Minutes June 2025
In Attendance Cllr Ross, Cllr Jones, Cllr Lumb, Cllr R Warren-Dixon & L Davies Clerk.
Public Forum
- Chairman’s Opening remarks
- Warm welcome from the Chair, nice to see so many people in attendance.
- Comments, Questions & Queries from Press & Public
- A member of the community raised that the hedge alongside the footpath as you enter the Dovecot is
becoming overgrown and causing a safety issue. Cllr Jones, had already seen the footpath and
photographed it so that the PC can take the appropriate action.
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- A member of the community stated that, in her opinion, the incident at the allotments has been dealt with
unfairly and one sided as it involved a Councillor. The Chairman strongly refuted this, as the decision was
made taking into account facts and evidence and not hearsay.
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- Andrew Hodgeson was present representing Seagate homes who are planning to develop the land at the
end of Bramling Walk for housing. The current plan is to create 10 houses, 2 of which would be Affordable
Homes. There will be a leaflet drop to inform residents of the details. The planning application has not yet
been submitted, but once it is, Mr Hodgeson will be invited to attend a meeting to discuss residents’ views.
Formal Meeting Agenda
1.0 To receive Apologies for Absence and approve Reasons Given.
Apologies received from Cllr T Creek due to personal reasons was unable to attend. - Approved
2.0 To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
None
3.0 To approve the Minutes of the last Parish Council Meeting held on 14 th May 2025
The previously circulated minutes were found to be a true reflection. Resolved
4.0 Parish Clerk’s Report (excluding matters raised later in the Agenda)
4.1 JPF Septic tank cleaning – ongoing LD/BWR
4.2 Contracts
4.2.1 Dog waste bin emptying & Disposal –
SKDC bin is in place, new bags ordered, volunteers have set up a rota.
Clerk to set up a WhatsApp group so people can liaise with each other. Clerk to obtain quote from SKDC to empty dog bins if possible
4.2.2 Playing field waste bins – clerk to establish responsibility for emptying these
three bins
4.2.3 Allotment land maintenance – Clerk to obtain quotation from Gary’s Gardens
to tidy general areas and untenanted plots, including tree trimming
4.2.4 Allotment Tenancy Invoices and Agreement – amendments to Agreement
now completed so Invoices can be sent out by the end of June.
4.2.5 Clerk to write to ex-tenants to properly clear their plots.
4.2.6 Clerk to write to tenants who are not maintaining their plots to tidy them up
and to remind people that any trees on their plots must be cut to 2.5 m high
as stated in the Agreement.
4.3 Allotments request the permission for the following:
4.3.1 End Tenancy’s tidy up
Discuss with Allotment
5.0 External & Community Group Updates:
5.1 County & District Council Reports – Cllr Warren-Dixon reported the following which can all be
accessed on the SKDC web-site - “Big Green Week”, promoting the recycling of waste across the county. Waste food bins are to be re-introduced in April 2026. The barracks in Grantham are holding a “Mission Business” event on the 25 th June
highlighting the skills of veterans that will be of value in the area. Celebrating Wildlife in the area. Residents urged to fill out Police survey on line highlighting local concerns – link to be
included in Newsletter Clerk
5.2 Community Groups & Organisations –
5.2.1 Village Hall Management Committee - Meeting between PC & VHMC still to arrange Clerk
5.2.2 Hospital Car Scheme - 1 new driver.
5.2.3 RGAG – to hold an event to celebrate its 20 year anniversary – Plot holders only
5.2.4 PCC – Cllr Jones to confirm contact details with liaison person in PCC Cllr Jones
5.2.5 Police Update - None
5.2.6 Feast Committee - Feast preparations are well under way, Parade is being discussed and
the dog show is still to take place happening in The Bull Inn grounds
6.0 Parish Matters:
6.1 Newsletter – Cllr Lumb to obtain a specification for the printing of the Newsletter so that quotes can
be properly compared
6.2 JPF
6.2.1 SKDC Prosperity Fund grant & Tesco Community Grant - Cllr Ross to take forward with Cllr
Dixon-Warren to establish SKDC rules on spending Cllrs RDW/BWR
Goal post installation - 3 quotes received and circulated.
OLP Clean Courts Charles Lawrence Courts
Tennis Net £ 829.00 £ 900.00 £ 950.00
Goal Post £ 600.00 £ 800.00 £ 850.00
set up £ 259.30 £ - £ 350.00
VAT £ - £ 340.00 £ -
Total £ 1,688.30 £ 2,040.00 £ 2,150.00
Cllrs agreed to proceed with On- Line Playgrounds for goals & tennis net repair works Approved
6.2.2 To discuss the Tennis net & post repairs - See 6.2.1 above
6.2.3 Removal of old Store – including emptying of its contents & disconnecting Services. –
Cllr Ross is liaising with the developer working on the site on East Street. Cllr Ross
6.3 Flooding
6.3.1 To receive an update on issue raised to about Anglian Water infiltration.
AW apologised for the delay in providing information and committed to provide more regular updates in
future. but has begun investigations in the village and the wider catchment areas to understand the root
cause of the flooding previously seen from the sewer system and how excess water may be getting into that
system. AW has begun to survey the catchment area around Dowsby and Dunsby pumping stations as well
as the fields where the sewer runs from Kirkby Underwood. Both these pumping stations see hugely
increased flows during wet weather events, which indicates that lots of rainwater is getting into the foul sewer
system from within these catchment areas. Both of these catchments then pump over to Rippingale, with the
main from Dowsby joining the pipework close to where we see the flooding on Station Street, so it is likely to
be a contributing factor. This confirms the Parish Councils view of what happens during high water events.
In Dowsby AW continue to look for any areas of possible infiltration into our sewer network.
In Dunsby AW has completed CCTV surveys of most of the sewers in this catchment area and has identified
some areas of encrustation which could be cleared to provide additional capacity.
Once AW has completed the surveys it will be able to provide further updates and advise on any work they
need to carry out and the timescales for doing so.
AW has also been surveying for any incorrect connections from house roof drainage. A foul water
connection into a surface water manhole in the village has been found which is being repaired.
AW has also found a highways road gulley which appears to be connected into the foul system, although this
requires some further investigation to understand any action that could be taken. AW has also begun a
CCTV survey of the sewer running from Kirkby Underwood, having now gained permission to access the
fields.
RPC met recently with Tom Amblin-Lightowler from SKDC who is also undertaking investigations in the area.
He appears confident in the root cause of the overall issue being ground / surface waters which are either
directly causing flooding or infiltrating our sewer systems and causing flooding via those.
6.3.2 To receive an update on the SKDC walkabout.
SKDC’s Environmental Health Manager (EHM) has provided an update to the Parish Council. He has met
SKDC’s contractors that maintain the watercourse (Dyke) along Station Street and they have agreed to
move the cutting from end of the season to earlier in the cutting program. This means we can expect the
watercourse to be cut in July. This is the section in the village and the section outside to the East that has
recently been cut by one of our the local farmers. The EHM will be in attendance on the days of the cutting
and will assess the condition of the banks and the bed of the watercourse at the same time, to determine
what additional works may be required. He will work with our street scene to see if we can have a regular
clearing program for the grate outside the willows care home on Station Street.
6.3.3 To receive an update on the following dykes:-
- Grinder’s Lane/Dovecote – SKDC to write to landowners responsible for this SKDC
- Dyke to rear of Linnet - ownership to establish Cllrs Lumb/Creek
- Station St East to Station – see above (6.3.2)
- Station St West from Allotments to A15 - SKDC to write to landowners responsible for
this SKDC
– To receive an update on the Emergency Plan review - The previously circulated amended
Emergency plan was reviewed and ready for publishing. Resolved
6.4 Allotments.
6.4.1 To discuss and review Tenancy Agreement amendments - The revised tenancy agreement has
been circulated and agreed to publish. Clerk to issue Invoices and revised tenancy agreement.
Clerk
6.4.2 Allotment Water Supply
6.4.2.1 To receive an update of the Deed of Easement
Clerk to proceed to contact the online legal firm to process the Deed of Easement Clerk
6.4.2.2 To discuss and review the alternative quotes for on-site pipework and culvert repair
Cllr Ross has received 2 definite quotes and 3 rd nearly complete. Delay placing orders awaiting
result of application for funding to SKDC PF Cllr Ross
6.4.2.3 To receive an Anglian Water updated quote for Hydrant connection only
Cllr Ross has not been able to find alternative from AW to install. Cost is around the 5k mark
and will need to be revised. Cllr Ross
6.4.3 A request to install a wildlife pond on plot 2 was agreed. Resolved
6.5 Overgrown Hedges
6.5.1 To receive an update on the 84 Station St to footpath Ivy hedge – Cllrs Ross & Lumb to visit
resident to find an acceptable way forward. RPC has been advised that it cannot pay for
the fence repairs due to its age and existing poor condition. Cllrs Ross/Lumb
6.5.2 To Discuss tree removal from footpath on JPF – quotes have been received :-
Tree removal
Gary’s Garden s J & L trees Glendale
Tree Removal
£ 250.00 £ 350.00 £ 275.00
VAT
£ 50.00 £ 70.00 £ 55.00
Total
£ 300.00 £ 420.00 £ 330.00
It was agreed to place the order with Gary’s Gardens Approved
6.6 Community Liaison
6.6.1 Youth Engagement Initiative - Cllr Jones to set up a meeting – Cllr Jones
6.6.2 “Street Champions” - Cllr Jones to set up a meeting – Cllr Jones
6.6.3 To discuss and review SKDC & LCC actions from walkabout – see 6.3.2 above
NOTE - The LCC contact is no longer available and Cllr Hill remains our main point of contact
6.6.4 A Ward-Wide discussion group - Cllr Warren-Dixon to keep this suggestion active as little
interest shown from other parishes Cllr RDW
6.7 Planning: To receive and consider planning applications: -
6.7.1 13 East Street - Monitoring
6.7.2 Willow Development – refused at Government appeal – no further action at this time
6.7.3 S25/0882 – Conversion of barn to dwelling - No objections raised.
6.7.4 Planning applications to be included in future Newsletters Clerk/Editor
6.8 War Memorial Additional names and maintenance of the war memorial - Cllr Jones will liaise with
Church Warden.
6.9 Dovecot – Parking issue -
6.9.1 Cllr Ross has contacted SKDC and followed up residents’ concerns, Cllr Dixon-Warren to
establish ownership of the green and existing parking Cllr RDW
6.9.2 Cllr Ross to advise resident of previous dialogue with SKDC & LCC Cllr Ross
7.0 Financial Matters:
7.1 Bank Accounts
7.1.1 JPFT account (Nat West) – BWR to try to help get proper access Cllr Ross
7.1.2 Cllr/Trustee status for the JPFT - Clerk advises that all Cllr are trustees on the account, but
not financially responsible. Clerk to obtain written confirmation of this Clerk
7.2 Financial Reports:
7.2.1 To review FY 2025/2026 Accounts to date & Approval of Expenditure
The previously circulated payments were approved for payment – viz:-
Gary's Garden £560 & £570, Village hall £18.75, Warners £82.00 & Clerks Salary 612.50
7.2.2 AGAR - Clerk is finalising the figures and will be ready for approval next month. Another
Finance committee meeting to be arranged Clerk
8.0 Urgent reports or any other issues. None
9.0 Close meeting
2 nd Public Forum.
There is evidence of settlement near a manhole in the Village Hall car park, near the gas tank. Clerk to identify
responsibility. Clerk
Next meeting: 14 th July 2025 General Meeting at 7.00pm in Rippingale Village Hall
Laura Davies - Parish Clerk