2008 November

FOLLIFOOT WITH PLOMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 6 November 2008

Present: Parish Councillors B. Butler (Chairman), E. Bolton, U. Cansfield, S. Milligan and T. Martin; District Councillor C. Bayliss and three residents.

Apologies for absence: Parish Councillor B. Fisher and P.C. M. Ayre.
Declarations of interest in items on the agenda: B. Butler declared an interest in the problems regarding drainage on Hillside referred to in item 6a). There were no other declarations of interest.
Public Participation session: A resident had come to the meeting to express concern about trees in need of management that were affecting the quality of light in her property. The query was whether the Parish Council were empowered to address these concerns. It was established that the trees were located on private land. It was suggested that the resident might seek general advice from the Harrogate Council tree specialists.
Minutes of the meeting held on 9.10.08: Having been proposed by U. Cansfield and seconded by T. Martin, the minutes were signed as a correct record by the Chairman.
Matters arising from the minutes: Bulb planting on 18.10.08 – 17 adults and four children participated in the planting. The task was greatly assisted by the turf having been lifted by a Rudding House digger the previous day. Encouragement was given to the workers by the provision of sweets by Anne and Andy Dewsnip from the shop. A letter of thanks would be sent to all who contributed to the event.
Chairman’s communications:

Hillside – the Chairman reported that the drains had been blocked recently and because they were ‘unadopted’ by Yorkshire Water, Hillside residents had had to pay for the investigation of the problem and any remedial action. It was unclear how this situation had arisen as all the housing had originally been in the ownership of the local authority. The clerk was asked to look into the matter with a view to seeking adoption of the drainage system by Yorkshire Water.
Obstructions to Public Rights of Way in the Follifoot area. T. Martin, a member of the NYCC Local Access Forum told the meeting that he had been in contact with the local authority regarding the footpath crossing of the River Crimple between Follifoot Ridge and Fulwith Mill and the bridleway over the Crimple from the A661 to Colin Hill in an effort to establish when repairs would be carried out. Access had been affected by flooding in 2007 and as yet remedial action had not taken place. When he had received a response, he would inform the meeting.

Matters concerning Plompton: There were none to report.
The Mounting Block, Forge Green, Main Street: Councillors considered a draft application for listed building status. In spite of extensive enquiries, it had not been possible to establish the precise details of its passing into the ownership of the Parish Council. The mounting block was thought to have belonged to the Ezart family at the time they occupied Ivy House Farm. The Parish Council approved the draft document and resolved to make an application to English Heritage for listing.
Highways:

Retaining wall, Horsepond Beck – a bulge in the lower wall against the road had been observed by a resident and NYCC had been alerted. The wall had been inspected on the same day the matter had been reported. No sign of movement was detected on the pavement or the road. This would be kept under review by Highways.
Fly tipping – Several lorry loads of rubble and rubbish had been dumped in the Plompton Road and Kitty Corner lay-bys in recent times. This had been reported to Harrogate Council who were generally very prompt in arranging for its removal. Concern was expressed at the cost of disposal to the Council and to residents. District Councillor Bayliss stated that she would make enquiries into the matter.

Finance:

Balance at the bank – a total of £ 5782.08 was in the accounts. There were no receipts to report, although an application for release of £ 391 of commuted sums for bulb purchase together with a grant towards grass cutting costs of £ 73. The Parish Council objected to being charged for this.
Request for authorisation of expenditure – to Harrogate Council for grass cutting £ 11.05; to AWJoinery for ‘bus shelter repair £ 25.75. Proposed by T. Martin and seconded by S. Milligan. The provision of a Christmas tree for the Village Hall was discussed and District Councillor C. Bayliss kindly made a donation of £ 30 for its purchase. She suggested that in future years a donated tree might be sought locally. The Clerk informed the meeting that an interim pay award of 2.45% had been agreed by the employer/employee negotiators pending arbitration. It was recommended that council’s implement the award which would be within the Parish Council budget provision. This was proposed by U. Cansfield and seconded by E. Bolton.
Internal audit report for the first half of the financial year. This was conducted by Mrs. M. Kettlewell and the Chairman read her report to the meeting confirming that the necessary controls, procedures and systems were in place, carried out and fully documented. The Chairman thanked Mrs. Kettlewell for her report.

Clerk’s Report and Correspondence:

Code of Conduct for Local authority members and employees – a review of the Code adopted in May 2007. Councillors were asked to consider if they wished to make any representations regarding matters raised in the consultation.
Freedom of Information – a new publication scheme had to be adopted by 31.12.08. Councillors were asked to consider the material with a view to formal adoption at the December meeting.
‘Stop the drop’ – a CPRE campaign to try to reduce litter and fly tipping. Councillors to consider whether to support and adopt the campaign.
Other documents received since the last meeting were circulated.

Planning:

Applications: there were none to consider
Outcome of previous applications: Permitted – Home Farm bungalow, Follifoot for erection of replacement dwelling and Parkside House, Plompton Road for tree works.

Dates of meetings for 2009: The dates were approved.
Date of next meeting: Thursday 11 December, 2008 at 8pm.