Minutes of Meeting held on 24 August 2020, at Pickhill. Ref: 317
Held in compliance with Government restrictions
1. PRESENT: Mr Graham Clarke (Chairman), Mr Ron Barker (Vice Chairman), Mrs Norma Grubb (Parish Clerk), David Grubb (Minutes). APOLOGIES: Mr Minty Scaife, Mr James Wadsworth
2. OPEN SESSION: Parish Clerk reported that as restrictions meant we could not invite residents to attend, the agenda had been circulated with a request to send in any issues. One planning matter raised, but as it was in Holme, the resident was referred to the Holme Parish Meeting.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (15 June 2020 – Minute Ref: 316) Approved.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Public footpath at Low Ness. Checks with County Council showed that the new route, by-passing farm buildings at Low Ness and High Ness, is on the County map in a solid purple line. Unfortunately the old route is still showing (dotted red line), because the change awaits “formal certification”. When viewing the map on-line different zoom levels produce varying results, but the map is correct and future ordnance survey maps will have the amended route.
5. PLANNING –
(1) Updates. Recent applications for Roman Castle Barn at Pickhill, Devonshire House in Sinderby, Sewards at Sinderby Station, all approved by Planning Dept.. The one for land at rear of The Cottages in Pickhill, was granted, subject to the following changes: detached house - gymnasium removed; Semi’s: rear bedroom windows will be opaque glass.
(2) Change of name: “Craiglynne” in Pickhill: re-registered with Hambleton District Council as “Lupin House".
6. FINANCE MATTERS
(1) External Audit Exemption for 2019/2020: We applied in July & just had confirmation this has been granted.
(2) Accounts/Returns for 2019/2020 – Independent Inspection. Now signed off by the independent auditor. Accounts/returns approved by Parish Council. To be published on Parish Council website by 31 August 2020
(3) Assets Register: This book requires updating and depreciation recorded annually.
7. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING: Due to COVID-19 postponed in May. Agreed: continue postponement
8. CORRESPONDENCE
(1) NYCC proposal for a single unitary authority. This would combine all district councils with the County Council, for all North Yorkshire (possibly excluding City of York) to allow more direct funding from central government. Would also create a North Yorks Mayor. Letters from NYCC and HDC had been circulated to Councillors and an on-line seminar was hosted by NYCC last week, which the Parish Clerk “attended”. She briefed the meeting on the main aspects. Will be a NYCC decision and if passed could start as early as April 2022.
(2) Pickhill Church Grasscutting – support request. In recent years the Parish Council had made periodic donations of £250 to support the Church with these costs, which total over £1200 annually. This year, with the Church being closed due to COVID-19 restrictions, their income had been decimated. It was agreed that in the special circumstances applying this year the donation should be increased. Agreed: Donation of £500
(3) Citizens Advice Bureau – support request. After discussion, decision deferred. For next Agenda
9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS
Allotment Opportunity - Mr Clarke advised that a Pickhill resident had recently been allowed to create a small allotment plot on land behind Pickhill Engineers. It had been of great benefit to this resident, who he said, has done a first class job on the plot. He is exploring whether there is any call for creating similar opportunities for other residents. For next Agenda
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Next meeting. Agreed to meet again in 6 weeks (week of 5 Oct), unless any urgent matters require earlier consideration. Venue to be arranged when latest meeting restrictions are known.
Signed: G Clarke Date: 5 October 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