January 2022
APPROVED Minutes
Rippingale Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Thursday 13th January 2022
Present: Cllrs C. Charlton (Chairman), J. Petch, A. Vaughan, J. Howard & Parish Clerk L Davies
In Attendance: Angela Adams, Lawrence Pancutt & David Knibbs
There were no Press in attendance.
Public Forum
1. Chairman’s Opening remarks.
All were welcomed to the meeting after the long Christmas break.
2. Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
The Chairman closed the Public Forum and opened the Council Meeting at 7.05pm
Agenda
1. To receive Apologies for Absence
774 Cllr C Laing and Cllr K Palmer, sent their apologies due to Covid precautions they were isolating.
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
775. There was no new Declarations of Interest to be recorded.
3. To approve the Minutes of the last meeting held on 11th November 2021 (All).
776. The previously circulated draft minutes from the meeting of the meeting 11th November 2021 minutes were considered and the Council unanimously resolved to accept them.
4. Receive External & Community Group Updates:
4.1 County & District Council Reports – as available
777. As promulgated to the residents, the County Council have emailed to advise their budget is under strain due to shortfalls in Government allocation, especially in the adult social care sector, therefore the CC propose an increase of 3% in Council Tax is proposed to fund adult social care. The point was raised by all councillors that there is little option and they decided to support the proposal, with the hope the money raised is directed at Adult Social Care. Clerk to respond.
4.2 Community Groups & Organisations
778. Neighbourhood Plan – Cllr Charlton - Ongoing consultation delayed by SKDC recent late return. This will be review alongside by Historic England, Natural England, the Environment Agency and the Lincolnshire Nature Partnership comments . Cllr Charlton will update the Plans and liaise with the consultant prior to the next meeting. It is felt that the completed Plans adoption will not be finalised before the end of the financial year.
779. RGAG – Nothing to raise but B Flatters has requested to continue on his remaining plot. Clerk will make contact.
780. Feast – The Feast intends to change the date of the Feast to the 3-5 June to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee. There have been 2 Committee meetings recently. There are plans for a dog show on the Friday 3rd June, with a parade on the Saturday 4th June, followed by the main event on the Jubilee Playing Field. Fundraising activities are under way, with a Quiz happening on 23rd April. Budget will be provided. The February Newsletter will update to residents.
781. HCS – After many years of valuable and dedicated service Derek Diess has decided to retire as HCS coordinator. He has agreed to remain in the post until a suitable replacement is found. Recruitment will commence via the Newsletter.
782. VHMC – The Hall is functioning and taking a steady booking for events.
783. PCC – Nil
5. Parish Matters:
5.1 To consider and review revised meeting dates for 2022.
784. No objections raised, Clerk to updated website and provide a copy for the notice board. Dates affected are, April, May, June and August moving to the first Thursday in the month.
5.2. To consider Grass Cutting Tender 2022, including Safety Cut.
785. Due to Christmas, staffing changes and Covid, the Clerk has not received all tenders back yet, these will be chased up to be ready for February’s meeting.
5.3 To consider S21/2504 T1 Oak Tree – reduce 2 limbs as annotated by approx. 2m due to being over extended and recently had a small limb fail, 9 Wendover Close, Rippingale, PE10 0TQ.
786. Councillors have visited site and have no concerns to raise. Clerk to advise SKDC no objections
5.4 To consider Newsletter Front page rotation.
787. Historically rotation of main contributors on the front page was on 3-month cycle, but preference has recently been given to the Parish Council. The Editor was of the opinion that at certain times, events such as the Feast should have priority, to ensure effective promulgation of important information. Councillors agreed this.
5.5 To review allotment contract
5.5.1 Ponds adding to agreement.
5.5.2 Bee Hives adding to the agreement
788. Amendments to the contract to allow bee hives and ponds on the allotments were agreed on a case by case basis but requests to retain historical features are to be sent in writing to the Council for approval.
5.5.3 To consider increase on cost per square metre.
789. After reviewing the National allotment guidelines, the national rate is 15p per square metre. It was agreed that no increase was required, to remain at 14p per square metre.
5.6 To consider Newsletter distribution team volunteers’ recompense.
790. Council agreed that the distribution team provide a good service to the Village and that a £10 per volunteer gift card would be acceptable. Clerk to arrange One4all for 11 volunteers and to post to Cllr Petch for distribution.
5.7. To consider Flood Prevention Offer from SKDC.
791. It was agreed to decline the offer, as the offer was for sand and empty sandbags, which are already in place for the Village due to historical flooding. Clerk to write back to SKDC.
5.8 To consider Platinum Jubilee Preparations.
792. The Feast community group will provide the main celebration. Councillors discussed replacing 2 benches within the Village, as they are showing signs of wear and replacement would be a practical and appropriate way of marking the occasion of the Queen’s 70 years on the throne. A proposal would be put in place for next meeting.
5.9 To consider Councillor roles.
793. Cllr Laing will take over the role of liaison with the Feast Committee. Clerk to update and distribute as required.
Financial Matters:
6.1 FY2021/22 (Accounts to Date & Approval of Expenditure).
6.1.1 Environmental SK to credit invoice 1907, £393.67, as a gesture of good will, due to poor performance.
794. Awaiting credit note for accounts. Clerk to chase
6.1.2 Data Protection payment due 21.02.22 on Direct Debit.
795. Agreed.
6.1.3 To consider renewal of Scribe 2022.
796. Clerk is happy with the system and continues on line training; it has great functionality which she can draw upon. Cost is £288 per year. Renewal agreed by Councillors.
797. Payments, which included the Clerk’s salary, Newsletter printing and Microsoft renewal, were considered and approved. To be paid via online banking.
6.2 Financial Reports 2021/2022.
798. As reported previously, the end of year projection is favourable, with less spend on the Clerk’s salary and lower project costs. The Clerk and the Chairman have been liaising over the reconciliation of Scribe accounts and the bank account and are satisfied an acceptable record is in place. .
6.3 To review DRAFT FY2022/2023 Budget & Consider Precept & Projects (All)
799. The Precept to remain unchanged as in previous years, as this income is seen as sufficient. VAT reclaim to be lowered as spend for next year will not be on a scale of previous years. The project line was set at £10,000 to meet development and replacement needs. The Council’s finances at Year End 2023 were also to have built in contingency funds to meet possible additional requirements, with a resultant working surplus. The Budget was approved by the Council. The Chairman is looking into grant applications and the use money raising platforms such as Amazon Smile, by which purchases via Amazon can accrue income to the Jubilee Playing Field Trust Fund and , similarly via Easy Fund Raising with such firms as John Lewis and Marks & Spencer.
6.3.1 Fencing around play area at Jubilee Playing Field
800. Investigations into costs continue.
6.3.2 To replace portacabin at Jubilee Playing Field.
801. The need to purchase a replacement building was raised, as it only seemed required for storage. The Chairman noted this and he agreed to raise a justification case, to include wider use, once costs were known as the present unit is rapidly becoming unfit for task.
7. Admin Matters
7.1 Clerk Report & Correspondence.
802. Covered in meeting.
8. To Receive any Urgent Reports.
803. None
9. Items for Inclusion on next Meeting Agenda.
804. Cllr Petch noted that in the past new Village signs were being considered; the Chairman confirmed this and was to chase the production of a proposed upgrade.
Next Meeting: Parish Council Meeting Thursday 10th February 2022 in Village Hall at 7.00pm