Meetings 2020

Present: Cllrs C. Charlton (Chairman), S. Charlton, E. Field-Lucas, A. Vaughan & H. Fuller 

In Attendance: Michelle Free (Clerk/RFO) 

There were no Press or Public in attendance, so it was agreed to commence the Council Meeting at 7.04pm

417. Not applicable. All Members present.  

418. There were no new Declarations of Interest to be recorded. Chairman to be excluded from approval of expenditure at Item 6.2.1 (Para 435) due to submitted expense claim, and Cllr S. Charlton to be excluded from discussion and vote regarding the Allotment Hedge Cutting at Item 7.4 (Para 439) due to a DPI. 

419. The previously circulated DRAFT Minutes were considered for approval. The Council unanimously resolved to accept the Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 September 2020 as a true and accurate record. Chairman to sign the file copy previously issued. Clerk to publish the approved Minutes. 

420. The Clerk had received confirmation from SKDC that no Election had been requested regarding the first vacancy and a Co-option Notice had been published. The unsuccessful candidate for the previous vacancy had confirmed her ongoing interest; no new applications had been received. The Council unanimously resolved to Co-opt Jeanne Howard. Chairman to issue the Acceptance of Office and Declarations of Interest forms. Clerk to notify SKDC.

421. Confirmation on filling the second vacancy through Election or Co-option was still pending. Clerk to chase SKDC. Chairman to include the vacancy details in the next Newsletter.

5.1 Police, County & District Council Reports

422. Police. Cllr Fuller stated that there was concern regarding the increase in Covid-19 cases and changes to the current restrictions were expected, with a ‘Circuit Breaker’ lockdown likely. 

423. There were no Reports from the District or County Councils.  

 

5.2 Community Groups & Organisations

424. RJPFT. No update on the Trust. Refer to Item 7.2 (Para 437) for the play equipment update. 

425. Neighbourhood Plan. Refer to Item 5.2.1 (Para 431). 

426. Allotments. Cllr S. Charlton highlighted the concerns regarding the influx of rats across the Plots and the non-garden waste being dumped onto the Bonfire Plot, which included plastic and roofing felt.  The advice from SKDC Environmental Health Services had been previously circulated. As Plot 35 had a new Tenant, Plot 36 was not being cultivated as agreed between the Council and RGAG Cttee. The Plot remeasuring was still outstanding but was hoped to be completed prior to winter, ahead of the annual rent review at the Budget Meeting. As allotment holders, Cllrs Vaughan & Fuller had a personal interest in the Plots. However, it was unanimously agreed for the Clerk to write to all Plot Holders regarding the actions to discourage rats and the dumping of rubbish on the bonfire heap, and to the RGAG Cttee regarding the bonfire heap and the cultivation of Plot 36. Hedge maintenance discussed at item 7.4 (Para 439). 

427. Feast. No update. Cllr Field-Lucas stated that no Feast Cttee Meetings had taken place.  

428. Hospital Car Scheme. The Clerk confirmed that journeys were still on hold due to Covid-19. As previously resolved, Cllr Warcup had confirmed that the PCC had no use for the surplus wheelchair. To avoid the cost of disposal, the unserviceable wheelchair had been gifted to The Willows for repair and use. The payment of the £10 quarterly contribution to the HCS Co-ord was included at Item 6.2.1 (Para 435). The Council unanimously resolved to gift the wheelchair to The Willows Care Home.

429.  VHMC. Cllr Field-Lucas stated that there was no update. Following the comments raised at the previous post-Meeting Public forum, she had spoken to the VHMC Chair to clarify that her understanding related to Covid-Secure venues, not the VH. The Chairman confirmed that he was forwarding any Covid-19 updates to the VHMC Chairperson. 

430. Parochial Church Council. Cllr Field-Lucas stated that there was no update. No details regarding the next Meeting had been received. 

 

5.2.1 To Review & Resolve changes to the Neighbourhood Plan & Way Forward

431. The Chairman stated that the dialogue between Cllrs regarding the proposed updates had been robust but very beneficial and thanked them for their comments. Concern was raised that the Plan was too similar to the existing SKDC Local Plan and should be more specific in allowing Rippingale greater influence on the type, size, style and density (number of house per acre), of any village development, including the provision for the use of farmland. Concern was also raised over the designation of the JPF and Allotment Field as Green Spaces, which would restrict options should the village decide to develop the land in the future; the areas were already heavily protected in planning terms and provided flexibility. The references to the 2001 Village Design Statement was felt to be outdated and applied to a very different Rippingale (e.g. school & shop). Inclusion of the percentages of the residents in support of types of development was also suggested. The references to Dowsby and the associated data should also be removed.

432. The Council unanimously resolved to support the updated Plan based on the following amendments: Removal of the designation of the Playing Field and Allotment Field as Green Spaces; References to the Village Design Statement to be removed; Update the Maps to reflect today’s village; Removal of Dowsby references and data; Inclusion of a ceiling limit to the density of any development. Chairman to investigate development density ceiling limit & action amendments. Cllr Field-Lucas offered to assist with the Maps.       

6.1 To Receive & Review the FY2019/20 External Audit Report

433. The RFO stated that the outcome of the External Audit was still pending. Ongoing.

 

6.2 To Receive FY2020/21 Accounts to Date & Transactions Since Last Meeting

434.  The Accounts to 30 September, the Income & Expenditure to end Qtr 2 and the transactions since the September Meeting had been previously circulated. The income for the cutting of the LCC Verges had been received. The SKDC Waste invoice for August & September had been paid by BACS as the DD was not set up in time. To minimise the handling of documents due to CV-19, the reconciled bank statements and outstanding invoices had been previously issued to the Chairman for inspection. There were no queries or questions from the Council.

 

6.2.1 Approval of Income & Expenditure List

435. The previously circulated list was presented for approval. The list included the amended SO for the Clerk monthly salary, the HCS Co-rd Qtrly Admin, an expense claim for the Chairman, and the regular payments; Cllr C. Charlton abstained from the discussion and vote. The Council resolved to approve the list of income & expenditure. Cllr A. Vaughan signed the cheque and transactions sheet. Cllr Vaughan to forward to Cllr S. Charlton for second signature. To minimise the handling of documents, duplicate copies of the invoices had been previously issued to both signatories, only the cheque book and transactions sheet to be shared for signing. Clerk to submit BACS payments. 

7.1 Update on Coronavirus Impact & To Review Changes to Local Restrictions 

436. Current restrictions still in line with Government requirements; the pub and village hall were also managing to open in line with current restrictions. The Council unanimously resolved to maintain the existing restrictions on the use of the JPF Tennis Court and Play Equipment. Further Restrictions were expected. Ongoing. 

 

7.2 To Receive Progress Report on JPF New Play Equipment Installation 

437. The Chairman & Cllr Vaughan had met the Technical Manager onsite. The Mulch area had been incorrectly measured but now had no gaps so would be easier to maintain going forward, the existing matting had been confirmed as suitable for below the fitness equipment. The Installation was still planned for 16-21 October. Chairman to write to immediate neighbours of JPF entrance to forewarn them of the planned works; Clerk to provide contact details.  

 

7.3 To Review & Appoint Casual Worker for JPF Maintenance  

438. The Clerk confirmed that no applications/expressions of interest had been received. Ongoing.  

 

7.4 To Review Quotes for Allotment Hedge Maintenance & Appoint Contractor   

439. The Clerk confirmed that the quote from the current Hedge Cutting Contractor was still pending. Clerk to chase. The Council unanimously agreed to delegate the resolution on the Hedge Cutting Contractor by email; Cllr S. Charlton to be excluded from the discussion and vote due to a DPI.

 

7.5 To Review Requirement for War Memorial Cleaning & Faculty

440. Cllr Field-Lucas presented the quote from the previous contractor. No repairs or replacement stone was required, only a non-abrasive pressure wash to remove the green lichen, which did not require Planning Permission or a Faculty. It was hoped that the work could be completed ahead of Remembrance. The Council unanimously resolved to accept the quote. Cllr Field-Lucas to notify Rev’d Bullen and forward the quote to the Clerk to appoint the Contractor.   

 

7.6 To Delegate Council Representative to Lay Remembrance Wreath

441. The Clerk confirmed that the Wreath had been ordered and received. It was proposed and unanimously resolved for the Chairman to lay the Council Wreath on behalf of the Parish. Clerk to deliver wreath.

442. The Clerk stated that application S19/1993 (Amended Single Storey extension, detached garage and outbuilding at Glebe House, Station Street) had been Approved Conditionally. Applications S20/0677 (Amended LBC for alterations to Loft Space at The Old School, High Street), and S20/1103 (Erection of detached 2 storey building) were still Pending; the Clerk had submitted the Council objections to S20/1103 as directed at the last Meeting (Min Ref: 2020.09.10.7.1 Para 409).

 

8.1 S20/1527 – Outline Planning Permission for one Dwelling at rear of 155 Station Street.

443. The Clerk had previously circulated the invitation to carry out a site visit from the Applicant. The Chairman stated that he had been contacted by a neighbour to the site who was considering objecting to the proposal. As Outline Permission, there were no details on the style and size of the proposed dwelling; the associated plans showed a single storey dwelling. Concerns were raised on the safety of the proposed shared access layout. The Council unanimously resolved no objections to the development of the land at S20/1527 but the concerns regarding the size of the property and safety of the access should be highlighted to SKDC; a site visit was not required. Clerk to notify SKDC. 

 

9.1 To Receive the Clerk Report & Correspondence 

444. The Clerk Report and correspondence overview had been previously circulated; the hardcopy correspondence had been issued to the Chairman prior to the Meeting. There were some errors in the list of allocated Roles & Responsibilities published in the Newsletter. Correct details to be published once the outcome of both vacancies was known. Ongoing.

445. In his capacity as a resident, Cllr S. Charlton stated that he had received notification from SKDC on the need to renew the registration of any sites for development. This would also apply to the Allotment Land which was also previously registered. No such correspondence had been received by the Council. It was unanimously agreed that any registration renewal for Council land should be notified to residents via the Newsletter followed by a formal Resolution. Chairman to include in option in the next Newsletter. Clerk to add to Agenda.

446. Cllr Fuller offered to provide some marker paint for the Allotment Plot remeasuring; the Chairman thanked Cllr Fuller. 

446. No new Reports. The fault regarding the tree root trip hazard on the Village Green footpath was still pending, Ongoing.

447. Review of Roles & Responsibilities following Cllr Co-option; Projects for 2021/22 and DRAFT Precept & Budget; Renewal of Development Site Registration. Clerk to action. 

 

There being no more business, the Chairman closed the Meeting at 8.11pm. 

There were no Press or Public in attendance, so a Post Meeting Public Forum was not required.