12th May 2022 Annual Meeting

ANNUAL MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Village Hall on 12th May 2022

PRESENT: Chairman N. MacDermid, Vice Chairman A. Dewsnip, Councillors S.Gallimore, K.Tharby, T. Hall, C. Dickinson and J. Locke. County Councillor A. Paraskos and three residents (including the internal auditor) Clerk M. Richards. Also in attendance, 3 members of Rudding Park Hotel senior management.

Election of Chair: Councillor MacDermid was proposed as Chairman for 2022/23 by Councillor Hall, seconded by Councillor Dewsnip, and was elected unanimously
Election of Vice Chair: Cllr Dewsnip was proposed as Vice Chairman for 2022/23 by Cllr MacDermid, seconded by Councillor Locke and was elected unanimously.
Election of Village Hall Representative: Cllr MacDermid was re-elected as Village Hall representative, proposed by Cllr Dewsnip and seconded by Cllr Hall.

AGENDA:
1. Apologies: There were no apologies for absence as all councillors were present
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None
3. Public Participation session: No issues raised.
4. Meeting Minutes held on 14th April 2022: The minutes were proposed as a correct record by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Dewsnip. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising from the previous minutes: None
6. Chairman’s communications:
a) School swimming lessons – Rudding Park Hotel had contacted the Chairman offering the
School the use of the outdoor swimming pool during the week, for this purpose. The Chairman gratefully accepted the offer and Cllr Gallimore undertook to liaise with the School and Rudding Park to make the necessary arrangements.
7. Clerk’s correspondence
a) Pannal and Burn Bridge Parish Council had circulated to all neighbouring parishes a consultation letter regarding its Neighbourhood Development Plan. Councillors noted but didn’t consider it relevant to this parish.
b) Election matters. The clerk collected all “Acceptance of Office” and Expenses Claim forms for onward transmission to HBC. He reported that Register of Financial Interest forms for councillors who hadn’t completed them previously would be available at the Village Post Office for completion and he would collect them on Friday 20th May.
8. Parish Matters
a) Plompton
Councillor Hall had no issues to report.
b) Other – Jubilee events
There will be a “Big Lunch” picnic on 5 June commencing at 2.00pm. Bunting will be displayed around the village from 22 May and the Village Hall will also be decorated accordingly. Bunting has been received from HBC as part of the grant bid and up to £230 is also available for the purchase of sports equipment and craft items for the picnic.
9. Traffic calming
a) VAS. The latest data does not show much change in traffic speeds and volume, with just over 12% of vehicles travelling in excess of 35mph. Reversing the direction of capture is still to be arranged.
b) Picket fences. The Chairman and Cllr Dickinson have now reviewed the options to move the fence obstructing the gateway. The best option will be agreed with the homeowner before any action is taken and, although the homeowner has said this is not urgent, the fence will be moved before the agreed signage is attached.
10. Follifields
a) Maintenance – the Chairman had met with two local residents who have some expertise in horticulture and was advised that the best way to revive the wildflower area was to cut back the thistles and other weeds/vegetation and ensure all cuttings are taken away before any re-seeding is undertaken. This should allow the wildflowers to flourish again.
b) ROSPA inspection of play equipment. The report had not identified any areas of concern other than minor matters such as the replacement of a bolt on the swing basket (the Chairman has replaced) and a missing cap on the rocker horse. The Chairman observed that he and Cllr Gallimore also regularly inspect the equipment to identify any problems.
c) Hedge trimming – as reported previously the hedge along Radcliffe Close requires pruning, but a resident had enquired whether the hedge at the top of Follifields could also be pruned. Councillors agreed that both hedges needed attention and both would be done at the same time, at the end of summer when bird nesting has ceased.
11. Planning
a) Applications Received:
i) 22/01638/DVCON – Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) of planning
permission 19/03040/FUL to allow use of stone in lieu of approved cladding
and panels and alterations to fenestration types to external elevations.
Alexander Lodge, Alexander House, Pannal Road, Follifoot. Councillors discussed and
agreed that the variation presented a more traditional appearance to the property and
therefore agreed to SUPPORT the application.
ii) 22/01106/FUL – Relocation of hedge and woodland dry stone wall away from highway in
order to prevent damage by salt, vibration and vehicle impact. Land At Duck’s Nest Farm
Adjoining Collins Hill Follifoot. The applicant explained that as well as the reasons set out
above, this development was also for safety reasons to provide pedestrians with a secure
footway, particularly relevant for hotel workers at night walking from the hotel to the bus
service on Wetherby Road. A councillor asked if there would be any traffic problems during
the works but was assured that all work would be within the boundary and there would be no
need for traffic lights etc. All councillors were in favour and therefore agreed to SUPPORT the
application.
b) Decisions
i) For information only – Not FwP PC. 22/00779/FUL – Erection of agricultural building and
hardstanding (retrospective). Oakwood Farm John Metcalf Way Pannal
REFUSED
ii) 22/01152/TPO – Lateral reduction of 1 no. Beech of Tree Preservation Order No. 06/2006
T1 – Maximum pruning cuts 70mm. Village End Plompton Road
GRANTED
Councillors noted the above decisions, and although Oakwood Farm is not in this Parish, the
Planning Authority’s decision is of interest!
12. Finance:
a) Balance at the bank on 30th April 2022 in Current Account £815.18 and Deposit Account £29,688.95, total £30504.13. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 30th April was provided with receipts and payments in the period 31st March 2022 to 30th April 2022, reconciling to the account balances shown above at a) Councillors then unanimously agreed the 6 amounts below for payment.
Grass cutting S Bush £80.00 Bank transfer
Clerk’s salary M Richards £311.66 Bank transfer
Village maintenance Village handyman £105.00 Bank transfer
PAYE income tax HMRC £78.17 Bank transfer
Print cartridge M Richards £31.99 Bank transfer
Jubilee trees Rudding Estate £248.64 Bank transfer

c) Draft annual accounts
The clerk had presented the draft accounts to the Annual Parish Meeting and councillors indicated their agreement for the Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) to be completed based on these figures. The clerk also confirmed that the Parish Council is again exempt from an external audit review as turnover was below the £25,000 threshold. The AGAR statements and Annual Internal Audit certificate will be available for councillors to review and will be formally signed off at the June meeting.
d) Receipts – the Parish Council was pleased to receive £95, the proceeds from the Follifoot Coffee and Cake morning held in April. Thanks to all involved.

13. Items of information
a) There had been some complaints about the stray grass cuttings around “The Triangle” and also that daffodils had been cut down somewhat prematurely. The clerk will raise with the handyman.
b) Cllr Hall mentioned the road signs on the A658 before and after the Kestrel roundabout,
had become obscured by vegetation. The clerk will raise with NYCC Highways.

14. Date of next Parish Council meeting: Thursday 9th June 2022 at 7.30pm in Follifoot Village Hall.

The meeting concluded at 8.50pm