Council Minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 8 June 2006

Present: Parish Councillors U. Cansfield, E. Bolton, B. Fisher
(Chairman), T. Martin, B. Butler, M. Mitton and one resident

Apologies for absence: District Councillor C. Bayliss, P. C. Place

  1. Declarations of interest in items on the agenda

T Martin declared an interest in item 7 and would not participate in the discussion.

2. Minutes of the previous meeting held on 4.5.06 were signed as a correct record. Proposed: B. Butler Seconded: U. Cansfield

  • Matters arising from the minutes

Rural Safety Scheme - there was a query about the outcome of the application to alter speed restriction signs on Spofforth Lane. Letter received today indicated the works had been approved and work would start in due course. Letter circulated to councillors.

  • Chairman’s communications

Sewage discharge into the ditch beside Prospect Cottage. It is understood that a long standing concession is in place for this property to dispose of effluent into the adjacent ditch. Discussions with the Environment Agency indicate that samples of the ditchwater had been taken for analysis. A possible outcome was referral to Harrogate Council Environmental Health department. A resident/landowner had contacted the Chairman to express concern.

A request by a resident to have sight of the papers relating to agenda item 7 prior to the discussion had been declined.

Mayor making ceremony 9.7.06 – an invitation to attend received by Chairman – prior commitments mean that no representative from the Parish Council is able to attend.

  • Matters concerning Plompton

There were no matters to report.

  • Consultation: The Harrogate District Local Development Framework

Follifoot has been selected as a potential area for housing and business development up to 2021. It was noted that every householder had received a newspaper from Harrogate Council outlining proposals for change and requesting feedback. The Parish Council was asked to give views on whether the existing development limits drawn around the major settlement of the village should be extended. The questions were debated at length and the councillors resolved not to recommend extension of the development limit around a parcel of available land off Spofforth Lane ( RL25a - 0.8 hectare ) on the grounds of poor access and concern that there was potential for a large housing development that may destroy the present character of the village. Councillors took the view that smaller sites would be appropriate (T. Martin left the meeting for part of the discussion)

The councillors decided to recommend two proposed extensions to the development limit – one being the field behind ‘Glenshee’, Spofforth Lane and the second the part site of a former garage off Pannal Road. These would be incorporated into the new development limit proposal for consideration by Harrogate Council.

The Parish Council was unanimous in its opinion that all new houses in the village should be and remain affordable as there was no such provision currently.

There followed an exchange of views about the importance of open land in and around Follifoot. Clerk to collate information and forward to the Council as requested.

Other related consultation documents received today - The Core Strategy Development Plan (also available to view on line at www.harrogate.gov.uk/ldf) The reports to be circulated to councillors with a view to further discussion at the next meeting.

Noted that two landowners had put forward sites for consideration for employment or housing use. These were Haggs Farm Industrial Estate and Follifoot Ridge Farm Industrial Estate.

  • Finance:
    • Balance at the bank – Total £ 9094 .07 including two allotment rentals £ 40 and interest £ 38.49
    • Request for authorisation of expenditure: Subscriptions to Playing Fields Association and the Parish magazine £25 each.

Quotation of £ 100 to re frame Parish memorabilia from P & V Manning Framework was accepted.

Painting seats owned by Parish – difficulties reported in attempts to set up the work with the Probation Service – almost a year to date. Agreement given to seek quotation from local sources.

Proposed: B Fisher Seconded: B Butler

    • Internal audit – conducted for the financial year 2005-06 by P. Carney. He had written to confirm that finances had been dealt with in a satisfactory manner over the period.
    • Arrangements to sign off Annual Report for 2005-06. The statutory notice would be displayed from 3.7.06 and the Parish Council would be asked to approve the accounts at the meeting on 6.7.06.
  • Arrangements to co-opt a replacement Parish Councillor

Statutory notice did not result in a request for an election. However, two residents had now indicated an interest in becoming a councillor. The Clerk would clarify whether both could be co-opted and if not, then the Parish Council would arrange to meet each person to discuss their interest further.

  • Clerk’s report and correspondence

Information received since the last meeting was circulated.

  • Planning
    • 06/02244/FUL – Meadow Sweet, Tofts Lane,Follifoot – for first floor side and two storey rear extension. The Parish Councillors discussed the application and concluded that whilst they had no objection in principle to the extension of the property, they thought that its design was not sympathetic to the existing dwelling.
    • No further applications had been received
    • Outcome of previous applications – Approved: Town End House - for horse riding arena; Fields at Thistle Hill - for football pitches, etc (papers circulated for information); Brooklands, Follifoot - for felling trees. Refusal: Plompton Hall - for demolition of agricultural building and a replacement house (papers circulated)
11. Date of next meeting Thursday 6 July 2006