September 2022
Minutes of the meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Thursday 8th September 2022
Present: Cllrs Charlton, K Palmer, K Manley, J Petch, A Vaughan and Parish Clerk L Davies.
In attendance: D Knibbs, J Lewis, K Lewis and A Cliffe.
Public Forum
1. Chairman’s Opening remarks
The Chairman passed on the sad news of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Second. Although a tragic event and she will be greatly mourned, he also saw it as a time to reflect on her wonderful service to the Country and the Commonwealth.
2. Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
No comments
Agenda
1. To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.
932. Colin Laing has resigned from the Parish Council for personal reasons. There are now vacancies for two Parish Councillors, open for co-option. The vacancies were to be promulgated. Cllr Palmer noted her partner may be interested.
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
933. None
3. To approve the Minutes of the last Council Meeting held on 17th August 2022 (All)
934. The previously circulated minutes of the meeting on the 17 August were unanimously approved.
4. Receive External & Community Group Updates:
4.1 County & District Council Reports – as available.
935. District Cllr R Dixon-Warren had passed on the following information.
There was an updated Rising Cost of Living SKDC Initial Response - information is to be made more widely available on ‘Cost of Living help and support’, specifically for those unable to access this via SKDC’s website at http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15901. There is also an investment boost for South Kesteven rural areas. The Rural England Prosperity Fund (the Rural Fund) will provide rural areas of South Kesteven with an extra £540,460 of Government capital funding to help meet specific needs and challenges. This is in addition to £3.9m already allocated through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. SKDC has until the end of November to submit specific capital projects to the Government for endorsement and seeks opinions from rural partners and businesses. Businesses that may be eligible include farms looking to diversify by opening a farm shop, wedding venue or tourism facilities.
4.2 Community Groups & Organisations – as available (NP; RGAG; Feast; HCS; VHMC; PCC; etc).
936. 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 informed that the Parish Council saw him as a suitable independent assessor. There will be a final six-week public consultation and eventually a local referendum on the Plan’s proposals.
937. RGAG. The AGM is being held on the 22nd of October at 10.30am in the Village Hall. This will include reviewing the RGAG’s future, with the current Treasurer resigning. There was a concern over tenanted land’s overgrown boundary strip being a fire risk. The Clerk was to contact the farmer on this matter. Following allotment clearance, 18 paving slabs were available, free for collection. Cllr Charlton to advertise.
938. Feast. Fund raising is getting more difficult in the current climate, but the small Committee of 5 are working towards a positive garage/car boot sale on the 8th of October. The Committee would welcome any volunteers to join the team.
939. HCS. The Hospital Car Service is running effectively.
940. VHMC. The Village Hall AGM is being held on the 27th of September at 7.30pm, details will be promulgated.
941. PCC. Recent vandalism in the Church resulted in closure when not in use. Following a reassessment of the situation the Church is again open daily. An evening open to all, to discuss the Church’s future status, with cheese and wine served, will be held on 19 October.
5 Parish Matters:
5.1 To consider progress with refurbishment of Village signs and extra JFP finger sign.
942. Phil Rippingale is progressing working on a redesign of the village sign. The Parish Council confirmed the positioning of the finger sign for SKDC.
5.2 To discuss the fencing around the play area at the Jubilee Playing Field.
943. Dogs were being taken into the fenced area, despite media promulgation against this. It was agreed to purchase and fit no dogs signs. The gates were being left open; it was agreed to purchase and fit gate self-closures.
5.3 To consider the progress in fundraising to replace the portacabin at Jubilee Playing Field.
944. Ongoing applications to Amazon Smile and Easy Fundraising are progressing; the Clerk is chasing NatWest to provide an up to date bank statement.
5.4 To review the tenders for hedge cutting contract 2022 (moved to closed session as commercial in confidence).
945. Environment SK and Glendale submitted quotes. Gary’s Trees will do so shortly. It was agreed to consider all quotes via email and decide on the chosen contractor.
5.5 To discuss maintenance and training of defibrillators.
946. The Clerk has organised replacement pads and batteries (£214 ex VAT). These will be fitted shortly. She will ensure the defibrillators are logged on the system and that regular monthly checks are undertaken and recorded. Battery life expiry has been diarised for replacement. The Council complimented and noted the Clerk’s efficient handing of this matter.
5.6 To discuss Remembrance wreath
947. The previously circulated wreath option was discussed and Type C with a donation of £30 was unanimously agreed. Clerk to action delivery to the Chairman’s address.
5.7 To discuss repairs to the Pinfold.
948. Nick Williams has now arranged repair with a builder associate. The Parish Council agreed to meet any costs. Cllr Palmer had been in touch with the Police to report vandalism to the Pinfold; they require all incidents reported to them to build a case and attend the site. CCTV will be considered in future if necessary.
5.8 To discuss planning applications.
S22/1715 – 16 High Street, Rippingale. Proposal for development of 9 additional properties.
949. Mr and Mrs Lewis had concerns over this development; they noted the land was used for a rural business but now proposed housing not in keeping with the village; they objected to the style and high density of the housing and the lack of starter homes on the site. They were wary that their house would be overlooked and the development was using an out of date map. Cllr Vaughan noted that the current sewage and drainage systems cannot cope with heavy rain; this development does not seem to have addressed further loading in the application. Other residents had raised similar concerns via email. All parties have been advised to contact SKDC. The Clerk is to forward relevant comments to SKDC.
6. Financial Matters:
6.1 Financial Reports:
i. FY 2022/23 Accounts to date & Approval of Expenditure (All).
950. After due consideration, the Council approved the following payments, bar the allotment maintenance, for D Knibbs, as this was agreed to be a 50/50 split not the full amount. Clerk to contact him to discuss.
Code Description Supplier Net VAT Total
Grass - JPF Annual Costs Environment SK Ltd £ 122.03 £ 24.41 £ 146.44
General Maintenance Clerk Expenses The Clerk £ 48.25 £ 9.65 £ 57.90
Grass - JPF Grass cutting Environment SK Ltd £ 122.03 £ 24.41 £ 146.44
Allotment - General Annual Costs D KNIBBS £ 100.00 £ - £ 100.00
Allotment - General Annual Costs RGAG Plot management £ 105.00 £ - £ 105.00
Printing Newsletter Warners Group £ 70.00 £ - £ 70.00
Defibrillators Annual Costs The Clerk £ 95.88 £ - £ 95.88
Defibrillators Annual Costs The Clerk £ 214.00 £ 42.80 £ 256.80
Grass - LCC Grass cutting Environment SK Ltd £ 64.97 £ 12.99 £ 77.96
Grass - LCC Grass cutting Environment SK Ltd £ 122.03 £ 24.41 £ 146.44
£1,064.19 £138.67 £1,202.86
7. To Receive any Urgent Reports.
951. For the next agenda, Relief Support, as this will need to be considered as the winter unfolds. Cllrs’ duties to be reviewed due to the loss of 2 Cllrs.
8. Public Forum. No comments.
Next meeting: General meeting – 13th October 2022 in the Village Hall.