14th April 2022
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 14th April 2022
Held in Follifoot Village Hall.
PRESENT: ChairmanN MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Councillors C Dickinson, T Hall, T Martin, S Riley and J Locke. 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 meetings held on 10th March 2022: 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:
Covered as part of the agenda.
6. Chairman’s communications
a) Village stocks. A resident had commented on the gradual deterioration in
the condition of the Stocks. Councillors agreed that remedial work is
needed and the clerk undertook to seek quotations for the work from
suitably qualified contractors.
b) Follifields – wildflower area. As discussed previously, the wildflower area is
becoming overgrown with weeds and other vegetation to such an extent that
the wildflowers are less visible. The Chairman is to meet with a local resident
who has expertise in this topic to discuss the best way to return the area to its
original state. In addition, it was noted that the hedge along Radcliffe Close is
in need of pruning, both to tidy up and encourage growth. Hedge trimming is
to be avoided during the bird nesting season (between March & August) and
so it will be scheduled for later in the year.
c) Parish Reserves. The Chairman was keen to demonstrate that although
reserves were at a relatively high level, this was a deliberate action,
particularly with regard to Follifields and the need to be prepared for
significant capital expenditure should any of the play equipment need
replacing. This is also the case for other high value Parish assets, such as
the bus shelters.
d) Parish precept. The Chairman sought to explain to councillors (and village
residents) the reason why Council Tax statements showed a 2.5% increase
for the Parish precept when the actual year on year increase had been set at
2% only. This is because to calculate the precept charge to properties within
the parish, the precept amount is divided by the Taxbase for the parish to
give the amount charged to a band D property. The Taxbase is the number
of chargeable properties expressed in terms of band D and is subject to
change (up or down) each year. The Taxbase is also adjusted for changes
such as single person occupancy or second home discounts. For 22/23
there was a 0.5% decrease in the Taxbase (from 21/22) which has
contributed to the additional 0.5% charge over and above the precept
increase of 2%.
e) Overhanging trees – a resident on Spofforth Lane at the bottom of the
village, expressed concern about some trees overhanging their property that
they consider to be dangeorous. It was agreed that the Chairman would
provide details of location and photos and the Parish Clerk would forward to
NYCC Highways.
7. Clerk’s correspondence received
a) Harrogate RUFC. The clerk had circulated a communication from the
Club, informing of the two day “Juniors and Minis Festival” to be held on the
weekend of 30th April – 1st May. There will inevitably be a significant volume
of traffic on the two days but it is hoped to utilise the Club area and facilities
at Follifoot Ridge Business Park, for car parking. This should hopefully
minimise any impact on the village. Councillors noted the arrangements and
wished the Club success in this significant enjoyable (and fundraising)
event.
b) Village Handyman. The contractor had submitted his quotation for village
maintenance work for the coming year, which involved an increase in his
hourly rate from £15 to £17.50. The Chairman observed that whilst this was
a significant percentage increase (16.6%) it was the first increase for a
number of years and was still less than his normal charge out rate. One of
the Parish Councillors with knowledge of this type of work expressed the
view that it was still good value for money. It was therefore agreed to renew
the contract arrangement. The contractor for Follifields grass cutting had
also submitted an increased quotation (£80 per cut, up from £72.50)
Councillors agreed, accepting fuel cost increases as a contributory factor, to
renew the contract.
c) A visitor had emailed the clerk, extolling the virtues of Follifields after
visiting with her young son. She did suggest however, that some
improvements could be made to the play equipment by adding an additional
lower step which would allow younger children easier access, without the
need for parental involvement. Councillors initially agreed to follow up this
suggestion, but Cllr Locke (whose son works in this industry) commented
that the height of the steps would be designed within the British Standard
and would be set at that height for safety reasons (which would specifically
require parent supervision of younger children) Councillors agreed with this
observation and the clerk undertook to respond to the individual, explaining
the reasons for the decision not to make changes to the equipment. Cllr
Dewsnip then observed that there seemed to be increased use of Follifields
by visitors to the village and was it now time to consider asking for voluntary
donations to Follifields? The clerk will review various options for collecting
donations, such as installing an honesty box, use of a QR code etc.
d) Election arrangements. The clerk reminded councillors that all expense
claim forms and Acceptance of Office forms needed to be submitted within
28 days of the election (5 May) He will collect both forms at the May meeting
for onward transmission to HBC.
8. Platinum Jubilee
a) Tree planting.The trees (2 Beech and 1 Rowan) are now available for
collection. Cllr Hall will collect and plant the trees – the Chairman and Cllr
Dickinson agreed to place stakes showing the location for the Beech trees
and Sam Gallimore will do the same for the Rowan tree in Foillifields. The
clerk will contact Colton Signs to enquire about brass/stainless steel plaques,
also covering the wording as used elsewhere for comparison purposes,
before deciding on the actual version. (noted also that the original WI plaque
still needs replacing, as does the Gallimore Family tree – new location to be
determined)
b) Jubilee Picnic and celebrations. The clerk has submitted a bid for grant
funding from HBC and the initial response was that bunting rather than a cash
contribution, will be supplied, if the bid is accepted although this is still to be
confirmed. Cllr Paraskos agreed to enquire of HBC the expected date of the
announcement of successful bids.
9. Parish matters
a) Plompton. Cllr Hall reported that there were no new issues to report
although the grit bins have finally been refilled. He has attempted to ascertain
details of planned opening times for Plumpton Rocks, but has received no
response to his queries.
b) Road safety.
i) Picket fences – given the incorrect location of the fences, the Chairman
and Cllr Dickinson have arranged to meet on site to determine the best
course of action to correct the error. Full consultation will be made with the
neighbouring property before and changes are implemented.
ii) VAS. Cllr Dickinson’s previous report had demonstrated a decline in the
number of vehicles keeping within the speed limit. The latest report is not
significantly different but shows more vehicles in the lower category (ie
<30mph) but also more vehicles in the higher category (ie >35mph) It is
difficult to interpret the reason for this statistic. Period reports will continue to
be produced to hopefully provide a comprehensive picture of traffic behaviour.
iii) A resident raised the issue of traffic speeds on Follifoot Road/Pannal Road
and asked if the matter could be raised with NYCC/NY Police. Councillors
were sympathetic to this request although also observed that previous
experience indicated that unless there was strong evidence of injuries or
deaths arising from traffic accidents, neither authority would be inclined to act
with regard to decreased speed limits or implementation of other safety
measures. The clerk will however, raise the issue with the NYCC Highways
Safety Officer.
c) Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council. The clerk
reminded councillors that the APM and the AMPC are to be held on Thursday
12 May, commencing at 7.00pm. The Chairman asked if retiring Councillors
Martin and Riley would attend so that the Parish Council could formally
acknowledge their contributions to the Parish Council and the community.
Both councillors agreed to attend. Tea and biscuits will be provided!
10. Planning:
a) Applications Received
i) 22/01307/FUL – First floor front porch and rear bedroom and bathroom
extension. 8 Leconfield Garth Follifoot. The Chairman displayed the location
and plan elevations and invited the applicants who were present, to explain
the nature of the application. The applicants then confirmed that there would
be no increase in the building footprint, the new build would be on top of the
existing extension and would provide a bigger bedroom with ensuite facilities,
plus another bathroom. Councillors had no concerns and agreed to
SUPPORT the application.
ii) 22/01152/TPO – lateral reduction of 1 no. Beech of Tree Preservation
Order No. 06/2006 T1 -Maximum pruning cuts 70mm. Village End Plompton
Road, Follifoot. With the proviso that any surgery is approved by HBC
Arboriculturists and carried out by an appropriately qualified contractor.
Councillors agreed to SUPPORT the application.
iii) 22/00649/CLEUD-Certificate of lawfulness for the occupation of dwelling
without complying with the agricultural occupancy restriction (condition 4 of
planning permission 88/03945/FUL – Alternative house use Follifoot
Ridge Farm, Follifoot. The Chairman invited the applicant to explain the
background to the application. The applicant set out the history of the farm,
land and buildings and also his intention to return the adjacent land to its original state, dating back to 1859. He had now substantially ceased farming activity but wished to continue occupying the farm building, without the agricultural occupancy requirement. Councillors observed that there would be no change to the appearance of the building and, as there was much less of a demand for agricultural worker specific accommodation, agreed to SUPPORT the application.
b) Notifications – None.
11. Finance and Governance:
a)Balance at the bank on 31st March 2022, Current Account £489.69
and Deposit Account £27,223.95 (total £27,713.64) Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment
authorisation process.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 31st March was provided
with receipts and payments in the period 1st March to 31st March,
reconciling to the account balances shown above at a) Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 5 amounts below for payment.
| M Richards | Clerk’s salary- March + arrears | £377.19 | Bank Transfer |
| HMRC | PAYE – March | £78.17 | Bank Transfer |
| YLCA | 2022/23 subscription | £309.00 | Bank Transfer |
| S Smith | Domain name | £14.15 | Bank Transfer |
| S Hesselden | Picket fences installation | £1896.00 | Bank Transfer |
c)The Chairman then ran through the first budget spreadsheet for 2022-23,
explaining the entries for the expenditure recorded above.
d) 2022/23 budget. The Chairman explained the make up of the budget
statement which was based on the projected receipts and payments included
in the precept demand, adjusted for the unpaid amounts from last year.
Monthly budget statements will continue to be presented for councillor
oversight and approval.
12. Items for the next meeting
No matters notified.
The meeting closed at 9.10pm
Date of next Parish Council meeting: –
Thursday 12th May 2022. To be held at Follifoot Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm. This is the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council, to be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting, commencing at 7.00pm.