Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 6 July 2006

Present: Parish Councillors B. Butler (Chair), U. Cansfield, T. Martin, M. Mitton, C. Florance. P.C.’s Mick Place and Alex Sellers

Apologies: Parish Councillor B. Fisher, E. Bolton

1. Declarations of interest in items on the agenda

There were none.
Co-option of new Parish Councillor
Charles Florance was co-opted onto the Parish Council

Proposed: B. Butler Seconded: U. Cansfield
He duly signed the acceptance of office

1. Minutes of the meeting held on 8.6.06
   These were signed as a correct record

Proposed: M. Mitton Seconded: T. Martin
Matters arising from the minutes

U. Cansfield reported that a resident had sought clarification from her about the location of one of the sites proposed for development by the Parish Council in the Local Development Framework consultation.

1. Chairman’s communications

• Burglary on the Paddocks. A house had been entered car keys, car and electrical goods stolen on 4.7.06. The offence was thought to be attributable to windows left open in the hot weather. P.C. Place commented that this was a ‘Hanoi’ style crime usually committed by teams from Leeds or the N. E. He advised that residents should conceal their keys, wallets, etc as a preventative measure.
• Litter Pick - A resident in Manor Fold had made further contact with the Chairman by email to state that he was dissatisfied with the response he had received from the Parish Council and also with the way the matter had been minuted. He was minded to complain to the District Council. Following a discussion of the issues, the councillors concluded there was no further action they could take.

1. Matters concerning Plompton
   There were none to report.

1. Highways:

• Condition of road surface on Spofforth Lane – Clerk reported that she had contacted NYCC Highways inspector who stated he was to visit the site and would arrange for a repair to be made. It was noted that a pothole had been repaired. The condition of the road would be monitored.
• Other matters relating to Highways – a complaint received from a resident that dog walker’s cars parked at Grimbald Bridge were encroaching on the highway. P. C. Place agreed to look at the situation.

Cars parking on Main Street – access was extremely difficult for drivers of buses and HGV’s at times. C. Florance reported that the school governor’s planned to write to all parents following concerns expressed by residents about restricted access at the beginning and end of the school day. P. C. Sellers informed the meeting that it was likely that the solution to the problems may lie in restricting parking to one side of the street. This was now the responsibility of Highways, not the Police. At this time, councillors expressed a reluctance to follow this course.

In response to a question relating to parking along Pellentine Road, P. C. Place stated that it was illegal to park within 25 yards of a road junction.

Speeding – this had been raised as a problem by one resident. Monitoring vehicle speed was initially the responsibility of Highways who could install a device on the road. If compliance with speed limits was not generally observed, the Police would become involved.

P. C.’s Place and Sellers were thanked for attending the meeting.

1. Finance;
   a) Quarterly reconciliation of accounts as required by the revised insurance policy – cheque, receipt, paying in books and bank statements were examined. The reconciliation was approved by the councillors. Proposed: M. Mitton Seconded: T. Martin

Balance at the bank = £9069.07p
Request for authorisation of expenditure – Clerk’s salary for first quarter - £616.87p; P & V Manning for re-framing Parish Council memorabilia - £117.50p; Harrogate Council for grass cutting ( for 3 months) - £135.47p. Proposed: M. Mitton Seconded: T. Martin

Quotation for painting Parish Council benches – two local quotations sought, one declined and the second quoted £ 491.40p. With an amendment to the treatment of two new benches with oil rather than preservative, the councillors resolved to accept the quotation.

• Annual Report – the councillors considered the report and made the following resolutions:

• to approve the statement of accounts for 2005-06
• to approve the statement of assurance

The Chairman of the meeting and the Clerk duly signed the documents as required.

• Continuation of banking with HSBC – councillors resolved to continue

the existing banking arrangements and the Chairman of the meeting and Clerk signed the new bank mandate as required.

1. Recent works to local ‘bus stops – Clerk had made efforts to contact the responsible NYCC officer by ‘phone and had finally written to express the views of the councillors that much of the works appeared to be unnecessary and unsightly, especially on Main Street and requesting that steps be taken to remedy the situation. To date, no reply had been received, but the matter would be followed up. The Parish Council view had been clearly expressed.

Parking at ‘bus stop, top Main Street – further complaint received from a resident re. difficulty in getting on the ‘bus at times when cars are parked at the stop. Investigations suggested that the erection of a ‘no parking’ sign had to be supported by restricted parking lines on the road. No action would be taken at this time and the situation would be monitored.

1. Clerk’s report and correspondence
   Allotments – complaint received from a resident re. the condition of one of the plots. The matter was discussed together with the terms of the tenancy agreement. The councillors resolved that the tenant should have written notice of three weeks to improve the state of the plot before further action was considered.

Harrogate area conservation grant scheme – papers circulated at the last meeting and displayed on the notice board – clerk asked to investigate availability of funding to renovate the War Memorial in the top ‘bus shelter.

Papers received since the last meeting were circulated.

1. Local development Framework
   Consultation on site options for housing and employment land outside the major settlement of Follifoot. The Parish Council considered two proposals: Follifoot Ridge Farm Business Park – the Parish Council‘s view was that the existing development limit for the site should not be enlarged as it could impact negatively on the adjacent small residential settlement and riding establishment. Any further development or activity within the limits should be compatible with its rural location.

Haggs Farm Business Park – this was just outside the Parish, councillors took the view that the site should not be extended beyond its current limits but buildings that were unused could be utilised for businesses. It was thought inappropriate for development to encroach into the surrounding countryside. It was noted that there was no access to this site by public transport and that this was a criterion for development in the Council’s strategy.

1. Planning
   No applications had been received for consideration.

• Outcome of previous applications – Meadow Sweet, Tofts Lane, Follifoot for side and rear extensions – refused; notice of diversion of public right of way – Bridleway 50, Knaresborough.
• Additional meeting to consider planning applications was fixed for MONDAY 24 JULY 2006 ( now cancelled )

1. Date of next meeting
   Decision to change the date from Thursday 10 August to 3 AUGUST 2006