13th February 2025
MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Village Hall on 13th February 2025
1. PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Cllrs A Dewsnip, C Dickinson, and T Hall. Also in attendance M Richards (Clerk) and two residents.
2. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllrs J Locke, S Gallimore and K Tharby. NY Cllr A Paraskos also apologised for his non- attendance.
3. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.
4. Public participation. No items notified.
5. Minutes of the meeting held on 9th January 2025 were proposed as a correct record by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Dickinson. The Chairman then signed the minutes.
6. Matters arising – none.
7. Planning
Applications Received
a) ZC24/04253/LB – Listed building consent for internal alterations and installation of external flue
(part-retrospective) Plompton Hall, Plompton.
The Chairman displayed the plans and ran through the details, explaining the changes proposed.
The only actual changes to the external appearance of the property are the addition of an
external flue, all other changes are to the internal layout of the property. He noted that other
external consultees had offered no objections or critical comments and, unless councillors could
see any reasons to object or comment, he recommended a SUPPORT response should be
submitted. Councillors agreed. The clerk observed that with other similar cases, a Listed Building
application was usually accompanied by a “FUL”planning application for the works proposed.He
will enquire why this was not the case with this application.
Decisions
b) ZC24/04009/FUL – Demolition of existing garage, conservatory and rear offshoot. Erection of
garage, garden store and home gym with link extension to dwelling and part two storey/part
single storey extension to rear. Erection of 2no. dormer windows to front roofslope and
installation of solar panels. Alterations to fenestration. Glenshee, Spofforth Lane.
GRANTED
The Chairman reminded councillors that this was an amended submission, the original being
refused by NYC due to “disproportionate additions” and the perceived impact of overlooking
neighbouring properties. Those concerns had been addressed in the revised scheme and the
application was now approved.
c) ZC24/03666/FUL- Demolition of existing single storey element to the East Elevation.
Replacement single storey extension to the East Elevation. New dormer windows and roof
alterations to main house second floor accommodation. Moorland House, Pannal Road.
GRANTED
Councillors had supported these applications, they noted the decisions and had no comments.
Other
d) NYC Local Plan – Call for Sites. The Chairman ran through the background to this issue,
explaining that with the creation of North Yorkshire Unitary Authority they are required to create a
single Local Development Plan. It was noted that this is multi-year process and, in the meantime
the HBC Local Plan will still apply. A “Call for Sites” has been issued to local landowners asking
for submission of sites for potential inclusion in the Local Plan, including proposed use(s). e.g.
Housing, Leisure, Employment. North Yorkshire Council has now published details of all sites
that have been submitted, and the Chairman then ran through the individual plots in our
Parish(es), stressing that this was purely the initial identification stage and there is no indication
at this time whether they will or will not be included in the finalised NYC Local Plan.
The actual consultation process will begin later in the year when parish councils and all other
interested parties (including residents) will have the opportunity to make formal responses.
The council will consult with the local community as part of that process. The Chairman also
referred to correspondence received from a local resident who made a number of comments
regarding this process. Councillors noted.
8. Chairman’s communications.
The Chairman reported that he had been in contact with the local bus company regarding the disruption to the local services due to road works in Spofforth. Whilst NYC had initially said that buses would be able to pass through the road works, that situation was changed. This would be limited to school buses only. The alternate route for the bus company of passing through the village along Plompton Road is not possible due to overhanging trees causing obstructions/damage to the double decker buses. NYC will be contacted to request the trimming back of trees to prevent this being an issue now and in the future. Other matters dealt with as part of the agenda.
9. Clerk’s correspondence
a) Defibrillator for Plompton. The defibrillator and cabinet have now been ordered (the same as those installed in the phone box (Information Centre). The clerk will liaise with Cllr Hall re installation and also register the defibrillator with The Circuit – the national network which maps defibrillators and connects them automatically and directly to the ambulance service.
b) “Gym Package” for Follifields. The clerk had received details of a “discounted, custom built” external gym package for adults, suitable for installation in Follifields. Councillors expressed interest in the initiative but felt that a) alternative suppliers should be invited to quote and b) more importantly, interest from residents should be gauged before such significant expenditure be considered. Accordingly, it was agreed to include the item on the agenda for the forthcoming Annual Parish Meeting in May.
10. Parish Matters
a) Plompton
i) NYC Highways have again confirmed that action to clear the two blocked drains on the
triangle approach to Plompton is planned but has been delayed due to the major gas works
currently underway at this location. Cllr Hall will continue to monitor. Cllr Hall also mentioned the
drain on the “dip” on the A661 which seems to have been damaged during the gas works. The
clerk will report to Highways.
b) Village Upkeep.
No current issues to report.
c) Domestic waste collection. “On site” discussions have been held with Cllr Paraskos and NYC
officers, and separately with local residentsregarding the unsatisfactory arrangements for the
collection of domestic waste generally, but also specifically for Plompton and Tofts Lane
residents. The NYC officer explained that the problems were largely due to a shortage of drivers
and also the drafting in of crews from other NY areas who were unfamiliar with collection routes
and routines. It was also made more difficult in early 2025 due to winter weather. He was
pleased to report that 7 new drivers have been recruited and were undergoing training so
improvements in the service are expected. For Tofts Lane the main issue is that whilst a smaller
vehicle is available to collect general waste this is not possible for recycling collections. It has
been agreed that re-cycling bins will need to be taken down to Main Street for collection. The
NYC officer was asked to write to residents to advise them of this. He was also asked to improve
the quality of communications for any futuredisruption to services. Councillors agreed to monitor
the situation going forward and escalate ifnecessary.
d) VE Day 80th Anniversary celebration – currently,little interest had been evident in organising
such an event, so councillors agreed not to pursue unless specific interest emerged.
e) 20mph speed limit. Communication receivedseparately, from two residents, urging the
Council to consider the introduction of a 20mph speed limit in various areas in the Parish but
particularly on Main Street adjacent to the School.The Chairman confirmed that he completely
agreed with the sentiment and councillors concurred. This is an area we have lobbied for in the
past and will continue to do so. The position is somewhat blurred at the moment due to the
significant number of building works within the village and the consequent additional parking of
vehicles which act as a natural speed deterrent. Councillors agreed to pursue the concept,
initially with the installation of “speed pipes” to a) assess the volume of traffic and b) to collect
data on traffic speeds. The most appropriate timing for this survey would be when the current
volume of building works has reduced.
11.Traffic calming.
a) VAS – Cllr Dickinson reported that the current period of traffic data had not shown any
significant variation from previous months, with very few significant outliers recorded at
excessive speeds. He will continue to monitor and produce reports as appropriate. The
Chairman thanked him for his efforts. Discussion then followed on the possible deployment of
another VAS on Plompton Road, on the entrance to the village. The Chairman and Cllr
Dickinson agreed to survey the location to determine suitability and the potential location for the
device. Once this has been completed, consideration will be given to the placing of “speed
pipe” survey equipment to determine justification for the VAS.
b) Haggs Road. No further developments to report other than to confirm progress towards
specific traffic calming measures is in hand.
12. Follifields
a) The Chairman confirmed that he had applied the anti-graffiti spray to the outdoor table tennis table, but it will probably require 2-3 further applications before the graffiti is fully removed.
b) Rotted gate post. The contractor has submitted a quotation for repair/replacement. The other usual contractor is unable to work at the moment due to a medical condition. Cllr Hall commented that, in his professional opinion, the quotation was reasonable. The clerk will seek additional confirmation before proceeding.
13. Finance
a) Review of finances, approval of expenditure.
. Balance at the bank on 13th February 2025 in Current Account £1,347.31 and Deposit
Account £23,686.18, total £25,033.49. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in
confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process. Monthly Reconciliation –
reconciliation as at 13th February was provided, with receipts and payments in the period
9th January to 13th February, reconciling to the account balances shown above. Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 7 amounts below for payment.
| Clerk’s salary | M Richards | £298.69 | Bank transfer |
| PAYE | HMRC | £199.12 | Bank transfer |
| Bar licence | S Gallimore | £21.00 | Bank transfer |
| Microsoft licence | M Richards | £84.99 | Bank transfer |
| Anti-graffiti spray | M MacDermid | £13.34 | Bank transfer |
| Defibrillator | DefibWarehouse | £1186.80 | Bank transfer |
| Defib cabinet | DefibWarehouse | £666.00 | Bank transfer |
b) The Clerk ran through the Summary and Cumulative budget statements, explaining the
current position. Following discussion with the Chairman, he had adjusted the “Forecast Year to
Go” and the “Full Year Forecast” figures to reflect actual known amounts. Estimates for
Chairman’s Expenses, Donations, and Training Fees were excluded. These adjustments mean
that the projected final budget outturn displayed is more accurate. Councillors had no
comments or questions.
13. Any items for the next meeting.
– Litter pick arrangements
– Items for Annual Parish Meeting
– Impact of Yorkshire Agricultural Society commercial dog walking ban
The meeting finished at 9.10
Date of next meeting – Thursday 13th March 2025, commencing at 7.30pm.