2009 April

FOLLIFOOT WITH PLOMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 16 April 2009

Present : Parish Councillors B. Fisher (Chairman), T. Martin, C. Florance, U. Cansfield, S. Milligan, B. Butler, P.C. M. Ayre and one resident.

Apologies for absence : Parish Councillor E. Bolton
Any declarations of interest in items on the agenda : There were none.
Public participation session : The Chairman invited P.C. Ayre to give a report. There had been one recorded crime since the last meeting that of a burglary from a garage. The mobile police station was on Main Street on 4.4.09 and seven residents visited.
Minutes of the meeting held on 19.3.09 : The Chairman signed the minutes as a correct record having been proposed by B. Butler and seconded by U. Cansfield.
Any matters arising from the minutes :

Item 11 b) – Flytipping – B. Butler reported having seen a truck (TP Hire) from a distance at the lay-by on Plompton Road, he later stopped at the site in his car and observed a pile of rubbish, he contacted the organisation and was assured it was not a tipper truck. The company would talk to the driver about the incident. It was noted that since the gravel had been moved into a single pile flytipping had diminished.

Chairman’s communications : There were none.
Matters concerning Plompton : There were none.
Rural Broadband in Yorkshire : C. Florance reported on his discussion with R. Bennett of Eskdalenet. The supply of cabling from ‘the point of presence’ to the village would be very costly. It appears that the main advantage would be to businesses in gaining a faster download. The cost/benefit to Follifoot was not justifiable. C. Florance recommended that the matter should not be pursued at this time. Clerk to write to Mr. Bennett.
Highways :
Potholes on Rudding Lane – noted that this road was earmarked for repair in the current year.
Main Street – wall outside Lilac Cottage appears to be affected by tree roots. Clerk asked to contact Highways.
Street lighting, Tofts Lane – the Village Hall committee have requested that the road past the school be illuminated as the road surface is uneven. It was noted that Tofts Lane is a private road. C. Florance was asked to approach the school with a request to consider the installation of a light on the exterior of the building.
Finance:
Balance at the bank – £ 5025.00 in the accounts. A receipt of £ 785.69 VAT refund
Request for authorisation of expenditure: to AWJoinery for noticeboard repair £ 35; to YLCA’s for internal audit training £ 58; to YLCA’s for annual subscription £ 184 and to the clerk for stamps £ 9.72. Expenditure proposed by S. Milligan and seconded by T. Martin.
Quarterly bank reconciliation – this had been previously circulated to the Parish Council. C. Florance examined this against the bank statements and invoices and confirmed that they were in order.
Internal auditor’s report for the half year to 31.3.09. The Chairman read M. Kettlewell’s report to the meeting. This provided assurance that adequate controls were in place and that systems provided for proper documenting of expenditure.
Arrangements for external audit for year ending 31.3.09 – the Annual Return had to be signed off by 30.6.09. The Parish Council was required to review the effectiveness of internal audit and also to conduct a review of the risks it faced. The insurance cover was up for renewal on 1.6.09 and it was timely for the Parish Council to consider whether this remained appropriate. The insurance policy would be circulated with a view to dealing with these matters at the May meeting.
Clerk’s report and correspondence :
Harrogate Rural Safety schemes – a letter received from NYCC Highways to inform the Parish Council that a review of all schemes would be taking place in the next few weeks. It was noted that the approved scheme to move the speed restriction sign on Spofforth Lane still had not been implemented and it was hoped that the review would result in a time frame for work to commence.
YLCA’s Harrogate branch meeting on 22.6.09. T. Martin agreed to represent the Parish Council. Questions on planning matters would be submitted in advance of the meeting.
Papers received since the last meeting were circulated.
Planning :
Application 09/01120/FUL – 4 Park Side, Pannal Road, Follifoot for rendering to external walls. The Parish Council objected to the application.
No further applications had been received.
Outcome of previous applications – Appeal – Aketon Stables, Spofforth Lane, Follifoot for conversion of garage and raising of roof height – allowed. Appeal against refusal of planning consent – Prospect Cottage, Pannal Road, Follifoot for erection of detached double garage to replace existing and change of use of land to extend domestic curtilage. The Parish Council had no objections to the original application and this view would be communicated to the Planning Inspectorate.
Next meeting : Thursday 14 May 2009 for the Annual Parish Council meeting.