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 24, 2026
A message from RAF Leeming: RAF Leeming will soon be entering a period of exercise hosting, during which there will be additional jet and helicopter movement. The local community can expect increased flying from 20 August to 2 October - including some night flying. We understand that Exercises can cause disturbance to the local community, and endeavour to minimise low and late flying in particular. Norma Grubb, Clerk to the Parish Council, 15 August 2026 Email: clerk@pickhillandsinderbypc.co.uk
August 24, 2026
OPEN SESSION : Mrs Clarke – re anaerobic digester for Low Ness, she did not object to the project, - her concern is the junction of A6055 with site access road – danger from heavy traffic turning. Would Highways be involved and are alterations proposed for the junction? Mr Trewhitt, from Low Ness, understands traffic consultants are involved. The company leading the proposals, Engie, are sending leaflets to all residents and holding a public consultation at Carthorpe on 16 July. Mr Barker pointed out the site itself and the junction, are in Burneston Parish, and residents may wish to make representations to them. Mrs Clarke gave her thanks and then left the meeting. 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk). Also: D Grubb (Minutes). Residents: Mr & Mrs Trewhitt, 2. APOLOGIES: Mr Minty Scaife, Cllr David Webster (NYC). 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (21 May ‘26 – Minute Ref. 349) Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES : Church Hill – road surface: Parish Clerk is liaising with Highways. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Application: Scarborough House Farm: proposed new farm building . Agreed: no objections. 2. New Application: Broadlea, Pickhill: proposed additional bungalow as part of existing development. Noted that the application is based on 2019 planning, granted to convert existing bungalow into semi detached dormers. However in 2024 permission was granted to demolish existing bungalow and build two detached dormers. Agreed: No objection to new application. 3. Pre-Planning Consultation: proposed agricultural anaerobic digestion facility on land off the A1(M) at YO7 4LJ: land at Low Ness Farm. Whilst Low Ness is in this Parish, the digester site is just in Burneston Parish, as is the access road and junction with A6055. Public consultation session at Carthorpe on 16 July. Parish Councillors can access a separate Zoom facility,plus a site visit can be arranged with Mr Trewhitt direct. Noted. 4. New Application: Ramshaw Farm, Pickhill: change of use – agricultural land to dog exercise/training area, plus create caravan storage compound. Agreed: No objection. 5. New Application: (received that day) : Scots Dene, Pickhill: convert integral garage into liveable room. Agreed: No objection. 6. Updates on Earlier Applications: none. 6. FINANCE: 1. Parish Clerk’s Update: Mrs Grubb clarified issue from last meeting re grasscutting bill. The invoice for 2025 growing season was only received on 14 April 2026 so is in the 2026/27 accounts. Noted. 2. Financial records for 2025/2026: have been posted on the Parish Council website. Noted. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Car Parking Improvements at Pickhill: Mr Barker reported that multiple tons of soil had been placed and levelled on the site in the past week. Now to be harrowed and grass seeded. Samples of the two types of surface grid were examined. Agreed: heavier type to be ordered. 400sq meters = approx £12,000 plus VAT. (VAT is recoverable). Mr Barker to get the final figure and circulate it. Parish Clerk has received offer of £300 grant from NYC towards the fence. It was proposed this fence should go length of the site; creosoted posts 7ft 6in, finished fence height at 4ft. Agreed. Revised fence specification. Parish Clerk to obtain quotes. Mr Clarke said that Mike Barker had provided extended use of a large excavator for the site and should be offered something towards the substantial diesel costs. The Chairman suggested Mike would be happy with written thanks from the Parish Council. Parish Clerk to deal. The work had unearthed a long time buried roadside drainage grate at the corner of Church House garden wall. It is full of soil/debris and requires clearing. Parish Clerk to contact Highways. 2. Playground: Mr Barker will carry out maintenance review, prior to ROSPA inspection due September. 8. CORRESPONDENCE : (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting): 1. Email from Sinderby resident re a public health issue . Environmental Health at NYC had been contacted. Mr Barker & Mr Clarke have arranged to speak to the agent for the land concerned. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Mr Clarke: The seat around the Lime tree on Pickhill Village Green is obstructed by new growth. Could this be trimmed back? Agreed: requires trimming. Mr Barker to contact usual contractor. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS : Nil. Signed: R Barker Dated: 18/8/26 New Paragraph
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