Minutes of meeting held on 28 May 2024 at Pickhill School. Ref: 336
1. OPEN SESSION: Cllr Webster (NYC) suggested we may want to consider an annual Open Village meeting, inviting organisations like school, church, village hall, charity groups, etc, to report. It is recommended good practice and some Parish Councils incorporate it into their annual general meeting. Noted, to consider.
2. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair) Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Others: D Grubb (Minutes). NYC: Cllr David Webster. Residents: Mr Walker
APOLOGIES: Parish Councillors Mr Minty Scaife & Mr Jim Wadsworth.
3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (5 March 2024: Ref 335): Agreed by Cllrs present. Signed by Chair.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:
1. Vehicle damage to Pickhill Green: ongoing issue along the school lane side. Some damage caused by vehicles reversing out from driveways, or when delivery vehicles park as well as funerals/large events at Church. Vehicles mount the kerb and damage the grass surface. Always worse in winter/wet weather. Road widening or creation of passing places prohibitive. Posts and chain? To monitor.
5. PLANNING:
1. Application: Church House, Pickhill: work to trees in garden (conservation area). Proposal to remove six trees at front of property, as they are causing damage. Discussed at length. Agreed: no objections.
2. Application: Manor Farm, Pickhill: siting one converted railway carriage for holiday let use. Mr Clarke declared an interest, which left the meeting without a quorum. Reply required by 7 June so no opportunity for another meeting. To deal with this remotely so absent councillors can be involved.
6. FINANCE:
1. Update since last meeting: Precept payment received in full.
2. Exemption from external audit (Agar forms): re accounts for year ending 31 March 2024.
Agreed: Parish Clerk to apply for exemption
7. PROJECTS:
1. Pickhill Playground: Mr Barker has restored the climbing wall with new panels, supports and he replaced missing foot and hand holds. He has also completed the roof tower renewal, all for which he was thanked. Cost of materials only. Mr Grubb has replaced six missing fence palings.
2. Upkeep of trees in Pickhill. Mr Clarke reported that he had trimmed some trees on the village green and replaced the fatally injured cherry tree near Station House. Mr Barker reported that Mr Monkton had kindly trimmed some of the damaged young trees there as he is Forestry Commission trained.
8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated in advance, as received)
1. Pickhill School - consultation on expanding local federation of schools: has now gone ahead.
2. Pickhill School – school proposal to utilise Pickhill playground with school play area: Questions raised – how often; would non school youngsters still have access during those sessions; need to consult our insurers, provide our risk assessment to school. (ie the annual ROSPA report). Agreed: Parish Clerk to liaise with Head and report back.
3. NYC Election on 2 May 2024 – Mayor of York & North Yorkshire: election notices posted in April.
4. NYC – Standards in Public Life – document re Councillors register of interests etc. Request to check our Councillors details and declarations are on the NYC register of interests. Checked/confirmed.
9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS:
Mr Clarke: Villagers have asked whether Pickhill Beck could be made cleaner, Mr Clarke reports grants are available through Rural Payments Agency to farmers for monitoring/improving. He had met with a group of farmers to explore this. Would the Parish Council support such an initiative? After discussion.... Agreed.
Mr Clarke: has been asked re speed warning signs for Pickhill. He is aware flashing speed signs not feasible, but could other warning signs re speed be installed? Clerk to enquire with Highways.
10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: none.
Signed: R Barker Dated: 12 November 2024