Minutes of meeting held on 13 December 2021 at Sinderby. Ref: 321

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).

       

2.  OPEN SESSION:   A resident had messaged re parking on Street Lane between Village Green and Cow Corner. Discussed at length - agreed this is an issue  - consensus view was that no Parish Council action could be taken.   

   

3.   MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (1 Nov 2021- Minute Ref. 320):     Agreed by all / signed by Chairman.

                                                                                                                 

4.   MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

 

(1)   Dog fouling on Pickhill Village Green – Mr Scaife had kindly sourced and mounted signs near to the green, asking dog owners not to allow their animals to foul on the green. Mr Scaife has some additional signs should they be required for Sinderby.   


(2)   Road Maintenance Street Lane – Parish Clerk had contacted Highways and outlined the issues re resurfacing, surface water, widening and passing places. Awaiting a response.


5.  PLANNING   


(1)    Planning Application – Pickhill C of E Primary School – demolition of temporary classroom and erection of  new prefabricated single storey building, external lighting, tarmac footpath, re-locate shed, landscaping.                               Agreed: No objections.


(2)    Planning updates since last meeting: 

            Pickhill:      The Cottage – has been granted.   Sinderby:    West Garth  - decision pending.


6.   FINANCE MATTERS


 (1)   Update summary: Income/outgoings since last meeting outlined. Cheque signed for use of Sinderby Village Hall for the two PC meetings.


(2)  Review of Banking Arrangements. Virgin Money closing its local branches, making Harrogate or Darlington the nearest, but some banking can be done at local post offices.                              Agreed: monitor how this goes.


7.   PROJECTS 


(1)  Defibrillators.  Sinderby:  Unit inspected during meeting - all in order. Cabinet access code is C147. 

Pickhill:  known that new battery due in 2022. To be inspected after the meeting. (NOTE: found on inspection to be indicating new battery required immediately. Unit is connected to power in Nags Head and cabinet heater working. Battery ordered by Parish Clerk at £220+VAT and fitted on 15 Dec.  Access code is C0147X.  Ambulance Control non-emergency contact number for defib. queries is 0300 330 0251. 


(2)   Queens Platinum Jubilee:  Mr Clarke has kindly offered to supply the oak tree sapling, along with a substantial tree guard. To be planted on     Pickhill Village Green at 2pm on Sunday 6 February 2022, (anniversary of date of succession, as the designated bank holiday in June will be outside planting period). Location selected adjacent to Street Lane, near the line of Cherry trees.  Plaques to be ordered for this tree and for the Lime tree planted in 1897 for Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. 


(3)  Water Fountains – restoration: We had been unable to identify a company that could quote for all the work. Most helpful was HCS Mechanical Services in Northallerton, who advised they could install but we would have to first find & engage a designer, an engineer to do the conversion meeting current water safety regulations,  a shot blaster/powder coating specialist for restoration and Yorkshire Water to provide mains supply and water meters. We have consequently missed the deadline for the MAD grant, so a project for exploration now, ready for next year. 


8.    CORRESPONDENCE


(1)    ROSPA Playground Inspection:   Report was circulated to Councillors prior to meeting. Eight minor issues (all classed as Amber). We need to speak to the Inspector to clarify what the issue is with Zip Line end stop positioning, as we altered this after it was identified last year.            Agreed: Parish Clerk (PC) to liaise and report back.


(2)    New “North Yorkshire Council”: The make-up of the new Council was outlined; replaces County and District Councils on 1 April 2023, though elections for new Councillors will take place in May 2022, to allow for planning/set up etc. All subject to the legislation being passed by Government in the new year. 


(3)    Parish Council Elections:  Also contained in the new North Yorkshire plans is a proposal to bring forward the Town &  Parish Council elections from 2023 to May 2022, so that they are aligned with the new Council elections. All Parish Councillors indicated their willingness to stand for election in 2022. 


(4)    Ainderby Quernhow CIL. Mr Clarke has been approached by Hambleton District Council asking if we would assist Ainderby Quernhow village to access their Community Infrastructure Levy, after a development of three new homes there. As they do not have a Parish Council, they cannot receive the grant, but it could be paid to us if we agree to act for the village. Cllr Webster had spoken to Lord Jopling who had suggested that it could be used to purchase a village notice board.   Agreed: PC to contact HDC to confirm the process & we will get some costs and Mr Clarke will liaise.


(5)  Grasscutting – visibility splays:  Letter from NYCC asking if we wish to continue this arrangement.    Agreed: Arrangement to continue. PC to request a map of the relevant splay areas for both villages.


9.    COUNCILLORS REPORTS


(1) Station Farm Development: complaints received by Councillors about issues at the new building site at Station Farm, Street Lane. Mud on the roads outside the site, verges being churned up and lorries parking on Street Lane awaiting access to the site – have to wait for a lorry to leave before they can enter -  all in breach of planning conditions.                                                                                           Agreed: PC to write to Planning.


(2) Damage to tree in Conservation Area: The large ash tree in the field gate opposite entrance to Melltown Green has lost two large boughs in recent weeks. Concern as to whether it is safe.   Agreed: PC to contact owners. 

                                                                                                                                       

10.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS             

     

(1)  Pickhill Millenium Book:  Mrs Grubb has collected the remaining stock from Mrs Hopper.  Intends to provide one to new residents once COVID eases. A non resident in Devon has asked to buy one. Confirmed price is £15. 




 Signed:      G Clarke          Dated:      7 March 2022


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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