11th March 2021
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 11th March 2021
Remote meeting held by Zoom videoconferencing software, in accordance with Government guidelines.
PRESENT: ChairmanN MacDermid, Vice Chairman T Martin, Councillors A Dewsnip, C Dickinson, S Riley, J Locke and T Hall. In attendance, M Richards (Clerk) Cllr A Paraskos (HBC & NYCC)and 4 residents.
1. Apologies: There were no apologies for absence as all councillors were present.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’
Register of Interest: None.
3. Public Participation session: The Chairman welcomed the four residents to the meeting and confirmed that they were able to comment on any issues raised.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 11th February 2021: Councillor Martin proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Dewsnip. The Chairman then duly signed the minutes.
- Matters arising from the previous minutes: Dealt with as part of the agenda.
- Chairman’s communications
a) Dog fouling. Several instances of this unpleasant feature have recurred on Radcliffe Close. The clerk has contacted the HBC Dog Warden and obtained signs which warn dog owners of the consequences of not picking up after their dogs (fine of up to £1000) These signs have been placed on lamp posts and at the entrance to Follifields. The Dog Warden will investigate further and action will be taken against identified perpetrators. Rudding Park Estate Ltd are also going to put up signage on footpaths on land that they own. Details of the Rudding Park Estate signage were shared with the meeting and overwhelmingly supported. A resident made a contribuition to the discussion making us aware that the content of dog faeces could pose a potential health threat, even causing blindness.
b) Litter pick. As part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, the son of a local resident has volunteered to undertake a litter pick around the village. The clerk has updated the risk assessment and provided litter pickers and hi-viz jackets. Additional equipment will be made available for loan from the Post Office for other interested volunteers.
c) Car parking – Radcliffe Close. A resident reported that one day during half-term, she observed some 16 cars parked on Radcliffe Close, as part of what appeared to be an organised event in Follifields, clearly in contravention of lockdown rules. Whilst councillors were concerned about this occurrence, they did not feel that the Parish Council could do much to prevent future incidents. It was suggested however, that if such gatherings recurred, residents are encouraged to report the matter to NY Police, via the non-emergency number, 101. A councillor did comment that, with the future easing of lockdown rules, the likelihood of such future issues would diminish, as other leisure opportunities and locations become available/accessible. - Clerk’s correspondence received.
a) Local Government Reorganisation – consultation. Councillors discussed whether individual or a Parish Council response should be submitted. Differing views were then expressed over NYCC/East/West options and it was resolved to submit a Parish Council response, with councillors forwarding their comments to the clerk within 2 weeks. A resident asked if members of the public could also submit responses for the Parish Council submission but was advised not. Councillors and residents are however free to submit individual responses if desired.
b) Annual Meetings – Annual Parish Meeting (APM) and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council. The APM must take place within the period 1st April – 1st June and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council must be in the month of May. Current covid-19 restrictions are due to be relaxed on 17 May, so it was resolved to hold the APM on 20th May, immediately followed by the Annual Meeting of the PC.
c) Tree Preservation Orders. The clerk had circulated the TPOs relating to Hedgerow House and Rowan Tree Cottage, both following applications for tree surgery. This means that the tree works applied for cannot now take place without the express approval of the Planning Authority (HBC) Councillors noted the postion. - Traffic calming
a) Vehicle Activated Signs. As reported previously, installation is likely to be early April and an online training session will be arranged as soon as a firm date is known. The clerk will circulate details of time and date and any councillor interested in joining the training session should make contact for access details.
b) Picket fences. The clerk met with the NYCC Highways Officer and he recommended the fence to be located on Haggs Road, at the entrance to the public footpath, as this allows location at the required distance from the highway and can be angled to provide the best sight line for traffic approaching from Spofforth. The Officer undertook to provide details of potential suppliers and the NYCC approved list of contractors for installation. - Parish matters
Use of Follifields. There had been some concern over the possible misuse of Follifields during the Easter holiday but councillors now considered that easing of lockdown (as noted at 6 c above), and suggested action by concerned residents would be sufficient to avoid any significant issue.
10 Finance:
a)Balance at the bank on 28th February 2021, Current Account £4815.39
and Deposit Account £24,001.21 (total £28,816.60) Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment
authorisation process.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 28th February was provided
with receipts (NIL) and payments in the period 31st January 2021 to 28th
February, reconciling to the account balances shown above at a) Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 5 amounts below for payment.
| M Richards | Clerk’s salary – Feb | £295.36 | Bank Transfer |
| HMRC | PAYE – Dec | £73.84 | Bank Transfer |
| M Richards | Clerk’s exps (4th quarter) | £87.50 | Bank transfer |
| M Richards | Security software | 89.99 | Bank Transfer |
| R Snoxall | Audit fee | £50.00 | Bank Transfer |
c) The Chairman ran through the budget spreadsheets explaining the updates
following the expenditure recorded above. The Cumulative worksheet now
demonstrates that the Parish Council has operated in accordance with the
annual budget. The Chairman explained the significant individual variances
leading to an overall surplus of £1,056.00. Councillors had no issues or
questions to raise.
d) The clerk presented the proposed budget statement for 2021/22. The
budget provided for an excess of expenditure over income of £4036.00, but he
explained that this would be largely be offset by the unspent AJ1 Fund grant of
£2750 and contribution of £1000 from Cllr Paraskos’s Locality Budget, brought
forward from 2020/21. The Chairman then added that the projected figure for
fundraising income (£500) was prudent and in fact would likely be more if
normal fundraising activities (Folliwood etc) were able to take place, as is now
expected. Councillors discussed other aspects of the budget and, given the
very healthy overall fund position, agreed to increase the “donations” figure
from £100 to £500. Given the healthy fund balance, the Chairman asked
councillors to consider potential areas for capital expenditure in the new year.
Councillors approved the 2021/22 budget.
e) Internal audit. The internal auditor advised councillors that, once again, due
to turnover being less than £25,000, the Parish Council would not be subject
to external audit scrutiny. Traditionally, internal audit has largely been
restricted to a review of internal financial control and year end procedures,
with limited testing of invoices and payments throughout the year. Given the
removal of external audit, he has widened his role (with the agreement of the
Chairman and clerk) and has produced 4 reports in the last year covering (in
addition to year end reviews) examination of bank reconciliations, review of
budgets and payment controls and review of new policy documents. He would
intend to follow a similar programme in 2021/22 but would welcome any
suggestions from councillors for other areas to cover. Councillors indicated
their agreement with this approach and the auditor will produce a list of
detailed areas for review, to be circulated for agreement. The Chairman
concluded by thanking the auditor on behalf of the Parish Council, for his
efforts during the year.
11 Planning:
a) Applications Received
i) 21/00661/FUL – erection of 2 storey front & rear extensions and single
storey rear extension – 2, Ivy Close, Follifoot. Comment was made about the
building line but it was accepted that the other properties were at an angle and
therefore this was not an issue. It is an addition in the Green Belt but that was
for planners to determine. Councillors considered it to be a quality extension in
a large plot, not causing an issue for neighbours and therefore agreed to
SUPPORT the application.
ii) 21/00372/FUL – removal of timber shed and erection of open fronted/field
storage shed – Tree Cottage, Haggs Road. Councillors noted that this was
now a “FUL” application in place of the previously incorrectly submitted “PNA”,
which they had supported. Consequently, it was agreed to SUPPORT the
application.
iii) 21/00468/OUT – erection of 1 holiday cottage with all matters reserved with
the exception of access – The Cottage, Rudding Lane. Councillors considered
the application in detail, issues being:
a) is this appropriate with regard to the Green Belt? (noting that it could qualify
as an “exception” due to the “tourism” aspect) – HBC Planning to decide.
b) Is it replacing an existing structure? – not really, the existing structure is
completely dilapidated and has virtually collapsed.
c) Is it the “thin end of the wedge” and would it be setting a precedent? –
potentially so.
Given the above facts, councillors voted unanimously to OBJECT to the
application on the basis that it was inappropriate development in the Green Belt with insufficient mitigating factors.
b) Decisions
i) 20/00028/FUL Erection of timber entrance gates and 2.1m high stone
wall. Follifoot Grange, Shaw Lane Spofforth.
REFUSED
ii) 20/00846/FUL and 20/00847/LB – single storey extension and
associated works – Hilltop House, Pannal Road Follifoot. GRANTED
Councillors noted the above decisions.
12. Other matters
There being no other busuness, the meeting closed at 9.05pm
Date of next Parish Council Meeting:
7.30pm on Thursday 8th April 2021, via Zoom, unless Government guidelines change to permit physical meetings.Then in Follifoot Village Hall, Tofts Lane, Follifoot.