2008 May

FOLLIFOOT WITH PLOMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on Thursday 15 May 2008

Present: Parish Councillors B. Fisher (Chairman), T. Martin, C. Florance, U. Cansfield, B. Butler, E. Bolton. P.C. M. Ayre and six residents

Apologies for absence: District Councillor C. Bayliss
Declaration of acceptance of office:

The six councillors elected to office signed their declarations of acceptance.

Election of Officers:

Chairman – B. Fisher was proposed by B. Butler and seconded by E. Bolton. B. Fisher indicated his willingness to become Chairman of the Parish Council and was duly elected
Vice-Chairman – B. Butler was proposed by B. Fisher and seconded by T. Martin. He indicated his willingness to become Vice-Chairman and was duly elected.
Representative for the Village Hall management committee: Proposed by T. Martin and seconded by C. Florance, B. Butler agreed to act in this capacity and was duly elected.

Declarations of interest in items on the agenda:

B. Fisher and C. Florance declared an interest in item 14 d) as both are on the board of governors of the Follifoot Primary School.

Public Participation session:

Speeding vehicles – A. Dewsnip attended the meeting to express concern about speeding along Main Street and Haggs Road and his fear that a serious accident involving children was likely at some point. Following some discussion, it was decided that a request should be made to NYCC Highways for a speed survey on Main Street. Haggs Road – P.C. M. Ayre reported that there had been 5 road traffic accidents reported since 19.12.06 and commented that many accidents were not reported to the Police. It was also stated that the Haggs Road appeared to be rarely gritted. P.C. Ayre would raise these matters with the Police’ Traffic Manager, S. Broadhead.

Village End, Plompton Road – the Chairman read a letter from Mr and Mrs Hammond in support of their planning application.

P.C. M. Ayre told the meeting there had been one reported crime since the last meeting. This was a theft of tools from Follifoot Ridge Business Park. A total of five crimes had been recorded since the beginning of the year. It was noted that there had been evidence of drug taking at various locations around the periphery of Follifoot, the Police were aware of this activity and maintained a presence in an effort to deter offenders. P.C. Ayre urged any member of the public to note the registration number of vehicles whose owners may be engaged in illegal activity and to inform the Police.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams have been established for the Knaresborough and Boroughbridge areas. Community forums have been set up, the next being on 17.6.08 at King James School, Knaresborough at 7 pm. The Chairman thanked P. C, Ayre for attending the meeting and for his commitment to the community.

Minutes of the meeting held on 17.4.08:

It being proposed by B. Butler and seconded by C, Florance, the Chairman signed the minutes as a correct record.

Matters arising from the minutes:

B. Butler informed the meeting that he had requested the removal of safety barriers now that the ‘bus stop and street light had been reinstated at the bottom of Main Street. He had also reported further fly tipping at Kitty Corner and the lay by on Pannal Road. He had asked NYCC Highways to consider storing the gravel in a continuous line in the lay by rather than in mounds which was more likely to deter fly tippers. The Clerk was asked to contact HACS Ltd. to request that their traffic signs be removed from the Pound where they had been deposited following recent works on Plompton Road.

Co-option of Parish Councillor:

Following the recent elections, there was one councillor vacancy for Follifoot. The Chairman reported that Mrs, Susan Milligan had expressed an interest in joining the Parish Council. The Chairman proposed that Mrs. Milligan be co-opted and this was unanimously accepted by the councillors. The Clerk would contact Mrs. Milligan.

Chairman’s communications:

Sewage system – S. Mackaness had informed the Chairman that the dosing equipment was about to be installed in the Rudding House complex. It was hoped this would remove the foul odours in the village. Mr. and Mrs. Cave reported that there were sewage smells outside their property, they had been in contact with Yorkshire Water about this and were keeping note of the dates when it occurred. It was stated that these events were likely to occur because the sewage pipe was too small in diameter.
Request for a permissive footpath from Rudding Dower into the village via the bridge over the by-pass. It was understood that S. Mackaness had no objection to the proposal, but M, Mackaness was reluctant to give his agreement at this time. The Chairman expressed his disappointment.
Yorkshire Water had been in contact to assure the Chairman that measures to control the flow of effluent through the village were still being worked upon.
Open Gardens – this event would take place on 3.8.08. Friends of Harrogate Hospital are raising funds to furnish a room for friends and relatives of stroke patients. S. Mackaness had made a donation to the event, teas would be served in the Village Hall and parking arrangements had been made.

Matters concerning Plompton:

There was nothing to report.

Highways:

There were no matters to raise.

Finance:

Internal Audit – the councillors reviewed the terms of reference for the internal audit and the audit plan and resolved to approve both documents.
Review of the effectiveness of internal audit. The Parish Council considered that the controls in place combined with a twice yearly internal audit meant that the finances of the Council were adequately monitored. Advice on strengthening controls that were given by the internal auditor was acted upon.
Assessment of risks facing the Parish Council – the councillors stated that the major risks were related to loss or damage to Parish Council assets or accident or injury at events organised by the council which were covered by reserves and insurance respectively.
Balance at the bank – a total of £ 10,341.77 was in the accounts. Receipts included the first instalment of the precept, £ 2650 and the annual allotment rentals, £60.
Request for authorisation of expenditure: Stamps £ 8.64; Insurance £ 285.46; Subscriptions to YLCA’s £ 177, YRCC £ 35, PFA £ 25. In addition the councillors resolved to accept a quotation of £ 185 to refurbish the bench at the bottom of Main Street and £ 52 for wooden edging for the floral displays around the village namestones. The expenditure was proposed by E. Bolton and seconded by T. Martin.
Proposals for a working party to enhance the village scene – Mrs. J. Butler had written to the Parish Council and was present at the meeting to explain her ideas. Mrs. Butler would like to establish a group of volunteers to undertake projects such as bulb planting and upgrading the Horsepond Beck area. Some expenditure would be required and proposals would be put before the Parish Council. This was proposed by B. Fisher and seconded by U. Cansfield. Mrs. Butler was willing to coordinate activities and agreed to write to the Parish Magazine and John Chilton for the local press to request volunteers for the working party. C. Florance would contact Mr. D. Watkin to ask him to design publicity material.

Clerk’s Report and correspondence:

Request from Harrogate Council for nominations to the Standards sub-committee and information on training courses for councillors were drawn to the attention of the Parish Council. Papers received since the last meeting were circulated.

Planning:

Application 6.121.197.FUL Beagle Cottage, Follifoot for single storey rear extension and front bay window. The Parish Council had no objections to the application.
Application 6.121.198.FUL Follybrook, Spofforth Lane, Follifoot for loft conversion and single storey rear extension with accommodation in roof space. The Parish Council had no objections to the application.
Application 6.121.194.B.FUL 1-2 Manor Cottages, Main Street, Follifoot for conversion of two dwellings to one and two storey rear extension (revised scheme). The Parish Council had no objections to the application but wished to make observations on the matter to the planning authority.
Application – Follifoot Primary School for conservation area consent for demolition of a chimney stack and reinstatement of slate roof. The Parish Council had no objections to the application.
Applications received since the agenda was compiled:

Application 6.121.199.FUL Tennis Court rear of Stonecroft and Brooklands, Plompton Road, Follifoot for construction of service road to tennis court. The Parish Council objected to the application.

Applications 6.121.192.C.CON and 6.121.192.I.FUL Village End, Plompton Road, Follifoot to demolish detached dwelling and erect a replacement dwelling and package treatment plant. The Parish Council had no objections to the applications.

f) Outcome of previous applications: 16 Hillside, Follifoot – the Tree Preservation Order confirmed; Brooklands, Plompton Road, Follifoot – treeworks approved; The Lodge, Follifoot Ridge – approval for detached garage; Land N. E. Beagle Cottage, Follifoot – appeal against refusal of permission to erect a holiday lodge dismissed; Land E. of Home Farm Cottages, Follifoot – appeal against refusal to re-site replacement dwelling dismissed.

Date of next meeting: Thursday 19 June 2008 at 8 pm.