14th July 2022 – FOLLIFOOT

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 14th July 2022
Held in Follifoot Village Hall.
PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Councillors C Dickinson, T Hall, J Locke, K Tharby and S Gallimore. In attendance, M Richards (Clerk), and 1 resident.

Apologies: There were no apologies for absence as all councillors were present.
Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’
Register of Interest: None.
Public Participation session: The Chairman welcomed the resident
to the meeting and confirmed that they were able to comment on any issues
raised.
Minutes of the meeting held on 9th June 2022: Councillor Hall proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Locke. The Chairman then duly signed the minutes.
Matters arising from the previous minutes:
Covered as part of the agenda.
Chairman’s communications
Covered as part of the agenda.
Clerk’s correspondence received
a) HBC Litter Bin Review. The clerk had contacted HBC and received further
clarification on the proposals. Councillors now decided that the priorities would be to:
i) Retain the bin at Leconfield
ii) Retain the bin at the bottom of Main Street
iii) Request the bin at Follifields be included in the collection round
iv) Relocate the bin to be removed from Main Street to Pannal Road,
adjacent to the Cricket Club.
v) Request that the PC owned bin in the top Main Street bus shelter, be included in the collection round
The clerk will forward this submission to HBC.
b) Overgrown grass verge – Collin’s Hill. A resident had reported that the
visibility splays on either side of his drive on Collin’s Hill were completely
overgrown and causing a hazard. The clerk has reported the issue to NYCC
Highways. Similarly, overgrown verges on Plompton Road corner (east of
Guilder’s Bridge) and beyond the last house on Spofforth Lane, exiting the
village, have also been reported.
c) Dog waste bag stations. The clerk had circulated details of the stands with
waste bag dispensers for consideration. Councillors discussed but resolved
not to pursue as they felt responsible dog owners should already have bags
with them.
d) “Love Parks” initiative. The clerk will obtain further details and circulate for
consideration of including Follifields in the campaign.
e) “Drive Safe/PFCC” communication. Discussed but decided that whilst road safety is a high priority this particular initiative was not a good one.
1. Parish matters
  a) Plompton. Cllr Hall reported that there were no new issues to report,
  although some residents were considering options for improving the internal
  roadway. The clerk commented that this would have to be a matter for
  NYCC/HBC as a parish council has no legal power to carry out road
  improvement works.
  b) Other. Overgrown grass verges – reported to NYCC as at 7b) above.
2. Traffic calming
  a) VAS. Having reversed the direction of the sign to capture traffic data from
  vehicles leaving the village, Cllr Dickinson commented that the latest
  data continues to show a similar pattern with a higher percentage of vehicles
  travelling below 30mph and 35mph. He considered that the sign should now
  be returned to its original position and in addition further thought should be
  given to an alternative location within the village. Councillors agreed, and the
  clerk will contact SWARCO to ascertain the cost of providing an additonal
  power supply in an alternate location.
  b) Picket fences. Removal/re-positioning of the fence that is causing a
  partial obstruction to an adjacent property – the contractor had advised that
  the cost of removal owould be £250 (+VAT) and councillors, following Cllr.
  Hall’s professional opinion, agreed this to be reasonable. It was agreed that
  the single fence should be removed and the surface made good. A future
  decision is to be made whether it can be reconstructed whilst still allowing
  the full access required by the homeowner and other road/footpath users.
  The clerk will obtain a quotation for a reflective “Slow Down” sign to be fixed
  to the remaining fence.
3. Follifields update.
  a) Cllr Gallimore has liaised with the contractor to arrange completion of the
  “snagging” list of work required. The main components are:
  i) The Willow Tunnel – the trees are now sufficiently developed to be formed
  into the tunnel. It was originally intended that the contractor would carry out
  this work but councillors now agreed that a village event (to be held in
  September) would be more appropriate for this to be done. A councillor
  suggested that Horticap would be well placed to advise and assist in this
  venture but it was then observed that Horticap’s normal approach would
  more likely be the tutoring of students to carry out such work rather than
  providing advice? Further consideration will be given to their involvement
  nearer the time.
  ii) Follifields Hedgerow – The clerk is to obtain a quote for the long hedgerow
  along the length of the play area and shorter one behind top goal post.
  Recognising that any pruning behind the top hedgerow needs to await the
  end of the bird nesting season, a quotation will be sought from the village tree
  surgeon.
  iii) Bark chippings. Originally purchased for suppressing weed growth but
  now considered unnecessary. Councillor Gallimore will check the state of the
  bark and, if still usable, it will be offered for sale to village residents.
  iv) Application of weedkiller. The contractor is reluctant to apply weedkiller
  whilst the play area is in use. Councillors agreed with his safety concerns and
  agreed Follifields could be temporarily closed for the required period of time
  (2 hours?) with a notice being displayed to explain the reason for the closure.
  The contractor will be required to give sufficient notice of his planned action.
  iv) Wildflower area. Following expert advice, it is necessary to remove all
  cuttings of (mainly) thistles, other weeds and wildflowers in Autumn, to allow
  wildflowers to flourish again. The normal contractor does not have the
  necessary equipment to carry out the required task so a quotation will be
  sought from another contractor. The Chairman also undertook to contact
  Rudding Estate for comment.
  v) “Gallimore tree” – the contractor will provide a quotation for planting the
  tree (already in his possession) in a more favourable location. Cllr Gallimore
  will identify.
  vi) Other – reported that the goal nets needed attention – more secure
  connection to the posts and better anchoring, possibly with heavy duty pegs.
  The clerk will follow up. The pathway benches are in need of refurbishment –
  the contractor will submit a quotation.
4. Planning.
  a) Applications Received
  22/02251/FUL – Proposed new vehicular access off existing private road and
  new parking area – Appletree House, The Paddocks.
  The Chairman displayed the site plans and ran through the details of the
  application which, in the first instance, is to provide additional access for
  vehicles and a parking area. Councillors discussed and observed that there
  was no visible impact or other concerns for the application and, accordingly
  agreed to SUPPORT the application.
  b) Notifications – none received.
  Appeal
  22/00043/NREFPP – Conversion of agricultural building to form dwelling and
  garage – Barnfield, Plompton. (supported by the PC, but with proviso re
  avoidance of damage to access road during construction works)
  As originally supported, it was not felt necessary to comment further. Arrangements for applications received with response deadline before 15 Sept. An additional meeting specifically for planning applications will be be held on 2nd August to consider all applications submitted up to that date. Subsequent applications received will be considered at the September meeting
5. Finance and Governance:
  a) Balance at the bank on 1st July 2022, Current Account £1001.26 and
  Deposit Account £27,691.07 (total £28692.33) Bank statements to be
  initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment
  authorisation process.
  b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 1st July was provided
  with receipts and payments in the period 31st May to 1st July,
  reconciling to the account balances shown above at a) Councillors
  then unanimously agreed the 7 amounts below for payment.
  M Richards Clerk’s salary- June £312.66 Bank Transfer
  HMRC PAYE – June £78.17 Bank Transfer
  M Richards Clerk’s mileage claim £41.85 Bank Transfer
  Village handyman Village maintenance 507.50 Bank Transfer
  S Bush Grass cutting £320.00 Bank Transfer
  A Dewsnip Jubilee expenses £118.66 Bank Transfer
  S Riley Jubilee expenses £27.97 Bank Transfer
  c)The Chairman then ran through the budget spreadsheet, explaining the
  entries for the expenditure recorded above. Councillors had no comments or
  questions.
  d) As there is no normal meeting in August, the standard payments of the
  clerk’s salary and PAYE were authorised. To be made as normal via the
  Chairman’s authorisation procedure.
Items for the next meeting
Ongoing issue – the Chairman observed that the newly planted trees still
needed watering. He is continuing to water the two Beech trees and Cllr
Gallimore confirmed she is doing the same for the Rowan tree in Follifields.
He asked all councillors to monitor the position and water if necessary.
The meeting closed at 9.20pm
Date of next Parish Council meeting: –
Thursday 15th September 2022. To be held at Follifoot Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm.