Minutes of meeting held on 28 June 2021 at Sinderby. Ref: 319

1. PRESENT: Mr Graham Clarke (Chairman), Mr Ron Barker (Vice Chairman), Mrs Norma Grubb (Parish Clerk), Mr James Wadsworth, David Grubb (Minutes).               APOLOGIES: Mr Minty Scaife.

2.  OPEN SESSION:    No items received 

3.   MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (5 Oct 2020 – Minute Ref: 318):  Agreed by all / signed by Chairman

4.   MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

 (1) Playground upkeep – Following the Rospa report and subsequent site meeting last October, an action plan was formed and Hillside Landscaping engaged to do the work. They did repair the fencing and gate, but later advised were unable to meet Health & Safety regs re work on play equipment. Mr Clarke had power-washed the metal seating, adjusted the zip wire seat and stops and dealt with the trip hazard at the gate. Mr Grubb had sourced and affixed a Covid warning notice.                                  Agreed: Parish Councillors to meet on site on 2 July.

(2) Street Lane – road surface:  Mr Scaife had spoken with the Highways engineer who advised that any meaningful work would not be until 2022. Mr Clarke and Mr Barker noted that numerous potholes through Little Pickhill had been marked with yellow paint for attention, though there were many more not marked.

                                                                                                       Agreed: Mr Clarke will liaise with the engineer.

(3) Lowfields Lane - drainage: Noted that roadside drains still ineffective, particularly on the stretch between  school and the “Greenacres” bend.      Agreed: Mr Clarke & Mr Barker to meet on site on 2 July to investigate.

5.  PLANNING

(1) Planning updates since last meeting: Pickhill:  Middle Park Farm, Woodside Lodge, Stannum Barn, Church Hill Cottage, Pickhill House and Lupin House had all been granted, whilst Sandy Bank was refused.                 Sinderby:  West Garth – outline permission granted.

(2) Fresh application: for land at rear of 1 The Cottages, Pickhill, had just been received and the parish notices only posted that day, so not on this agenda.                     Agreed: Parish Council decision remotely after 5 July.     

6.  FINANCE MATTERS

(1)  Financial year-end accounts 2020/2021: balance sheet had been circulated prior to meeting.

                                     Agreed: accepted, subject to local audit by Mr Robson when he becomes available. 

(2)  Central Audit Exemption Certificate 2020/2021(Page 3 AGAR Forms). Signed by Chairman & Parish Clerk.                              Agreed: exemption certificate to be submitted to the central auditors PKF Littlejohn by 30 June.                             

Parish Clerk in presenting the 2020/2021 AGAR forms, reported that an error had been noted in one entry on the previous year’s AGAR forms, due to a poorly worded question re end of year figure. It had been spotted whilst this year’s forms being prepared. A corrected version has been attached to last years with an explanation. The Parish Council accounts are not affected.                Agreed: AGAR forms (1 April 2020 to 31 March 2021) approved.       

(3)  Insurance: renewed with Zurich from 1 July, at same terms/cost as last year.

(4) Parish Council Website –  Administration. Members agreed the website was excellent and expressed their appreciation for the work done to maintain/update it by webmaster Mr Ollie Reade, on a voluntary basis. The Chairman also expressed his appreciation to Mr Grubb for his voluntary role as Minutes Secretary, liaison with webmaster and planning administration.

7.    ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING - MAY 2020: due to pandemic restrictions, not held in 2020 or 2021; these would be abandoned and we will schedule Next AGM for May 2022, if circumstances allow. Next Parish Council elections are due in May 2023.                                                               Agreed:   2020 and 2021 AGM’s cancelled.                                                                                          

8.    CORRESPONDENCE

(1)  Pickhill School – external appearance/improvements. Letter from School Executive Head, re creating an enclosure for their refuse bins. Seeks advice re land ownership around the school. Mr Barker, a former chair of Governors, was able to advise and Mr Clarke will liaise direct with school.

(2) Taxi Licensing changes – consultation: Hambleton District Council are to make procedural changes in line with new Government advice; relates to criminal record checks on drivers and operators, to tighten procedures. Agreed:  changes are welcomed. Parish Clerk to respond to Council.

(3) Play Equipment: Letter from MacVenture, a Yorkshire firm offering to provide playground equipment. Noted.

 9.    COUNCILLORS REPORTS            nil

10.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS            nil

 Signed:          G Clarke          Dated:      1/11/2021