Minutes of Meeting held on 10 February 2020, at Pickhill School
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, Mr Roger Walker.
APOLOGIES from Cllr David Webster.
2. OPEN MEETING: The condition of Lowfields Lane and Street Lane was raised. Highways had responded to the Parish Council letter saying that remedial work would be carried out on Lowfields Lane (to the deeper potholes), but funding was not available for any comprehensive work. Some “patching” of potholes had been done on Street Lane, but the general condition of the stretch at the top of the hill was worsening. It was agreed the fundamental problem is that the road is just not wide enough, resulting in potholes to the sides of the carriageway. The road had been flooded again in the current storm conditions and there seemed to be a long term problem of lack of drainage. The Parish Clerk would seek a site meeting of Parish Council and Highways, for both roads. With the support of County Councillor Weighell the Parish Council would continue to press. Propose to place an item re this on the “Chatter” Facebook page.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (20 January 2020)
Copies distributed and agreed.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:
(i) Lowfields Lane: as discussed in open meeting Review at next meeting
(ii) Street Lane: as discussed in open meeting. Review at next meeting
(iii) Parish Council website: This is now live in a skeleton form and marked “under construction”. The “legal” pages re privacy and accessibility need to be added. Draft copies had been sent out to councillors for amendment/approval. Costs so far remain at £29 though further expenditure anticipated as the site develops. Discussion re a working party with the webmaster, Mr Reade. It was agreed that the webmaster should have an email address for security. Mr Reade thanked once again, in his absence, for his help and expertise. Review at next meeting
(iv) Playground/Rospa – In hand by Mr Clarke, trying to get Image and Rospa to a site meeting. For next Agenda (v) Goal posts on Pickhill village green: Mr Clarke had delivered the spare parts as promised.
(vi). RAF Leeming liaison re activity. Mr Barker liaising. For next Agenda
(vii) Trees on green in Sinderby – Mr Clarke reported these were due to be trimmed in the next couple of weeks.
(viii) Mud etc on Swainby Lane: issue dormant over winter. Keep on agenda for review. For next Agenda
5. PLANNING
(i) Planning Application: The Old Post Office, Sinderby – alterations and extensions to form two dwellings and create parking to front. Mr Wadsworth advised that these used to be two separate cottages years ago. It was agreed smaller homes were needed in the villages. Agreed: No objections from Parish Council.
(ii) Update: Broadlea, Street Lane, Pickhill – application has now been granted by Planning Committee, who had also expressed the view that smaller, more affordable homes, were desirable.
6. FINANCE MATTERS
(i) Income/outgoings: A grasscutting invoice from NYCC for £2,268 has been paid. We have also paid the website invoice (£28.68). A payment of £144.12 has just gone into the bank (believed to be for cutting verges – but no advice note received yet).
(iii) MAD (Making a Difference) Grant for January 2021: Discussion around various suggestions “on the table” so far: re-cycled plastic picnic tables for the Green, flashing 30mph warning signs, additional dog waste bins. Mr Wadsworth reported that the village hall would welcome assistance with broadband costs and purchase of a trolley for moving/storing chairs. It was pointed out this would be a “one off” grant so ongoing broadband costs would probably not qualify, but the trolley would be placed on the list, all to be considered at a future meeting. The project decided on would then have to be costed and a quote obtained. For next Agenda
(iv) Donation from Mrs Cunningham (£514.41) for use to benefit children of Pickhill. Suggestions invited for next meeting. For next Agenda
7. CORRESPONDENCE (not included above): nil
8. COUNCILLORS REPORTS:
(i) Mr Clarke recalled that a few years ago County Councillor Weighell provided a grant of £1,000 for bulb planting. Aconites, crocus, daffodils, tulips, bluebells etc were planted around the two villages and on parts of the A6055 (old A1). It will be interesting to review in the next month or two how these plantings are progressing. He noted that the Aconites around the church walls are developing into a carpet of yellow. (photos invited?) Next meeting
(ii) Following discussion, Councillors agreed that a review of suitable sites for any future tree planting should be undertaken. Next meeting
(iii) The condition of the footpath between the Pickhill village green and playground had deteriorated recently and would require repair. Believed this is responsibility of Hambleton District Council. (HDC) Next meeting
(iv) The question of ownership of the village green at Pickhill was discussed. Presently belongs to HDC.
9. ANY OTHER BUSINESS - nil
Latest News
OPEN SESSION - prior to start of Parish Council meeting. 1. PRESENT 2. APOLOGIES 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (4 Nov 2025 - Minute Ref: 345) 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES 5. PLANNING (1) New Application: Land west of Sinderby Lane: demolish existing agricultural buildings and erect a self-build dwelling, after Class Q approval granted 16 June 2025 for conversion of existing buildings to dwelling. (2) Any updates on earlier applications. 6. FINANCE (1) Update on accounts since last Parish Council meeting. (2) Grant application (3) Grasscutting contracts 7. PROJECTS (1) Proposed new car park (2) Litter / dog waste bins in Pickhill and Sinderby - update 8. CORRESPONDENCE (circulated to Councillors prior to meeting) 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Norma Grubb, Clerk to the Parish Council. Posted: 27 January 2026 Email: clerk@pickhillandsinderbypc.co.uk
A message for residents from North Yorkshire Council: 2026 GARDEN WASTE SERVICE Residents can now pay for their licence for the 2026 garden waste collection service. A licence costs £52 for collections between March and early December. The licence covers one 240-litre wheelie bin to be emptied fortnightly. Anyone who wants to have more than one bin emptied will need to pay for a licence for each additional bin. Residents can also pay for a licence at any time throughout the season but are encouraged to do so before the start of the service in March as the cost remains the same. Once paid, a licence pack should arrive within 14 days. More information at : www.northyorks.gov.uk/bins-recycling-and-waste/garden-waste-collection-service Norma Grubb, Clerk to the Parish Council Email: clerk@pickhillandsinderbypc.co.uk