12th June 2025
MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Village Hall on 12th June 2025
- PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Cllrs A Dewsnip, C. Dickinson, K Tharby and J Locke.
Also in attendance Cllr A Paraskos (NYC), M Richards (Clerk) and three members of the public (item 6a) only)
Apologies: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from Cllr. T Hall - Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.
- Public participation. The three members of the public were attending in respect of agenda item 6f) and it was agreed this would be brought forward to item 6a)
- Minutes of the two Annual Meetings held on 22nd May 2025 were proposed as a correct record by Councillor Dewsnip and seconded by Councillor Dickinson. The Chairman then signed both sets of minutes.
- Matters arising – none.
- Planning
a) Notification from Enforcement Officer – “Enforcement – Case No: HGT24/00360/PR15 – Land
South of Glenshee Spofforth Lane, Follifoot. ALLEGED BREACH: Siting of caravan and stable
PLANNING REF: 90/01707/OUT. Response from North Yorkshire Council Planning Enforcement Officer:- “I write to inform you that an investigation has been carried out. The outcome of the investigation is as follows:- I have viewed the hardstanding, shed and caravan. The hardstanding and shed require planning permission, I have written to the landowner to advise them of this. The caravan is not classed as development due to its temporary nature and does not appear to be in use as a permanent dwelling”.
The three members of the public had attended the meeting under the misapprehension that they
would be able to explain the circumstances around their ownership of the land and make their
case for their proposed use of the land. The Chairman explained that the Enforcement case did
not directly involve the Parish Council as it is North Yorkshire Council that are responsible for decisions on planning enforcement and planning applications. The Parish Council had however become aware of this potential unauthorised development and had a responsibility to raise it with North Yorkshire Council. The Enforcement Officer investigates developments undertaken without planning permission, such as in this case. The Parish Council is informed of these investigations but has no further involvement. The landowners noted and accepted this response but also confirmed that they had had no communication from Enforcement. The Parish Clerk provided the landowner with contact details for North Yorkshire Planning Enforcement and encouraged them to make contact. Councillors agreed to await further developments.
The three members of the public then left the meeting
Applications Received
b) 25/01453/FUL – Proposed change of use of agricultural land to site 6 holiday pods and
conversion of an agricultural barn for associated parking, bin store and solar panels. This forms
part of a farm diversification plan. Wingate Farm, Plompton.
The Chairman displayed the location and elevations of the planned development and ran
through the Design and Access Statement. He pointed out that such building in the Green Belt is
not typically allowed, the D & A statement seeks to justify the application by minimising harm to
the Green Belt through the building’s design & description and also explaining how it supports
their farm diversification plans. A councillor expressed doubts about the barn conversion,
concerned about potential future development. The Chairman agreed but stated that any
comment and assessment could only be based on the current facts, not future speculation. All
councillors agreed that there was minimal visible impact with the development and there could
be some benefit to the local community and the wider economy, so a SUPPORT response was
agreed.
Decisions
c) Non-material amendment to planning permission ZC24/00427/FUL to amend the garage
space and make changes to the fenestration and wall materials. Inglewood, The Paddocks,
Follifoot. North Yorkshire Council being the Local Planning Authority for the purposes of the
application received on 22 April 2025 for Non-material amendments to planning permission, as
described above, have resolved to APPROVE the application. This decision only relates to the
non-material amendments sought. It is NOT a reissue of the original planning permission which
still stands and the two documents should be read together.
d) ZC25/01060/FUL – Proposed rear extension and internal reconfiguration including insertion of
1no. external door. Plompton Hall Farm House, Plompton. REFUSED
e) ZC25/01061/LB – Listed Building Consent for proposed rear extension and internal
reconfiguration including insertion of 1no. external door. Plompton Hall Farm House, Plompton.
REFUSED
f) ZC25/01124/FUL – Erection of single storey rear extension and alterations to fenestration.
Cherry Tree Cottage, Plompton Road, Follifoot. GRANTED.
Councillors noted and had no comments.
7. Chairman’s communications.
All items dealt with as part of the agenda.
- Clerk’s correspondence
a) Survey on violence and community safety. Jo Coles, York and North Yorkshire Deputy Mayor for Policing, Fire and Crime, is calling on the public to share their views on violence and community safety in York and North Yorkshire. Councillors agreed that this was worthy of circulating as widely as possible, and the clerk will therefore arrange for the survey to be uploaded to the Community FaceBook page, encouraging residents to take part.
b) Car parking at Main Street bus stops. A resident had contacted the clerk informing him of the problems caused by cars being parked at the bus stops (particularly in front of the bus shelter at the top of Main Street) forcing bus users to walk past the traffic on to the road before they can get onto the bus. This is even worse for the various school buses which cannot stop at the bus stop, and have to pull into the junction of Leconfield Garth, blocking this road. The school children then need to walk from the bus stop to get onto the school bus at Leconfield Garth which gives rise to safety concerns. Parking also obstructs sightlines for vehicles turning onto Main St from Leconfield Garth. Councillors discussed at length. The clerk will raise the issue with NYC Highways and the Chairman will highlight the problem to residents via the Community FaceBook page.
c) The clerk informed councillors that an updated version of the NALC guide – “How to respond to planning applications”, was now available. It is quite lengthy but contains useful information. He will provide the website link for councillors’ access. - Parish Matters
a) Plompton. Although he was unable to attend the meeting, Cllr Hall had informed the clerk that
all the drains both on the “triangle” entrance to Plompton and on the adjacent stretch of the
A661, are still blocked. This is an ongoing issue which, as recorded previously, has been
reported several times to NYC Highways. The clerk will report again to the specific officer
responsible, and the head of the department, copying in Cllr Paraskos.
b) Village upkeep. The external village handyman that carries out grass cutting around the
village had indicated that, due to health reasons, he would no longer be able to carry out the
various tasks he had undertaken in the past. The Chairman recorded the thanks of the Parish
Council for his efforts over the years. It was suggested the Follifields contractor be contacted to
ascertain whether he would be able to take on this extra work.
c) Guilders Bridge, Plompton Road. The clerk informed councillors that the two signs, agreed at
the previous meeting, were now available for collection. Councillors discussed how the signs
should be installed and it was agreed that they would not be fixed to the bridge stonework. A
better option would be wooden stands at either end of the bridge. The Chairman agreed to
inspect for the best locations and the local contractor engaged to install the signs.
10. Traffic calming.
a) VAS – Cllr Dickinson advised that vehicle volumes were higher over the last few weeks
averaging 4.5k as against previous averages of 3.8k. The %age of vehicles at 30mph or below
had fallen slightly, with over 35mph being fairly constant. There had been a small increase in
over 50mph speeds. Councillors agreed it was now opportune to reverse the direction of capture
and Cllr Dickinson and the Chairman will arrange accordingly.
b) Haggs Road. The Chairman was delighted to confirm that NYC Highways were now in the
process of arranging the implementation of a 40mph zone from the A658 junction to the end of
the houses on the left-hand side. A consultation to note any objections or comments is in place
until 10th July. The Chairman will post the good news on the Community FB page and the clerk
will also notify the Haggs Road group representative.
c) Installation of “speed pipes” on Plompton Road. The clerk has just received the results of the
survey which revealed a very low level of speeds in excess of 30mph and therefore do not
support the introduction of further traffic calming measures, such as the installation of a VAS
device. He will circulate the survey results to all councillors.
11. Follifields
a) and b) Rotted gate post and goal area repairs. The contractor had observed that due to the
lengthy period of dry weather conditions, it would be more suitable for these jobs to be
undertaken in early Autumn. Councillors agreed.
c) An unofficial gate is in place from a house on Parkside, directly into Follifields. Whilst being a potential safety issue it is also contrary to the lease agreement between the Parish Council and the Landlord (Rudding Estate) for Follifields. The clerk will write to the houseowner asking for the gate to be removed and the hedge made secure.
d) The possible existence of the noxious weed, Japanese Knotweed, has been reported at the above location (item c)). The Follifields contractor has been asked to confirm its existence (and advise on treatment.
- Finance
a) Review of finances, approval of expenditure.
. Balance at the bank on 12th June 2025 in Current Account £1,988.55 and Deposit
Account £25,670.68, total £27,659.23. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in
confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process. Monthly Reconciliation –
reconciliation as at 12th June was provided, with receipts and payments in the period
22nd May to 12th June, reconciling to the account balances shown above. Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 7 amounts below for payment.
| Clerk’s salary | M Richards | £298.69 | Bank transfer |
| PAYE | HMRC | £199.12 | Bank transfer |
| Clerk’s expenses + mileage | M Richards | £133.30 | Bank transfer |
| Village plants | C Dicckinson | £74.13 | Bank transfer |
| Follifields grasscutting | S Bush | £184.80 | Bank transfer |
| Honorarium – website m’t’nce | S Smith | £100.00 | Bank transfer |
| Internal audit fee | R Chambers | £100.00 | Bank transfer |
b) The Clerk briefly ran through the Summary and Cumulative budget statements
explaining the updates from May receipts and payments highlighting (finally!) the receipt of the
VAT reclaim of £1,517.68. The Chairman did query the “Year to Go” amount of £1,032.32 for the
VAT reclaim and the clerk explained that this would be in respect of expenditure on the purchase
of the Plompton defibrillator and cabinet in 2024/25.
c) Annual Accounts and AGAR.
(i) Annual Governance Statement – Councillors had examined the Annual Governance Statement
prior to the meeting and were satisfied that the Parish Council’s system of internal control is
sound and fully meets all conditions of the Statement. It was therefore resolved to approve the
Annual Governance Statement 2024/25.
(ii) Annual Accounting Statements (AAS) – the Council’s Annual Accounts had been
approved at the Annual Parish Meeting and the clerk explained how the AAS was
compiled from the Annual Accounts. Councillors had no questions over the content
of the Accounts Statement and formally approved the AAS 2024/25.
Councillors confirmed that they were happy for the Chairman and Clerk to sign off
the AGAR, and Certificate of Exemption subject to audit. Councillors had no comments or
questions.
- Items for the next meeting
- Horsepond Beck – replacement of Cherry(?) Tree?
- Horsepond Beck wall – condition?
The meeting finished at 9.00pm
Date of next meeting – Thursday 10th July 2025, commencing at 7.30pm, at Follifoot Village Hall.