Minutes of meeting held on 31 March 2026 at Pickhill School. Ref: 347

OPEN SESSION:    Three residents present raised concerns re planning application at Brooklyn, Pickhill. As it was an application for lawful development, they were not allowed to object to the Planning Officer, who had directed them to the Parish Council. Their views were that the ground floor extension would extend right to their property boundaries and that dormer windows would directly overlook and intrude on their homes and gardens. The Parish Clerk advised she had received similar written concerns from a further resident. Mr Barker noted their concern and explained meeting procedures; this matter was on the agenda.

 

1.    PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Others: D Grubb                                        (Minutes), four residents.

 

2.    APOLOGIES: Mr Minty Scaife.

 

3.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (3 Feb 2026 – Minute Ref: 346): Agreed. Signed by Chair.

 

4.    MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Item 9: Mr Clarke queried a £42m loss of county revenue referred to by Cllr Webster. The minutes                       Secretary quoted from his notes of the meeting – “£42m loss of income due to agriculture changes, whilst Care & “SEND” costs have a £17m                 deficit...”

 

5.    PLANNING:  

1.    Amendment: Norton House Farm, Pickhill – changes to red line boundaries and reduction from four new dwellings to three.                                                                                     Agreed: no objections.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       

2.    New Application Brooklyn, Pickhill - lawful development application for ground floor extension and creation of first floor dormers. Mr Barker outlined the proposals; councillors had been circulated with the plans in advance, and also with written submissions from residents. He acknowledged that as this is a lawful development application residents had no right to object directly and had been referred to the Parish Council. He also referred to the contributions made in the open session. He had made a site visit and taking all the information into account he was of the firm view that the ground floor extension was too big for the site, as it would take the building right to the boundaries on two sides. He also agreed with residents that the dormer windows, which totally overlook adjacent properties, would be intrusive on neighbouring gardens and homes. He was aware that planning conditions could be applied re opaque glass in such situations. After discussion....      Agreed: Parish Council to object.


3.    Retrospective Application: Pasture House Farm, Pickhill - creation of new piggery unit. As there are already several such units there and the property is “tucked away”........ Agreed: no objections.

 

6.    FINANCE:

     Parish Clerk’s Update: The outstanding payment had now been received for cutting the highways splays    in 2024. Approval sought for renewing        the grasscutting contract with NYC for Pickhill.                  Agreed.                                                                                                                                                                 

Mr Robson has enquired on behalf of the Church re our grasscutting contract, as they have had a quote from NYC for cutting the Church grounds every two weeks; cost is prohibitive. Clerk advised that village green is only cut five times a year, across growing season. Mr Clarke said he would speak to Mr Robson.  

 

7.   PROJECTS:

1.    Car Parking. Re plan to improve parking on the area in front of Church House, along an area five metres from the road, with a fence part of the way along to shield the beck. He hopes a start can be made this Spring, but volunteers with equipment are still needed.                                                              Noted.                                                                                                                             

2.  Litter & Dog Waste Bins: Parish Clerk has not had anything back from NYC re upgrading these after sending her report to them late last year and will be chasing them up.                           For next Agenda.                                                                                                                               

                                             

8.     CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting):  Nothing requiring action.

     

9.    COUNCILLORS REPORTS.

Mrs Grubb: CIL payments up to date. Sums received in 2024 for homes behind Nags Head and in 2019 for Lowfields Lane development opposite school.

Mr Clarke: Whilst our current account total seemed a lot, we had to take account of high cost of maintaining green and playground , plus if a by-election was required, charges would be several thousand pounds.

 

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Nil.

                                                        Signed:_R Barker                         Dated: 14 April 2026  New Paragraph

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Accounting Return 25/26

June 1, 2026
Accounting Return 25 / 26

Minutes of meeting held on 14 April 2026 at Pickhill. Ref: 348

May 26, 2026
OPEN SESSION: A resident raised an issue re the number of dog walkers who do not clean up dog poo around Pickhill. He felt there was a need for community involvement, such as the school - might want the children to be involved in raising awareness, such as by designing posters to encourage cleaning up by dog owners. He was happy to laminate them. Also could poo bag dispensers be provided? Mr Barker advised that this was an issue for Parish Council’s everywhere. In the past, dog wardens have patrolled the villages, but with little success. The Parish Council has put up several notices asking owners to clean up after their dogs. Mrs Grubb said there are numerous dog poo bins around the villages. She had recently asked for some of these to be replaced and additional bins installed. To be placed on next Agenda. 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Jim Wadsworth. Also Cllr D Webster (NYC), D Grubb (Minutes), Two residents. 2. APOLOGIES: Mr Minty Scaife. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (31 Mar 2026– Minute Ref. 347): Agreed. Signed by Chair. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Item 6: Mr Clarke had confirmed the Church grass was still being cut by Stuart Boynton. There had been a question over whether he would be able to continue which had prompted Mr Robson to seek the NYC quote, but that was prohibitive. In the mean-time Mr Clarke proposed the Parish Council support the Church with these costs, as in past years. Agreed: Donation of £300. Mr Robson had also referred to debris accumulating in the beck, at the bridge grid. Mr Clarke will deal. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Application: Stannum House, Pickhill – timber framed workshop. Agreed: no objections. 2. Earlier Application at Brooklyn, Pickhill. Parish Council objections sent to Planning on 1 April and architects submitted amended plans on 10 April. Mr Barker noted these showed the ground floor extension had been reduced slightly at front and rear. Changes to dormers included opaque, non opening windows. This addresses Parish Council objections. Agreed: P/C will lift its objection if consulted. (Note: Not further consulted but application granted 20/4 based on amended plans. 3. Earlier Application at Beechcroft, Pickhill (annexe): now granted by Planning. Noted. 6. FINANCE: 1. Parish Clerk’s Update: The draft balance sheet for year ending 31 March 2026 was presented. Invoice received for Pickhill grasscutting in 2026 growing year... (£1,970). Cheque signed. 2. AGAR: Applying for exemption from central audit of accounts 2025/26. Discussed.... Agreed. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Car Parking. Plan to improve parking on the area in front of Church House by levelling, put down grid mats, erect a fence along the back edge. Could accommodate 20 extra cars. Mr Clarke advised the Water Board have a 9 metre way-leave either side of the beck, so consent needed. Mr Barker and Mr Clarke to meet on-site to confirm measurements & draft application. Mr Barker felt volunteering farmers may have to be offered some diesel costs, in current fuel crisis. Cllr Webster advised of locality budget grants for 2026/27. After discussion.... Agreed: apply for grant towards fence costs. 2. Litter & Dog Waste Bins: No progress so far, since request submitted. For next Agenda. 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting): Nothing requiring action. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Cllr Webster (NYC): Central government had allocated 8% of the highways budget to the Mayor of York & North Yorkshire, resulting in NYC having a £20m reduction of that budget over the next 4 years. The new bin re-cycling arrangements have been rolled out in Malton – lessons learned, which will benefit the imminent roll-out in Richmond/Northallerton. Changes to government funding for rural support, Fairer Funding Formula and National Insurance come to 42m reduction, leaving NYC with a £17m budget deficit. Mr Barker: a NYC circular highlights the Crisis Resilience Fund, aimed at helping those in difficulties due to heating oil increases etc., in the current fuel crisis. He asks for details to be made available to residents. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Nil. Signed: R Barker Dated: 21 May 2026
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