May 2022
APPROVED
Minutes of the meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in St Andrew’s Church on Thursday 5 May 2022.
Present: Cllrs. C. Charlton, J. Petch, C. Laing, K. Palmer and Parish Clerk L. Davies
In Attendance: Laurie Parncutt & Derek Diess.
1. Chairman’s Opening remarks
All were welcomed to St Andrew’s Church, held there due to a booking issue; June’s meeting will return to the Village Hall.
2. Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
Raised by Laurie Parncutt, the issue of HGVs using Station Street. It was clear that at certain times HGVs seem to frequent Station Street, normally accessing Rippingale Fen. They could seem obtrusive but it would require survey by LCC Highways to ascertain if this was a problem requiring remedial action, such as weight restrictions. Past surveys have not found this.
Agenda
1. To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.
872. Apologies for personal reasons from Cllrs Vaughan and Cllr Manley. Cllr Howard was also absent. Cllr Dixon-Warren sent his apologies, but reported nothing to raise at this point.
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
873. There was no new Declarations of Interest to be recorded.
3. To approve the Minutes of the last meeting held on 12 April 2022 (All).
874. The previously circulated draft minutes from the meeting on the 12th of April 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.
875. None have been issued
4.2 Community Groups & Organisations – as available (NP; RGAG; Feast; HCS; VHMC; PCC; etc).
876. Neighbourhood Plan – Cllr Charlton – The draft Plan has now been updated by the consultant with SKDC’s Regulation 14 consultation comments. Work continues with compiling the three Regulation 16 documents; the basic conditions statement is complete and it is hoped that the final two will be finalised by the end of the month, allowing SKDC to receive all relevant material and commence the Government Inspection process, followed by a further 6-week public consultation period, prior to a local referendum.
877. RGAG – No representative present but allotments under discussion on 5.7
878. Feast – The Feast Committee is now having weekly meetings, with the Platinum Jubilee events some 4 weeks away, 2- 5 June. The programme has been finalised and an events booklet has been distributed to all households. The beacon lighting is going ahead on 2 June and a Health & Safety risk assessment will be undertaken. The Quiz night was successful with 42 people in attendance and raised £280.00. The Bull Inn has applied for a temporary alcohol from SKDC to serve drinks on the playing field. Cllr Palmer had requested a Police presence on the main day 4 June, for liaison purposes but such is their workload, this is not feasible.
879. The Hospital Car Service - Nicely ticking over, but the Council is still actively recruiting a replacement coordinator. Cllr Laing asked what is involved, as it might be viable that he would in the future be able to coordinate the role. As Derek Diess advised, it all depends on what comes in, some days there are calls and others nothing. It is very dependent on need.
880. VHMC – No representative, but Antony Cliffe had advised bookings coming in steadily and that the website was being revised and updated.
881. PCC – No representative, but there had been the AGM recently and there was planned to be a public meeting in the future, to discuss the future status of the Parishes and what religious services may be retained.
5. Parish Matters:
5.1 To consider Jubilee Playing Field play equipment maintenance programme.
882. Online Playgrounds had been awarded the maintenance work and advised a 6-8 weeks lead time prior to work commencing Action – Clerk to chase for actual date to ensure the public can be made aware.
5.2 To consider progress with refurbishment of Village signs and extra finger signs to JPF.
883. No new information, to remain an open item.
5.3 To consider progress of erection of fencing around play area at JPF.
883. Contractor has confirmed that erection will commence end of June. Action – Clerk to chase for actual date.
5.4 To consider and resolve purchase of additional dog waste bins and signage at JPF.
884. To supply and install 2 x dog waste bins and relevant signs would cost £466+VAT. Detailed discussion highlighted the necessity to buy and fit these items, prior to the 6-month trial to allow dogs on the JPF, once fencing around the play equipment was installed. The Council resolved to purchase and fit the bins and signage. Action – Clerk to order bins and signage.
5.5 To consider progress with grant applications to replace portacabin at JPF.
885. This is an ongoing process; as the Chair now has the end of year and next year’s financial detail, he can commence completing various applications to fund granting institutions.
5.6 To consider Jubilee Benches progress.
889. Benches have been received and erected by local handy man Billy Walker at a fitting cost of £60.
5.7 To review and resolve measures for allotment maintenance.
890. Due to the uncertainty and upheaval generated by the COVID situation, some plots have been vacated and become overgrown. It was discussed with our current casual maintenance contractor (Roofrite) if they would be able to take on the clearance work; due to other commitments in the Village they declined the offer. A meeting was therefore held between Cllr Charlton, David Knibbs RGAG Chairman and Wendy Gray RGAG Secretary, with Cliff Spinks, Rippingale Grounds Maintenance. They found 8 plots required to be cleared, including plot 8, which due to historical water logging issues will be grassed over. Mr Spinks agreed to undertake the work at an hourly rate of £15, allowing up to 2 hours per plot, on a casual work contract. The Council saw this as appropriate and resolved to engage Mr Spinks on these terms. Action – Clerk to engage Mr Spinks.
5.8 To review and resolve Women’s Institute Queen’s Jubilee tree planting request.
891. Cllr Charlton met with the Rippingale and District Women’s Institute on the Green to discuss a proposed planting. It was seen there is a gap in the canopy, with space for a new tree. The proposed tree is be a maple, the emblem of the WI. The tree should be planted in August, supplied by Aveland Trees. It was thought that the tree would come under the Parish tree maintenance regime. The Councillors agreed with these proposals and resolved to allow the tree to be planted accordingly.
5.9 To consider and resolve the allocation of the Community Chest.
892. The intention to use the Community Chest funds to support the purchase of the Platinum Jubilee Benches was detailed in May’s Newsletter. No comments were received. Therefore, the Council resolved that these funds be transferred to offset the cost of the Platinum Jubilee benches.
6. Financial Matters:
6.1 FY 2021/22: to consider and resolve the progress with the external audit: Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2021/2022.
893. The Council had been provided with the relevant available sections of the AGAR to review, including a certificate of exception from external audit (as income or expenditure did not exceed £25,000), the annual governance statement and the accounting statements for 2021/2022. Councillors reviewed the information supplied and concluded the figures were sound and the accounts had been subject to proper review and control during the year. Councillors were aware that they have to publish the relevant documents for public scrutiny on the website before 1 July 2022. Therefore, the Council resolved to action a certificate of exemption as allowed by the regulations, resolved to approve both the Annual Governance Statement and the Annual Accounting Statements.
6.2 FY 2022/23: To resolve to approve payments.
894. It was resolved to approve payments for periodic grass cutting costs, HCS costs, the return of the surplus Neighbourhood Plan annual grant and the Clerk’s monthly salary and HMRC costs. Action Clerk to make payments
7. Admin Matters
7.1 Clerk Report & Correspondence. None.
8. To Receive any Urgent Reports. None.
9. Items for Inclusion on next Meeting Agenda.
Next Meeting: Annual Parish and Annual Parish Council Meetings - 16 June 2022 in Village Hall at 7.00pm