Minutes of Meeting 19.7.23
A meeting of East Keal Parish Council Meeting was held on 19.7.23 at 7pm. At the Keals’ Village Hall, West Keal.
1. Welcome. Cllr Graham Pearson welcomed everyone to the meeting.
Present. Cllr Pearson, Cllr Wrisdale, Cllr Cooper, Cllr Goddard, Cllr Edwards and Clerk to the Council, Mrs E Martin and six members of the public
Apologies for Absence. Cllr Kemp had offered her apologies with valid reasons. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that these be accepted. Cllr Gray and Cllr Taylor also forwarded their apologies.
Public Forum.
A resident (who was unable to attend the May meeting) was unhappy that her report had not been minuted in full. The Clerk explained that it has never been the policy of East Keal Parish Council to minute any report in full, they have always been shortened. The Clerk also stated that the requirement, by law, was that only the day, time, those present, apologies and decisions made by the Council need recording.
2. Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 17.5.23 to be approved as the minutes. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the notes be accepted as minutes of the meeting. The minutes were then signed.
3. Declaration of interest. None received.
4. Chair’s Review. Cllr Pearson gave a short report on progress made so far through the village.
5. Reports from Representatives on outside bodies.
a) County Councillor. A report had been received and circulated to Cllrs.
b) District Councillor. A report had been received and circulated to Cllrs.
6. Village Hall. A short report was given. The new secretary is Anne-Mhairi Simpson email annemhairi@gmail.com the booking secretary is still Rod Pike.
The Clerk was asked to write to the Village Hall committee to inform them that Cllr Kemp is to be the Council rep. Cllr Kemp has requested sight of the Constitution, minutes and accounts.
7. Village Issues.
a) Request from a resident for a 20mph limit on village lanes, excluding the A16. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that LCC Highways should be approached to see if they can review the situation.
b) Placing of flashing speed signs when they become available. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the sign be placed near the roundels on the left-hand side of the A16 as you pass the shop travelling towards Boston. The Clerk to write to LCC to confirm this proposal.
c) Water on Fen Lane. It was reported that LCC Highways are looking into this ongoing problem. Cllr Pearson offered to monitor the situation.
d) Replacement Notice Board at junction of Blacksmiths Lane and Fen Lane. The Chair informed the meeting that Balfour Beaty are willing to donate a new notice board to the village. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the Council accept this donation. Cllr Pearson will liaise with them when it becomes available.
e) Request for a litter bin by the Bus Stop. It was proposed, seconded and agreed that a request be made to ELDC, with no cost to East Keal Parish Council. Cllr Pearson to complete form.
f) Flooding School Lane. It was reported that the building work should be finished by October and until then LCC are unwilling to undertake any repairs. The Clerk was asked to write to the resident concerned.
8. Four-year plan. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that a rolling plan be developed, maintained by the Chair. The Chair to draft and circulate to Cllrs.
9. Updating Policy Documents. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the Code of Conduct would be looked at by Cllr Cooper.
10. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the Village Volunteers paperwork would be looked at by Cllr Goddard.
A new poster has been produced to attract more members and new litter pick equipment donated. In future this equipment will be loaned to residents who have agreed to look after an area of the village.
11. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that a Social Media Policy would be looked at by a working party, to discuss the way forward. Members will include Cllr Pearson and Cllr Wrisdale. It was suggested that Cllr Kemp be asked to join the group.
12. Archive Boxes. Thanks were extended to Cllr Cooper for listing items in one of the boxes. It was then proposed, seconded and resolved that items be offered to property owners that can be identified, by Cllrs. Any items concerning refusal of Planning Permission to be retained by the Council. The remaining documents can then be offered to the History Group or kept if it was felt necessary. Clerk to draw up a form.
13. Planning S/045/00555/23. Re Robins Nest. Approval has been received today.
14. Finance
a) Reimburse E Martin Postage £5.70.
b) £20.00 Hire of Hall for 19.7.23. Invoice no. 272.
c) Reimburse E Martin Printer Ink £52.99.
d) Data Protection Annual Fee paid via DD of £35.00 to be taken August 2023.
e) Bank Reconciliation Statement and Financial Report as at 12th July 2023.
f) Revised Budget.
It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the above, a to f be accepted.
15. Welcome Booklet – no new residents identified.
16. Correspondence.
a) A letter of thanks from the PCC was read to the meeting.
b) emails from G Smith. Regarding reports being recorded in full see public forum comment.
re: Cllr Goddard’s comments at Village Hall AGM. It was proposed, seconded and resolved (3 for, 1 abstention and 1 against) that Cllr Goddard did not represent the Council at this meeting. Clerk to write to Village Hall. It was stated that this matter had been forwarded to ELDC for consideration by the Monitoring Officer
c) email from Mr Howard. Comments noted and shared.
d) email from Mr Pike. This was considered to be an official complaint re EKPC and is being dealt with by the Monitoring Officer.
17. Any matters for discussion only or next agenda.
a) Clarification of forthcoming Election. Two names have come forward for election. It was also stated that a third nomination could have been included. The Clerk to clarify with elections.
b) Combined Annual Residents Meeting and Community Groups. It was proposed, seconded and resolved that an event will take place on Saturday 23.9.23 2-4.30pm. Chair to invite / liaise with village groups
c) Council internal emails. A request was made that all correspondence between Cllrs goes through the Clerk so the Clerk and all Cllrs are aware of comments made.
18. Date of next meeting 20th September 2023 at 7pm.