12th November 2020
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 12th November 2020
Remote meeting held by Zoom videoconferencing software, in accordance with Government guidelines.
PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Vice Chairman T Martin, Councillors A Dewsnip, C Dickinson, T Hall and J Locke. In attendance, NYCC/HBC Cllr A Paraskos, M Richards (Clerk) and 4 residents.
1.Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Riley, who wasunable to attend due to work commitments. Councillors accepted this as a valid reason for non-attendance.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’
Register of Interest: None.
3. Public Participation session: The Chairman welcomed the four residents to the meeting and confirmed that they were able to comment on any issues raised.
4.Minutes of the meeting held on 8th October 2020: Councillor Dickinson proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by CouncillorDewsnip. The Chairman then duly signed the minutes.5 Matters arising from the previous minutes: Dealt with as part of the agenda.6 Chairman’s communications
The Chairman informed councillors of a report he had made on the community Facebook page concerning a small car fire on the way out of the village towards Spofforth. The car was quickly removed but the road surface was damaged. NYCC Highways have indicated that the repair is a top priority (although it has not yet been completed)7 Clerk’s correspondence received.
a) AJ1 Fund – the clerk confirmed that the Parish Council’s bid had been successful and he was in the process of completing the “Document of Understanding” which set out the conditions for accepting the grant. The original timescale for completing the work had been October to December, but that clearly was not now possible due to the changes in the terms of the bidding process. A revised timescale now projects completion by the end of January 2021. A resident asked about the “work” referred to above. The Chairman then gave the background to the planned traffic calming measures ie VAS and picket fences – see 9 below for more detail.
b) Follifoot Primary School – communication received reporting the absence of the Head Teacher, due to (non-Covid) illness, for an extended period and the appointment of a temporary replacement from within. Councillors noted.8 Follifields
a) The Chairman drew councillors’ attention to the latest Government guidelines which permitted children’s play areas to remain open during the current lockdown. He confirmed that Follifields will remain open and all precautionary measures continue to apply, ie the need to follow the safety guidelines on the signage and the fortnightly spraying of disinfectant on the play equipment. Councillors indicated their agreement with these arrangements.
b) Fundraising – the Chairman commented that the annual fundraising events, such as the curry evening, could obviously not take place this year, but consideration was being given to other forms of fundraising. It was pleasing that last year’s “Folliwood” had in fact raised income equivalent to two year’sof fundraising, so there were no financial concerns in this respect. Cllr Dewsnip observed that small amounts of income continue to be collected in the “donations” box in the Post Office.
c) Maintenance – no major concerns, although the bolt caps referred to in the ROSPA inspection report still need to be replaced – the clerk will contact Playscheme again. The clerk confirmed that the cutting back of the wildflower area is scheduled for this month.9 Traffic calming
a) Vehicle Activated Signs. Councillors discussed the options available and, whilst the “smiley face” type was seen as the preferred option, this did not comply with NYCC’s protocol. The only way this could be pursued would be if the VAS were to be located on private land. After further discussion, this option was discounted as impractical. The clerk will now arrange a site visit with the NYCC Highways Officer to determine the optimum location for the VAS and the picket fences (as discussed at point b) below.
b) Picket fences – as discussed previously, some form of traffic calming is required on Haggs Road but, due to the 60mph speed limit in place, VAS is not an option. The only measure considered appropriate would be the erection of “picket fences” on each side of the road. This is intended to delineate the “entrance” to the residential area, to encourage motorists to slow down. It has been reported as being effective in other village locations such as Little Ouseburn. Councillors agreed to pursue this option and it was felt the “fences” should be constructed from PVC rather than wood, as this would be more hardwearing and largely maintenance free. Cllr Hall agreed to contact a local supplier for details.10 Village maintenance
a) Village notice board still to be refurbished – clerk will contact contractor again for an update.
b) Daffodil bulbs from HBC – Plompton resident confirmed that a small team of volunteers had carried out the planting in Plompton. The Chairman thanked the residents for their efforts.
11. Policies
One of the conditions of acceptance of the AJ1 Fund grant (7a) above), isthe existence of Equality and Diversity and Health and Safety Policies. Updated versions had been circulated earlier and councillors indicated their approval for these to be formally adopted. The internal auditor suggested that his scrutiny of such policies would be good practice and councillors agreed to this suggestion.
12. Finance:
a) Balance at the bank on 31st October 2020, Current Account £434.84
and Deposit Account £26,000.00 (total £26,434.84) Bank statements to beinitialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 31st October was provided
with receipts and payments in the period 1st October to 31st October, reconciling to the account balances shown above at a) Councillors then unanimously agreed the amounts below for payment.
| M Richards | Clerk’s salary – Oct | £286.76 | Bank Transfer |
| HMRC | PAYE – Oct | £71.69 | Bank Transfer |
| Village maintenance | Maintenance | £150.00 | Bank Transfer |
| S Bush | Follifields maintenance | £145.00 | Bank Transfer |
| HBC | ROSPA inspection | £66.00 | Bank Transfer |
c) 2021/22 precept calculation. The clerk presented the draft calculation of next year’s precept demand, which had been circulated previously to councillors. Based on projected outturn for the current year and the estimated cash balance to be carried forward, and the normal estimated turnover for 2021/22, the clerk was suggesting that a 10% reduction in precept could be considered. Councillors considered the details of the precept calculation and decided that a) fundraising next year could still be in doubt and, b) an increased amount for Follifields maintenance should included, as equipment was now some three years old and could be deteriorating. Consequently, councillors agreed unanimously that the precept demand for 2021/22 should remain unchanged at £10,720.
d) Clerk’s salary. Councillors confirmed their agreement to the increase in the clerk’s salary, per the national pay award, backdated to 1 April 2020. Also agreed was the incremental increase, per the clerk’s contract, to point 9 on the Local Government pay scale, w/e/f 1 October 2020.
13. Planning:
a) Applications Received
i) 20/03567/DVCON & 20/03570-03574/DVCON & 20/03575/DVCMAJ
Rudding Holiday Park – to rationalise various planning restrictions to allow caravans to be occupied during any season and throughout the year with no limit on the duration of stay. Lengthy discussion ensued over the principle behind this initiative, with councillors asking questions aboutreasons for the grouped applications. It was agreed to SUPPORT the application, and councillors were satisfied that a) Rudding Park are commiting to ensure proper controls and records are in place, and b), HBC Planning Department will be responsible for ensuring that legal requirements are met.
ii) 20/03916/FUL – Hedgerow House, Main Street, Follifoot – erection of
single storey extension. As there is no impact on the view from the road, and the extension is completely in step with the current building, councillors agreed to SUPPORT the application.
iii) 20/03819/CLOPUD – erection of 2 storey rear extension, Aketon Cottage,
Spofforth Lane, Follifoot. The Chairman outlined the history of this application and, as the Parish Council had previously supported, it was agreed that the response would again be to SUPPORT.
b) Decisions
i) 20/02505/DVCON – The Carriage House, Plompton – alteration to roof and
eaves of permission 18/03854/FUL – GRANTED
ii) 20/02966/DVCON – The Carriage House – as above 18/03855/LB
GRANTED
iii) 20/03633/TCON – various tree works, Brooklands, Plompton Road,
Follifoot – supported by Parish Council – APPROVED
iv) 20/03444/TCON – felling of cherry and laburnum trees, The Priory,
Plompton Road, Follifoot. – supported by Parish Council – APPROVED
Councillors noted the above decisions.
d) Applications received since the agenda was compiled
20/04138/CLEUD – Application for a certificate of lawful development for the
existing use of land to establish its use as a separate dwelling house –
Laundry Cottage Plompton Square Knaresborough HG5 8LZ. As this item
was not received in time to include on the published agenda, the Chairman
ruled that consideration should be deferred to the December meeting and the
clerk is to apply for an extension to the reponse deadline.
14.Other matters
i) Cllr Hall reported that some progress was being made with regard to the introduction of fibre broadband to Plompton. He applauded the hard work put in by Eric Ovenden to bring about this potential progress. Councillors also congratulated Eric and expressed some regret that the Parish Council had been unable to assist in this initiative, due to legal constraints.
ii) Cllr Locke mentioned the large advertising sign and the bright lights on the verge, outside the new barn conversion constructed on the A658, John Metcalf Way. He considered both to be intrusive and wondered if planning permission were necessary and if it had been sought. The clerk will follow up with NYCC and HBC.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.35pm.
Date of next Parish Council Meeting:
7.30pm on 10th December 2020, via Zoom, unless Government guidelines change to permit physical meetings.Then in Follifoot Village Hall, Tofts Lane,
Follifoot,