Thursday 14th November 2019

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
​Thursday 14th November 2019

PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Vice Chairman T Martin, Councillors A Dewsnip, C Dickinson, S Riley, T Hall and J Locke. In attendance, M Richards (Clerk) and 2 resident.
1.​Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from NYCC/HBC Cllr A Paraskos.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’
Register of Interest: None.
3. Public Participation session: A resident mentioned that he had raised the issue of poor visibility for motorists on the bend on Plompton Road, due to overgrown vegetation. NYCC Highways had apparently inspected the site but did not consider there to be a problem. The clerk will raise the matter again (but see 12 a) below) Councillors also mentioned that road signs throughout the Parish were becoming covered in green algae. It was also raised that the road markings on the Wetherby Road roundabout are still to be completed. – the clerk will raise with Highways.
4.​Minutes of the meeting held on 10th October 2019: Councillor Dickinson proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Dewsnip. The Vice Chairman then duly signed the minutes (as he had chaired that meeting).
5. Matters arising from the previous minutes:
a) Bus service – The Chairman and Vice Chairman are to have a meeting with the Connexions CEO to discuss issues and develop mutually agreeable solutions where possible. It was also suggested that Councillor Dickinson could add value to these discussions due to his knowledge and interest in the matter. The clerk will make the necessary arrangements.
b) Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) – speed warning signs. Councillor Martin had attended a site meeting with Darren Griffiths, the NYCC Community Safety Officer. Darren is concerned about VAS providing value for money in respect of speed reduction. He believes sometimes there may be a perception of excess speed rather than fact, due to geographical and topographical factors. Hence he has carried out a detailed assessment of all routes through the village. His guidance is that Main Street and Plompton Road do not give real opportunities for speeding and would not benefit from VAS installation; Pannal Road, adjacent to the Cricket Club in his view, is the best option. He does however, recommend that a speed survey first be carried out, before a final decision on VAS is made. This would involve the installation of speed “pipes” across the road for a seven day period, when the speed of all passing traffic would be captured. The cost of this equipment is £110 + VAT. Darren also mentioned another option which has been implemented in other local villages, the erection of white “picket fences” on both sides of the road “entrances” to the village. This has the effect of impressing on motorists that they are entering a village and they tend to decrease their speed accordingly. Councillors then discussed all the points raised by Darren and agreed to proceed with the recommendations. They also discussed whether the “picket fence” style calming measure might be a good solution for the residential part of Haggs Road. Councillor Martin will follow up with Darren Griffiths and request the speed survey be carried out, but only after the new 30mph signs are erected. It was also noted that the possibility of sharing VAS equipment with Spofforth could be considered.
6. Banking arrangements
The clerk confirmed that the Barclay’s Bank account had now been opened and he had received a cheque book and paying-in book. The arrangements for operating the dual authorising procedure for payments had not been established, although Cllr Martin has received the “pinsentry” equipment. The clerk will ascertain from Barclay’s all the details for the procedure. Councillors approved the transfer of all funds from HSBC to Barclay’s.
7. Chairman’s communications
There were no communications to the Chairman which are not addressed elsewhere in the agenda.
8. Clerk’s correspondence received.
a) Parish Consultation meeting. Councillors agreed, based on previous experience and the fairly limited terms of reference, not to attend, but to await the resume of matters discussed
b) Woodland Trust – Tree Charter Day. Councillors felt a) Follifields was the only real option as a site for tree planting, but as we have already completed the landscaping in line with the approved Planning application, further tree planting was not appropriate at this time. Nothwithstanding this, there was also insufficient time before 30 November (Tree Charter Day) for anything to be organised. Consequently, no action was proposed.
c) Local Electricity Bill – not felt to be relevant.
d) Climate change – action points. Noted but not felt to be relevant to this Parish Council.
e) Pocket Park funding – again, not felt to be relevant.
9. Matters concerning Follifoot
Inconsiderate parking on Radcliffe Close. The clerk had circulated suggested wording for a notice to ask for more responsible parking, which councillors agreed. He wil arrange for the sign to be produced (at a cost of some £35) and installed at the entrance gate to Follifields.
10. Matters concerning Plompton
Salt/grit box at the entrance to Plompton. The clerk had contacted NYCC to request that the bin be replenished. The response however, required the bin to be moved to the bottom of the entrance road, off the A661. Cllr Hall responded that the bin was actually a Parish Council asset and should remain in its current location. NYCC should be asked to supply another bin (or salt pile) located at their suggested position. The clerk will follow up.
11. Neighbourhood Watch – the Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator (NWC) had circulated his report to councillors. The main issues were telephone and computer scams and frauds. Councillors discussed examples of the various current scams and frauds and encouraged all residents not to respond to unsolicited phone calls and “too good to be true” offers which more than likely, are! On this topic, Cllr Dewsnip mentioned a forthcoming WI meeting (March?) at which an officer from Trading Standards would deliver a presentation on such scams and frauds. This will be an “open meeting” to which all residents would be welcome.
12.Village Up Keep
a) Councillors again discussed the overgrown vegetation adjacent to the Plompton Road corner. The clerk will contact NYCC again to ask for the verges/hedge to be cut. If this request is again declined, Cllr Hall thought that a local farmer would probably be cutting the hedge as part of his normal maintenance routine.
b) Autumn Litter Pick – the Chairman reported that the Litter Pick was again very successful, although it was pleasing to note that the quantity of litter collected had diminished. He thanked all councillors who were involved in organising and undertaking the litter pick and particularly all residents who volunteered to help.
13. FOFWRAP/Follifields:
​a) ROSPA report. The Chairman observed that the report was mostly advisory
rather than requiring significant action. The clerk reported that whilst he had
forwarded the document to Playscheme for comment, no response had in
fact, been received. He will make contact again, particularly about the
supply of the missing caps for the “Springers”, and will also ask if a
permanent solution can be developed.
b) Fundraising for the maintenance etc of Follifields. Over 80 tickets have
been sold for the “Folliwood” event on 16 November. It is hoped that a
successful evening will raise welcome funds for the ongoing maintenance of
Follifields.
c) Grass cutting contract. Councillors agreed that a satisfactory standard had
been achieved in the last year and were happy to extend the contract with the
current contractor for another year, subject to the contractor dealing with
some minor shortcomings, such as grass cuttings covering the gravel path,
after mowing.
14. Finance:
a) Balance at the bank on 31st October 2019, Current Account £1,527.81
and Deposit Account £18,248.95 (total £19,776.76) Bank statements initialled
by the Chairman, in confirmation – Monthly Budget – See Appendix 1.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 31st October was provided
– see Appendix 2.
c) Expenditure 1st October to 31st October– Unanimously agreed and
authorised by two councillors, who

M Richards
Clerk’s salary – Sept
£286.76
Bank Transfer
HMRC
PAYE – Sept
£71.69
Bank Transfer
M Richards
Clerk’s exps–2nd qtr
£87.50
Bank Transfer
Village Handyman
Maintenance Sept
£135.00
Bank Transfer
S Bush
Follifields maintenance
£145.00
Bank Transfer
PKF Littlejohn
Ext audit fee
£240.00
Bank Transfer
M Richards
Filing cabinet
£33.33
Bank Transfer

M Richards
Clerk’s salary – Oct
£286.76
Bank Transfer
HMRC
PAYE
£71.69
Bank Transfer
M Richards
Printer cartridge
£30.00
Bank Transfer
HBC
Grass cutting
£201.17
Bank Transfer
HBC
ROSPA inspection
£66.00
Bank Transfer
A Walker
Maintenance
£145.00
Bank Transfer
M Richards
Data sticks
£26.97
Bank Transfer
S Bush
Grass cutting
£120.00
Bank Transfer
M Richards
Printer paper
£24.75
Bank Transfer
​had examined the supporting documentation for the above expenditure and
signed the covering authority sheet as “approved” at the October meeting.
​d) Expenditure to be approved:-

Unanimously agreed and authorised by two councillors, who examined the
supporting documentation for the above expenditure and signed the covering
authority sheet as “approved”
e) Internal Audit report – the Chairman summarised the report from the internal
auditor. The main areas covered were:
– Migration from manual to Excel format cash book
– Review of bank reconciliations
– Sample check of transactions to Receipts and Payments Account
– Progress of move from HSBC to Barclay’s
– Review of password security and back up arrangements
– Payroll – clerk provided necessary details of arrangements prior to this
meeting, thus satisfying the auditor’s requirements (consequently not included
in his report)
The auditor confirmed there were no issues arising which he needed to report
to councillors. The Chairman thanked the auditor for his work and Councillors
formally accepted the report.
f) 2020/21 precept calculation. The clerk presented the draft calculation of next
year’s precept demand, which had been circulated previously to councillors.
After minor amendments, councillors accepted the details of anticipated
expenditure, but the Chairman suggested it would be more prudent to build in
an increase at the current rate of inflation, per the RPI (2.1%) so it was agreed
that the precept demanded should reflect a 2.1% increase on the current
figure (£10,500), giving a final figure of £10,720.

15. Planning:
a) Notification of decisions received since last meeting – for information.
19/03505/FUL – demolition of extension and erection of single storey
extension and porch – 12 Hillside, Follifoot.​​​APPROVED​
Councillors noted the above decision
b) Applications Received
19/04541/FUL – erection of single storey and two storey extension, and
alteration to fenestration – Duck’s Nest Farm, Rudding Lane, Follifoot.
Councillors discussed the application and were content with the proposals
after examination of site plans and elevations. It was agreed to support the
application.
c) Planning enforcement notice – 19/00577/PR15 – 1-2 East View Cottages,
Main Street, Folifoot. Noted that a complaint had been submitted about the
height of a boundary wall. The Enforcement Officer had asked that the wall be
lowered to comply with the relevant regulations/approvals .
The Chairman also responded to comments regarding whether he/the Parish Council had given permission for changes to the boundary wall. The Chairman made reference to previous Parish Council minutes, and also stated (as he had also done at the time) that whilst the Parish Council is a statutory consultee for planning application, it has no direct power to either grant or refuse planning applications.
d) Applications received since the agenda was compiled – None.
16. There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.40.
Date of next Parish Council Meeting:

7.30pm on 19th December 2019 in Follifoot Village Hall, Tofts Lane, Follifoot,

​

2