Minutes of meeting held on 1 August 2023 at Sinderby. Ref: 332

1.     OPEN SESSION:  nothing raised.

 

2.     PRESENT: Mr Ron Barker (Cllr & Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Cllr & Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (Cllr & Parish Clerk),  Mr Minty Scaife (Cllr), Mr Jim Wadsworth (Cllr). 

D Grubb (Minutes), Cllr D Webster (NYC),  Residents: Mrs A Harvey. 

APOLOGIES:     none


3.     MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (23 May 2023 - Minute Ref 331):          Agreed by all. Signed by Chair.


4.     MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

1.      Road Repairs in Pickhill: Work has been in progress since 10 July. Seems to be much more being done than originally envisaged. The top of hill approach has been widened, which has created a passing place, as the Parish Council had requested. Many positive comments regarding the work so far and the helpfulness of contractors in getting residents in and out of their properties during the work.

2.     Tree trimming at Sinderby: Mr Barker has got a second quote. Councillors would inspect the trees after the meeting (when they agreed the quote from Mr Holmes & that the weeping trees not to be trimmed).   

3.     Defibrillators:  Sinderby pads have been replaced; both units are regularly checked.            Noted.

         

5.     PLANNING:

1.     Miramar, Pickhill:   Application for a two-toilet block on campsite.                Agreed:  No objections.

2.     Charity Farm, Pickhill: Application for Lawful Development Certificate: Councillors unsure of the status of this property; the paperwork provided does not make it clear. No planning permission? Breach of restrictions such as agricultural ties?  Agreed:  Parish Council to confirm dwelling and poultry sheds have been there since 1960’s/1970’s.   Ask Planning to clarify property status. 

 

6.     FINANCE:

1.     Update: with the full amount of the precept paid in April, account totals £11,281, plus petty cash of £52.

2.     Mr Robson (Parish Church Warden) emailed requesting help with costs of grass-cutting in church grounds, currently over £1,100 a year.                                                          Agreed: donation of £250.                      3.     Mr Robson also wants to place a sign at foot of Church Hill (Vicar’s details/times of services). Clerk spoke to Planning, who ask for Mr Robson to email them a sketch with location, dimensions of board and its construction: they will advise if planning application needed.               Mr Robson has been informed.                                                                                                 


7.   PROJECTS / ONGOING ISSUES:

Pickhill Playground: A swing mount had loosened; repaired by Mr Barker. Climbing wall needs new section, removed due to rot; new nut covers, mats, etc.: parts only available from the maker, so usual two quotes not possible. Mr Barker asked Mr Clarke to order the parts. As Rospa report due September, councillors to meet on site to list necessary work.                    Agreed: expenditure for work needed.

                                                             

8.      CORRESPONDENCE - nil

                                                         

9.      COUNCILLORS REPORTS:

Cllr Webster:  gave a brief outline of the new Council’s seminars on Planning, IT, Economy, Energy, etc. The seven former district councils each has its own area Planning Office. Efforts being made to ease Councillors ability to “call in” planning applications where there are issues. There will be economies of staffing and accommodation as the new Council progresses. Some parts of Northallerton Civic Centre (former HDC offices) will be mothballed as some functions move to County Hall.                      Noted.

 

Mr Barker: reports that the stone village name signs at each end of Pickhill require power-washing due to moss & algae build up. Mr Barker offered to undertake this, for which he was thanked.             Noted.

 

Mrs Grubb & Mr Barker: The Strawberry Fayre on the Village Green, put on by Friends of Pickhill School, was very well organised, with good attendance despite poor weather on the day.                      Noted. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                         

10.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS:  none.       

 

               Signed:     RB Barker                                           Dated:  14 Nov 2023


Latest News

Agenda for Parish Council Meeting at 7.30pm on Tuesday 18 August 2026, at Pickhill School

August 9, 2026
Residents are welcome Councillors are reminded they must declare any conflict of interest on an item, where applicable.

Minutes of meeting held on 21 May 2026 at Pickhill. Ref: 349

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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