Minutes of Meetings 2022

EAST KEAL PARISH COUNCIL

Notes from the meeting of East Keal Parish Council held on Wednesday 16th March at 7pm at The Keal’s Village Hall at 7pm.

Public Forum.
a.  Public Meeting.  One resident wanted to know why the Parish Council has not called a public meeting regarding the issues on Hall Corner.  He felt that residents had not been consulted by the authorities after the recent accident.  Cllr Smith stated that he had spoken to many residents for their views and there was not a majority of councillors wanting a public meeting until after highways had surveyed the road and indicated their improvement intentions.
b.  Passing places on Marden Hill.  Another resident was concerned regarding the amount of traffic diverted onto Marden Hill when incidents occurred on Hall Corner.  He felt this road was not suitable for heavy traffic especially when vehicles tried to pass each other.  He wondered if some passing places could be installed.  It was agreed that passing places on many of the narrow lanes would be beneficial.
1.   Welcome and Apologies for Absence:  Cllr Smith welcomed everyone to the meeting.  Cllr W Gray & Cllr T Taylor had forwarded their apologies.
Present.  Cllr Smith, Cllr Cooper, Cllr Kemp, Cllr Wrisdale, Cllr Boxer, Cllr Mckinlay, Clerk to the Council, Mrs E Martin and three members of the public.
2.   Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 19th January 2022 to be approved as the minutes.  Acceptance was proposed by Cllr Kemp & seconded Cllr Boxer.  All agreed.
Cllr Mckinlay requested that minutes on 17.11.21, item 11 read ‘some’ not ‘two’.      
3.   Declaration of interest (if any).  None given.
4.   Reports from Representatives on outside bodies
     a)  County Councillor
     i.  The Town and Parish Newsletter has a lot of local information in it.  
     ii.  Be weather ready.  Two thirds of British people have been caught out by severe weather, despite 9 in 10 believing that preparing for winter weather is important. Check the MetOffice WeatherReady website to find out how to be prepared.  (source: LCC Emergency Planning and Business Continuity Service).
    iii.  Fight for more funding for Lincolnshire roads launches:  ‘Fix Our Funds To Fix Our Roads’is lobbying government for £12m of roads maintenance budget.       
   iv.  COVID – Vaccinations in Lincolnshire:  https://lincolnshireccg.nhs.uk/grab-a-jab
    v.  Lincolnshire County Council Revised budget proposals for 2022/23:  Despite an increase in our government funding, the council will have a shortfall of around £22m over the following three financial years. The acknowledge this is difficult for many families but feel they must protect frontline services.  So, a proposal of a 3% increase for adult care has been made. Meanwhile, it seems unlikely that government will reverse last year’s £12m cut in highways funding so a proposed 2 percent increase in general council is to be made to help make up the shortfall. Further information can be found at https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/news/article/930/revised-budget-proposals-for-2022-23
   v.   Get Ready to see the world at The Collection Museum:  A new exhibition coming to The Collection Museum from Saturday 5 March.
  vi.  Apprenticeship opportunities in Lincolnshire:  As part of National Apprenticeship Week 7-13 February, LCC raised awareness of the huge variety of apprenticeships on offer across the county.  You can find apprenticeships here: www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk
 vii.  New pilot is recipe for more nutritious school meals:  LCC has been chosen for a government pilot project aimed at ensuring school meals meet national guidance.  This pilot is expected to go live in September and will include £5 million to launch a new national cooking curriculum and training, which includes an ambition for every child to know at least six basic recipes by the time they leave secondary school. Schools will also be encouraged to publish a ‘food statement’ explaining their whole-school approach to food, a move that will eventually become mandatory. 
 viii. Getting Active:  If you’re new to getting active find ideas and resources, from cycling, walking to running, information at Let’s Move Lincolnshire
   ix.  Registering your appliances to get free safety updates:  Over 100 million appliances in the UK are not registered with the manufacturer, meaning that if your fridge, washing machine or microwave had an electrical fault, you may not know.   Register your appliances to get free safety updates
    x. Changes to the Highway Code:  If you are a road user or you’re learning to drive, you’ll need to be aware of the changes to the Highway Code. These are aimed at improving safety for all, but particularly cyclists, pedestrians, and horse riders.  
   xi. Ukraine war:  Our thoughts are with those suffering in war-torn Ukraine and their families living here, worried and upset about what is happening to their relations and friends in their home country and nearby countries.  There have been discussions on what role LCC can play in supporting our communities and people affected by the events abroad.  Following liaison with all Lincolnshire district councils, it has been agreed that the Lincolnshire Resilience Forum will support a coordination group. This will cover areas such as donations, providing emotional support for those affected locally, and assistance for refugees and evacuees.
The DEC has launched an appeal. For more details see their website Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal | Disasters Emergency Committee (dec.org.uk). 
  xii.  Commit to quit:  It was National No Smoking Day on Wednesday 9 March.  The NHS Better Health Campaign has a variety of smoking cessation tools to help you including the free NHS Smokefree app. 
  xiii.  Hall Corner.  Cllr Gray forwarded an email, (Circulated to Cllrs) from Kyra Nettle, Local Highways Manager, which states ‘A survey of Hall Corner has been undertaken.  It shows that there is a slight dip in the level of the road edge where Blacksmiths Lane joins, which when combined with excessive speed, a high centre of gravity for larger vehicles and possibly an unstable load, could be contributing to the issues.  Highways are investigating scheme options to smooth out the level, with a view to assisting those few vehicles that are driving at speeds inappropriate for their load and curve of the road to stay level and upright.
Irrespective of this, if the bend is driven at a speed appropriate to the size of vehicle and its load, there should be no issue.  This is evidenced by the thousands of vehicles that safely travel through this bend daily.’
It was agreed that Kyra Nettle be asked to attend our next Parish Council meeting.
   b)  District Councillor.  An email, circulate to Cllrs, had been received from Cllr Taylor stating that he hoped to build on the work done by Cllr Swanson, and support our community as appropriate.
   c)   Neighbour Watch.  No report.
   d)  Village Hall Committee.  It was reported that there is an increase in hall bookings and that the heating system has now been fixed.
5.   Village Reports.
   a)  PCC
    i.   Jumble Sale.  There is to be a jumble sale on 26.3.22, in Church.  Any items suitable for sale, would be appreciated.  Please either take them to Church on 25th or leave in Church prior to the event.
   ii.  Chine Supper.  The Church is holding a Chine Supper on 7.5.22.  Tickets are available from Maralyn on 752169.  All welcome.
  iii.  Music, Pimms and Canapes.  This event is being organised by the Friends of St Helen’s.  The date is 21.5.22 and tickets are £10.00.
   c)  Gardening Club
    i.  There is a Fish and Chip supper and quiz on 1.4.22.  Tickets are £7.50.
    ii. Gunby Visit.  This is to take place on 11.4.22 and will include a tour of the house and gardens.  If you are interested in joining us do contact Libby on 752083.
   d)  Village Volunteers.
    i.   Cllr Mckinlay stated that she no longer wished to coordinate this group and sadly no other Cllr offered to undertake this role.
    ii.   Litter picking equipment.  This has now been purchased and thanks were expressed to Cllr Wrisdale for his kind donation towards this purchase.  At present the equipment will be kept at the village hall. 
   iii.  War Memorial.  The roses are in need of being pruned and a volunteer is sought who might be willing to do this. 
    iv.  Grit Bin.  A grit bin had been moved by a vehicle.  Cllr Smith stated that he managed to get a volunteer resident to return this to its correct spot.
     v.   School Lane.  At present, with all the construction work being undertaken, this lane is quite a mess.  A resident has asked if she could sow wild flower seeds on the verge.   No objection.
    e)  Local History Group.
    i.   Slide Show.  A slide show was held at the last meeting, given by Mr & Mrs Wheatley.  Slides of 16-18C records of inventories of households, written immediately after a death to show all the assets held, were shown.  This was before the days of wills.   Everyone found this very interesting and it is hoped that some research can be down to find out more about East Keal and the village in this era.  The original documents are held in Lincoln archives.
   ii.  Date of next meeting is 23.3.22 at 2pm.
   f)  Wildlife Group.
   i.   Recording wildlife.  Records are being collected to show details of the wildlife/birds in the village.
   ii.  Date of next meeting is 25.3.22 at 11am.
6.   Update on Hall Corner.  A lively discussion was held and views shared.  Many ideas were discussed as to how best to slow traffic on this corner and stop the accidents that occur.  It was felt that the prime aim was to reduce the speed of traffic coming through the village, as it is aways traffic travelling too fast that causes the accidents.  Even with the recent reduction of the speed limit to 30pmh accidents are still occurring.  Also, it was commented on that drivers are not keeping to the legal limit and certainly do not take notice of the advisory 20mph on the bend. It was agreed that a public meeting where views can be shared, be held.  This will be on 31.3.22 at 7pm in the village hall. 
7.  Finance
    a)  Invoice for £10.00 for hire of hall
    b)  Clerk’s salary for the year £1176.24
    c)  Clerk’s PAYE for the year £294.24.
    d)  Clerk’s internet expenses of £180.00.  Approval of these payments, a, b, c & d was proposed by Cllr Kemp and seconded by Cllr Cooper.
    e)  LALC Invoice for new Clllr training day
    f)   Travel re attendance at new Cllr training day.  Approval of these payments, e & f was proposed by Cllr Kemp and seconded by Cllr Mckinlay.
    g)   LALC membership invoice of £114.00. 
    h) LALC training fees invoice of £144.97.  Approval of these payments, g & h was proposed by Cllr Mckinlay and seconded by Cllr Cooper.        
    i) Clerk’s expenses – postage £6.60.  Approval of this payment was proposed by Cllr Kemp & seconded by Cllr Wrisdale.
    j) Bank Reconciliation and Financial Statement.  Acceptance of these documents was made by Cllr Kemp and Seconded by Cllr Wrisdale.
    k)  To reimburse Cllr Mckinlay £16.13 & £64.35 for the purchase of litter pick equipment, agreed on 19thJanuary 2022.
8.  Planning
    a)  S/045/01392/21 Houses between Manor House & Church Lane.  Planning permission refused.
    b)  S/045/02504/22 The Smithy – The Council have no objections to this planning.
    c)  S/045/00368/22 Dawn Cottage – The Council to submit no objections to this planning.
9.  Annual Residents Meeting – 20th April 2022 at 7pm.  This is to take the form of a Cheese and Wine evening with a talk followed by the presentation of the Annual Reports.  The talk will be by Roisin Mullee, Safer Together Coordinator for East Lindsey at The Office of The Police and Crime Commissioner for Lincolnshire.  Flyers will be produced for delivery around the village.  Councillors were reminded that they are expected to attend and be available to talk to residents.
10.   Delivery of Jubilee Gift to residents.  All Cllrs and Clerk all agreed to deliver some gifts during the week commencing 23.6.22.
11.   Welcome Booklet.  Booklets are required for new residents about to move into the village.
12.   Correspondence.  None received.
13.   Any other matters for discussion only or next Agenda.
       i.   The Clerk’s appraisal had been completed.  It was asked if earlier warning of this date could be agreed.
      ii.  Wildflower areas.  Cllrs were asked if they can identify any areas for wildflower seeds as there are some left from last year.
     iii.  Reseeding of top of Fen Lane.  Cllr Smith offered to reseed this area.
     iv.  Community Land.  Cllr were asked to be aware that we are still looking for a suitable piece of land for a community space.
14.   Cllr Mckinlay offered letters of resignation to the Chair and Clerk.
15.  Date of next meeting.  This will be on 18th May 2022 at 7pm in the Keals Village Hall.