6 August 2025
Minutes taken by the Parish Clerk, Mrs Deborah Money, at the Parish Council Meeting of West Keal and Keal Cotes Parish Council, held on Wednesday 6th August 2025, in Cracroft Village Hall, West Keal commencing at 7.00 pm.
Present: Councillors, Amy Watson (Chair), Martin Lacey, Julia Roughton, Margaret Rickard, John Rowntree, Phil Heaton and the clerk Deborah Money
Also present: Two members of the public.
Public Forum:
A member of the public attended meeting to advise council of an upcoming speed reduction between West Keal and East Keal, the speed is being reduced from 50mph to 40mph. This was already on 10c) on the agenda.
The meeting was opened at 1905
1. Chairs Remarks
Councillor Watson welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Apologies for absence: To receive and accept apologies where valid reasons for absence have been given to the Clerk prior to the meeting.
No apologies from Councillor Paul Rennie.
3. Declarations of interest: (If any) To receive declarations of interest under the Localism Act 2011 – being any pecuniary interests in agenda items not previously recorded on Members’ Register of Interests.
Councillor Watson declared her interest in item 8c.
4. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 4th June 2025
To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chair to sign the official minutes.
On proposal from Councillor Roughton, seconded by Councillor Rowntree, and with no objections, it was resolved to accept the minutes as a correct record, and the Chairman was authorised to sign them.
5. To receive reports from representatives of outside bodies or local organisations.
With no representatives present meeting progressed to item 6.
6. Financial matters:
To approve payment of accounts: -
a) Bank Balance as of 31st July 2025 £14065.61
b) Change of Address for NS&I – The Clerk has prepared a letter notifying NS&I of the change of address. The designated signatories have reviewed and signed the letter. The Clerk will now proceed to post it.
c) Lloyds bank mandate changed – Clerk advised that names had been changed on the Lloyds Bank account.
d) Witham Forth - £8.19
e) Village Hall - £20.00
f) Salaries (August) - £310.79
g) Expenses - £5.52
h) Mileage (August) - £12.60
i) HMRC Emergency Tax – £111.60
j) Bank Charge £4.25
On proposal from Councillor Roughton, seconded by Councillor Rowntree and with no
objections, all resolved to agree with 5a, 5b, 5c and to approve the above payments.
7. Information, Reports and correspondence
In preparation for the next AGAR submission, which requires the use of a compliant email address, the Council considered moving to .gov.uk email addresses. The Clerk found three quotes, with Cloud Next being the most cost-effective option. Cloud Next was also recommended and appears on the government’s approved supplier list.
It was proposed that Councillor Lacey and Councillor Heaton take the lead in progressing the transition to the new email system. The first year will be free of charge, followed by an annual cost of £50 plus VAT for hosting and £50 plus VAT for the domain. The Council will also explore the possibility of an ongoing contract to reduce hosting costs.
Councillors requested that the Clerk investigate the availability of the domain wkkc-pc.gov.uk.
8. Internal Council Matters
a) Meeting Dates: It was accepted by all councillors that the future dates are okay.
b) AGAR Paperwork: A reply was received from PKF Littlejohn as follows, “LI0412: Receipt of documents – notification of exempt status, 2025Unless they receive any correspondence from local electors during the period for the exercise for public rights that requires them to contact us, we will not hear from them again this year.” Clerk read out the notice.
c) IT Policy: To be adopted: on proposal from Councillor Lacey, seconded by Councillor Rickard and with no objections, all resolved to adopt the policy.
d) Public Participation Policy: To be adopted. It was proposed by Councillor Roughton and seconded by Councillor Rickard and with no objections, all resolved to adopt the policy.
e) Health and Safety Policy: To be adopted. It was proposed by Councillor Roughton and seconded by Councillor Rickard and with no objections, all resolved to adopt the policy. The Clerk is going to check on details of the defibrillator, for the policy.
f) Christmas Event Arrangements: Councillors are going to put some thought into this and the Clerk will check to see if the hall is available for either weekend of the 6th or 13th December. This will be put onto September’s agenda.
g) Nest Pension Scheme: It was agreed that the clerk could open a Nest Pension for West Keal & Keal Cotes. This will not cost the council any money as pension will be deducted from the hourly rate already agreed. It was proposed by Councillor Roughton and seconded by Councillor Rowntree.
h) Local Government Pay Agreement 2025: The Clerk informed the Council of an increase to the NALC pay scale of 3.2%, which was agreed to be applied retrospectively. The adjustment will be backdated to 12th June 2025 for September’s salary.
9. Planning: Town and County Planning Act 1990. To consider and make observations of all planning applications received and to note planning approvals, refusals, enforcement complaints and appeal decisions advised by district council. To include those received from the date of this notice and the day of the meeting.
a) Application reference 00329/25/RVC
Section 73 application to vary conditions no.2 (approved plans) and no. 6 (landscaping) previously imposed on planning permission ref. no. S/204/00755/24 for the erection of a free range egg production poultry unit with ancillary structures and hardstanding.
Land North East Of Magers Farm Back Lane Stickford.
The application was Approved on 05/06/2025.
b) Application reference 02204/25/FUL
Planning Permission - Extension and alterations to existing dwelling to provide additional living accommodation. Mill Farm, Boston Road, West Keal Lincolnshire PE23 4BD
DECISION: Approve subject to conditions.
c) Application reference 02446/25/FUL
Planning Permission - Change of use of disused runway to form a straw bale storage site and the siting of a portable building, weighbridge and toilet.
Land North Of April Cottage East Kirkby Airfield East Kirkby Lincolnshire
The Clerk will respond with no objections, if Highways have assessed and confirmed the safety of access, and that appropriate consideration has been given to fire risk associated with the storage of bales.
10. Grants For Bus Shelter
a) Community Grant: The Clerk has applied for a community grant towards the new bus shelter
b) Grass Roots Grant: The Clerk contacted to ask if we could apply for this grant towards a bus shelter and this has been agreed but they would like further details before we apply. The Clerk will forward contact details onto Councillors.
11. Highways matters – Any problems to report
a) Fix My Street: Stones Lane just off Main Road, The work’s finished and the issue is now resolved.
b) Walk/Drive around parish: with Councillor Roberts, Councillors felt their time driving around the village was very proactive with Councillor Roberts listening and taking photos or all concerns.
c) Speed Limit Reduction RE: WEST KEAL , A155 MAIN ROAD – PROPOSED SPEED LIMIT REDUCTION: Email from Lincolnshire County Council was sent to all councillors prior to the meeting and was also discussed within the forum.
Meeting ended 2020
12. Date of next meeting Tuesday 2nd September 2025, all meetings commence at 7:00 p.m. at the Keals village hall West Keal.
13. Any other matters for discussion only or on the next agenda
Defibrillator
Christmas Event