Meetings 2024

Minutes of the Meeting of Rippingale Parish Council, held in the Village Hall on Monday 12TH February 2024

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

Public Forum
1.    Chairman’s Opening remarks.
1266. He welcomed attendees and remarked it was encouraging to see such a positive turn out for the meeting. 
2. Comments, Questions & Answers; Queries from Press & Public.
1267. S Creek remarked that there was no stock of sandbags at the Village Hall and asked when stocks would be replaced? The Clerk is already procuring replacement sandbags. D Clipston and other affected residents thanked the Parish Council and Cllr Dixon-Warren for their support and efforts in opposing the Willows Care Home planning application, which had been recently rejected by SKDC. S Creek also questioned the removal of the bottle bank at the rear of the Village Hall. W Grey advised that the bottle bank had been removed creating three additional parking spaces; it accrued no revenue, it was being used by non Rippingale residents, all residents had glass recycling bins, hedge maintenance was eased and broken glass had been a hazard.
Agenda.
1.    To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.
1268. None.
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
1269. None.
3. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 8 January 2024 (All).
1270. The previously circulated minutes were agreed to be a true reflection of the meeting and unanimously approved. 
4. Receive External & Community Group Updates:
4.1. County & District Council Reports – as available.
1271. Cllr Dixon-Warren stated that Storm Henk on 2 January was an exceptional event and all six Civil Parishes in the Aveland Ward experienced surface water flooding.  He saw that surface water flooding risk occurs when intense rainfall overwhelms drainage systems. This is not predictable and can happen very rapidly; some properties were flooded, residents evacuated and certain roads were briefly rendered impassable. However, good neighbourliness was quickly to the fore with ad hoc local support and assistance.  Lessons were: 
• External assistance is unlikely in the first few hours – immediate response must be self-generated. 
• Where areas are prone to surface water flooding, measures for rapid local response should be in place and drains and dykes properly maintained.
 • Immediate response needs to be planned and co-ordination requirements for local volunteers promulgated.
 • Up-to-date and widely known Parish emergency plans or procedures are useful in informing residents of local risks and preparation required. 
He then outlined that the new SKDC purple-lidded wheelie bin system for the collection of paper and cardboard went into action on 5 February 2024, with 74.5 tonnes collected. Despite a comprehensive publicity campaign, the system has still to fully bed in. Finally, he turned to the second South Kesteven quarterly Neighbourhood Policing Update at https://www.lincs.police.uk/police-forces/lincolnshire-police/areas/about-us/aboutus/neighbourhood-newsletters/. The updates aim to inform residents of the Neighbourhood Policing focus and to highlight the opportunity to contribute to the next priority-setting meeting on 6 April. Parish Councils are encouraged to seek and register residents’ priorities when requested.
4.2. Community Groups and Organisations – as available (RGAG; Feast; HCS; VHMC; PCC).
1271. RGAG - Cllr Ross had attended a meeting with the RGAG which highlighted the following: 
•     Barriers have been placed on pathways to prevent damage from vehicles. Signage for the roadways to be purchased by the PC to state no vehicles on the pathways and plots during Nov – Mar.
•    Burning and manure piles need relocation. Plot 8 or half of plot 21 to be considered. 
•    Revised Newsletter input to be proposed by the RGAG. 
•    Allotment plan needs to be updated. Clerk to action.
1272. Feast. None. 
1273. HCS – Very active; 6 journeys completed, unfortunately unable to action 2 trips due to no driver availability. 
1274. VHMC – Steady business. More bookings received for parties. Currently refurbishing the ladies’ toilets and replacing the doors. Gents’ toilets refurbishment to follow. 
1275. PCC – None.
5. Parish Matters:
5.1 To consider and approve the co-option of Mr Tony Creek as a Parish     Councillor.
1276. Moved into closed session. It was evident that Mr T Creek had very suitable experience and qualifications to act as a Parish Councillor. The Parish Councillors agreed to co-opt Mr Creek as a Parish Councillor. Chairman to inform him and Clerk to carry out necessary administrative actions. 
5.2 To consider the progress in fundraising to replace the portacabin at Jubilee.
Playing Field.
1277. Little progress since the last meeting, with a short fall of £11,500 in funds remaining, as an application for a grant to B&Q Trust was unsuccessful. The Chairman had made a grant application to the Government Community Ownership Fund; a decision was expected in the near future. Quotes had been received for the removal and disposal of the unit, which should be actioned in drier weather, with the relocation of Village assets to temporary storage in Mr Palmer’s container.  
5.3 To consider and discuss mains water connection at the Allotments.
1278. Investigations had revealed that grant applications to SKDC’s Community and UK Levelling Up Funds would be ineligible. Cllr Ross will liaise with the RGAG over alternative funding for internal piping and storage fits and review and possibly rationalise the projected cost of £3,089.39 (includes VAT).  It was agreed that the PC would continue to meet the external mains water connection to the allotment site at a cost of £2,908.84 (£2,327.07 excluding VAT). Clerk to direct Anglian Water to undertake work. 
5.4 To consider and discuss the emergency flood plan and volunteer flood wardens.
1279. A public meeting on the 28th January to consider the lessons learnt from the heavy surface water flooding experienced in the Village on 2 January was well supported with over 50 people attending. The following points were raised:
•    The Emergency Flood plan is largely fit for purpose and will be reviewed in March at its annual assessment. Any lessons learnt will be incorporated.  
•    Activation was hampered as there were no Flood Wardens in place. Subsequently two volunteers have come forward as Flood Wardens; Tony Creek and Theo Ray. They will be briefed on their duties on 14 February.  
•    The surface water flooding was the result of heavy rain draining off the fields, blocked LCC drains, the Willows dyke grill not being cleared and water overflowing from the Anglian Water foul water system.
•    It was agreed that SKDC should be requested to clear the Villages dykes more regularly, especially the Willows grill and specifically clear the silt and bricks and debris now choking them as a result of the storm. 
•    LCC should rectify all blocked drains as identified via fix my street.
•    Anglian Water to be requested to rectify the foul water back up from the sewage farm in heavy rain, which creates surface water and pooling in the Village. 
•    Unnecessary traffic during the flooding created secondary effects on property. There was seen to be a requirement for independent road closure during high levels of surface water, LCC to consider.
•    The Bull was to remain as an evacuation/emergency gathering point.
•    Action to contact landowners regarding the proper clearance of ditches and dykes on their land.
5.5    To consider and discuss grass cutting contract for 2024. (Closed Session)
1280. Tenders were received from Glendale, Gary’s Gardens, M&B Gardens and SK Environment. The latter contractor was not considered as it could not undertake the grass cutting at the required contract frequency. After a thorough examination of the remaining bids and an in-depth consideration of the costs forwarded it was agreed to award the contract to Gary’s Gardens 
6. Financial Matters:
6.1 FY2023/2024 (Accounts to Date and Approval of Expenditure – All).
1281. After proper consideration the following invoices were passed for payment, including the Clerk’s salary, Newsletter printing, Hospital Car Service expenses and the Village hedge cutting.

Code    Supplier     Net      VAT      Total 
Clerk Salary    The Clerk     £   505.05      £    -        £   505.05 
Printing    Warners Group     £     82.00      £    -        £     82.00 
Meetings    Village Hall     £     12.50      £    -        £     12.50 
Meetings    Village Hall     £     12.50      £    -        £     12.50 
Printing    Warners Group     £     82.00      £    -        £     82.00 
Allotment - Hedge    Gary Gardens Tree Care     £1,300.00      £    -        £1,300.00 
Residents - Rippingale    Hospital Car Service     £     21.25      £    -        £     21.25 
Residents - Rippingale    Hospital Car Service     £     12.60      £    -        £     12.60 
Residents - Rippingale    Hospital Car Service     £     15.75      £    -        £     15.75 
Travel to SKDC Meeting    C Charlton     £     16.20      £    -        £     16.20 
Car parting for SKDC Meeting    C Charlton     £       1.70      £    -        £       1.70 
         £2,061.55      £    -        £2,061.55 

7. To Receive any Urgent Reports.
1282. To review Cllrs’ roles at the next meeting
8. Public Forum.
1283. None
Next meeting: Next Council Meeting – Monday 11th March 2024 Village Hall.
 

                
Chris Charlton                         Laura Davies    
Chairman                            Clerk

11 March 2024