9th July 2020
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday 9th July 2020
This was the fourth meeting held remotely via the Zoom video-conferencing software, in accordance with the Government’s advice and legislation arising from the Covid-19 restrictions.
PRESENT: ChairmanN MacDermid, Cllr T Martin (Vice Chairman) Councillors, C Dickinson, J Locke, and S Riley. In attendance, M Richards (Clerk) and 1 resident.
1. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received from Cllr A Dewsnip.
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 11th June 2020: Cllr Dickinson proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Locke. The Chairman then duly signed the minutes.
5. Chairman’s comments and communications
Village Green ownership – the clerk had confirmed that the Green is owned
by the Parish Council and this leaves the way open as an option for the
signs/artwork, discussed at the last meeting, to be displayed at this location.
As councillors will recall, it is the intention to organise a project for local
children to design signs displaying how proud they are of the village/parish.
For example, “Love Follifoot/Keep our village tidy”, to be professionally re-
produced and exhibited in/around the Parish. A communication exercise, will
take place in W/C 13th July and if there is sufficient interest, signs will be
displayed from mid-August to September. It is then the intention to hold a litter
pick on 23rd August (if permitted by HBC), followed by an event in Follifields
(subject to covid restrictions), to recognise/celebrate people’s efforts. The
Parish Council is grateful to a local resident who has come up with the idea
and is sponsoring the ininitiave.
6. Clerk’s correspondence received.
a) Consultation over the new draft model Code of Conduct. The clerk had
circulated the details of the draft. Councillors had considered and resolved
that, as the main thrust of the document was aimed towards revising
disciplinary procedures with regard to the suspension of councillors, it did not
really require further comment from the Parish Council.
b) Re-design of Parish website to comply with legal requirements regarding
access . As recorded previously, the Parish Website will need to be redesigned
to include these features and it is likely that this may require external technical
support. Concillors agreed however, that before this is pursued, the local
resident who acts as the website manager, should be contacted to ascertain
whether he is able to undertake this development. The clerk will follow up.
7. “AJ1 Fund” – a considerable sum was raised through the sale of the ex-Chief
Constable’s car registration number. The Police and Crime Commissioner has
decided to make funds available through bids from local and parish councils for
projects designed to improve road safety. Bids to be submitted by 31st August.
Councillors discussed and agreed that a bid should be submitted for VAS
equipment and also the previously considered “picket fences” The clerk will
make an initial enquiry as to eligibility.
8. Covid-19 – re-opening of Follifields. Government guidelines allowed parks and
play areas to open from 4th July. The Chairman has however, reviewed the
specified safety conditions which should be followed and concluded that a
number of measures such as producing a risk assessment and displaying
signs which specify safety measures to be followed by all users, need to be in
place before the area can be re-opened. Accordingly a Risk Asessment has
been completed based on the guidance and template provided by Harrogate
Borough Council. The Chairman has also produced a number of laminated
signs to be placed in strategic positions in the play area This will allow
Follifields to re-open on 12 July. As an additional safety measure, when the
contractor carries out the fortnightly grass cut, he will also spray the play
equipment (particularly the interior areas) with anti-bacterial spray. Councillors
confirmed their agreement with the above actions, stressing that it was the
responsibility of users of Follifields (including parents and guardians to follow
the safety guidance provided.
9. Maintenance – the clerk has contacted a local contractor to provide an
estimate for the refurbishment of the notice board.
10. Finance.
a) The Chairman ran through the monthly financial statements which had been
circulated previously showing the up to date information of receipts and
payments to date (including the current period’s activity) and the ongoing
comparison with the budget on a monthly basis and the balance remaining for
the rest of the year. Councillors then approved the following items of
expenditure included in the budget statement.
Clerk’s salary (May) – £286.76
PAYE – £71.69
Microsoft annual licence – £79.99 (paid by clerk)
Grass cutting – Follifields – S Bush – £145.00
b) Bank reconciliation. The clerk explained the content of the reconciliation
which had been circulated previously. Councillors had no questions and the
Chairman agreed to confirm the balances shown when he validates payment of
the above amounts, as part of the dual authorisation process for payments.
c) Playscheme – quotation for repairs to play equipment. The clerk confirmed
that he had now had a revised quotation, reduced by 50% for the Springer
repairs. Councillors were still not happy with this, as it was considered that the
Springers were not entirely fit for purpose from the outset. The clerk will go
back to Playscheme, stressing this point, requesting a nil cost repair, for the
above reason.
11. Planning
a) Review of decisions –
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
APPROVED
Councillors noted the above decision.
b) Application received
20/00878/FUL – Demolition of outbuilding and erection of storage building
Elm Gable, Haggs Road, Spofforth.
Councillors noted that this was a “like for like” replacement and, as such, had
no objection. Concern was expressed however, over the possible use of the
new building, as it was noted in the documentation that there was reference to
a “breeding pack of Jack Russels” Councillors felt that there should be some
reassurance over the welfare of the dogs if indeed the intended use was for
dog breeding. Councillors agreed that the response should be to neither
support nor object to the application but to raise concerns over
the welfare of the dogs and to seek assurance that approved welfare
arrangements would be put in place.
c) Parish Council planning consultation submissions and delegation in
August. As the Council does not meet in August, councillors agreed to
delegate this function to the clerk (for August only) He would contact
councillors via email to obtain views but the ultimate decision, should a
“casting vote” be required, was his.
There being no other business, the meeting closed at 8.40.
Date of next Parish Council meeting: –
10th September 2020 at 7.30pm, at Follifoot Village Hall, Tofts Lane
(unless Government restrictions still apply), when a remote meeting via Zoom will be held)