2010 Chairman’s Report

FOLLIFOOT WITH PLOMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT TO THE ANNUAL ASSEMBLY
22 APRIL 2010

Good evening everyone; welcome to the Follifoot with Plompton Parish Council Annual Assembly for 2010. I would like to present my Annual Report.

The Parish Council met on eleven occasions during the past year, all were full Parish Council meetings. Our District Councillor Caroline Bayliss and our Community Policeman, Mark Ayre, attended many of the Council meetings.

One or more residents attended almost all of the meetings during the year, which is much appreciated by the Councillors. We like to think that the residents are interested in the Parish Council and/or what is happening in the village, and we would welcome more attendance and participation at our Council meetings.

The Council has received no complaints about any of its decisions or actions. I believe that the Council has again made a positive contribution to the villages of Follifoot and Plompton during the past year. Our goal is to ensure that Follifoot and Plompton are good communities to live in, and that we help to foster good community relations. We try to achieve an environmentally friendly village, and I hope that we can continue the good work during the coming year.

OUR COMMUNITY – We are proud of our Conservation Area status, and the Listed buildings in the Parish, and the Council works hard to ensure that the status is maintained. We are proud of our school and we try and work with the Headteacher and her Staff as much as we can. Additionally, we have a fantastic method that kids may use to increase physical activity and fitness without even recognizing it. These are known as school climbing frames. A climbing frame is an essential piece of equipment for every public park or school playground. Although their look has changed over time, their benefits have remained constant and go well beyond ordinary exercise. Kids can socialize, have fun, and burn off some of their seemingly limitless energy by participating in them. For additional information, see https://www.primaryschoolresources.org.uk/equipment/plant-beds. The school also works hard to maintain good community relations. Our Village Shop is very much appreciated, as are Anne and Andy Dewsnip. I would like it to be on record that their efforts on behalf of residents, particularly the elderly, during the recent cold winter, has been very much appreciated. We are very fortunate to have a vibrant shop, and two proprietors who work so hard and care about the village. I would like to thank them on behalf of all the Councillors and the Community. There have been a number of new families that have moved to the village, and we welcome them. We hope that they settle well in our community and that they enjoy the village.

Apart from verbal reports received from PC Ayre at Council meetings, a written report is received every month, giving details of crimes and detection rates etc in Follifoot and the surrounding villages. As a community we value the actions and involvement of PC Mark Ayre. Alongside Mark’s efforts on behalf of the village, we have a Neighbourhood Watch scheme which is led by Councillor Martin, and we thank him for his efforts with this project. Cricket; tennis; and Indoor Bowls; and the Women’s Institute all have good memberships, and it is important to the village that we have active clubs.

VILLAGE HALL – the Council works very closely with the Village Hall Committee, indeed we are represented on the Committee. The Village Hall is an integral part of our community.

ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT – The Village cleanup is always a great success, although this success should not be viewed as a good thing, because it has to be said that the volunteers again cleared a lot of rubbish. This past year we organised two litter clean-ups, and although we cleared a lot of rubbish, it is depressing having to clear other people’s litter. I would like to see no rubbish to be cleared, but I am afraid that this is never the case. It seems that every year there is more rubbish dumped in our village. I would like to thank all those volunteers who helped with this difficult and messy task. Litter is becoming an increasingly difficult problem to deal with, and it seems that as fast as we clear it, more is deposited. Education must be the key to litter and the effect on the environment, but we have been failed dismally by our Politicians with this particular problem. Our sincere thanks to Harrogate Borough Council who have responded so speedily and efficiently to complaints from the Parish Council and residents about fly tipping in village lay-byes . It would be difficult for us to remove the larger items of rubbish dumped, and without HBC the mess would be much worse. At the lay-by on Plompton Road , we have had the gravel/chippings moved/re-arranged, so as to make it more difficult to fly tip without being seen, and this seems to have reduced the amount of fly tipping significantly. We do ask for vigilance by residents, and if any resident has any suggestions on how to reduce the litter, or indeed catch the offenders, the Council would appreciate hearing from them. Flowers were again planted around the base of the three ‘Follifoot’ village signs at the entrances to the village. Barry Butler and Tony Martin were responsible for this, and they carried out an excellent job planting such colourful plants. Jan Butler keeps the Horse Pond Beck area at the bottom of the village clean, tidy, and well pruned. I would like to thank her for her efforts. The daffodils that were planted a couple of years ago at the entrance to the village are maturing nicely; the flowers at the base of the village signs, and Horse Pond Beck all look very nice, and many positive comments are made about all of these. I would like to thank Councillor Martin for keeping the top bus shelter clear of rubbish and leaves; they seem to attract all the dead leaves there are, however Tony manages to keep them clear.

The biggest problem we are facing, and one that we receive many complaints about, is car parking on our streets. We have discussed this at many meetings and with PC Ayre, but we have not yet found a solution that will satisfy all. It is a very difficult problem to solve. If residents and others who park on the streets would perhaps think carefully of how and where they park, some of the problems and annoyances could be reduced. It is very difficult for buses and larger vehicles to weave through cars parked on either side of the street. It is annoying to residents when cars are parked with little or no regard to residents or others. We would welcome positive suggestions on solving this problem.

The Council has been successful in obtaining two additional salt/sand bins for the village. One will be located at the entrance to Leconfield Garth, and the other will be located somewhere near to The Pound on Plompton Road . Both of these along with others in the village will be kept topped up with salt/sand by NYCC.

We have received a number of complaints about the state of the footpath at the end of the Paddocks and the path up to the old railway line. We have spoken to the landowner about the problem. To be fair very recent work has been carried out by the Landowner, that I think has helped to solve the problems being complained about, and we thank him for his efforts on behalf of all users of this path – of which there are many. It is felt that at soon as there is dry weather, and grass starts growing on the muddy area, the problem will be solved for once and for all, however the situation will be monitored.

The Council received a number of complaints during the past year about dogs’ mess. We ask that residents with dogs, poop and scoop, especially on pavements; roads; grassy areas; and playing fields. All owners should take the mess to their home and dispose of it. Litter pickers find it very distasteful when they find small polythene bags, full of dog’s mess in the ditches or hedges. Can we ask all dog owners, when their dogs mess, to clear it up, and take it home and dispose of it there.

YORKSHIRE WATER – the Parish Council held a meeting with Yorkshire Water personnel, to try and find a solution for once and for all to the smells which have been particularly bad half way up and at the top of Main Street. A plan has been agreed with YW and the Council where meters, that can detect odours will be placed in different locations throughout Main Street , and on Pannal Road near to the top of the village, during the summer, to see if we can definitively locate the source of the smells. The meters will be directly linked to Computers, and small changes in odour levels can and will be detected and recorded. We will analyse the results later in the summer, to see if we can definitively locate the source of the odours. Once this has been achieved, we will draw up a plan with Yorkshire Water to solve this problem. We need to, because residents quite rightly, are losing patience with this problem, and this must be solved for once and for all.

PLANNING – there were eighteen Planning Applications, on which the Council was involved during the year, and six tree works applications – the Parish Council generally is not consulted on Tree Works applications. Of those Planning Applications made, a number were refused by HBC, however a number of the refusals were then appealed. (The Parish Council is made aware of appeals, but is not involved in the hearings). The HBC Planning website is used by the Council, and this greatly assists us in finding out the planning history of properties, and makes us aware of matters not requiring Parish Council consultation.

PLOMPTON – It has been a relatively quiet year as far as Plompton is concerned, but the village has been served well by Councillor Bolton, and I would like to thank her for all her efforts during the year.

FINANCE – generally our finances are in good shape. As a Council we are very aware of our financial responsibilities, and we do keep a tight control on our costs. We feel that we use the precept money wisely, and always to the benefit of the Parish. Wherever possible we try and build reserves for future potential community projects, although this year, due to the economic situation, we reduced our precept demand significantly.

National Auditors completed their annual audit on the Councils finances to their and our satisfaction. Margaret Kettlewell is our internal auditor, and she carries out an excellent job ensuring our finances are correctly monitored. I would like to thank her for her valuable work and her continued support. Chris will be giving the Financial report later in the meeting, however I would like to say that our financial affairs are assisted greatly by Chris’s excellent bookkeeping.

GENERAL – numerous Government publications, both from Central and Local Offices, continue to be sent to the Council. All need to be assessed, as some are relevant to us, however many are not. Systems are in place to comply with “The Freedom of Information Act”, and Parishioners, or indeed anyone else, are able to see anything they wish from the Parish Council.

The Council is a member of The Yorkshire Local Councils Association, and their advice has been sought on numerous occasions. They are always extremely helpful, and we thank them for this.

VILLAGE PLAN – the Council has thought for some time that we should have a Village Plan, something that would create interest and involvement in the Village. There have been no suggestions, as yet, as to what this plan might be, but we would welcome suggestions from residents, so that they might be considered. If funds are required for any plan, we could always have a Village Open Gardens that would raise funds for the village. Open Gardens have been held twice in the past five years and have been an overwhelming success, with residents and non-residents enjoying some wonderful gardens in the village. I say this to perhaps start the ball rolling for thoughts.

TIME FOR THANKS – it would be remiss of me if I did not mention all the help that is given to me, as Chairman. Again I would like to make special mention of the excellent and hard work carried out by my fellow Councillors, and our Clerk to the Council, Christine Woodman. As I have said before it can be a daunting task being Clerk to the Council, and at times thankless, but Christine makes a very positive contribution to the Council, and I am sure that the Councillors and residents will join me in thanking her for all her hard work. I would personally like to thank her for the very great assistance she has given me. I would also like to thank my fellow Councillors especially for all the support and hard work they have not only given to me, but also to the villages of Follifoot and Plompton. Councillors and the Clerk not only attend meetings, but they also put in many hours work, ‘after hours’ for the good of our Community.

As I said earlier, the Council thanks Margaret Kettelewell for her work as our Internal Auditor. Susan Milligan resigned her position as a Parish Councillor. I would like to thank her for her work during her time as Councillor. We had four applications for the vacant position of Parish Councillor, and after an interview process and a vote carried out at a public meeting by the Councillors, Nathan Pettitt was successful with his application, and we welcome him as a Parish Councillor.

I would like to thank the volunteers who help to keep ‘The Horse Pond Beck’ tidy, and special thanks to Jan Butler who pruned and looked after the shrubs during the year. It really is a nice area, and many residents especially those with children enjoy this tranquil area. I would also like to thank all the volunteers who help with the litter clear up. It is indicative to the Council that so many residents feel strongly about all the litter. It really is a case of many hands make light work, and the Council does appreciate so many residents helping with this task.

I would like to thank David Hinchley for ensuring that the flag at the top of the village is “flying” on all occasions it is required. Thanks also to all those residents who have helped the villages of Follifoot and Plompton, but have not been mentioned in my report. They are too numerous to mention, but their efforts are appreciated.

The contribution of both The Rudding Estate, and Rudding Park , in supporting the village is greatly appreciated by the Parish Council. The work carried out by both, for the Parish, is on a voluntary basis and we really do appreciate their efforts and thank them for it.

Last, but not least, thanks are due to our District Councillor, Caroline Bayliss , who always keeps very much in touch with village activities; her help in dealing with any problems, in Follifoot or Plompton, that we as a Council cannot solve, is very much appreciated. Her advice on matters is valued.

We welcome all newcomers to the village, and we do hope that they will become involved with village activities, and perhaps attend Parish Council meetings and/or take part in village activities. We hope that they enjoy living in our lovely village. Neighbourly involvement not only fosters good relations but it does help with security.

Thank you.