of food stuff will be given to the Spilsby Food Bank. All are welcome to join the service.
There will be a Christmas Fayre on 27.11.21 in Church.
A Church disco with 70’s music and supper is being held at Toynton Village Hall, further information to come shortly.
The Christmas Carol Service will be on 19.12.21.
The Christmas Day service will be on 25.12.21 at 9.30am at East Keal.
b. WI. No report received.
c. Gardening Club. The recent visit to Doddington Hall went well.
The next event is the Halloween Quiz and fish and chips on 28.10.21 at the village hall.
A Christmas lunch at North Shore on 8.12.21 is being organised and a trip to Woodthorpe Garden Centre is being arranged for before Christmas.
d. Village Volunteers. At present there are 26 volunteers. The recent litter pick was very successful and another is being arranged for 9.10.21. A request was made for this group to be able to purchase more high vis jackets and litter pick tools. Cllr Mckinlay will bring prices to the next meeting.
The planters round the village have looked very attractive and thanks were expressed to those who have taken the trouble to water them throughout the dry spells. A request was made to consider purchasing plants that are drought resistant next year.
6. Planning.
a) S/045/01392/21. This is the proposed development near the shop. See 4bii.
b) S/045/01525/21 Full planning permission given.
c) S/045/01848/21 Brayford Lodge. The council had no objections to this.
7. Finance:
a. Reimbursement of £11.97 to Mr E Martin for photocopying paper.
b. Invoice for hire of village hall of £10, for 15.9.21.
c. Financial Report as at 9th September 2021 and bank reconciliation statement. Acceptance of these documents was proposed by Cllr McKinlay and seconded by Cllr Boxer. All agreed.
d. Attendance at LALC’s AGM. Cllr Kemp has asked that she attends this AGM on behalf of the council. The cost is £33 for the day plus her travel costs. After a discussion it was agreed that this expenditure be agreed. It was also agreed that next year a different councillor be given the opportunity to attend.
It was felt that any Councillor or Clerk must have the approval of the council before they incur any expenditure (the exception being clerks petty expenses and any emergency). The council need to be able to justify that any event attended will benefit the EKPC. Councillors are to be encourage to attend relevant trainings organised by LALC as provision is made in the budget. LALC are very good at circulating information to all Councillors via the Clerk.
8. Update of the Platinum Jubilee event. A first meeting has been held and there are approx. 15 members on the committee. This is being chaired by Hannah Mckinlay and the vice chair is Karen Kenyon.
It is proposed that all events will be free to residents and so fundraising events will be undertaken to cover these costs. Costings suggest they will need £650.00 to cover the events so local firms are being approach for donations.
Activities proposed are a scarecrow trail through the village on 4.6.22.
5.6.22 the Big Lunch where you bring your own picnic, a barbeque and disco.
The Parish Council was asked if they object to bunting being put up. There were no objections to it beong placed on the War Memorial and village sign and throughout the village.
9. Welcome Pack. There are three new families moving into the village shortly.
10. Update of policy documents. The Complaints Procedure, Recording and Filming of Council Meetings and Donations Policy have all been reviewed. Acceptance of these policies was proposed by Cllr Boxer and seconded by Cllr Mckinlay. All agreed. The documents were then duly signed.
11. A Meet the Councillors events is to take place on 26th September 2021 for residents of the village from 2pm. The venue is at Cllr Smith’s garden.
12. Promotion of new social community groups. This event is to take place on 2.10.21 at the Village Hall, from 10.30am.
At 11am residents interested in forming a Local History group will discuss the way forward. Followed at 11.30am by the folk interested in art and painting, and at 12noon those interested in birds and wildlife.
Cllr Smith stressed that Councillors support this event. If no groups are forthcoming then the Council have tried to fulfil their obligation to the parish plan.
13. Documents to be review. These are Data Map, Data Breech, Data Protection and Data Privacy Policy Notice. Cllr Smith is to ask Cllr Kemp is she will undertake this.
14. Correspondence.
a. Trees. Five residents have requested trees from LCC.
b. Red Cross Courses. The council agreed that if possible we should take up their offer of First aid and loneliness. The clerk to contact them.
15. Any matters for discussion only or next agenda.
a. Concern has been raised regarding the 50 to 30 mph on entering the village from Spilsby.
b. The overgrown trees obscuring the 30mph sign coming into the village from Boston.
16. Date of next meeting 17.11.21 at 7pm. In the Village Hall.
Welcome. Cllr Grahame Smith welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Present. Cllr Smith, Cllr Boxer, Cllr Mckinlay, Cllr Swanson, Clerk to the Council, Mrs E Martin and one member of the public.
Public Forum. There were no items for discussion.
1. Apologies for Absence. These were received from Cllr T Wrisdale & Cllr L Kemp. Apologies accepted for the reasons given. Apologies were also received from Cllr Gray and Mr & Mrs White.
2. Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 21.7.2021 to be approved as the minutes. It was resolved that the notes be accepted as minutes of the meeting, proposed by Cllr Boxer and Seconded by Cllr Mckinlay. All agreed and the minutes were then signed.
3. Declaration of Interest. None given from East Keal Parish Councillors.
Cllr Swanson asked that it be noted that he had interest in respect of the proposed development on land near the shop as he is on the planning committee at ELDC.
4. Reports from Representatives on outside bodies.
a) County Councillor.
A report had been circulated from Cllr Gray to all Councillors before the meeting. The main points being; -
a. Recycling. As from 1.9.21 there is no longer any need to book a slot at these centres.
b. Natasha’s Law. From 1.10.21 the law regarding the labelling of allergen foods on prepacked food is coming into force. To register for the prepacked foods webinar, please visit ppdsbusiness.fsaevents.co.uk/home#register. Lincolnshire businesses reminded about allergen law change
c. Lincolnshire Archives. This is now opening on the first Saturday of each month, in addition to existing openings. You still need to book a slot to visit the search room. Bookings and document ordering can be done by emailing archive.bookings@lincolnshire.gov.uk.
d. Survey for autistic people and their families. Views received will be used to shape the five-year policy of the LCC. Help improve support for autistic people and their carers in Lincolnshire
e. Look after your eyes. With many of us now taking part in online meetings as well as carrying out our usual work on computers, it's more important than ever that we take care of our eyes.
Here are some useful tips:
Plan your work day to include different tasks so you can take regular breaks to reduce screen time.
Frequent short breaks from the screen are better than infrequent longer breaks – e.g. 5-10 minutes per hour. You don't even need to leave your desk to give your eyes a break from the screen - just look away from the screen at regular intervals, e.g. out of the window or into the distance.
Ensure that your screen is well-positioned and properly-adjusted.
Ensure that lighting conditions are suitable to reduce glare and reflection.
If you wear bifocals, you may need to switch to a specific type of glasses for Display Screen Equipment work only - if in doubt, consult your optician or GP.
Contact lens wearers may find the drier air produced by computers and other equipment is uncomfortable on their eyes. Try blinking more frequently, or using tear substitute drops to increase moisture to the eye.
f. Reducing alcohol consumption. Any reduction in your weekly alcohol intake will be beneficial and our healthy lifestyle partner One You Lincolnshire is there to support you OneYou website - www.oneyoulincolnshire.org.uk/lincolnshire-residents
g. Lincolnshire Clinical Commissioning Group AGM is to be held on 22.9.21 from 5pm to 7pm. Joining instructions can be found on the CCG website www.lincolnshireccg.nhs.uk
h. Grab a jab. Walk ins area still available at Boston and Lincoln Showground. For more details on this and information about the opening times of other sites across the county, please see https://lincolnshireccg.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab/.
Alternatively, if you want to make a pre-booked appointment you can book an appointment online or call 119.
i. Highways’ update.
a. Chevron Sign. Unfortunately, this has not yet been repaired and Cllr Gray will chase it up.
b. Speed limit signs. These have now been erected in the village and many residents have thanked the Council for achieving this.
b) District Councillor.
i. Afghan Refugees. ELDC and all Councils in Lincolnshire are supporting the government scheme to help relocate Afghan refugees.
ii. S/045/01392/21. Cllr Swanson stated that he had ‘called in’ this application. As yet he has had no response from ELDC planning. His understanding is that as yet there is no date set for this to be discussed by planning but he suggested that EKPC request to be informed when this date might be to allow the Council to be represented and speak at the meeting. Clerk to contact planning.
c) Neighbourhood Watch. Information received has been circulated regularly.
In addition, the letter circulated round the village about the apt ‘next door’ Cllr Boxer felt that there was no clash between this and the East Keal community facebook.
He also reminded residents that there is information regarding carbon monoxide poisoning available. This is a silent killer and residents should be encouraged to ensure their chimneys are swept regularly.
d) Village Hall.
i. The recent quiz night was a success. Another is being planned for October 8th at 7pm.
ii. A new shed is being purchased so all village groups can keep equipment together.
iii. The introduction of broadband at the hall has been well received.
iv. On 2.10.21 there will be another coffee morning from 10am to 1pm. These will be held on the first Saturday of each month. Any money raised will go towards the Jubilee fund.
5. Village Groups
a. PCC. Forthcoming events include the launch of the Friends of St Helen’s. This will be at a cheese and wine evening on 17.9.21. The following day,18.9.21 at 2pm, residents are invited to meet with Heritage Lottery representatives to discuss what they would like the Church to be used for in the future.
The Harvest service will be on 3.10.21 at 3pm, where any donations of food stuff will be given to the Spilsby Food Bank. All are welcome to join the service.
There will be a Christmas Fayre on 27.11.21 in Church.
A Church disco with 70’s music and supper is being held at Toynton Village Hall, further information to come shortly.
The Christmas Carol Service will be on 19.12.21.
The Christmas Day service will be on 25.12.21 at 9.30am at East Keal.
b. WI. No report received.
c. Gardening Club. The recent visit to Doddington Hall went well.
The next event is the Halloween Quiz and fish and chips on 28.10.21 at the village hall.
A Christmas lunch at North Shore on 8.12.21 is being organised and a trip to Woodthorpe Garden Centre is being arranged for before Christmas.
d. Village Volunteers. At present there are 26 volunteers. The recent litter pick was very successful and another is being arranged for 9.10.21. A request was made for this group to be able to purchase more high vis jackets and litter pick tools. Cllr Mckinlay will bring prices to the next meeting.
The planters round the village have looked very attractive and thanks were expressed to those who have taken the trouble to water them throughout the dry spells. A request was made to consider purchasing plants that are drought resistant next year.
6. Planning.
a) S/045/01392/21. This is the proposed development near the shop. See 4bii.
b) S/045/01525/21 Full planning permission given.
c) S/045/01848/21 Brayford Lodge. The council had no objections to this.
7. Finance:
a. Reimbursement of £11.97 to Mr E Martin for photocopying paper.
b. Invoice for hire of village hall of £10, for 15.9.21.
c. Financial Report as at 9th September 2021 and bank reconciliation statement. Acceptance of these documents was proposed by Cllr McKinlay and seconded by Cllr Boxer. All agreed.
d. Attendance at LALC’s AGM. Cllr Kemp has asked that she attends this AGM on behalf of the council. The cost is £33 for the day plus her travel costs. After a discussion it was agreed that this expenditure be agreed. It was also agreed that next year a different councillor be given the opportunity to attend.
It was felt that any Councillor or Clerk must have the approval of the council before they incur any expenditure (the exception being clerks petty expenses and any emergency). The council need to be able to justify that any event attended will benefit the EKPC. Councillors are to be encourage to attend relevant trainings organised by LALC as provision is made in the budget. LALC are very good at circulating information to all Councillors via the Clerk.
8. Update of the Platinum Jubilee event. A first meeting has been held and there are approx. 15 members on the committee. This is being chaired by Hannah Mckinlay and the vice chair is Karen Kenyon.
It is proposed that all events will be free to residents and so fundraising events will be undertaken to cover these costs. Costings suggest they will need £650.00 to cover the events so local firms are being approach for donations.
Activities proposed are a scarecrow trail through the village on 4.6.22.
5.6.22 the Big Lunch where you bring your own picnic, a barbeque and disco.
The Parish Council was asked if they object to bunting being put up. There were no objections to it beong placed on the War Memorial and village sign and throughout the village.
9. Welcome Pack. There are three new families moving into the village shortly.
10. Update of policy documents. The Complaints Procedure, Recording and Filming of Council Meetings and Donations Policy have all been reviewed. Acceptance of these policies was proposed by Cllr Boxer and seconded by Cllr Mckinlay. All agreed. The documents were then duly signed.
11. A Meet the Councillors events is to take place on 26th September 2021 for residents of the village from 2pm. The venue is at Cllr Smith’s garden.
12. Promotion of new social community groups. This event is to take place on 2.10.21 at the Village Hall, from 10.30am.
At 11am residents interested in forming a Local History group will discuss the way forward. Followed at 11.30am by the folk interested in art and painting, and at 12noon those interested in birds and wildlife.
Cllr Smith stressed that Councillors support this event. If no groups are forthcoming then the Council have tried to fulfil their obligation to the parish plan.
13. Documents to be review. These are Data Map, Data Breech, Data Protection and Data Privacy Policy Notice. Cllr Smith is to ask Cllr Kemp is she will undertake this.
14. Correspondence.
a. Trees. Five residents have requested trees from LCC.
b. Red Cross Courses. The council agreed that if possible we should take up their offer of First aid and loneliness. The clerk to contact them.
15. Any matters for discussion only or next agenda.
a. Concern has been raised regarding the 50 to 30 mph on entering the village from Spilsby.
b. The overgrown trees obscuring the 30mph sign coming into the village from Boston.
16. Date of next meeting 17.11.21 at 7pm. In the Village Hall.