9th June 2022
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 9th June 2022
Held in Follifoot Village Hall.
PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Councillors C Dickinson, T Hall, J Locke, K Tharby and S Gallimore. In attendance, M Richards (Clerk), and 2 residents, including the internal auditor.
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: The Chairman welcomed the two residents
to the meeting and confirmed that they were able to comment on any issues
raised.
4. Minutes of the meetings held on 12th May 2022:Councillor Hall proposed both minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Dickinson. The Chairman then duly signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising from the previous minutes:
Covered as part of the agenda.
6. Chairman’s communications
a) X70 bus route through the village. The Chairmanhad been informed that
the service on Saturdays would be severely cut back to one return journey
between Wetherby and Harrogate (circa 9.00am from Wetherby, returning from Harrogate at circa 12.00pm) He had contacted the bus company’s
Managing Director who had confirmed these details as accurate, being due to
a shortage of drivers and traffic congestion on the Harrogate-Wetherby road.
It was unclear whether this service reduction is temporary or permanent. The
Chairman undertook to continue to monitor the situation and liase with
Connexions and report back with any updates.
7. Clerk’s correspondence received
a) HBC litter bin review. The clerk had circulated HBC’s consultation paper
which proposed retention of the two bins at the top and bottom of Main
Street, with the removal of the bin located at the Post Office. Existing bins
would be replaced with larger capacity 240 litre wheelie bins in bin housings.
Councillors were basically content with the proposals but observed that there
was no reference to the bin at Follifields which currently is being emptied by
a Radcliffe Close resident (for which councillors again expressed their
thanks). The clerk will contact HBC for clarification and to seek confirmation
that the Follifields bin will be included in the new round of HBC collections.
Cllr Dickinson asked about the bin located in the top bus shelter but was
reminded that this was a PC owned bin and was currently emptied on a
“grace and favour” basis by the HBC collection team. The clerk will also raise
this issue with HBC but Cllr Dewsnip observed that if it were removed from
the HBC collection schedule a rota may be needed for volunteers to empty
the bin into the new wheelie bin. Councillors noted.
b) Crimple Valley bridleway. Councillors had supported the original NYCC
application for the revision to the bridleway but,due to a technicality over
an incorrect legal reference having been made, a revised application was
necessary. This has nil impact on the revision to the bridleway and the clerk
was authorised to respond to NYCC confirming a “no change” response.
c) Training. The clerk had circulated details of a training session on the
Code of Conduct. Cllrs Gallimore and Tharbyindicated their interest and the
clerk will put forward their names. He also undertook to provide councillors
of forthcoming training courses held by YLCA, for their information, adding
that the courses normally cost £25 and there was a provision in the PC’s
budget of £300 for training.
8. Parish matters
a) Plompton. Cllr Hall reported that there wereno new issues to report,
although there had been some fly tipping which HBC have cleared.
b) Other issues.
i) Footpath from Main Street to the Funeral Directors – still obstructed by
vegetation and overhanging tree – the clerk will report again to NYCC.
ii) Collapsed road sign near the gravel piles on Plompton Road. The sign
had been replaced but the additional “No cold calling” sign was missing. The
clerk will follow up with NYCC.
iii) Broken street nameplate on Hillside. The clerk will raise with HBC.
iv) Village stocks. The clerk will contact two local contractors for quotations
for the necessary repairs to be carried out.
9. Traffic calming
a) VAS. The Chairman and Cllr Dickinson have now reversed the direction of
the sign to capture traffic data from vehicles leaving the village. The latest
data shows a change in habit with a higher percentages of vehicles travelling
below 30mph and 35mph. The volume of traffic is unchanged. Data will
continue to be monitored and updates provided at Parish Council meetings.
We will also look into moving the VAS to different locations in the village and
the clerk will obtain details of the costs for relocating the equipment. Cllr
Tharby asked why moving the sign was being considered and the Chairman
explained that the NYCC protocol for VASrequired locations not to be fixed,
but to be temporary. This requirement can be met by changing the direction
of capture (as is the case here) but changing location also removes
familiarity to enhance the positive impact of the equipment in making drivers
aware of excess speed.
b) Picket fences. The clerk informed councillorsthat the contractor had
advised that it was not possible to dig up the obstructing fence and relocate,
due to the concrete base. He suggested that the best solution would be to
cut off the three posts at ground level and reconstruct the fence with three
new posts at the preferred location. Councillors discussed various alternative
options such as reconstructing the fence with a narrower span, or even
removing the obstructing fence altogether, just retaining the other fence on
the opposite side of the road. Before a final decision is made the clerk will
contact the contractor again to ascertain an approximate cost for cutting
down the fence and relocating with a new structure. Full consultation will
take place with the owner of the neighbouring property before any changes
are implemented.
10. Follifields update.
a) As discussed previously, the Radcliffe Close hedge is in need of pruning
and cutting back. It had been agreed to await the end of the bird nesting
season before taking action but it was now considered that the hedge was
not so dense and so damage to any bird nests could be avoided. The
clerk will contact contractors for quotations.
b) Trees. Various tree supports were in need ofreplacing or repositioning.
The clerk will speak with the contractor to arrange. The Chairman formally
thanked Andrew Walker for affixing the replacement and new plaques to the
various trees, with new stands.
11. Planning.
a) Applications Received
22/01692/FUL Replacement single storey rear extension, first floor side
extension, extension alteration and conversion of outbuilding into annexe.
Windmill House, Pannal Road. The Chairman explained the proposals,
displaying site plans etc via the projector. Councillors discussed and could
see no reason to object as long as the development were sympathectic to
the existing building. Some concern was expressed should use of the annexe
be for commercial purposes ie letting accommodation, and the clerk was
instructed to include this concern in the response,but the response would be
to SUPPORT the application.
b) Notifications
i) 22/01307/FUL First floor front porch and rear bedroom and bathroom
extension. 8 Leconfield Garth Follifoot – GRANTED.
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 AdjoiningCollins Hill Follifoot – GRANTED
Councillors noted the above decisions, both of which had been supported by
the PC.
12. Finance and Governance:
a) Balance at the bank on 31st May 2022, CurrentAccount £740.23 and
Deposit Account £28,688.95 (total £29429.18)Bank statements to be
initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment
authorisation process.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 31stMay was provided
with receipts and payments in the period 1st Mayto 31st May,
reconciling to the account balances shown above at a) Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 6 amounts below forpayment.
| M Richards | Clerk’s salary- May | £312.66 | Bank Transfer |
| HMRC | PAYE – March | £78.17 | Bank Transfer |
| M Richards | Clerk’s expenses | £87.50 | Bank Transfer |
| Brunel engraving | Plaques | 334.49 | Bank Transfer |
| BHIB | Insurance | £478.66 | Bank Transfer |
| C Dickinson | Flowers | £49.84 | Bank Transfer |
c)The Chairman then ran through the budget spreadsheet, explaining the
entries for the expenditure recorded above.
d) Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR) The Clerk went
through all the requirements of this document.
i) Annual Governance Statement – Councillors had examined the Annual
Governance Statement prior to the meeting and were satisfied that the Parish
Council’s system of internal control is sound and fully meets all conditions of
the Statement. The Annual Internal Audit Report further confirms this
statement. It was therefore resolved to approve the Annual Governance
Statement 2021/22.
ii) Annual Accounting Statements (AAS) – the Council’s Annual Accounts had
been approved at the Annual Parish Meeting, andagreed by the Internal
Auditor. The clerk explained how the AAS was compiled from the Annual
Accounts. A Councillor queried whether the expenditure on VAS had been
included in the Asset Register and AAS. The clerk apologised and confirmed
that this had been omitted in error. A revised statement will be produced to
include the updated assets figure. Councillors then confirmed that they were
happy for the Chairman and Clerk to sign off the corrected AGAR and
Certificate of Exemption (as the Council’s turnover is again below the £25,000
threshold, submission of the AGAR and associated documents to the external
auditors is not required)
e) Internal Audit. The internal auditor summarised his final report for the year,
outlining the work undertaken which included an ongoing review of internal
control, scrutiny of bank reconciliations and monthly budget statements, and
examination and confirmation of year end procedures. The Chairman thanked
him for his report and his work throughout the year.
13. Items for the next meeting
No matters notified.
The meeting closed at 9.10pm
Date of next Parish Council meeting: –
Thursday 14th July 2022. To be held at Follifoot Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm.