11th December 2025
MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Village Hall on 11th December 2025
PRESENT: Chairman N MacDermid, Cllrs A Dewsnip, T Hall, K Tharby and S Gallimore. Also in attendance NYC Cllr A Paraskos, M Richards (Clerk) and four residents (item 6d) only)
1. Apologies: Apologies for absence were received and accepted from C. Dickinson.
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 13th November were proposed as a correct record by Councillor Dewsnip and seconded by Councillor Hall. The Chairman then signed the minutes.
5. Matters arising.
Telephone Box/Information Centre – water leak. The village contractor had examined but could not find evidence of a leak. He suggested the water ingress could be behind black electrics box and would therefore require an electrician to inspect. The Chairman agreed to follow up.
6. Planning
For the convenience of the 4 residents attending, item 6d) (Gas Structure on Plompton Road) was discussed at this point:
The Chairman invited residents to outline the background to the issue with their comments and concerns. The large roadside structure had suddenly “appeared” without prior consultation or notification. It apparently is to replace the existing smaller similar structure located further down the road. The work is being undertaken by Northern Gas Networks (NGN) (a private company) and is in 4 stages, the first of which is locating the structure itself with no connecting pipework etc. This is the current position. Residents have met with NGN’s Project Manager who explained the reasons for the installation of this new structure and NGN’s protocols for the carrying out of such operations. Residents consider that a) the reasons for the replacement structure and b) adherence to company policies and protocols have not been met. Correspondingly, contact made with Head Office has brought about a (temporary) delay in progressing the works. Issues raised by the residents include lack of consultation with residents and the required contact with the Highways Authority, no consideration of works in a Conservation Area, lack of a planning application, and significant ecological and safety concerns. Lengthy discussion followed with councillors agreeing particularly with the safety concerns and the visual impact of the structure, although it was noted that planning approval is not required in these circumstances, but a licence must be acquired by the company undertaking the work. With regard to safety concerns, rather than merely installing a safety barrier with appropriate vegetation screening, residents suggested the structure be moved further down the road to a wider space allowing location well away from the roadside. Councillors agreed with this suggestion and the Chairman summed up by confirming that the role of the Parish Council would be to support the press for the re-location of the structure, working closely with residents in all communications and discussions with NGN.
The 4 residents left the meeting at this point.
a) 25/03882/FUL – Erection of single storey and two storey front extensions external terrace, alterations to fenestration and internal remodelling – Alexander House, Pannal Road.
The Chairman displayed existing and proposed plans. Councillors discussed and agreed there would be little impact on neighbouring properties and, as there had been no adverse comments from other consultees, it was agreed to SUPPORT the application.
b) 25/03572/LB – Listed Building Consent to replace existing non-historical windows and doors like for like. The Barn, Farrar Wood to Plompton Park, Plompton.
The Chairman displayed the photographic evidence and, as the windows were very similar to the existiting and other consultees (particularly Historic England) had not offered adverse comments, it was agreed to SUPPORT the application.
c) 25/04232/FUL – Proposed erection of 3no, dwellings, access, parking, landscaping and associated works. Land Comprising Field At 433407 452398 Pannal Road, Follifoot.
The Chairman advised that this application replaced the previous similar application for 4 houses which had been withdrawn. He displayed the plans and set out the details of the materials to be used etc. He observed that neighbouring houses are not of a uniform design or specification so the design of the proposed 3 houses would not be out of step. He also highlighted changes to the National Planning Policy Framework and the lack of a 5 year housing supply by North Yorkshire Council. Councillors discussed and agreed there was no problem with such in-fill development and resolved to SUPPORT the application.
Decisions
d) None. The clerk advised councillors however, that NYC Planning would no longer routinely advise parish councils of planning decisions. He would, however, use the facility on the Planning Portal to register for all planning decisions to continue to be notified.
7. Chairman’s communications.
a) Village Hall – future temporary arrangements.
The Chairman advised that the recent flood had caused permanent damage to the Village Hall
(particularly the flooring) and the substantial reparation works would take some 4-6 months. The
Hall will therefore not be available from this coming January and an alternative venue for Council
meetings is being sought. He has already met with the Rugby Club but due to probable cost and
its unavailability on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, it is likely that this option will not be
pursued. He is to discuss with Rudding Hotel the possibility of using various Hotel facilities as an
alternative.
Other items included as part of the agenda.
8. Clerk’s correspondence
a) A661/Plompton junction – resident communication.
A resident had emailed the clerk, expressing his concerns over the A661/Plompton junction. The
email included many of the concerns that the Parish Council has been raising with NYC Highways
over the last 12-18 months. The clerk included these comments in a further submission to
Highways and has received an acknowledgement indicating follow up action will be taken. He will
continue to monitor. In addition, the NYC Highways Safety Officer has responded to the resident,
suggesting that it may be possible to reduce the speed limit on the relevant section of the A661 to
50mph. The clerk will include this option in further correspondence to Highways.
b) “No Cold Calling“ signs – the clerk was pleased to report that the missing and faded signs had
all been replaced. A councillor also observed that some additional signs had been put in place.
Thanks were recorded to the NYC Officer for his thorough response.
c) NYC budget consultation.
d) Police/Fire Service precept consultation
The Chairman suggested that an individual, rather than a “corporate” response to both would be
appropriate. Councillors agreed.
9. Parish Matters
a) Plompton.
See 8a) above – hopefully the ongoing issues reported for the last 12-18 months, will now
receive attention from Highways.
b) Village upkeep
i) “Kissing Gate” opposite the Church – contractor has been authorised to proceed with the work.
ii) Roadside damage – Moorland House. No response received from the property owner. NYC
Highways advised, with a request to follow up.
10. Road safety
a) VAS Speed Sign – again there was no significant change in traffic speeds data or average
number of vehicles. Data will continue to be monitored.
b) Haggs Road. The installation of the 40mph zone is still awaited. The clerk will contact
Highways again to get a specific date for installation.
11. Follifields
a) Equipment etc maintenance – contractors instructed to proceed with works specified.
b) Hedge cutting – Radckiffe Close work completed, contractor to submit estimate for Park Side
hedge (on the Follifields side) and vegetation (brambles etc) clearance
12. Finance
a) Review of finances, approval of expenditure.
. Balance at the bank on 11th December 2025 in Current Account £191.53 and Deposit
Account £28,408.89, total £28,600.42. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in
confirmation, as part of his payment authorisation process. Monthly Reconciliation –
reconciliation as at 11th December was provided, with receipts and payments in the period
13th November to 11th December, reconciling to the account balances shown above. Councillors
then unanimously agreed the 6 amounts below for payment.
| Clerk’s salary + arrears | M Richards | £437.06 | Bank transfer |
| PAYE | HMRC | £205.50 | Bank transfer |
| Clerk’s exps + mileage | M Richards | £117.10 | Bank transfer |
| Defib pads | M Richards | £187.20 | Bank transfer |
| Village plants etc | C Dickinson | £126.81 | Bank transfer |
| Donation | Air Ambulance | £100.00 | Bank transfer |
b) The Clerk briefly ran through the Summary and Cumulative budget statements explaining the
updates from November 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 were to consider potential areas for this expenditure. However, on receipt of
definitions of allowable expenditure, definitions of potentially “defunct” sites and actual areas for
permissible expenditure, more consideration will need to be given. The Chairman undertook to
speak with Rudding Estate, regarding the possibility of a joint approach.
d) 2026-27 Precept and Budget. The clerk had circulated a draft calculation of probable income
and expenditure prior to the meeting, based on a “nil” increase in precept demand. However,
given the uncertainty over a number of factors, councillors thought it more prudent to opt for a
small, inflation-based increase, and a 3% increase giving a precept of £11,485 was agreed.
13. Items for the next meeting
No items raised.
The meeting finished at 9.30pm
Date of next meeting – Thursday 8th January 2026, commencing at 7.30pm. Location to be advised.