4 February
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 4 February 2026, in Cracroft Village Hall, West Keal commencing at 7.00 pm.
Present: Councillors, Amy Watson (Chair), Martin Lacey, Julia Roughton, Margaret Rickard, Paul Rennie, John Rowntree and the Clerk Deborah Money
Also present: County Councillor Roberts and District Councillor Taylor.
Public Forum: Four Members of the public present.
A member of the public raised concerns about the speed limit at Keal Cotes. County Councillor Roberts explained the existing laws and noted the challenges involved in changing them, and the difficulty in getting average speed limit cameras, along this stretch of road.
Another individual attended to discuss proposed new poultry units, mentioning that their property's name appeared in the Environmental Impact Assessment. The person shared comments on this topic, which were discussed further under agenda item 7.k).
The meeting was opened at 1920
1. Chairs Remarks
The Chair 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.
Apologies were received from Councillor Heaton.
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. Notes of the Parish Council meeting held on 03 December 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 Rickard, 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
a) County Councillor - Councillor Philip Roberts, advised that tax was going up 2.9% next year, and there will be a County Councillor Grant available, he has asked that all highways issues be submitted on FixMyStreet as he receives copies of these.
b) District Councillor - Councillor Terry Taylor, said that grants could be available again next year.
6. Financial matters: To resolve as correct and authorise payments.
a) Bank Balance as of 31 January 2026 £11455.74
b) To receive the cashbook and bank reconciliation for January 2026
c) Staff Costs TBA
d) Village Hall £20.00
e) Bank Charge £9.00
f) LALC Subscription for 2026-2027 £170.06
g) LALC Training Membership 2026-2027 £156
h) Christmas Event Expenses £650
i) Direct Debit for HMRC payments, it was agreed to pay tax and NIC on direct debit.
j) Precept request has been submitted to District Council.
On proposal from Councillor Roughton, seconded by Councillor Rennie and with no
objections, all resolved to agree with 6a, 6b, and 6c to approve the above payments.
7. Information, Reports and correspondence
a) To agree the Audio Policy On proposal from Councillor Roughton, seconded by Councillor Rickard and with no objections, all resolved to agree the audio policy
b) To agree the Risk Assessment On proposal from Councillor Roughton, seconded by Councillor Rickard and with no objections, all resolved to agree the audio policy
c) To agree the Complaints Policy On proposal from Councillor Roughton, seconded by Councillor Rickard and with no objections, all resolved to agree the audio policy.
d) New Email Addresses – Clerk gave all councillors that hadn’t already set up their email accounts instructions on how to do so, also asked them to advise her if they needed new password. The Clerk also advised that she is no longer able to correspond to personal email addresses, as per assertion 10 and GPRC.
e) Defibrillator Keal Cotes – Councillor Roughton advised the council of the difficulty she has had along with a member of the public, trying to place a new defibrillator in the telephone box, at Keal Cotes. We would all like to thank him for the work he has already done on this project.
f) Bus Shelter West Keal Quote – The Clerk managed to receive some quote for a new bus shelter at West Keal, the councillors were happy with the quote and will look a similar bus stop at Stickford to make sure they are happy with the way it looks. We will rediscuss at our next meeting. Councillor Rowntree was querying Keal Cotes bus stop, will add to next agenda.
g) Neighbourhood Watch – Councillor Rennie, has contacted Neighbourhood Watch and reported back to the council, they have agreed to look further in to this.
h) Internal Audit Quotes – It was agreed to go with a quote from Clarks Clerical Services for the 2026-2027 Internal Audit. Clerk with contact her to request an interim audit.
i) WhatsApp – We will link this to the Neighbourhood Group.
j) Localism Act 2011 – Everyone present agreed that their localism act forms are up to date.
k) Poultry Units – APPLICANT: Studiopad Ltd PROPOSAL: Environmental Impact Assessment (E.E.C. Directive 85/337/E.E.C. as amended by Council Directive 97/11E.C.) for a scoping opinion with respect to the erection of 6no. poultry units and associated works.
LOCATION: Land East Of Manor Farm, Main Road, Keal Cotes, Lincolnshire,
A member of the public who attended this evening’s meeting contacted the Clerk by telephone to request that this matter be added as an agenda item. Unfortunately, West Keal and Keal Cotes were not included in the documentation for the Environmental Impact
Report, and the deadline for submitting comments was 18 January 2026. East Keal submitted their response to our Parish Council, which was subsequently forwarded to the parish councillors; however, further action could not be taken until after this Parish Council meeting, as the Clerk explained, particularly since East Lindsey did not include us in the consultation. The Clerk will contact the district council to seek clarification regarding this issue. Councillor Rennie offered to draft a letter on behalf of the Parish Council, which will be submitted via the planning portal. On proposal from Councillor Rowntree, seconded by Councillor Roughton, and with no objections, it was agreed that Councillor Rennie would draft a letter.
8. 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.
Application reference 03545/25/FUL
Planning Permission - Erection of a double garage.
Ivy Cottage Main Road West Keal Lincolnshire PE23 4BE
Approved on 21/01/2026
Application reference 03401/25/OUT
Outline erection of 1no. dwelling.
Land Adjacent To Corner Cottage Main Road West Keal Lincolnshire PE23 4BE
Refused on 15/12/2025
9. Highways matters:
Fix My Street
Footpath along A155
The recent removal of grass and soil from the path's edge has created a deep rut, posing a significant tripping hazard for pedestrians who must step aside for wide vehicles on this busy road. County Councillor Roberts is aware of the issue.
10. Date of next meeting: Wednesday 4th March 2026, all meetings commence at 7:00 p.m. at the Keals village hall West Keal.
11. Any matters for next agenda
Bank Mandate
Keal Cotes Bus Stop