2009 February

FOLLIFOOT WITH PLOMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on 19 February 2009

Present : Parish Councillors S. Milligan, B. Butler, B. Fisher (Chairman), E. Bolton, T. Martin and three residents.

Apologies for absence : Parish Councillor U. Cansfield and P.C. M. Ayre
Any declarations of interest in items on the agenda : There were none.
Public Participation session :

One resident was present to listen to the discussion at item 10a) regarding speeding vehicles on the Pannal Road
Public footpath to Colin Hill – a resident expressed concern that the stepping stones over the River Crimple had been washed away some years ago and had not been reinstated. The Parish Council had drawn this to the attention of the local authority and requested a repair. T. Martin, a member of the NYCC Access and Public Rights of Way Forum, had raised the matter with this group. It is understood that the site was visited by an officer and also that there are up to 9,000 outstanding footpath matters to be dealt with. The resident wondered if the stepping stones might be replaced with a bridge. It was agreed that the Parish Council would contact the local authority again to request that a repair be carried out.

Minutes of the meeting held on 15.1.09 : Having been proposed by B. Butler and seconded by S. Milligan, the Chairman signed the minutes as a correct record.
Matters arising from the minutes : Item 10 a) – the Wetherby bound ‘bus stop, Main Street, Follifoot. The Clerk had received a response from NYCC Integrated Passenger Transport to the request to move the ‘bus stop to a level location. This indicated that there was no more money available for improvements to the ‘bus route but there was some funding for improvements to specific ‘bus stops across the County. This budget was fully committed for the current financial year. The request would be added to a reserve list which would be prioritised against others. The Parish Council resolved to reconsider this matter in the next financial year.
Chairman’s communications : The owner of the riding stables on Pannal Road had been in contact to express her concern about speeding vehicles in this location. The matter would be discussed under item 10a)
Any matters concerning Plompton : E. Bolton stated that the notice board was deteriorating as it was no longer water tight. The clerk was asked to contact a local contractor to quote for its repair.
Harrogate Borough Council Electoral Cycles: a consultation . The Parish Council were asked to take a view on possible changes to the timing of elections to the district council. The alternatives for consideration were an ‘all out’ election every four years, elections by thirds or by halves. It was recognised that an election every four years would save money but there was a risk of a lack of continuity and loss of experienced councillors. The Parish Council were of the opinion that an election by halves would be a more satisfactory arrangement. This would be communicated to Harrogate Council.
‘Stop the Drop’ – feedback on actions agreed to try to reduce litter and fly tipping .

CCTV camera – Harrogate Council owns four deployable cameras. These are required to be fixed to a six metre high pole, usually a lamp post. This is to prevent the camera from being tampered with. The Clerk had discussed the matter with the Anti-Social Behaviour Coordinator who suggested a camera might not be appropriate in the Plompton Road lay-by, a more effective solution could be for NYCC to change the method of storing gravel.
Refuse bin – the Clerk had contacted the Council Cleansing Department, an officer had assessed the lay-by and decided it would be an inappropriate place for a bin given the construction vehicles that used the site. Experience in other areas showed that bins were damaged by HGV’s. It was also thought unlikely that people would use the bin. The Parish Council were of the opinion that it would be worthwhile to find out if a bin would make a difference and therefore asked the Clerk to contact the Council to request that it reconsider its decision. In addition, a catalogue was to be obtained so that the Parish Council could decide whether to provide one.
Method of gravel storage – the Clerk had written to County Councillor Savage to seek his support. To date there had been no response from him, but it was noted that the gravel was now stored in continuous piles which was hoped would deter fly tippers. C.C. Savage had also been asked to investigate the possibility of new anti litter signage in the lay-by.
Report on recent fly tipping – in U. Cansfield’s absence, the Chairman explained how fly tipping had been reported to the Police as it contained some identifying information. The Police advised that they would take no action as it could not be established that the named individual had dumped the rubbish, she was told to inform the local council which would arrange for its removal. This was held to be a very disappointing response and it was resolved to request that P.C. Ayre report to the next meeting on police policy on this matter.
Litter Pick – The Parish Council decided to do this on Sunday, 26 April, all volunteers to assemble outside the Post Office at 2pm. The Clerk will ask for the loan of equipment from Harrogate Council, request an advert in the Parish magazine and contact Mr. D. Watkins to ask if he would assist in producing a poster. It was thought helpful to involve the school and B. Fisher agreed to raise this at the next Governor’s meeting.

Highways:

Speeding vehicles on Pannal Road – a resident had expressed concern about this at the last meeting and the Clerk had been asked to bring earlier correspondence to the meeting for discussion. At the Annual Parish meeting in 2008, a resident had reported that inconsiderate driving had resulted in the death of a horse on Pannal Road. NYCC were contacted and the officer responsible explained that he had asked the Police if it were possible to introduce a speed limit and had been advised that it did not meet the criteria. The officer undertook to add it to the NYCC list of matters to be investigated with a view to considering if any other steps could be taken to improve awareness. The Clerk had requested an up date from NYCC and learned that a site visit was to be arranged. B. Butler reminded the Parish Council that it raised this matter many years ago and some changes were made in an attempt to mitigate the problem. It was suggested that the road be blocked off, but it was held that this could give rise to increased hazards on nearby roads. Riding for the Disabled operated from the stables and its Chairman had agreed to write in support of the need to introduce safety measures. The Clerk was asked to request a time frame for the site visit and to offer a member of the Parish Council to be present to explain the concerns of residents. It was suggested that the Police be asked to provide details of any road traffic accidents that had occurred on this stretch of road.
Junction of Rudding Lane and the bypass – comment was made about the number of accidents that had occurred here recently.
Hillside – a street light was not working. This would be reported to the Council.

Finance :

Balance at the bank. A total of £ 5,252.15 in the accounts.
Request for authorisation of expenditure: to Rudding Estate for Christmas trees £ 23.00. The expenditure was proposed by B. Butler and seconded by T. Martin.
Tender for grass cutting 2009. Two quotations had been received for 14 cuts and two weed killing sessions. Quotation 1 from S+J Services for £ 448 with no VAT; quotation 2 from Harrogate Council, the sum of £ 151.34 including VAT for 14 cuts, two weed killing sessions would cost approximately £ 120. The Parish Council can reclaim VAT and is eligible for a grant of £ 75 for grasscutting. The Parish Council resolved to accept the Harrogate Council quotation, this being proposed by B. Butler and seconded by T. Martin.

Clerk’s Correspondence :

Commuted sums – Harrogate Council offer a training course on the policy and application criteria on 10.3.09
Draft Trees and Woodland policy – T. Martin agreed to consider and complete a questionnaire on behalf of the Parish Council
YLCA’s – Harrogate branch meeting on 22.6.09. Harrogate Council’s head of Planning Services to attend. Councillors agreed to list their questions in preparation for the meeting.
Papers received since the last meeting were circulated to councillors

Planning :

Application 09/00412/FUL – Home Farm Bungalow, Follifoot for replacement dwelling (site area 0.05 ha) (revised scheme). The Parish Council had no objections to the application.
No further applications had been received since the agenda was compiled.
Outcome of previous applications : Prospect Cottage, Pannal Road, Follifoot for erection of garage and increase in domestic curtilage – refused; Loxley Farm, Plompton for conversion of two barns – approved.

Date of next meeting : Thursday 19.3.09

The Parish Council resolved to exclude the press and public to discuss a confidential matter. The Chairman thanked the residents for attending the meeting.

Confidential minute 15.1.09 – with the addition of one item the Chairman signed the minutes as a correct record, this having been proposed by S. Milligan and seconded by B. Butler.
A report was given regarding the actions resolved on 15.1.09
The Parish Council resolved to take no further action on one matter and to receive updating information in due course on the other.