Minutes of AGM held on 20 May 2025 at Pickhill School. Ref: AGM 25

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


Latest News

Additional Flying RAF Leeming 20 August to 2 October 2026

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

Minutes of meeting held on 2 July 2026 at Pickhill. Ref: 350

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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