There was a discussion about the ‘Riparian Owners Action Group’ at the last meeting of the Shiptonthorpe Parish Council. A Riparian is someone living on or near the bank of a river or stream.

It seems that before the ROAG group was officially wound up in 2018 there was a joint meeting of the PC and ROAG. The meeting unanimously agreed that the remaining £719.37 in the ROAG bank account would be passed to the Parish Council.

Cllr Powell wanted to know why the funds had been accepted given the council has no legal obligation for riparian maintenance. Cllr Hammond said the council should not have taken the money. Cllr Gough pointed out that no councillor is a riparian expert.

Interesting to note that then Chairman Robert Ducker was not present at the meeting in question in December 2018 but current Councillor Tim Bowron and David Gough were. According to the minutes it was unanimously agreed that the funds should be transferred to the Parish Council and that the funds would be ring fenced for any work relating to the beck. The minutes of the 2018 meeting do not record either Tim Bowron or David Gough expressing any concern about the transfer of funds at the time.

It was agreed at last months SPC meeting that the matter should be rolled over for discussion at the next meeting in September. Given that Robert Ducker was not present it will be interesting to hear if Cllrs Gough and Bowron will be criticised for their role in the decision.

In the meantime the search for any misdemeanours committed by the former council and clerk continues.