13th November 2025
MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Village Hall on 13th November 2025
PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Cllrs A Dewsnip, C. Dickinson, T Hall, K Tharby and S Gallimore. Also in attendance M Richards (Clerk)
1. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from J Locke.
2. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest: None.
3. Public participation. No items submitted.
4. Minutes of the previous meeting on 9th October were proposed as a correct record by Councillor Dewsnip and seconded by Councillor Dickinson. The Chairman then signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising.
a) Telephone Box/Information Centre – water leak. The clerk will contact the village contractor to re-seal where necessary.
b) Bus stop car parking. The Chairman reported that the individual responsible now seemed to
be parking away from the bus stop. He will continue to monitor.
6. Planning
Applications Received
a) 25/03505/TPO – Works to 2no Cherry Blossom (T1 and T2) subject to tree preservation order
66/2023 Crown reduction (by 1.5m), lateral reduction (by 1m) to create distance from
telephone line, lateral reduction (by 3m) to clear from field, lateral reduction (by 1.5m) to clear
the road and car park and a lateral reduction (by 1m) to clear the trees of each other. Village
Hall, Tofts Lane, Follifoot.
The Chairman displayed the details of the application, affirming that this was a re-application following the refusal of the original. Councillors noted the comments of the North Yorkshire Council’s arboriculturist and his professional assessment, who had accepted the need for the works and it was agreed to SUPPORT the application.
b) 25/02768/LB – Listed building application for the installation of electric vehicle charger to the
front of the property, within the courtyard. (No. 3 Wingate Court already have the same, within
the courtyard) 1 Wingate Court, Roundabout to Braham Hall, Plompton.
WITHDRAWN
Noted.
c) 25/03526/FUL – Demolition of 1 & 2 Home Farm Cottages and the erection of a detached two-
storey dwelling. Home Farm Cottages, Rudding Park Home Farm and The Pheasantry Track,
Follifoot.
The Chairman confirmed that this is a planning application which replaces a previous Lawful Use application to convert & extend the existing properties. This proposal is for the demolition and re-build, rather than a substantial extension. He outlined the previous history of the property and setting showing the various structures and developments at Home Farm over time. He noted that the two cottages that are to be demolished are newer that the original farm buildings. Councillors agreed that the proposed new build, internally and externally, was a significant improvement visually, and resolved to SUPPORT the application. The Chairman also observed that there did not seem to be any intention of carrying out a bat survey, which he had assumed would have been a requirement? This is however, for NYC planners to decide.
Decisions
d) 25/02793/FUL – Pitched roofed rear extension with dormer to side, pitched roofs to existing front dormers and re-roof existing dwelling. Alveston, Main Street, Follifoot.GRANTED
e) 25/03234/TPO Fell 1 no Scots Pine (T1) of Tree Preservation Order 12/2007. The Chalet, 23 and 22 Hillside, Follifoot.
REFUSED
f) 25/03253/TPO – Crown lift (by 3.5-4m) with maximum pruning cuts of 50mm of 1no. Beech (T1) of tree preservation order 23/2021 T1. Rowan Tree Cottage, Pannal Road, Follifoot.
GRANTED
Councillors noted the above decisions and expressed surprise at e) but otherwise had no comments.
Other
g) Land to the south of Glenshee, off Spofforth Lane – Enforcement Officers had visited againand their initial assessment concluded that there was no additional breach of planning, but further consultations will follow. The Chairman confirmed ongoing support from the Parish Council to the landowner and neighbour should previous issues recur.
7. Chairman’s communications.
a) Litter pick – report. Once again, a very successful event with some 14 residents taking part.
The Chairman thanked all, on behalf of the Parish Council and our community, noting that 17
rubbish bags had been filled.
b) In memoriam – the Chairman reported that Unice Cansfield, a former Chairman of the
Parish Council, and Ceris Sladdin, had recently passed away. Ceris was a key member of the
project team that delivered the Follifields Recreation & Play Area in the village. Both individuals
had given great service to the Parish and he felt it appropriate that some form of remembrance
be instituted in recognition. Councillors agreed and Cllrs Dickinson and Gallimore undertook to
contact the respective families to discuss.
c) Gas structure on Plompton Road. It is understood that this appliance converts incoming gas
pressure for household use and is a replacement for the previous (smaller) version.
Neighbouring property owners were somewhat disconcerted by this development as a) there had
been no consultation with residents and b) there had been no planning application. The
Chairman commented that it was his belief that utility companies only required an appropriate
licence and did not require planning permission. There were however other issues such as
works in a conservation area and potential safety concerns to be considered. He will be meeting
with representatives of Northern Gas Networks and residents to discuss all aspects.
Other matters covered as part of the agenda.
8. Clerk’s correspondence
a) A request had been received (similar to last year) for a children’s Christmas Party to be held in Follifields in mid-December. Councillors agreed to the request, stipulating that the agreed conditions for use be strictly observed and a donation be made towards the upkeep of the play area. The clerk will notify the applicant accordingly, enclosing the PC’s bank details for the donation.
b) Communication from Monk Fryston PC, requesting support for a campaign to obtain approval from NYC for the installation of roadside Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs), which show actual vehicle speed as opposed to the NYC approved Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) devices, which only display the speed limit (eg 30mph) Councillors agreed with the sentiment and the clerk will notify accordingly.
c) A resident had contacted the PC with an enquiry relating to all aspects of the Planning Enforcement process. The clerk will forward the enquiry to the Enforcement Team and report the response to the resident and councillors (for information)
d) Moorland House pothole. The clerk has written to the property owner with a request for the details of the contractor who are believed to be responsible but has received no reply. He will therefore bring the matter to the attention of NYC Highways for their follow up.
e) Unofficial gate into Follifields – clerk to follow up.
9. Parish Matters
a) Plompton.
Cllr Hall advised again that i) whilst the drains on the A661 had been unblocked, those on
the “triangle” were in need of urgent attention. ii) the road surface on the A661 approaches to the
“triangle” entrance is in need of repair and the black and white marker posts at this location still
have not been replaced.
b) Village upkeep
i) “Kissing Gate” opposite the Church – in need of significant repairs. The clerk has contacted
the contractor who has provided an estimate of £315 for the work. Councillors agreed for the
work to be carried out and the Chairman will contact Rudding Estate who have kindly offered to
contribute towards the cost of the work.
ii) Street light at the top of Main Street. The Chairman noted that the light fitting had been
replaced with a new LED type but was not as yet operational. He will monitor and ensure
connection is made by North Yorkshire Council in due course.
c) 1st aid equipment
i) Bleed control kits – The Chairman had thanked Linda and Mark for providing the defibrillator
training in October and also for the donation of a Bleed Control Kit (now placed in the defibrillator
cabinet) It was suggested that a Bleed Control Kit should also be located in the Plompton
defibrillator cabinet. The clerk will arrange purchase.
ii) Defibrillator pads – the clerk will arrange purchase of 2 sets of spare pads, one for Follifoot,
one for Plompton.
d) Recycling – noted that new red top bins are to be introduced in the near future, for glass and
plastic. The existing blue tops will be for paper and cardboard.
10. Road safety
a) VAS Speed Sign – Cllr Dickinson reported that there was no real change in traffic speeds
data or average number of vehicles. As agreed, the device has been reversed to capture the
speeds of traffic exiting the village towards the A658 and it is interesting to note that in the last 5
weeks, only 4 vehicles have been recorded at exceeding 45mph. The Chairman suggested that
this arrangement should continue for the next few months and councillors agreed.
b) Haggs Road. The installation of the 40mph zone is still awaited. The clerk will contact
Highways to get a specific date for installation.
c) The clerk will contact the NYC Highways Safety Officer to enquire about the possibility of
creating a 20mph speed zone throughout the village and approaches in the area that is currently
30 mph.
11. Follifields
a) Equipment and general maintenance. The Chairman and Cllr Gallimore have produced a list
of the items and areas needing attention. The clerk and Cllr Gallimore will contact the respective
contractors to arrange for the necessary works to be completed. The “No Parking“ signs have
become faded – the Chairman undertook to assess the number needed (some have been
produced by residents) and inform the clerk, who will then arrange supply. The Community Day,
at which areas such as re-arranging the Willow Tunnel, will be addressed, has been deferred
until next Spring.
b) Grass cutting – the clerk was pleased to announce that the contractor’s rate has been
maintained at the current level for next year.
12. Finance
a) Review of finances, approval of expenditure.
. Balance at the bank on 13th November 2025 in Current Account £874.14 and Deposit
Account £28,328.90, total £29,203.04. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in
confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process. Monthly Reconciliation –
reconciliation as at 13th November was provided, with receipts and payments in the period
9th October to 13th November, reconciling to the account balances shown above. Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 3 amounts below for payment.
| Clerk’s salary | M Richards | £298.69 | Bank transfer |
| PAYE | HMRC | £199.12 | Bank transfer |
| Follifields grasscutting | S Bush | £92.40 | Bank transfer |
b) The Clerk briefly ran through the Summary and Cumulative budget statements explaining the
updates from October receipts and payments. Councillors had examined the budget
statements prior to the meeting and had no questions or comments, although the Chairman did
remind the clerk to adjust the Full Year forecast for Fundraising..
c) Commuted Sums. The clerk had circulated the sums available from this source and
councillors are to consider potential areas for this expenditure. However, before any decisions
can be taken, further clarification is needed on definitions of allowable expenditure and
definitions of potentially “defunct” sites. The clerk had made initial enquiries of NYC but a
detailed response is still awaited.
13. Items for the next meeting
No items raised.
The meeting finished at 9.10pm
Date of next meeting – Thursday 11th December 2025, commencing at 7.30pm, at Follifoot Village Hall.