April 2022
Rippingale Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 12th April 2022
Present: Cllrs C. Charlton (Chairman), J. Petch, & Parish Clerk L Davies
In Attendance: District Cllr R. Dixon-Warren, Dawn Clipston, Wendy Gray, Antony Cliffe, Laurie Parncutt, Jonathan Newell & Derek Diess.
There were no Press in attendance.
Public Forum
1. Chairman’s Opening remarks.
All were welcomed to the meeting, with a mention that Cllr Richard Dixon-Warren was attending his first meeting since being appointed as the Ward’s District Councillor. The Chairman then advised that due to the confidential nature of one agenda item it would be appropriate to go into closed session at the end of the meeting, subject to Councillors’ agreement
2. Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
Raised by Wendy Gray, the issue of dog fouling, seems to be on the increase again. The Chairman agreed to look into a waste bin on East Street.
Dawn Clipston, raised issues on the re surfaced Station Street to East Street public footpath, while the surface has improved it seems uneven in places. Additionally at two points it dips, causing potential trip hazards and ponding spots. Abreast the Pinfold Close properties the path has been raised and the public are now able to look into the rear of the properties and gardens. This was agreed by Jonathan Newell; he also highlighted his fencing and gravel boards have now been partly buried by the resurfacing, which in the long term will lead to rot and early replacement. The Chairman agreed to pass on the contact details of the County Council footpath officer to allow the residents’ dissatisfaction to be aired and hopefully rectified.
Laurie Parcutt welcomed Cllr Richard Dixon-Warren to office and offered his wishes for a speedy recovery to Cllr Vaughan.
The Chairman closed the Public Forum and opened the session at 7.18pm
Agenda
1. To receive Apologies for Absence
845 Cllr J Howard, Cllr K Manley, Cllr K Palmer, Cllr Laing and Cllr A Vaughan sent apologies; due to personal reasons they were unable to attend.
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
846. There was no new Declarations of Interest to be recorded.
3. To approve the Minutes of the last meeting held on 10th March 2022 (All).
847. The previously circulated draft minutes from the meeting of the meeting 10th March 2022 were considered and the Council unanimously resolved to accept them.
4. Receive External & Community Group Updates:
4.1 County & District Council Reports – as available
848. Cllr R Dixon-Warren detailed that District Council’s 2022-23 budget had been approved, to see an increase of £5 a year in the Council Tax bill for the average Band D property (around 9.5p per week). This will enable important services expected by residents (including refuse collection, street cleaning and CCTV) to run smoothly and also help offset costs of longer-term projects across the district. He highlighted Ukraine and that South Kesteven District Council stands ready to do its part. "All council leaders in Lincolnshire stand with the people of Ukraine at this terrible and deeply worrying time”. Plans are in place to welcome any Ukraine refugees who seek safety in Lincolnshire. With regard to Fly tipping: a man who dumped waste at the roadside in Grantham has been sentenced to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work following a prosecution by SKDC.
4.2 Community Groups & Organisations
849. Neighbourhood Plan – Cllr Charlton – Regulation 16 documents are still with the Consultant but due to the Consultant suffering with Covid, final drafting is running 3 weeks behind but should be completed.by the next meeting.
850. RGAG – Wendy Gray on behalf of the RGAG, would like another walk around to assess the plots upkeep and highlight work that is required to vacant plots. A concern was raised regarding potential falling tree damage to cars parking in the adjacent layby; the Chairman highlighted that it would be the landowners’ responsibility for any incident. A poly tunnel, that had blown over to Shaun Charlton’s field was recovered. Annual allotment agreements have been sent out.
851. Feast – the Committee are making steady progress on the preparations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend, portaloos, children’s entertainment for example are booked, the skeleton for the event was in place and detail fleshed out. Stall holders are booking steadily. Quiz night is 23rd April, currently 7 tables of 4 have been booked.
852. HCS –D Diess – working at a steady pace. Replacement for the coordinator is under way. The Chairman agreed to re-advertise the position in the May Newsletter.
853. VHMC – The Hall is functioning and taking steady bookings for events. New Stage curtains should be completed by the end of May.
854. PCC – Nil
5. Parish Matters:
5.1 To consider New Village Signs
856. This is with Phil Rippingale, working on the design and costs to renovate the existing signs.
5.2 To consider and resolve the changes to May’s meeting date.
857. It has been confirmed that the Church will be able to host the next parish council meeting on the 5th May. Action Clerk to update the Website.
5.3 To consider the erection of the fencing around the play area at the Jubilee Playing Field
858. Clerk has placed the order; the current lead time is the end of June/begin of July. The fence will be 3 sided using the hedge to enclose the site, it will not include the fitness equipment. Action. Clerk to contact contractor to ensure that the work is completed by the beginning of the school summer holidays.
5.4 To consider the progress in fundraising to replace the portacabin at the Jubilee Playing Field.
859. The Chairman has started the process of applying for funding, applications to include SKDC. This is ongoing.
5.5. To review internal Audit
860. This has been completed, need to chase up with internal auditor for the AGAR. Action. Clerk to contact the internal Auditor.
5.6. To review the progress with the purchase of the Jubilee Benches.
861. The delivery of the benches is scheduled for the 25th April, to the Chair’s house. Groundwork to remove the old benches and replace with new is to be investigated and in place by 5 June.
5.7 To consider and resolve the continuation of the “No Dogs” area at the Jubilee Playing Field.
862. The overall response to allowing dogs on the JPF was positive, out of the 34 communications, 20 were for allowing dogs access to the playing field. Additionally, three absent Cllrs were supportive. A concern was raised regarding dog waste not being picked up; it was discussed having additional dog waste bins to be placed on site, possibly by the main and East Street entrances. Additionally, dog safety signs would also be warranted. The Cllrs resolved that once the fencing was complete around the play equipment, that a trial period will be undertaken for 6 months, to allow dogs access to the field, in order to gauge the safety of dogs being on the playing fields. If successful, a dog free order would be applied for the play area. Action. Procure and fit two dog waste bins and necessary signage.
5.8 To review planning application.
5.8.1 S22/0607 – Change of use of agricultural building to dwelling. Location Jessops Barn, West of A15, Rippingale.
863. No objections raised, but it was highlighted that there are objections from the fire authority and that a previous application had been rejected.
5.9 To consider and resolve the allocation of the Community Chest.
864. The community chest, of £542-17p, held within Parish accounts, was established in 2012, as a result of surplus fund raising at the last Queen’s Jubilee. It is unused since then. It was proposed and seen appropriate to use these funds to support the purchase of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Benches. The Chairman was to highlight this for comment in the Newsletter.
6. Financial Matters:
6.1 FY2021/22 (Accounts to Date & Approval of Expenditure – All).
865. The Council approved payments for the Clerk’s salary and routine items, such as Newsletter printing costs and HCS costs. Grass cutting invoice 2184 remains in query.
6.2 To review end of year and AGAR
866. Email regarding the AGAR has been received today. Action. Clerk to read and action necessary administrative actions.
6.3 Financial Reports 2021/2022
867. Clerk has been advised by NatWest, that the bank mobile app can process cheques without the need to attend the bank, Clerk requested to download this and use. Approved by Council.
7. Admin Matters
7.1 Clerk Report & Correspondence.
868. Covered in the meeting
8. To Receive any Urgent Reports.
869. A request has been received from the Rippingale and District WI to plant a tree to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, Cllrs agreed to the idea and it was felt the Green was most suitable location. Action: Chairman to meet WI to agree position and tree type.
870. It had been highlighted that there is no road signage from the Billingborough Road up Station Street to Pinfold Close for the Jubilee Playing Feld. Action Clerk to cost up signage.
9. Items for Inclusion on next Meeting Agenda. None
10. Closed Session. Due to the confidential nature of the following item the Council resolved to move into closed session. There were no comments from the Public on the meeting, and they left.
10.1 To consider and resolve the Jubilee Playing Field play equipment maintenance tenders.
871. HAGS and Online Playgrounds has submitted tenders for the works; it evident that Online Playgrounds had delivered a safety focussed, applicable repair option at a cost of £3112.90+VAT, whereas HAGS had forwarded, despite guidance, a broad non-specific maintenance option to cost £5223.78+VAT. It was resolved that Online Playgrounds be awarded the contract. Action Clerk to award work to Online Playgrounds.
Next Meeting: Parish Council Meeting 5th May 2022 in St Andrew’s Church at 7.00pm
Laura Davies Chris Charlton
Parish Clerk Chairman
27 April 2022