Meetings 2023

Minutes of the Meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Thursday 20th April 2023
Present: Cllr C. Charlton (Chairman), Cllr J Petch, Cllr B Ross, Cllr K Manley and the Clerk, L. Davies.
In Attendance: Cllr R. Dixon-Warren (SKDC), Laurie Parncutt and Anthony Cliffe. There were no Press in attendance.

 Public Forum
1.    Chairman’s Opening remarks.
1070. The Chairman gave everyone a warm welcome, with a beneficial improvement in the weather noted. He highlighted with regret that due to personal reasons Cllr Vaughan has decided to leave the Council. The Parish Council wished him well for the future and thanked him for his hard work and valuable actions over the last 5 years. 
2.    Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
1071. None raised

Agenda

1.    To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.  
1072. Apologies were received from Cllr Vaughan, Cllr I Bruce & Cllr K Palmer; due to personal reasons, they were unable to attend. 
2.    To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
1073. All Councillors have been re-elected for office unopposed, therefore the AGM can proceed on the 9th May 2023. 
3.    To approve the Minutes of the last Council Meeting held on 14th March 2023 (All)
1074. The previously circulated minutes where unanimously approved. 
4.     Receive External & Community Group Updates: 
4.1    County & District Council Reports – as available.
1075. Cllr Dixon-Warren was present and reminded all voters that from 4 May they require their photo ID to be able to vote at polling stations in local elections, Police and Crime Commissioner elections, UK Parliamentary by-elections, recall petitions and, from October 2023, UK General Elections. Voters who do not have acceptable photo ID can apply for a free voter ID document, known as a Voter Authority Certificate at: https://www.electoralcommission.org.uk/i-am-a/voter/voter-id/applying-a-voter-authority-certificate
4.2    Community Groups & Organisations – as available (NP; RGAG; Feast; HCS; VHMC; PCC; etc).
1076. NP – On 4th May a referendum vote on the final version of the Rippingale Neighbourhood Plan will be held in the Village Hall, open to all qualified residents. In preparation details of the Plan have been promulgated on the Village Noticeboard, on the Village website and the Village Facebook page. Cllr Charlton will hold an open Saturday for villagers in the Village Hall 22nd April, with presentations and posters detailing the Plan. A copy of the Plan is available to view in the Church.  
1077. RGAG – Nothing to report, but a later agenda item will discuss the allotment tenancy agreement.
1078. Feast – Looking positive for the event, with plenty of entertainment and activities coming together for the day. Good weather is hoped for.
1079. HCS – Working well, with 23 journeys in the period, drivers are completing most requests. Cllr K Manley was thanked for joining the team of drivers.  
1080. VHMC – Bingo on Sunday has resumed; new front doors have been installed and are now self-closing. 
1081. PCC – AGM is being held tonight at 7pm, the future of the Church’s status is being discussed and if it will become a Festival Church. How this will affect the Village going forward is still to be confirmed. 
5.     Parish Matters:
5.1    To consider progress with refurbishment of Village signs and extra JFP finger sign.
1082.  Village sign refurbishment remains under way. The finger sign has been ordered and delivery date is awaited.
5.2    To consider the progress in fundraising to replace the portacabin at Jubilee Playing Field.
1083. Update on the fundraising:
•    National Lottery – have rejected an application.
•    SKDC Prosperity Fund – application has have moved forward and due to be considered by the Board on 25th April, with a decision expected to be announced in the next few weeks. 
•    SKDC Community Fund – reapplying for £5,000, closing date is 31st May.
•    Tesco’s Community Fund closed on the 31st March, awaiting result.
•    Screwfix Foundation application still to be decided.
•     Magic Little Grants application still to be decided
5.3    To consider repair to the Millennium Noticeboard at the Village Green. 
1084. B Walker will be providing a quote in the next few weeks; he has been sourcing the wood. 
5.4    To consider and discuss allotment tenancy agreement for 2023.
1085. Cllr Ross has been liaising with the RGAG on proposed changes to the tenancy agreement. The following points were considered:
•     One agreement per tenant, not plot.
•    Preapproval of one shed as per the agreement dimensions, with poly tunnels treated as sheds 
•    No commercial gain allowed but surplus produce allowed to friends and family.
•     Tenants to be proactive in discouraging vermin. 
•    Tree height not to exceed 2.5m. 
•    Tenants to be removed if the tenancy agreement is not signed or the yearly fee is not paid. 
The Council resolved to include the above changes in the tenancy agreement. Cllr Ross agreed to update the agreement and pass it to the Clerk for sending out with invoices. As the RGAG provides a support function it was also agreed that a RGAG application form be sent out at the same time by the Clerk to encourage all allotment holders’ engagement to join the Group.  The RGAG Secretary was keen to host an Open Day, date to be decided, to engage with the Community.
5.5 To consider and discuss planning application S23/0507 - outline application for the erection of up to 6 dwellings off East Street and associated access and infrastructure (All matters reserved) (Re-submission of application S22/2273). 
1086. After viewing data provided by Cllr Ross, it was seen that a consultation exercise undertaken by the applicant with the Village residents had been limited in numbers, flawed, inaccurate and subjectively analysed to the applicant’s advantage. There was seen to be no housing need for the bungalows proposed, with no provision to attract young families into the Village. There remained serious concerns over flood and sewage risks, not appreciated by the applicant. Finally, it was thought that the proposed development would lead to a great loss of amenity for the adjacent residents of Doctor’s Lane. The Cllrs agreed that a robust objection encompassing the above points be sent to meet the 27th May deadline. 
6. Financial Matters:
6.1 Financial Reports:
     i. FY 2022/23 Accounts to year end & Approval of Expenditure (All).
1087. After consideration the Council approved the proposed expenditure which included meetings, the Clerk’s salary, casual labour, the printing of the Newsletter and grass cutting. 
Description    Supplier     Total 
Meeting    Village Hall     £     10.00 
Subscriptions    Scribe     £   414.72 
Grass Cutting    Environmental SK     £   146.44 
Clerk Salary    Clerk     £   505.05 
HCS    HCS     £     28.20 
HCS    HCS     £       9.30 
Maintenance    Roof Rite Contracting     £   231.00 
Printing    Warner’s     £     82.00 
Meeting    Village Hall     £     75.00 
Admin    Chair     £     19.97 
HCS    HCS     £     15.90 
HCS    HCS     £     28.20 
         £1,565.78 
 
    ii. To consider internal audit.
1088. The Clerk is chasing the internal auditor for her results, which will be needed to complete the Annual Governance and Accountability Return.
 6.2 To review and approve the end of year accounts.
1089. It was viewed that the accounts were in a positive position and on budget for the end of year, with £22,508.66 held, adjusted to £17,746 to offset the Feast’s fund holding. Income, mainly from the Precept, was accurately generated. Over the year the Feast had created much business at over £11,000 throughput, the administrative and Clerk’s salary costs had been contained, at 18% below budget and grounds and maintenance costs were properly controlled.  Scribe Accounts has an issue in not producing the correct figure for Parish assets, but the Clerk is aware of this and investigating a solution. After careful consideration the Council approved the end of year accounts. 
 6.3 To consider external audit for 2022/23 accounts - AGAR.
1090. The Clerk has started to complete the relevant forms for the external audit for 2022/23. It was highlighted that the AGAR was AN important review of governance and the proper control of expenditure.  
 7.To Receive any Urgent Reports.  
1091. It was noted that the War Memorial is in need of repair/refurbishment; Cllr Charlton is to contact the stone mason, who had previously repaired the memorial, for a quote to repair.

7. Public Forum. No comments.

Next meeting:  Annual Parish and Annual Council Meetings -Tuesday 9th May 2023 – Village Hall.

C. Charlton                                    L. Davies
Chairman                                                              Clerk