14th February 2019 – FOLLIFOOT

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 14th February 2019

PRESENT: Chairman N. MacDermid, Vice Chairman T Martin, Councillors A Dewsnip, T Hall, C Dickinson and J Locke. In attendance, 2 parishioners (including the Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator – NWC) and Mr and Mrs Silverwood (re item 4)

1.Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Cllr. S Riley.
2. Cllr Martin took the chair as the Chairman was only able to be present for items 3 and 4.
3. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.
4. Planning application. Mr and Mrs Silverwood gave a presentation regarding their planning application 19/00133/COU – change of use of woodland for outdoor learning and play area, land at Pannal Road, Follifoot. The proposal is to create a “classroom without walls” where adults and children can learn and play together, based on the Scandinavian concept of a forest school. It is intended that there will be 2 hour sessions for both parents and children, covering pre-school during the week, with school- age children at the week-ends. Councillors were very interested in the project and had the following questions:-
– will there be permanent fencing installed? – no, but activities will be restricted to a specific, controlled area – there will be a secure gate for entry purposes;
– will inclement weather restrict activities? – no, it is intended that all aspects of English weather will be “embraced”;
– is OFSTED oversight and authority required? – no, OFSTED is not relevant as parents will be with their children at all times;
– has a lease of the land with Rudding Park Estate been signed? – not yet but this is in hand, and will be pursued once planning permission has been granted;
– has an insurance policy been obtained? – not yet, but this will be arranged via a specialist insurance company;
– will there be any “attractive” items left on site permanently? – no anything of value will be removed on a daily basis.
Councillors raised other issues all of which were answered satisfactorily by the presenters. The presentation concluded and Mr and Mrs Silverwood left the meeting, with the Chairman thanking them for the informative presentation. Councillors voted unanimously to support the planning application.
Cllr MacDermid left the meeting at this point.
5 Public Participation session: No issues raised.
6 Minutes of the meeting held on 10th January 2019: Councillor Hall proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Dewsnip. The Chairman then duly signed the minutes.
7 Matters arising from the previous minutes:
a) Community Defibrillator – The second training session, hosted by the two volunteers from Central Fast Response (CFR) took place on 9 February, with 15 participants. The Chairman had formally thanked the CFR team and also the providers of the half time refreshments, as well as all 15 attendees. Defibrillator stickers have been affixed to the phone box information centre (which houses the equipment) and information notices have been placed in a number of locations across the village.
b) Village Hall – wifi contribution. The clerk reminded councillors that the original arrangement had been put in place partly to increase the potential for village hall usage and partly for the benefit of the Parish Council. The latter being the reason for the two year contribution to costs. The two year period was now at an end and a decision is needed for future arrangements. Cllr Martin agreed to contact the Village Hall Committee to obtain feedback.
c) Bus service – as reported previously, it had been suggested that the unsatisfactory issues relating to the X70 bus service be summarised and reported back to Connexions. A number of incidents had been reported to Cllr Dewsnip but unfortunately there were only 2 cases where specific detail was supplied. More examples with exact details ie date, time and nature need to be collected for a substantive, supported complaint to be made and all residents are encouraged to record these examples and report to Cllr Dewsnip at the Post Office. The clerk will however, notify Connexions of the specific incidents reported and also make NYCC (who subsidise the service) aware of the unsatisfactory standard of the service.
8 Chairman’s communications – The Chairman reported that he had received an email from the action group concerned with the Crimple Valley Bridleway. A meeting had been held with NYCC at which agreement was reached whereby NYCC would look again at all documentation, maps etc, to confirm the position as understood was correct (ie a gap exists between the two bridleways). However, even if this was not the case, NYCC would not pursue the matter any further if legal representation were needed, due to its overall financial position. Further action would only be taken if legal costs were to be met by a third party. Meanwhile, the action group is exploring other possibilities for resolution. Councillors again confirmed the position of the Parish Council ie to support the objective of the Action Group, but not to be involved in any other action.
9 Clerk’s correspondence received.
a) The clerk had circulated a newspaper report which recorded comments made by NYCC Councillors and officers regarding the proposed changes to the policy on Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) Without going into detail, it would seem that NYCC’s proposals will be contrary to type and nature of VAS which would be suitable and desirable for Follifoot. Councillors expressed dissatisfaction with these draft proposals but it was agreed to await the formal policy statement from NYCC before any further action is contemplated.
b) HBC is conducting its Annual Parish Consultation Meeting on Tuesday 19 March. Councillors discussed but agreed there were no relevant issues to be raised.
c) The clerk had circulated the YLCA training programme. Councillors had considered but no relevant training needs had been identified..
10 Matters concerning Follifoot
a) Councillors again raised the issue of the traffic lights on Rudding Lane, which had been present for some months but with no road repairs being carried out. The clerk had reported this to NYCC and had been informed that the action required is the responsibility of NY Water. He will contact NYCC and NY Water to encourage urgent action now be taken.
b) Cllr Dewsnip reported that the litter bin at the top bus shelter had been removed. The clerk will follow up and obtain prices for a replacement.
11 Matters concerning Plompton
a) Salt bin – Cllr Hall had reported that the salt bin at the entrance to Plompton had not been replenished. The clerk had raised this with NYCC, but no action has been taken – he will raise again.
b) Flooding on the A661 – the drain has now been cleared and this seems to have resolved the problem.
12 Neighbourhood Watch – the NWC reported:
a) The village PCSO (Alastair Graham-Merritt) was away on secondment, so no specific crime reports will be available for some time. The clerk will however, review the police website and report on any relevant local issues recorded.
b) Thefts in the area – GPS systems from tractors, and agricultural trailers
c) Current telephone scams – i) beware of “dating” sites where criminals attempt to develop “romantic” relationships which lead to demands for money;
ii) beware of bogus claims for payment of TV licence fees, and the ongoing “HMRC” tax demands.
d) The NWC confirmed that he is still seeking a volunteer as a NW representative.
e) Cllr Dewsnip reported that she had been made aware of individuals in the village patrolling round looking for unlocked cars and doors to houses. Any such activity should be reported to the Police.
13.Village Up Keep
No action to report, although Cllr Dickinson was commended for his action in clearing rubbish from the top bus shelter.
14. Road safety – deferred until the March meeting.
15. FOFWRAP/Follifields:
a) The Chairman reported that an initial site meeting took place with John Danby
of Playscheme on 8th February about the installation of the outdoor table tennis
table and base. A final decision is still to be made on location, but installation
is provisionally planned March/April for completion prior to Easter.
b) The willows have been planted in the wildflower area and, as they grow they
will be formed into a willow tunnel. A weed suppressing membrane and tree bark
surface will be laid in due course.
16. Finance:

a) Balance at the bank on 31st January 2019, Current Account £3295.64 and Deposit Account £17727.82. – Monthly Budget – See Appendix 1.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 31st January was provided – see Appendix 2.
c) Expenditure – Unanimously agreed and authorised by two councillors.
M Richards
Clerk’s salary
£349.44
Bank Transfer
M Richards
Q3 expenses
£87.50
Bank Transfer
M Richards
Printer cartridge
£16.00
Bank Transfer
Village Hall
Room rental
£189.00
Bank Transfer
2 councillors examined the supporting documentation for the above
expenditure and signed the covering authority sheet as “approved.”
d) Income
NYCC grant (Cllr Paraskos)
Table tennis table
£2,000.00
Bank Transfer
FOFWRAP funds transfer
Follifields
£9,628.85
Bank Transfer
e) Internal Audit report – the Chairman read out the interim audit report,
covering the period 1 April to 31 December 2018. The Internal Auditor’s
conclusion was that “in his opinion, the control over Council funds and
accounting records is satisfactory, based on the limited work undertaken”
A further report will be issued at the end of the financial year.
17. Planning:
a) Applications received.
i) 18/05306/FUL – erection of stables and associated fencing, Loxley
Farm, Plompton.
Councillors considered the application and resolved that it be SUPPORTED.
ii) 19/00069/FUL – erection of outbuilding/store, Brethren’s Meeting
Room, Wetherby Road, Plompton
Councillors considered the application and resolved that they had NO OBJECTION.
iii) 19/00411/FUL – erection of garage, Old Rudding School, Rudding Lane, Follifoot
Councillors considered the application and resolved that it be SUPPORTED.
b) Applications received since the agenda was compiled.
None.
18. There being no other business, the meeting closed at 9.25.
Date of next Parish Council Meeting:
7.30pm on 14th March 2019 in Follifoot Village Hall, Tofts Lane, Follifoot.