10th November 2022
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 10th November 2022
Held in Follifoot Village Hall.
PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Councillors C Dickinson, S Gallimore, and K Tharby. In attendance, Cllr A Paraskos (NYCC/HBC)M Richards (Clerk)
1.Apologies: Apologies for absence were received and accepted fromCllrs T Hall and J Locke.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’
Register of Interest: None.
3. Public Participation session: No residents were present.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 13th October 2022: Councillor Dickinsonproposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Tharby. The Chairman then duly signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising from the previous minutes:
Covered as part of the agenda.
6. Chairman’s communications
Covered as part of the agenda.
7. Clerk’s correspondence received
a) Notification received that the defibrillator needs a software update. The
Chairman undertook to make the necessary arrangements for the equipment
to be collected. The update will be completed and the equipment returned in
2-3 days.
b) External audit arrangements. The clerk confirmed that the existing auditors
(PKF Littlejohn) had been reappointed for a further 5 years and, provided the
Council’s annual turnover remained below £25,000. it would still be able to
submit a certificate of exemption, with no external audit fee payable.
c) Litter bins. Residents seemed happy with the Leconfield Garth bin as no
adverse comments had been received. Unfortunately however, it had not
been emptied as part of the normal fortnightly household bin collection – the
clerk had reported to HBC and the bin will be emptied in due course. Cllr
Paraskos asked to be notified if no collection occurred within the next 10 days
and he will take up with the Council. A number of residents are still not happy
with the other bin adjacent to the lower bus shelter due it to its size. and the
clerk will explore the possibility of the bin being moved. It was suggested that,
with improved access on Radcliffe Close for collecting, Follifields would be a
good option and this would also remove the need for the commercial
collection arrangement currently being considered.
d) Streetlight. The clerk was pleased to report that a new LED bulb had been
installed, at minimal cost. On behalf of the Parish Council, the Chairman
thanked Cllr Locke and his son (who had installed the bulb)
8. Parish matters
a) Plompton.
No current matters to report, but the clerk confirmed that the unauthorised
sign, indicating the public footpath/right of way is closed, had been reported
to NYCC Highways, as had the removal of the corresponding stile on the
Wetherby Road (A661)
b) Telephone box/Information Centre (at the top of Main Street). Quotations
for refurbishment had not been received from the 2 local contractors. The
clerk will contact both again.
c) HBC supplied daffodils. Councillors thought good locations would be
around the memorial trees next to The Pound and in Follifields. Volunteers to
be sought for planting.
d) Litter pick. The Chairman reported another successful event although
fewer than normal filled sacks resulted. He thanked those who had taken
part.
9. Traffic calming
a) VAS. Cllr Dickinson reported that current data again seems to show a
further slight improvement although there was still evidence of a small
number of vehicles travelling in excess of 55mph. Councillors again
commented that the VAS seems to be having a positive effect.
b) Picket fence on Haggs Road. The clerk confirmed that he had obtained
the “Slow Down” sign which he will fix to the fence over the weekend.
10. Follifields update.
a) Cllr Gallimore reported that there were some loose parts on one of the
springers, which she thought might still possibly be under warranty. The
Chairman agreed but observed, based on previous experience, that it would
be difficult to get the supplier to respond positively. He would follow up.
Cllr Gallimore then undertook to contact Brunel Engraving for a replacement
Rotary Club plaque and follow up acquisition and location for the “Gallimore”
tree.
b) Wildflower area. The previously received expert advice on returning the
area to its original wildflower display state, was that it would be necessary to
remove completely all weeds, flowers and other vegetation after cutting. Both
contractors approached have been unable to hire the equipment necessary
for cutting and collecting the cuttings so councillors are now considering the
option of employing a contractor to cut down the wildflowers, weeds and
thistles and then asking for volunteers to collect the cuttings for subsequent
disposal. The clerk will obtain estimates from both contractors for this task.
c) The clerk had been approached by a Radcliffe Close resident commenting
about dog owners using the play area to exercise their dogs, even though
there were signs prohibiting the use of the area for this purpose. Councillors
confirmed the direction to forbid dogs and it was suggested that a large sign
was now needed to make this clear. Cllr Gallimore agreed to explore the
options for a suitable sign and its location (whether on a separate stand or
affixed to the entry gate, for example)
11. Planning
a) Applications Received
i) 22/03871/FUL – Demolish existing garage. Erect replacement detached
garage to north-west of dwellinghouse. Proposed hardstanding. Tree
Cottage, Haggs Road. Councillors reviewed and could see no reason to
object, in fact the new garage appeared more aesthetically pleasing.
SUPPORT.
ii) 22/03951/FUL – Removal of the existing conservatory. Construction of
single storey rear extension and a metalwork, glazed canopy. Fairfield,
Plompton Road, Follifoot. The Chairman ran through the proposed
developments and confirmed he had spoken to the neighbours who had no
objections. Councillors resolved to SUPPORT.
. iii) 22/04050/TPO – Proposed works to trees within Tree Preservation Order
51/2012 G1. 2 metre crown reduction to 2 no Silver Birch trees (G1 on
applicant plan). 2 Metre crown reduction to 1 no Cherry Tree (T1 on applicant
plan). All works are proposed in order to provide more light into neighbour’s
property. 9 Leconfield Garth.
iv) 22/04135/TPO – Crown lift over drive, up to 3.5m. Removal of 1x limb over
property side approximately 5m above ground level of 1no. Oak tree (T1) of
Tree Preservation order 36/2012. Removal of 2x lower branches on property
side of 1no. Oak (T2) and Crown lift to 5.2m over highway and 3.5m over
property side of 1no. Oak (T3) within G1 of Tree Preservation Order 36/2012.
Lolburn House, Pannal Road.
Councillors considered the above two applications and, given that the HBC
arboriculturist had no objections, agreed to SUPPORT.
v) 22/04041/FUL – Erection of dwelling, installation of package treatment plant
and removal of existing building. Land To the East of Burnison’s Whin,
Rudding Lane. As this was a non-material revision to the existing application
which had been previously supported, councillors confirmed their SUPPORT.
b) Decisions –
i) i) 22/00649/CLEUD – Certificate of lawfulness for existing occupation of
dwelling without complying with agricultural occupancy restriction condition 5
of planning permission 88/03945/FUL. Follifoot Ridge Farm, Pannal Road.
REFUSED.
ii) 22/03737/FUL – Proposed demolition of an existing conservatory to be
replaced with a new summer room, internal alterations and the conversion of
one of the garage bays to provide a home office and utility room. Stable
Cottage Manor Court GRANTED.
iii) 22/03560/FUL – Erection of single storey front extensions, external terrace,
alterations to fenestration and internal remodelling. Alexander House, Pannal
Road. GRANTED.
Councillors noted the above decisions.
Enforcement
22/00401/PR15 – 7 Plompton Square, Plompton, Knaresborough
ALLEGED BREACH: Felling of trees within Conservation Area.
Councillors noted and agreed to await further action.
12. Finance and Governance:
a) Balance at the bank on 10th November 2022, Current Account £2,112.26
and Deposit Account £28,165.00 (total £30277.26) Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment
authorisation process.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 10th November was provided
with receipts and payments in the period 11th October to 10th November,
reconciling to the account balances shown above at a) Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 6 amounts below for payment.
| M Richards | Clerk’s salary-Oct+ arrears | £554.66 | Bank Transfer |
| HMRC | PAYE | £86.67 | Bank Transfer |
| Village Hall | April-December hire | £128.00 | Bank Transfer |
| J Locke | LED Light bulb | £21.10 | Bank Transfer |
| Colton Signs | Slow Down sign | £45.60 | Bank Transfer |
| HBC | ROSPA inspection | £73.20 | Bank Transfer |
c) The Chairman then ran through the budget spreadsheet, explaining the
entries for the expenditure recorded above. Items to note were the clerk’s
salary, which included an incremental increase according to his contract and
arrears of pay to April 2022, following the national pay award, plus the £21.10
for the LED light bulb (a much more cost-effective solution opposed to the
£750 cost of a new fitting!) Councillors had no comments or questions.
d) Precept calculation 2023-2024. The Chairman ran through the proposed
precept calculation (previously circulated) and suggested that, given the current
financial climate, the budget projections and the healthy level of general and
earmarked reserves, no increase in the precept demand should be sought.
Councillors reviewed and received clarification on certain items but agreed with
the Chairman’s proposal and the clerk will submit the precept demand set at the
current level.
e) Risk assessment and Financial Regulations updated – the clerk had circulated
updated documents previously. Councillors had reviewed and approved the new
versions.
f) Appointment of Internal Auditor. The clerk confirmed that there had been no
responses to the website and Facebook advertisements. He informed councillors
that he had then approached an internal auditor of another local parish council
a qualified accountant) who had indicated a potential interest in the post. The Chairman asked if the individual could provide a brief resume/CV for the next meeting for councillors to consider. The clerk will arrange.
g) Clerk’s salary. As noted above, per his contract, the clerk is due an
incremental increase to Scale Point 11 on the NJC salary scale, w/e/f 1 October,
subject to satisfactory performance. Councillors indicated their approval.
13. Items for the next meeting
The Chairman informed councillors of an approach he had received from a local
group, with regard to a footpath extension. He will invite the relevant parties to
the next meeting.
The meeting closed at 9.25pm
Date of next Parish Council meeting: –
Thursday 8th December 2022. To be held at Follifoot Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm