Minutes 2023

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WEST KEAL AND KEAL COTES PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the council meeting held on Wednesday 6th December 2023 at 7:00pm in the Keals village hall.
Present: Councillors A. Watson (Chairman)  J. Roughton, J. Rowntree, M. Lacey and M. Rickard.
Clerk Sarah Kulwicki. 
Also present: 1 member of public.

Public forum – None. 

1. Chairman’s Remarks – None. 

2. Apologies for absence and reasons given – Apologies received and accepted from Councillor Thompson. 

3. Declarations of interest in accordance with the 2000 Local Government Act – None. 

4. The notes from the meeting of the Council held on Wednesday 11th October 2023 (attached) to be approved as Minutes and signed by the Chairman
It was:- 
Proposed by Cllr M. Lacey, Seconded by Cllr J. Roughton and Resolved for the notes to be approved and signed by the chairman.  

5. The co-option of any potential candidate present – None. 

6. To receive reports from representatives of outside bodies or local organisations                 
a) County Council - Councillor W. Gray highlighted some of the items from his emailed report. Including a report from Storm Babet and where people effected by flooding can apply for funding. He also explained to the council what ‘devolution’ is and provided hand outs to the council and encouraged them to complete the public consultation. 
b) District Council – Councillor Terry Taylor reported that ELDC are carrying out a thorough investigation into single person council tax to ensure that people claiming are doing so correctly. He also told the council about the heat team which is a new initiative which will be used to tell people how to make their homes more energy efficient.  

7. Highways matters – Any problems to report
a) Public footpath – Cllr Roughton asked for an update on the installed steps which members of the parish had been complaining about. The clerk has spoken with J. Stockdale at countryside access and the steps meet regulations. 
b) Councillor Watson asked for an update on the bus stop and Councillor Grey informed her that it will not be moved. 
c) Councillor Rowntree reported that the phone box was knocked down which he reported to royal mail and it has been replaced. 
d) Councillor Rowntree told the council that the new speed sign on the A16 has been installed and is very effective. 
e) Councillor Roughton reported that phone box works have been carried out but only a strip not all the way around the phone box as discussed. Councillor Grey is going to discuss this with highways. 
f) Councillor Lacey reported some subsidence again on Green Lane and in icing conditions cars slide into/towards the ditch. Councillor W. Grey is going to report this. 

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g) Councillor Lacey asked for an update on the letter written to the Police and crime commissioner. The clerk informed him that the council advised that the member of public should write to them not the council. 

8. Newsletter items for inclusion  - It was discussed to add the councillors contact info to the newsletter but due to data protection regulations the council will add the clerks contact information to it so any requests can be processed accordingly. 

9. To approve payment of accounts: -  
a) Inkonomical newsletter - £137.00 (PAID)
b) Village Hall Oct, Nov- CSW and Dec - £60.00
c) RBL – Wreath - £25.00
d) Sarah Kulwicki – expenses - £223.20
It was:- 
Proposed by Cllr J. Rowntree, Seconded by Cllr M. Rickard and Resolved for the above payment to be approved and duly paid.  

10. To approve the council’s budget for 2024-2025 and set precept amount to be applied for
It was:- 
Proposed by Cllr J. Rowntree, Seconded by Cllr A. Watson and Resolved for the budget to be approved. 
It was:- 
Proposed by Cllr A. Watson, Seconded by Cllr M. Rickard and Resolved that the clerks salary be increased to £15.00 per hour.  

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It was:- 
Proposed by Cllr J. Rowntree, Seconded by Cllr A. Watson and Resolved to apply for a precept of £5,000.00.  

11. To note general correspondence – The clerk told the council about an email from a member of public which she would forward on to the council via email. 

12. To note all planning applications – None. 

13. Date of next meeting 
It was:- 
Proposed by Cllr J. Rowntree, Seconded by Cllr M. Rickard and Resolved for the meeting date to be changed from the 3rd January to the 24th. 
 
The next meeting is scheduled for 24th January 2024 at The Keals village hall at 7:00pm.

14. Any other matters for inclusion on the next agenda – None. 

The meeting closed at 8:21pm