Meetings 2023

Minutes of the Meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 13th
June 2023
Present: Cllr C. Charlton (Chairman), Cllr B Ross and the Clerk, L. Davies.
In Attendance: Cllr R. Warren Dixon (SKDC), Laurie Parncutt, D Knibbs and Wendy Gray. There
were no Press in attendance.
Public Forum
1. Chairman’s Opening remarks.
1122. The Chairman gave a warm welcome on this very hot evening.
2. Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
1123. W Gray, raised the following points: would the people who run the Yoga in the Village Hall
be able to advertise in the Newsletter. They were advised to contact Cllr Petch, the Editor, as this
was allowable. The grass cutting on the Dovecote and the Churchyard is poor. Cllr Charlton had
already received a complaint and had contacted SKDC. The state of Grinders Lane and the
associated footpath are a concern. Cllr Warren Dixon to be emailed to take forward.
Agenda
1. To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.
1124. Apologies received from Cllr I Bruce & Cllr K Manley; due to personal reasons, they were
unable to attend. Cllr J Petch had a work commitment and was also unable to attend. Cllr Charlton
highlighted there are 2 vacancies for Parish Councillors and he would advertise the vacancies in
the next Newsletter.
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
1125. None
3. To approve the Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Council held on 9th May 2023
(All)
1126. The previously circulated minutes where unanimously approved. It was also highlighted that
historically the Annual Parish Meeting minutes are approved next year; this seemed illogical; it
was agreed more appropriate to approve these minutes now to allow timely dissemination of
information. This was agreed and the minutes were approved.
4. Receive External & Community Group Updates:
4.1 County & District Council Reports – as available.
1127. Cllr Warren – Dixon - Following the local elections on 4 May in which no single political
party achieved an overall majority in SKDC, an Independent-led alliance took control, narrowly
beating the Conservative/Independent SK Coalition by one vote. The alliance comprises various
brands of Independents, Green Party, Labour and Liberal Democrats. Cllr Warren-Dixon is now a
member of the Opposition. He will work with and hold to account the new administration for all
Aveland residents. The new Leader of SKDC, Councillor Richard Cleaver (Independent), set out
his ambitions for Stamford, Bourne and the Deepings in the Stamford Mercury on 10 June, an
extract of which is:
“...The new Council’s first task is to understand fully the state of SKDC’s finances in the present
and then to understand what the future prospects are, given the commitments we have and the
challenges we must face. This work is already in progress, and once completed we can then
move forward with confidence. Before last month’s election, we said that under new leadership
the Council would become nimbler, more creative, more caring, and more committed – and I’m
pleased to say that the new Cabinet – made up of Independent, Green, and Liberal Democrat
councillors is already proving to be all of these things. The new Cabinet also intends to be more
open, accountable, and accessible – and to that end we will be holding public drop-in sessions
in Stamford, Bourne, and the Deepings over the coming months...”.
The ambitions for the rural areas of South Kesteven are awaited. South Kesteven District
Council was among the finalists for the award of ‘Most Improved Council of the Year’ in 2022-23
at the Local Government Chronicle Awards in early June. The New Leader and Deputy Leader
were pleased to attend the awards ceremony in London with the Chairman, Chief Executive

and Assistant Director of Leisure & Culture. This recognised the significant progress made by
South Kesteven District Council in the past year and the work achieved, mostly before elections
on 4 May.
4.2 Community Groups & Organisations – as available (RGAG; Feast; HCS; VHMC; PCC; etc).
1128. RGAG – Cllr Ross is investigating the possibility of a contractor, through tendering,
commencing the maintenance of the untenanted plots and orchard area. D Knibbs raised a
request again from many plot holders for mains water to be supplied to the allotments The Clerk
was to consult with all plot holders on this matter, to obtain a consensus on need and
apportionment of costs.
1129. Feast – Looking positive for the event, with plenty of entertainment and activities coming
together for the day, with good weather hoped for. Volunteers are required for the tea tent and the
erection of the marquees on Saturday 24th June.
1130. HCS – Working effectively, drivers are operating well and can complete most requests, with
2 trips rejected due to short notice and no drivers available. Continued recruitment will be
promulgated in the Newsletter.
1131. VHMC – The Village Hall is buoyant, with bookings accumulating.
1132. PCC –The Church is now a Festival Church, available for certain services during the year
but continuing to have a programme of lay events to support its finances and remain a centre for
the Village.
Parish Matters:
5.1. To consider progress with refurbishment of Village signs and extra JFP finger sign.
1133. The Village sign refurbishment remains under way. The Finger Sign has been ordered and
a delivery date is awaited. Clerk to chase update. Bench at the JPF is now in place for the dog
walkers and others to use.
5.2 To consider the progress in fundraising to replace the portacabin at Jubilee Playing Field.
1134. Cllr Charlton provided an update on the fundraising:
* SKDC Prosperity Fund - the £20,000 grant is due to the bank by 16th June.
*SKDC Community Fund – reapplication for £5,000 rejected: unfortunately, the Fund no
longer supports the erection of new buildings.
* Tesco’s Community Fund award of £1,500 is being delayed by bank identification
requirements, which NatWest have been asked to resolve.
* Application to the Garfield Weston Foundation is under way, for between £4,000 and -
£14,000.
5.3 To consider repair to the Millennium Noticeboard at the Village Green.
1135. B Walker has purchased the materials, repair to be carried out shortly.
5.4 To consider and discuss repairs/maintenance of the War Memorial.
1136. The stonemason is awaiting a quote from Ancaster Stone.
6. Financial Matters:
6.1 FY 2022/23 Accounts to year end & Approval of Expenditure (All).
1137. Proposed expenditure, which included the Clerk’s salary, her expenses, printing of the
Newsletter and payment to the internal auditor was approved:
Code Supplier Total
Clerk Salary The
Clerk

£505.05

Printing Warners
Group

£ 82.00

Clerk Mileage The
Clerk

£ 64.80

Office Costs The
Clerk

£ 45.00

Internal Audit D Lynn £100
£796.85

6.2 To consider and approve the Internal Audit.
1138. This audit has been completed. The Internal Auditor was satisfied that all correct
procedures had been carried out. She found a very organised and neat set of accounts, which
were tidy, well organised and easy to work with. She recommended some clarification to the
process of cheques being paid in digitally, to prevent potential for accidental double payment.
Additionally, it was recommended clearer identification of receipts and payments numbering to aid
clarity of payment against reconciliation. The Chairman complimented the Clerk on her work and
the finding was approved.
6.3 To consider and approve the External audit for 2022/23 accounts - AGAR.
1139. All necessary sign off action was carried out and approved and the necessary documents
were to be sent to the External Auditor. The Clerk was to post the relevant documents on the
Village Noticeboard and website.
7.To Receive any Urgent Reports.
1140. From September, in view of Councillor availability it was decided to move the Parish Council
meetings to the second Monday in the month. The August meeting was cancelled due to the Clerk’s
and some Councillors’ unavoidable absence.
8. Public Forum.
Next meeting: Parish Council Meeting -Tuesday 11th July 2023 – Village Hall.

C. Charlton L. Davies
Chair of Rippingale Parish Council Clerk