Minutes June 2024
Minutes of the Meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Monday 10 June 2024
Present: Cllr A. Creek, Cllr J Petch, Cllr B Ross, Cllr J Jones and L Davies Clerk.
In Attendance: Cllr R Dixon-Warren D Knibbs, S Knibbs, C Cutt, C Smith, R Smith, Kate Manley, A Cliffe, L Middleton, J Middleton, L Pancutt and W Grey. There were no Press in attendance.
Public Forum
1.0 Vice-Chairman’s Opening remarks.
1354. A warm evening welcome to many of the members of the public. Firstly, there will be a slight change in the agenda, due to Chris Charlton resigning from the Parish Council. The Parish wishes to thank Chris, greatly for the work that he has done over the last 7 years. He will be greatly missed, his involvement in planning, emergency plan and financial and the many tasks that he undertaken in the background, to ensure the Parish ran smoothly. Once again thank you. Before opening to the public, we will move to Elect a chair, who will then open to the public.
1.1. Election of Chairman.
1355. Cllr B Ross was elected to chair. Cllr Ross introduced himself, with a brief history and again thanked Chris Charlton for what he has done for the village over the last 7 years, too many to mention.
2.0 Comments, Questions & Answers; Queries from Press & Public.
1356. W. Grey, raised the issue of the land at the rear of 13 & 15 Dovecote/Grinders Lane Dyke, parts were previously managed by themselves, but the land was sold to, W Gray believes, the occupants of 2 Siskin Close (but not 100% sure). The land is overgrown with trees, brambles etc which is impacting the light and views to the bungalow’s 1,3 & 5 Grinders lane. Would the PC establish ownership and write to landowner to ask to tidy/manage the land
Action: BWR to establish land ownership by next meeting
Action: Speak with Landowner & SKDC to establish further action(s) by next meeting .
Agenda.
1.0 Election of Chairman – see above
2.0 To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.
1357. None given and after recent training the PC must vote acceptance of these reasons, so going forward this will be acknowledged.
3.0 To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
1358. None
4.0 To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 15th April 2024
1359. Minutes were unanimously accepted as a true reflection of the meeting.
5.0 To Receive External & Community Group Updates:
5.1. County & District Council Reports – as available.
1360. Cllr R Dixon-Warren -Twin Stream Waste Collection SKDC’s new ‘twin stream recycling service’ included rejection of bins containing ‘contaminated’ waste. Introduction was temporarily halted following initial problems. Reintroduction is in three phases. Advisory tagging of bins contaminated with paper/card and plastics has started. Rejections restart 10 June, moving to bring down contamination over the course of the summer. SKDC has no plans to revert to a single bin and does not expect the government to direct this backward and expensive step. SKDC’s operation achieves better separation, lower rates of contamination, and more responsible disposal. Higher quality recyclable material is sold on to generate revenue for reinvestment.
80th Anniversary of D-Day 6 June 2024 D-Day is the day when Allied forces landed in Normandy, France, on 6 June 1944 to help liberate Europe from German forces and turn the course of World War II. It was the largest seaborne invasion in history, involving land, sea, air, and airborne forces. SKDC is establishing an Airborne Forces Heritage Trail to commemorate and honour the multi-national airborne assault and aviation forces billeted and trained in South Kesteven in 1944. Commemorative events are planned in the District:https://www.southkesteven.gov.uk/news/2024/commemorative programme-marks-80th-anniversary-d-day.
General Election Thursday 4 July 2024 A General election will be held on Thursday 4 July 2024. Your vote counts. • If you are eligible, please ensure that you are registered to vote before 18 June. • You normally only need to register once. You will need to register again if you have changed your name, address, or nationality. • You can apply to vote by post by 19 June or by proxy on 26 June. • You need photo ID to vote. If you have no acceptable ID, you must apply for a free Voter Authority Certificate by 26 June.
5.2. Community Groups and Organisations
1361. RGAG – Cllr Ross – Have all plots paid and returned the agreement?
Action Clerk to provide Up to Date on payments and signed agreements.
Request from tenant to swap plot 2 with plot 5 (or 4?). Proposal accepted
Action. Clerk to update records by 20th June 2024 .
Cllr Ross proposed that the PC rotavate plots prior to new tenants taking over. After plots history being taken over in a poor state, then being asked to set fair at the end of tenancy.
Action - BWR to look at cost to action. Proposal accepted.
1362. Feast - No committee in place.
1363. HCS - Steady service, still looking for drivers.
1364. VHMC - There is still issue with the drain, which has been reported via Fix my street. The sandbag bins are being moved as blocking access to the drain. Dog poo bags are being dumped in the car park hedge, notice has gone out to community via social media, this led to the question being asked if can be placed in the black bin, which has been confirmed as acceptable. The steps at the entrance are being assessed and quote to apply a non-slip coating as became slippery in the winter. Work in progress on the lobby flooring to the gents’ toilets. Events such as a coffee morning/Strawberry Tea, Christmas Winter wonderland and New Years Eve party are all under way/planning stages.
Action: JJ to report progress at next meeting
1365. PCC. Fete is going ahead on the 22nd of June.
6.0 Parish Matters:
6.1 To consider the replacement of the portacabin at Jubilee Playing Field.
1366. The portacabin at the JPF was to be replaced with a Sports Pavilion and some funding was available. Following limited response from residents to the item in last month’s Newsletter, the PC decided to re-visit a village wide consultation to establish what villagers wanted on the field. The existing portacabin is used for storage of equipment used at events at the JPF. The PC will undertake the consultation which could be, but not limited to, the use of social media and/or Voting sheet in the newsletter and/or Door to door canvasing? The PC needs to establish what the time limits may exist.
Action: BWR to create a working group to look at options available to community including funding and report to the Next PC Meeting.
6.2 To consider and discuss progress with the rectification of flood drainage.
concerns.
1367. Blocked drain at 155 Station Street is under investigation with LCC, but there has been no further actions or comments received.
Action TC to chase LCC for update. Feedback at next meeting.
1368 Sandbags – SKDC can provide a ton of sand and bags. This means that the PC needs to consider storage solutions, as loose sand isn’t great to store as a pile.
Action, Clerk to research and provide options at next meeting.
6.3 To consider the progress providing mains water supply to the Allotments.
1369. Cllr Ross has been liaising with Anglian Water to reduce the costs. A solution has been located to reduce the cost significantly. PC needs to talk to neighbouring property owner to seek permission to run along their hedge. Cllr Petch advised that he would action this as he was their neighbour.
Action: JP to contact neighbour and feedback at next meeting.
Action: BWR to obtain quotations for the works by next meeting
6.4 To consider the allocation of members to roles and responsibilities.
1370. Revisited and discussed the following, role changes.
a. Police Forum Representative TC
b. Emergency Plan & Flood Warden Coordinator TC & BWR
c. Finance Supervisor TC
d. Grass Cutting & Village Maintenance BWR
e. JPF & Play Area JJ
f. Council Newsletter JP & BWR
g. Allotments Liaison BWR
h. Accessibility JP
i. Village Hall Management Committee Liaison. JJ
j. Feast Liaison. N/A
k. St Andrew’s Parochial Church Council Liaison JP
Action. Resolved, revisit as required.
6.5 To consider and discuss social media for the Parish Council.
1371. The way many people communicate is via social media, so a platform for the Parish to communicate could be via a Facebook page, the most common form of social media, which would be able to reference sites like ”Fix My Street”.
Proposal tabled to use this platform. Proposal accepted
Action Clerk & JJ to create and manage page. Feedback next meeting.
6.6 To discuss Councillor recruitment.
1372. There has been a CV presented to the council for consideration. Recruitment to be highlighted in July Newsletter.
Action: JP to ensure issue added to July Newsletter
Action: Clerk to send forms to applicant and add co-option to next agenda.
7.0 Financial Matters:
7.1. FY2024/25 (Accounts to Date and Approval of Expenditure – All).
1373. The below payments were passed for approval for payment:-
Description Supplier VAT Type Net VAT Total
Clerk Salary The Clerk X £530.30 £ - £530.30
Annual Costs Village Hall Z £ 37.50 £ - £ 37.50
Clerk Expenses The Clerk X £ 18.90 £ - £ 18.90
Clerk Expenses The Clerk X £ 25.00 £ - £ 25.00
Annual Costs Cllr expenses Z £ 2.50 £ - £ 2.50
Annual Costs Cllr expenses Z £ 17.70 £ - £ 17.70
Annual Costs BHIB S £620.62 £124.12 £744.74
Annual Costs Cllr expenses S £ 17.35 £ 3.47 £ 20.82
Annual Costs Cllr expenses S £ 38.33 £ 7.67 £ 46.00
Annual Costs Gary Gardens Tree Care Z £480.00 £ £480.00
Newsletter Warners Group Z £ 82.00 £ - £ 82.00
Action. Clerk to make payment, WEF 15/06/24.
7.2. To consider and discuss the JPFT bank account.
1374. Proposal to move account away from Nat West Bank. Proposal accepted
Action: Clerk to investigate various account options. Feedback next meeting.
8.0 To Receive any Urgent Reports.
8.1. Planning Application S24/0315
1375. Planning application S25/0315 was approved. This was a disappointing result as the community has raised strong objections. The Neighbourhood Plan (NP) included wording that allowed development that had EITHER significant local support OR was supported by a Housing Needs Assessment (HNA). Cllr Dixon-Warren stated that he would support any ongoing campaign but highlighted that outline planning has been granted and could not be revoked. Cllr Ross reminded all that further comments/objections could be made when a Detailed Application was submitted. The PC needs to revisit the issue on any conflicts between the NP and the SKDC Local Plan
Action: The Parish Council to set up a Working Group to receive comments from residents.
Action: Parish Council to consider a review of the NP and report back at the Next meeting.
1376. Additional issues raised for consideration at future meetings:
8.2. Welcome Pack, who has keys for the various PC assets,
8.3. Electric meter at JPF Energy supplier (OPUS) has requested this be replaced by a smart meter. Clerk asked OPUS to put this on hold due to minute 1366.
8.4. Chase Gary’s Garden regarding: - 2 middle street, 94 & 96 station street and the corner of 22 Middle Street/Station Street, plus strimming inside the tennis court.
Action: Clerk to action and report to PC by 26th June 2024
8.5. Notice Board repairs –
1377. Existing posts are unstable
Action BWR to instruct handy man to fix a.s.a.p.
8.6. Defibrillators
1378. Unit at the Bull Inn may no longer have a location point visible. There was also a feeling of lack of understand how to use these if required, although most were aware that “999” operator would talk through this. Could training be given for this and CPR?
Action: Clerk to replace location on the Bull Inn by 25th June 2024
Action: Clerk to investigate training options and report at next meeting.
9.0 Public Forum.
1379. Overgrown hedge/grass along Station Street raised.
Action: JP to Report to “Fix My Street” note;- JP has raised in the past but will revisit. Feedback next meeting
Next meeting: Next Council Meeting – Monday 8th July General meeting in the
Village Hall.