FOLLIFOOT WITH PLOMPTON PARISH COUNCIL  

Minutes of the meeting held on 22 July 2010

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

Apologies for absence : Parish Councillors B. Fisher and E. Bolton, District Councillor C. Bayliss and P. C. M. Ayre.

1. Declarations of interest in items on the agenda : There were none.
2. Public participation session : There were no items for discussion.
3. Minutes of the meeting held on 24.6.10 : Having been proposed by T. Martin and seconded by N. Pettitt, the Chairman signed the minutes as a correct record.
4. Matters arising from the minutes :

•  Footpath, Guilder's Bridge : weedkiller had been sprayed onto the weeds on 21.6.10; if necessary, arrangements would be made to remove them once they had died back.

1. Chairman's communications :

•  Flagpole, Plompton Road : re-painting of the base was an outstanding item. The clerk would contact a local contractor for a quotation.

•  Rural Action Yorkshire : an article in a recent newsletter had described how some rural communities had accessed superfast broadband via NYnet and NextGenUS. C. Florance agreed to find out more about the initiative and report back to the Parish Council. It is possible that some investment from the community will be required.

1. Plompton : There was nothing to report.
2. Yorkshire Water : T. Martin reported that the odour monitors placed in the sewer outside The Radcliffe Arms, Rudding Gates and the school had been removed. An odour had only been detected in the sewer adjacent to the school. The monitors were to be re-installed on 23.7.10 for further tests lasting three weeks. In addition, recent heavy rainfall had led to foul water gushing up through the road surface outside Pear Tree Cottage, Main Street . This is a long standing problem. Yorkshire Water has been informed. It appears that remedial action is the joint responsibility of NYCC and Yorkshire Water. Action: T. Martin will report to the next meeting.
3. Telephone kiosk, Main Street , Follifoot : N. Pettitt has arranged to meet a local lawyer in the coming week to draft an agreement between the landowner and Parish Council. It is anticipated that any costs will be minimal. The clerk reported that as yet no ideas had been put forward for the future use of the kiosk.
4. Parish Charter : T. Martin is a member of the NYCC Local Access Forum where the possibility of developing a Parish Charter has been under discussion. It could be an opportunity for Parish Councils to have duties delegated by NYCC. Concern was expressed that Parish Councils might be taking on more than they could manage effectively. The question of whether funding would also be available from NYCC to run the delegated services was raised. This may be a matter for the Parish Council to explore further in the future. The current priority was working towards a Parish Plan.
5. Saxon Cross, Main Street , Follifoot : Contact with Harrogate Council indicated that repairs to the cross would be an appropriate use of commuted sums. As the cross is a Listed Building , advice was sought from the conservation officer about the materials that should be used. Action: Clerk to request a quotation from a local contractor.
6. Recruitment of clerk : There had been several expressions of interest in the post. Meeting to shortlist applications agreed will take place on 31.8.10.Interview date fixed for 2.9.10 prior to the Parish Council meeting.
7. Highways : There was nothing to report.
8. Finance :

•  Balance at the bank : £7,946.11 was in the accounts.

•  Request for authorisation of expenditure : £25 donation to Follifoot Church for its support to the activities of the Parish Council. Expenditure proposed by N. Pettitt and seconded by T. Martin.

•  Quarterly reconciliation : receipts and payments were checked against bank statements by C. Florance and found to be in order.

1. Clerk's report and correspondence :

•  Harrogate Borough Council's consultation meetings with Parish Councils : the date fixed for this parish is 3.2.11. Action: U. Cansfield agreed to represent the Parish Council. It was suggested that a discussion of matters that could be raised at this meeting be tabled for a Parish Council later in the year. The Chairman requested that colleagues ensure that information was circulated in a timely manner to facilitate the consultation process.

•  NYCC plans for dealing with non-recycled waste : letters had been received from Marton-cum-Grafton Parish Council highlighting the costs of the proposal and the potential for damage to health and the environment.

•  Safer neighbourhood team : the July crime statistics showed a rise in crime, particularly of burglaries as some properties were vulnerable in the warmer weather with doors and windows left open. Residents were urged to be more vigilant.

•  Papers received since the last meeting were circulated.

1. Planning :

•  Application 10/02919/FUL Follifoot Hall, Pannal Road Follifoot for erection of single storey extension. The Parish Council had no objections to the application.

•  No applications had been received since the agenda was compiled.

•  Outcome of previous applications : Approved : The Schoolroom, Plompton Road , Follifoot for single storey rear and side extensions with garage and carport. Withdrawn : Dower Cottage, Rudding Dower for conversion of garage to dwelling; Follifoot school for external canopy to rear, new playground equipment and re-location of existing equipment.

1. Date of next meeting : Thursday 2 September, 2010.