Unapproved Minutes 01 July 2026
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 01 July 2026, in Cracroft Village Hall, West Keal commencing at 7.00 pm.
Present: Councillors, Julia Roughton (chair), Amy Watson, Margaret Rickard, Alan Chester, John Rowntree and the Clerk Deborah Money
Also present: District Councillor Taylor.
Public Forum: Three Members of the public present.
One member of the public wished to make a statement regarding increased number of caravans parked in a private field, in the Parish of East Kirkby. He was advised to visit the East Kirkby Parish Council meeting.
The meeting was opened at 19:10
1. Chair’s welcome
Cllr Roughton 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.
Councillors were reminded that all apologies must be submitted to the Clerk in writing before the meeting.
No apologies were received.
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.
None Declared
4. Co option of Parish Councillor(s) To consider applications received and to resolve to co opt to fill the casual vacancy/vacancies.
A member of the public expressed an interest in becoming a councillor. Following a vote, the Council agreed to co-opt him. Alan Chester then completed the Disclosure of Pecuniary Interests form and the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which was witnessed by the Clerk.
5. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 06 May 2026
To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chair to sign the official minutes.
On proposal from Cllr Rickard, seconded by Cllr Watson, and with no objections, it was resolved to accept the minutes as a correct record, and the Chair was authorised to sign them.
6. To receive reports from representatives of outside bodies or local organisations 10 Minutes has been put aside for this item.
a) County Councillor Philip Roberts sent apologies and emailed notes to the Clerk, which she read to the councillors.
The grant funding paperwork is expected soon. A possible speed reduction at Hall Corner will also be reviewed at a Committee meeting on 13th July.
b) District Councillor Terry Taylor
It is increasingly likely that elections will be held in 2027, with their purpose expected to be confirmed in July or August.
The Lloyds Britain Cycle Race will take place on 2nd/3rd September. Part of the route has been agreed, with the next stage still awaited.
7. Financial matters: To resolve as correct and authorise payments.
a) Bank Balance as of 23 June 2026 Community Account £14,794.44 Charities Trust £108.42 NS&I £1,096.49.
b) To receive the cashbook and bank reconciliation for June 2026
c) To give the Clerk delegated powers for invoice payments during August.
d) Update of Bank Mandate, the Clerk will do the paperwork again.
e) Agree to look for a new Business Deposit Account
On proposal from Councillor Rowntree, seconded by Councillor Heaton and with no objections, all resolved to move the money from the Charities Trust and NS&I to the community account.
f) To resolve as correct and authorise payments for May/June.
Staff Costs £279.30
Village Hall £20.00
Bank Charge £4.25
Zurich Insurance Renewal £304.00
g) To resolve as correct and authorise payments for June/July
Staff Costs £299.87
Village Hall £20.00
Inkonomical £80.00
Bank Charge £4.25
On proposal from Councillor Rickard, and seconded by Councillor Watson and with no objections, all resolved to agree and approve 5a, 5b, 5c, 5f, and 5g.
8. Information, Reports and correspondence
a) Bus Shelter West Keal – As there has been no update on the bus shelter grant, the Clerk will contact Lincolnshire County Council to ask about the delay.
b) Bus Shelter Keal Cotes – The Clerk will write to Lincolnshire County Council to ask whether the bus stop can be moved outside the public house to allow for a new shelter.
c) Neighbourhood Watch and WhatsApp Update – As no further information had been received since the previous meeting, it was agreed that this item would be reviewed at the next meeting.
d) Engagement of Internal Auditor for 2026–2029 three-year contract – On proposal from Councillor Watson, seconded by Councillor Heaton, and with no objections, it was resolved to appoint Clarks Clerical Services. The Chair signed the paperwork.
e) Lincolnshire Minerals and Waste Local Plan
The Council had no comments.
f) Corner of Fen Road, Keal Cotes, overflow – This remains an unresolved issue, with no party taking responsibility. The Clerk will contact Environmental Health regarding the pollution concern.
g) Reactive Speed Signs - The Clerk noted that the reactive speed signs appear on the asset register; however, since joining the Council she has not received any data from them. She queried who is currently responsible for downloading and monitoring this information, particularly given the ongoing concerns about speeding traffic in the area, Councillor Rickard will see if she can receive an update on this.
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 00745/26/FUL has been received and is now being considered. Your observations are requested no later than 4th June 2026.
Planning Permission - Alterations to dwelling to provide an outbuilding.
The Old Forge Keal Hill West Keal Lincolnshire PE23 4EZ This has been carried over from June inquorate meeting.
b) Application reference 00805/26/FUL has been received and is now being considered. Your observations are requested no later than 9th July 2026.
Planning Permission - Erection of 6no. poultry units, construction of a vehicular access, construction of an internal access road with car parking, excavation of land to provide an attenuation basin and associated infrastructure.
Land East Of Manor Farm Main Road Keal Cotes Lincolnshire
Resolved: The Parish Council objects to this application due to concerns relating to traffic and highway safety, environmental impacts, amenity issues and drainage. The Clerk will submit a detailed objection to the Local Planning Authority.Resolved: The Parish Council objects to this application. The Clerk was instructed to submit a formal objection to the Local Planning Authority setting out the Council’s concerns.
c) Application reference 00862/26/FUL has been received and is now being considered. Your observations are requested no later than 8th July 2026.
d) Planning Permission - Change of use of land for the siting of a miniature railway and erection of associated railway buildings (amended scheme from original approval S/045/02058/17)(works already commenced).
Evergreens Miniature Railway East Keal Bank East Keal Lincolnshire PE23 4AE
Councillor Rowntree declared his interest and had no comments in this matter.
The Council agreed that a full objection to the amended planning application for Evergreens Miniature Railway will be submitted to East Lindsey District Council. The objection will address highways safety concerns, intensification of use, visual impact, noise, and non compliance with the previously approved scheme.
10. Highways matters: Any problems to report
Fix My Street – No further updates, apart from even more pot holes.
11. Matters for next agenda
Whats App for Neighbourhood watch.
12. Resolution to close the meeting: To resolve on whether the Council will move into closed session to consider the following confidential staffing and legal matters in accordance with the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960. (Should this resolution be passed the public and press will be required to leave the meeting at this stage).
13. Staffing Matters: Clerk’s Annual Review.
On proposal from Councillor Heaton, and seconded by Councillor Rowntree and with no objections, It was agreed to increase the Clerks pay scale to grade SCP 28.
14. Date of next meeting: Wednesday 2 September 2026.
Meeting Ended 2020