13th June 2024

MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Village Hall on 13th June 2024

1. PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Cllrs C. Dickinson, T. Hall, J. Locke, K Tharby and S. Gallimore. Also in attendance M Richards (Clerk) and one resident.

2. Apologies: There were no apologies for absence as all councillors were present.

3. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.

4. Public participation session. No matters arose although the Chairman did offer an apology to the resident for an apparent omission from the previous minutes regarding resident contributions to the meeting discussions.

5. Minutes of the meetings held on 18th April 2024: The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parish Council meetings were proposed as correct records by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Tharby. The Chairman then signed both sets of minutes.

6. Matters arising from previous minutes: Dealt with as part of the agenda.

7. Planning
Applications Received
a) ZC24/01502/FUL – Proposed erection of single bay domestic garage. Former Alexander
House, Pannal Road.
The Chairman displayed the location and elevations. Councillors discussed and agreed the
proposal appeared to be of a high standard, caused no concerns regarding visual impact or environmentally and therefore agreed to SUPPORT the application.
b) ZC24/01430/FUL – Single storey extension. Loxley Barn, Plompton.
Councillors discussed the detailed content of the application and agreed a SUPPORT
response should be submitted.
c) ZC24/01689/FUL – Extension to existing timberframe garage to create a third bay on the
existing base and inclusion of doors to all bays. The Tithe Barn, Home Farm, Follifoot.
The Chairman displayed the location and explained the content of the application.
Councillors agreed to SUPPORT.
d) ZC24/01852/FUL – Demolition of an existing conservatory. Replacement front door.
Sliding doors and amended window to the rear. Internal reconfiguration. 1 Springfield
Cottages, Hillside.
Councillors compared the existing elevation against the proposed and observed the
changes were mostly internal, with sliding doors replacing the conservatory. It was agreed
to SUPPORT the application.
Decisions
e) ZC24/00427/FUL – Demolition of dwelling + office space for E(c)ii – Professional
Services, rebuilt to single dwelling only. Inglewood, The Paddocks, Follifoot.​​GRANTED
Councillors noted and had no comments.

8. Chairman’s communications
Any items of communication are included as part of the agenda.

9. Clerk’s communications
a) Safety of Lithium batteries – campaign. The clerk had circulated a communication from a
Parliamentary advisor publicising the dangers posed by lithium batteries and the need for
safety measures to be applied. Councillors agreed to support the scheme in principle but did
not feel any specific action was necessary at this stage.
b) Main Street – overhanging vegetation. A resident had reported overhanging vegetation at
the top of Main Street obstructing the footpath, suggesting the property owner should be
asked to prune back the excess growth. Councillors had investigated but did not consider
the issue to be a significant problem currently, but should the position worsen the property
owner will be politely asked if they would rectify. .
c) Martyn’s Law – Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill. This Bill will impose requirements
in relation to certain premises for increased preparedness for protection against terrorist
attacks. The St John’s Ambulance Service is promoting the use of their products (First Aid
packs, specific training etc) for compliance with the so-called “Martyn’s Law” Councillors
discussed but did not feel any response was needed as current arrangements are sufficient.

10. Parish matters – updates
a) Cllr Hall repeated his previous comments that the drain on the A661 adjacent to the
entrance to Plompton was still blocked with consequent flooding. The clerk undertook to
report the blocked drain again to NYC Highways.
b) Repairs to The Pound wall now completed. Councillors had observed that Horse Pond
Beck wall had deteriorated further and was becoming a health and safety issue. The clerk
will report the matter to Cllr Paraskos who was also pursuing the ownership and
responsibility for maintenance of the wall.
c) Road safety – Haggs Road. Possible traffic calming measures had been raised with NYC,
but to reinforce the need for action, the Parish Council had agreed to the installation of
“speed pipes” to collect traffic data. The clerk informed councillors that the equipment had
just been installed and data will be collected for the next two weeks and then analysed
before any further measures are considered.
d) Potholes and road repairs. The Chairman reported that the two potholes on Pannal Road
had been reported to NYC Highways and temporary repairs completed. He was now
pleased to confirm that more permanent repairs had been carried out. Reports had been
received about some deterioration of repairs completed to both Haggs Road and Pannal
Road. The Chairman agreed to investigate and report back to the clerk if further action is
necessary.
e) The clerk had circulated the Council’s Asset Register for councillors’ information. He
explained how the Register is formulated and compiled and the total value of assets is
recorded in the formal AGAR (see 13c)ii below) A councillor observed that there was an
entry of £2,004 for “bowling mats” which were actually assets of the Bowls Club and that the old mats had been replaced. The clerk undertook to adjust the Asset Register and AGAR accordingly.
f) Village grass cutting – the clerk will confirm the schedule for grass cutting with the village
handyman as Cllr Hall has been cutting the “Plompton triangle”
g) Cllr Dickinson commented about the growth of the pervasive Himalayan Balsam weed on Pannal Road, particularly adjacent to the cricket ground. If not attended to this vegetation
spreads very quickly and completely smothers other desirable vegetation. He suggested
that the best way to control this is to pull it out before seeding takes place. He agreed to
liaise with Cllr Locke to consider the best way to tackle the problem and which equipment is needed.

11. Traffic calming
a) VAS – Cllr Dickinson commented on the differences in the number of vehicles recorded per day – 5,239 in one week in May, but only 3400 2 weeks later. A councillor observed that this was probably due to Haggs Road closure for repairs. Overall, the data has shown an improvement in reducing traffic speeds although there are still isolated incidents of unacceptably high speeds eg 65mph recorded on 8 May. He will continue to monitor. The Chairman thanked him again for his efforts.
b) The Chairman undertook to trim back vegetation obscuring the picket fence on Haggs Road.

12. Follifields
Upkeep and maintenance – work required.
a) Councillors queried the frequency of the grass cutting. The clerk replied that he had
raised with the contractor and, as expected, it was explained by the unfavourable weather
conditions. Councillors undertook to monitor for the future.
b) Gravel path. Cllr Gallimore reported that she had contacted Playscheme who had
confirmed that the path was not under warranty. Cllr Hall then agreed to examine the path to ascertain what material and work was required and report back to the clerk who will arrange for 2 quotations for the work to be completed.
c) Safety of Play Equipment. Following a comment received, the Chairman had repaired the “basket swing” by tightening the retaining bolts. He observed that this was the second time in two or three years that this had been needed and suggested that Playscheme be
contacted to provide a permanent solution. Cllr Gallimore will follow up.
d) Cllr Gallimore suggested that a working party be established to refresh the willow tunnel.
The Chairman agreed and a suitable date later in the Summer will be fixed.

13. Finance
a) Review of finances, approve expenditure.
. Balance at the bank on 13th June 2024 in Current Account £671.50 and Deposit
Account ££25,141.86, total £25,813.36. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process. Monthly Reconciliation –
reconciliation as at 13th June was provided with receipts and payments in the period
9th May to 13th June, reconciling to the account balances shown above. Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 7 amounts below for payment.
Clerk’s salary (April)
M Richards
£285.59
Bank transfer
PAYE income tax
HMRC
£190.38
Bank transfer
Clerk’s expenses
M Richards
£87.50
Bank transfer
Insurance
Clear Councils
£604.51
Bank transfer
The Pound wall
W T Hall
£126,00
Bank transfer
Village plants
C Dickinson
£57.60
Bank transfer
Follifields grass cut
S Bush
£92.40
Bank transfer

b) Cllr Dickinson was authorised to purchase black bags for the bus shelter litter bin.
c) Final Accounts and Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) The clerk
reported that the internal audit has still to be finalised but he understands that the
report will confirm that the Council has met its internal control objectives and
there are no material issues to report. He will circulate the audit report to
councillors when received. As reported previously, due to the Plompton Road Fund
initiative, the Council’s annual turnover exceeded the limit of £25,000 and the
Council’s financial transactions are subject to external audit and the clerk will
submit the required documentation and AGAR before the 30 June deadline.
(i) Annual Governance Statement – Councillors had examined the Annual
Governance Statement prior to the meeting and were satisfied that the Parish
Council’s system of internal control is sound and fully meets all conditions of the
Statement. It was therefore resolved to approve the Annual Governance Statement
2023/24.
(ii) Annual Accounting Statements (AAS) – the Council’s Annual Accounts had been
approved at the Annual Parish Meeting and the clerk explained how the AAS was
compiled from the Annual Accounts. Councillors had no questions over the content
of the Accounts other than to require the adjustment for the decrease in the Total Assets
Statement as recorded at 10e) above, and formally approved the AAS.
Councillors confirmed that they were happy for the Chairman and Clerk to sign off
the AGAR, subject to audit.
14. Any items for the next meeting
No items submitted, other than to request the addition of a standing agenda item “Village
Up-keep”

The meeting finished at 9.05.

Date of next Parish Council meeting: Thursday 11th July 2024, commencing at 7.30pm.
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