9th February 2023
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 9th February 2023
Held in Follifoot Village Hall.
PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Councillors K Tharby, C Dickinson, T Hall and S Gallimore. In attendance, M Richards (Clerk) and Cllr A Paraskos (NYCC/HBC)
1.Apologies: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr.J Locke.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’
Register of Interest: The Chairman and Cllr Dewsnip reminded councillors
that they were on the committee of the Village Hall and would refrain from
comment with regard to potential donations,
3. Public Participation session: No issues raised.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 12th January 2023: Councillor Dewsnipproposed 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:
The clerk advised councillors that NALC had advised caution with regard to the
“Parish UK” website and had recommended delaying participation until further
information about the website was available. Councillors agreed no action to
be taken. Other issues covered as part of the agenda.
6. Chairman’s communications
Spofforth PC had been notified of an application for a Certificate of
Lawfulness, for the late Ken Horner’s property on Haggs Road, regarding the
storage of waste and siting of a caravan. Councillors were concerned that part
of this property lies within this Council’s boundary and the PC should therefore
have the opportunity to comment. The clerk will raise with HBC Planning.
Other issues covered as part of the agenda.
7. Clerk’s correspondence received
a) Litter bins. The clerk reported that he had arranged for the local contractor
to create the gap in the Follifields hedge, with the installation of a temporary
screen (probably chicken wire) so that HBC will have the opportunity to install
the relocated bin according to their own timetable (before the end of February)
b) King’s Coronation mementoes. The clerk advised of the various
mementoes – decorated mugs, tea towels, badges, etc, being made available
for bulk purchase. Councillors discussed but agreed not to pursue.
c) HBC is sponsoring an amnesty, in conjunction with NY Police, for the
acceptance/disposal of all knives (military and domestic) via a “knife bin”
located adjacent to the Harrogate Asda supermarket. Councillors agreed to
request publication material to be displayed on notice boards and the website.
The clerk will pursue.
d) Parish Consultation survey. The clerk had circulated the questionnaire for
councillors’ information. It was agreed to complete the survey at the March
meeting.
8. Parish matters
a) Plompton. A new TV drama, featuring Plompton, is commencing
imminently. Cllr Hall had been notified of a new development at Loxley Farm
with, apparently, no formal planning application being submitted. The clerk
will follow up.
b) Coronation celebrations. Unfortunately the Village Hall is booked for a
wedding on the weekend of the 6/7 May and, as councillors felt that inside
provision was desirable, it was decided that the “Big Lunch” should be
arranged for Monday 8 May in the Village Hall. Cllr Dewsnip agreed to help
organise. She also mentioned that a “time capsule” had been proposed and
asked if the Parish Council would sponsor. Councillors agreed the purchase
of a suitable capsule for c.£100.
c) Spring Litter pick- date agreed for 2 April, commencing at 2.00pm. Cllr
Dewsnip will produce a poster and the clerk will arrange supply of the
necessary equipment.
d) Defibrillator panel signs for Phone Box/Information Centre. Signs now
obtained, ready for fixing but the Chairman observed that as the Phone Box
has a “listed building” status, planning permission may be required. The clerk
will follow up.
e) Tofts Lane footpath obstruction. No progress has been made. Cllr Dewsnip
agreed to follow up with the owner of the property.
f) Footpaths – width of gates. In Cllr Locke’s absence, it was agreed to defer
this matter to a later meeting.
9. Traffic calming
a) VAS. No significant change in data captured. Cllr Dickinson will continue to
monitor.
b) Picket fence. Councillors agreed to installation of the picket fence removed
from the Haggs Road location to Pannal Road. The clerk will seek a
quotation from the contractor.
c) A response is awaited from NYCC Highways regarding the extension of
the 30mph limit on Pannal Road, as discussed at the last meeting. Cllr
Paraskos commented however, that a formal Traffic Order would be required
for the 30mph limit sign to be moved and this was an extensive and
expensive exercise. He will arrange for a site visit from a NYCC Highways
Engineer.
10. Follifields update.
a) New bench. The clerk confirmed that the bench has been ordered and he
had contacted the local contractor for installation. In addition, the Chairman
commented that it may be possible for the builder on a local site to construct
the concrete base for the bench. He will make enquiries.
b) Dog sign. The sign has been ordered and will be installed on a post, in the
entrance to Follifields.
c) “Folliwest”. Arranged for Saturday 11 March. Cllr Gallimore confirmed that
all arrangements had been made and tickets have been selling very well.
11. Planning
a) Applications Received
i) 23/00135/FUL – First floor extension over an existing porch and the
addition of velux roof lights in the main house roof. 10 Leconfield Garth.
Councillors noted that they had supported the previous application and could
see no reason to change that view. Agreed to SUPPORT.
ii) 23/00257/FUL – Erection of staff flat and demolition of existing tack room
and store. Follifoot Park Riding Centre Pannal Road. Councillors reviewed
the site plans and details, assessing that this seemed to be the first stage of
a future planned development. It was agreed to SUPPORT the application.
iii) 23/00362/FUL – Formation of terrace and change to use of garage to form
activity room. 1 Wingate Court, Plompton.
Councillors reviewed and agreed, subject to satisfactory submission of a
Listed Building application, to SUPPORT the application.
b) Decisions –
22/04797/TPO – T1 (Oak) – Lateral reduction by up to 2m to the red lines in
the attached photos. Maximum pruning cuts of 45mm but more like 25mm in
most places. Clear phone wires by 30cm maximum pruning cuts 30mm.
55/2022 G1 (Cypress) – Crown lift to 3.5m to the red line in the attached
photo, on Meadowsweet side only, leaving next doors side as it is. Removing
0.4m maximum pruning cuts of 40mm. 54/2022 and 55/2022. H C Townsend
& Son Funeral Directors, Oakfield House, Tofts Lane. GRANTED.
Councillors noted the above decision.
12. Finance and Governance:
a) Balance at the bank on 9th February 2023, Current Account £774.06
and Deposit Account £26,180.41 (total £26954.47) Bank statements to be
initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment
authorisation process.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 9th February was provided
with receipts and payments in the period 12th January to 9th February,
reconciling to the account balances shown above at a) Councillors then
unanimously agreed the 4 amounts below for payment.
| M Richards | Clerk’s salary Feb | £346.66 | Bank Transfer |
| HMRC | PAYE Dec | £86.67 | Bank Transfer |
| Microsoft | Licence | £59.99 | Bank Transfer |
| Cyan Teak | Follifields bench | £460.00 | Bank Transfer |
c) The Chairman then ran through the bank reconciliation and budget
spreadsheet, explaining the entries for the expenditure recorded above. He
then referred to the figures in the “Forecast Year to go” column in the
Summary worksheet, explaining that the updates reflected the actual
amounts known to be spent before the year end thereby showing a more
accurate year end outturn against budget.
d) Donations. Councillors had considered potential areas for donations and
on balance, it was agreed that a donation of up to £1000 towards the cost of
the forthcoming energy survey for the Village Hall, would be the most
appropriate. NB – in accordance with item 2 above, Cllrs MacDermid and
Dewsnip excluded themselves from the decision.
13. Items for the next meeting
Items notified –
i) Offer of refresher training for defibrillator and CPR
ii) “No Cold Calling” sign missing from post on Plompton Road – clerk to report.
The meeting closed at 9.15pm
Date of next Parish Council meeting: –
Thursday 9th March 2023. To be held at Follifoot Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm.