The Annual Meeting of East Keal Parish Council was held on Wednesday 25th May 2016 at 7.00pm in Cracroft Village Hall, Boston Road, West Keal.

PRESENT: Cllr Mrs S Butler, (Chairman), Cllr Ms P Davies, Cllr Mrs K Keller, Cllr A Bush, Cllr E Sweeney and Clerk to the Council, Mrs E Martin.

Also present was Cllr Ayling.

Cllr Butler welcomed everyone to the meeting, As there were no items raised in the public forumshe then opened the meeting.

  1. Apologies for Absence. These were received from Cllr G Motley and Mr G Smith.
  2. Election of Chairman. Cllr Keller nominated Cllr Butler to continue in the role of Chair of the Council, seconded by Cllr Davies as there were no other nominations Cllr Butler was duly elected. Cllr Butler then signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office which was witnessed by the clerk.
  3. Election of Vice Chairman. Cllr Butler asked for nominations for the role of Vice Chair. Cllr Bush was nominated by Cllr Sweeney and seconded by Cllr Butler. All agreed.
  4. Election of Councillors as representatives
    a) Village Hall Committee. Cllr Keller was nominated by Cllr Davies seconded by Cllr Bush. All agreed. Clerk to inform Village Hall Secretary & Chair.
    b) Alert Coordinator. Cllr Keller was nominated by Cllr Davies and seconded by CllrBush. All agreed.
  5. Notes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 30th March2016 to be approved as the minutes. These had already been circulated and on proposal byCllr Davies and seconded by Cllr Bush all resolved to approve them as the minutes of the meeting and they were duly signed by the Chairman. All agreed.
  6. Review and adoption of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations All agreed to accept existing policy.
  7. Review of inventory of land and assets including office equipment Acopy of this document had been circulated to Cllrs prior to the meeting.
    Cllr Butler had undertaken a risk management check of council property on 13th May 2016.
  8. Review & confirmation of arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all risks The existing three year agreement with Came & Co. is about to expire. The option of renewing this with a three year contract had been explored and a favourable rate had been offered. Details of this agreement had been circulated to Cllrs. All agreed to accept this.
  9. Review Council’s Complaints Procedure All agreed to accept the existing policy.
  10. Review the Council’s procedure for handling requests made under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Data Protection Act 1998 All agreed to accept the existing policy.

It was proposed by Cllr Davies and seconded by Cllr Bush that the above Councils policy documents 6 to 10 be accepted. All agreed.

  1. To confirm the dates, times & places of ordinary meetings of the Council for the year ahead.
    These were agreed as: 29th March 2017, 19th April 2017, 31st May 2017, 26th July 2017, 27th September 2017, 29th November 2017 and 31st January 2018.
    All agreed these dates and the clerk confirmed that the village hall is duly booked.
  2. Reports from representatives on outside bodies:
    a. County Councillor Cllr Ayling could only confirm that more cuts were to be
    implemented in the future.

Cllr Ayling also offered to see if a date could be confirmed for the resurfacing of Fen
Lane,
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beyond the cross roads. She also offered to chase up the pothole repairs that have
been reported recently especially the one opposite East Keal Manor, on the switchback.

  1. District Councillor No report submitted.
  2. Alert Cllr Keller informed the meeting of a new scheme, ‘Canines on Patrol’. This is a scheme to encourage dog walkers to report anything they see that might be classed as suspicious. She also stated that there are new dog laws due out from July 1st 2016. Documents regarding this information are being held by the Clerk if any member of the public wish to see them. It was also agreed that relevant information about this scheme be circulated to those on email and on the notice board. Clerk to action.
  3. Village Groups

i) PCC No report.
ii) WI A written report was read at the meeting. The WI continue to meet on the 2nd Thursday of the month at 7.15pm in Cracroft Hall.

Currently there are 28 members. Recently theyhave enjoyed a pottery demonstration, Papercraft and Scrapbooking.

They are supporting the National WI 2016 resolutions relating to food waste and food poverty and appropriate care for people with Dementia.

They have just launched their new programme for 2016/17 with a visit from Debbie Eales and 'Woody' telling us about their work relating to missing persons as part of a team of Search and Rescue Dogs who work with the Police. They are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks of the year and can raise 10 handlers and 12 dogs when everyone is available. The only team in Lincolnshire is based near Louth.

We look forward over the summer to Mrs Beeton, Accapella music and Afternoon Tea.

We would be pleased to provide further information to anyone interested.

email:

or take a look at our website ( )

New members and visitors are always welcome.
iii) Gardening Club. Maps showing the location of all the bird boxes placed round the village was circulated at the meeting. It was agreed that a copy of this be placed on the main notice board. In addition sites for the trees have now been agreed and these are due to be planted in the next two weeks.
The club now has 83 members and recently visited gardens in Keal Cotes. A visit to Keal Carr nature reserve to see the Bluebells was enjoyed by members and future events are as listed.

11 June visit to members gardens

16th June talk by the Police Wildlife Officer

9th July Barbeque – by ticket only.

23rd July visit to Partney Garden Centre and Sausthorpe Old Hall

August Coach Trip to Burnby Hall and Gardens

20 August – Produce Show

10th September – Guided walk round Snipe Dales – bring your own picnic

27th October Quiz Night with Fish & Chips

16th November Talk on Garden Machinery maintenance

iv) Petanque No report
v) Workforce No report.
13 .Declaration of Interest (if any) Nothing declared.
14. Clerk’s report on matters outstanding:
a. Damage to footpath sign and stile, by A16 viewpoint. The footpath sign has now been repaired. Repairs to the stile and fencing are the responsibility of the landowner.
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b. Extra signage for footpath by Windrush. This has now been dealt with and a letter of thanks received from the owner.
15 Report from Annual Parish Meeting Cllr Butler reported that she felt this meeting wentwell with a good turnout of residents attending.
16. Walkers Board. This item was deferred as Cllr Motley was unable to attend.
17. Planning SIO45/00525/16. No objections to this planning application were submitted online
18. Finance:
a. Payment of £33.00 to Cracroft Village Hall for 2 meetings 20.4.16(Annual Parish
Meeting) & 25.5.16 (Annual Parish Council Meeting).
b. Payment to Came & Co Insurance of £273.75.
c. Donation to Church of £50.00.
d. Reimburse E Martin £16.00 for stamps and photocopying paper.
It was proposed by Cllr Davies and seconded by Cllr Keller that items a, b, c & d be
accepted. All agreed.
e. Financial Statement for year ending 31st March 2016
f. Financial Reportas at 25th May 2016 and bank reconciliation statement.
The clerk asked if there were any questions in respect of the above payments and
financial documents circulated. It was proposed by Cllr Sweeney and Cllr Bush that
items e & f be accepted.
g. Completion of the Annual Governance Statement. This statement and notes had been circulated prior to the meeting. It was proposed by Cllr Butler and seconded by Cllr Keller
to accept section 1 to 8. (Point 9 not being applicable) and section 2. All agreed. The statement was then signed by Cllr Butler and the clerk.
h. Appointment of Internal Auditor and Auditor of half year financial inspection. Cllr Butler reported that Mr P Colley had agreed to undertake this for the next year. It was proposed
that a letter of thanks be sent. Clerk to deal with.
19. Any other matters for discussion only or next Agenda
a) The clerk brought everyone’s attention to the posters regarding the library bus visits to the village. Posters are now on the notice boards.
b) Also information regarding a Lincolnshire Central Heating Fund has been received and again a notice has been placed on the main notice board. Flyers were circulated to Cllrs. This is the help those on low incomes to have central heating installed, for the first time.

The meeting then close at 7.50pm.

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