8th October 2015

FOLLIFOOT WITH PLOMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
​8th October 2015

PRESENT: Chairman N. MacDermid, Vice Chairman T. Martin, Councillors T. Hall, J. Hinchcliffe, Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator M. Hammond, FOFWRAP Committee members V. Manton, C. Sladdin and S. Gallimore, Groundworks Representative Paul Varney, Representatives of F. Leeson E. Thompson and R. Thicket and seven residents.

1. Apologies: Apologies for absence and reasons received and accepted from E. Jones, C. Gogna and C. Florance.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None
3. Public Participation session: See item 9.
4. Approval of Minutes of the meeting held on 10th September 2015: Councillor Hall proposed the minutes as a correct record and Councillor Martin seconded, the Chairman duly signed them.
5. Matters arising from the minutes: Included in the minutes
6. Chairman’s communications: See item 10.
7. Clerk’s correspondence:
a) A copy of the Clerk’s Correspondence received was available.
b) Devolution Questionnaire – The clerk said a questionnaire had been received, it was resolved the clerk would forward the questionnaire to the Parish Councillors for their comments. Once received she will respond to the questionnaire.
c) Have Your Say On Council Spending – The clerk said she had received notification from Harrogate Borough Council (HBC) that a consultation will be taking place regarding HBC’s future spending. Views from residents and parish councils are welcomed. www1.harrogate.gov.uk/surveys/FullAutumnDP/district-planel.htm
8. Matters concerning Plompton: None
9. FOFWRAP:
The chair of FOFWRAP gave an update on FOFWRAP and the work carried out to date. She explained the draft Heads of Terms had been received and the Parish Council had requested the Tenure was increased to seventy five years. She said there had been a positive response from the recent questionnaire, which had helped to establish what type of equipment residents would like and the layout of the site. She explained the draft plan had also taken into account concerns from residents regarding the visual presence of a recreational area, these had been addressed by using landscaping where possible to provide natural screening. She provided a map of a proposed scheme based on the questionnaire results and comments from residents. She explained they had consulted several playground companies and considered Groundworks to be a favourable contender. FOFWRAP had asked Paul Varney from the charity Groundworks to attend the meeting.
Mr Varney explained that Groundworks are leading charity and are specialists in helping groups with planning, groundworks and funding for recreational areas. He explained they work with the residents to establish an appropriate area for all concerned.
The chair of FOFWRAP explained that the next steps to be considered are for the FOFWRAP group to become a subcommittee of the Parish Council. The Parish Council unanimously agreed for FOWRAP to become a subcommittee of the Parish Council. The clerk said she would organise the relevant documentation.
Several residents expressed concerns over the location of the recreational area, the financial viability, and impact on the environment. Mr Varney explained that if he was appointed part of his role would be to work with residents to appraise the scheme.
A resident expressed concerns about not being kept up to date with the progress. Chairman MacDermid explained updates have been available, as the FOFWRAP minutes are on the village website, updates are given at Parish Council meetings and FOFWRAP held an ‘Open’ Annual Meeting earlier in the year. He explained FOFWRAP had attended the meeting to give a presentation and update to the Parish Council, before any decisions could be made. He reiterated no decisions regarding the future of the project had been made and would not be made unless the parish council deemed the scheme to be viable.
The chair of FOFWRAP said the groups future plans are to appoint a Land Surveyor, contact Harrogate Borough Council regarding change of use of the land, work on securing a tenure and plan further consultations with the residents.
10. Affordable Housing: Eric Thompson Co-Trustee of land off Spofforth Lane gave a presentation on a potential development in Follifoot. He said the owners are looking at developing the land for additional housing, some of which would be affordable. He said they would consider installing a dedicated children’s play area with no installation cost to the village. Mr Thompson provided sketches of the proposed development. A discussion on the proposed site was undertaken. Mr Thompson said the plans would be submitted in the near future. Chairman MacDermid requested Mr Thompson kept the Parish Council up to date with the progress of the scheme.
11. Broadband: Councillor Hinchcliffe gave an update on the Broadband for Rudding Dower and Plompton. He said he is investigating the use of a wireless scheme.
12. Neighbourhood Watch: M. Hammond gave a Neighbourhood Watch update. He reiterated that residents should be aware of continuing scams and residents should not to let people into their homes who they don’t know. He reported that two burglaries had taken place in Follifoot, one of which was a scam.
13. Transparency Funding: The clerk said she had received information regarding the funding available towards the cost of implementing the new Transparency Code. It was resolved an Honorarium would be paid to the website host for his valuable work. The clerk would look into the funding for the equipment and honorarium.
14. Village Up Keep:
a) Village Maintenance Person: It was agreed the clerk would advertise for a Village Maintenance Person.
b) Asset Risk Assessment and Maintenance Review: Chairman MacDermid agreed to carry out the Asset Risk and Maintenance assessment.
c) Dog Fouling: The clerk said she had spoken to the dog warden about picking up dog mess. It was agreed that at the Litter Pick bags would be available for anyone who would be willing to pick up dog mess.
d) Litter Pick 18th October at 2pm. The clerk said she had organised the litter pick.
15. Review of Asset Register: The clerk had emailed Parish Councillors the asset register. It was resolved the register was relevant.
16. Rugby Club: The clerk said a copy of a letter sent to Planning regarding the Rugby Club had been received and an email from the Rugby Club on the matter had been received. The matter was discussed and it was resolved that the Chairman would contact the Rugby Club to discuss the matter.
17. Harrogate Borough Council:
a) District Panel Questionnaire – It was agreed comments would be sent to the clerk, who would collate the comments and forward to HBC.
b) Elections Cycle Consultation – It was agreed comments would be sent to the clerk, who would collate the comments and forward to HBC.
18. Highways:
a) Underpass improvements – Highways had contacted the Parish Council regarding improvements to the underpass at the A658. An email had also been received from a representative of Harrogate District Cycle Forum, outlining their proposals and the possibility of additional funding. It was resolved to support Harrogate District Cycle’s proposals. It was agreed to invite Follifoot Park Riding Stables to the next meeting to discuss the underpass improvements.
19. HBC – Frequency of electoral cycle consultation: See item 17b
20. Finance:
a) Balance at the bank – Deposit Account £10,920.60 and £427.11 current account.
b) Monthly Budget – see Appendix 1
c) Quarterly Reconciliation – see Appendix 2
d) Request for authorisation of expenditure – It was unanimously agreed to pay the Clerk’s salary of £916.98 and expenses of £90.00
Cheque
To Whom/Reason
Amount
100753
S. Hinchcliffe – Salary £916.98 & expenses £ 90.00
£1,006.99

e) Record of Income and Expenditure – It was agreed Chairman MacDermid and the clerk would meet to discuss the matter.
21. Planning:
a) Applications – None
b) Applications received since the agenda was compiled – Wentworth The Paddocks, Follifoot – 15/04335/FUL – Erection of 2 storey side front and side extension and alterations to fenestration to include installation of dormer window (Revised Scheme). Parish Councillors requested the clerk emailed them the previous scheme plans for consultation. Comments to the clerk by 16th October 2015.
c) Outcome of previous applications
i) The Old Presbytery, Rudding Lane, Follifoot – 15/02214/FUL – Granted Planning subject to conditions.
ii) Unit 9 Follifoot Ridge, Business Park, Follifoot – 15/00039/NREFPP – Appeal dismissed.
iii) Home Farm, Follifoot – 15/02766/FUL – Granted planning subject to conditions.
d) Appeal – Hilltop House, Pannal Road, Follifoot.
22. Date of next meeting: 12th November 2015 at 8pm in Follifoot Village Hall.
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