Council Minutes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 28 JULY 2005

Present : Parish Councillors U Cansfield, A Chetcuti, M Mitton, E Bolton, T Martin, B Fisher ( Chairman ); District Councillor C Bayliss; County Councillor J Savage; Police Constable M Ayre.

Apology : Parish Councillor B Butler

  1. Declarations of interest

There were none

Minutes of the previous meeting held on 23.6.05

Signed as a correct record. Proposed: U Cansfield, Seconded: E Bolton.

Matters arising from the minutes

Neighbourhood Watch – report on outcome of meeting held on 26.7.05. Attended by most street coordinators, T Martin PC Ayre and the Pannal area coordinator, M Asher. Generally a positive meeting, although dissatisfaction expressed with the Police ringmaster information system. T Martin to step down as area coordinator, his replacement sought either from existing volunteers or from an advert in the Parish Magazine. T Martin agreed to convene next meeting. P C Ayre commented that not all local crime was reported to the Police and referred to three cars being broken into. A possible cancer charity fraud had been reported. He stressed that shortage of manpower meant that only areas where crime was reported received a greater police presence in the form of increased patrols. An arrangement to bring the mobile police station to Follifoot would be made in the near future.

Street Light, Main Street

Seven residents in the immediate area were consulted and responses received from six. One raised objections, one could not see the need and four supported the proposal. The Parish Council were in favour of proceeding with the installation of a light and asked the Clerk to progress the matter.

Proposal for children’s play area

A 25% response to the letter and questionnaire recently circulated to residents. The Chairman reported that most appeared to be in favour of the plan.

The Parish Council clarified its position on the proposal as follows:

- it would give support in principle to the proposal

- it would consider making a donation to a trust when it was established

- it could not underwrite insurance cover

- it could not undertake risk assessments

C Bayliss suggested that when the committee was set up it should consult with Kirk Deighton play area for advice on how to proceed.

6. Benches owned by the parish

a) New benches - two ordered, one to be paid for by Rudding Estate. M Mackaness has agreed to arrange and pay for the installation of both.

b) Quotation received from Chris Taylor, joiner to repair four seats. The Parish Council agreed to accept the quote of £ 242.50. The councillors also noted that whilst safe, it would not be cost effective to repair two seats and so resolved to have a programme of replacement in future financial years.

7. Chairman’s communications

Ducks Nest Farm – he reported an invitation to visit this site where holiday units were proposed. The Parish Council had already received and commented upon the plans.

Open gardens day 7.8.05 – 600 tickets sold. The film set for ‘Barking’ would be left in place for the event.

Finance

  • Balance at bank – total of £ 7253.17 in the two accounts.
  • Request for authorisation of expenditure – actual cost of two items raised at last meeting: stationery £ 17.39 and grass cutting £ 30.14. Two further items: framing of limited edition plates for Village Hall £ 106.35 and stamps £ 10.08 A further invoice for grass cutting was expected before the next meeting.

Proposed: T Martin Seconded: A Chetcuti

  • Annual Return – contact from the external auditor requires further detail on valuation of Parish assets for the next financial year. External Auditor reported she would sign off the 2004-05 accounts. County Councillor Savage suggested the relevant NYCC department may assist with valuation of bus shelters, etc. Clerk to follow up.

Plompton

E Bolton reported that the new directional sign had still to be erected and that T Hall, builder had been approached. The Parish Council agreed to meet the cost of the work.

Clerks Report and Correspondence

A request for comment by Parish Council’s when planning applications were considered to be incomplete or of poor quality – Clerk will feedback any responses.

NYCC Area Committee for Harrogate District is seeking ideas about how to communicate better with Parish Council’s – Chairman to complete questionnaire.

Harrogate Council – training event for Parish Clerks and Chairs 28.9.05

NYCC proposed improvements to Harrogate/Wetherby bus route – plans inaccurate – Clerk return to officer concerned for amendment.

Various magazines, newsletters and documents presented for circulation.

Planning Matters
Applications received - Home Farm - build and re site dwelling, Beagle Cottage - change of use of land for siting of holiday cottage, Duck Nest Farm - convert outbuilding to 3 holiday cottages and replace others with 3 holiday cottages.

Appeal – against refusal of certificate of lawfulness to use caravan as dwelling.

Approvals – 9 Plompton Square – conversion and extension of buildings, Manor Fold – replacement UPVC windows and doors’ Burnison House – Extension and porch.

Refusal – Follifoot Ridge Farm – agricultural building.

Application not requiring Parish Council consultation – Follifoot Church – Pollard to 9 feet two yew trees in conservation area.

Matters discussed not on the agenda

County Councillor John Savage introduced himself to the meeting and explained that he had been on the NYCC since 1997 with a special interest in Social Services and now Economic Development.

The HaggsRoad/Spofforth Road junction proposal was raised and discussed together with the impact of the local haulage business’ lorries travelling through the village. J Savage agreed to look into both these issues and report back to the Parish Council.

Kitty Corner nature boards – T Martin brought some artwork the local schoolchildren had done for the project. It was considered to be of high quality, but too large for the purpose. A Chetcuti agreed to consider how to accommodate the work to fit the required size for a later meeting.

Date of next meeting

Thursday 8 September 2005 at 8 pm