Meetings 2023

Minutes of the Meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 14 th
February 2023
Present: Cllr C. Charlton (Chairman), Cllr J. Petch, Cllr B Ross, Cllr K Manley and the Clerk, L.
Davies.
In Attendance: Cllr R. Warren Dixon (SKDC), Wendy Gray, Christine Holland and Laurie Pancutt
There were no Press in attendance.

Public Forum
1. Chairman’s Opening remarks
1022. Attendees were offered a warm welcome on Valentine’s evening. The Chairman also
welcomed back Cllr Manley as a valued addition to the meeting.
2. Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
1023. Wendy Gray raised concerns over incidents of vandalism, mainly at night, such as glass
smashing, and threatening behaviour in the Village, perpetrated by a small group of young people.
The Chairman highlighted that all such incidents need to be reported to the Police via 101 to allow
them to build up a trend and picture to initiate appropriate action. The Council will once again raise
this issue with the local Police forum.
Agenda
1. To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.
1024. Apologies were for absence were received from: Cllr A. Vaughan due to personal reasons
and Cllr K Palmer and Cllr I Bruce due to illness.
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
1025. None
3. To approve the Minutes of the last Council Meeting held on 10 th January 2023 (All)
1026. The previously circulated minutes of the last meeting were found be a true record of the
meeting and unanimously approved.
4. Receive External & Community Group Updates:
4.1 County & District Council Reports – as available.
1027.   Cllr R Warren-Dixon had raised concerns with SKDC regarding the responsibility for the
regular clearance of the dyke grill by the Willows Care Home to alleviate the threat of flooding. This
was still to be resolved. He then highlighted that the South Kesteven Prosperity Fund is part of the
wider UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). UKSPF aims to identity opportunities to build pride in
place, improve the places in which people live, and support individuals and businesses to thrive. In
December 2022 the Government allocated UKSPF funding to district councils across the country,
with South Kesteven District Council (SKDC) receiving £3.9 million to be spent between 2022 and
2025. Within UKSPF SKDC has allocated £1,000,000 to the South Kesteven Prosperity Fund. The
South Kesteven Prosperity Fund can be utilised by local decision-making bodies and community
groups within South Kesteven to finance projects which deliver community improvements and build
pride in place. Applications are open to town councils, parish councils, parish meetings, chartered
trustees, and community groups within South Kesteven. There are four categories for eligible
projects.
o Building improvements.
o Green space and outdoor improvements.
o Culture, arts, and heritage initiatives.
o Heritage initiatives.

 
Eligible applicants can find the online application on SKDC’s South Kesteven Prosperity Fund
Grants webpage:http://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1606. Year One period
runs to 31 March 2023.  Successful applicants must provide invoices for the projects and evidence
of project completion by the 30 April 2023. Finally, Councillor Warren-Dixon noted that SKDC have
introduced a new Housing Management System to better control and maintain their stock.

4.2 Community Groups & Organisations – as available (NP; RGAG; Feast; HCS; VHMC; PCC;
etc).
1028. Neighbourhood Plan - The independent examiner has completed his review of the proposed
Plan. It is being fact checked by Cllr Charlton and SKDC and the examiner should produce his
report by early March. He has recommended that, subject to his points being adopted, the Plan is
eligible to go to Village Referendum later in the year.
1029. RGAG – The allotment hedge has been cut to a good standard. The next RGAG meeting is
at 10.30am on Saturday 25 th February.
1030. Feast – very much in the planning stage, gathering information, contacting sponsors and
performers. Offers of support should be made to Sue Charlton, Lucy Beney or Kate Lewis via
Village Website details.
1031. Hospital Car Service – This is working well and becoming frequently used, with 9 journeys
being completed in the last month. The Service requires more volunteer drivers, which will be
highlighted via the monthly Newsletter and the Village Facebook page.
1032. VHMC – Bookings are still coming in steadily for various celebration events; the end of year
financial position is looking very positive.
1033. Police - 8 th March sees an open forum opportunity, to which the Council will raise the
following points: vandalism and anti-social behaviour. Action Clerk to email points raised.
5. Parish Matters:
5.1 To consider progress with refurbishment of Village signs and extra JFP finger sign.
1034. The Village sign redesign is still in progress. After considering options the Council directed
the Clerk to purchase the JPF finger sign and fixing brackets at a cost of £141-60 (including VAT).
5.2 To consider and approve the contractor for the Grass Cutting Contract 2023 - to closed
session.
5.3 To consider the progress in fundraising to replace the portacabin at Jubilee Playing Field.
1035. The relevant grant application had been forwarded to SKDC, but due to awaiting a quote the
present round was missed and will be included in the next round, which closes in April 2023.
Amazon Smile has ceased working with local charities and are focusing on International and
national charities going forward. The funds that have been raised are being transferred to JPF
Trust Fund account.
5.4 To consider and discuss Mains water connection to the Allotments.
5.4.1 Charges for water meter; how to apportion costs.
1036. 11 responses were received from all plot holders canvassed of which 9 were negative
and did not support the installation of mains water. The reasons varied from additional rent
load and possibly unknown future costs, environmental penalties and satisfaction with their
own present water collection systems. It was concluded by the Council that insufficient
support exists to merit the level of expenditure costed. The Council resolved to take no
further action.
5.5 To consider and approve the purchase of additional bench for the playing field.
1037. Since the play area was fenced off last year, this had enclosed all seating on the field, so
dog owners exercising their charges on the field had no seating. The Council considered three
quotes for an additional recycled plastic bench to meet this need, The Council resolved to
purchase the cheapest bench at £457.50p, including delivery and anchor, with an extra £50
allowance for fitting. Action Clerk to purchase bench.
5.6 To consider repair to the Millennium Noticeboard at the Village Green.
1038. The Council saw the need to repair the rotting Millennium Noticeboard. Cllr Petch advised
he thought he was aware of a carpenter in the Village to undertake the repair and will investigate.
6. Financial Matters:
6.1 Financial Reports:

i. FY 2022/23 Accounts to date & Approval of Expenditure (All).
1039. The following items were vetted for validity by the Council and were unanimously approved
for payment: this includes payment to the voluntary drivers:
Date Description Supplier VAT
Type
Net VAT Total

08/09/2022 Annual
Costs

D KNIBBS Z £ 50.00 £ - £ 50.00

07/02/2023 Annual
Costs

VHCS E £ 8.85 £ - £ 8.85

07/02/2023 Annual
Costs

VHCS E £ 18.60 £ - £ 18.60

07/02/2023 Clerk
Salary

The Clerk X £ 505.05 £ - £ 505.05

07/02/2023 Annual
Costs

VHCS E £ 4.80 £ - £ 4.80

07/02/2023 Annual
Costs

VHCS E £ 1.65 £ - £ 1.65

07/02/2023 Annual
Costs

VHCS E £ 27.60 £ - £ 27.60

07/02/2023 Annual
Costs

LALC S £ 50.00 £ 10.00 £ 60.00

07/02/2023 Annual
Costs

Open Plan Consultants
Ltd

S £ 900.00 £180.00 £1,080.00
07/02/2023 Newsletter Warners Group Z £ 70.00 £ - £ 70.00
07/02/2023 Annual
Costs

Village Hall Z £ 10.00 £ - £ 10.00

07/02/2023 Annual
Costs

Village Hall Z £ 10.00 £ - £ 10.00

£1,656.55 £190.00 £1,846.55

ii. To consider internal audit.
1040. Clerk has contact D Fairweather to action internal audit, this is under way.
7.To Receive Any Urgent Reports.
1041. There were 3 planning applications under way, 2 of which meet the conditions of an original
approved application. The Council did not seek to comment on the non-controversial nature of these.
S23/0028 and S23/0029 - 110 Station Street building conversion details for landscaping and windows
and sliding doors.
The third application was S23/0072- for the omission of bi-fold doors and 3 roof lights, the reduction in
the size of a large window and the provision of an alternative porch type for a previously approved
proposed building at the rear of 22 High Street. The Council had no comment.
8. Public Forum.
1042. Laurie Pancutt, raised what he saw as an issue with the number of planning applications for
housing in the Village, which seemed to be higher proportionately than the SKDC average. This he
thought compounded ongoing sewerage and drainage issues which are not sufficiently taken into
account by Anglian Water when reviewing planning applications and subsequent consideration by
SKDC for approvals. This he thought a serious shortfall.
1043. Christine Holland then raised an objection to an amendment to S22/2322 for 4 (not 5 as
originally proposed) buildings to be constructed at 13 East Street. The Council noted that it had
forwarded comments on the original application on amenity, number of houses, density and type of
houses and sewage and flooding concerns. It agreed to reforward these to SKDC for the amended
application. Action Clerk to re email original response
9. Closed Session
1044. After resolving to move into closed session due to the confidential nature of the 3 tenders
received for the 2023 Grass cutting contract, the Council closely considered the 3 quotes rendered for
the detailed statement of requirement. Two contractors had submitted competitive prices; after careful

review of price and service the Council resolved to accept the quote from EnvironmentSK as this
company best met the Council needs from 1 March 2023 at a competitive cost.
Next meeting: Meeting Next Tuesday 14 th March 2023 – Village Hall.

L Davies C Charlton
Clerk Chairman