9th July 2020

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

  Thursday  9^th July 2020

This was the fourth meeting held remotely via the Zoom video-conferencing software, in accordance with the Government’s advice and legislation arising from the Covid-19 restrictions.

PRESENT: ChairmanN MacDermid, Cllr T Martin (Vice Chairman) Councillors, C Dickinson, J Locke, and S Riley. In attendance, M Richards (Clerk) and 1 resident.

1.  Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Cllr A Dewsnip.

2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’  
    Register of Interest: None.      
3. Public Participation session: No matters arising. 

 4. Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th June 2020: Cllr Dickinson proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Locke.  The  Chairman then duly signed the minutes.

5. Chairman’s comments and communications
    Village Green ownership – the clerk had confirmed that the Green is owned
    by the Parish Council and this leaves the way open as an option for the
    signs/artwork, discussed at the last meeting, to be displayed at this location.
    As councillors will recall, it is the intention to organise a project for local
    children to design signs displaying  how proud they are of the village/parish.   
    For example, “Love Follifoot/Keep our village tidy”, to be professionally re-  
    produced and exhibited in/around the Parish. A communication exercise, will
    take place in W/C 13^th July and if there is sufficient interest, signs will be
    displayed from mid-August to September. It is then the intention to hold a litter
    pick on 23^rd August (if permitted by HBC), followed by an event in Follifields
    (subject to covid restrictions), to recognise/celebrate people’s efforts. The
    Parish Council is grateful to a local resident who has come up with the idea
    and is sponsoring the ininitiave.
6. Clerk’s correspondence received.
    a) Consultation over the new draft model Code of Conduct. The clerk had
    circulated the details of the draft. Councillors had considered and resolved
    that, as the main thrust of the document was aimed towards revising
    disciplinary procedures with regard to the suspension of councillors, it did not
    really require further comment from the Parish Council.
    b) Re-design of Parish website to comply with legal requirements regarding
    access . As recorded previously, the Parish Website will need to be redesigned
    to include these features and it is likely that this may require external technical
    support. Concillors agreed however, that before this is pursued, the local   
    resident who acts as the website manager, should be contacted to ascertain
    whether he is able to undertake this development. The clerk will follow up.

7. “AJ1 Fund” – a considerable sum was raised through the sale of the ex-Chief
    Constable’s car registration number. The Police and Crime Commissioner has
    decided to make funds available through bids from local and parish councils for
    projects designed to improve road safety. Bids to be submitted by 31^st August.
    Councillors discussed and agreed that a bid should be submitted for VAS
    equipment and also the previously considered “picket fences” The clerk will
    make an initial enquiry as to eligibility.

8. Covid-19 – re-opening of Follifields. Government guidelines allowed parks and
    play areas to open from 4^th July. The Chairman has however, reviewed the
    specified safety conditions which should be followed and concluded that a
    number of measures such as producing a risk assessment and displaying
    signs which specify safety measures to be followed by all users, need to be in
    place before the area can be re-opened. Accordingly a Risk Asessment has
    been completed based on the guidance and template provided by Harrogate
    Borough Council. The Chairman has also produced a number of laminated
    signs to be placed in strategic positions in the play area This will allow
    Follifields to re-open on 12 July. As an additional safety measure, when the
    contractor carries out the fortnightly grass cut, he will also spray the play
    equipment (particularly the interior areas) with anti-bacterial spray. Councillors
    confirmed their agreement with the above actions, stressing that it was the
    responsibility of users of Follifields (including parents and guardians to follow
    the safety guidance provided.

9. Maintenance – the clerk has contacted a local contractor to provide an
    estimate for the refurbishment of the notice board.

   10. Finance.
         a) The Chairman ran through the monthly financial statements which had been
         circulated previously showing the up to date information of receipts and
         payments to date (including the current period’s activity) and the ongoing
         comparison with the budget on a monthly basis and the balance remaining for
         the rest of the year. Councillors then approved the following items of
         expenditure included in the budget statement.

            Clerk’s salary (May) – £286.76
            PAYE – £71.69
            Microsoft annual licence – £79.99 (paid by clerk)

Grass cutting – Follifields – S Bush – £145.00

   b) Bank reconciliation. The clerk explained the content of the reconciliation  
   which had been circulated previously. Councillors had no questions and the
   Chairman agreed to confirm the balances shown when he validates payment of
   the above amounts, as part of the dual authorisation process for payments.
   c) Playscheme – quotation for repairs to play equipment. The clerk confirmed
   that he had now had a revised quotation, reduced by 50% for the Springer
   repairs. Councillors were still not happy with this, as it was considered that the
   Springers were not entirely fit for purpose from the outset. The clerk will go
   back to Playscheme, stressing this point, requesting a nil cost repair, for the
   above reason.

    11. Planning       

      a) Review of decisions –

      20/01206/FUL – Erection of 2 no. single storey extensions, attached

      garage and conversion of existing garage to habitable accommodation.

      Alterations to fenestration – Hollybush, 6 Pellentine Road Follifoot HG3 1EB

                                                       APPROVED

      Councillors noted the above decision.     

      b) Application received

      20/00878/FUL – Demolition of outbuilding and erection of storage building

      Elm Gable, Haggs Road, Spofforth.

      Councillors noted that this was a “like for like” replacement and, as such, had

      no objection. Concern was expressed however, over the possible use of the

      new building, as it was noted in the documentation that there was reference to

      a “breeding pack of Jack Russels” Councillors felt that there should be some

      reassurance over the welfare of the dogs if indeed the intended use was for

      dog breeding. Councillors agreed that the response should be to neither

      support nor object to the application but to raise concerns over

      the welfare of the dogs and to seek assurance that approved welfare

      arrangements would be put in place.

      c) Parish Council planning consultation submissions and delegation in

      August. As the Council does not meet in August, councillors agreed to

      delegate this function to the clerk (for August only) He would contact

      councillors via email to obtain views but the ultimate decision, should a

      “casting vote” be required, was his.  

          There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.40.

      Date of next Parish Council meeting: –

10th September 2020 at 7.30pm, at Follifoot Village Hall, Tofts Lane

(unless Government restrictions still apply), when a remote meeting via Zoom will be held)