14th November 2024

MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Village Hall on 14th November 2024

1. PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Cllrs C. Dickinson, T Hall, K. Tharby, and J Locke. Also in attendance Cllr A Paraskos (NYC) and M Richards (Clerk).
2. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr S. Gallimore.
3. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.
4. Public participation. No members of the public attended.
5. Minutes of the meeting held on 16th October 2024 were proposed as a correct record by Councillor Dewsnip and seconded by Councillor Dickinson. The Chairman then signed the minutes.
6. Matters arising – none.
7. Planning
Applications Received
a) ZC24/03666/FUL – Demolition of existing single storey element to the East Elevation.
Replacement single storey extension to the East Elevation. 4 No. New dormer windows to main
house second floor accommodation. Erection of 5m high flagpole to North. Moorland House,
Pannal Road.
The Chairman displayed the site plan, existing and proposed elevations. Councillors discussed
and some doubts were expressed over the height of the additions with regard to the ridge but
as the main development is to the rear of the property there was virtually nil impact on
neighbouring properties. Councillors considered it to be a good scheme which improved the
overall appearance and living space of the property and it was agreed to SUPPORT the
application.
Decisions
b) ZC24/03264/FUL – Single storey rear extension. 15, Leconfield Garth.
Follifoot. GRANTED
c) ZC24/02942/DVCON – Section 73 application for variation of Conditions 2 (plans), 4
(materials) and 6 (access) to allow for alteration to plans of Planning Permission
24/00012/HOUSER – Demolition of existing rear extension and section of outbuilding. Proposed
rear extension with single storey and two storey elements. Proposed veranda. Creation of
hallway in central arch driveway. Fenestration alterations. Internal alterations. Creation of new
parking area to front of property with level alterations. Proposed sliding gates. East View
Cottages, Main Street, Follifoot.
GRANTED
d) ZC24/02700/FUL – Demolition of existing roof and erection of first floor extension above with
living accommodation within roof space. Erection of porch extension to front and part two
storey/part single storey extension to rear with first floor external terrace. Alterations to
fenestration and installation of 9no. solar panels to front roof slope. Demolition of existing garage
and erection of garage with home office above and link extension to dwelling. Glenshee,
Spofforth Lane, Follifoot.
REFUSED
Councillors noted the above decisions and had no comments other than to express some
surprise at one of the reasons for the item d) refusal which was the negative impact on
neighbouring properties, as they were not aware of any objections or adverse comments that
had been made in this regard.
Other
e) Potential planning issue – field off Spofforth Lane, Follifoot.
The Chairman had been made aware of the presence of a new “stable building” and caravan on
this field. The new structure appears to be a permanent development and could also suggest a
change from agricultural to equestrian use. No planning application has been made for any
development or change of use. Councillors discussed the background to this
issue and the clerk was instructed to report the matter to NYC Planning Enforcement.
8. Chairman’s communications.
Defibrillator for Plompton. This issue has been considered previously but was not pursued for several reasons, principally the difficulty in identifying a suitable location. However, Cllr Hall has now confirmed that the defibrillator can be housed on his property and, with funding from Cllr Paraskos’ Locality Budget, councillors agreed to proceed with acquisition. It was also agreed that associated costs ie installation and ongoing maintenance, would be met from Council funds. The clerk will liaise with Cllr Paraskos to make the necessary arrangements.
9. Clerk’s correspondence
a) Litter pick. The clerk had been informed by NYC that the supply of equipment is to cease and alternative arrangements would need to be made. The clerk had sought further information, enquiring whether the equipment could be donated to the Council or whether purchase was an option. No response had been received
NB. Subsequent to the meeting, the clerk had been informed that there had been some internal confusion due to service reorganisation and the above notification had been made in error. The “litter pick service” is being transferred to another NYC department and will still be available.
b) VE Day 2025 celebration. National celebrations are being planned to mark this historical event. Councillors considered various ideas and some form of display on the Village Green on the day, with a permanent display for the future, was thought to be the best option. Further consideration will be given at future meetings.
c) “Patients Know Best” (PKB) PKB is a free service for users of Harrogate Hospital, which enables people to register to receive their appointments digitally, meaning that appointments can be received on any web enabled device rather than needing to wait for the post. Harrogate and District Foundation Trust is asking for this feature to be publicised as widely as possible. Councillors agreed to the request and the information will be displayed on the notice board and uploaded to the Community FaceBook page.
d) Hinckley and Rugby Building Society – Savings Accounts. The clerk had received a communication from a local office of the above Building Society, offering savings accounts specifically tailored towards organisations such as parish councils, with beneficial interest rates. Councillors expressed interest in principle and the clerk will request further details and also check with local building societies if similar options are available.
10. Parish Matters
a) Plompton – Cllr Hall mentioned again that the drain on the triangle approach to Plompton was
so badly blocked, covering mud would have to be removed before the drain itself could be
unblocked. He will pinpoint the location via “What3Words” and inform the clerk, who will report
again to NYC Highways and Cllr Paraskos agreed to also follow up.
b) Village Upkeep.
i) Main Street bench and telephone box. Photos of the work needed have been provided to the
contractor and he will carry out the necessary repair work.
ii) Refurbished Kitty Corner bench. The clerk has spoken with the contractor to determine if it
can be installed at Rudding Gate whilst that bench is repaired and then moved back to Kitty
Corner. The contractor will consider and come to a decision and inform the clerk.
c) The Pound. The new tenant now has the key and will sign the standard lease. She is then
able to go ahead with tidying the plot before becoming fully operational next Spring.
d) Tofts Lane bins. Cllr Dewsnip reported that she had been made aware of problems with
regard to the emptying of residents’ bins. A number of different collection arrangements had
occurred, initially involving the Village Hall car park and then bins being taken to Main Street.
This arrangement had failed and Cllr Paraskos had arranged for a small refuse collection truck to
go up Tofts Lane to collect the bins, but unfortunately due to internal confusion, a full size refuse
freighter had been dispatched but obviously could not negotiate Tofts Lane. Cllr Paraskos
undertook to contact the manager of the collection route and ensure the problem is resolved.
e) Grass cutting contract. The contractor had submitted his quotation for next year, holding his
rate per cut at the existing level. Councillors agreed that the contract be renewed at the rate
quoted.
11. Traffic calming.
a) VAS – Cllr Dickinson reported that the current period of traffic data had not shown any
significant variation from previous months, with very few significant outliers recorded at
excessive speeds. He will continue to monitor and produce reports as appropriate. The
Chairman thanked him for his efforts.
b) Haggs Road. NYC Highways are finalising their deliberations into potential traffic calming
measures, and the clerk understands a decision will shortly be made.
12. Follifields
a) Radcliffe Close/Follifields hedge. The contractor has now trimmed the hedge to the agreed height and will submit his invoice in due course.
b) Wildflower area. The contractor has commenced the cutting back of the year’s growth and will remove all cuttings as agreed in the next few days.
c) Table tennis table – undesirable graffiti. The clerk has contacted Playscheme who advised that a specialist graffiti remover, available from a hardware store, would be the best option. The Chairman undertook to follow up.
14. Finance
a) Review of finances, approval of expenditure.
. Balance at the bank on 14th November 2024 in Current Account £672.00 and Deposit
Account £26,094.31, total £26,766.31. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in
confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process. Monthly Reconciliation –
reconciliation as at 14th November was provided with receipts and payments in the period
16th October to 14th November, reconciling to the account balances shown above. Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 5 amounts below for payment.
Follifields maintenance S Bush £92.40 Bank transfer
PAYE HMRC £190.38 Bank transfer
Clerk salary M Richards £285.59 Bank transfer
Meeting costs Village Hall £176.00 Bank transfer
Village maintenance Village Handyman £87.50 Bank transfer
b) The clerk ran through the Summary and Cumulative budget statements, explaining the
current position. There were no extraordinary items to report and the budget was on track.
Councillors had no comments or questions.
c) 2025-26 budget. The clerk outlined the process for setting next year’s budget and calculation
of the precept. He affirmed that the Council’s finances were in a robust state with adequate
provision for any unexpected expenditure and he would therefore recommend maintaining the
precept at its current level. The Chairman and councillors agreed in principle and will confirm
the precept at the December meeting.
d) CIL receipts. The clerk reported the receipt of £1,290 from the Community Infrastructure Levy.
This is the statutory amount which developers must pay to the Local Authority (NYC) in respect
of building etc works completed in the Parish. A relevant proportion is then paid to the Parish
Council. He did not have any information as to the source of these funds but will make enquiries
of NYC and report back at the December meeting.
e) Clerk’s pay award. The clerk informed councillors of the National Joint Council pay award for
Local Government, w/e/f 1 April 2024. He had provided the detailed calculation to the Chairman
of the new salary rate, which equates to £0.63 per hour, an increase in gross pay per month of
£21.84 (£13.10 net) Councillors approved the new salary.
15. Any items for the next meeting.
No items notified.
The meeting finished at 9.10.
Date of next meeting – Thursday 12th December, commencing at 7.30pm.