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: RAF Leeming will soon be entering a period of exercise hosting, during which there will be additional jet and helicopter movement. The local community can expect increased flying from 20 August to 2 October - including some night flying. We understand that Exercises can cause disturbance to the local community, and endeavour to minimise low and late flying in particular. Norma Grubb, Clerk to the Parish Council, 15 August 2026 Email: clerk@pickhillandsinderbypc.co.uk
OPEN SESSION : Mrs Clarke – re anaerobic digester for Low Ness, she did not object to the project, - her concern is the junction of A6055 with site access road – danger from heavy traffic turning. Would Highways be involved and are alterations proposed for the junction? Mr Trewhitt, from Low Ness, understands traffic consultants are involved. The company leading the proposals, Engie, are sending leaflets to all residents and holding a public consultation at Carthorpe on 16 July. Mr Barker pointed out the site itself and the junction, are in Burneston Parish, and residents may wish to make representations to them. Mrs Clarke gave her thanks and then left the meeting. 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk). Also: D Grubb (Minutes). Residents: Mr & Mrs Trewhitt, 2. APOLOGIES: Mr Minty Scaife, Cllr David Webster (NYC). 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (21 May ‘26 – Minute Ref. 349) Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES : Church Hill – road surface: Parish Clerk is liaising with Highways. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Application: Scarborough House Farm: proposed new farm building . Agreed: no objections. 2. New Application: Broadlea, Pickhill: proposed additional bungalow as part of existing development. Noted that the application is based on 2019 planning, granted to convert existing bungalow into semi detached dormers. However in 2024 permission was granted to demolish existing bungalow and build two detached dormers. Agreed: No objection to new application. 3. Pre-Planning Consultation: proposed agricultural anaerobic digestion facility on land off the A1(M) at YO7 4LJ: land at Low Ness Farm. Whilst Low Ness is in this Parish, the digester site is just in Burneston Parish, as is the access road and junction with A6055. Public consultation session at Carthorpe on 16 July. Parish Councillors can access a separate Zoom facility,plus a site visit can be arranged with Mr Trewhitt direct. Noted. 4. New Application: Ramshaw Farm, Pickhill: change of use – agricultural land to dog exercise/training area, plus create caravan storage compound. Agreed: No objection. 5. New Application: (received that day) : Scots Dene, Pickhill: convert integral garage into liveable room. Agreed: No objection. 6. Updates on Earlier Applications: none. 6. FINANCE: 1. Parish Clerk’s Update: Mrs Grubb clarified issue from last meeting re grasscutting bill. The invoice for 2025 growing season was only received on 14 April 2026 so is in the 2026/27 accounts. Noted. 2. Financial records for 2025/2026: have been posted on the Parish Council website. Noted. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Car Parking Improvements at Pickhill: Mr Barker reported that multiple tons of soil had been placed and levelled on the site in the past week. Now to be harrowed and grass seeded. Samples of the two types of surface grid were examined. Agreed: heavier type to be ordered. 400sq meters = approx £12,000 plus VAT. (VAT is recoverable). Mr Barker to get the final figure and circulate it. Parish Clerk has received offer of £300 grant from NYC towards the fence. It was proposed this fence should go length of the site; creosoted posts 7ft 6in, finished fence height at 4ft. Agreed. Revised fence specification. Parish Clerk to obtain quotes. Mr Clarke said that Mike Barker had provided extended use of a large excavator for the site and should be offered something towards the substantial diesel costs. The Chairman suggested Mike would be happy with written thanks from the Parish Council. Parish Clerk to deal. The work had unearthed a long time buried roadside drainage grate at the corner of Church House garden wall. It is full of soil/debris and requires clearing. Parish Clerk to contact Highways. 2. Playground: Mr Barker will carry out maintenance review, prior to ROSPA inspection due September. 8. CORRESPONDENCE : (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting): 1. Email from Sinderby resident re a public health issue . Environmental Health at NYC had been contacted. Mr Barker & Mr Clarke have arranged to speak to the agent for the land concerned. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Mr Clarke: The seat around the Lime tree on Pickhill Village Green is obstructed by new growth. Could this be trimmed back? Agreed: requires trimming. Mr Barker to contact usual contractor. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS : Nil. Signed: R Barker Dated: 18/8/26 New Paragraph