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
1. OPEN SESSION : Mr Lane challenged Vice Chair Mr Clarke regarding a letter Mr Clarke had sent to the Planning Officer regarding Mr Lane’s planning application to convert farm buildings into homes. Mr Lane said he believed Mr Clarke was trying to stop him getting planning permission. Mr Clarke pointed out that the Parish Council had not objected to either of Mr Lane’s planning applications. He had written personally to Planning to correct an assertion in Mr Lanes’ architect report that Mr Clarke’s adjacent farm buildings were not used for rearing animals, pointing out that whilst he did not currently have animals there, he would in future and that he was applying for planning permission for a further building there. He emphasised he had not objected to Mr Lanes’ applications in his letter. Mr Barker wound up the discussion, saying Mr Lane clearly had strong views but that the Parish Council had not objected to the applications and he thanked him for raising the matter. Mr Barker invited Mrs Pawlow to comment on an issue involving her bee-hives on Swainby Lane, which had given rise to two complaints to the Parish Council, which would be coming up later. Mrs Pawlow said she had only learned that morning there had been an issue. She said that on 1 st May she had been causing dividing a hive, by creating a “false swarm”. There were bees in the air, but not a swarm. She has since learned that some people walking by on the lane had been stung. Mr Barker pointed out that one resident was hospitalised with multiple stings and that two children who were stung were now fearful of passing there – which they have to do to get to and from school. Mrs Pawlow said she was sorry about that – it was a case of wrong place, wrong time. She was happy to talk to the children about how to deal with the bees. She asked if Mr Barker should recuse himself as the children were related to him. It was pointed out this was an open session, not bound by meeting conventions. Asked if the hives could be moved further away from the road, Mrs Pawlow said she only owns an 11 metre triangular plot, with seven hives currently...they could not be moved further away. Asked if the timing of such activity could avoid school start and end times, she did not see how she could. Asked if there was anything she could do to minimise the risk she said the hedge could be allowed to grow, but that it gets cut back – not sure who by. Mr Barker concluded by explaining how the Parish Council works and that the complaints would be discussed during the meeting. He thanked her for attending. 1. 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). Residents: Mr R Walker, Mr B Lane, Mrs J Pawlow. 2. APOLOGIES: Cllr David Webster (NYC), Mrs A Harvey. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (15 April 2025 - Ref 341): Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES : 1. Damage to trees on Street Lane (opposite “Station” wall): Mr Barker said it was evident there was little appetite for replacing the damaged trees if they were to be damaged again during the hedge cutting. He agreed with suggestions to find an alternative verge to plant new ones. Mr Clarke favoured the verges between Pickhill and Sinderby. No other suggestions. Mr Barker concluded we were a long way from planting time and we could let the matter settle. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Applications (a) Windrush, Pickhill – application to erect an agricultural building : Mr Clarke declared an interest as the applicant and left the building for this item. Mr Barker said the Parish Council tried to support all applications wherever possible, particularly for farming. Agreed: no objections. (b) Sinderby Sewage Treatment Works – erection of a motor control kiosk . Agreed: no objections. (c) Church House, Pickhill - change of access and new driveway. Has been granted by Planning, but amended plans now submitted and referred back for further consultation. Changes involve adding seven trees and spec for the types of driveway surface. Agreed: no objections. 6. FINANCE: Update: accounts audited locally by Mr Robson; AGAR exemption form has been sent and the financial returns will be posted online. Noted. The public liability insurance is due for renewal at £449.24, an increase of £10 on last year. Agreed: renew with Zurich . 7. PROJECTS: 1. Pickhill Village Green improvements: (i) Seats: Mr Clarke reported that the three new benches have been manufactured; currently being painted. The invoice is on its way. Noted. (ii) Signs: Mr Clarke (holes) & Mr Barker (concrete) arranged to meet to install new signs. Noted. (iii) Goalposts: Mrs Grubb - two portable goalposts from YPO are £342.98 +VAT. Purchase agreed . 2. Pickhill Playground: (i) Sign: new entrance sign required to meet changes in legislation. Proposed wording accepted. Mr Scaife to order. Agreed. (ii) F ence: Mrs Grubb reported that more slaits have gone from the fence and Mr Grubb has filled the gaps with new from stock. (We lose half a dozen a year at about £4 each). As the existing ones are just nailed on and easy to remove by children, it was suggested they all be screwed. A couple of boxes of screws are less than a years losses. Mr Grubb offered to do this. Agreed . (iii) Gateposts: require renewal due to rot. Mr Barker would add this to his list. Agreed. (iv) Powerwashing : Mr Scaife and Mr Barker are to arrange a session to improve the appearance of play equipment, tables etc. Mr Barker is going to seek volunteers to help via social media. 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting) (1) NYC Newsletter to Parish Councils . Info only - no action required. (2) Pickhill School – consultation with stakeholders on nursery proposals - positive response sent. (3) NYC consultation - re new Local Plan briefings taking place online on 15 & 19 May. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS: Mr Clarke: the floodwater chamber in the old railway dip on Swainby Lane, referred to at last meeting, has now been completed by NYC Highways engineers. Noted. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Letters of complaint: Mr Barker advised there had been two letters of complaint to the Parish Council regarding “a swarm of bees” having stung several people, multiple times, near hives on Swainby Lane. This included two children, and a lady who had been hospitalised after sustaining multiple stings to the head, all on the afternoon of 1 st May. At this point he declared an interest as the two children were related to him. The meeting felt there was no conflict in this instance. The owner of the hives, Mrs Pawlow, was present observing the meeting. Extracts of the letters were read out by the Parish Clerk. After a thorough discussion, during which Mrs Pawlow was able to answer some questions from Councillors, she was asked to consider changes aimed at minimising the risk, which she declined. She said she was happy to talk to the children concerned to advise how to deal with such issues. Mrs Pawlow said she had seen Mr Stafford’s letter, but asked for a copy of the other letter. The Parish Clerk said she would seek consent first from the writer. It was decided that the Parish Council would write to Mrs Pawlow, to North Yorkshire Council and to the Beekeepers Association. Parish Clerk to deal. Signed: R Barker Dated: 17 June 2025
northyorks.gov.uk/localplan