2008 February

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 7 February 2008

Present: Parish Councillors B. Fisher (Chairman), E. Bolton, M. Mitton, C. Florance, B. Butler, T. Martin, U. Cansfield and 32 residents.

Apologies for absence: District Councillor C. Bayliss.
Declarations of interest in items on the agenda:

The councillors had none to declare

Local Development Framework consultation on site allocations for homes and jobs:

The Chairman introduced the councillors and clerk to the meeting. He explained that the purpose of the meeting was to enable residents to voice their opinions about the proposal for development in Follifoot, to listen to others and to ask questions and seek clarification. He informed the meeting of the guidelines adopted by the Parish Council for the conduct of public participation sessions in Parish Council meetings.

Harrogate Borough Council are in a process of public consultation about a number of sites across the District that have been appraised for their suitability for housing or employment development. The Council consider Follifoot an appropriate village for affordable housing development given its good communications and other amenities.

Preferred site in Follifoot: Land east of Manor Fold:

The Chairman invited residents to express their views. A number of objections were raised including access to the site, the effect on surrounding properties, the impact on public rights of way across the site, building on green belt land and the capacity of the existing sewage system. Some contributors thought that affordable housing development was important in sustaining the life of the community as many young people would otherwise be unable to purchase a home at current market rates. It was thought that there were other more suitable alternative sites and whilst these were not under discussion at the meeting, residents were urged to make these known to Harrogate Council. There was some discussion about establishing a residents association and talks about this possibility were to take place outside the meeting.

How to respond to the consultation:

­There were printed Freepost response forms available for residents to take away at the end of the meeting. A number of forms would be held at the Post Office and the form was also available for download at harrogate.gov.uk. The consultation ends on 29 February 2008.

The Chairman thanked all for attending the meeting.

Planning:

Application 6.108.42.FULMAJ – Land at grid reference 435262 455048, Thistle Hill, Knaresborough for erection of clubhouse, tractor store, 7 rugby pitches, 2 vehicular accesses, car and coach parking and soft landscaping. The application was for relocation of the Harrogate Rugby Club. The Parish Council had no objection to the application, but wished to seek assurance that steps would be taken to ensure there would be a safe exit onto the A59 towards Bradford.

Date of next meeting: Thursday 21 February at 8 pm.

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 21 February 2008

Present: Parish Councillors B. Butler (Chairman), T. Martin, C. Florance and one resident, M. Kettlewell.

Apologies for absence: Parish Councillors B. Fisher, U. Cansfield, M. Mitton and District Councillor C. Bayliss.
Declaration of interest in items on the agenda:

B. Butler, T. Martin and C. Florance declared an interest in item 10 c) a request for financial assistance for the Village Hall extension as they were on the management committee.

Public Participation session:

There were no matters for discussion.

Minutes of the meetings held on 28.1.08 and 7.2.08:

The minutes were signed as a correct record by the Chairman. Proposed by T. Martin and seconded by C. Florance.

Matters arising from the minutes:

28.1.08 – item 4. It was noted that the street light at the end of Walker Terrace was no longer obscured as the conifer had been trimmed back. The Clerk had still to contact NYCC to request that the ‘bus stop at the bottom of Main Street be reinstated.

Bench at the end of Leconfield Garth – the Clerk would enquire when the replacement bench would be ready to install.

Standing Orders:

The Chairman reported that he had examined the minor amendments to the Standing Orders. He recommended that they be adopted. This was proposed by C. Florance and seconded by T. Martin.

Chairman’s communications:

Yorkshire Water – the Chairman of the Parish Council had met with M. Denny, field customer case manager on 8.2.08 when he was able to discuss the on going problems with sewer capacity and sewage smells in Follifoot. The outcome was that a camera survey of the sewer down the Main Street to the pumping station on Spofforth Lane would be conducted by Yorkshire Water. The purpose was to determine if there was any surface water infiltration. The results would be communicated to the Parish Council. M. Denny suggested that the Parish Council liaise with Rudding Park staff regarding sewage odours.
Proposal for permissive footpath – a letter to the Chairman of the Parish Council from M. Mackaness, Rudding Estate proposing a permissive right of way from Ingham’s Lane to Kitty Corner with the possibility of a later extension to follow the Horse Pond Beck to join the Garth footpath. This was considered a most welcome gesture. The Clerk asked to respond by letter.

Matters concerning Plompton:

There was nothing to report.

Highways:

The junction of Pannal Road and Rudding Lane – chevrons at the T junction demolished and a tree knocked over recently by a vehicle. NYCC to be asked to reinstate chevrons.
Litter – verges along Pannal Road to Follifoot Ridge. Harrogate Council to be asked to arrange to remove it.

Finance:

Balance at the bank: a total of £ 8598.47 in the accounts.
Request for authorisation of expenditure: fee for the planning application for the Village Hall extension – £ 67.50; stationary £ 12.91; engraved plaque for commemorative bench £ 30.00. Proposed by T. Martin and seconded by C. Florance.
Proposed extension to the Village Hall: the Chairman proposed that discussion of the request for financial assistance be deferred to the next meeting when more councillors would be present. It was suggested that the Chairman of the Village Hall committee be invited to the meeting in order to supply further information on the plan.

Clerk’s report and correspondence:

Spring Clean/ Litter Pick 2008 – letter from Harrogate Council offering loan of equipment for this initiative which the Parish Council and residents participate in each year. Suggested date: SUNDAY 13 APRIL 2008 AT 2 PM. Meeting outside the Post Office.

A poster to be made to advertise the event.

Correspondence received was circulated amongst the councillors.

Planning:

Application 6.121.176.A.FUL, Follifoot Village Hall for erection of single storey rear extension. The Parish Council had no objections to the application.
No applications had been received since the agenda was compiled.
Outcome of previous applications – Village End, Plompton Road, Follifoot – crown clean one Beech tree subject to a Tree Preservation Order and other tree works – approved.

Date of next meeting: Thursday 20 March 2008