Meetings 2024

Minutes of the Meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Monday 8TH January 2024

Present: Cllr C. Charlton (Chairman), Cllr B Ross, Cllr J Petch and Clerk L Davies.
In Attendance: Cllr R Warren-Dixon (SKDC), S Creek, D Palmer, P Palmer, T Creek, K Dallimore, C Dallimore, L Parncutt, Adam and W Grey. There were no Press in attendance.

Public Forum
1.    Chairman’s Opening remarks.
1241. He welcomed everyone on such a cold evening and noted it was positive to see many members of the public in attendance. 
2. Comments, Questions & Answers; Queries from Press & Public.
1242. D Palmer highlighted the challenges the Village faced on 2 January’s flash surface water flooding incident which had adversely affected a group of properties at the east end of Station Street. Reactions had been seen to be unco-ordinated, with sandbags not readily available to seal doorways and airholes. Although this was eventually overcome through the initiative of residents, the validity of the Emergency Plan was questioned. Cllr Charlton explained that the Plan depended on the availability of a Flood Warden to control such a situation; one is not in post at present and he was absent on holiday until mid-afternoon, when he saw that measures to alleviate the situation had been achieved through self-help.  The availability of volunteers, vehicles and the Bull Inn as an evacuation centre were also questioned. Cllr Charlton highlighted these aspects were covered in the Emergency Plan, once it was initiated. Road closure to stop secondary flooding was also raised. Cllr Charlton then stopped the discussion, as it was time expired. He agreed to programme a public meeting to review the outcome of 2 January’s experience and the soundness of the Emergency Plan.  
Agenda
1. To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.
1243. None
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
1244. None
3. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13th November 2023 (All).
1245.The previously circulated minutes were unanimously approved as a true record of the meeting. 
4. Receive External & Community Group Updates:
4.1. County & District Council Reports – as available.
1246. Cllr R Warren-Dixon detailed that recent surface and river flooding had occurred across the District. He was keen that the Parish Council reviewed their procedures, compiled their lessons learnt and passed their findings to SKDC for necessary action. The Chairman agreed to do so. Claims actions for affected residents were being promulgated. He noted that the Government has agreed a £750 million devolution deal with Lincolnshire Councils, resulting in it is hoped greater regional decision making over the use of resources. See: https://www.letstalk.lincolnshire.gov.uk/devolution. Lincolnshire County Council sponsored ‘drop-in sessions’ on devolution will take place across the county.  The new SKDC domestic waste disposal system is due to commence in February, separating paper and containers into 2 bins and initiating a three-week collection regime. A set of Frequently Asked Questions can be found on SKDC’s website at www.southkesteven.gov.uk/PCFAQ. The first in a new series of quarterly Neighbourhood Policing Updates is at: https://sway.office.com/LGmv175RgYQ88lDz?ref=Link&loc=mysways, aiming to set Neighbourhood Policing Team priorities. The Police are keen to stay in touch with their communities so that they can understand and act on the issues of concern to them. DC Warren-Dixon attends the South Kesteven quarterly priority setting meetings; Parish Councils should register residents’ priorities when requested.
4.2. Community Groups and Organisations – as available (RGAG; Feast; HCS; VHMC; PCC).
1247. RGAG – The wet weather was resulting in vehicles getting bogged down on pathways when off the hard standing. Signs were to be erected banning vehicles on paths. Hedge cutting is to be completed by the end of January. 
1248. Feast – There was a very successful well attended Christmas lights switch on service, with carols and refreshments.  The Council passed on its thanks to Kate Lewis and the volunteers for actioning this event.
1249. HCS – Very active with 6 trips completed, 4 cancelled NHS appointments, and 1 which was short notice and unable to undertake.
1250. VHMC - Running smoothly, with bookings coming in regularly. The Hall is starting to be tidied with painting under way.
1251. PCC – Jonathan Newell is working as interim Church Warden.
5. Parish Matters:
5.1 To consider progress with refurbishment of Village signs.
1252. The new signs have now been fitted by Phil Rippingale; the holders will be refurbished in the Spring. The Council passed on its thanks to Phil for his artwork, procurement and the installation of the signs.
5.2 To consider the progress in fundraising to replace the portacabin at Jubilee
Playing Field.
1253. This is an ongoing project with a shortfall of £11,500 in funding against £51,000 need after a rejection by the National Lottery for All England, but applications are still under way with the B&Q Foundation and the Rank and Schroder Trusts, with a new application being forwarded to the Government Community Ownership Fund. The next phase is to receive quotes to remove the old portacabin and explore the base being constructed; Phil Palmer has agreed to store Village owned equipment in his container.  
5.3 To consider and discuss mains water connection at the Allotments.
1254. On going progress; Clerk to provide the Chairman with up-to-date costs for Anglian Water to install a mains water connection. Cllr Ross to liaise with the RGAG regarding fixtures and fittings and providing costings. Once these costs are gathered then an application is to be made to the UK Prosperity Levelling Up Fund. 
5.4 To consider repairs to Play Equipment on the Jubilee Playing Field.
1255. The repairs are complete, with the hand holds repaired. The relevant invoice has been settled. 
5.5 To discuss and consider No Dogs application to SKDC in the children’s play area at the Jubilee Playing Field.
1256. No application was possible in this round but a further request to be made at the next opportunity. After reports of dogs being allowed in the play area a reminder is to go in the next Newsletter re-iterating the ban on dogs. 
5.6 To consider Meeting dates for 2024
1257.  Previously circulated dates were agreed on the 2nd Monday of the Month. 12th February, 11th March, 8th April, 13th May, 10th June, 8th July, 12th August, 9th September, 14th October & 11th November. Clerk to book with Village Hall.
5.7 To consider Village Green Tree husbandry.
1258. Quote from Gary’s Trees for £500 seen as fair and reasonable to meet the need to trim the trees after formal inspection and as required for insurance purposes.  Clerk to raise TPO planning application. 
5.8 To consider input for planning Application S22/1853 – Willows Care Home extension a new building – revised application.
1259. Cllr Charlton or Cllr Ross to attend the SKDC Planning Committee meeting to raise objections due to increased noise and traffic, extra water run-off and sewage on an already stretched system. Cllr R Warren-Dixon will notify the hearing date.
5.9 To consider advertising the Parish Council’s role in the Community.
1260. The previous circulated document stating the role of the PC within the Community was approved and will be placed in the Newsletter, to make the Village aware of the PC’s scope and responsibilities and to promote the vacancies within the PC.
5.10 To consider and discuss grass cutting contract for 2024.
1261. The Clerk is to email relevant contractors with the Statement of Requirement to tender for the contact with costings. The returns are to be considered at February’s meeting to award the contract for the first cut in March. Clerk to action
Financial Matters:
6.1 FY2023/2024 (Accounts to Date and Approval of Expenditure – All). 
1262. The previously circulated payments for approval were carefully considered and agreed for payment, to include the Clerk’s salary, tree survey, annual grass cutting and Village signs. 

6.2 To consider & approve the Budget for 2024/2025. 
1263. As provisionally approved at the November Parish Council meeting, the Council again considered the proposed budget; it was seen to meet the needs of the coming year, with contingency included for unforeseen circumstances. The Precept was to remain levied at the current rate and provision was made to cover the allotments’ mains water connection. The Precept and the Budget was therefore approved. 
 
7. To Receive any Urgent Reports.
1264. Cllr Charlton presented three items of expenditure for approval, details of which he had forwarded to the Parish Council prior to the meeting:
•    He considered that the playing field was underutilised. It lacked serviceable football goal posts, in proper positions. He considered that the expenditure for the year had flexibility to purchase two posts to enable the field to be played on. The Council debated this and agreed to purchase two goal posts only; nets were not thought necessary for casual play. Erection to be undertaken by the Village maintenance operative.  Cost for purchase was £1,031 (including VAT). The Clerk was to purchase these.
•    Cllr Charlton also requested that a tennis court sign to remind players to lower the net after use be purchased for £6.89 (including VAT). The Council agreed to this as this would protect the net posts from over tension. The Clerk was to purchase the sign.
•    Finally, the tennis court was becoming dangerous to play on due to a build up of ground moss; the Council agreed to sanction moss remover at a cost of £64.95 (including VAT). The Clerk was to purchase this.  

8. Public Forum.
1265. K Dallimore raised the question of the resurrection of the Annual Beer Festival and Parish Council support.  Cllr Charlton recalled it as a community event on the Jubilee Playing Field, which was self-funding but it finances had been cleared and donated to the JPF play equipment refurbishment project. The PC were favourable to this possible event, once a formal proposal was made.
Next meeting: Next Council Meeting – Monday 12th February 2024 Village Hall.

C R A M Charlton                            L Davies 
Chairman                                Clerk

12 February 2024