19th December 2019

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
​Thursday 19th December 2019

PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Vice Chairman T Martin, Councillors A Dewsnip, C Dickinson, T Hall and J Locke. In attendance, M Richards (Clerk) and 1 resident.
1.​Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Cllr S Riley.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’
Register of Interest: None, although the Chairman did report that he was
seeking reimbursement for items purchased for the “Folliwood” fundraising
event and would withdraw from the meeting if necessary.
3. Public Participation session: No new issues raised but the NW co-ordinator
confirmed via email, that the road markings on the Wetherby Road
roundabout have now been completed.
4.​Minutes of the meeting held on 14th November 2019: Councillor Martin proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Hall. The Chairman then duly signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising from the previous minutes:
a) Vehicle Activated Signs (VAS) – speed warning signs. The speed survey on Pannal Road had been carried out by NYCC and the Chairman thanked Cllr Dickinson for summarising the output, which had been circulated to all Councillors. The Chairman’s assessment of the output was that the majority of traffic speeds fell within the 30-35mph categories and that only some 10% of cases were really excessive. Councillors then discussed other aspects of the exercise and it was agreed that the survey be carried out again after the 30mph signs are moved, as this may give motorists a better opportunity to reduce their speed. Councillor Dickinson observed that there may be more speeding out of the village than coming in and Councillors agreed with the Chairman’s recommendation that a speed survey be also carried out on Plompton Road. Councillors went on to debate the potential impact of VAS on reducing speeds and it was agreed that no action would be taken until the additional speed surveys had been completed and an assessment from the NYCC Community Safety Officer received. It was also suggested that the Police be approached to request the siting of the Camera Safety van on Pannal Road which may supply more evidence to support VAS installation. Cllr Dewsnip also suggested that the speed survey output be included with the VAS flyer when circulated to all residents. Councillors agreed and also proposed that the possibility of sharing VAS equipment with Spofforth Parish Council be put forward for discussion at its next meeting. Arising from the above, the clerk will:
​- request additional speed surveys on Pannal Road and
​ Plompton Road, when the 30mph signs have been moved;
​- contact Spofforth Parish Council about the possibility of
​sharing VAS equipment.
He will also contact NYCC to ask for more details on the white “Roadside picket fences”, as discussed at the November meeting.
b) Plompton salt box – the clerk had again contacted NYCC about this issue and although there was still some doubt about the ownership of the box, Councillors agreed that the best interests of the Parish were served by agreeing to NYCC’s suggestion that it maintains ownership and thereby continues to supply salt, replenishing when necessary.
6. Chairman’s communications
There were no communications to the Chairman which are not addressed elsewhere in the agenda.
7. Clerk’s correspondence received.
a) Home Office consultation: strengthening police powers to tackle unauthorised encampments. Councillors agreed that this was an issue likely to be relevant to several interested parties within the Parish eg Rudding Park Hotel, Rudding Estate, the Cricket Club, the Rugby Club and others, as well as individual landowners. The clerk will circulate details of the consultation and ensure the item is on the agenda for the January meeting.
b) HBC request for any interest from individuals to become “Digital Champions” as part of the “Get Digital” initiative. No Councillor felt able to respond.
8. Matters concerning Follifoot
Inconsiderate parking on Radcliffe Close. The clerk has arranged for the sign to be produced (at a cost of some £35) and installed at the entrance gate to Follifields.
9. Matters concerning Plompton
Cllr Hall reported that he had received complaints about noise from the generators being used by the contractors at Plompton Rocks, early in the morning. He had passed on the complaints and the matter has been resolved.
10. Neighbourhood Watch – the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator (NWC) had circulated his report to councillors, which summarised the reported crimes in and around the Parish, in October. The only reference in this Parish related to “violence and sexual offences” on Haggs Road – no further details available. Other issues reported were the ongoing telephone and computer scams and frauds, reported previously. Again, Councillors encouraged all residents not to respond to unsolicited phone calls and “too good to be true” offers which more than likely, are!
11.Village Up Keep
The village handy man reported the normal routine maintenance carried out in November.
12. FOFWRAP/Follifields:
​ The Chairman reported, on behalf of FOFWRAP, that the recent
“Folliwood” evening (a curry night and Auction of Promises) had been a great
success, with a profit of £3124.50, which will be retained in a memorandum
account within Parish funds for the ongoing maintenance of Follifields. He
formally thanked all organisers for their efforts, donors for their generosity and
attendees for their contributions. He will write to FOFWRAP to offer the Parish
Council’s thanks for this very welcome contribution.
13. Finance:
a) Balance at the bank on 30th November 2019, Current Account £1,674.47
and Deposit Account £18,248.95 (total £19,923.42) Bank statements initialled
by the Chairman, in confirmation – Monthly Budget – See Appendix 1.
b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 30th November was provided
– see Appendix 2.
c) Expenditure 30th November to 20th December– to be approved and
authorised by two councillors on examination of the supporting documentation.

M Richards
Clerk’s salary – Oct
£286.76
Bank Transfer
HMRC
PAYE
£71.69
Bank Transfer
M Richards
3rd qtr expenses
£87.50
Bank Transfer
Village handyman
Routine maintenance
£180.00
Bank Transfer
NYCC
Speed survey
£132.00
Bank Transfer
N MacDermid
Folliwood expenses
£590.10
Bank Transfer
Unanimously agreed and then authorised by two councillors, who examined
the supporting documentation and signed the covering authority sheet as
“approved”
e) VAT reclaim – the clerk confirmed he had submitted a VAT reclaim for
£1882.52, covering the period 7 March 2018 to date. The Chairman asked that
the VAT claim in future be submitted within the financial year, where possible.
14. Planning:
a) Notification of decisions received since last meeting – none.
b) Applications Received – 19/05099/FUL – demolition of single storey entrance
lobby – erection of two storey extension – 16 Leconfield Garth.​
Councillors discussed the application and were content with the proposals
after examination of site plans and elevations. It was agreed to support the
application.
c) Planning enforcement notice – 19/00652/PR15 – Paddock south of
Moordale Lodge, Pannal Road – siting of storage unit. Notification from the
Enforcement Officer indicated that the case was still under investigation.
Councillors agreed to await the outcome of the investigation before considering
further.
d) Applications received since the agenda was compiled – None.

There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.40.
Date of next Parish Council Meeting:
7.30pm on 9th January 2020 in Follifoot Village Hall, Tofts Lane, Follifoot​