12th March 2026

MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL

Held in the Board Room, Rudding Park Hotel on 12^th March 2026

PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Cllrs A Dewsnip (Vice Chairman), T Hall, J Locke and K Tharby. Also in attendance, M Richards (Clerk) and 2 residents.

1. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllrs S Gallimore and C Dickinson. NYC Cllr A Paraskos also apologised for non-attendance.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.
3. Public participation. No items submitted.
4. Minutes of the previous meeting on 12^th February were proposed as a correct record by Councillor Dewsnip and seconded by Councillor Hall. The Chairman then signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising.
   Dealt with as part of the agenda.
   
   Item 8b) “Communication from a resident re Plompton Square development” was discussed at this point. The two residents explained that there had been a residents’ meeting held to discuss concerns over development and consequences in Plompton Square. Of the row of 8 cottages in the Square, 4 were “holiday lets” (one being owner occupied part of the time, the other three being investor owned, ostensibly with no owner occupation) The residents considered that the ongoing temporary presence of different groups/families in these holiday lets detracted from the traditional rural community nature of the hamlet. Also, some of the developments (particularly installation of different windows) harms (allegedly) the visual amenity of the locality. The Residents’ Group has contacted NYC Planning (copied to Enforcement) voicing their concerns and notifying them of their objections to the alteration to one property (windows) and the “change of use” planning condition (apparently not notified for the properties in question?) The Chairman thanked the residents for their presentation and advised them that the Parish Council, in this respect, only had a role to play in commenting on actual planning applications or responding to the Planning Department’s queries. He also advised that if the two references regarding i) inappropriate development (windows) and ii), apparent failure to apply for change of use, are referred directly to Enforcement, it will give rise to the creation of specific Enforcement cases. Such cases are automatically notified to the Parish Council for information and comment.
6. Planning
   a) ) 26/00960/ADV – Erection of illuminated and non-illuminated signs to the exterior of the
   building. The Kestrel, Wetherby Road, Harrogate.
   The Chairman displayed the new signs and their location on the building. Councillors considered, and to a large extent, saw these as relatively minor variations to existing signage and lighting,  so a SUPPORT response was agreed.
   b) 26/00225/FUL – Demolition of conservatory and replacement with a door. Replacement of two
   ground floor windows with a new opening, additional fenestration including three rooflights and
   replacement of existing fenestration. April Cottage, 4 Rudding Dower, Follifoot.
   NB – Previous application (also 26/00225/FUL) SUPPORTED by PC – “Modifications and
   extension of existing single storey extension. Addition of roof window and alterations to
   fenestration”
   The Chairman ran through the details of the slightly amended application and, as the previous application had been supported, councillors agreed a similar response, ie SUPPORT.

c) Temporary TPO 07/2026 (HAR) – councillors noted that this relates to the two trees at the entrance to the site on Pannal Road with the recent planning approval for three new houses and had no comments.

d) Decisions                                                 

             25/04232/FUL – Proposed erection of 3no, dwellings, access, parking, landscaping and associated works. Land Comprising Field At 433407 452398 Pannal Road, Follifoot.
                                                                     GRANTED
             Councillors noted the above decision and had no comments, having previously supported the application.                          
             Other

e) Northern Gas Network (NGN) structure, Plompton Road.
The Chairman provided an update on communications and meetings between the local residents and representatives of NGN. This includes proposed alternate locations for the structure. NGN have said that such a move (if possible) would firstly require financial appraisal and then submission to senior NGN management. From a Parish Council (PC) perspective the main considerations are safety and visual amenity. The Chairman suggested that we should see how the complaint with NGN progresses, but also ensure any possible changes are discussed with the PC and local residents prior to implementation.

         7.    Chairman’s communications.
                a) Trees on unregistered land off Spofforth Lane.
                The clerk had contacted Openreach and NYC Highways seeking to resolve the issue. It was noted that Openreach contractors were on site but it is unclear as yet what action is being taken.
                No response has been received from NYC Highways. Councillors agreed to defer the item until next meeting to review any action taken.
                b) Charity event on 24^th April. Councillors are invited to attend this event, sponsored by the Chairs of NYC and the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Cllr MacDermid is unable to attend but invited other councillors to take up the offer.
                Other items included as part of the agenda.
          8.   Clerk’s correspondence
                a) Parish Council workshops. Dates still not fixed. The clerk has requested 3 places and he will inform councillors when dates confirmed.  
                b) Communication from resident re Plompton Square development – see above at item 5.
                c) Harrogate Town Council – joint meeting re Neighbourhood Plan to be held on 20^th March. The Chairman indicated his intention to take part and invited other councillors to attend. Cllr Locke expressed an interest and will check if he is available.   
          9.   Parish Matters
                a) Plompton.
                Cllr Hall confirmed that some of the outstanding issues as previously notified had been resolved, but other issues still remain ie the black and white marker posts are still to be replaced, nor have the car parts been removed. In addition, the drain on the A661 is still blocked and  requires extensive work (although Cllr Paraskos had previously indicated this would not be repaired until the new financial year) The clerk will report again, scheduling all previous notifications.
                b) Village upkeep
                i) Post Office notice board, the quotation for the repair was accepted by councillors but as it
                involved insertion of a lead canopy into the brickwork, Rudding Estate (who own the building) will
                need to be contacted for approval.
                ii) Unregistered land off Spofforth Lane – telecoms cables. See above at 7a)
                c) Spring litter pick – arranged for 29^th March at 2pm. Cllr Dewsnip will prepare a poster and the clerk will arrange equipment supply.

        10.   Road safety  
                a) VAS Speed Sign – Cllrs Dickinson and MacDermid have reversed the direction to capture data

                of vehicles entering the village – data to be presented at future meetings.

                b) Councillors confirmed their agreement with the installation of speed survey “pipes” outside the Riding Stables but, after discussion, decided that speed survey pipes on Rudding Lane should not be progressed at this time. The Chairman will provide the What3Words location for the Riding Stables and the clerk will arrange implementation.
        11.   Follifields
              a) Cllr Gallimore has spoken with the contractor regarding the outstanding issues and confirmed  action is in hand to complete repairs etc.
              b) The clerk confirmed that the rotted gatepost had been replaced and goalmouth renovation will be undertaken now weather conditions are improving.

       12.  Finance
              a) Review of finances, approval of expenditure.

.             Balance at the bank on 12^th March 2026 in Current Account £700.50 and Deposit

              Account £24,474.24, total £25,174.74. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process.  Monthly Reconciliation –reconciliation as at 12^th March was provided, with receipts and payments in the period 12^th February to 12^th March, reconciling to the account balances shown above. Councillors

              then unanimously agreed the 5 amounts below for payment.

Clerk’s salary	M Richards	£308.26	Bank transfer
PAYE	HMRC	£205.50	Bank transfer
Clerk’s expenszes	M Richards	£100.00	Bank transfer
Room hire – Rudding Park Hotel	M Richards	£25.00	Bank transfer
Gatepost replacement	S Bush	£555.00	Bank transfer

              b) The Chairman briefly ran through the Summary and Cumulative budget statements explaining the updates from February receipts and payments.  Councillors had examined the budget statements prior to the meeting and had no questions or comments.
                           

       13.  Items for the next meeting   
              a) Memorials for Ceris Sladdin and Unice Cansfield
              b) Report back of Harrogate Town Council meeting

                                               The meeting finished at 9.20pm
Date of next meeting – Thursday 9^th April 2026, commencing at 7.30pm. To be held in the Board Room in the Main House of Rudding Park Hotel.