2010 January

FOLLIFOOT WITH PLOMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 14 January 2010

Present : Parish Councillors B. Fisher (Chairman), B. Butler, T. Martin, U. Cansfield and three residents.

Apologies for absence : Parish Councillors E. Bolton and C. Florance, District Councillor C. Bayliss, P. C. M. Ayre.
Declarations of interest in items on the agenda : There were none.
Public participation : Two residents spoke on the service provided by Highways during recent low temperatures and heavy snowfall.

• J. Perry, Leconfield Garth, Follifoot – this road had not been gritted and the entry from Main Street had proved difficult to negotiate. A salt bin was requested, to be located at the entrance to the road.

• M. Hammond, Plompton Road, Follifoot – this through road to the A 661 had not been gritted. A request made for it to be included in the gritting schedule or a salt bin provided.

The Chairman thanked the residents for their contribution. NYCC winter service was tabled for discussion later in the meeting.

Minutes of the meeting held on 10.12.09 : Having been proposed by T. Martin and seconded by B. Butler, the Chairman signed the minutes as a correct record.
Matters arising from the minutes :

• Item 8b) Community emergency plan – The Chairman reported that the following residents would join him as members of the working group: A. Dewsnip, C. Bayliss, R. Lamming and S. Davies. The first meeting would be held on 26.1.10.

• Item 11b) Telephone Kiosk, Main Street – It had been agreed that the ownership of the land on which the kiosk was located would be investigated. The owner of Hayrick Cottage was approached and reported that no rental was received from B. T. in respect of the kiosk. A response was awaited from B. T. on the question. Action : Clerk to write to NYCC to ask if it was located on the Highway (grass verge).

Chairman’s communications :

• Meeting with Yorkshire Water and Rudding Park – meeting will take place on 15.1.10.

• Follifoot School : Headteacher had expressed concern that rubbish was being left outside the school. To deter the practice, the question of signage was discussed. The Headteacher should be advised to make informal enquiry of Harrogate or NYCC planners to establish if planning consent required. The Headteacher may also consider placing a notice in the Parish Magazine. Action: the Chairman to convey this information to school staff.

• Friends of Follifoot School : An email received from the Chairman, N. Pettitt inviting a member of the Parish Council to its termly meeting and B. Fisher attended it on 13.1.10. FOFS aims to be inclusive and is open to the wider community, as well as parents. This could be an appropriate arena for residents to raise any concerns relating to the school.

Matters concerning Plompton : There were none.
Co-option of Parish Councillor : No request for an election had been made so the Parish Council was now able to co-opt. Councillors had been promoting the need for a new councillor and it was possible that three residents were interested. The process for co-option was discussed and decided upon. Actions:

• Clerk to request a notice of the vacancy be placed in the Parish Magazine and on the Follifoot noticeboard with a closing date for written expressions of interest of 12.2.10.

• Clerk to contact those already expressing an informal interest in the position with information about the process.

• B. Fisher, B. Butler, T. Martin to meet to devise questions to put to prospective councillors on 18.2.10.

• Co-option would require a proposal and vote in a Parish Council meeting.

9. Annual subscriptions : Councillors reviewed the list provided and resolved to continue to contribute to CPRE and YLCA’s as these were regarded as providing value to the work of the Parish Council. Subscriptions to Rural Action Yorkshire and Clerk’s and Councils Direct would be discontinued.

• Highways :

a) Winter service: gritting and provision of salt bins. Councillors had been provided with NYCC’s policy on this. A letter had been received from the Leader of the Council with an update on revisions to the winter service resulting from Government requirements to reduce salt use and the current salt shortage in the county. There was some discussion about the level of service during the cold weather and the removal of salt from bins by non residents. It was noted that residents were responsible for the provision of salt for the driveways and paths on their property. The Parish Council would consider the matter further at the February meeting. Actions: Councillors to consider the request for salt bins to serve Leconfield Garth and Plompton Road together with any other appropriate locations in conjunction with NYCC’s assessment criteria. In deciding on future provision, the Parish Council would be mindful of the financial implications.

b) Any matters to report : There were none.

Finance :

a) Balance at the bank : £ 7475.37 in the accounts.

b) Quarterly reconciliation of accounts : U. Cansfield checked invoices and cheques issued against the bank statements and found the finances to be in order.

c) Request for authorisation of expenditure : To Rudding Park Estate for Christmas trees £ 23 and £ 29 to CPRE for the annual subscription. Expenditure proposed by B. Fisher and seconded by T. Martin.

Clerk’s report and correspondence : Information received since the last meeting was distributed to councillors.
Planning :

a) Application 09/05226/FUL – Dower House and Dower Cottage, Rudding Dower, Follifoot for single storey front and side extensions to form a single dwelling. The Parish Council had no objections to the application.

b) No further applications had been received.

c) Outcome of previous applications : Approved – 13 Leconfield Garth, Follifoot for single storey and 2 storey rear extensions; Scalibar Farm, Plompton for slurry lagoon; ‘Meadowsweet’, Tofts Lane, Follifoot for first floor side and two storey rear extensions. Refused : Village End, Plompton Road, Follifoot for demolition of bungalow and replacement dwelling. For information : Lilac Cottage, Main Street, Follifoot – fell one Ash tree.

Date of next meeting : Thursday, February 18, 2010 at 8pm.