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
A message from RAF Leeming: Exercise Agile Warrior 26; the RAF’s long-planned major homeland defence training activity is designed to rigorously test the RAF’s ability to protect the United Kingdom in an increasingly contested and volatile global security environment and forms a critical step to ensuring the RAF remains ready to 'fight tonight' in defence of the nation. Agile Warrior 26 (AW26) will allow the RAF to evaluate and, if necessary, enhance front line capabilities through dispersed, resilient and agile airbase operations. During the exercise, air and ground units across multiple RAF stations will train under contested, degraded and operationally limited conditions, simulating the effects of cyber-attacks, long-range precision strike threats, and persistent attempts to disrupt UK air operations. Essentially, the exercise is intended to test the RAF’s ongoing ability to defend the UK when under direct attack from an adversary, ensuring the RAF can continue protecting the country no matter what challenges it faces. Due to Exercise Agile Warrior, there will be increased movement by aircraft operating from RAF Leeming in the week commencing 9 March. 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 , 05 March 2026 Email: clerk@pickhillandsinderbypc.co.uk
OPEN SESSION : Nothing raised. 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Jim Wadsworth, Mr Minty Scaife. Others: Mr D Grubb (Minutes), Cllr D Webster (NYC). Residents: Mr R Walker 2. APOLOGIES: Nil 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (23 Sept 2025 - Ref 344): Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES : Item 4.1 : Parish Clerk said NYC have acknowledged receipt of the Parish Council letter re public consultation on proposed new bridleway. Will be considered in due course. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Application: 10 Rocking Horse Drive, Pickhill. Erection of garage & potting shed (combined). To occupy one of their two designated parking spaces. Agreed: no objections. 2. Re-consultation: Charity Farm, Pickhill. Erection of poultry sheds, dwelling & office. Additional information submitted. Considered earlier in the year - no objections then. Agreed: no objections. 3. Updates on earlier applications, if any – none. 6. FINANCE: 1. Update: The Parish Clerk provided a current balance. Invoice for ROSPA inspection received (£115.20) and paid. Precept bid for 2026/2027 has been submitted to NYC. Noted. 2. VAT re-claim : payment of £936.72 has been received from HMRC . Noted . . 7. PROJECTS: 1. Pickhill Playground: Mr Barker said the work this summer resulted in a positive ROSPA report, with just low hazard issues raised. Cllrs thanked Mr Barker for his work and for co-ordinating the “action days”, which saw residents and children help power-washing, painting and applying wood preserver; a real community effort. The new goalposts drew appreciation from residents. School’s award for play facilities due in no small part to including use of Pickhill playground. 2. Pickhill Green – parking: Mr Barker suggested improving parking on the grassed common land towards Church House. Vehicles currently park along road edge to avoid getting stuck down the slope. He proposes it is levelled, surface reinforced and fenced, so cars can park square to the road, without fear of getting stuck. It would increase available parking spaces. Parish Councillors offered help with infill, machinery, labour, though purchase of surface grid matting etc would be a substantial expense. Enquiries being made to cost this and establish what grants might be available. Cllr Webster (NYC) offered to assist where possible. For next Agenda. 3. Litter & Dog Waste Bins – Pickhill and Sinderby: After complaints , Parish Clerk had reviewed the provisions: eleven bins in the two villages, some litter only, some dog waste only and some take both. Of these, only three are in decent order . A further dog waste bin is needed for the south end of Sinderby (verge outside Manor Farm perhaps). She had produced a list and photographs, to assist. Discussion on responsibility for replacement/repair. The Clerk will speak to NYC in first instance. For next Agenda . 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting): Nothing requiring action. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Cllr Webster Cllr Webster mentioned the application by the Parish Council to last year’s Locality Fund towards seating on the Green. Through no fault of the Parish Council, the application was not processed by NYC, for which he apologised. He also referred to a coming seminar on cyber security and the cost of breaches; NYC had signed up to an early warning scheme with measures to protect systems. There is a 2 to 3 year project for moving to a new County wide planning online-hub. Currently operates on the individual former District Council systems. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS : Parish Clerk mentioned that invoices submitted for cutting the grassed splays have not yet been paid by NYC Highways she is chasing them up. For next Agenda. Signed: R Barker Dated: 3 Feb 2026