November Minutes
Minutes of the Meeting on 10 November 2025 at 7.00 pm at Rippingale Village Hall, Station Street, Rippingale.
In attendance Vice Chair Cllr Creek, Cllr Lumb, Cllr Jones & Clerk L Davies
Vice Chairman’s Opening remarks
Thank you for everyone coming tonight, the Vice chair Cllr Creek will be chairing tonight’s meeting as
Cllr Ross has had to give his apologies. Since our last meeting there have been some real examples of the community pulling together. At the last meeting the council stressed the need for more councillors, and asked for people to consider joining. There has been a good response, which is really pleasing. Starting with a thank all those that volunteered to help to serve the refreshments on behalf of the Parish Council, at yesterday’s remembrance Service. There was a great turnout and with the current uncertainty in the World, it has never been so important to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we still have our Freedom.
There seems to be some real collaboration with the Feast Committee and the Friends or Rippingale Church, with respect to fundraising, and the Youth initiative has expanded to take responsibility of the playing field
Finally, I would like to thank Cllr Lumb, who has been extremely busy dealing with a raft of planning applications that came in, in September.
Something new to aid efficiency, is that Members of the public should email the Clerk with questions, comments or representations prior to the meeting to enable research and preparation of the appropriate response, which may otherwise be deferred to the next meeting. The public will have opportunity to discuss any issues at the public forum at the end. As any issues should be raised as they happen.
Formal Meeting Agenda
1. To receive Apologies for Absence and approve Reasons Given.
Apologies received from Cllr Ross. Resolved
2. To consider the co-option of the following C Harrison, D Warcup and S Nichols
Each person was voted and agreed to coopt to the council. Clerk to liaise and receive acceptances. Resolved
3. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
None
4. To approve the Minutes of the last Parish Council Meeting held on 1st September 2025 & 14th October 2025
The amendments have been actioned and no further changes required. Minutes for the 14th October were voted as a true reflection. Approved and resolved.
5. To discuss meetings for 2026
It was discussed that going to bi monthly is not effective for the management of the parish, but as numbers are low on the Cllr but the up take on new councilors would help to spread the work load
Matters arising from previous minutes (not raised elsewhere in this Agenda)
6. To discuss and review the need to move over to a .GOV emails to come in line with assertion 10 on the AGAR.
Clerk is looking into the need to move over to a .GOV email, as this is ensuring information is stored correctly and information is shared correctly. As domains etc. are no longer sufficient. Clerk to provide update for January.
7. Defibrillator at The Bull – reconnect and install new battery
Cllr Jones, as replaced the batteries, resident has kindly altered the power supply to a switch that cannot be turned off. With thanks to resident who actioned this work. Clerk has placed back on the circuit and ready for use. Resolved
8. Letter ref rose bushes on Memorial Plot
The rose bushes have been removed; this was a misunderstanding where a verbal permission was thought to have been given. No further action. Resolved
External & Community Group Updates:
9. County & District Council Reports – as available.
10. Community Groups & Organisations –
a. Village Hall Management Committee –
None received
b. Hospital Car Scheme - Since the last Parish Council meeting, 3 requests have been made, 1 of which, could not accommodated as there was no driver available because of a very short notice request. There are 3 drivers currently signed up.
c. RGAG - The RGAG continue to attract new plot holders with another half plot taken up in October. The next RGAG meeting will be the AGM in February, this will hopefully encourage a larger attendance of members, they have encouraged members to email the RGAG if they have any queries or if they’d like to add an action to the agenda to encourage greater involvement of all. The RGAG are still making enquiries about IBC’s and once the Parish council have some feedback on water harvesting from all plot holders, they will look to work with the Parish Council to provide solutions. The RGAG have approached Anglian water to see if they would supply any funding for water harvesting and they currently don’t, the RGAG will be looking over the coming months for further funding opportunities.
d. PCC – There is a meeting next Thursday, 13th November.
e. Police Update – No report submitted
f. Feast Committee- The Feast committee all agreed that they would like to hold the next Feast in 2027. This would allow them the opportunity to hold several fundraising events throughout 2026 for the 2027 Feast. At their next meeting they will discuss the types of fundraising events that would be suitable and set dates for each event. Once they have set dates for our events, they will liaise with the FORC committee to make sure that they don't clash. The Feast committee has six enthusiastic committee members at the moment, so hopefully the fund-raising events will help maintain the interest and momentum going forward. The majority of the RFC stated that they would be able to help with the tree and sell hot drinks during the lights switch on
g. Youth Engagement Initiative Report - Richard Shuttlewood has been asked to take on the responsibility of the playing field and ways of how the village can develop what facilities there are, and delighted to say that he has accepted leading this important initiative. It is recognised that the current structure needs to be replaces and the contents stored so that they are readily accessible. Richard understands that the priority is to get a group of people to catalogue what equipment is presently in the storage on the field and look into what we could provide for the young adults. This will allow PC to dispose of that.The structure needs to be replaced and it is hoped that the existing water, power etc remain. This takes into consideration and a more secure, safer unit is in place. It is understood that there could be money available to increase the equipment to engage the youth by purchasing new equipment such as table tennis tables. He is still keen to complete the football pitch and goals so that groups of young people can play games on the field. Another focus will be investigating ways of organizing events which will target the youth and get them involved in the village. (Christmas party, Halloween disco next year?) We want to find ways of developing a forum for the youth. Richard cannot do this alone and hopes that he can encourage a small team of volunteers, 3 or 4 adults, to help to explore ways we can engage with the youth of Rippingale. The Parish Council are keen to support as and when.
Parish Matters:
11. Newsletter To discuss and review printing quotations
Cllr Lumb has received quote and forward, all which seem reasonable, with some using colour, it was agreed that the editor should be involved as they have the most contact. It was agreed to discuss with the editor, to see their preference.
12. Jubilee Playing Field
a. To receive an update the SKDC Prosperity Fund grant
Cllr Ross has been liaising and with the departure of Cllr Warren-Dixon, but a point of contact has been made, it has been stated that the money can not be spent away from the original plan, but a re application can be made. Cllr Lumb is to take the lead on the reapplication and has this well in hand.
b. To receive an update on the Tesco Community Grant balance
Awaiting to access the trust funds, awaiting on the opening of the Lloyds charity account.
13. Allotments.
a. To discuss the Allotment Water Supply moving away from mains connection to rainfall harvesting.
The Deed of Easement is being progressed, in case we need the fallback option of connecting mains water. We await a report back from the RGAG about how successful or otherwise the water harvesting has been. We can then consider the next steps and whether and how the PC can assist in the next phase of harvesting
b. To receive an update on letters to plot holders reference water harvesting
Clerk to issue email to plot holders, as per the draft created. It was agreed that the draft was to be sent, as no previous authorization to send.
14. Hedge
a. The Pinfold Close/JPF border - Clerk to confirm when works are to be carried out
This has been agreed in a previous meeting that this work should be undertaken, would have preferred to have more quotes for the work, however only having received one quote, the work was agreed to commence. Cllr Creek has been asked again by residents in Pinfold Close, whether the brambles will be cut back, as they are encroaching onto the road. The clerk had misunderstood and had added to the hedge tender and not issued the work order as separate work. Clerk will request that this work is carried out ASAP, this is for the Pinfold Close & The Pinfold
b. To discuss and review the Hedge cutting tender for 2025, to include the tickle cut mid growing season.
Cllr Creek had walked the village with 2 contractors, both keen to action the work. Cost provided were different in price, it was Voted that Gary Garden would be awarded the contract, as the standard of work was good.
15. Planning: To receive and consider planning applications: -
As stated at the beginning of the meeting, thanks have to go to Cllr Lumb as the PC received an unprecedented amount of planning applications. Once combined, this equated to an additional 22 dwellings being proposed. There are already 11 Dwellings that are subject to approved planning. There is also now that a developer has made enquiries in the village about additional houses at Brambling Walk. This is a village with no amenities, an annual flooding issue, a foul sewerage system which appeared to be up to its limit, and properties that have been listed for sale for a long time. It is against this backdrop and via representations from parishioners that the PC consider our response to planning applications as and when they arise. If the PC submit a rejection, it is ensured that only consider Material Considerations
a. S25/1695 Conversion of barn to 10 dwelling houses at Manor Farm – confirm submission status
b. S25/1685 -30 East Street - Application for reserved matters relating to access, appearance, layout, landscaping and scale - Confirm submission to SKDC
c. S25/1654 Class Q Barn Farm: Conversion of a poultry shed into 5 dwellings– confirm submission status
d. S25/1705 Land to the rear of 16-22 High St - outline planning application for 5 dwellings - confirm submission status
e. S25/1476 – 2 houses at 83 Station Street (Little Farm) - confirm submission status
f. To Discuss request from developer of 30 East St site to lay pipe work across the JPF to main surface water drain from development at 30 East Street. – This was agreed not to proceed, as this was one of the objections to the development from the PC. Cllr Creek to help draft a response.
Other Matters
16.
a. To receive an update on National Grid proposal for a pylon route South of Rippingale
Cllr Jones to draft a response and will communicate with the PC. Rippingale should not sit back and do nothing as this will affect the community in some way.
b. To discuss and provide letter in regards to the Hedge at 3 East St
Letter drafted and sent. Clerk to send a second
c. To discuss and when the meeting between the VHMC & RPC.
The last meeting was cancelled due to ill health, which can not be helped. It was questioned why this was needed. It was explained, as custodian trustees, the PC wishes to understand the working and not try and manage or change the workings of the VHMC. As the village hall seems to be doing well.
Financial Matters:
17. Bank Accounts
a. To receive an update on the JPFT funds transfer to a new bank
Process of moving to another bank is under way, it seemed very straight forward. Once open clerk will close the NatWest account with drawing all funds to the new Lloyds bank account.
b. To discuss insurance for Trustees on JPFT
On investigating, trustee liability insurance was a reason cost. The clerk has also reviewed that the current PC policy does have coverage as part of the policy. Will remain open until Cllr Ross is present as he has raised this.
18. Financial Reports:
a. To receive an update of the Expenditure in Period
The following were passed for payment clerks’ salary, Warner’s newsletter payment and the final grass cutting payment.
b. To review and discuss budget 2026/2027
The budget is under way and finalising figures.
19. Close meeting
Public Responses. Items for next meeting and issues/points arising from discussion for future discussion.
Next meeting: TBC General Meeting at 7.00pm in Rippingale Village Hall
Laura Davies - Parish Clerk