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
Residents are welcome Councillors are reminded they must declare any conflict of interest on an item, where applicable.
OPEN SESSION : nil 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. Also: D Grubb (Minutes). 2. APOLOGIES: Cllr David Webster (NYC) 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (14 April ‘26 – Minute Ref. 348) Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF 14 APRIL : 1 . Dog Fouling (raised in Open Session): Mr Barker referred to the complaint received at the previous parish council meeting. This was the only complaint on this subject raised in the past 12 months. The Parish Council still has spare signs from when they were placed around the village green. Agreed to look at placing additional signs; the Parish Council would not approach the school. 2. Crisis & Resilience Fund (raised at item 8): Parish Clerk reported that an information notice about this emergency funding source had been circulated via the Parish Council website, notice-boards and the villages on-line “Chatter” page, as requested by the Chairman. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Application: Sinderby Lane – proposed new barn & hardstanding . Agreed: no objections. 2. New Application: Low Ness Farm – farm buildings. Decided by Planning: no application needed. 3. Updates on Earlier Applications: Stannum Barn – plans for workshop now granted. Noted. 6. FINANCE: 1. Parish Clerk’s Update: Half payment received on Precept, other half will be paid in October. We have been advised the Parish Council is to receive a CIL payment of £5775.30 for the two new houses under construction in Sinderby. The Zurich insurance policy is due for renewal at £459. Zurich offered a cheaper on-line policy, but enquiries revealed that the zip-wire means we are not eligible for it. This prompted a cover review by them; as a result we have added the new goal posts, picnic benches, blue bench seats and playground fence – at no extra cost this year. Payment agreed. 2. Accounts/AGAR returns: to be posted on Parish Council website as required by regulations. Noted. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Car Parking . Mr Barker reported there were two types of matting. The best option would be mud control mats, but this would be around £12,000 (level area and lay mats). The cheaper mats require hard-standing beneath. Mr Barker has obtained samples of both but proposes the mud control type - much stronger, easier to install and grass will grow through, in time. We await hearing re the grant we have applied for towards the associated fencing. For next Agenda. 2. Playground: There would be a maintenance review this summer, prior to ROSPA inspection. 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting): Nothing requiring action. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Cllr Webster (NYC) has sent an update on current county issues: Attached as an appendix . Mrs Grubb: Mr Robson had raised the state of the road surface on Church Hill, breaking up. She will report it to Highways. Noted. Mrs Grubb: When a CIL payment is made, we get 15% and NYC get the remainder. Parish Councils who have registered a Neighbourhood Plan are entitled to a 25% share. However there is a lot of work required in preparing, finalising and having a plan adopted. She had a sample from another Parish Council. Noted. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS : Nil. Signed: R Barker Dated: 2 July 2026