Minutes of Meeting held on 15 June 2020, at Pickhill Minute Ref: 316
Held in compliance with Government restrictions: open space, limit of six, social distancing.
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: Parish Clerk reported that as residents were not allowed to attend, agenda had been circulated with a request to send in any issues. Three emails received, all on the planning application, so included at Item 5.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS (10 February and 16 March 2020)
Agreed by all and signed by Chairman.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:
Mud etc on Swainby Lane: issue dormant over winter. Mr Clarke had been liaising and some improvement noted.
5. PLANNING
(i) Planning Application: Land to the rear of The Cottages, Street Lane, Pickhill: (HDC Ref: 20/00987/FUL).Construct one detached dwelling and associated garage, two semi detached dwellings and associated parking, new pedestrian and vehicle access to the public highway. (Full details distributed to parish councillors in advance, as had written objections from three residents.)
Mr Clarke said the outline application in 2015 was for three town houses across the rear of this site. The Parish Council objected then based on access, parking, flood risk and intrusion on neighbouring dwellings/gardens, but it was granted by Hambleton Planning. Mrs Grubb said the new application is for two semi detached homes, close to and at right angles to The Cottages, and a detached house with linked double garage and gym over, across the back of the site and facing the rear of The Cottages, a substantially larger development and closer to existing homes. Following lengthy discussions, it was agreed the original objections were still relevant and valid, plus this development was even more intrusive on adjacent homes. Vote taken – agreed to object. Decision: Parish Council objects
(ii) Planning Updates: The Parish Clerk reported that the applications considered remotely during lockdown, Roman Castle Barn, Pickhill and Devonshire House, Sinderby, had no Parish Council objections and were awaiting the planning decision.
6. FINANCE MATTERS
(i) Income/outgoings: Remittance Advice received re precept payment (£1,559), takes current account to £8,087.01
(ii) External Audit Exemption for 2019/2020: Due to lockdown, time limit for submission to PKF Littlejohn extended by Govt Statutory Instrument, to 31 July 2020; agreed we apply for exemption. Submit by 31 July 2019
(iii) Accounts for 2019/2020 – Independent Inspection. Deadline for publication of inspected accounts on our website also extended, now to be published by 1 Sept 2020. Accounts are ready in draft for independent inspection once exemption approved. Inspection and Publish by 1 Sept 2020
(iv) Insurance Renewal - Parish Clerk advised premium due 28 June at £402. She had asked Mr Grubb to review the policy docs. He noted that money cover was limited to members “aged 16 to 65 years”. That would exclude her as Parish Clerk and many other Parish Clerks in the District. She had raised this direct with the underwriter at Zurich and he came back within 24 hours noting that in other clauses, the age had been amended to “16 to 90 years” and he has issued new papers with this money cover similarly amended. The underwriter thanked her for pointing this anomaly out and it has resulted in a reduced premium, by £34. Cheque signed.
(v) Grass Cutting: The County Council quote for this year has been accepted. Mr Clarke advised that our grass was cut during lockdown, but he was unsure who by, as our regular crew were furloughed. So our arrangement with them, to not cut areas with bulb planting, was not followed. Hopefully back to normal arrangements for next year.
7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Usually held in May each year, the Parish Council AGM clearly could not take place in lockdown. Agreed to postpone that meeting until residents can attend; also agreed current officer roles to continue in the mean-time.
8. CORRESPONDENCE - nil
9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS
Mr Scaife: Reports of hogweed in the village. Giant hogweed is the cause for concern and that had not been sighted.
Mr Barker and Mrs Grubb: Concern raised re public footpath past Low Ness Farm. Its route had been altered several years ago, taking it away from farm buildings, with signs and way markers placed. Path now follows Healam Beck and Pickhill Beck but it appears not to have been amended on the OS map or County Council map; walkers mistakenly going through Low Ness farmyard, a worry during current restrictions. Parish Clerk to raise with NYCC
Mr Clarke: Tree trimming for Sinderby village. Contractor had identified and marked the trees, but due to pandemic missed the ‘window’ before the growing period; will now be done next winter.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS - nil
Signed: Graham Clarke Date: 24 August 2020
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Help and support for residents facing financial hardship and help for communities to build long-term resilience. The Crisis and Resilience Fund is three-year scheme funded by UK Government to help low-income households manage unexpected financial shocks and strengthen financial resilience. It replaces the Household Support Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments and runs from 1 April 2026.We are currently designing the full Crisis and Resilience Fund programme for North Yorkshire to give the most effective support to our residents. Help you can get now We will still give help and support while we’re designing the scheme. Housing Payments The Housing Payment scheme provides financial one-off or short-term support towards housing costs. It replaces Discretionary Housing Payments. You can apply for a Housing Payment if you already get Housing Benefit or the housing element of Universal Credit. Crisis Payments Crisis Payments give emergency help for residents facing a sudden financial crisis. They can support with unexpected costs such as food, energy or other essential living costs. You can apply for a crisis payment through the North Yorkshire Local Assistance Fund (NYLAF). Support for households using heating oil Get help with energy and fuel costs, including heating oil and solid fuel, through Citizens Advice North Yorkshire’s Warm & Well service. You can get help: in person: apply for help from any Citizens Advice main office or outreach venues by phone: call the Warm & Well advice line on 01609 767 555 , Monday to Friday, 9am to 4.30pm online: residents or organisations can apply for help online from the Warm & Well portal Other support from North Yorkshire Council Visit our cost of living support page for information about other support schemes and organisations in North Yorkshire that can help if you are struggling to pay for essentials or are looking for ways to make your money go further. 25 April 2026
A message from RAF Leeming: There will be increased movement by exercising aircraft operating from RAF Leeming from 27 to 30 April and 5 May to 7 May. Resident aircrew will be conducting night flying training, which is due to conclude no later than 2330. We understand our responsibility as good neighbours to inform the local community of such events that are additional to our normal flying activities, and every effort will be made to keep the disturbance to a minimum. Norma Grubb, Clerk to the Parish Council , 23 April 2026 Email: clerk@pickhillandsinderbypc.co.uk