Pickhill with Roxby & Sinderby Parish Council 

OPEN SESSION: A resident raised an issue re the number of dog walkers who do not clean up dog poo around Pickhill. He felt there was a need for community involvement, such as the school - might want the children to be involved in raising awareness, such as by designing posters to encourage cleaning up by dog owners. He was happy to laminate them. Also could poo bag dispensers be provided? Mr Barker advised that this was an issue for Parish Council’s everywhere. In the past, dog wardens have patrolled the villages, but with little success. The Parish Council has put up several notices asking owners to clean up after their dogs. Mrs Grubb said there are numerous dog poo bins around the villages. She had recently asked for some of these to be replaced and additional bins installed. To be placed on next Agenda. 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Jim Wadsworth. Also Cllr D Webster (NYC), D Grubb (Minutes), Two residents. 2. APOLOGIES: Mr Minty Scaife. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (31 Mar 2026– Minute Ref. 347): Agreed. Signed by Chair. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Item 6: Mr Clarke had confirmed the Church grass was still being cut by Stuart Boynton. There had been a question over whether he would be able to continue which had prompted Mr Robson to seek the NYC quote, but that was prohibitive. In the mean-time Mr Clarke proposed the Parish Council support the Church with these costs, as in past years. Agreed: Donation of £300. Mr Robson had also referred to debris accumulating in the beck, at the bridge grid. Mr Clarke will deal. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Application: Stannum House, Pickhill – timber framed workshop. Agreed: no objections. 2. Earlier Application at Brooklyn, Pickhill. Parish Council objections sent to Planning on 1 April and architects submitted amended plans on 10 April. Mr Barker noted these showed the ground floor extension had been reduced slightly at front and rear. Changes to dormers included opaque, non opening windows. This addresses Parish Council objections. Agreed: P/C will lift its objection if consulted. (Note: Not further consulted but application granted 20/4 based on amended plans. 3. Earlier Application at Beechcroft, Pickhill (annexe): now granted by Planning. Noted. 6. FINANCE: 1. Parish Clerk’s Update: The draft balance sheet for year ending 31 March 2026 was presented. Invoice received for Pickhill grasscutting in 2026 growing year... (£1,970). Cheque signed. 2. AGAR: Applying for exemption from central audit of accounts 2025/26. Discussed.... Agreed. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Car Parking. Plan to improve parking on the area in front of Church House by levelling, put down grid mats, erect a fence along the back edge. Could accommodate 20 extra cars. Mr Clarke advised the Water Board have a 9 metre way-leave either side of the beck, so consent needed. Mr Barker and Mr Clarke to meet on-site to confirm measurements & draft application. Mr Barker felt volunteering farmers may have to be offered some diesel costs, in current fuel crisis. Cllr Webster advised of locality budget grants for 2026/27. After discussion.... Agreed: apply for grant towards fence costs. 2. Litter & Dog Waste Bins: No progress so far, since request submitted. For next Agenda. 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting): Nothing requiring action. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Cllr Webster (NYC): Central government had allocated 8% of the highways budget to the Mayor of York & North Yorkshire, resulting in NYC having a £20m reduction of that budget over the next 4 years. The new bin re-cycling arrangements have been rolled out in Malton – lessons learned, which will benefit the imminent roll-out in Richmond/Northallerton. Changes to government funding for rural support, Fairer Funding Formula and National Insurance come to 42m reduction, leaving NYC with a £17m budget deficit. Mr Barker: a NYC circular highlights the Crisis Resilience Fund, aimed at helping those in difficulties due to heating oil increases etc., in the current fuel crisis. He asks for details to be made available to residents. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Nil. Signed: R Barker Dated: 21 May 2026

1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker, Mr Graham Clarke, Mrs Norma Grubb, Mr Minty Scaife, Mr Jim Wadsworth. Others: David Grubb (Minutes). Residents: Mr R Walker. Mr B Lane, Mrs J Powlaw. 2. APOLOGIES: Cllr David Webster (NYC). Mrs A Harvey. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF PREVIOUS AGM - 28 May 2024 Agreed and signed by Mr Barker. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Mrs Grubb advised that the Planning Appeal mentioned at the 2024 AGM had been allowed by the Secretary of State’s Planning Inspector. 5. PARISH CLERK’S REPORT: Mrs Grubb advised the accounts for year end 31 March 2025 had been audited by Mr Chris Robson. She presented a balance sheet and gave some background to the item of income referred to as “CIL” (Community Infrastructure Levy).... In 2021 the Parish Council believed they had been entitled to receive the levy for three new houses built behind the Nags Head. The then District Council maintained we were not. Earlier this year the new North Yorkshire Council (NYC) agreed we were entitled to it, a total of £3,918. She explained some items of expenditure - playground maintenance, (nuts, bolts, timber and paint), defibrillators (battery & pads) and a donation to the Church towards their grasscutting. 6. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT: Mr Barker said the Pickhill Playground renovations were ongoing. It is well used by the community and the past year has seen the school also using the facilities during playtimes, in conjunction with their own equipment inside the school grounds. The playground is inspected annually by ROSPA who provide a comprehensive report. There is always work to be done and one issue identified was that our signage no longer meets current legislation, but a new sign had been ordered. There is an ongoing issue with vehicles driving and parking on Pickhill village green, particularly at school pick-up time and this causes damage. New signs are being placed to try and counter this. The Parish Council has some new seating on order to place on the village green at Pickhill and we are again grateful to Cllr Webster for a grant towards that improvement. We had an issue over the past year regarding the Parish Council’s contract with NYC for cutting grass in Sinderby. They initially tried to charge us for cutting Sinderby Green, but as it is owned by NYC, they had to concede we were not liable. They were also charging the Parish Council for cutting the verges in Sinderby, but a review revealed these were being cut by residents, not the Council, so the whole contract for Sinderby has now been voided. We are grateful to Cllr David Webster for intervening in the matter. Mr Barker concluded by saying he would be asking for volunteers to help with maintaining the Playground. Mr Clarke added that the school have sent their thanks for allowing them use of the Pickhill playground and this had helped them win an award. He also said that Mr Barker is too modest as he does a lot of work on improving and maintaining the playground. 7. OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 2024/2025: Election of Chair: Mr Barker was proposed by Mrs Grubb and seconded by Mr Clarke. Elected. Election of Vice-Chair: Mr Clarke, proposed by Mr Barker and seconded by Mrs Grubb. Elected. Appointment of Parish Clerk: Mrs Grubb was re-appointed, in tandem with her role of Councillor. Mr Grubb agreed to continue taking the minutes. Both were thanked for their work. 8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Tree damage on Street Lane – deferred to Parish Council meeting to follow. Signed: R Barker Dated: 21 May 2026