13th October 2022
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 13th October 2022
Held in Follifoot Village Hall.
PRESENT: ChairmanN MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Councillors C Dickinson, T Hall, J Locke, and K Tharby. In attendance, Cllr A Paraskos (NYCC/HBC) M Richards (Clerk), and 1 resident.
1. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from S Gallimore.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’
Register of Interest: None.
3. Public Participation session: The Chairman welcome to the meeting and confirmed that they were able to comment on any issues
raised.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 14th July 2022: Councillor Hall proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Tharby. The Chairman then duly signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising from the previous minutes:
Covered as part of the agenda.
6. Chairman’s communications
a) Litter bins have now been installed on Leconfield Garth and at the bottom
of Main Street, next to the bus stop. Some comments have been received
about the size of the new bin at the bottom of Main Street, which councillors
acknowledged. The bins installed by Harrogate Borough Council are a
Standard size to provide increased capacity and facilitate emptying, and it is
hoped there would be general acceptance over time.
b) Following the offer of a grant of £300 from a Defibrillator Charity, the
Chairman raised the possibility of an additional defibrillator being provided in
Plompton. Councillors agreed this to be a good idea and Cllr Hall will seek
residents’ views at the next local meeting.
c) Resignation of Internal Auditor. The Chairman explained the reasons
behind this decision and the steps to be taken to appoint a successor. A draft
job description advertising the post had been circulated for councillor
comments and it was suggested that an indication of the amount of time
required throughout the year, would be a useful addition. The clerk will amend
the advert accordingly for it to be advertised via the website and Facebook
page.
7. Clerk’s correspondence received
a) Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Email received from this charity asking for a
donation towards running costs. Councillors were sympathetic but felt it would
not be a proper use of local tax payers money and so the request was
declined.
b) External audit arrangements. The Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments
Ltd (SAAA)Sector Led Audit Appointment Regime, appoints external auditors
for a term of 5 years. 2021/22 was the final year of that term so a new
appointment will be made for the next 5 years. Parish councils have the
option to leave this scheme and appoint their own external auditors directly.
The clerk advised councillors that, in his opinion, this central scheme was the
best option and provides the best value for money – appointing a local
accountancy firm to provide external audit would be costly and, would not
necessarily give the option of exemption. Councillors agreed to retain the
existing arrangement.
c) Commuted Sums. Communication received from HBC setting out the
various schemes and amounts available for the Parish Council to spend on
specified areas. This scheme (now replaced by CIL – Community
Infrastructure Levy) is funded by a calculated percentage amount from the
costs of capital developments in the Parish. The clerk will ascertain more
details of what can be spent on which specific schemes and establish any
firm deadlines.
d) Streetlight. The bulb in the streetlight attached to the Village Shop needs
replacing. Councillor Dewsnip explained that the Shop pays for the electricity
and that hitherto, HBC had maintained the light (bulb replacement etc) but
now, on enquiring, she was told the light was not on HBC’s asset register
and bulb replacement etc would cease. A new fitment, with the modern LED
bulb, would cost some £700. The clerk was instructed to contact a local
electrical firm to ascertain the cost of bulb replacement and, if it were below
£100, to proceed with the purchase.
e) “Maltkiln” development. HBC is seeking the views of all interested parties
to the Maltkiln development (a new settlement based around the Cattal/
Whixley area) Whilst the development will not have any direct effect on the
Parish, there may well be wider implications, and the clerk will circulate the
survey for councillors to consider.
8. Parish matters
a) Plompton.
i) Cllr Hall reported that there were concerns over the number of estate
agents’ signs at the bottom of the hill into Plompton, causing sight line
problems. The clerk will report to NYCC Highways.
ii) An unauthorised sign has been erected, indicating the public footpath/right
of way, is closed. In addition, the corresponding stile on the Wetherby Road
(A661) has been removed. The clerk will report to the Bridleways and
Footpaths department of NYCC.
b) Telephone box/Information Centre (at the top of Main Street). The
Chairman reported that the box is in need of repainting/refurbishment. The
clerk will contact local contractors for a quotation and circulate councillors for
approval before awarding the contract.
9. Traffic calming
a) VAS. The sign has now been returned to its original position. Cllr
Dickinson reported that current data seems to show an improved position
with a higher percentage of traffic travelling at or below the speed limit
(although there was still evidence of some vehicles travelling at 45-50mph)
Overall, councillors were content that the VAS seems to be having a positive
effect.
b) Picket fences on Haggs Road. The fence causing partial obstruction to the
adjacent property has been removed and the surface made good.
Consideration is being given to it being re-installed at the A658/Haggs Road
junction. Local residents will be consulted. Residents’ views have also been
sought regarding the reflective “Slow Down” sign to be fixed to the remaining
fence and, whilst some comments suggested additional wording such
“please”, councillors thought,on balance, that the uncomplicated “Slow Down”
was the best option. The clerk will arrange the purchase and installation
10. Follifields update.
a) Cllr Gallimore reported the following:
i) Rudding Estate have cut the hedges and done an excellent job. The
Chairman agreed and thanked Rudding Estate on behalf of the Parish
Council & the community.
ii) The Wildflower meadow needs cutting and removing as soon as
possible. The clerk is awaiting the estimate from the local contractor and
will then arrange for the work to be done, given an acceptable cost.
iii) Trees require new supports and trunk protectors. Quotations to be
sought.
iv) The Rotary Club plaque has disappeared. Brunel Engraving to be
contacted to supply a replacement.
b) Other issues – The Chairman thanked Lewis Sadler for constructing and
providing the log seating in the play area. He will take photos for display. He
confirmed that the Follifields “Celebration Day” had been postponed due to
the death of the Queen and would be re-arranged next year. A fundraising
event will be held before the end of the financial year. Finally, he will
consult with Cllr Gallimore regarding the replacement of the “Gallimore
Tree”.
11. Planning.
a) Applications Received
i) 22/03073/REM Reserved matters application under outline permission
22/00642/OUT for erection of holiday lodge to replace existing building with
appearance and landscaping considered. Land To East of Burnisons Whin
Rudding Lane. The Chairman observed that this application had in fact been
approved before the Parish Council had the opportunity to comment, but as
the main principle of the application had been previously supported by the
Parish Council, there was no issue to pursue.
ii) 22/03350/FUL Construction of hardcore machinery tracks for agricultural
use. Workers will be working with boom lift training providers to ensure safe handling of heavy machinery. Councillors saw no issues of
concern and agreed to SUPPORT the application.
iii) 22/03737/FUL – Proposed demolition of an existing conservatory to be
replaced with a new summer room, internal alterations and the conversion of
one of the integral garages to provide a home office and utility room. Stable
Cottage, Manor Court. A councillor asked if this development could have an
adverse effect on parking arrangements in Manor Court, but when
assurance was given that there would be no issues, councillors agreed to
SUPPORT.
iv) 22/03560/FUL – Erection of single storey front extensions, external
terrace, alterations to fenestration and internal remodelling. Alexander
House, Pannal Road. Councillors observed that this was a large extension
(which HBC Planners would no doubt take into account) but considered it to
be a good quality development, with no adverse impact on neighbouring
properties and agreed to SUPPORT.
b) Decisions –
i) 22/02251/FUL – Proposed new vehicular access off existing private road
and new parking area- Appletree House, The Paddocks. GRANTED
ii) Erection of single storey rear extension, application of render to existing
side and rear walls, loft conversion and installation of rooflights. Kiln
Cottage, Spofforth Lane. GRANTED
iii) 22/01692/FUL – Replacement single storey rear extension and extension,
alteration and conversion of outbuilding into annexe. Windmill House,
Pannal Road. GRANTED
iv) 22/03167/FUL Erection of single storey rear garden room extension.
Home Farm House, Home Farm Rudding Lane. GRANTED.
v) 22/03218/FUL – New roof, provision of side utility room and internal
improvements. 3 Spring Bank, Partridge Cottage, Main Street. GRANTED.
Councillors noted the above decisions.
12. Finance and Governance:
a)Balance at the bank on 11th October 2022, Current Account £2,713.09 and
Deposit Account £28,165.00 (total £30878.09) Bank statements to be
initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment
authorisation process.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 11th October was provided
with receipts and payments in the period 1st July to 11th October,
reconciling to the account balances shown above at a) Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 15 amounts below for payment.
| M Richards | Clerk’s salary- July | £312.66 | Bank Transfer |
| HMRC | PAYE – July | £78.17 | Bank Transfer |
| M Richards | Clerk’s salary- August | £312.66 | Bank Transfer |
| HMRC | PAYE – August | £78.17 | Bank Transfer |
| Village Handyman | Village maintenance | £262.50 | Bank Transfer |
| A Walker | Bench refurb | £65.00 | Bank Transfer |
| A Walker | Bench refurb | £515.00 | Bank Transfer |
| S Bush | Grass cutting | £160.00 | Bank Transfer |
| M Richards | Goal pegs | £23.97 | Bank Transfer |
| M Richards | Clerk’s exps | £87.50 | Bank Transfer |
| L Sadler | Hedge trim | £240.00 | Bank Transfer |
| M Richards | Clerk’s salary- Sept | £312.66 | Bank Transfer |
| HMRC | PAYE – Sept | £78.17 | Bank Transfer |
| S Bush | Grass cutting | £160.00 | Bank Transfer |
| S Bush | Follifields maintenance | £150.00 | Bank Transfer |
c) The Chairman then ran through the budget spreadsheet, explaining the
entries for the expenditure recorded above. Items to note were the receipt of
the 2nd instalment of the precept and additional expenditure on Follifields,
hedge trimming and new heavy duty goal pegs. Councillors had no comments
or questions.
13. Items for the next meeting
a) Litter pick – 6th November at 11.00 am – clerk to arrange equipment from
HBC.
b) Flower bed around Saxon Cross?
c) Bulbs from HBC – location?
The meeting closed at 9.20pm
Date of next Parish Council meeting: –
Thursday 10th November 2022. To be held at Follifoot Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm.