Meetings 2024

Minutes of the Meeting of Rippingale Parish
Council, held in the Village Hall on Monday 11 March 2024
Present: Cllr C. Charlton (Chairman), Cllr J Petch and Cllr T Creek.
In Attendance: Cllr R Dixon-Warren (SKDC), A Cliff, D Knibbs, S Knibbs and W
Grey. There were no Press in attendance.

Public Forum
1. Chairman’s Opening remarks.
1284. He greeted the attendees. He welcomed Tony Creek to his first Parish Council
as a Councillor and was sure he would enjoy the role and prove an asset.
2. Comments, Questions & Answers; Queries from Press & Public.
1285. Wendy Grey raised the matter of continued dog fouling in the Village. She had
identified a dog owner who was allowing his dog to foul in the Village. The Chairman
agreed to report this to SKDC.
Agenda.
1. To receive Apologies for Absence and Reasons Given.
1286. Cllr Ross was absent on holiday and the Parish Clerk was indisposed due to
illness.
2. To receive any new Declarations of Interest.
1287. Cllr Creek had provided his declaration for the Council’s use and records.
3. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 12 February 2024
(All).
1288. 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.
1289. Cllr Dixon-Warren reported that the collection of paper/cardboard divided from
tins/bottles etc in separate bins was still having teething problems, as it had in other
Councils in Lincolnshire. Despite widespread publicity the new system had to fully
bed in but SKDC had allowed a degree of flexibility in collection but were hopeful the
scheme will prove a success.
4.2. Community Groups and Organisations – as available (RGAG; Feast; HCS;
VHMC; PCC).
1290. RGAG – the Chairman detailed that the Parish Council was committed to
directing Anglian Water to connect the mains water supply to the Allotments. David
Knibbs replied that the RGAG was reviewing the costs of resources required to fit an
internal pipe and storage system at their next meeting on 12 April 2024. They would
be holding a fund-raising event in the Village Hall.
1291. Feast. None.
1292. HCS – still active and beneficial; 3 journeys completed in the period.
1293. VHMC – due to popular demand Bingo was being re-introduced on Sunday
evenings. An electricity meter had been installed. The ladies’ toilets and door
replacement was complete, with the gentlemen’s doors also replaced. A new radiator
was to be fitted to the back room. The Village Hall AGM was to be held at 1030 on
Saturday 16 March.

1294. PCC – A group of volunteers had been established to fund raise and maintain
the fabric of the Church. A repair to an upper level collapsed wall had been
undertaken. Tree and bush husbandry are being undertaken in the Churchyard.
5. Parish Matters:
5.1 To consider and approve the co-option of Mrs Jules Jones as a Parish
Councillor.
1295. It was clear that Mrs Jones was very appropriately qualified, with wide
experience to successfully enable her to act as a Parish Councillor. The Parish
Councillors agreed to co-opt Mrs Jones as a Parish Councillor. Chairman to inform
her and Clerk to carry out necessary administrative actions.
5.2 To consider, review and approve the Parish Council’s policies and procedures.
1296. The policies and procedures had been examined and found to be relevant and
up to date, save:
 Communication policy - need to take out that Clerk drafts the monthly Village
Newsletter. Now produced by the Chairman,
 Complaints, Disciplinary and Grievances - seems to be a non-standard,
paragraph numbering here, which does not make total sense. Not imperative,
but would benefit from revision,
 the link to the PDF copies on each Policy does not work for some reason,
 and the Emergency Plan needs amendment with new Flood Warden’s
details, insertion of equipment holdings, clearer details on the positioning of
sandbags and a check made on the availability of volunteers.
The Councillors approved the Parish Council policies and procedures; the Clerk was
to input the review date on them and also amend and take for action the above
points.
5.3 To consider the progress in fundraising to replace the portacabin at Jubilee.
Playing Field.
1297. Shortfall of funds unchanged at £11,500. The decision on the grant application
to the Government Community Ownership Fund for this amount was expected in the
near future. It was agreed that the outlook for the project would be reviewed once
this judgement was received.
5.4 To consider and discuss progress with the rectification of flood drainage
concerns.
1298. After the recent incidents of surface water flooding in the Village, engagement
continues with Anglian Water, SKDC and Lincolnshire County Council regarding the
rainwater and foul water drainage in the Village. Anglian Water have identified that
there are faults with household surface water connections erroneously flowing into
the foul water network, which they are seeking to rectify. SKDC is investigating the
regular clearance of the culvert grill outside the Willows Care Home on Station Street
and removing another obstruction on the culvert entrance at the Station
Street/Middle Street junction. LCC are clearing roadside grills and other drains as
identified by Fix My Street inputs. Anglian Water and LCC are being pressed to co-
operate and arrange a clear out of the culvert under Station Street. Finally, SKDC
have agreed to provide the makings for 100 sandbags; it was highlighted that
volunteers would be required to make the sandbags up.
5.5 To consider and discuss mains water connection at the Allotments.
1299. Covered at 1290.
6. Financial Matters:
6.1 FY2023/2024 (Accounts to Date and Approval of Expenditure – All).

1300. After suitable deliberation the following invoices were passed for payment,
including the Clerk’s salary, mileage and office costs, Newsletter printing and Village
Hall hire:

7. To Receive any Urgent Reports.
1301. To review Cllrs’ roles at the next meeting
8. Public Forum.
1302. None
Next meeting: Next Council Meeting – Monday 15 April 2024 Village Hall.