8th October 2026
MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL
Held in the Board Room of Rudding Park Hotel on 8th October 2026
PRESENT: Chairman N. MacDermid, Vice Chairman A Dewsnip, Councillors K.Tharby, T. Hall, C.Dickinson, J Locke and S Gallimore (from 7.45) Also present Cllr A Paraskos (NYC), Clerk M.Richards, and 2 residents.
There were no apologies for absence as all councillors were present
1. Declaration of Interest and Notification of changes in the Members’ Register of Interest:
None.
2. Public Participation session: No further items notified but see Matters Arising from Previous Minutes below at item 4.
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 10th September 2026. Proposed as a correct record by Cllr Dickinson and seconded by Cllr Hall. The Chairman duly signed the minutes.
4. Matters arising.
a) Formulation of a Sub- Committee (or Group) to consider how the ongoing sustainability of the village can continue in the face of the changing economic climate, an inevitable ageing population, and other factors. The Chairman invited Mr Simon Katte, the resident who had raised this issue at the September meeting, to outline his thoughts and proposals. Simon began by citing the Village Shop/Post Office, School, cricket club and pub as key features of the village, but consideration needed to be given as to how to ensure this was sustainable for the future. He had already approached a number of individuals in the village who had expressed an interest in joining a group with this express purpose in mind and was confident positive progress would be made. The next steps would be to ensure engagement with key stakeholders such as the school and cricket club, as well as Rudding Park and Rudding Estate. He hoped for an initial meeting of the group towards the end of October. The Chairman and councillors expressed keen support for the project but stipulated it should be separate from the Parish Council and involve younger residents but drawing on the experience of councillors and others. The Chairman thanked Simon for his input and welcomed ongoing contact between the Council and Group.
b) NYC Local Plan.
As recorded in the September minutes, NYC is conducting a consultation process on the establishment of its Local Plan. Briefings will be held and the Parish Council will be a consultee and will have the opportunity to comment on the draft Plan which is expected to take some 30 months to be completed. The “Call for Sites” will be an ongoing process and part of the Local Plan development and is likely to continue for some 18 months. The Chairman confirmed the Parish Council will respond to the development of the Plan as and when necessary.
Simon Katte left the meeting at this point – 8.10pm
5. Planning
a) 26/04303/FUL – Demolition of the existing chimney and skylight, and erection of a new dormer
to front elevation. Refurbishment of retained front dormer and construction of additional front
dormer. To the rear elevation, demolition of the existing dormer and construction of a new
dormer. Removal of existing mock Tudor boarding to front and replacement with render.
Alterations to fenestration. Rose Cottage, Tofts Lane, Follifoot.
The Chairman displayed the location and floor plans, noting that there were only minor changes
to the ground floor but those on the first floor had more impact visually. However, whilst these
changes were quite significant they did not have a negative impact on the environment and
councillors were quite happy to agree that a SUPPORT response be submitted.
b) Decisions – the clerk had not updated the Decisions Log. He will do so and circulate to
councillors. He also reported the Case Officer’s response to councillors’ queries regarding
Application 26/04544/OUT – the 2 access roads were required to facilitate bin collection, and the
land opposite the development will be maintained by a private management company.
c) Enforcement. The Enforcement Officer had investigated the alleged unauthorised use of 6
Plompton Square for commercial use and had been provided with evidence that the property is
not operating as a short term let. However, recent events seem to indicate a contrary view and
Cllr Paraskos is in contact with the Enforcement Officer.
6. Chairman’s communications.
a) Northern Gas Network (NGN) structure Plompton Road.
The Chairman updated councillors. The work is still underway but looks to be nearing completion – hopefully in a matter of weeks. NGN have indicated there should be no interruption in supply due to the “handover” but assistance will be provided to vulnerable customers if necessary. NGN will work with the village group regarding landscaping etc. The clerk confirmed the “compensation payment” of £250 from NGN had been received for previous issues with communication quality.
7. Clerk’s correspondence
a) Resident’s concern re tree felling and “Call for Sites” – a resident had emailed the Parish
Council and North Yorkshire Council expressing concern at tree works in the field behind Manor
Fold and the possible links with the “Call for Sites” initiative (ie land being identified for potential
housing development) The resident was also enquiring about the Council’s knowledge of previous
planning applications for this field and its intentions re the implications in the NYC Local Plan in
this regard. The clerk and Chairman will liaise in drafting a response to the resident covering
these points, particularly the Council’s role in considering and responding to all planning
applications.
b) Follifields “top hedge” – a resident had contacted the clerk asking when the top hedge would be
trimmed. In previous years this has been done at the same time as the Radcliffe Close hedge but
has been missed this year. In future, both will be done at the same time. The clerk will follow up
with the contractor.
c) “Let’s Talk Money” – the Chairman mentioned the email circulated to councillors inviting
comment on NYC’s budget proposals, asking what services and priorities are most important and
how the budget should be spent. The Chairman considered this to be a good opportunity for
councillors to have some influence on reflecting their and residents’ concerns and priorities to the
Council and encouraged councillors to respond.
8. Parish Matters
a) Plompton
i) Notice Board refurbishment.
Cllr Hall asked for an update as this is somewhat overdue. He suggested that an alternative
would be to purchase a new notice board even though this would be costly. The clerk responded
that he had just been informed that the notice board was virtually ready for re-installation – he will
chase up.
ii) A661 – marker posts still not re-installed. Clerk has reported directly to the relevant officer. He
will keep pressing for action. Cllr Paraskos noted.
b) Village upkeep.
Follifields – all in hand, but the clerk will continue to monitor progress.
c) Cllr Dickinson reported that the bench on Rudding Lane/bypass corner had collapsed. The
Chairman had also noticed and will provide the clerk with the What3Words location for follow up.
d) Cllr Dewsnip had noted that the verges on Haggs Road where the picket fence and 40mph
signs are located, were being maintained by local residents. The Parish Council expressed its
thanks to the residents for their actions. Cllr Dewsnip also suggested that speed pipes be
installed again at this location to compare current traffic speeds with those recorded before the
implementation of the 40mph limit. Councillors agreed and the clerk will make the necessary
arrangements.
e) A resident had reported the absence of reflector posts on the A658 junction with Pannal Road
(entrance to the village) This has been reported some time ago but with no response from
Highways. The clerk will report again.
f) Cllr Dickinson had commented previously about 2 exterior chairs which were to be installed in a
location to be discussed with Rudding Estate (the Chairman will provide the clerk with the What3
Words location)
g) Village Hall update. The Chairman confirmed the new oak flooring is now installed and needs
sanding and sealing. The new kitchen installation is very well advanced and it is very hopeful the
full major refurbishment project will be completed by the end of October. The Village Hall can
then be brought back into use in early November. Exact date TBC.
h) Phone box/Information Centre. Cllr Locke’s son had inspected the apparently failed light bulb
but concluded that it appeared to be an interruption in electricity supply. He is investigating
further.
9. Traffic calming
VAS. Cllr Dickinson is continuing to monitor. The last month’s data has shown the average
number of vehicles to be “normal” at around 4,000 per week. Speeds below 35mph had improved
and there were no examples of >55mph. The Chairman thanked Cllr Dickinson for his continuing
involvement.
10. Follifields
a) Maintenance – all jobs in hand with the two contractors.
b) Rubbish bin. Cllr Locke had met with NYC staff to discuss the installation of a new bin. It is possible to install a new bin next to the existing bin but this would be at a cost of some £500, plus the cost of preparation (hedge removal, construction of base) An alternative would be an increase in the frequency of collections (at no cost to the Parish Council) Councillors will consider the best option.
c) Entrance gate. Cllr Gallimore reported that the spring closure on the gate was either broken or detached. The clerk will contact the local contractor and request urgent action to rectify.
d) Goal nets. The clerk is still trying to identify a supplier of custom size nets as the previous supplier no longer exists.
e) Signage. The “No Parking” signs need replacing. The Chairman will assess what is needed and the clerk will arrange (as well as one for “No drone flying from Follifields” – wording to be agreed)
11. Finance
a) Balance at the bank on 8th October 2026 in Current Account £1,006.82 and Deposit Account£28,216.08, total £29,222.90. Bank statements to be initialled by the Chairman in confirmation, aspart of his payment authorisation process.
Monthly Reconciliation – reconciliation as at 8th October was provided with receipts and payments in the period 10th September to 8th October 2026, reconciling to the account balances shown above at a) Councillors then unanimously agreed the 4 amounts below for payment.
| Clerk’s salary | M Richards | £308.25 | Bank transfer |
| PAYE income tax | HMRC | £205.50 | Bank transfer |
| Room hire | M Richards | £25.00 | Bank transfer |
| Radcliffe Close hedge | L Sadler | £350.00 | Bank transfer |
b) Monthly budget statement. The clerk briefly ran through the Cumulative and Summarystatements, confirming all recent amendments had been accounted for and the budget would be closely monitored as before. He confirmed receipt of the 2nd part of the precept of £5742.50.
12. Items for next meeting
None reported.
13. Councillors recorded their thanks to Rudding Hotel for the provision of a meeting room and services, in the lengthy period of the unavailability of the Village Hall. The Chairman will write formally to the Hotel, expressing his thanks and gratitude on behalf of the Parish Council.
Date of next Parish Council meeting: Thursday 12th November 2026 at 7.30pm at the Village Hall (unless notified to the contrary)