November 2022
Minutes of the Meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Thursday 10th November 2022
Present: Cllrs C. Charlton (Chairman), Cllr A. Vaughan, Cllr J. Petch, Cllr K. Manley, Cllr B Ross and the Clerk L. Davies.
In Attendance: A Cliffe
There were no Press in attendance.
Public Forum
1. Chairman’s Opening remarks
974. A warm welcome on this damp evening to all in attendance on what is the last meeting of the year.
2. Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
975. A Cliffe raised that the Sunday night bingo in the village hall has stopped over the winter. The lunch club is being well received and is growing with each weekly event.
Agenda
1. To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.
976. Apologies from Cllr K Palmer and Cllr I Bruce; due to prior commitments they were unable to attend. Cllr R Warren-Dixon (SKDC) sent his apologies due to chairing another meeting in Haconby, but provided information for Rippingale.
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
977. None have been received.
3. 3.1 To approve the Minutes of the last Council Meeting held on 13th October 2022 (All)
978. The previously circulated minutes of the meeting on the 13th October were unanimously approved.
4. Receive External & Community Group Updates:
4.1 County & District Council Reports – as available.
979. Provided by District Councillor Cllr R Warren-Dixon
Cost of Living
SKDC’s Cost of Living Task Force continues to move forward to help those most affected by rising energy and household prices. A comprehensive infographic and a directory of phone numbers for those who don’t have internet access – or have difficulty working online – is being prepared for the next edition of SKToday, which goes into every home in the District. Details of help and support are at: www.southkesteven.gov.uk/costofliving
Parishes Policing Priority Setting Meetings Feedback Form
The latest Parishes Policing Priority Setting Meetings Feedback Form has been sent to all Parish and Town Councils in South Kesteven. This will be the third time this method of feedback has been used. The more Parish Councils engage in this process, the more focused Neighbourhood Policing Teams can be in tackling priorities. Identified forms should be completed and returned by email to the Safer Together Coordinator North and South Kesteven by Thursday 1 December 2022.
South Kesteven Local Plan
The South Kesteven Local Plan adopted in January 2020 commits the Council to undertake an early review of the Local Plan with submission to the Planning Inspectorate by the end of December 2023. The South Kesteven Local Development Scheme has been revised to ensure that the timetable for the Local Plan review is realistic and achievable. The revised timetable results in an overall delay of only 3 months with submission of the Local Plan expected in March 2024. The next stage of consultation will be on a draft version of the Local Plan in February/March 2023. The Local Plan review can be accessed via the revised Local Development Scheme (2022-2025) at: www.southkesteven.gov.uk/localplanreview
4.2 Community Groups & Organisations – as available (Neighbourhood Plan; RGAG; Feast; HCS; VHMC; PCC; etc).
980. NP – The SKDC sponsored consultation period on the proposed Rippingale Plan ended on the 7th November, there appear to have been no comments to the proposal. An independent inspector has been appointed to review the Plan and should report his findings by February 2023.
981. RGAG – No representative present, but the AGM was on the 22nd of October which Cllr Ross attended. The RGAG would like to revisit the possibility of a mains water supply. The meeting raised letting people from outside the village have plots, but as the land was purchased in trust for the use of Rippingale residents only, this is not possible. C Spinks has been making good progress tidying the vacant plots.
982. Feast – The car boot sale raised approx. £600 and was positively received by all, the Committee are considering another sale in the Spring, date to be confirmed. The Christmas light switch is on the 4th of December, details to follow. Planning is under way for the 2023 Feast.
983. HCS – Is running effectively and had 7 requests, 5 were completed, one was cancelled and for the other no driver was available. Recruitment is needed for more drivers. This will be added to the next Newsletter.
984. VMHC - As previously mentioned the Village Hall is running effectively and the lunch club is being well received by the community.
985. PCC – 100 people attended a community meeting on the future of the Church’s status and inputs were received. Another meeting on the 22nd of November plans to establish a support group of volunteers to enable the Church to retain its present status.
5. Parish Matters:
5.1 New Councillors to accept and sign acceptance to Parish Council.
986. Cllr B Ross accepted his offer and Cllr I Ross has confirmed via email he is happy to serve on the Rippingale Parish Council.
5.2 To consider progress with refurbishment of Village signs and extra JFP finger sign.
987. The refurbishment of the Village signs is still under way. It was resolved to purchase the finger sign, after consulting SKDC. Clerk to obtain dimensions and to purchase.
5.3 To consider the tendering for the Grass Cutting Contract 2023.
988. It was raised and agreed to bring forward the start date of the grass cutting to the beginning of March to meet early grass growth. The Clerk had interest from a few new contractors; tendering was to commence with the aim to complete no later than the 20th of December.
5.4 To consider the progress in fundraising to replace the portacabin at Jubilee Playing Field.
989. Application with the National Lottery unsuccessful. A Sport England application to be investigated. Bids to Tesco’s community scheme and the Ross Foundation are underway. An application to the SKDC Community Fund awaits a 3rd quote from a contractor. The Feast are also discussing the possibility of a donation towards the redevelopment.
5.5 To discuss Defibrillator product recall.
990. The Clerk has received information that one defibrillator is due a software update. The relevant company is to collect to action this, leaving one defibrillator in the village for that period.
5.6 To discuss allocation of Councillors to designated roles and responsibilities
991. Present roles to remain unchanged, Cllr Ross to take on Allotment supervision and Cllr Ross has agreed to be the Contacts supervisor.
6. Financial Matters:
6.1 Financial Reports:
i. FY 2022/23 Accounts to date & Approval of Expenditure (All)
992. After carefully reviewing the proposed payments the Council agreed the following payments, save that a query on D Knibbs’ invoice remained unresolved:
Code Date Description Supplier Net VAT Total
Allotment - General 08/09/2022 Annual Costs D KNIBBS £ 100.00 £ - £ 100.00
Grass - Village 10/11/2022 Grass cutting Environment SK Ltd £ 64.97 £12.99 £ 77.96
Clerk Mileage 10/11/2022 Clerk Expenses The Clerk £ 89.10 £ - £ 89.10
Office Costs 10/11/2022 Clerk Expenses The Clerk £ 105.00 £ - £ 105.00
Clerk Salary 10/11/2022 Clerk Salary The Clerk £ 505.05 £ - £ 505.05
Printing 10/11/2022 NewsletterWarners Group £ 70.00 £ - £ 70.00
General Maintenance10/11/2022Annual CostsWarners Group £ 45.00 £ - £ 45.00
Meetings 10/11/2022 Annual Costs Village Hall £ 10.00 £ - £ 10.00
Allotment - General 10/11/2022 Annual Costs RGAG Plot management £ 165.00 £ - £ 165.00
Total £1,154.12 £12.99 £1,167.11
ii. To discuss and review Draft Precept and Budget 2023/2024
993. Income from the draft Precept charge to remain unchanged, with allotment and land rent income and minor LCC and SKDC contributions factored in. It was seen that the Budget met the Council financial obligations for next year with a 3% uplift factored in regarding the Clerk’s salary and administration (32%), general maintenance (39%) and necessary contracts for grass cutting and hedge work (25%). Contingency was factored in and the remainder of the proposed budget supported the projects for Pavilion replacement and possibly a mains water supply to the allotments. The Budget envisaged general reserves of £8,626 at year end 31 March 2024. Councillor Petch saw that rising inflation would be a challenge for the coming year; the Council agreed and that close monitoring would be required. The draft Budget would be revisited for approval at the next meeting.
7. To Receive any Urgent Reports.
994. None.
8. Public Forum.
995. None.
Next meeting: Meeting Next Year Precept & Budget Approval Tuesday 10th January 2023 – Village Hall.
L Davies C Charlton
Clerk Chairman
10 January 2023