July 2022
UNAPPROVED
Minutes of the meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Thursday 21st July 2022.
Present: Cllrs. C. Charlton, A.Vaughan, K Manley and Parish Clerk L. Davies
In Attendance: W.Grey and A Cliffe
Public Forum
1. Chairman’s Opening remarks
A warm welcome was given to Cllr Vaughan after his absence. The meeting was not at quorum, so no decisions could be made this evening.
2. Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
Wendy Grey reported that some holes remain in the Dovecot pavement after she tripped on one. It appears the repair crew were not correctly directed to fill all holes. Wendy was advised to report the problem again on LCC’s highways report a fault.
Agenda
1. To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.
894. Apologies received from Cllr Waterson-Read, Cllr Petch, Cllr Palmer and Cllr Laing; due to work commitments they were unable to attend.
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
895. None
3. To approve the Minutes of the last Council Meeting held on 16th June 2022 (All)
896. The previously circulated minutes of the meeting on the 16th of June were unanimously approved.
4. Receive External & Community Group Updates:
4.1 County & District Council Reports – as available.
897. The Chairman reported on an email received from Cllr Dixon – Warren SKDC:
Anti-social Behaviour Week. A series of extra patrols have been organised in South Kesteven 18-24 July in National ASB Awareness Week as part of a national campaign dedicated to tackling anti-social behaviour. #TeamSK, along with other agencies, is supporting the week of action to tackle the blight of ASB. PCSOs and Neighbourhood Officers from #TeamSK will be on patrol in ASB hotspots in Grantham, Stamford, Bourne and Deepings from Monday to Thursday. Social media updates on https://twitter.com/southkesteven and https://www.facebook.com/southkdc.
£150 Energy Rebate. Progress on £150 rebate payments administered by SKDC to help residents deal with rising energy prices. To date 92% of all Direct Debit payers have been paid (39,000 payments). The remaining 8% are being reviewed as there are mismatches between the Council Tax account and the customer’s bank accounts. If these cannot be resolved, customers will be paid as are those who do not pay their Council Tax by Direct Debit (some 22,000 customers) using vouchers issued by Post Office Counters. A letter to all those concerned follows.
Covid-19. Covid-19 is on the rise again. Lincolnshire’s public health team estimates that some 25,000 people across the county now have coronavirus. The rate of infection last week stood at around 200 cases per 100,000, compared with 50 per 100,000 at the end of May. SKDC continues to advise caution both for those who become ill and for staff at work, where basic hygiene is still the best form of defence. The Government still offers general advice about simple things that can be done to help reduce the spread of Covid and protect those at highest risk.
4.2 Community Groups & Organisations – as available (NP; RGAG; Feast; HCS; VHMC; PCC; etc).
898. Neighbourhood Plan- SKDC have received all necessary Regulation 16 documents, required for formal inspection by SKDC and the Independent Assessor. An experienced Assessor has been recommended by SKDC, who has a vast familiarity inspecting Neighbourhood Plans. No objections were raised against him and SKDC were to be informed that the Council saw him as a suitable independent assessor. Action – Cllr Charlton to Inform SKDC.
899. RGAG no members present.
900. Feast AGM is being held on the 2nd August, in the Church, all are welcome.
901. HCS – A new coordinator has been appointed, Chris Ross. The Council wished her luck in her new role and looked forward to working together.
902. VHMC – Parties are coming in steadily. Bingo is on Friday and Sunday evenings. There is a Comedy Night on the 24th September, at £10 per ticket. Yoga has stopped for the Summer and plans for Christmas are starting to take shape. AGM is planned for the end of August beginning of September, which will be promulgated. It was hoped that new Committee members would come forward.
903. PCC – No representation.
5. Parish Matters:
5.1 To consider progress with refurbishment of Village signs and extra finger signs.
904. No progress on the village signs. The extra playing field finger sign for the JPF, it was discussed instead of a new sign, it may be possible to place a finger sign under the Pinfold Close Street road sign. Action – Clerk to contact SKDC.
5.2 To discuss the erection of the fencing around the play area at the Jubilee Playing Field and associated signage and dog waste bins.
905. The children’s play area fencing is up, unfortunately due to the location of the goal posts, damage has happened to the fence, where footballs have been kicked against the fence. Investigation needs to be undertaken to possibly remove the goal posts. Also, the gates into the play area are being left open and are not self-closing. Dog Waste bins are in place and positively seem to be in use, the Summer shall see if this continues to happen. Action – Clerk to contact contractor to discuss revised fencing options.
5.3 To review application to SKDC for no dogs’ access order in the enclosed children’s play equipment area.
906. Application to SKDC for a no dogs’ access order applications not allowed until October 2023. Action - Clerk to diaresis application.
5.4 To consider the progress in fundraising to replace the portacabin at the Jubilee Playing Field.
907. Consultation received via a Newsletter article has revealed that for some residents the proposed pavilion is not seen as large enough, requiring a bigger social area and an enclosed veranda. These points will be factored into the final statement of requirement. Grants continue to be applied for.
5.5 To discuss maintenance of the play and fitness equipment.
908. Repairs and refurbishment have been actioned to a good standard, and the equipment safety is improved. It is planned to refurbish the toddler play equipment in 2023.
5.6 To review requirement to tender for hedge cutting contract 2022.
909. Clerk to prepare and action the tender for the Hedge Cutting contract for 2022. To invite the following contractors; Glendale, Gary’s Gardens, Baytham Trees and Environment SK. Action - Clerk to contact contractors.
5.7 To review planning applications - note that S22/0915 - change of use of 2 agricultural buildings to form 2 dwellings, including building works, Drove Road, Rippingale Fen Farm- approved conditionally.
910. Also noted that S22/1052 - The Old School, 20 High Street, conversion of attic space to offices approved conditionally.
911. S22/1280 – Barn conversion into single storey residence at 110 Station Street. It was noted that this is a listed building, so the physical and visual aspects of the building would remain unchanged; no objections raised.
6. Financial Matters:
6.1 To confirm internal audit 2021/2022 and discuss AGAR 2021/2022 as appropriate.
911. The internal audit raised an issue that better clarity was required in detailing expenditure undertaken. Action – Clerk to undertake necessary website and minutes postings.
6.2 Financial Reports:
i. FY 2022/23 Accounts to date & Approval of Expenditure (All)
912. The following payments were listed for payment.
Supplier Net VAT Total
Grass - JPF Cutting Environment SK Ltd £ 146.44
Grass - Village - Cutting Environment SK Ltd £ 331.45
Equipment Maintenance - JPF equipment FLP Outdoor Play Solutions £3,567.48
General Maintenance - Dog Bins fixings £ 30.42
Internal Audit £ 92.60
Printing Warners Group £ 70.00
Clerk Salary Rippingale Parish Council £ 505.05
Meetings Village Hall £ 10.00
General Maintenance (JPF) S D Cox Fencing £3,071.80
Tota; £7,825.24
7. To Receive any Urgent Reports.
913. 4th August meeting to be moved. Clerk to check availability
8. Public Forum.
914. No comments.
Next meeting: General meeting –TBC