18th April 2024
MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Village Hall on 18th April 2024
1. PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Cllrs C. Dickinson, T. Hall, J. Locke, K Tharby and S. Gallimore. Also in attendance Cllr A Paraskos (NYC) and M Richards (Clerk).
2. Apologies: There were no apologies for absence as all councillors were present.
3. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 14th March 2024: The minutes were proposed as a correct record by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Tharby. The Chairman then signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising from previous minutes: Dealt with as part of the agenda.
6. Planning
Applications Received
a) None
Decisions
b) ZC24/00303/FUL – Erection of a single storey side extension, two-storey rear extension,
and a detached garage. Ridge Cottage, Pannal Road.
GRANTED
c) ZC24/00725/TPO – 3 meter height reduction and 2.5 meter lateral reduction of 1no.
Willow Tree (T1) Tree Preservation Order R08/2024 (HAR) 1 Springfield Cottages, Hillside.
REFUSED
d) ZC24/01130/AMENDS – Non-material amendment to planning permission
ZC23/03163/FUL to change the external cladding from a composite type to a split faced
rustic textured 30x15cm tile. 3 Leconfield Garth.
GRANTED
Other
e) 9 Leconfield Garth – TPO appeal – details as circulated previously.
Councillors noted and had no further comments.
7. Chairman’s communications
Any items of communication are included as part of the agenda.
8. Clerk’s communications – NYC items previously circulated
a) Commuted sums
The clerk explained that the sum available (some £250) could only be spent on specified
areas. It was not clear from the information provided, exactly where the money could be
spent and he will seek clarification from NYC.
b) Maltkiln development
The Chairman observed that this large scale development (although now reduced due to
the withdrawal of at least one developer) was centred around Cattal and he did not consider
there to be much, if any, impact on this Parish. He did encourage councillors to submit
personal comments should they feel so inclined.
c) National Lottery Community Fund – Follifields grant – survey feedback?
Councillor Gallimore (who had been closely involved with the project) agreed to respond to
the survey on behalf of the Parish Council.
d) 1st aid training
The clerk had identified two potential providers and will pursue to obtain details (particularly
costings)
e) Mayoral election – to publicise?
The Chairman commented that he did not feel this was of major significance to the Parish
Council and he suggested that it was the responsibility of candidates to become involved in
publicising. Councillors agreed.
f) Harrogate Neighbourhood Plan? The chairman commented that this could have more
relevance to our community and that we should look out for further information and
developments
9. Parish matters – updates
a) Cllr Hall repeated his previous comments that the drain on the A661 adjacent to the
entrance to Plompton was still blocked with consequent flooding, but the damaged car parts
on the roadside verge had been removed. The clerk undertook to report the blocked drain
again to NYC Highways.
b) Cllr Hall also reported that he had received complaints from a number of residents
regarding new windows installed at one of the properties in Plomton Square and it was
commented that this could be a potential breach of Planning Permission requirements.
The clerk confirmed that he had reported the matter to NYC Planning Enforcement.
c) i) Repairs to The Pound wall in hand. Cllr Paraskos agreed to follow up on the
confirmation of Horse Pond Beck wall ownership and responsibility for maintenance..
ii) Defibrillator signs – the Chairman confirmed the signs had now been fixed to the
Phone Box Information Centre. He also commented on the large number of books being left
in the Phone Box. Whilst this is a nice gesture by residents it has the potential to restrict
access to the defibrillator. In addition due to damp atmospheric conditions a large number of
the books are becoming damp and mouldy. He agreed to put a posting on the Follifoot
Facebook group
d) Road safety – Haggs Road. Possible traffic calming measures raised with NYC, who had
responded confirming that regulations only permit speed tests to be carried out every 3
years. The officer will check when and exactly where this was last done and report back.
e) Spring Litter Pick – the Chairman reported on a very successful litter pick and formally
thanked all who had taken part. He noted that the volume of litter collected was less than in
previous years and attributed this to the efforts of various individuals who had undertaken
this task voluntarily in the last few months, to whom he also offered the thanks of the Parish
Council.
f) Potholes and road repairs. The Chairman reported that the two potholes on Pannal Road
(one already reported and one adjacent to the Radcliffe Arms) were getting worse. He will
identify a “What3Words” reference and the clerk will report these and the unsatisfactory
state of Tofts Lane road surface, to NYC Highways again.
10. Traffic calming
a) VAS – Cllr Dickinson reported on the last five weeks data compared with March 2023. He noted a slight worsening of the figures but this is not out of step with the overall trend of the data. He will continue to monitor. The Chairman thanked him again for his efforts.
b) Picket fences – Pannal Road. Noted that the “SLOW DOWN” signs were now in place and will hopefully have the desired effect of further encouraging drivers to moderate their speed.
11. Follifields
Upkeep and maintenance – work required.
a) The contractor had submitted an increased quotation for grasscutting. Following
discussion he had agreed a revised increase of 5% – councillors approved the revised rate
but it was agreed to seek further quotations in November to ensure that the most favourable
rate is achieved for 2025.
b) ROSPA report. Cllr Gallimore has discussed with the contractor and the gate closing
mechanism has been adjusted to ensure compliance with ROSPA requirements.
c) Pathway. Noted that the path is very worn in places and needs more gravel to be applied
as well as the removal of grass and weeds. Cllr Gallimore agreed to contact Playscheme to
check whether the path is covered in the warranty before any further action is
contemplated.
d) There had been reports of slight “anti-social behaviour” in that there had been instances
of loud behaviour just after dusk. Councillors did not want to make a big issue of this but all
Follifields users are urged to be considerate of others, particularly residents of Radcliffe
Close and other neighbouring properties.
12. Finance
a) Review of finances, approve expenditure.
. Balance at the bank on 18th April 2024 in Current Account £763.77 and Deposit
Account £20,982.29, total £21,746.06. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in
confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process. Monthly Reconciliation –
reconciliation as at 18th April was provided with receipts and payments in the period
14th March to 18th April, reconciling to the account balances shown above. Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 4 amounts below for payment.
| Clerk’s salary (April) | M Richards | £285.59 | Bank transfer |
| PAYE income tax | HMRC | £190.38 | Bank transfer |
| YLCA subs | YLCA | £327.00 | Bank transfer |
| Domain name reg, | S Smith | £19.93 | Bank transfer |
b) The Chairman explained the make up of the 2024/25 budget, confirming that it was
based on the agreed calculations leading to the precept demand and that whilst a slight
deficit was forecast which would potentially require support from reserves, he was
confident that a prudent budget had been set. Councillors agreed and the 2024/25 budget
was approved. The clerk reminded councillors that an external audit review would be
required this year (2023/24) as turnover exceeded £25,000 following the Plompton Road
Fund transactions. Councillors noted and had no comments.
13. Governance – review of:
i) Financial Regulations
ii) Code of Conduct
iii) Standing Orders
iv) Risk Assessment
The clerk had circulated the revised versions of the above codes. He asserted that most
amendments/additions were minor, correcting typographical errors and changes in names
and titles. The Financial Regulations had been updated to include reference to the use of
the new pay-in cards supplied to the Chairman, Vice Chairman and clerk. (Cllr Dewsnip
suggested a clarifying amendment to this section which the clerk will action) Councillors
had no further questions or comments and the updated codes were approved.
14. Any items for the next meeting
Cllr Dickinson reported that the “bottom” litter bin (which he empties) is becoming
increasingly used for the deposit of dog waste and he suggested that a sign, requesting
users to deposit said dog waste in the top bin (which is emptied by NYC) would ease his
task considerably. Suggestion to be considered. Black bin bags will also be provided.
The meeting finished at 8.50.
Date of next Parish Council meeting: Thursday 9th May 2024, commencing at 7.30pm, This is the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and will be preceded by the Annual Parish Meeting, commencing at 7.00pm