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
Latest News
Accounting Return 25 / 26
OPEN SESSION: A resident raised an issue re the number of dog walkers who do not clean up dog poo around Pickhill. He felt there was a need for community involvement, such as the school - might want the children to be involved in raising awareness, such as by designing posters to encourage cleaning up by dog owners. He was happy to laminate them. Also could poo bag dispensers be provided? Mr Barker advised that this was an issue for Parish Council’s everywhere. In the past, dog wardens have patrolled the villages, but with little success. The Parish Council has put up several notices asking owners to clean up after their dogs. Mrs Grubb said there are numerous dog poo bins around the villages. She had recently asked for some of these to be replaced and additional bins installed. To be placed on next Agenda. 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Jim Wadsworth. Also Cllr D Webster (NYC), D Grubb (Minutes), Two residents. 2. APOLOGIES: Mr Minty Scaife. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (31 Mar 2026– Minute Ref. 347): Agreed. Signed by Chair. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Item 6: Mr Clarke had confirmed the Church grass was still being cut by Stuart Boynton. There had been a question over whether he would be able to continue which had prompted Mr Robson to seek the NYC quote, but that was prohibitive. In the mean-time Mr Clarke proposed the Parish Council support the Church with these costs, as in past years. Agreed: Donation of £300. Mr Robson had also referred to debris accumulating in the beck, at the bridge grid. Mr Clarke will deal. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Application: Stannum House, Pickhill – timber framed workshop. Agreed: no objections. 2. Earlier Application at Brooklyn, Pickhill. Parish Council objections sent to Planning on 1 April and architects submitted amended plans on 10 April. Mr Barker noted these showed the ground floor extension had been reduced slightly at front and rear. Changes to dormers included opaque, non opening windows. This addresses Parish Council objections. Agreed: P/C will lift its objection if consulted. (Note: Not further consulted but application granted 20/4 based on amended plans. 3. Earlier Application at Beechcroft, Pickhill (annexe): now granted by Planning. Noted. 6. FINANCE: 1. Parish Clerk’s Update: The draft balance sheet for year ending 31 March 2026 was presented. Invoice received for Pickhill grasscutting in 2026 growing year... (£1,970). Cheque signed. 2. AGAR: Applying for exemption from central audit of accounts 2025/26. Discussed.... Agreed. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Car Parking. Plan to improve parking on the area in front of Church House by levelling, put down grid mats, erect a fence along the back edge. Could accommodate 20 extra cars. Mr Clarke advised the Water Board have a 9 metre way-leave either side of the beck, so consent needed. Mr Barker and Mr Clarke to meet on-site to confirm measurements & draft application. Mr Barker felt volunteering farmers may have to be offered some diesel costs, in current fuel crisis. Cllr Webster advised of locality budget grants for 2026/27. After discussion.... Agreed: apply for grant towards fence costs. 2. Litter & Dog Waste Bins: No progress so far, since request submitted. For next Agenda. 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting): Nothing requiring action. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Cllr Webster (NYC): Central government had allocated 8% of the highways budget to the Mayor of York & North Yorkshire, resulting in NYC having a £20m reduction of that budget over the next 4 years. The new bin re-cycling arrangements have been rolled out in Malton – lessons learned, which will benefit the imminent roll-out in Richmond/Northallerton. Changes to government funding for rural support, Fairer Funding Formula and National Insurance come to 42m reduction, leaving NYC with a £17m budget deficit. Mr Barker: a NYC circular highlights the Crisis Resilience Fund, aimed at helping those in difficulties due to heating oil increases etc., in the current fuel crisis. He asks for details to be made available to residents. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Nil. Signed: R Barker Dated: 21 May 2026