Minutes of Meeting of Rippingale Parish Council,
Held 1st February, 2010, 7.30p.m. at Rippingale Village Hall.
Present:
Cllr D. Sankey, Chairman;
Cllrs Mrs. C. Rice, P. Moseley, M. Exton, D. Cllr Mrs. A. Webster, C.Cllr M. Hill (from 8.15p.m.)
In Attendance: D. Diess, L. Parncut, Mrs. L. Hall, Members of the Public. Apologies received from Mr. T. Bladon.
PUBLIC FORUM:
1. The Chairman welcomed all to the Public Forum:
2. “It is usual to have the Public Forum at the start of the meeting. Some Councils hold it during the meeting, but then official business must be suspended and then re-opened to allow the public to speak – they should not participate when the Council is in session.
3. A Public Forum results in one of three things – people comment on agenda items for that meeting: the Chair can thank them for their comments and say that Councillors will take these into account during their debate at the relevant point. People can raise matters that are beyond the remit of the Council and the Chairman will advise that the Clerk will take the matter forward; or someone raises something which may become an Agenda item for a future meeting.
4. There is a legal requirement to let the Public and Press attend all meetings, unless the Council resolves at some point in the meeting to go into Closed Session – but no legal requirement to let them participate. Having a Public Forum is a Good Practice matter. The Public Forum should not however become a debating match with public and councillors joining in.”
5. Station Street Wall. Mr. Diess again requested report on repairs to wall in Station Street. D. Cllr Webster advised that despite strenuous efforts, she is making no progress in resolving the situation. LCC Highways have now withdrawn offer to complete the work, despite funding offer of £2,000 from SKDC. It was agreed that the Chairman would contact SKDC Chief Executive.
6. Street Light Obscured. Mr. Diess reported lamp obscured by confifers on bank-side approach to Sands Court. Authorities to be notified.
7. Community Shop. Mr. Diess requested progress report. The Chairman advised, that to his knowledge, the Group had not pursued setting up of a Community Shop once arrangements were in place to provide a post office service in The Bull where the sale of foodstuffs by the incoming Postmistress was planned. No information was available as to the success or otherwise of the new post office arrangements.
8. Village Websites.
8.1 Cllr Moseley clarified that managing the village website www.rippingalevillage had been taken on by Councillors on a temporary basis, following Mr. Warman’s retirement. The work has been done within the resources available on a best efforts basis. Helpers are still needed to develop the Website further.
8.2 The Parish Council website www.rpcouncil.co.uk prime function is to provide a mail service among Councillors and will be developed as time allows. Parishioners use the facility to contact Clerk and Councillors.
9. Resignation of Parish Council members.
Mrs. Hall had heard of the resignation of members of the Parish Council and having attended both recent Public Meetings wished to state that reports of an aggressive attitude did not apply to these Council members. The Chairman advised that this is an Agenda item; decision to allow Public comment would follow protocol advised by Chairman as above.
There being no further questions from the Public, the Chairman opened the Parish Council meeting at 7.50p.m.
1. CHAIRMAN’S OPENING REMARKS:
“The following was written before the resignation of Council Members had been received.
Looking at tonight’s Agenda I suspect we might have some healthy debate.
As a Parish Council it is our duty to do what we collectively believe is best for the village as a whole. Sometimes this could be at odds with what we want personally. As Councillors we must try and set aside what we want as individuals and support what we feel is best for the whole. In other words it is not personal.
Whatever the issue, we will debate it fairly and decide democratically what we are to do. A debate is not won by shouting the loudest; shouting more loudly does not make you any more right. Everyone should have a fair chance to say their piece - just because you might not agree with what is being said it does not mean it is wrong or invalid. It is unacceptable to talk over people and extremely rude to have separate conversations whilst other people are speaking. Matters must be directed through the Chair, whoever that may be.
I would also remind everyone that members of the public are not allowed to join in the debate or ask questions once the meeting has started.”
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE & REASONS GIVEN.
2.1. There were no apologies for absence.
2.2. Parish Council Resignations.
2.2.1 The Chairman has received e-mails of resignation from Cllr M. Hallas, Cllr J. Latham and Cllr B. Flatters, which he had acknowledged. The circumstances and issues relating to the resignations will be discussed later on the Agenda. In the meantime, the Clerk is requested to confirm the resignations and set in motion due procedure.
(Clerk’s Note: LALC advise that 6 months’ prior to Local Government election (due May 2010) there is no requirement to call a parish council election; remaining Councillors may co-opt members to fill vacancies or leave them open. Clerk to notify SKDC Election Officer and publish cooption notices. It is suggested that this be done via Newsletter and website. Councillors can then decide whether to co-opt or not any respondents to advertisement. Any co-opted member must stand down at time of Election, then is eligible to stand as an elected member. The Parish Council has a Procedure in place to deal with applicants.)
3. TO RECEIVE DECLARATIONS OF PERSONAL INTEREST:
· Cllr Exton as Allotment Holder
· Cllrs Sankey, Exton & Moseley as New Springwells Practice Patients.
4. MEETING 4th JANUARY, 2010.
The Notes of Meeting 4th January, 2010 were approved as Minutes – proposed by Cllr Moseley, seconded by Cllr Sankey.
5. CLERK’S REPORT
5.1 COMPLAINTS’ PROCEDURE Carry forward.
5.2 REGISTERING COUNCIL-OWNED LAND
L.C.C. (Matthew Chapman) have confirmed that the Village Green is owned by the County Council. Land owned by the Parish Council requiring registration would appear to be The Pinfold and Allotments. Application forms are being sent to the Parish Council. The Village Hall is also unregistered, Clerk to advice VHMC.
5.3 SKDC ELECTRONIC CONSULTATIONS – PLANNING
SKDC (Mr. B. Wolsey) report that no other Parish Councils appear interested in taking up invitation of demonstrations. No further action.
5.4 LALC TRAINING COURSES – Carry forward.
5.5 PLAYING FIELD TRUSTEESHIP
Chattertons Solicitors have contacted Charity Commission to progress this matter.
5.6 “BOOT CAMP”
It is likely that the classes, organised by Michela Toms will go ahead in the Village Hall.
6. FINANCE
6.1 Bills for Payment, Bank Accounts, Budget.
Bills for Payment:
Fovia £ 32.03
S.M. Scholes £289.50
A. Danylew (Plumber, Portakabin) £ 35.00
BT. Broadband Line Rental, Village Hall £ 75.50
Receipts:
Allotment Rentals 2010 invoiced and £411 received to date.
6.2 Budget Statement and Bank Accounts as at 26th January, 2010 previously circulated. Total funds £19,250 of which £11,479 is Reserves.
6.3 LALC Training Scheme Payment – Carry Forward
6.4 Clerks’ Conditions of Employment & Remuneration. Carry forward.
6.5 Insurance Renewal – Passed to Cllr Sankey for review.
7. PLANNING MATTERS .
7.1 Disputed land/planning issues: SKDC (Mr. Cliff) are to inspect land to rear of 135 Station Street and Siskin Close reported encroachment onto public space.
7.2 (2870) Revised Application: Outline Planning Permission; 2 Dwellings, 71 Station Street. The application was circulated on 6th January, 2010 and comments were not received by Clerk before deadline to return to SKDC (25th January). Clerk has subsequently notified SKDC of concerns regarding access to the site and asked that these comments be considered.
8. CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED
8.1 (SKDC) “Working Better Together” – named contact Mr. Richard Wyles, Corporate Head of Finance & Customer Services. 01476 406210, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
8.2 (LCC) Confirmation that problems with Footpath No. 9 have been resolved.
8.3 (E. Midlands Fire & Rescue Control Centre) Transfer in 2011.
8.4 (Rospa) 2010 Inspection – Cllr Exton requested to research alternative suppliers as soon as possible.
8.5 (Joseph Main) Thank you letter.
8.6 (Lincs Police) Appointment of Independent Member – poster displayed.
8.7 (Lincs Sports Partnership Over 45s Coordinator) Community Activities Organiser, forwarded to Village Hall Committee.
8.8 (Lincs. Police) Six monthly update.
8.9 (Bourne Town Council) Civic Dinner, 26th February, 2010. Tickets £20.
8.10 (SKDC) Application for Dispensation - Standards Committee. Clerk to retain.
8.11 (LCC) Travel & Transport Briefing Newsletter November 2009 www.lincolnshire.gov.uk
9. RECEIVE REPORTS FROM COUNCIL REPRESENTATIVES
9.1 GRASS CUTTING & MAINTENANCE.
9.1.1 Clive Boyfield is doing hedging work and repairs to Pinfold wall. LCC Free Trees have been collected and heeled in pending planting.
9.1.2 Cllr Sankey advised that repair to Pinfold wall will be an insurance claim, attributed to vandalism. (Clerk’s Note: insurance settlement received £235)
9.2 PLAYING FIELD & FOOTBALL CLUB MEETING UPDATE.
9.2.1 Cllr Moseley has secured extension to grant period to enable tennis court work to be finished. Plumber has been called in to attend to leak in Portakabin toilet.
9.2.2 Next meeting with Football Club is 6th February and Club taking over responsibility for Portakabin will be discussed. The Club is aware that the parking issue within the village is fundamental to agreement and it is hoped that the meeting will see resolution of an agreement, to be reported back to the Parish Council.
9.2.3 OUTSTANDING & REPORTED MAINTENANCE MATTERS - carry forward.
9.2.4 Grit Bins – carry forward.
9.2.5 PLAY EQUIPMENT, PLAYING FIELD.
Cllr Exton requested consideration be given to providing additional play equipment on the Field. Residents had indicated in the 2009 Questionnaire that this was desirable. It was agreed that Cllrs Exton and Moseley would collate information from suppliers. An overall enhancement scheme would be considered, including appropriate treatment of the hedge along Pinfold Close.
9.3 POST BOX, VILLAGE GREEN
LCC have confirmed that Post Office has permission to site the Postbox. Consensus of opinion was that the Post Box was attractive but not in the most appropriate place. Councillors to discuss further.
Cllr M. Hill joined the meeting at 8.15p.m.
9.6 COMPUTERS FOR ALL . Cllr Moseley to organise Broadband supplier.
9.7 PARISH COUNCIL PLAN - carry forward.
10. REPORTS FROM REPRESENTATIVE ON OUTSIDE BODIES.
10.1 RIPPINGALE SURGERY ACTION GROUP
10.1.1 Cllr Exton expressed his intention to withdraw from the discussion on this Agenda item and left the meeting.
10.1.2 Motion: “That the Parish Council does not support the aggressive manner in which the Surgery Action Group appears to be conducting its campaign, and that this should be publicly expressed. Further that the Parish Council maintains that it is possible in this situation by working positively with the New Springwells Practice and other associated bodies to attain a good level of service in delivering healthcare for the parish”. Proposed by Cllr P. Moseley, seconded by Cllr C. Rice.
10.1.3 Cllr Moseley read a statement in support of the motion:-
“The Parish Council’s aim and role should be to achieve what is best for the village as a whole – for the ‘silent majority’ rather than the ‘vocal minority’. It would seem that rather than trying to work with the Springwells Practice to get the best level of services they are able to provide within the constraints being operated, the Rippingale Village Surgery Action Group campaign has turned quite vindictive and aggressive and as a councillor, I am concerned that as two members of the Council are significantly active in the Group, there could be a perception that the views of the individuals are the view of the Council as a whole.
So that they could “Report to the Parish Council to ensure that any decisions and actions taken by the Group were approved by the Parish Council (RPC Minutes 7/12/09) , Cllrs Hallas and Latham were approved to attend the meetings and were noted as not being on the committee of that Group. At the January meeting a report was heard and the Council were informed that some action, in the form of organising a Public Meeting would be occurring and that a ‘flyer’ was to be distributed – although no approval was sought or given for these actions.
The resultant notice posted to villagers in Rippingale and the surrounding area, could be construed as inflammatory and even constitute incitement. This was not approved by the Parish Council. We are told that at the subsequent Public Meeting, Parish Councillors, although not chairing, were seen to be significantly involved in directing the proceeding s which gave the impression that the proceedings and opinions of the Action Group were to an extent legitimised by the Parish Council.
The Group, as presented to the Council, was designed to provide a steering role, rather than one to raise objections and clearly this remit has been exceeded and the campaign no longer fits with the Parish Council’s view as expressed in the Minutes of the meeting of December 2009 where it was suggested that positively working with the Practice to gain as much benefit to the village as possible, would be the most appropriate course of action.
There is concern that the Action Group by its stance may well have damaged prospects of a positive outcome and has caused embarrassment to the Parish Council and councillors by association.”
10.1.4 It was regretted that Cllrs Hallas and Latham had tendered their resignations and it was thus not possible to fully debate the motion.
10.1.5 C. Cllr Hill directed the Parish Council to stabilise the situation; the Parish Council and individuals of the Action Group all wish for the best outcome for the village – the means of achieving this are the cause of the disagreement. The Minutes of the December meeting indicate that the individuals involved in the Action Group were to seek Parish Council approval for their actions.
10.1.6 The small number of Councillors present, though quorate, felt uncomfortable with debate on the motion.
10.1.7 The Chairman suspended the Parish Council meeting and invited members of the Public to speak. In general discussion; it was again regretted that the differences of opinion should result in the loss of able Council members and prevent more productive debate; that there had been misrepresentation in the statement of resignation made by Cllr Latham, which was read as requested; that the PCT had not consulted with the Parish Council as promised.
An e-mail from Mr. T. Bladon was also read .
10.1.8 The Chairman re-opened the Parish Council Meeting and it was agreed that the wording of the Motion 10.1 be amended to read:
“That the Parish Council does not support regrets the aggressive manner in which the Surgery Action Group appears to be conducting its campaign, and that this should be publicly expressed. Further that the Parish Council maintains that it is possible in this situation reaffirms its commitment to continue to work working positively with the New Springwells Practice and other associated bodies to attain a good level of service in delivering healthcare for the parish”.
10.1.9 The amendment to the Motion was proposed by Cllr D. Sankey, seconded by Cllr P. Mosely and agreed by a unanimous vote in favour.
10.1.10. The amended Motion was carried by a unanimous vote in favour.
10.2 Motion (Agenda Item 10.2) was withdrawn. It was agreed that at the next Parish Council meeting a Protocol would be established to clearly define the remit and responsibilities of councillors involved with village committees and organisations. Clerk to research.
10.3 Aveland School Closure: C. Cllr Hill confirmed free transport is to be supplied to children attending Bourne schools.
11. MATTERS OF AN URGENT NATURE.
11.1 Local Service Centre: the Chairman requested this be placed on next meeting Agenda.
12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
THURSDAY 11th MARCH 2010 – 7.30p.m. Public Forum/Question Time
7.45p.m. Parish Council Meeting.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.30p.m.
Sheila Scholes,
Clerk to the Council,
6th February, 2010.
Provisional & Approved 2010 Meeting Dates
April THURSDAY 15th ** nb change of date to accommodate WI
May THURSDAY 13th ANNUAL MEETING *
THURSDAY 20th PARISH COUNCIL AGM *
* could change (Elections?)
June THURSDAY 10th
July THURSDAY 8th
