A meeting of the Parish Council was held in the Village Hall on Thursday 27th November 2003 at 8.00pm.

Present: Chairman Councillor B.Fisher; Councillors P.Lupton; B.Butler; Mrs.E.Bolton; Mrs.A.Chetcuti; and Mrs U.Cansfield. Apology for absence from Councillor A.Martin; and District Councillor Mrs.C.Bayliss. Police Constable Chidgey attended the meeting.

Minutes: the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15 th October 2003, having been circulated, were adopted as a correct record. Proposed by Councillor Lupton; Seconded by Councillor Mrs.Bolton.

Matters arising: North Yorkshire County Council have visited the site of the Bus Stop outside the Harewood Arms, and it is hoped they will supply one adapted to hold an up-to-date timetable. Information has been received that instructions have been given to improve the Post Office forecourt.

Chairman's communications: a new Bus Stop has been authorised where children can be picked up and dropped off away from the Village green. As a result of this, it was considered not necessary to proceed with any protection of the Saxon Cross. Appointment of the Parish Clerk – the post will be advertised again in the Parish magazine, and posted on the Notice Board.

Matters arising concerning Plompton: t ree planting - it was advised that application for grant towards the cost should be made in April 2004. A grant may be available from the “Woodland Grant Scheme.” Noted that salt/sand has been provided by The Highway Authority for the Plompton approach road.

Yorkshire Water: Councillor Fisher updated on a meeting with the Area Engineer, but no further action – at this stage – was proposed (by the Area Engineer) to deal with sewage smells near the Village Green and Pear Tree Cottage. The Clerk was asked to make Harrogate Borough Council aware of the potential long term problem in view of further development proposed at the Caravan site.

Local Councillors Association meeting: attended by Councillor Mrs. Bolton. The Meeting had been addressed by an Officer from the Borough Council on the subject of recycling waste. Points had been made about the dirty boxes, and the size of the bags for newspapers. Windy conditions also present a problem. All of these matters are under review to achieve maximum results for the recycling scheme.

Highway matters: reassurance has been received that if application for funding in 2004/05 is successful, Main Street in Follifoot will be re-surfaced, and not patched in damaged areas of the road. Quotations for remedial drainage work on the Haggs bridleway are being obtained by the County Council. Several Follifoot residents have received letters concerning overhanging tree branches, which may damage double-decker buses. Noted that brambles on the Pannal Road cul-de-sac have now been cut back, also roadside verges on the approach to the by-pass junction. After many complaints and eventual damage, the Street lights at the Paddocks junction is now being treated as a matter of urgency.

Finance: report by the Internal Auditor that the accounts to the end of September 2003 were satisfactorily recorded. Accounts and Report received from The Audit Commission auditors that the accounts 2002/2003 have been checked at a cost of £152.75p. Agreed that this be paid, also Grass cutting at £9.40p. Proposed; Councillor Butler, Seconded; Councillor Lupton.

Clerks report: noted ‘Ratcatchers' scheme by local Police. Received report on Future of Local Government in the Harrogate area; various CPRE publications; schedule of new Parliamentary Divisions – Follifoot will in future be included in Selby constituency; annual report of Yorkshire Rural Commission; and Council Performance Assessment of Harrogate Borough Council.

Planning: received for comment:-

Single storey extension to ‘Ailsa Craig,' Main Street, Follifoot. Comment made that roof should match neighbouring property.

Single storey extension to barn, and re-roofing of garage at barn at Follifoot Ridge Farm. Comment made that no case has been made for the extension, which would make a small barn into a large house in green belt area.

Concern expressed re tree felling at Hilltop House. The Clerk is to enquire from Planning Authority as the property is in the Conservation Area.