13th October 2022

MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

  Thursday  13th October 2022

Held in Follifoot Village Hall.

PRESENT: ChairmanN MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Councillors C   Dickinson, T Hall, J Locke, and K Tharby.  In attendance, Cllr A Paraskos (NYCC/HBC) M Richards (Clerk), and 1 resident.

 1.  Apologies: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from S Gallimore.

 2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’  
    Register of Interest:
None.

 3. Public Participation session: The Chairman welcome to the meeting and confirmed that they were able to comment on any issues
     raised.

 4. Minutes of the meeting held on 14th July 2022: Councillor Hall proposed the minutes to be a correct record, seconded by Councillor Tharby. The   Chairman then duly signed the minutes.

5. Matters arising from the previous minutes:
     
Covered as part of the agenda.
6. Chairman’s communications
     a) Litter bins have now been installed on Leconfield Garth and at the bottom

     of Main Street, next to the bus stop. Some comments have been received

     about the size of the new bin at the bottom of Main Street, which councillors

     acknowledged. The bins installed by Harrogate Borough Council are a

 Standard size to provide increased capacity and facilitate emptying, and it is

 hoped there would be general acceptance over time.

     b) Following the offer of a grant of £300 from a Defibrillator Charity, the

     Chairman raised the possibility of an additional defibrillator being provided in

     Plompton. Councillors agreed this to be a good idea and Cllr Hall will seek

     residents’ views at the next local meeting.

     c) Resignation of Internal Auditor. The Chairman explained the reasons

     behind this decision and the steps to be taken to appoint a successor. A draft

     job description advertising the post had been circulated for councillor

     comments and it was suggested that an indication of the amount of time

     required throughout the year, would be a useful addition. The clerk will amend

     the advert accordingly for it to be advertised via the website and Facebook

     page.
7. Clerk’s correspondence received
    
a) Citizen’s Advice Bureau. Email received from this charity asking for a

     donation towards running costs. Councillors were sympathetic but felt it would

     not be a proper use of local tax payers money and so the request was

declined.

        b) External audit arrangements. The Smaller Authorities’ Audit Appointments

        Ltd (SAAA)Sector Led Audit Appointment Regime, appoints external auditors

 for a term of 5 years. 2021/22 was the final year of that term so a new

        appointment will be made for the next 5 years. Parish councils have the

        option to leave this scheme and appoint their own external auditors directly.

        The clerk advised councillors that, in his opinion, this central scheme was the

        best option and provides the best value for money – appointing a local

        accountancy firm to provide external audit would be costly and, would not

        necessarily give the option of exemption. Councillors agreed to retain the

        existing arrangement. 

        c) Commuted Sums. Communication received from HBC setting out the

        various schemes and amounts available for the Parish Council to spend on

        specified areas. This scheme (now replaced by CIL – Community

        Infrastructure Levy) is funded by a calculated percentage amount from the

        costs of capital developments in the Parish. The clerk will ascertain more

        details of what can be spent on which specific schemes and establish any

        firm deadlines.

        d) Streetlight. The bulb in the streetlight attached to the Village Shop needs

        replacing. Councillor Dewsnip explained that the Shop pays for the electricity

        and that hitherto, HBC had maintained the light (bulb replacement etc) but

        now, on enquiring, she was told the light was not on HBC’s asset register

        and bulb replacement etc would cease. A new fitment, with the modern LED

        bulb, would cost some £700. The clerk was instructed to contact a local

        electrical firm to ascertain the cost of bulb replacement and, if it were below

        £100, to proceed with the purchase.

        e) “Maltkiln” development. HBC is seeking the views of all interested parties

        to the Maltkiln development (a new settlement based around the Cattal/

        Whixley area) Whilst the development will not have any direct effect on the

        Parish, there may well be wider implications, and the clerk will circulate the

        survey for councillors to consider.

        8. Parish matters
             
a) Plompton.
             i) Cllr Hall reported that there were concerns over the number of estate
             agents’ signs at the bottom of the hill into Plompton, causing sight line
             problems. The clerk will report to NYCC Highways.
             ii) An unauthorised sign has been erected, indicating the public footpath/right
             of way, is closed. In addition, the corresponding stile on the Wetherby Road
             (A661) has been removed. The clerk will report to the Bridleways and
             Footpaths department of NYCC.
             b) Telephone box/Information Centre (at the top of Main Street). The

Chairman reported that the box is in need of repainting/refurbishment. The

clerk will contact local contractors for a quotation and circulate councillors for

approval before awarding the contract.
       9. Traffic calming
             
a) VAS. The sign has now been returned to its original position. Cllr
             Dickinson reported that current data seems to show an improved position
             with a higher percentage of traffic travelling at or below the speed limit
             (although there was still evidence of some vehicles travelling at 45-50mph)
             Overall, councillors were content that the VAS seems to be having a positive
             effect.    
             b) Picket fences on Haggs Road. The fence causing partial obstruction to the

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adjacent property has been removed and the surface made good.

Consideration is being given to it being re-installed at the A658/Haggs Road

junction. Local residents will be consulted. Residents’ views have also been

sought regarding the reflective “Slow Down” sign to be fixed to the remaining

fence and, whilst some comments suggested additional wording such

“please”, councillors thought,on balance, that the uncomplicated “Slow Down”

was the best option. The clerk will arrange the purchase and installation
      10.  Follifields update.
           a) Cllr Gallimore reported the following:

                     i) Rudding Estate have cut the hedges and done an excellent job. The
                     Chairman agreed and thanked Rudding Estate on behalf of the Parish
                     Council & the community.
                     ii) The Wildflower meadow needs cutting and removing as soon as
                     possible. The clerk is awaiting the estimate from the local contractor and
                     will then arrange for the work to be done, given an acceptable cost.
                     iii) Trees require new supports and trunk protectors. Quotations to be
                     sought.
                     iv) The Rotary Club plaque has disappeared. Brunel Engraving to be
                     contacted to supply a replacement.
              b) Other issues – The Chairman thanked Lewis Sadler for constructing and
              providing the log seating in the play area. He will take photos for display. He
              confirmed that the Follifields “Celebration Day” had been postponed due to
              the death of the Queen and would be re-arranged next year. A fundraising

              event will be held before the end of the financial year. Finally, he will
              consult with Cllr Gallimore regarding the replacement of the “Gallimore
              Tree”.
        11. Planning.
         
    a) Applications Received
              i) 22/03073/REM Reserved matters application under outline permission

         22/00642/OUT for erection of holiday lodge to replace existing building with

         appearance and landscaping considered. Land To East of Burnisons Whin

         Rudding Lane. The Chairman observed that this application had in fact been

         approved before the Parish Council had the opportunity to comment, but as

         the main principle of the application had been previously supported by the

         Parish Council, there was no issue to pursue.

         ii) 22/03350/FUL Construction of hardcore machinery tracks for agricultural

         use. Workers will be working with boom lift training providers to ensure safe handling of heavy machinery. Councillors saw no issues of

         concern and agreed to SUPPORT the application.

         iii) 22/03737/FUL – Proposed demolition of an existing conservatory to be

         replaced with a new summer room, internal alterations and the conversion of

         one of the integral garages to provide a home office and utility room. Stable

         Cottage, Manor Court. A councillor asked if this development could have an

         adverse effect on parking arrangements in Manor Court, but when

assurance was given that there would be no issues, councillors agreed to

SUPPORT.

         iv) 22/03560/FUL – Erection of single storey front extensions, external

         terrace, alterations to fenestration and internal remodelling. Alexander

         House, Pannal Road. Councillors observed that this was a large extension

         (which HBC Planners would no doubt take into account) but considered it to

be a good quality development, with no adverse impact on neighbouring

properties and agreed to SUPPORT.

b) Decisions –

       i) 22/02251/FUL – Proposed new vehicular access off existing private road

       and new parking area- Appletree House, The Paddocks. GRANTED

       ii) Erection of single storey rear extension, application of render to existing

       side and rear walls, loft conversion and installation of rooflights. Kiln

       Cottage, Spofforth Lane. GRANTED

       iii) 22/01692/FUL – Replacement single storey rear extension and extension,

       alteration and conversion of outbuilding into annexe. Windmill House,

       Pannal Road. GRANTED

           iv) 22/03167/FUL Erection of single storey rear garden room extension.
           Home Farm House, Home Farm Rudding Lane. GRANTED.

       v) 22/03218/FUL – New roof, provision of side utility room and internal

       improvements. 3 Spring Bank, Partridge Cottage, Main Street. GRANTED.

       Councillors noted the above decisions.

      12. Finance and Governance:
           
a)Balance at the bank on 11th October 2022, Current Account £2,713.09 and
           Deposit Account £28,165.00 (total £30878.09) Bank statements to be  
            initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, as part of his payment   
           authorisation process.
           b) Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 11th October was provided
           with receipts and payments in the period  1st July to 11th October, 
           reconciling to the account balances shown above at a) Councillors
           then unanimously agreed the 15 amounts below for payment.

M RichardsClerk’s salary- July£312.66Bank Transfer
HMRCPAYE – July£78.17Bank Transfer
M RichardsClerk’s salary- August£312.66Bank Transfer
HMRCPAYE – August£78.17Bank Transfer
Village HandymanVillage maintenance£262.50Bank Transfer
A WalkerBench refurb£65.00Bank Transfer
A WalkerBench refurb£515.00Bank Transfer
S BushGrass cutting£160.00Bank Transfer
M RichardsGoal pegs£23.97Bank Transfer
M RichardsClerk’s exps£87.50Bank Transfer
L SadlerHedge trim£240.00Bank Transfer
M RichardsClerk’s salary- Sept£312.66Bank Transfer
HMRCPAYE – Sept£78.17Bank Transfer
S BushGrass cutting£160.00Bank Transfer
S BushFollifields maintenance£150.00Bank Transfer

       c) The Chairman then ran through the budget spreadsheet, explaining the
       entries for the expenditure recorded above. Items to note were the receipt of
       the 2nd instalment of the precept and additional expenditure on Follifields,
       hedge trimming and new heavy duty goal pegs. Councillors had no comments
       or questions.
 13. Items for the next meeting
      
a) Litter pick – 6th November at 11.00 am – clerk to arrange equipment from
       HBC.
       b) Flower bed around Saxon Cross?
       c) Bulbs from HBC – location?

       The meeting closed at 9.20pm

       Date of next Parish Council meeting: –

Thursday 10th November 2022. To be held at Follifoot Village Hall, commencing at 7.30pm.