14th March 2019

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 14th March 2019

PRESENT: Chairman N. MacDermid, Vice Chairman T Martin, Councillors, T Hall, S Riley, and C Dickinson. In attendance, 2 parishioners

1. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. A Dewsnip, and NYCC Cllr A Paraskos.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.
3. Public Participation session: No issues raised.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 14th February 2019: Councillor Hall proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Dickinson. The Vice Chairman then duly signed the minutes, as he had taken the Chair, in the absence of the Chairman.
5 Matters arising from the previous minutes:
a) Village Hall – wifi contribution. Cllr Martin had raised this issue with the Chairman of the Village Hall committee, who confirmed that the Village Hall would continue with the wifi contract but would not expect any further contribution from the Parish Council. Councillors expressed satisfaction with this outcome but also recorded their thanks to the Village Hall committee.
b) Bus service – further examples of unacceptable performance had been noted and Connexions had responded to complaints, explaining that operational difficulties at its main garage had contributed to late and absent services. Councillors again expressed concern at the poor service and the clerk will contact NYCC (who it is believed still subsidise the service) and make officers aware of the situation.
c) Rudding Lane traffic lights – despite assurances from NYCC that Yorkshire Water would be dealing with the problem, no obvious repair work had been undertaken, although some evidence of exploratory exercises had been noted. The clerk will again contact NYCC/Yorkshire Water to press for action.

6 Chairman’s communications –
a) The Chairman reported that he had been approached by the Chairman of Follifoot Cricket Club to arrange a meeting, as the Club were anxious to facilitate improved liaison and interaction with the community, particularly the Parish Council.
b) It had been reported that the bench at The Pound was in a state of disrepair. The Chairman had, however, examined the bench and concluded that whilst it perhaps was in need of a “good clean”, it was structurally sound with no repairs required. He will re-visit, as the bench was very wet from the recent heavy rain and a better assessment needed to be made in drier conditions.
7 Clerk’s correspondence received.
a) The clerk had received a communication from Calor, advertising its grant scheme whereby rural community bodies could apply for funding of up to £5,000 for specific projects. The Chairman undertook to consult with local organisations as appropriate, to gauge interest.
b) Allerton Waste Recovery Park is producing a quarterly newsletter, promulgating its work and offering site visits to interested parties. Two Councillors indicated that they had already visited the site and encouraged others to do the same. Anybody interested should contact the clerk for further details.
c) Garden waste collection (HBC) – the clerk asked if a garden waste bin and licence was needed at Follifields? Councillors thought not at the moment, although it was felt that the hedge cutting (via flail) may need addressing in the future.
d) HBC bulb/wildflower scheme. Councillors agreed to request a supply of crocus bulbs when available, later in the year.
8 Matters concerning Follifoot
a) Councillors discussed the recurring unpleasant odour on Main Street. Cllr Dickinson had been in contact with Yorkshire Water (YW) and he was aware that a camera examination, followed by jetting had been undertaken but no specific problem (other than the presence of “wet wipes” within the drain) had been identified. He would like YW to examine the system when a full discharge from Rudding Park occurs but this has not yet happened although YW have confirmed they are still monitoring the position. The clerk will contact YW and ask for an update and report on future plans.
9 Matters concerning Plompton
Cllr Hall had had no specific issues to report for Plompton although he confirmed that the salt bin at the entrance to Plompton had still not been replenished. The clerk will raise again with NYCC.
10 Neighbourhood Watch – the Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator had not produced a report for the current period.
11. Village Up Keep
The Chairman indicated that he would carry out the annual inspection of Parish assets (as recorded in the Asset Register) in due course.
12. Road safety – the clerk will contact the NYCC Highways Officer to explore the possibility of imposing speed restriction on certain areas of John Metcalfe Way/Haggs Road.
13. FOFWRAP/Follifields:
a) The Chairman reported that site meeting is to be held next week to determine the location of the outdoor table tennis table and base.
b) Dogs are excluded from the Follifields site as a condition of the lease. The Chairman has however, discussed with the landowner the possibility of creating a “dog park” (an area by the entrance so that dogs can be safely tethered whilst their owners make use of the facilities) and this has been agreed in principle, subject to development and agreement of specific plans.
c) ROSPA safety inspection. The clerk confirmed that he had arranged that HBC will carry out this annual function, but the Chairman was concerned that the first inspection was now due and HBC’s inspection would not be until later in the Summer. The clerk will check whether HBC can carry out an early inspection, but if not will identify an alternative contractor for this “one-off” inspection.
d) Grass cutting. The clerk confirmed that he had received three quotations and, subject to confirmation of standards and quality (now received) the contract will be awarded based on a combination of cost and service. Confirmation will also be sought as to whether this contractor is able to carry out “gardening housekeeping” ie maintenance of hedges and verges.
14. Finance:
a) Balance at the bank on 28th February 2019, Current Account £2160.59 and Deposit Account £17727.82. – Monthly Budget – See Appendix 1.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 28th February was provided – see Appendix 2.
c) Expenditure
M Richards Clerk’s salary – Jan £349.44 Bank Transfer
M Richards Clerk’s salary – Feb £349.44 Bank Transfer
HBC Grasscutting £195.31 Bank Transfer
A Walker Plaque install £15.00 Bank Transfer
C Stead Electrical Defib install £175.86 Bank Transfer
C.Fast Response Defib training donation £50.00 Bank Transfer
Unanimously agreed and authorised by two councillors, who examined the supporting documentation and signed the covering authority sheet as “approved.”
d) Financial Regulations – the clerk had circulated the revised Financial Regulations prior to the meeting. Councillors approved adoption.
.
15. Planning:
a) Decisions received.
18/03854/FUL – Erection of single-storey extension, infill of arch and provision of timber doors, replacement of existing window – The Carriage House, Farrar Wood to Plompton Park, Plompton.
APPROVED
b) Applications Received
19/00696/COU – retrospective application for change of use from B1 (Business) and B8 (Storage and Distribution) to B2 (General Industrial) Unit 2A, Follifoot Ridge Business Park.
Councillors considered the application and resolved that it be SUPPORTED.
c) Planning Enforcement – 19/00091/PR15 – Change of use of garage – Pointers End, 3 Rudding Dower, Follifoot. No breach of Planning regulation, falls under “Permitted Development”
d) Applications received since the agenda was compiled.
None.
16. Confidential matter. Councillors discussed the security arrangements surrounding the operation of the Council’s bank accounts. Recommendations for improvement were made, which the clerk will implement.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.30.

Date of next Parish Council Meeting:

7.30pm on 11th April 2019 in Follifoot Village Hall, Tofts Lane, Follifoot, preceeded by the Annual Parish Meeting, commencing at 7.00pm.