Minutes of meeting held on 17 June 2025 at Pickhill School. Ref: 343

1.   PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Jim Wadsworth.                Mr D Grubb (Minutes),

Residents: Mrs J Pawlow, Mr R Walker, Mr M Barker, Mr N Stafford,  Mrs A Harvey.

2.   APOLOGIES: Mr Minty Scaife (Parish Cllr).

OPEN SESSION:

Mr M Barker asked if there were any developments about the bees on Swainby Lane. Mrs Grubb outlined her enquiries with North Yorkshire Council (NYC) and the Beekeepers Association. No legislation, just advice. The Beekeepers said bees are defensive not aggressive. For hives near a public area, they suggest a 6ft high barrier (wall, fence, mesh or hedge) as the bees will rise over and not come back down. Mr R Barker summed up: no regulations, just guidance; little more the Parish Council can do.

Mrs Grubb said a resident had objected to the wording of new signs on Pickhill village green (“no driving or parking on the green”). Mr Barker explained they had just been erected by the Parish Council to try and get people to respect the green, reduce surface damage, for public safety and to address liability issues. After just a few days, they have already had an effect, though Mr Walker reported some vehicles still going on at school times. Mr Stafford asked if the Parish Council was spending money erecting signs on the green, why couldn’t they put up warning signs about the bees? It was pointed out the village green is owned and managed by the Parish Council, whilst Swainby Lane is a public road, managed by NYC Highways.

With the discussion having returned to the bees, Mrs Pawlow, who owns the hives, said she had been advised not to engage further on the subject. Mrs Grubb mentioned a further incident when children on a school run had been stung, despite assurances there would be no activity. Mrs Pawlow said she had not been approached, but someone had accosted her husband whilst he was walking the dog. No assurances were given.  Mr M Barker said he just wanted children to be able to walk to/from school without being scared.

      PARISH COUNCIL MEETING                                                                                    

3.   APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (20 May 2025 - Ref 342):          Agreed. Signed by Chair.

4.   MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

1.   Incident with bees on 1 May:  Mr Barker suggested this had already been covered adequately. Agreed.                                   

5.   PLANNING:  

1.   New Applications for Norton House Farm, Pickhill

(a) Demolish agricultural buildings & construct two tourist accommodation units.                                                                                   

(b) As at (a) above – listed buildings consent.                                         

(c) Demolish agricultural buildings & construct four dwellings.                        

(d) As at (c) above – listed buildings consent.                           

Mr Barker outlined the proposals and Mr Clarke added that the owner had consulted with neighbours and was happy to answer any queries from residents.         Agreed: no objections to the four applications.

6.   FINANCE:

Update: The Parish Clerk provided an update on the current account and bills paid in the past month. Income from the precept is £4,620 - collected from each household as a small part of Council Tax. The Parish Council has to pay for grasscutting of the green and verges in Pickhill, but after a recent review no longer pays for Sinderby as the green there is owned by NY Council and the few verges are cut by residents. Other expenditure relates to maintenance of the green, the playground and the two defibrillators. The only donation made is to help the Parish Church maintain the church grounds.                                                                                                                        

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7.   PROJECTS:

1.    Pickhill Village Green improvements:

(i) Seats:  Delivery is awaited of the three new benches for placing on the village green.                 

(ii) Signs:  Mr Clarke & Mr Barker have installed the signs re “no driving & parking” on the Green.

(iii) Goalposts: Mrs Grubb advised two sets of goalposts have been purchased and await assembly.

2.   Pickhill Playground:

Mr Barker outlined work he had been doing to maintain the playground, in advance of September’s ROSPA inspection. Most of the equipment is now 25 to 30 years old and he has just replaced two gateposts and some timber on the climbing tower, due to rot. He has also repaired the chain walk uprights where the tops had also rotted.

He described an incident in the past day or so, when he had closed the playground for safety reasons, whilst waiting for filler to set before sanding off sharp edges. Despite works barriers across the gates and a large “CLOSED” sign, he returned to find half a dozen children playing in the park whilst their parents watched on, standing at the barriers.

He went on to advise he and Mr Scaife are to power-wash equipment and timberwork, but that they need help. An appeal to residents on the villages “Chatter” Facebook page had very little response to date.

Mr Barker also said the fencing around the playground was ageing and requires maintenance. There were choices:  using a wood preservative, painting the fence all one colour or using rainbow colours. Rainbow colours have been used inside the playground -  and he sought the views of those residents present as well as councillors, as a “straw poll”. A majority present favoured a rainbow fence, though upkeep would probably be greater. A big task which will need volunteers. For further consideration / consultation with residents.   

3.   Defibrillator Update – Pickhill.

This unit was used at the end of May, sadly unsuccessfully.It had to be taken out of use for 36 hours, whilst new pads were ordered and installed. Pads are single use, with a 2 year expiry date. At £80+ per set (adult and separate paediatric sets), not practical to hold spares. A battery lasts 3 to 4 years and costs £300+, so upkeep of two units (Pickhill & Sinderby), is substantial, but necessary.                     Noted.                                                                                                                     

8.    CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting)

(1)     NYC Newsletter to Parish Councils . Info only - no action required.                                 

(2)     NYC consultation with Town & Parish Councils – noted – no action required.

Mr Barker said that correspondence is circulated to Councillors on receipt and is mostly for information only. He proposed these need not be placed on the agenda, unless action is needed.             Agreed.                                                                                                                           

9.    COUNCILLORS REPORTS:

Mr Barker: Our North Yorkshire councillor is David Webster, who was unable to attend this meeting, but serves the Parish Council very well and assists with obtaining grants whenever funding is available.

Mrs Grubb: read out a residents email asking who was responsible for the new signs on the green, considering them “not in-keeping” and the wording being “offensive”. A reply has been sent explaining the rationale for the signs.                                                                                                                          Noted.

 10.    ANY OTHER BUSINESS:   None

 Signed:    R Barker                                                       Dated:    23 Sept 2025New Paragraph