Minutes of the meeting held on 16th November 2022
A meeting of East Keal Parish Council Meeting was held on 16.11.22 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 Cooper, Cllr Kemp, Cllr W Gray, Cllr T Taylor and Clerk to the Council, Mrs E Martin.
Public Forum. There were no items for discussion.
1. Apologies for Absence. Mr G Pearson.
As Cllr Wrisdale had not arrived it was agreed to accept reports from Cllr Gray and Cllr Taylor.
6. 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; -
i. Help to improve your child’s early language skills: The Home Learning Environment campaign has been launched to encourage parents and carers to chat, play and read more with their child to develop their communication, language and literacy skills before school.
ii. Household Support Fund: The Government has announced a new Household Support Fund grant to be distributed to residents facing financial difficulties.
iii. Good Citizens Award 2023: If you know of a local person or organisation that goes the extra mile, this is your chance to help us nominate them for a Citizens Awards.
iv. Keeping children and young people safe online: Two free information events, hosted by the Stay Safe Partnership’s online safety officer Dan Hawbrook, aim to give parents, carers, and professionals the tools to keep children and young people safe online. Register your place and find out more about each session through the following links: A Date with Dan Tickets, Wed 7 Dec 2022 at 18:00 | Eventbrite and Ask Dan Anything - Professional Q&A Tickets, Wed 14 Dec 2022 at 16:00 | Eventbrite.
v. Lincoln Castle Christmas Market. From Thursday 1 to Sunday 4 December, Lincoln Castle will welcome tens of thousands of visitors for the city’s annual Christmas Market. Make your Lincoln Christmas Market visit more magical by walking the castle walls Tickets now available.
vi. International Trade- support: County businesses could be missing valuable opportunities to trade around the world. Lincolnshire County Council has a new internationalisation strategy working with the Department of International Trade and the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership. For small and medium sized businesses - importing and exporting - the Business Lincolnshire Growth Hub co-ordinates a successful International Trade programme. Businesses interested in exporting can also apply for an Internationalisation Fund grant of up to £9000 to help with 50% of the cost of things like legal advice, PR support, website updates or attending trade fairs. There is also help available through the Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce Export Documentation Services and accredited training.
vii. Avian Influenza: Cases of avian influenza (bird flu) H5N1 have been confirmed in poultry at a number of premises in East Lindsey, Boston, and South Kesteven. A 3km Protection Zone and 10km Surveillance Zone are put in place around each premises where a case of avian flu is confirmed.
viii. Fire and Rescue engagement launches: Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue are working on the next Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP). Your views are sought at www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/cramp
ix. Be prepared for winter: Make sure you're prepared by checking for bad weather by checking on the MetOffice WeatherReady for tips and advice on travel, home, health and wellbeing.
x. National awards success for Lincolnshire Young Voices: Lincolnshire Young Voices (LYV) was among the winners at nasen’s (the National Association for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities) sixth annual awards for their work in helping pupils. LYV scooped the award for Co-Production with Children and Young People and their Families for its accessible and impactful e-learning resource The Rough Guide – A Guide to Not Putting Your Foot In It. The training is designed for any practitioner or professional nervous about understanding how best to communicate with, and support, a child or young person with additional needs.
xi. Lincoln Castle and The Collection Museum and Usher Gallery: These venues have been recognised as among the best visitor attractions in the country.
xii. World Diabetes Day: November 14th:
Know your numbers:
70-99 mg/dL – Low Risk
100-125 mg/dL – Moderate Risk
70 OR >125 mg/dL – High Risk
Factors for unhealth ranges include: Family history of diabetes; Inconsistent meal schedule; Poor diet; Obesity; Large waist circumference; Lack of exercise.
Tips to manage your glucose:
Go Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios contain healthy fats that slow the bodies absorption of sugar.
Veg out: eating non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, cucumber and carrots can prevent surges in blood sugar.
Don’t skip meals: important to spread out your daily food intake, starting with breakfast.
Don’t drink on an empty stomach: If you have not eaten, drinking alcohol can cause your blood sugar to drop – even up to 24 hours after ingestion.
Eat whole grains: oats, bran, barley and rye are fiber rich foods that contain beta glucan.
Plan ahead: carry extra healthy snacks that can prevent your blood sugar level from dropping too low.
xiii. Hall Corner. The drains were jetted in the beginning of November. The need for more regular cleaning has been acknowledged and this has now been upgraded to more than just once a year.
In respect of the cleaning of drains down Blacksmith’s Lane this has not yet been done. Cllr Gray requested details of the exact siting of the drains which needed clearing out.
xiv. Layby by Green. An email from a resident was forwarded to Cllr Gray regarding the risk of accidents on this pull in. He stated that he has forwarded this request to ‘Lines and Signs’ to see if there is any scope for improved signage.
For any further information regarding any of the above do contact the Clerk.
b) District Councillor. A report had been circulated prior to the meeting. The main points are:-
i. The purple bins have now been delivered. If residents have received two by mistake they do not have to be returned.
ii. ELDC as part of the group of Councils have received £2million funding to support art, culture and creativity.
iii. Love Lincolnshire Wolds Conference is to be held on 22.11.22.
iv. ELDC is moving. On 23.1.23 the Council will move to Horncastle.
v. Palm Paper visit. ELDC reps visited this site to see how our waste paper is recycled.
vi. Your views are sought with regard to next year’s Council Tax.
Cllr Wrisdale and Mrs Edwards arrived.
c) Village Hall
The hall became close to having to close down during October due to an anonymous complaint made to the Charity Commission. This complaint contains several false statements which are being investigated with consideration for prosecution under Section 60 of the Charities Act 2001 for anyone to knowingly or recklessly provide false or misleading information to the commission.
The Village Hall Committee consider it to be a deliberately malicious complaint and are to discuss allocating funds for legal action and for liable, as well as to ensure the hall is kept open for use as a community asset.
The hall continues with regular users and some new ones and recently implemented some additional safety measures. The hall is available for use for “warm spaces” during this Winter.
2. Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 21.9.2022 to be approved as the minutes. It was resolved that the notes be accepted as minutes of the meeting, proposed by Cllr Cooper and seconded by Cllr Boxer. All agreed and the minutes were then signed.
Addition to minutes. After a discussion the following wording was agreed to be added re item 10 21.9.22. ‘At no time in this discussion was there any suggestion of funds collected by this committee being misused.
There was a desire that any events organised by local groups in celebration of the Coronation do not clash.
Also any notification of statutory responsibility ascribed to EKPC are shared with relevant group, if applicable.’
3. Co-option of Mrs Heather Edwards. This co-option was proposed by Cllr Wrisdale and seconded by Cllr Boxer. All agreed. The formal Declaration of Acceptance was duly signed in front of the Proper Officer.
4. Declaration of Interest. None given.
5. Report from Complaints Committee held on 20th 10.22. The minutes and the result of the Complaints Committee meeting was delivered to councillors and the matter is now considered closed.
7. Reports from Community Groups.
i. Gardening Club. There have been 3 very successful meeting held in the last month. The first a talk on pruning, then a party night with singer Shyala and supper, finally a Christmas lunch at Woodthorpe garden centre.
Up to Christmas we will be holding three more events a Christmas decoration demonstration with the opportunity to make an arrangement to take home. This in on 30.11.22. Followed by a Christmas party on 4.12.22 and finally a practical demonstration on how to prune your roses on 10.12.22.
Membership is still only £10 a year and if you join now this includes membership for next year.
ii. PCC Report.
a) Harvest. The recent Harvest events have been very successful. Residents were very generous and a huge amount of food and household commodities have been delivered to Spilsby food bank. Thanks to everyone especially the shop who made this possible.
The harvest supper was well support with Charlotte singing to providing the entertainment. Thanks were expressed to all who made the event such a success.
Safeguarding. Members of the PCC have recently attended Safeguarding training.
Remembrance Lunch. This was organised by the Friends of St Helen’s and again was well supported.
iii. Community Café. This is being held on 21.11.22, 10.30am to 12 noon in Church, with soup and a roll being served.
The next event will be on 19th December again in Church, 10.30am to 12 noon, with mulled wine. Everyone welcome.
8. Identify a location for a new Bench. The Council have received an offer of a bench for the village. The suggested location being along Church Walk. As there is already a bench there it was felt this was not ideal. After a discussion it was agreed that the Clerk write to accept the offer but the Council will wait until spring before a decision is made as to the siting of the bench. It was also suggested that it be made of composite materials as they last longer, will need no maintenance and are very heavy, so difficult to be stolen.
9. Care of War Memorial. Volunteers to care for the garden are few and we would like more, especially for weeding. Thanks were expressed to Mr Kenyon who has cut grass and helped pick up leaves recently. It was felt that easy to maintain, and longer lasting plants be obtained next year rather than the annuals. Cllr Smith offered to prune the roses during this Winter.
Concerns were raised about the state of the engraving. Past investigations suggested that recutting the names would damage the memorial further.
10. Proposal to create a Warm Space in the Village Hall. Proposal to create a Warm Space in the Village Hall. The guidelines have been checked and West Keal PC contacted. After a discussion the council felt that although this is a wonderful idea they are not able to undertake or fund this project as it was felt the venue is not easy enough to access for people walking to 'drop in'.
11. Coronation of King Charles III. Now a date for this event has been announced the Council look forward to hearing about groups organising events to celebrate this occasion and are hoping that duplication of event types are avoided.
12. Review of Litter Picking. It was agreed that at present there was no need to organise such as event. A date will be organised in Springtime.
13. Welcome Pack. No new residents were identified.
14. Updating Policy Documents.
i. Financial Regulations. It was agreed that Cllr Cooper and the Clerk clarify the queries identified for the next meeting.
ii. Freedom of Information. Slight amendments need making to this document and it was agreed that the fees to be charged be as on the gov.uk fees. Clerk to update the document for the next meeting.
15. Finance:
a) Invoice for hire of village hall of £15.00, for 16.11.22.
b) Purchase of a wreath from Royal British Legion for £25.
c) Reimburse G Smith the sum of £34.75 purchase of materials to re-furnish a bench.
Acceptance of these documents was proposed by Cllr Kemp and seconded by Cllr Cooper. All agreed.
d) Financial Report as at 16th November 2022 and bank reconciliation statement. It was proposed by Cllr Edwards and seconded by Cllr Boxer that these documents be accepted, all agreed.
e) Internal auditors six-month report. This had been received by the Council. Thanks were expressed to Mrs Keal for continuing to undertake this task.
f) Budget proposal. After a discussion it was agreed to write to our tenant giving 12 months’ notice of an increase in land rent, to £1250, for the year commencing 2024.
In addition, the draft budget will be amended slightly. This will make the precept £2500, an increase of £300. This was proposed Cllr Kemp and seconded by Cllr Boxer.
g) Notice Board. As the cost of the new lap top was more than allocated in the budget it was felt the new notice board would not be purchased in this financial year.
16. Correspondence.
a) Hall Corner Flooding. See 4a xii.
b) Vehicle parking in slip road by Green. See 4axiii.
c) Vehicles damaging property on School Lane. This has been reported to ELDC. It is expected that once the building works have been completed there should be suitable space for large vehicles to turn round without damaging property.
d) Horses using Barrow Hole. The chair has spoken to the person concerned and explained that this is a footpath not a bridleway.
17. Planning Permission refusal.
a) S/045/01031/22. Application for 2 dormer bungalows. This planning application has been refused.
b) S/045/02036/22 – not on the agenda but will be due for a response before the next council meeting. All agreed there would be no objection.
18. Clerk’s Annual Appraisal. A date for the appraisal will be in the January.
19. Four Year Plan. It was agreed that Councillors would get together to discuss this. A date to be agreed in January.
20. Any matters for discussion only or next agenda.
a) Footpaths. An email has been received from the Ramblers Ass. who wish to reinstate some old footpaths, that link Keal Cotes to East Keal. A suggestion was made that the existing track and bankside be more appropriate rather than footpaths over agricultural land.
b) Remembrance Service at the War Memorial. This event was well supported and the chair thanked Rt Rev David Rossdale for leading the service. A letter of thanks to be sent by the Clerk.
21. Date of next meeting 16th January 2023 at 7pm. In the Village Hall.