2008 July

FOLLIFOOT WITH PLOMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 24 July 2008

Present: Parish Councillors B. Fisher (Chairman), T. Martin, U. Cansfield, E. Bolton and two residents

Apologies for absence: Parish Councillors S. Milligan, B. Butler and P.C. M. Ayre
Declarations of interest in items on the agenda:

There were none.

Public Participation session:
No items were raised for discussion.

Minutes of the meeting held on 19.6.08:
The Chairman signed the minutes as a correct record. Proposed by T. Martin and seconded by U. Cansfield.

Matters arising from the minutes:

NYCC Highways were contacted by the Clerk regarding outstanding repairs outside 13 Hillside. This was an oversight and arrangements would be made to complete the job.
Gravel store, Plompton Road. The Clerk had been informed that it was not possible to run the heaps of gravel in a continuous line as they were of differing sizes.

Chairman’s communications:

Complaint about a wasps nest close to a public footpath. This had been dealt with.
Complaint regarding overgrown vegetation at the entrance to the public footpath on Main Street. It was noted that maintenance of public rights of way was the responsibility of the landowner and local authority. T. Martin agreed to clear the location.
Fluddersome Lane – comment had been made that this path tended to become overgrown, there is no public right of way along this path.
‘Bus shelters, Main Street – Top shelter – offensive graffiti had been put on the walls together with the name ‘Lucy’. This was held to be an indication of disrespect as the building contains a memorial to residents killed in the Great and Second Wars. Bottom shelter – used for football practice. The Clerk was asked to contact a local contractor to take remedial action.

Conservation Area appraisal for Follifoot – consultation:

The Parish Council discussed the report in order to formulate their response to the consultation. Overall, it was held to be a positive document.

The report contained recommendations for further action and these were considered as follows:

Unused sign poles had already been removed
The kissing gate on Plompton Road had been painted. Thanks were extended to P. Dawson for undertaking this task.
The mounting block on Main Street might be considered for Listing. The Clerk would find out how this could be achieved.
Conifers on Hillside – consideration would be given to a consultation process with residents about a proposal to fell the trees in order to create more open views.
The Radcliffe and Harewood Arms – suggestions concerning floors cape enhancement had been made. The Clerk will send a copy of the report to the brewery for their consideration and possible action.

The proposed extension to the conservation area, mainly to include the gardens of Rose and East View Cottages and the green adjacent to the Village Hall were held to be logical. There was a query about the possibility that landmark trees might be made the subject of Tree Preservation Orders. This and the few errors noted on the accompanying maps would form part of the Parish Council response to the consultation.

Matters concerning Plompton:
It was noted that the travellers had moved on from their encampment on the verge by Wingate Farm. Councillor Bolton Stated that the telephone box at the entrance to Plompton was in need of painting. This was a Listed Building. The Clerk would contact B.T. to request that arrangements for maintenance be made.

Highways:

Speed survey results, Main Street, Follifoot – the mean speed of vehicles travelling up and down the street was 26 mph which the NYCC officer considered to be acceptable and not merit further action. The results would be circulated to councillors so they might consider if any other response was required.
Suggested remedies to cars parking on verges outside Sycamore House – NYCC Highways has consulted with the resident affected and the headteacher of the school suggesting the use of kerbing to prevent erosion, but favouring the installation of double yellow lines which could be enforceable. The affected resident prefers kerbing but the Parish Council considered this would be out of place as it would be the only kerbed verge along the Main Street. The Parish Council continue to be opposed to the installation of double yellow lines. The resident is minded to place stones along the verge to act as a deterrent and a remedy that would be less intrusive to the street scene.

Bulb planting 2008:

Councillors were reminded that a programme of planting had been agreed for the verges at the entrance to the village from the by-pass. A date would be fixed at the September meeting.

‘No Cold Calling Zones:

A request had been made to find further information from Trading Standards about this initiative. The councillors decided to consider the written material provided and also if ‘cold calling’ was perceived as a problem in the village. The matter would be an agenda item at the next meeting.

Finance:

Balance at the bank – a total of £ 9058.50 in the accounts
Quarterly reconciliation of accounts – receipts and payments were examined against bank statements by U. Cansfield who found they were in order. The Parish Council resolved to approve the accounts.
Request for authorisation of expenditure – £ 185 to AWJoinery for repair of seat and £ 22.09 to Harrogate Council for grass cutting. Proposed by B. Fisher and seconded by T. Martin. The Parish Council were informed that the new gas heaters had been installed in the Village Hall. The councillors had agreed to fund these items at an earlier meeting and now confirmed the expenditure, the cost was £ 3724.10 + VAT. This was proposed by E. Bolton and seconded by T. Martin; an invoice would be submitted to the Parish Council in due course.

Clerk’s report and correspondence:

Harrogate District Local Development Framework: consultation on areas of search for growth around Harrogate and Knaresborough. The areas of preferred development were to the west of Harrogate and to the east of Knaresborough. Development between the two towns and along the Crimple Valley had been ruled out. After due consideration, the Parish Council resolved not to make any representations.
Elections to the County Area committee for the Harrogate District – the Parish Council were invited to vote for two Parish Council representatives.
Papers received since the last meeting were circulated.

Planning:

Application 08/02764/FUL – Claro Cottage, Follifoot for single storey side extension to side elevation. The Parish Council had no objections to the application.
Application 08/02765/FUL – Railway House, Follifoot for two storey extension to NE elevation. The Parish Council had no objections to the application.
Application 08/02749/FUL – Follifoot Cricket ground for single storey rear and side extensions, veranda and new package treatment plant. The Parish Council had no objections to the application.
No further applications had been received.
Outcome of previous applications: Planning consent refused – Village End, Plompton Road for demolition of dwelling and replacement house; 22 Hillside for rear extension; Aketon Stables, Spofforth Lane for conversion of garage to living accommodation. Appeal dismissed – Holly Bush Pasture, Thistle Hill for agricultural workers dwelling. Application withdrawn – Follifoot Primary School for demolition of chimney stack.

Date of next meeting : Thursday September 4 2008