12th July 2018

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
​Thursday 12th July 2018

PRESENT: Chairman N. MacDermid, Vice Chairman T Martin, Councillors A. Dewsnip, T Hall and S Riley. Newly co-opted Councillor J Locke. Also present M. Richards (Clerk), and 2 parishioners (including the Neighbourhood Watch Co-Ordinator).
1. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Cllr C Dickinson and NYCC Councillor A Paraskos. The Chairman welcomed Cllr Locke to his first meeting.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None
3. Public Participation session: A parishioner asked if any progress had been made with regard to the implementation of a 40mph speed limit on Haggs Road. The clerk confirmed that he had again contacted NYCC Highways Office but has only received a “holding” response. He will contact the relevant Highways Engineer directly to elicit action. General discussion followed on the question of speed limits in the village, with suggestions of a 20mph limit on Main Street and even a 30mph, rather than 40mph, for the relevant section of Haggs Road. A councillor also queried whether the Haggs Road speed limit (if implemented) could extend to the outlet from the footpath further down, towards Spofforth, as he felt that this presented a serious risk to pedestrians. In response, it was felt that it would be unlikely that the speed limit could be extended that far, due to the perceived restrictions which apply to the ability to apply speed limits. Notwithstanding, the clerk will include this point in his submission to the Highways Engineer.
With regard to traffic issues, the clerk then informed councillors that NYCC councillors were today meeting to discuss changing the Council’s policy to allow parish councils to purchase and install their own Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) Councillors were keen to pursue this initiative and the clerk will a) ascertain the outcome of the meeting, and b) explore the potential costs of such equipment (ie both cost of purchase and running costs)
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 14th June 2018: Councillor Martin proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Hall. The Chairman then duly signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising from the previous minutes:
a) Stopping up of the bridleway. The Chairman reported that he and other councillors had been shown the layout of the bridleway in question and all the potential points of concern were identified. The owner of Rudding Estates (who had originally offered the new bridleway) confirmed that all avenues had been pursued in an attempt to persuade the landowner of the “connecting strip” to change his mind and allow the connection to be made, but to no avail. He was of the opinion that there was no point in pursuing this further at this time, but stressed that he is open to making the “new” bridleway available again in the future, should circumstances change. The Chairman recommended accepting this position and suggested that the Parish Council take no further action in this respect – councillors agreed.
b) Plompton Rocks – possible enforcement action re tree felling and car parking. The clerk confirmed that he had raised these issues with the relevant Enforcement Officer who had responded that there was no current enforcement case re tree felling. He had not however, referred to car parking and Councillor Hall confirmed that this still seems to be an issue. The clerk will go back to the Enforcement officer and ask for confirmation of the position regarding car parking.
c) CIL (Community Infrastructure Levy) The Chairman explained the background to this process and that CIL is to replace the Commuted Sums (CS) procedure in due course. CS, stems from the same basis as CIL, ie housing developers being required to provide funds to the local community for specific purposes, based on the extent of the development (ie a new housing estate would generate significantly more funds than say the building of a single house) Funds generated via CS however can only be spent on specific projects and a Parish Council must have, for example, a village hall, to attract CS funding (which must be spent on that village hall) CIL however, will not be subject to such constraints. Following the CIL consultation, as recorded in the last minutes, the clerk had approached HBC for an update and had been informed that, under CS, the Parish Council was due a sum of £2149.09 to be spent on the village hall. The Chairman has informed the village hall committee of this funding.
d) Installation of community defibrillator. The clerk has contacted the company responsible on behalf of BT, for the future use of redundant phone boxes and is awaiting a response regarding appropriate electricity supply and installation of a defibrillator. He has also contacted commercial companies and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service, to ascertain the best price for the supply of the defibrillator. All relevant information should be available for councillors to consider the best option for purchase and installation by the next meeting.
6. Parish Council co-options – unfortunately, due to work commitments, Mani Velan has decided that he would be unable to commit sufficient time to perform as a parish councillor, so was reluctantly standing down. Justin Locke has agreed to fill the vacancy and Councillors duly approved his co-option.
7. Chairman’s communications. The Chairman confirmed that correspondence received is covered as part of the agenda.
8. Clerk’s correspondence received
a) Cllr Riley had been approached by a neighbour who reported damage to her fence caused by a falling branch from a tree outside her property on Radcliffe Close. She had contacted Homegroup who agreed to repair the fence but would accept no responsibility for any potential further problems with the tree. The clerk will write again on behalf of the Parish Council, confirming that the tree is on land owned by Homegroup and is therefore their responsibility.
b) Fitness class/”Bootcamp” – the clerk confirmed he had received a request (previously promulgated on the village Facebook site) for a fitness class to be held, one night a week, on Follifields. All councillors had been consulted previously via email and, by and large, had agreed in principle to the request but with certain provisos, as follows:
​i) No music to be played
​ii) No vigorous activity causing damage to the grass
​iii) participation restricted to Parish residents
​iv) to take place in daylight hours only
​v) organisers to be fully qualified and hold indemnity insurance
​vi) participants not to park on Radcliffe Close
The Chairman had discussed this proposal with the landowner who confirmed he was happy with the details and had no objections, providing it fully complied with all conditions in the lease. The Chairman confirmed that the activity, as described and limited as above, did not contravene the lease, Councillors discussed further and the following additional conditions were included:
​- the activity must not interfere with community use, exclusive access is not granted;
​- in the first instance, the agreement is to run from July 2018 to March 2019;
​- the Parish Council reserves the right to withdraw permission for the activity, without compensation or notice.
The clerk will draft a “User Agreement” containing all the above conditions and scrutiny of the organisers’ qualifications and insurance must take place before the first session of the fitness class. A contribution to Parish funds towards the upkeep of Follifields, as a voluntary gesture, is welcomed.
c) The clerk informed councillors that he had received notification from NYCC of a contribution of £41.43 for grass cutting.
9. Matters concerning Plompton
Councillor Hall reported that there were no other issues arising other than the continuing concerns re car parking at Plompton Rocks. As reported at 5b) above, the clerk will follow up with the Enforcement Unit.
10. Neighbourhood Watch:
a) The Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator (NWC) presented his report which had been circulated previously. There had been an unfortunate increase in the number of burglaries and thefts from outbuildings in the local area and once again the NWC referred to the telephone “scams” reported previously, urging people never to respond to requests or demands for payment from supposedly reputable bodies like the Police, banks and HMRC. These, and other such organisations, will never ask for personal details or demand payment, via the telephone. Should you receive such a call, report the incident, either to the Police via 101, or Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040.He also mentioned another “scam” which involves a text message purportedly from Argos, informing the individual that they are due a refund, and asking for card or bank details. Unfortunate respondents leave themselves open to “phishing” sites where details are captured for fraudulent use. The Chairman suggested that this and other similar examples should be added to the village Facebook site.
b) NCCZ – no issues to report, although a councillor did report that the NCCZ sign at Aketon was becoming overgrown by the hedge. The village handyman will be asked to attend to this.
11.​Village Up Keep
a) As reported at the last meeting, flowers and shrubs had been planted in strategic positions throughout the village. The Chairman now wished to record his thanks to all villagers who had assisted in watering these and the new plants and shrubs in Follifields, Whilst the dry weather continues, this will be an ongoing issue and it was agreed that the best way forward would be by “mulching” ie surrounding new plants and shrubs with mulch, which would help retain moisture. Mulch costs some £8 per bag and councillors agreed that the handyman be authorised to purchase sufficient mulch to cover all the new plants and shrubs. A councillor asked if there was any possibility of establishing a permanent water supply, adjacent to Follifields? The Chairman confirmed that this had been considered, but was not really feasible, on grounds of cost, and, in any event, the need for a water supply was likely to be short lived anyway.
b) It was noted that the visibility splays out from Radcliffe Close and on the road out towards Plompton, were overgrown and needed attention – the clerk will notify NYCC.
12. Highways:
Traffic concerns Haggs Road – as discussed at 3. above.
13. FOFWRAP/Follifields:
a) The Chairman reported that the “Picnic in the Park” at Follifields on
Sunday June 24, had been well attended and enjoyed by all. The grass had
been cut, but the Chairman wanted to ensure that future arrangements were
in place, and understood by the contractor, for the grass to be cut to a
satisfactory standard every 2 weeks (only less often if dry “non-growing”
conditions continue) there were also a number of other issues which needed
resolving, and the clerk will liaise with the contractor.
​b) Other – noted that there are still some trees available for naming. Cost is in
the region of £120 for a plaque etc – interested individuals to contact the clerk
via follifootpc@gmail.com.
14. Finance:
a) Balance at the bank on 30th June 2018, Current Account £3450.16 and Deposit Account £2340.97
b) Monthly Budget – See Appendix 1.
c) Monthly Reconciliation –reconciliation as at 30th June was provided – see Appendix 2.
d) Expenditure – Unanimously agreed and authorised by two councillors.
Clerk’s salary
M Richards
£332.10
Bank Transfer
Clerk’s expenses
M Richards
£87.50
Bank Transfer
Annual Subscription
YLCA
£288.00
Bank Transfer
Follifields plants
Johnson’s of Whixley
£1439.40
Bank Transfer
​e) The Chairman suggested that, for greater clarity, the clerk should include
details of the outstanding amount of VAT to be reclaimed from HMRC on all
future monthly expenditure statements. The clerk agreed to include such
details.
15. Planning:
a) Approvals received.– None
b) Applications received – None, but Cllr Hall commented that he had seen a
“green notice” for internal works to The Coach House. The Chairman
consulted the HBC Planning Portal and discovered that case 18/02340/LB
re The Coach House, was indeed recorded as having been issued to the
Parish Council for consultation, with a response date of 20 June. The clerk
confirmed that he had not received this consultation document and he
would make enquiries of HBC for a possible cause.
The Chairman and councillors agreed that in this case there was no real
concern as the Council’s view would likely have been “no objection” but for
the future it was important to ensure that all planning applications were
available for consideration.

16. Any other business
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​ There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.50pm.
Date of next Parish Council Meeting:
7.30pm on 13th September 2018 in Follifoot Village Hall, Tofts Lane, Follifoot.
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