12th February 2015

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
12th February 2015

PRESENT:
Chairman N. MacDermid, Vice Chairman T. Martin, Councillors E. Jones,
C. Florance, T. Hall and C. Gogna, four residents, Chairman Smithies and President Finnegan of Harrogate Rugby Club.

1. Apologies: Apologies received from internal auditor M. Kettlewell.

2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None

3. Rugby Club:
a) The Chairman welcomed the Rugby Club Representatives: Chairman Smithies introduced himself and President Finnegan.
b) State of Highways and verges: The clerk gave an update, North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) are aware of the situation and have organised repairs.
c) Invite to Rugby Club: The Chairman Smithies gave an update on the Rugby Club’s current position.
i) Chairman Smithies said the Rugby Club will open once all planning conditions have been met. They envisage Crest will transfer the site to the Rugby Club in April 2015. The junior rugby players are hoping to hold activities over the summer and the senior’s players to start playing next season.
ii) Parking was discussed and Chairman Smithies said there will be parking for two hundred and fifty vehicles with additional temporary parking on site on the designated grass areas.
iii) Chairman Smithies explained the Rugby Club is looking at ways the club can be financially viable. They are considering using the club house for functions and the grounds as a multi-sport facility.
iv) Chairman MacDermid enquired about the publication of the travel plan. Chairman Smithies said it is the responsibility of Crest to write the plan. Chairman MacDermid said the Parish Council would like to work with the Rugby Club if at all possible to improve the bus service. Chairman MacDermid request a copy of the completed travel plan. Chairman Smithies agreed and said he would forward the plan.
v) Chairman Smithies said the club would like to erect stands, and is aware planning permission would be required.
d) Works on Footpath link: The clerk gave an update and said NYCC aware of the situation.
e) Works on Bridleway improvement: The clerk gave an update and said NYCC are aware of the situation and will be looking at improvements in the next financial year.
Three residents and Chairman Smithies and President Finnegan left the meeting at 8.25pm.

4. Public Participation session: The resident asked the Parish Councils if they were considering formulating a Parish Neighbourhood Plan. The Chairman explained the Parish Council are giving a development plan consideration. The advantages of the parish implementing a Neighbourhood Plan were discussed.

5. Minutes of the meeting held on 8th January 2015: Councillor Martin proposed the minutes as a correct record and Councillor Hall seconded. The Chairman duly signed the minutes as a correct record.

6. Matters arising from the minutes:
a) Item 5a) Forge green
i) Reclassification: The clerk had received a reply from Harrogate Borough Council (HBC); informing the Parish Council that the situation will be reviewed later in the year.
ii) Follow up on consultation with residents: Councillor Martin said the residents had not given him any information as requested. He was therefore unable to pursue the matter further.

7. Chairman’s communications: None received.

8. Matters concerning Plompton:
a) Broadband: Councillor T. Hall was unable to give an update as there was a problem with his phone line.
b) Councillor Hall said the hedges along Spofforth Lane need trimming. The clerk will consult with the land owner and Highways.
c) Councillor Hall reported fly tipping on Plompton Road. The clerk said she would report it to Harrogate Borough Council.
d) Council Hall asked if the Parish Council would purchase a new directional sign for Plompton as the current one is insufficient. The Parish Council agreed the Parish Council would pay for a new sign. Councillor Hall said he would obtain a quote.

9. Casual Vacancy for Parish Councillor: The interviews had taken place for the new councillor. The Chairman will inform the new councillor of his success.

10. Harrogate District Local Plan: Councillor Martin will attend the meeting on Wednesday 4th March 2015.

11. Minerals and Waste Joint Plan: Email received for Parish Councillors to complete.

12. Parish Council Roles and Ways of Working Additional Meeting: The Parish Councillors agreed it was a useful meeting. The Parish Councillors agreed to look at ways to prioritise the subjects. The first item to be discussed was improving Broadband in the Parish. Councillor Florance informed the meeting he had written to NYCC about the service not being delivered to Plompton, Rudding Dower and Haggs Road. NYCC said Rudding Dower and Haggs Road may be in phase two and the programme of works will be available at the end of February. No comment regarding Plompton had been received. The Parish Council agreed the installation of WIFI in the village hall would be an asset to the community, and the Chairman would write to the village hall committee to ask they gave consideration to the matter. Action: Clerk to prepare letter.

13. Website: The information required had been transferred. Action: Chairman MacDermid to contact old website host and request the site is transferred to the Parish Council.

14. Broadband: See item 12.

15. Neighbourhood Watch: No update received.

16. Village Up Keep:
a) Recycling: The clerk had written to HBC regarding improving recycling and the way it is stored. HBC had replied and said they could supply lids for the boxes at a charge to the residents, which would have to be removed when putting the recycling out.
b) Spring Village Litter Pick: It was decided to hold the Spring Litter Pick on Sunday 29th March. Volunteers to meet outside the village shop at 2pm, and with free sweets to all participants. Action: Clerk to organise.
c) Ground Maintenance Quote for Grass Cutting 2015: It was decided to accept the grass cutting estimate from HBC. Action: Clerk to notify HBC.

17. Highways:
a) Stepping Stones: The landowner had volunteered to meet with the Parish Council to look at ways to reinstate the stepping stones. The clerk had spoken with the Ramblers Association and contacted NYCC regarding the matter. She had also investigated funding for the works. Action: Clerk to organise meeting with land owner and Parish Council representative.
b) Grit bin at Rudding Dower: A resident requested a grit bin was purchase for use by Rudding Dower and Duck Nest Farm. The Parish Council suggested the management committee contact them with further information.
c) The clerk said she had requested two grit bins for Collins Hill, Rudding Lane, following the ten piles of grit placed on the verges.

18. FOFWRAP: No update.

19. Finance:
a) Balance at the bank deposit account £7,237.08 and current account £512.80
b) Request for authorisation of expenditure of £1.80 for booklet on housing was unanimously agreed.
Cheque No: 100741 YLCA £1.80
c) Parish Councillor Signatories on bank account: Councillor Martin said he had visited the bank with the relevant documentation. The clerk requested Councillors Florance and Hall visited the bank with the appropriate information and Chairman MacDermid provided a copy of a utility bill.
d) Budget: The clerk said she had put two incorrect figures in the Budgets for 2014/15. She said updated copies were available if required. A current Budget had been emailed to all Parish Councillor and internal auditor.

20. Clerk’s correspondence: The clerk had received information from YLCA regarding the Branch meeting on 16th February and Inspiring Yorkshire Event on 18th March.

21. Planning:
a) Applications:
i) Church Farm, Plompton Road, Follifoot – 6.121.216.PBR 14/05343/PBR – Prior approval of proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwelling house. The Parish Council did not object or support the application but wished to comment.
ii) Home Farm, Follifoot – 6.121.204.H.FUL 14/05356/FUL – Application for alterations to fenestration approved under planning permission 6.121.204.F.FUL. The Parish Council had no objections.
iii) Unit 9 Follifoot Ridge Business Park, Pannal Road, Follifoot – 6.121.217.FUL 15/00045/FUL – Demolition of building and erection of replacement industrial building. The Parish Council supported the application.
b) No applications received since the agenda was compiled.
c) Outcome of previous applications:

21 Hillside, Follifoot – Granted
High Grange Farm, Plompton – Refused

22. Date of next meeting: 8pm on 12th March at Follifoot Village Hall