August 2022
Minutes of the meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 17 th
August 2022.
Present: Cllrs Charlton, K Palmer, K Manley, J Petch and Parish Clerk L Davies.
In attendance: Cllr R Dixon-Warren (SKDC), Cllr M Hill (LCC), W. Grey and A Cliffe.
Public Forum
1. Chairman’s Opening remarks
913. Attendees were welcomed to a very cooler meeting and he noted that much needed rain
had recently fallen.
2. Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
914. Wendy Grey highlighted that some residents had commented to her that the pavement on
the Dovecote was repaired and resurfaced on Monday, but areas where holes had been filled and
then resurfaced are starting to sink. This was deemed to be unacceptable. Cllr M Hill (LCC)
agreed to investigate this and contact the relevant department for rectification.
Agenda
1. To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.
915. The Chairman highlighted that Cllr Waterson-Read has been absent from meetings for 6
months. He stated that in accordance with Government regulations she is thus automatically
relieved of her Parish Councillor duties. The Chairman was to communicate this to her in writing.
Apologies have been received from Cllr A Vaughan and Cllr C Laing; for personal reasons they
have been unable to attend.
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
916. None received.
3. To approve the Minutes of the last Council Meeting held on 21 st July 2022 (All)
917. The previously circulated minutes of the meeting on the 21 st July were unanimously
approved.
4. Receive External & Community Group Updates:
4.1 County & District Council Reports – as available.
918. Cllr R Dixon-Warren (SKDC) highlighted the £150 Council Tax Rebate for energy costs
relief had been positively received and the roll out seems effectively carried out. During Anti-
Social Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week #TeamSK supported extra Police patrols in
Bourne, Stamford and the Deepings focusing on keeping everyone safe. He noted the next
Neighbourhood Policing Priorities meeting is on 7 September. Parish priorities should be
sent to the ‘Safer Together’ Team by 6 September. The Chairman highlighted there had
been minor vandalism in the Village, which Cllr Palmer was reporting to the Bourne
Neighbourhood Policing Team. Cllr Dixon-Warren then promulgated that a new free app
called HelloSK was available from InvestSK to promote local discounts, products and
services from businesses across the District. It is being embraced within the business
community, who post offers and information to ping individuals’ i phones when they pass
premises. The app is supported by SKDC’s £250,000 allocation from the Government’s
‘Welcome Back Fund’ and gives all businesses a free profile to promote their services
directly to residents. Downloading the app and encouraging family and friends to do the
same it is hoped will help support the High Street. See Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=unicom.hellosk&gl=GB .
And App store: https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/hellosk/id1616982353
Businesses wishing to sign up for HelloSK should go to: https://join.hellosk.co.uk
919. Cllr M Hill (LCC) highlighted the long hot summer had resulted in various field fires. The
welcomed rain had brought localised flooding in the county, Pinchbeck and Market Rasen
had been affected. He noted the issue raised regarding the perceived lack of an additional
drop kerb at the top of Middle Street, but agreed with the Highways Department that to place
a drop kerb right on the junction would be create a hazard. There were alternative drop curbs
available. Discussion resulted in him agreeing to investigate removing what is seen as an
unnecessary single drop kerb on the opposite side.
4.2 Community Groups & Organisations – as available (NP; RGAG; Feast; HCS; VHMC; PCC;
etc).
920. Neighbourhood Plan. – The Chairman highlighted that the Parish Council had
completed all Regulation 16 requirements. SKDC had nearly completed their checks and
were taking forward the final formal 6 week Village consultation process, hopefully from 1
September 2022, on the proposed plan. This will include a dedicated web site, for which a
link will be provided. This will be followed by an official review by an independent inspector
prior to a Village referendum.
921. RGAG. David Knibbs sent apologies for absence; the Parish thanked him for his
support and the use of a digger to assist the Parish contractor clear vacant plots.
922. Feast – AGM was successful with the Jubilee celebrations creating a healthy £850
surplus to put towards a village project, which is under discussion. The Committee remained
unchanged but were hopeful of prospective new committee members confirming their roles.
There will be Feast sponsored car boot & garage sale on Saturday 8 October 2022.
923. HCS – 3 trips have been undertaken and the Scheme seems to be working steadily
under the new coordinator’s management.
924. VHMC – Wendy Grey highlighted the ended of the financial was 31 July, with accounts
still to be audited. The AGM is planned for a date to be confirmed in September. She
underlined that the last year’s income has been around £9700, with expenses of
approximately of £12400, including meeting new boiler, curtains, and step refurbishment
costs. Bank funds were stated to be as £49,983, a most advantageous position mainly due to
Government grants.
5. Parish Matters
5.1 To consider progress with refurbishment of Village signs and extra JFP finger sign.
925. Phil Rippingale has assessed the present Village signs, traced the current form and will
be undertaken the necessary artwork to produce an updated style. Finger sign: contact has
been made with SKDC for permission to place a finger sign on the current street signpost,
awaiting response. Action Clerk to chase.
5.1
5.2 To discuss the fencing around the play area at the Jubilee Playing Field.
926. The minor repairs have been completed. The gates into the area are being shut and the
dog waste bins are being used.
5.3 To consider the progress in fundraising to replace the portacabin at Jubilee Playing Field.
927. Amazon Smile application is under way, awaiting JPF bank account details. Applications
for grants are under way.
5.4 To review the tenders for hedge cutting contract 2022 (to be moved to closed session as
commercial in confidence).
928. Awaiting Tenders – Action Clerk to chase
5.5 To discuss the maintenance of and training for defibrillators.
929. The defibrillators are currently out of action, with a dead battery on one and the other
having out of date pads. The Clerk and Cllr Palmer were to recover the spare equipment and
the Clerk to order replacements.
6. Financial Matters:
6.1 Financial Reports:
i. FY 2022/23 Accounts to date & Approval of Expenditure (All)
930.
Supplier Net VAT Total
Grass - JPF Environment SK Ltd £122.03 £24.41 £146.44
Allotment -
General
RGAG Plot
management
£ 232.50 £ - £232.50
Meetings Village Hall £ 10.00 £ - £ 10.00
Clerk Mileage The Clerk £ 64.80 £ - £ 64.80
Grass - JPF Environment SK Ltd £ 122.03 £ 24.41 £ 146.44
Grass - LCC Environment SK Ltd £ 64.97 £ 12.99 £ 77.96
Grass - LCC Environment SK Ltd £ 154.18 £ 30.84 £ 185.02
Grass - LCC Environment SK Ltd £ 122.03 £ 24.41 £ 146.44
Clerk Salary The Clerk £ 505.05 £ - £ 505.05
Clerk Salary HMRC £ 22.76 £ - £ 22.76
Total £1,420.35 £117.06 £1,537.41
7. To Receive any Urgent Reports.
931. Vandalism is occurring on the Pinfold wall, repair work by Nick Williams is unsustainable.
Possible CCTV coverage of the area is to be investigated. Cllr Palmer to liaise with Police
regarding incidents. Action Clerk to investigate previous contractor for proper repair.
8. Public Forum.
Next meeting: General meeting – 8 th September 2022 in the Village Hall.