Council Minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOLLIFOOT WITH PLOMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 19 June 2008

Present: Parish Councillors B. Butler, C. Florance, T. Martin, U. Cansfield, S. Milligan, B. Fisher (Chairman) and two residents.

The Chairman welcomed Mrs. S. Milligan to her first meeting as a Parish Councillor. Mrs. Milligan duly signed the acceptance of office.

Apologies for absence: Parish Councillor E. Bolton and P.C. M. Ayre.

  • Declarations of interest in items on the agenda:

There were none.

  • Public Participation session:

There were no matters for discussion.

  • Minutes of previous meetings:

Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 15.5.08 were signed as a correct record by the Chairman. Proposed: C. Florance and seconded by B. Butler.

Minutes of the meeting held on 22.5.08 to discuss planning applications were signed by the Chairman as a correct record. Proposed: B. Butler and seconded by T. Martin.

  • Matters arising from the minutes:
    • Response from NYCC on road safety concerns. Main Street – following a request from the Parish Council, a speed survey had been installed. The results would be communicated in due course when any further action could be considered. Speeding vehicles on Pannal Road – discussions have taken place between Police and Highways in the past regarding the creation of a speed limit on this stretch of road but it does not meet the criteria for the introduction of a speed limit. The officer concerned has decided to add the location to the NYCC ‘matters to be investigated’ list with the possibility that additional signing and lining could be provided to raise awareness. It was noted that the horse that was killed on this road had escaped from its field and the incident had no connection with the nearby riding centre.
    • Report from P.C. M. Ayre on road traffic accidents – Haggs Road – after concerns were expressed by a resident about speeding vehicles on this road with the potential for serious accidents to occur, P.C. Ayre had obtained figures for the previous 18 months. There were 7 incidents, and 4 were classed as serious. One involved a vehicle trying to cross the A 658, another was off the Pannal Road and failed to give way. The remaining 5 included 2 drink drivers, a resident pulling out of their drive without looking properly, a vehicle hitting standing water and one driver citing speed as a factor when the vehicle left the road. It was thought that this level of incidents was unlikely to lead to NYCC to seek to introduce speed restrictions. The Parish Council also noted that the Highways authority had a system of prioritising roads to be gritted in sub zero temperatures.
    • Village working party – C. Florance reported that D. Watkin had agreed to design publicity material for this initiative.
  • Chairman’s communications:
    • The Chairman wished to record his thanks to T. Martin and B. Butler for planting the floral displays around the village namestones and at the Horsepond Beck. A rota would be devised for watering the plants.
    • Yorkshire Water – the Chairman and T. Martin had introduced a non toxic dye provided by the company into a drainage ditch on Pannal Road during recent heavy rainfall. It was evident that surface water was not entering the sewer but was conveyed in a separate pipe down the Main Street. It was also apparent that the gully at the bottom of the street had become blocked. The clerk was asked to contact Harrogate Council to request that it be cleared.
    • The memorial ‘bus shelter, Main Street – Councillor T. Martin had advised the Chairman that netting fixed to the rafters inside the shelter had again been damaged and seeds and water had been introduced. The Parish Council had put the netting in place after birds had migrated in an effort to protect the fabric of the shelter which also served as a memorial to residents who had died in the Great and Second Wars. The damage was held to be a disrespectful act by the perpetrator and a potential hazard. The Parish Council would arrange for the netting to be repaired for a second time. If further damage was done, the matter would be formally reported to the Police.
    • Open Gardens – arrangements are progressing and fourteen residents had agreed to open their gardens to contribute to the fund raising efforts.
  • Matters concerning Plompton:

There was nothing to report.

  • Highways:
    • Hillside – B. Butler reported that repairs had been carried out with the exception of the footpath outside number 13. The clerk was asked to contact Highways to request the work be completed.
    • Safety rails, bottom of Main Street – still not removed in spite of repeated requests. Clerk to contact Harrogate Council to request removal.
    • Lay-by, Plompton Road – clerk asked to contact Highways to request that gravel be stored in a continuous line to deter fly-tippers.
  • NYCC Local Access Forum:

T. Martin informed the meeting that he had been appointed to the Forum for a three year term. Its creation arose from the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 with a brief to consult all parties with an interest in the countryside. Forum members meet on a quarterly basis with a remit to hold NYCC to account and to follow up any suggestions from the public where practicable. The Forum is responsible for considering the needs of the disabled and of young families. An objective of the Forum is to establish stronger links with Parish Councils and to be open to any suggestions about projects for development. Councillor Martin reminded colleagues that in summer 2007 the bridge at Fulwith Mill was damaged in the storm conditions as were the stepping stones over the river Crimple to Colin Hill. Any ideas for projects locally would be welcome. The permissive footpath along the old railway line which tended to flood in heavy rainfall was raised and T. Martin informed the meeting that the landowner was considering solutions. The bridge over the by-pass was considered to be a safer alternative to the present public footpath across the road. T. Martin undertook to raise this matter at the Forum. The Chairman thanked T. Martin for his presentation.

  • Finance:
    • Balance at the bank – a total of £ 9,982.39 was held in both accounts. Receipts included a VAT refund of £ 148.58 and interest of £ 58.39.
    • Request for authorisation of expenditure – YLCA’s for a training course fee £ 35.25; Harrogate Council for grass cutting £ 55.93; Jesper’s for stationery £ 19.13; to B. Butler for gardening supplies £ 125.11; clerk’s salary for first quarter £ 724.42. Expenditure was proposed by T. Martin and seconded by S. Milligan.
    • Annual Return 2007-2008. The Parish Council resolved to approve the statement of accounts which was duly signed by the Chairman and the Clerk.
    • Annual Return 2007-2008 – the Parish Council resolved to approve the Annual Governance statement which was duly signed by the |Chairman and the Clerk.

Clerk’s report and correspondence:

A request for nominations for a casual vacancy to the County Area Committee for the Harrogate District was noted. Ballot for a Standards Committee representative - councillors decided on their nomination for co-option onto the committee.

Papers received since the last meeting were circulated.

  • Planning:
    • No applications had been received.
    • Outcome of previous applications – Appeal – Wingate Farm, Plompton to replace caravan with a house - dismissed. Withdrawn – Tennis Court, Follifoot for service road. Approved – Follybrook, Spofforth Lane for loft conversion; 16 Hillside to trim apple tree; 1-2 Manor Cottages, Main Street for 2 storey rear extension; Beagle Cottage, Follifoot for single storey rear extension and bay window. Objection made – by Harrogate Council for demolition of chimney at Follifoot Primary School.
  • Dates of next meetings: Monday 7 July 2008 to consider planning applications and Thursday 24 July 2008 for a full Parish Council meeting.