Minutes For 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 02 September 2026, in Cracroft Village Hall, West Keal commencing at 7.00 pm.

Present: Councillors, Julia Roughton (chair), Amy Watson, Phil Heaton, Margaret Rickard, Alan Chester, John Rowntree and the Clerk Deborah Money

Also present: District Councillor Taylor and County Councillor Roberts

Public Forum: Eight Members of the public present.

The trustees of the Evergreens Miniature Railway attended the meeting to outline their intentions for future development of the site. They advised that the project has the support of the YMCA and explained the improvements and operational changes they are seeking to progress through the forthcoming planning application.

The Parish Council agreed to support the planning application when submitted.

Two members of the public read out a statement expressing concern that the name of their property had appeared on posters relating to the planning application for the proposed poultry units at East Keal/Keal Cotes. They stated that they believed the posters had been placed by West Keal and Keal Cotes Parish Council and requested an apology.

The Council advised that it had not produced or displayed any such posters and did not understand the origin of the material. The members of the public declined to discuss the matter further beyond their statement, and the Council was therefore unable to assist them.

No further action can be taken as the individuals did not engage in further communication with the Council.

The meeting was opened at 19:13

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.

John declared possible interest in miniature railway planning. 

4. Co option of Parish Councillor(s) To consider applications received and to resolve to co opt to fill the casual vacancy/vacancies.

5. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 02 September 2026

To resolve as a correct record and to authorise the Chair to sign the official minutes.  

On proposal from Councillor Heaton, seconded by Councillor Rowntree, 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 

The District Councillor provided an update on the ongoing reorganisation, outlined the grant funding currently available, and elections in May 2027

b) District Councillor Terry Taylor did not attend.

7. Financial matters: To confirm and authorise payments. The cashbook, bank reconciliation, invoices and payment schedule were sent via Docuseal to two councillors for pre-approval, this was Councillors Rickard and Watson. Once signed, they were emailed to all remaining councillors.

a) Bank Balance as of 31 August 2026 Community Account £13,955.39 NS&I £1,096.49.  

b) To receive the cashbook and bank reconciliation for end of August 2026

c) Update of Bank Mandate, the Clerk will do the paperwork again.

d) To resolve as correct and authorise payments for July and August.

Staff Costs £867.30

Village Hall £20.00

Bank Charge £8.50

Cloud Next £119.98

e) To give the Clerk delegated powers for invoice payments during October.

On proposal from Councillor Rickard, and seconded by Councillor Heaton and with no objections, all resolved to agree and approve 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5e.

8. Information, Reports and correspondence

a) Bus Shelter West Keal Update

The Clerk chased the matter following the last meeting and received a reply questioning the proposed position of the shelter. She clarified the position on 14 July 2026 and sent a further chaser on 1 September 2026.

b) Bus Shelter – Keal Cotes Update The Clerk has emailed LCC Highways regarding the possibility of relocating the bus stop to a position in front of The Coach House, Councillor Rowntree will email photos to the Clerk with the position.

c) Neighbourhood Watch and WhatsApp Update Councillor Watson will look into establishing a safety WhatsApp group for reporting issues within the Parish.

d) Corner of Fen Road, Keal Cotes – Overflow of Raw Sewage The Clerk contacted Environmental Health and received a reply confirming they are aware of the issue and are continuing to monitor the situation.

e) Reactive Speed Signs Councillor Roughton invited a member of the public to attend the meeting and present the data recorded by the reactive speed signs.

f) Winter Salt It was agreed that the Clerk will request delivery of winter salt to both the top and bottom of Hall Lane.

g) Poultry Residents Meeting Update Councillors Rickard and Roughton attended the meeting organised by East Keal Parish Council as residents and reported back on the information provided. A member of the public who had submitted the related planning application was also present and added further information. As he should not have commented during the meeting, his contribution was limited to approximately one minute.

h) Wreath The Parish Council agreed that the Clerk should order a wreath for the Remembrance service. The Chair requested that it be delivered directly to her.

i) Collection of Village Hall Key from East Keal It was agreed that the Clerk will email the Village Hall to request a set of keys, noting that with winter approaching the current collection point presents a potential health and safety concern.

j) NJC Annual Pay Award 2026–27 The Council was informed of the new annual pay award, which includes a 3.3% increase. It was resolved that the Clerk be paid the increase together with any back pay due.

9. To agree and resolve the following policies and procedures.

a) Safeguarding and select a safeguarding lead.

b) Accessibility Statement

c) Training/Development

d) Retention

e) Grant

f) Privacy

g) Risk Management

All policies had been circulated by email the week before the meeting for councillors’ perusal. Having read and considered the policies, it was proposed by Councillor Watson, seconded by Councillor Heaton, and unanimously agreed to accept the new policies.

10. 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.

Appeal Ref: 6004230 Corner Cottage, Main Road, West Keal, Lincolnshire PE23 4BE 

The appeal is made under section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 (as amended) against a refusal to grant outline planning permission. 

The appeal is made by Mr & Mrs David Cook against the decision of East Lindsey District Council. The application reference is 03401/25/OUT. 

The development proposed is for the erection of dormer dwelling (self build or custom build). Decision 1. The appeal is dismissed.

INCHMARLO, MAIN ROAD, KEAL COTES, SPILSBY, PE23 4AQ 

Alleged breach: Without Planning Permission, the material change of use of the Land to a mixed use of forestry and holiday accommodation including the siting of a Glamping Pod and a Shepherds Hut together with associated operational development (plant room, sewage treatment / storage package, utility connections, decking, sheds and the laying of aggregate to form hardstanding). 

Appellant’s name: Mrs Sarah Carr Appeal reference: 6008595 

Appeal start date: 22 July 2026 

An appeal has been made to the Secretary of State against an enforcement notice issued by East Lindsey District Council on 1 April 2026.

All representations must be received by 8 September 2026.

APPLICANT: Mr Paul Mutti PROPOSAL: 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). 

LOCATION: Evergreens Miniature Railway , East Keal Bank, East Keal, Lincolnshire, PE23 4AE THIS IS A NOTIFICATION OF AN AMENDMENT TO A PLANNING APPLICATION I have received an amendment to the above-mentioned application for permission to carry out a proposal which may affect your property. The amendments are as follows: 

Additional information in relation to traffic/parking received.

Additional information in relation to requested noise assessment received

No objections

Application reference 00862/26/FUL has been received and is now being considered. 

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

No objections.

11. Highways matters: Any problems to report

a) Fix My Street 

12. Matters for next agenda

Budget

Triangular Field.

13. Date of next meeting:  Wednesday 4 November 2026.