Minutes of meeting held on 1 November 2021 at Sinderby. Ref: 320

1.  PRESENT:  Mr Graham Clarke (Chairman), Mr Ron Barker (Vice Chairman), Mrs Norma Grubb (Parish Clerk), Mr Minty Scaife, Mr James Wadsworth.           David Grubb (Minutes).       Residents: Mrs Anita Harvey         

 

2.  OPEN SESSION:  Residents welcomed for first time since February 2020. Mr Clarke raised two issues on behalf of others: 

     (1)  speed of vehicles in Pickhill village. Discussed at length.                                       Agreed: to monitor issue.

 

     (2)  dog fouling on Pickhill Village Green – good discussion. It was pointed out that even if deposits were collected into a poo bag, a residue will be left on the grass with consequent risk of parasites passing to children subsequently playing there. Agreed: mount signs to encourage owners to stop their dogs fouling on the green. Mr Scaife kindly offered to source these.   

 

3.   MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (28 June 2021- Minute Ref. 319):  Agreed by all / signed by Chairman.

                                                                                                                 

4.   MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:


(1)   Road Maintenance Street Lane - potholes temporarily filled over the summer, though some still left. A suggestion from Highways staff that part of Street Lane may be re-surfaced in 2022. After discussion -

Agreed:  Parish Clerk to write to Highways on three issues for Street Lane (from Cross Lane into Little  Pickhill) - deal with standing water, widening and create passing places at the narrow points.


(2)   Playground upkeep - following the Oct 2020 Rospa report, an action plan was drawn up and a local firm  engaged to do the work. They did repair the fencing and gate, but in the Spring said they were unable to meet Health & Safety Regulations re working in the play area. Members of the Parish Council had agreed they would do what repairs they could themselves over the summer and substantial progress was made.

                 Agreed: Parish Council to await 2021 report, and seek quotes for identified essential work.

 

(3)   Annual General Meeting – the 2020 and 2021 AGM’s were postponed due to Covid restrictions. 

                                                                     Agreed:  23 May 2022 pencilled in as possible AGM date.   


5.  PLANNING          \

(1)  Planning updates since last meeting in June 2021: 

 Pickhill:  Rear of 1 The Cottages,  Middle Park Farm and 31 Melltowns Green, had all been granted.  Pickhill Cottage (demolition and       replacement dwelling) -  planners decision awaited.   

Sinderby:   West Garth  (construction of farm workers dwelling) also awaiting decision.   


(2) 31 Melltowns Green:   Mr Clarke had been approached about the Parish Council giving support for a tree preservation order on the       sycamore on land recently incorporated into this garden.                                                                                               

Agreed: not in the Conservation Area and Parish Council to take no action. 

                                                                             

6.   FINANCE MATTERS


(1)   Update summary  : Income/outgoings since last meeting outlined in brief. 


(2)  Setting Precept for 2022/2023:  discussed potential increases in maintenance costs together with the absence of any CIL payments on recent new developments,  Agreed: Increase of  £252. This represents 1.6p per week, on an average (band D) home.     

             

(3)  Review of Banking Arrangements. Parish Clerk advised that our current bankers Virgin Money (formerly Yorkshire Bank) is closing its local branches; nearest will be Darlington or York.  Agreed: Clerk to investigate a more local banking provider. 


7.   PROJECTS 


(1)  Defibrillators. An issue arose with the Sinderby unit, it was giving a message “new paddles required”, but these had been replaced earlier in the year. Mr Wadsworth advised this had now been resolved with a unit reset. The Pickhill equipment is due a routine replacement battery in 2022. Query as to whether this unit was still connected to the power at the Nags Head. To be checked.


(2) Queen’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022: Discussion on marking the occasion. A Lime tree was planted on Pickhill Green to mark Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee in 1897. All agreed a tree planting was appropriate and Oak was the choice, which would have to be planted before Springtime. The Date of Accession was 6 February (a Sunday in 2022), though the Jubilee Bank Holiday will be 3/6 June, too late for planting.                                                  Agreed: An oak should be planted with tree-guard and plaque. Appropriate location to be identified.

 

8.    CORRESPONDENCE


(1)   Parish Councillors Guide to Affordable Housing – this booklet was circulated to Councillors. 


(2)  ROSPA Playground Inspection: Inspection was in September, invoice paid but we await their report.


(3)  Making a Difference Grant January 2022 Round. Following discussion, it was agreed to explore the possibility of reinstating two of the fresh water pumps, as drinking fountains with mains supply. They had gone out of use when mains water was connected in 1945. The one situated on Pickhill Village Green was a suitable location. One on the main road in Sinderby, would be better re-located to nearer the Green or Village Hall, depending on a mains source. 


9.    COUNCILLORS REPORTS             nil


10.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS             nil




 Signed:        G Clarke           Dated:     13 December 2021


Latest News

Minutes of meeting held on 4 February 2025 at Pickhill School. Ref: 340

April 17, 2025
1. OPEN SESSION : nil 2. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Minty Scaife, Mr Jim Wadsworth. Others: D Grubb (Minutes). NYC: Cllr David Webster. Residents: Mr R Walker APOLOGIES: None 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (7 Jan 2025 - Ref 339): Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES : 1. Speed reduction signage on entering Pickhill: still awaiting response from Highways. 5. PLANNING: 1. Church House, Pickhill (Grade II Listed) : retrospective application re various works discovered during ongoing renovation. Agreed – no objections. 2. Church House, Pickhill (Grade II Listed): change of use of land to domestic; create new vehicle access track and parking; alter existing yard access to pedestrian only. Agreed – no objections. 3. 1-2 The Cottages, Pickhill: retrospective application to convert existing garage to a granny annexe including small extension to create porch. Agreed – no objections. 4. Any updates on earlier applications - none 6. FINANCE: 1. Update since last meeting: Parish Clerk confirmed last statement from bank at end of November. Invoice received for parish council website renewal & domain name at £159.45. Renewal agreed. 2. Grasscutting contract for Sinderby: Following last meeting Mrs Grubb had signed and returned the Pickhill contract and had requested a copy of the plan for Sinderby showing the verges to be cut . Still awaiting a response. Cllr Webster offered to chase that with the member of staff. For next Agenda. 7. PROJECTS: Pickhill Village Green improvements. (i) Seats: Parish Clerk confirmed a grant application was submitted for three bench seats at £900 +VAT. (best of two quotes obtained). Cllr Webster said he had recommended a grant of £500 towards this, for which he was thanked. Design is to match the one existing fixed blue bench seat. Will be heavy but free standing; discussed need to try out positioning. If they get moved by the public we can consider securing them down later. It was proposed that the order be placed with Mr Charlton. Agreed. (Mr Clarke to order) (ii) Signage: Second quote, obtained by Mr Scaife from Swift Signs (£312 + VAT each) beats that from Fox’s. After discussion it was proposed two signs be ordered from Swift. Agreed. (Mr Scaife to order) 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting) (1) Speed campaign/road safety in NY villages – update from campaign co-ordinator – this is a campaign to have fixed enforcement cameras in villages, which is resisted by the Mayors office/Police & Crime Commisioner as the policy is to use mobile camera units across North Yorkshire. Noted. (2) Message from All Saints Church. Email received thanking Parish Council for the donation towards Church’s grass-cutting bill. Noted. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS: Mr Barker: reports that trees on the Street Lane verge opposite the “Station” wall have again been damaged during hedge trimming. He had spoken to the owner of the hedge who confirms the contractor had reported this back to him. Mr Barker noted that these trees were planted by the Parish Council some 20 years ago, yet it is only in the last 2 winters that this has occurred. The Parish Council had to replace one of the trees last winter and others needed “first aid”. Councillors to go and inspect the damage / layout: to discuss further at next meeting. For next Agenda. Cllr Webster: · NY Council meeting the following day to discuss the deficit. · It is likely that Locality Grants budget will be halved next year (to be applied for in second half of 2025 – applications will close 31 Jan 2026. · Each household will be getting one extra recycling bin. · There is a move to even out each Councillors area (based on number of residents) and it is likely that our Parish Council will not be in his area (Bedale division) by the next NYC elections in 2027. · National target of 1.5 million extra homes during this Government means North Yorkshire having to substantially increase its target on the local plan. Mrs Grubb: on that last point, she had downloaded the Local Plan map of the County showing sites suggested by landowners as possibly available for building/development. There was just one within our Parish Council area (copy viewed). Cllr Webster issued a note of caution in that these sites were unfiltered – ie., had not yet been evaluated. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: none. Signed: R Barker Dated: 15.4.2025 New Paragraph

Minutes of meeting held on 7 January 2025 at Pickhill School. Ref: 339

April 17, 2025
1. OPEN SESSION : nil 2. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Minty Scaife, Mr Jim Wadsworth. Others: D Grubb (Minutes). NYC: Cllr David Webster. APOLOGIES: None 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETINGS (12 Nov 2024 - Ref 337 and 3 Dec 2024 - Ref 338): Both Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES : 1. Speed reduction on entering Pickhill: reinstatement of SLOW signs on road at 30mph entry points: Highways have been asked to reinstate them. Awaiting their response. 2. Vehicle damage to Pickhill Village Green: see Item 7(2). 5. PLANNING: 1. Application re land west of Sinderby Lane, Sinderby – change of use of farm buildings to dwelling house and associated building works – discussed. Agreed – no objections. 2. Previous applications: (1) Chancefield, Pickhill – conversion of agricultural buildings into six dwellings - has been refused by the planning department. (2) Church House, Pickhill – staircase/loft hatch, etc – was granted. 6. FINANCE: 1. Update since last meeting: The Parish Clerk outlined position of current account. A cheque for the Church grounds donation (£300) was signed. The proposed precept forms (2025/26) were submitted in November (£4,620). 2. Grasscutting contracts: Quotes for 2025 growing season received.... Pickhill: The NYC contractors will charge £1665.83, whilst Highways will pay £112.34 for cutting their visibility splays. After discussion, this was accepted. Sinderby: NYC originally quoted over £800, but when Mrs Grubb queried the amount it transpired this included the “village green”, as they believed we owned it. They have now accepted that NYC do own it and have re-quoted £416 for just the roadside verges. Highways will pay us £52 for the splays. Councillors queried the £416 as there seems to be little which was not splays. Mrs Grubb to request plans showing the verges to be cut within that quote For next Agenda. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Pickhill Playground improvements : due to winter conditions no further work had been undertaken. 2. Vehicle damage to Pickhill Village Green: Mr Barker had obtained a quote from Fox’s for two signs mounted on posts, at £334 each, plus VAT, and showed images of the wording options. Mr Scaife would obtain a second quote to same specification. For next Agenda. 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting) None 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS: Cllr Webster : will be attending NYC budget meeting the day after, so little to report. Locality Grants available on a 50/50 basis; closing date is 31 January. Discussion regarding seating benches to improve amenities on Pickhill Village Green, which only has one bench currently. Quotes to be obtained. Mr Scaife: recalls earlier suggestion for a flower bed on the verge by Pickhill sign at top of hill – ongoing. Mrs Grubb: a resident at Holme on Swale had asked if our Parish Council could represent their village as their Parish Meeting had ceased to exist. Mrs Grubb had advised her that it was not within our remit and referred her to NY Council. Cllr Webster confirmed that was the position and advised there were other villages in the area in a similar position, such as Ainderby Quernhow and Howe. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: none. Signed: R. Barker Dated: 4.2.2025 New Paragraph
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