Council Minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 20 OCTOBER 2005

Present : Councillors B Fisher ( Chair ), U Cansfield, T Martin, M Mitton

In attendance : P C Mark Ayre – for part of the meeting

Apologies for absence: Councillors A Chetcuti, E Bolton, B Butler, County Councillor J Savage

  1. Declarations of interest in items on the agenda There were none.

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 8.9.05

Correction – item 7 a) Balance at bank was £ 7388.62.

Minutes were signed as a correct record.

Proposed: T Martin Seconded: M Mitton

  1. Matters arising from the minutes

Item 6 - T Martin reported that he had raised the concerns re. parking arrangements for Village Hall events with the booking secretary. He was assured this would be noted for the future.

Item 6 – sight line at bottom of Main Street – the owner of the property has agreed that the trees may be cut back. B Butler will arrange to do this.

Chair agreed to consider item 8 at this point.

  • Neighbourhood Watch update – A meeting held on 22.9.05, attendance was poor. This was disappointing and it was not possible to appoint a new area co-ordinator. M Ayre stressed that part of the role of the street co-ordinator was to accept “ Ring master” messages from the Police. To encourage more resident involvement, it was suggested that M Ayre speak to two people who appeared reluctant to receive these messages, T Martin agreed to pass on their names.

It was noted that the mobile Police unit would be outside the Post Office from 5.30 pm on 2.11.05

There had been no reported crime in the Parish since 28.8.05.

The Chairman thanked M Ayre for attending the meeting.

Chairman’s communications

Report on training for Chairmen and Clerks held on 28.9.05 – this highlighted the need to make some changes to processes followed by the Parish Council e.g. declarations of interest – all councillors were provided with a booklet to clarify this. The Harrogate Council solicitor had stated that email was not a legally acceptable means of summons to meetings.

In future, a formally convened meeting was required to consider all planning applications and to comply with short timescales for consultation, it would be necessary to meet more regularly. The consensus was that all councillors could be involved in additional meetings with the quorum remaining at three.

A sentence to be added to future agenda to indicate that time would be allocated before each meeting for public participation to allow matters to be raised.

Standing Orders to be amended to reflect the changes.

  1. Street Lighting

M Mitton reported on his contact with two residents affected by the proposal. They remain opposed to the installation of a light in front of their properties. After some discussion, the Chairman proposed that the matter be deferred for a decision by the full Council. This was accepted. M Mitton was thanked for his report.

7. Additional Post box

A request made for a post box at the bottom of Main Street. Enquiries have been made and the matter referred to the Royal Mail collection planning team. A response awaited.

9. Parish property

Request to meet the cost of materials to paint or preserve benches plus hire of Village Hall for lunch break for the Probation Service work party was agreed in principle. Also agreed to add memorial ‘bus shelter plaque and seats, plus Parish notice board to the list of tasks.

10. Kitty Corner – new nature board

Artwork from Follifoot School pupils considered most attractive and suitable for display. Agreed that T Martin would obtain two quotations for display boards for consideration at a future meeting.

It was noted that the entrances to Kitty Corner became overgrown with weeds and it was suggested that a working party might be convened to clear the undergrowth.

Finance

    • Balance at the bank: total of £ 9293.29 in both accounts. Receipts include £2500 for second instalment of precept and £ 42.07 bank interest.
    • Request for authorisation of expenditure: W T Hall, builder - installing signage in Plompton - £ 29.38 ; C Taylor, joiner - repair of seats £ 242.50;

Mazar’s - external audit - £ 141 ; Harrogate Council - grass cutting x 2 £20.10. Proposed: M Mitton Seconded: T Martin

    • Precept 2006-2007 – The Chairman agreed to arrange a meeting with B Butler and Clerk to draft the budget for consideration and approval by the Parish Council at their meeting on 12 January 2006.
    • Valuation of parish assets – the councillors were pleased to accept the offer of an estimate of the replacement value of the two ‘bus shelters from a resident with relevant skills free of charge.
    • Internal Audit – letter received from P Carney following an audit of the first six months of the financial year. Greater assurance would be given if documentary evidence for the mileage rates claimed by the Clerk were provided. This has been done. All other systems were found to be in order.

Clerk’s report and correspondence

    • letter from NYCC re Haggs/Spofforth Road junction improvement – proposal is on Minor Capital Schemes reserve list and will be re considered for the next financial year. CC Savage to visit area with a Highways officer in near future.
    • Hillside road sign knocked over – reported to Harrogate Highways who will re instate.
    • Hillside - poor condition of road surface, especially around grids reported – NYCC Highways to be asked to inspect and rectify.
    • Food van off A661 near Wingate Farm – queries re. acceptability – NYCC Highways contacted - “will tolerate” such activity on public land as a service is being provided, officer checking with NYCC legal department whether site is public or private land.
    • Various reports and magazines for circulation to councillors.

Planning

Applications received since the agenda prepared :

Priory Lodge – 05/04914/TPO - fell 2 Acers and reduce 1 Acer within within group G1 of Tree Preservation Order group 01/2004 – no objections

Lido Caravan Park – 05/04874/FUL – conversion of agricultural building to form 3 short term holiday lets – no objections

Applications received in September 2005:

Larkin Lodge, Rudding Dower – side conservatory – no objections

OS field 8200, Thistle Hill – change of use of agricultural land to recreational, create 5 football pitches, car parking, build pavilion – objections on grounds of increased traffic, potential for further development in surrounding area and effect on rural landscape.

Approvals : ‘Summerfield’, Tofts Lane and 3 Pellentine Road - extensions; Follifoot Hall - conversion and demolition of offices; 12 Plompton Square – fell 6 Japanese cherry trees.

Refused : ‘Pinderpound’, Plompton Road – extensions.

Withdrawn : land to east of Home Farm cottages – replacement dwelling; land to NE Beagle Cottage – change of use/site holiday lodge; Ducks Nest Farm – create 6 holiday units; Follifoot Church – pollard yews; Lodge House, Follfoot Hall – rear extension.

Appeals : School Cottage , Rudding Lane – side conservatory – dismissed; Land to N of ‘Elm Gable’, Haggs Road – enforcement notice. Parish Council consultation not required : ‘Priory Lodge’, Plompton Road – remove 1 cupressus tree.

Date of next meeting – Thursday 1 December 2005