10th April 2025

MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Village Hall on 10th April 2025

1. PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Cllrs A Dewsnip, C. Dickinson, K Tharby and T Hall. Also in attendance, M Richards (Clerk) and two residents.
Apologies: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllrs S Gallimore and J Locke.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.
3. Public participation. The resident from Plompton had notified his concerns regarding the A661/Plompton junction but it was agreed to deal with this at item 9b) Parish Matters.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 13th March 2025 were proposed as a correct record by Councillor Hall and seconded by Councillor Dickinson. The Chairman then signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising – none.
6. Planning
Applications Received
a) ZC25/00359/LB – Single storey extension to form additional changing room facilities. Rudding
Park Hotel, Follifoot.
The Chairman observed that this was the Listed Building version of the application already
supported by the Parish Council and suggested the same response was appropriate. Councillors
agreed.
b) ZC25/00867/TCON – Felling of 1no. Cypress (T1) within Follifoot Conservation Area.
Greystones, Main Street, Follifoot.
The Chairman noted that NYC’s arboriculturist had no issues and was in favour of the proposed
works. Councillors discussed and agreed to SUPPORT the application.
c) ZC25/00866/TCON – Crown lift (by 2m) of 2no. Yew (T1 & T2) and 1no. Cypress (T3), felling of
1no. Cypress (T4) within Harrogate Conservation Area. St Joseph And St James Church,
Plompton Road, Follifoot. The Chairman displayed the location for councillors’ information and
again observed that the arboriculturist was supportive. He also highlighted the reasons given by
​the applicant for requesting permission to carry out the tree works. Councillors had no objections
​and agreed to SUPPORT the application.
Decisions
e) ZC25/00618/DVCON – Section 73 application for the Variation of Condition 2 (Approved
drawings) of Planning Permission ZC24/03666/FUL (Demolition of existing single storey element
to the East Elevation. Replacement single storey extension to the East Elevation. New dormer
windows and roof alterations to main house second floor accommodation) to allow for alterations
to approved plans. Moorland House, Pannal Road, Follifoot.
​GRANTED
Councillors noted and had no comments.

7. Chairman’s communications.
The Chairman reported receipt of an email from the Village WI, notifying that, as part of its
2025 mission “Bystanders can be Lifesavers”, a training session on CPR and basic First
Aid is to be held later in the year and the Parish Council is invited to participate. Councillors
discussed and agreed that this is an excellent initiative. It will most likely be held on a Saturday
​and it was suggested if two sessions could take place that would help enable a greater number
​of people to receive training.
Other items dealt with as part of the agenda.
8. Clerk’s correspondence
a) Communication received from a local resident asking that the installation of “reflector posts” on the Pannal Road junction with the A658, be considered and raised with NYC Highways. Councillors discussed and agreed that, at night-time, there can be a problem with fast moving traffic being unable to pinpoint the entrance to the village, particularly when approaching westbound from the Wetherby Road roundabout. Councillors agreed and the clerk will raise the issue with NYC Highways.
b) The Boundary Commission is consulting on its proposals to change constituency boundaries to create constituencies of a similar number of voters. Councillors had considered but concluded that there was no impact on the Parish and therefore no response was required.
c) An individual is seeking support via a national campaign for PCSOs to receive long service awards in line with other public servants such as police officers, ambulance staff and fire and prison officers, who each receive medals for 20 years service. Councillors had no strong feelings either way but agreed to support the campaign.
d) A resident had asked whether the “top” hedge in Follifields could be trimmed back as it was now straggly and quite unsightly. Councillors had agreed to take the necessary action but this could only take place at the end of the bird nesting season. The resident has been informed along with the undertaking that all the Follifields hedges will be trimmed back at the same time, when appropriate.
e) Commuted Sums. The clerk reminded councillors that an amount of some £250 was available to be spent on “Natural and Semi Natural Green Spaces” and Follifields wildflower area falls into that category. He suggested that money could be spent on wildflower seeds to enhance the existing wildflower display. The Chairman agreed in principle but considered that refurbishing the components of the Nature Trail ie the posts with animal footprints, was a higher priority. Councillors agreed and the clerk will follow up to ascertain supply arrangements and cost.
9. Parish Matters
a) Plompton. Cllr Hall reported that all the drains both on the “triangle” entrance to Plompton and on the adjacent stretch of the A661, are still blocked. The clerk confirmed that he has reported this issue to NYC Highways several times in the recent past. He will report again to the specific
officer responsible, copying in Cllr Paraskos.
b) A Plompton resident had contacted the Parish Council to report his concerns with the
“triangle” entrance/exit to Plompton. He was particularly unhappy with the sight lines from bothWetherby and Harrogate directions and the layout of the entrance and exit channels. He also
pointed out that the marker posts on both the Wetherby and Harrogate sides had “disappeared”
and the “Give Way” signage on the road had worn away. Councillors discussed the actions
needed to address these concerns. They were supportive of many of the suggestions but felt
​that the proposed changes to vehicle flows onto and from the main road could cause safety
​issues, particularly for larger vehicles. The clerk will however report the missing marker posts
​and inadequate signage & road markings to NYC Highways. He will also report the generally
​unacceptable state of the road in this area following the recent extensive gas works. NB in
​addition, the erection of estate agent “For Sale” signs on the triangle further exacerbates sight
​lines. The clerk confirmed that placing such signs away from the properties in question, is in fact
​contrary to law, and the estate agents concerned will be requested to remove the signs as soon
​as possible.
c) Village upkeep. Noted that the street name sign at the top of Main Street has been re-
repaired following notification to NYC and the Parish Council’s local contractor has been
​requested to carry out the necessary refurbishment work to the Main Street bench and
​Information Centre (phone box).
d) The Spring Litter Pick has been arranged for 27th April. Cllr Dewsnip will put up a notice
in the Post Office with details, and the clerk has arranged the supply of the necessary
equipment. Noted that the litter bin at the top of Main Street needs emptying – the clerk will
inform NYC.
e) Guilder’s Bridge, Plompton Road. As noted at the last meeting, more “dog walker cars”
​(including commercial operators) are being parked whilst people walk dogs in the neighbouring
​field. These cars are regularly causing a dangerous obstruction on the roadway and footpath.
​The clerk has contacted NY Police to inform them of the issue and he was informed that the
​Police require physical evidence of an obstruction being made before they can take any action.
This “physical evidence” will either be from an officer actually visiting the location or by clear,
comprehensive photographic evidence. An officer has today visited the scene and issued two
tickets to offending vehicles. Unfortunately,due to resource constraints, such visits will not be
possible on a regular basis. Concerned residents are therefore encouraged to take photos of
offending vehicles and forward to the clerk or directly to NY Police.
​The Chairman and clerk will liaise to formulate appropriate wording for signs to be displayed at
​both ends of the bridge, warning motorists of the potential consequences of inappropriate
​parking.
f) Defective street lighting. Defective lights on Radcliffe Close, at the top of Main Street and on
​Plompton Road have been reported to NYC Highways, Only one of the lights has been repaired
​so far (Plompton Road) . Cllr Paraskos had previously agreed to follow up.
10.Traffic calming.
a) VAS – Cllr Dickinson advised that vehicle volumes were higher over the last few weeks in
March, returning to a more normal level in w/c 31st March. No doubt roadworks on Wetherby
Road a factor? With the higher volumes came worse compliance figures, but more normal this
last week. He will continue to monitor.
b) Haggs Road. No further firm developments to report but the clerk understands that the
necessary advertisement to implement the traffic calming measure is now imminent.
c) Installation of “speed pipes” on Plompton Road. The clerk will contact the NYC Highways
Safety Officer to arrange.
11. Follifields
a) and b) Rotted gate post and goal area repairs. The contractor has agreed a reduced price for both jobs, following discussion with the clerk.
c) “Folliwood” fundraising event. The Chairman reported on the very successful event which was enjoyed by all who attended. Over £1,300 was raised for the ongoing maintenance of Follifields. He thanked all volunteer helpers for their efforts in making the event such a success.
12. Finance
a) Review of finances, approval of expenditure.
. Balance at the bank on 10th April 2025 in Current Account £2,563.53 and Deposit
Account £21,019.39, total £23,582.92. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in
confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process. Monthly Reconciliation –
reconciliation as at 10th April was provided, with receipts and payments in the period
13th March to 10th April, reconciling to the account balances shown above. Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 9 amounts below for payment.
Clerk’s salary
M Richards
£298.69
Bank transfer
PAYE
HMRC
£199.12
Bank transfer
Subscription – YLCA
YLCA
£339.00
Bank transfer
Security software
M Richards
£54.99
Bank transfer
Domain name
S Smith
£19.72
Bank transfer
Folliwood expenses
N MacDermid
£319.19
Bank transfer
Folliwood expenses
S Gallimore
£76.00
Bank transfer
Folliwood expenses
K Shaw
£45.16
Bank transfer
Follifields repairs
A Walker
£125.00
Bank transfer
b) The Clerk ran through the Final Summary and Cumulative budget statements for 2024/25,
explaining the updates from March receipts and payments and the impact on the overall position.
For 2025/26, the budget for the year had been amended to reflect an increase of some £2,200 in
the VAT reclaim as this had not been received in time to be included in the 2024/25 accounts. An
additional expenditure line had been added to reflect fundraising expenses.
c) Draft Final Accounts Statement for 2024/25. The clerk briefly ran through the statement,
explaining any significant differences from the previous year. He will provide a more detailed
summary in his report at the Annual Parish Meeting. Councillors had no comments or questions.
13. Items for the next meeting
Annual Parish Meeting
– Outdoor Gym equipment in Follifields?
– Call for Sites – possible implications

The meeting finished at 9.10
Date of next meeting – Thursday 8th May 2025, commencing at 7.00pm. This is the Annual
Parish Meeting, to be followed by the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council.