MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 16th April 2020
This was the first meeting held remotely via the Skype videoconferencing software, in accordance with the Government’s advice and legislation arising from the Covid-19 restrictions.
PRESENT: ChairmanN MacDermid, Councillors T Martin (Vice Chairman), A Dewsnip, C Dickinson, J Locke and S Riley. In attendance, M Richards (Clerk) NYCC/HBC Cllr A Paraskos and 2 residents.
1. Apologies: There were no apologies for absence.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’
Register of Interest: None.
3 Public Participation session: No matters arising.
4. Minutes of the meeting held on 12th March 2020: Councillor Martin proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Dewsnip. The Chairman then duly signed the minutes (to be scanned and forwarded to the clerk).
5. Chairman’s communications
There were no communications to the Chairman which are not addressed
elsewhere in the agenda.
6. Clerk’s correspondence received.
The clerk referred to an email he had received from a company offering
support in responding to planning applications and formulating professionally
prepared objections where appropriate. Councillors considered but thought
that, as the Parish Council is only a consultee (although with the right to object)
about planning applications, unless there is a contentious application with
potentially major negative implications for the Parish, the cost of this service
(£750 per submission) could not be justified.
7. Finance.
a) 2020/21 Budget statement. Councillors discussed the budget statement,
which had been previously circulated. Councillors agreed the detail of the
income and expenditure headings but asked for additional analysis of the
actual ongoing position for Follifields. The clerk agreed to incorporate this
requirement for future statements. The Chairman suggested that the inclusion
of a monthly cumulative comparison of actual against budget would provide
greater clarity and enable better oversight by councillors. He agreed to amend
the spreadsheet accordingly.
b) Councillors approved the items of expenditure included in the budget
statement.
Clerk’s salary (March) – £286.76
PAYE – £71.69
Insurance premium (BHIB) – £428.89 (BUT to be paid in May)
YLCA annual subscription – £300
Grass cutting – Follifields – S Bush – £72.50
Village Handyman March Maintenance – £180.00
c) The clerk had previously circulated the Annual Accounts Statement. Councillors sought clarification on a number of minor points and then approved the Accounts. The clerk explained that the Parish Council would not have to submit the AGAR (Annual Governance and Accountability Return) to the external auditor, as the Parish Council’s turnover is below the £25,000 limit. A Certificate of Exemption will however, need to be submitted. In addition, the full AGAR and associated documents do need to be completed and displayed on the Council’s website. All documents will be available for approval and certification at the May meeting.
d) Internal Audit report. The Chairman went through the internal auditor’s report which had been circulated previously. He outlined the scope and work undertaken. The overall conclusion was that the 2019/20 accounts are in accordance with the underlying records and appropriate systems of control have been applied. The internal auditor did recommend that, as the Parish Council is required to publish its accounts, it would be appropriate for him to carry out a specific review as specified in the Annual Internal Audit Report section of the AGAR. Councillors agreed.
The meeting adjourned at 7.58 to allow all “present” to take part in “Clap for the NHS” and re-commenced at 8.05.
8. Maintenance a) A revised quotation from Playscheme for repairing the “pegs” on the
springers had been received, and all councillors still considered the amount to
be excessive, not recognising the points made by the clerk regarding the
unsatisfactory nature of the pegs assembly and the fact of unsatisfactory
repairs being carried out in the past. The clerk will contact Playscheme’s
Managing Director stressing these points, reminding him of the
substantial sums spent with Playscheme for the Follifields project.
9. Covid-19
The Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator had circulated a document “Wash
your hands of Coronavirus scams” Councillors acknowledged and were
pleased to note that the document had been placed on the website and
notice boards, warning the public of the current scams associated with
coronavirus.
10. Planning:
a) Applications Received
i) 29/00846/FUL – Single storey extension to house. Conversion of
outbuilding to form home office and gym with associated external works.
Hilltop House Pannal Road Follifoot HG3 1DR.
ii) 20/00847/LB – Single storey extension to house. Part demolition and
replacement of walls, new and replacement gates and railings. Conversion
of outbuilding to include stair enclosure, flue pipe, insertion of windows and
bi-fold doors and associated internal alterations. – Hilltop House.
Councillors discussed all aspects of the applications, with clarifying input
from the owner (who was in attendance) He confirmed that some
landscaping work would be carried out to level off some areas and that the
boundary fencing would be reinstated. In response to a question he also
confirmed that there would be new, slightly higher entrance gate posts but
not with electric gates. Councillor Martin affirmed that it was always the
intention of the Parish Council to support developments which could be
seen to be in keeping with the overall village environment and he saw no
reason to go against that principle in this case. Councillor Dewsnip
endorsed that statement with the comment that the current owners had
always been diligent in following that principle in previous alterations.
Councillors resolved to support the applications.
iii) 20/01206/FUL – Erection of 2 no. single storey extensions, attached
garage and conversion of existing garage to habitable accommodation.
Alterations to fenestration – Hollybush, 6 Pellentine Road Follifoot HG3 1EB
Councillors discussed and could see no reason to object to this application
although it was felt that the planning authority may have some issues with
the flat roof and may prefer substitution of a pitched roof? In any event,
councillors agreed to support the application.
b) Decisions notified – 20/00505/FUL – Erection of 2 storey extension and
detached garage – Fence End, 4 Hillside, Follifoot, HG3 1EF. The Chairman
noted the decision, which was in accordance with the Parish Council’s
response but was disappointed to see that the comments made by the
Parish Council in response re the inaccurate description of the location as
“urban” rather than “rural” and that there was no proximity to water or trees
– both incorrect, plus the inadequate bat survey, all appeared to have been
ignored.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.40.
Date of next Meeting: : – to be held remotely, unless Government restrictions change 14th May 2020 at 7.30pm,