Present: Chairman Councillor B.Fisher; Councillors P.Lupton, A. Martin, Mrs.E.Bolton, and Mrs. U.Cansfield.

Apologies for absence from Councillors Mrs . A. Chetcuti.

County Councillor W.Brewis attended, also District Councillor Mrs.C.Bayliss.

Minutes: The Minutes of the previous meeting held on the 19 th February 2004 having been circulated, were adopted as a correct record.

Proposed Councillor Martin, Seconded Councillor Mrs. Bolton.

Matters Arising: new Bus-Stop signs and timetables are now in place near the Post Office and Memorial Bus Shelter. A new waste bin has been placed at the Post Office.

Chairman's Communications: a letter of appreciation received from a Parishioner acknowledging support by the Council and particularly Mrs Pam Hubbard for repairs to the Bridleway between Haggs Road and A658.

Matters concerning Plompton: notification received that funding is now available for the Rural Safety scheme – junction improvement and signing at Plompton Rocks, to go ahead in 2004. The diversion of Bridleway 50, adjacent to St James Park on B6164 has been confirmed by the Solicitor to the Borough Council. Notice of this has been posted on Plompton Notice Board.

Yorkshire Water: no recent developments to report to this meeting.

Village Clean -up (Litter Pick): to take place by volunteers organised by Councillor Fisher on April 18 th – start at 2.00pm. The necessary equipment to be supplied by the Borough Council.

Highway matters: potholes on Pannal Road adjacent to the By-pass have further deteriorated, and one on Collins Bridge on Rudding Lane has been reported. Collapse of the footpath on Pellentine Road and flooding at the Bus Stop are again complained of. These matters will be brought to the attention of the Highways Authorities with a request for urgent action. Notification has been received that due to lack of funding, the re-surfacing of Main Street, Follifoot will not now take place in 2004. Damage to the Village Green caused by recent electrical excavations has been re-seeded, and the Highways Authority has promised to monitor the progress of growth.

Proposals for Village improvements (at Rudding Arch and the Cricket Field): Rudding Estate have requested the opinion and possible support for extending the cobbled walkway from under Rudding Arch to the footpath near the flagpole, together with lowering the grass verges. The Parish Council would endorse this enhancement. A new roadway around the cricket ground will lead to a new car parking area, and Rudding Estate have offered to make an extended footpath from the car parking area through the woodland to Pannal Road, making a circular “concessionary” footpath, and this was endorsed by the Council. Rudding Estate has also offered some land for a children's play area, to the right of the Cricket Field. The Council supported the proposal, but agreed that further research into Health and Safety regulations, and Insurance and maintenance matters was needed. Councillor Fisher will start researching.

Finance: end of financial year accounts to be paid: -

¼ salary £250.00

Year's expenses £146.10

Hire of Village Hall £ 61.00

Magazine subscriptions £ 7.50

Clerks report and correspondence: circulars received and available for inspection – Rural Broadband; Harrogate District Plan (selective alterations); Procedures on mis-conduct of Councillors; Harrogate and District Community Plan; and Notice of Standards Committee meeting.

Planning matters: various decisions on recent applications were reported to the meeting, and a report on a verbal reply to the enquiry on several concerns re the conversion of the Old Chapel School Room to a residential property. This matter is in the hands of the Borough Engineers.