8th September

MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
8th September 2016

PRESENT:
Chairman N. MacDermid, Vice Chairman T. Martin, Councillors J. Andrade, A. Dewsnip, T. Hall, T. Hinchcliffe, District Councillor A. Paraskos, Internal Auditor M. Kettlewell, FOFWRAP representative S. Gallimore and four residents.
1. Apologies: Apologies for absence received and accepted from Councillor Jones.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None
3. Public Participation session: Three residents raised concerns over the proposed plans to develop the village hall. They were concerned that the parish council had approved plans, the chairman confirmed that no plans had been approved, as they had not yet been submitted. A resident asked the parish council to write to the residents’ adjacent to the village hall to inform them of the plans, the chairman explained this was not the role of the parish council, he explained the village hall committee would be responsible for submitting the planning application. The chairman explained the protocol for planning applications and the right to object to a planning application once it had been submitted. It was agreed the village hall representative would inform the village hall committee of the residents’ concerns.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 14th July 2016: The minutes were proposed as a correct record by Councillor Martin and seconded by Councillor Dewsnip, the chairman duly signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising from the minutes: Included in the agenda.
6. Chairman’s communications:
a) The chairman said he had received comments on item 11c.
b) A resident asked about the Harrogate Borough Council Strategic Housing & Economic Development Plan, and the possible implications for Parish. The chairman informed the meeting that this would form a key part of the agenda at the October Parish Council meeting.
7. Clerk’s correspondence:
a) Correspondence received and not included in the Agenda – the parish council discussed whether a list of correspondence received should be included in the minutes as an appendix. It was agreed the clerk would prepare a list to be available at the parish council meeting as an appendix.
b) YLCA – Community Led Housing Survey – The clerk said a survey for anyone who wished to complete it was available www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/77YGGMB
c) The clerk said correspondence had been received from Yorkshire Disabled Workshop, requesting a donation and explaining about the equipment they make. Councillor Andrade advised that there is a similar local organisation based in Harrogate. It was resolved not to send a donation and to pass the details to FOFWRAP on the equipment they make.
8. Matters concerning Plompton:
a) Notice board – Councillor Hall said he had received several comments about the notice board. He said he had reassured residents it would be repainted in the near future.
b) Parking at Plompton – Councillor Hall said during bank holiday weekend, there were many visitors to the Rocks, and this resulted in residents being unable to get in and out of Plompton.
c) Planning – The clerk said the planning enforcement officer had been notified regarding the area of hardstanding being used as an additional car park on the bank holiday weekend. Councillor Hall informed the meeting that the traffic was backing up on the Wetherby Road, and if any emergency vehicles had required access the probability of them being able to access Plompton would have been extremely difficult. The parish council discussed the traffic problem. It was resolved the parish council would write to the landowner to inform him of the parking problems and ask he gives consideration to future parking at the rocks.
d) Councillor Hall said some rubbish had been dumped at the gravel store on Plompton Road. The clerk said she would ask Harrogate Borough Council to clear it away.
9. Neighbourhood Watch
a) Update – The clerk explained due to technical problems the coordinator had not been receiving all the information. He said PC Merritt was working on resolving the problem.
b) Crime Figurers – The clerk said she had received the July figures, the chairman said he had received the August figures and will forward them to the clerk for distribution. He would also ask that the Parish Clerk receive a copy directly.
10. Village Up Keep:
a) Painting and sign writing of village assets – The clerk had informed the parish councillors she had received quotes for the painting of the two notice boards, phone kiosk, roof of the stocks and bottom green bench. The clerk informed the meeting the work was estimated to commence in three weeks’ time. It was agreed a sign writer would paint the lettering on the village notice board. Action: The clerk to obtain quotes for the sign writing.
b) Maintenance Report – The clerk gave the maintenance reports for July and August.
c) Bench for bottom bus shelter – A resident had requested a bench was installed in the bottom bus shelter. The parish councillors discussed the matter and agreed quotes should be obtained. Action: Clerk to obtain quotes.
d) Autumn Litter Pick – It was agreed to hold the Autumn Litter Pick on Sunday 9th October at 2pm. Action: Clerk to advertise and organise.
11. Traffic Issues:
a) Speeding of vehicles in and around the village – District Councillor Paraskos had investigated VAS signs, which can be installed by North Yorkshire County Council. The price of the scheme and whether it is was value for money was discussed. It was resolved to continue to work towards reducing speeds in and around the village.
b) Inappropriate driving
i) The clerk said she had contacted PC Scott regarding inappropriate driving in and around the village. PC Scott was off duty, the clerk said she had emailed her and would speak to her when she returned.
ii) A parish councillor reported the school had an increase in the numbers of pupils and is now almost full. She said this has caused various parking issues in the village during drop off and pick up. It was resolved the clerk would contact school and suggest they made contact with the Brewery to enquire if parking in either pub car park to relieve the congestions was a possibility.
c) Road Safety – The chairman said several residents had expressed concern over the safety of children playing on the grass by the Saxon Cross, as the traffic can drive up to the junction at speed. One resident had spoken to the children and suggested they did not play on the grass area, but they continued to do so. A parish councillor had discussed the issue with some parents. A parish councillor reported some older children had been cycling down Main Street, with no hands on the handle bars and no safety hat. The parish council decided to monitor the situation as the children are now back at school.
d) A councillor reported that there were no road markings at the end of Radcliffe Close/Pannal Road. Action: Clerk to contact Highways.
12. Village Hall:
a) Purchase of projector for village hall – A councillor suggested a projector in the village hall would be a good asset to the village hall. This would enable films to be screened, visual effects to be used during talks and plans to be read at meetings. It was agreed the clerk would obtain some prices for a projector and the village hall representative would ensure it was discussed at the next Village Hall meeting.
b) Installation of Wi-Fi in Village Hall – The chairman reported he had met with representatives from the village hall regarding the installation of WIFI in the village hall. The Parish Council proposed that they pay for the majority of initial installation costs and the first year’s subscriptions to get WIFI up and running, and then share the costs 50:50 after that. The matter will be discussed at the next Village Hall meeting.
13. Highways:
a) Island repair at Pannal Road – The clerk said she had reported the broken stones at the traffic island on the junction of Rudding Lane/Pannal Road.
14. Harrogate Borough Council:
a) 2017/18 Budget Consultation Survey – The survey is available on the website for those who wish to complete it. www.harrogate.gov.uk/info/2013/consultations_and_engagement/378/have_your_say
b) Parish Consultation Meeting 24th October – No parish councillors could attend the meeting. Action: Clerk to let Harrogate Borough Council know.
15. FOFWRAP:
a) Update – The chairman gave an update. He said the feedback from the village meeting had been overall positive. S. Gallimore said there had been a good turn out with a mixed age range and people had volunteered to help. A discussion on the application and funding took place.
b) Recreation Area Planning Application Submission – The planning application was discussed. All parish councillors had viewed the plans and additional documents and it was resolved by a show of hands that the Parish Council supported the proposed recreation area and the planning application should be submitted along with the fee. Action: S.Gallimore to submit the planning application on behalf of the parish council and the clerk to organise payment.
The chairman said he wished to express thanks to the FOFWRAP team for the excellent work they had done in getting the project to the planning stage.
16. Finance:
a) Balance at the bank – Current account £1,109.61 and Deposit account £6857.27
b) Request for authorisation of expenditure; the clerk said payments had been made to Parish Magazine donation, Village Maintenance for July and August.
Bank Transfer M. Collyer Village Maintenance – July £187.50
Bank Transfer M. Collyer Village Maintenance – August £142.50
Bank Transfer Parish Mag Donation to parish magazine £ 50.00
c) Monthly Budget – See appendix 1
d) Updated Financial Regulations – It was resolved to adopt the new financial regulations.
17. Planning:
a) Applications –
b) Parish Council Notifications received between meetings – Five applications had been received since the last meeting.
i. Plompton Hall Farm, Plompton – Ref: 16/01931/FUL – Infilling of garages to house to form additional living accommodation. The parish council supported the application.
ii. Plompton Hall Farm, Plompton – Ref: 16/01945/LB – Listed building consent for the infilling of the exiting openings to house external wall. The parish council supported the application.
iii. Land comprising wooded area at 434330 452581 Spofforth Lane, Follifoot – Felling of 40 trees within Woodlands W1 and W2 of Tree Preservation Order 35/2012. The parish council had no objections.
iv. Wingate Farm, Plompton – Notification for Prior Approval for a proposed change of use from agricultural building to 1 No dwelling house. The parish council supported the application.
v. Wingate Farm Barn, Plompton – Notification for prior approval for a proposed change of use from agricultural building to 2 No. dwelling house. The parish council did not object or support the application but wished to make comments or seek safeguards. The parish council suggested all the asbestos cladding should be removed correctly.
c) Arrange a meeting for applications received since the agenda was compiled: Rose Cottage, Tofts Lane, Follifoot – Ref: 16/03665/FUL Demolition of dormer window, increase of roof height, creation of a new floor level. Alterations to fenestration. The parish council viewed the plans, any further comments to the clerk by 16th September 2016.
d) Outcome of previous applications
i. Tithe Barn, Home Farm, Follifoot – Approved subject to conditions.
ii. 15 Leconfield Garth, Follifoot – Approved subject to conditions.
iii. Cherry Tree Farm, Spofforth – Approved subject to conditions.
e) Planning Enforcement
i. Plompton Rocks – Breach of C4 of 15/05661/FUL by use of contractor’s compound area as car park. The clerk said the complaint had been investigate and the landowner has been given six months to reinstate it back to grass land.
ii. Knaresborough Celtic Football Club – Siting of caravan & residential use, mobile home on land at the entrance to the club.
18. Date of next meeting: 8pm Thursday 13th October 2016 at Follifoot Village Hall, Tofts Lane, Follifoot.