Minutes of Meeting held on 2 December 2019, at Pickhill School.
1. PRESENT: Mr Graham Clarke (Chairman), Mr Ron Barker (Vice Chairman), Mrs Norma Grubb (Parish Clerk), Mr
Minty Scaife, David Grubb (Minutes).
Residents: Mr Roger Walker, Mrs Ann Harvey, Mr Howard Broadwith . 2. APOLOGIES: Cllr David Webster. Mr James Wadsworth.
Mr Clarke explained that Mr Wadsworth, who had agreed to be the Parish Councillor for Sinderby following Mr Brook’s resignation, had now returned home from recuperation and his registration forms/declaration would be submitted shortly, so that he could take up his place, hopefully by the next meeting.
3. OPEN MEETING: Mr Broadwith outlined his continuing concern regarding the state of Lowfields Lane. Mud, deep potholes and the deteriorating road surface, added to by contractor wagons regularly blocking the way. This road is the only access to Scarborough House and Middle Park Farm.
The Parish Clerk said that following the last meeting when this subject was raised, several letters had been received from residents making the same points. She had drafted a letter from the Parish Council to County Council Highways and would be forwarding the residents letters with that, seeking urgent attention to the dangerous state of this road. Mr Broadwith said he would also write to the Parish Clerk so his letter could also be included.
It was noted that the work on the water supply to Lowfields Lane was still ongoing.
The 30mph zone was also discussed again. This ends mid way along the row of new houses and it would make sense to extend this to the village outskirts, beyond Avermal and Greenacres. It was recognised that the speed restriction is linked to the street lighting area.
The state of Street Lane leaving the village at the top of the hill was again highlighted but it was felt by the majority that the dangerous state of Lowfields Lane had priority, but this would also be pursued.
4. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (21 October 2019)
Copies distributed and agreed. Mrs Harvey’s presence at the last meeting had been missed from the attendance list.
5. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:
(i) Parking signs at school: The new signs (Parking – school use only) and posts had been delivered and would be installed as soon as the water authority contractors had finished on the car park. Mr Barker and Mr Clarke agreed to install the signs, they hoped before the next meeting. An invoice for £- was now for payment.
(ii) Condition of Street Lane and Lowfields Lane: – as discussed in open meeting.
(iii) Parish Council website: Three quotes now received. Two, from website firms used by some local Parish Councils, were well over £1,000, with similar ongoing annual costs. However a Pickhill resident, Mr Reade, an IT specialist, has offered to set up the website, at cost. He will also assist with maintenance and advice. Set up and then annual renewals, would be around £350 per annum. Mr Reade’s offer was gratefully accepted. Discussion re website name, info pages, data/document storage and email addresses. Providing a website is now a requirement, not an option, for public access to minutes, annual accounts etc. Agreed. Review progress at next meeting
(iv) Affordable Housing (Pickhill): Nothing further heard from the Council
(v) Zip Wire – Rospa report: Mr Clarke had spoken to Image again and Mrs Grubb has also written to them two weeks ago, supplying to them the relevant extracts of the latest ROSPA report on the issues they had identified. No reply received as yet. Mr Clarke will chase again. Review at next meeting
(vi) Mud etc on Swainby Lane: currently dormant for the winter, to be kept on the agenda for review again in the Spring. The need for a ‘paper trail’ was discussed. For next Agenda
6. PLANNING
(i) Planning application – Mr S Fall, for Pasture House Farm, off Street Lane, Pickhill. Construction of timber framed
pig fattening building. Planning Ref: -/FUL. No objections from Parish Council (ii) The application for two new dwellings on land east of Maythorn Cottage in Sinderby now granted by Planning.
(iii) The application for alterations at Roman Castle Barn going to the next full planning committee on 12 December. (iv) Notice received of postal address for the new dwelling to south side of Lowfields Lane is “Stannum Barn”.
(v) The Parish Clerk had attended a training course on use of the Hambleton Council “Planning Portal”. There are useful search facilities available to assist her role. Future notification of planning applications to the Parish Clerk will be by email instead of post. These will be emailed on to Parish Councillors. Any printed documents/plans required for meetings would be printed off by the Clerk. Our decisions/observations are already notified to Planning by email.
7. FINANCE
(i) Setting Parish Precept for year -: Re-visited following discussion at last meeting. After a review of the income/outgoings and future needs, agreed to ask for only a 5% increase. Mr Clarke pointed out that neither the previous Parish Clerk, or the current holder, make any charge for the enormous amount of work they undertake (indeed this is barred due to also holding Parish Councillor role). If this changed in the future there would be substantial additional salary costs passed on to residents via the precept. Parish Clerk to submit return
(ii) VAT return -: The VAT 126 (re-claim of VAT paid) had now been completed online for the year 1 August 2018 to 31 July 2019 and we had re-claimed £1,-. Now await reply from HMRC.
(iii) Donation to Parish Council: Mrs Angela Cunningham has made a cheque donation of £- to the Parish Council with a request that it be used to benefit the children of Pickhill, either directly to the school or the village playground. Letter of thanks to be sent. For discussion at next meeting For next agenda
8. CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Changes to Bank business account terms and operating procedure circulated.
(ii) Cllr Webster had forwarded details of a grant available – “Making a Difference”. Last year Mr Clarke had referred Sinderby Village Hall management to this grant as they were recovering from the fire damage. Councillors will review the terms of reference as to whether we can apply. Closes in Mid January. For next agenda
9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS
(i) RAF LEEMING: Mr Barker mentioned the current exercises involving Typhoon jets, with late evening low flying over the villages (right on cue as he spoke). In the past he had been the nominated Parish liaison with Leeming and was always notified of such exercises, but had not been contacted recently. Agreed he would re-establish contact.
(ii) GRASS CUTTING: Mr Clarke referred to recent issues. The County Council are responsible for certain small roadside areas such as around road signs; for practical purposes these are done by the Parish Council contractor and then re-invoiced to recover that element from the County Council. Invoice for this has been raised and sent to County Council. Also, he said we have assisted the Church at Pickhill in recent years with their grasscutting liabilities, by a donation. Agreed we could review how we make this payment, if we can assist in future. For next agenda
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
GOAL POSTS ON VILLAGE GREENS: Some repairs required for Pickhill sets and John Fletcher (Walking Football) has offered to help. Mr Clarke holds some spare parts and will make these available. For next agenda
CIL (COMMUNITY INFRASTRUCTURE LEVY): Current position will be reviewed by Parish Clerk. For next agenda
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