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
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1. OPEN SESSION : Mr Lane challenged Vice Chair Mr Clarke regarding a letter Mr Clarke had sent to the Planning Officer regarding Mr Lane’s planning application to convert farm buildings into homes. Mr Lane said he believed Mr Clarke was trying to stop him getting planning permission. Mr Clarke pointed out that the Parish Council had not objected to either of Mr Lane’s planning applications. He had written personally to Planning to correct an assertion in Mr Lanes’ architect report that Mr Clarke’s adjacent farm buildings were not used for rearing animals, pointing out that whilst he did not currently have animals there, he would in future and that he was applying for planning permission for a further building there. He emphasised he had not objected to Mr Lanes’ applications in his letter. Mr Barker wound up the discussion, saying Mr Lane clearly had strong views but that the Parish Council had not objected to the applications and he thanked him for raising the matter. Mr Barker invited Mrs Pawlow to comment on an issue involving her bee-hives on Swainby Lane, which had given rise to two complaints to the Parish Council, which would be coming up later. Mrs Pawlow said she had only learned that morning there had been an issue. She said that on 1 st May she had been causing dividing a hive, by creating a “false swarm”. There were bees in the air, but not a swarm. She has since learned that some people walking by on the lane had been stung. Mr Barker pointed out that one resident was hospitalised with multiple stings and that two children who were stung were now fearful of passing there – which they have to do to get to and from school. Mrs Pawlow said she was sorry about that – it was a case of wrong place, wrong time. She was happy to talk to the children about how to deal with the bees. She asked if Mr Barker should recuse himself as the children were related to him. It was pointed out this was an open session, not bound by meeting conventions. Asked if the hives could be moved further away from the road, Mrs Pawlow said she only owns an 11 metre triangular plot, with seven hives currently...they could not be moved further away. Asked if the timing of such activity could avoid school start and end times, she did not see how she could. Asked if there was anything she could do to minimise the risk she said the hedge could be allowed to grow, but that it gets cut back – not sure who by. Mr Barker concluded by explaining how the Parish Council works and that the complaints would be discussed during the meeting. He thanked her for attending. 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. Others: D Grubb (Minutes). Residents: Mr R Walker, Mr B Lane, Mrs J Pawlow. 2. APOLOGIES: Cllr David Webster (NYC), Mrs A Harvey. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (15 April 2025 - Ref 341): Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES : 1. Damage to trees on Street Lane (opposite “Station” wall): Mr Barker said it was evident there was little appetite for replacing the damaged trees if they were to be damaged again during the hedge cutting. He agreed with suggestions to find an alternative verge to plant new ones. Mr Clarke favoured the verges between Pickhill and Sinderby. No other suggestions. Mr Barker concluded we were a long way from planting time and we could let the matter settle. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Applications (a) Windrush, Pickhill – application to erect an agricultural building : Mr Clarke declared an interest as the applicant and left the building for this item. Mr Barker said the Parish Council tried to support all applications wherever possible, particularly for farming. Agreed: no objections. (b) Sinderby Sewage Treatment Works – erection of a motor control kiosk . Agreed: no objections. (c) Church House, Pickhill - change of access and new driveway. Has been granted by Planning, but amended plans now submitted and referred back for further consultation. Changes involve adding seven trees and spec for the types of driveway surface. Agreed: no objections. 6. FINANCE: Update: accounts audited locally by Mr Robson; AGAR exemption form has been sent and the financial returns will be posted online. Noted. The public liability insurance is due for renewal at £449.24, an increase of £10 on last year. Agreed: renew with Zurich . 7. PROJECTS: 1. Pickhill Village Green improvements: (i) Seats: Mr Clarke reported that the three new benches have been manufactured; currently being painted. The invoice is on its way. Noted. (ii) Signs: Mr Clarke (holes) & Mr Barker (concrete) arranged to meet to install new signs. Noted. (iii) Goalposts: Mrs Grubb - two portable goalposts from YPO are £342.98 +VAT. Purchase agreed . 2. Pickhill Playground: (i) Sign: new entrance sign required to meet changes in legislation. Proposed wording accepted. Mr Scaife to order. Agreed. (ii) F ence: Mrs Grubb reported that more slaits have gone from the fence and Mr Grubb has filled the gaps with new from stock. (We lose half a dozen a year at about £4 each). As the existing ones are just nailed on and easy to remove by children, it was suggested they all be screwed. A couple of boxes of screws are less than a years losses. Mr Grubb offered to do this. Agreed . (iii) Gateposts: require renewal due to rot. Mr Barker would add this to his list. Agreed. (iv) Powerwashing : Mr Scaife and Mr Barker are to arrange a session to improve the appearance of play equipment, tables etc. Mr Barker is going to seek volunteers to help via social media. 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting) (1) NYC Newsletter to Parish Councils . Info only - no action required. (2) Pickhill School – consultation with stakeholders on nursery proposals - positive response sent. (3) NYC consultation - re new Local Plan briefings taking place online on 15 & 19 May. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS: Mr Clarke: the floodwater chamber in the old railway dip on Swainby Lane, referred to at last meeting, has now been completed by NYC Highways engineers. Noted. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Letters of complaint: Mr Barker advised there had been two letters of complaint to the Parish Council regarding “a swarm of bees” having stung several people, multiple times, near hives on Swainby Lane. This included two children, and a lady who had been hospitalised after sustaining multiple stings to the head, all on the afternoon of 1 st May. At this point he declared an interest as the two children were related to him. The meeting felt there was no conflict in this instance. The owner of the hives, Mrs Pawlow, was present observing the meeting. Extracts of the letters were read out by the Parish Clerk. After a thorough discussion, during which Mrs Pawlow was able to answer some questions from Councillors, she was asked to consider changes aimed at minimising the risk, which she declined. She said she was happy to talk to the children concerned to advise how to deal with such issues. Mrs Pawlow said she had seen Mr Stafford’s letter, but asked for a copy of the other letter. The Parish Clerk said she would seek consent first from the writer. It was decided that the Parish Council would write to Mrs Pawlow, to North Yorkshire Council and to the Beekeepers Association. Parish Clerk to deal. Signed: R Barker Dated: 17 June 2025
northyorks.gov.uk/localplan