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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OPEN SESSION - prior to start of Parish Council meeting. 1. PRESENT 2. APOLOGIES 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (31 March 2026 - Minute Ref: 347) 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES (1) Item 6 – Church grass-cutting – Mr Clarke to report. 5. PLANNING (1) New Application: Stannum Barn, Pickhill: erect timber workshop. (2) Any updates on earlier applications. 6. FINANCE (1) Update on accounts since last Parish Council meeting. (2) AGAR: Applying for exemption from central audit of accounts 2025/26 7. PROJECTS (1) Proposed improvements to car parking in Pickhill (2) Litter / dog waste bins in Pickhill and Sinderby 8. CORRESPONDENCE (circulated to Councillors prior to meeting) 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS (1) Setting date of Annual General Meeting in May 2026 Norma Grubb, Clerk to the Parish Council. Posted: 7 April 2026 Email: clerk@pickhillandsinderbypc.co.uk
OPEN SESSION: Mr Walker referred to potholes at the bend out of Sinderby towards Pickhill, and a groove in the verge on Lowfields Lane, just after the school. Noted. 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Jim Wadsworth. Also: Cllr D Webster (NYC) , Mr D Grubb (minutes). Residents: Mr R Walker. 2. APOLOGIES: Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mr Minty Scaife 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (4 Nov 2024 Ref 345) Agreed: signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: nil 5. PLANNING (1) Land off Sinderby Lane, Sinderby : proposal to demolish existing farm buildings and build new dwelling (consent previously granted to alter to a dwelling). Agreed: No objection (2) Beechcroft, Pickhill : create annexe in existing outbuilding. Agreed: No objection 6. FINANCE (1) Update provided on current account balance. (2) Highways seek confirmation of Parish Council once again mowing their splays. Agreed. Parish Clerk pointed out that Highways had not yet made payment for the 2024 season, after invoices were submitted in March 2025. These have been re-submitted. Noted. 7. PROJECTS (1) Update on car parking improvement proposals for Pickhill: Mr Barker reported there are two Types of grid matting – one lies on surface and grass grows through; the other – more expensive option - is laid on hardcore with soil and grass seed applied into grid. He suggests that we level up with soil and then consider matting. The soil is available, just need volunteers with tractors/trailers. . (2) Update on litter and dog waste bins – Pickhill and Sinderby. The request for renewal/repair was submitted in November. Still await response. 8. CORRESPONDENCE (circulated to Councillors prior to meeting). Nothing requiring action 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS Councillor David Webster reports the NYC budget debate would be on 13 February. There is a £42m loss of income due to agricultural changes and a £17m deficit on CARE and SEND costs. The savings from the new County have been absorbed and there is less coming from central government. Roll-out of new refuse collection arrangements is imminent. Local elections will be in May 2027. There will be boundary changes for our division (Bedale) to accommodate reduction of council seats to 89. In answer to a question from Mr Wadsworth, Cllr Webster explained the CIL payment rules and exemptions, for new build homes and policies for affordable housing and the Govt targets for housing. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Following on from the discussion re CIL payments, Mr Barker asked the Parish Clerk to check if there were any outstanding payments due to our Parish, from recent building projects. Signed: R Barker Dated: 31.3.2026