Minutes of meeting held on 3 February 2026 at Pickhill School. Ref: 346

OPEN SESSION: Mr Walker referred to potholes at the bend out of Sinderby towards Pickhill, and

                     a groove in the verge on Lowfields Lane, just after the school. Noted.              


1.   PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb  (also Parish Clerk),

                   Mr Jim Wadsworth. Also:  Cllr D Webster (NYC) , Mr D Grubb (minutes). Residents: Mr R Walker. 


2.    APOLOGIES: Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mr Minty Scaife


3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (4 Nov 2024 Ref 345) Agreed: signed by Chair.


4.   MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: nil


5.   PLANNING

                 (1)  Land off Sinderby Lane, Sinderby: proposal to demolish existing farm buildings and       

                       build new dwelling (consent previously granted to alter to a dwelling).    Agreed: No objection  

     (2)  Beechcroft, Pickhill: create annexe in existing outbuilding.                 Agreed: No objection    

                                                                                                              

6. FINANCE

                 (1)  Update provided on current account balance.

                 (2)  Highways seek confirmation of Parish Council once again mowing their splays.       Agreed.

                        Parish Clerk pointed out that Highways had not yet made payment for the 2024 season, after

                        invoices were submitted in March 2025. These have been re-submitted.                    Noted.

7. PROJECTS

               (1) Update on car parking improvement proposals for Pickhill: Mr Barker reported there are two

                     Types of grid matting – one lies on surface and grass grows through; the other – more expensive

                     option - is laid on hardcore with soil and grass seed applied into grid. He suggests that we level up

        with soil and then consider matting. The soil is available, just need volunteers with tractors/trailers.               .           

    (2) Update on litter and dog waste bins – Pickhill and Sinderby. The request for renewal/repair was

                    submitted in November. Still await response.   

                  

8.  CORRESPONDENCE (circulated to Councillors prior to meeting). Nothing requiring action


9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS

              Councillor David Webster reports the NYC budget debate would be on 13 February. There is a £42m

              loss of income due to agricultural changes and a £17m deficit on CARE and SEND costs. The savings

             from the new County have been absorbed and there is less coming from central government. Roll-out

             of new refuse collection arrangements is imminent. Local elections will be in May 2027. There will be

             boundary changes for our division (Bedale) to accommodate reduction of council seats to 89.

             In answer to a question from Mr Wadsworth, Cllr Webster explained the CIL payment rules and

            exemptions, for new build homes and policies for affordable housing and the Govt targets for housing. 


10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS

             Following on from the discussion re CIL payments, Mr Barker asked the Parish Clerk to check if           

             there were any outstanding payments due to our Parish, from recent building projects.

             

            Signed:     R Barker                                           Dated:       31.3.2026                

Latest News

August 9, 2026
Residents are welcome Councillors are reminded they must declare any conflict of interest on an item, where applicable.
July 27, 2026
OPEN SESSION : nil 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Minty Scaife, Mr Jim Wadsworth. Also: D Grubb (Minutes). 2. APOLOGIES: Cllr David Webster (NYC) 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (14 April ‘26 – Minute Ref. 348) Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 14 APRIL : 1 . Dog Fouling (raised in Open Session): Mr Barker referred to the complaint received at the previous parish council meeting. This was the only complaint on this subject raised in the past 12 months. The Parish Council still has spare signs from when they were placed around the village green. Agreed to look at placing additional signs; the Parish Council would not approach the school. 2. Crisis & Resilience Fund (raised at item 8): Parish Clerk reported that an information notice about this emergency funding source had been circulated via the Parish Council website, notice-boards and the villages on-line “Chatter” page, as requested by the Chairman. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Application: Sinderby Lane – proposed new barn & hardstanding . Agreed: no objections. 2. New Application: Low Ness Farm – farm buildings. Decided by Planning: no application needed. 3. Updates on Earlier Applications: Stannum Barn – plans for workshop now granted. Noted. 6. FINANCE: 1. Parish Clerk’s Update: Half payment received on Precept, other half will be paid in October. We have been advised the Parish Council is to receive a CIL payment of £5775.30 for the two new houses under construction in Sinderby. The Zurich insurance policy is due for renewal at £459. Zurich offered a cheaper on-line policy, but enquiries revealed that the zip-wire means we are not eligible for it. This prompted a cover review by them; as a result we have added the new goal posts, picnic benches, blue bench seats and playground fence – at no extra cost this year. Payment agreed. 2. Accounts/AGAR returns: to be posted on Parish Council website as required by regulations. Noted. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Car Parking . Mr Barker reported there were two types of matting. The best option would be mud control mats, but this would be around £12,000 (level area and lay mats). The cheaper mats require hard-standing beneath. Mr Barker has obtained samples of both but proposes the mud control type - much stronger, easier to install and grass will grow through, in time. We await hearing re the grant we have applied for towards the associated fencing. For next Agenda. 2. Playground: There would be a maintenance review this summer, prior to ROSPA inspection. 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting): Nothing requiring action. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Cllr Webster (NYC) has sent an update on current county issues: Attached as an appendix . Mrs Grubb: Mr Robson had raised the state of the road surface on Church Hill, breaking up. She will report it to Highways. Noted. Mrs Grubb: When a CIL payment is made, we get 15% and NYC get the remainder. Parish Councils who have registered a Neighbourhood Plan are entitled to a 25% share. However there is a lot of work required in preparing, finalising and having a plan adopted. She had a sample from another Parish Council. Noted. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS : Nil. Signed: R Barker Dated: 2 July 2026
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