9th November 2023
FOLLIFOOT WITH PLOMPTON PARISH COUNCIL
MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Village Hall on 9th November 2023
1. PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Cllrs C. Dickinson, S.Gallimore, J. Locke and K.Tharby. Also in attendance M Richards (Clerk)
2. Apologies: There were no apologies for non-attendance.
3. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 12th October 2023: The minutes were proposed as a correctrecord by Councillor Dewsnip and seconded by Councillor Gallimore. The Chairman then signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes: None.
6. Planning
Applications Received
a) ZC23/03723/FUL – Construction of subterranean triple garage. Alexander House, Pannal Road.
The Chairman displayed the site plan showing the location of the planned development.
Councillors discussed and as there was no adverse visual impact or other apparent concerns, it was agreed to SUPPORT the application.
Decisions
b) ZC23/03163/FUL – Removal of rear porch and the erection of a single storey rear
extension – 3 Leconfield Garth.
GRANTED
Councillors noted the above decision and had no comments.
7. Chairman’s communications
Dealt with as part of the agenda.
8. Clerk’s communications
a) NYC Local Plan consultation
The clerk had circulated the details of the consultation and the log in link and password.
The consultation is set up so that the clerk is enabled to respond on behalf of the Parish Council. Consequently, councillors will need to log on to the website and follow the instructions which specify how to access the specific areas of “Community Involvement”, with the various headings, down the left – hand side of the document. There is a short information video which explains the process to follow. The closing date for receipt of submissions is 22 December 2023, and accordingly councillors are asked to submit responses to the clerk by the first week in December.
b) NYC draft Housing Strategy consultation
The Chairman had suggested that councillors undertake the consultation individually but then let the clerk know their views, for him to submit a consensus response but, on closer examination of the consultation, it would seem that individual responses are more appropriate. Councillors are therefore encouraged to submit their own responses. Theclosing date for receipt of submissions is 11th December.
9. Parish matters
a) The Pound/Horse Pond Beck walls
In the absence of Cllr Hall, it was agreed to defer this item to the next meeting.
b) Defibrillator signs
The Planning Officer has responded to the initial query regarding the need for planning approval but has asked for further information which the clerk has supplied. A final decision is expected shortly.
c) Blocked drain – Main Street. Reported to Yorkshire Water. Clerk will monitor position.
10. Traffic calming
a) VAS – Cllr Dickinson suggested that it might now be appropriate to once again reverse the direction of data capture, to monitor the speed of traffic exiting the village. Councillors agreed and the Chairman and Cllr Dickinson will arrange reversal of the device.
b) Picket fences – Pannal Road. Councillors discussed again and agreed that whilst the cost of installation would now be quite significant, the scheme should go ahead, given the perceived benefits of the fences improving road safety. The clerk will instruct the contractor accordingly.
11. Follifields
Upkeep and maintenance – work required.
a) Hedge. The Chairman and Cllr Gallimore had inspected the top hedge and agreed that the overall height of the hedge matched that of the field side hedge, there were several “straggly” growths which needed tidying. The clerk will contact the contractor and arrange for the work to be carried out.
b) Weeding around the table tennis area and footpath. Contractor is a couple of weeks behind schedule due to the recent adverse weather conditions. He will complete this work by the end of November/beginning of December. He will also tamp down the uneven surfaces at this location (as recorded in the ROSPA report)
c) Wildflower area. Work delayed as above. The work will be completed at the end of November/beginning of December.
d) ROSPA report. Most of the corrective actions needed referred to low risk items. Cllr Gallimore will liaise with the local contractor for the work to be carried out. It was also noted that there had been comments about “strimming damage” to some of the wooden supports.
The clerk will explore the possibility of “strimming guards” being obtained and fitted.
e) Bench refurbishment. Work again delayed due to the adverse weather conditions. Will be carried out when conditions permit.
12. Finance
a) Review of finances, approve expenditure.
. Balance at the bank on 9th November 2023 in Current Account £710.24 and Deposit Account £28,793.29, total £29,503.53. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process.
Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 9th November was provided with receipts and payments in the period 12th October to 9th November, reconciling to the account balances shown above. Councillors then unanimously agreed the 5 amounts belowfor payment.
| Clerk’s salary (Nov)+ arrears | M Richards | £581.34 | Bank transfer | |
| PAYE income tax | HMRC | £95.19 | Bank transfer | |
| Clerk’s mileage | M Richards | £39.60 | Bank transfer | |
| Village maintenance | Village handyman | £647.50 | Bank transfer | |
| Grass cutting -Follifields | S Bush | £88.00 | Bank transfer | |
b) Councillors indicated their agreement with the award of an annual increment to the clerk in accordance with the terms of his contract, and payment of arrears of pay following the NJC pay award from 1st April 2023. As he is now on the maximum of the substantive scale of the national pay agreement, no further increments will now apply.
c) The clerk went through the Summary and Cumulative budget statements, explaining the current position and the anticipated outturn against the agreed budget. Councillors had no questions or comments.
d) Precept 2024-2025. The Chairman ran through the proposed precept calculation,
previously circulated to councillors, which he and the clerk had compiled. He explained the rationale behind any major year on year differences and suggested that a slight 2% increase in precept could be justified for inflation and the provision of a small contingency amount over and above the specific increases in expenditure already provided for.
Councillors agreed with the proposal and had no questions or comments. It was therefore resolved to submit a precept demand for 2024-25 to NYC of £11,150.
e) A request had been received from the Citizen’s Advice Bureau for a donation to support the service. Councillors discussed the merits of the support provided by this organisationand felt, on balance, that a small donation was appropriate, and a sum of £50 was agreed.
13. Items for next meeting
No matters notified, although Cllr Dickinson did report that he had cleaned the 30mph signs and tidied the flower beds on village approaches. The Chairman thanked him on behalf of the Parish Council.
Date of next Parish Council meeting: Thursday 14th December 2023