Minutes of meeting held on 4 November 2025 at Pickhill School. Ref: 345

OPEN SESSION:    Nothing raised.

 

1.    PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Jim Wadsworth, Mr            Minty Scaife. Others: Mr D Grubb (Minutes), Cllr D Webster (NYC).    Residents: Mr R Walker


2.    APOLOGIES: Nil

 

3.    APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (23 Sept 2025 - Ref 344):        Agreed. Signed by Chair.

 

4.    MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Item 4.1: Parish Clerk said NYC have acknowledged receipt of the Parish Council letter re public

        consultation on proposed new bridleway. Will be considered in due course.

 

5.    PLANNING:  

1.    New Application:  10 Rocking Horse Drive, Pickhill. Erection of garage & potting shed (combined). To occupy one of their two designated parking spaces.                                   Agreed: no objections.                                                                                                                                                                   

2.    Re-consultation: Charity Farm, Pickhill. Erection of poultry sheds, dwelling & office. Additional information submitted. Considered earlier in the year - no objections then.     Agreed: no objections.

3.    Updates on earlier applications, if any – none.

 

6.    FINANCE:

1.    Update: The Parish Clerk provided a current balance.  Invoice for ROSPA inspection received (£115.20) and paid. Precept bid for 2026/2027 has been submitted to NYC.                         Noted.

2.     VAT re-claim: payment of £936.72 has been received from HMRC.                                     Noted.             

                                                                       .

7.   PROJECTS:

1.  Pickhill Playground: Mr Barker said the work this summer resulted in a positive ROSPA report, with just low hazard issues raised. Cllrs thanked Mr Barker for his work and for co-ordinating the “action days”, which saw residents and children help power-washing, painting and applying wood preserver; a real community effort. The new goalposts drew appreciation from residents. School’s award for play facilities due in no small part to including use of Pickhill playground.                                                                                                                                         

2.  Pickhill Green – parking: Mr Barker suggested improving parking on the grassed common land towards Church House. Vehicles currently park along road edge to avoid getting stuck down the slope. He proposes it is levelled, surface reinforced and fenced, so cars can park square to the road, without fear of getting stuck. It would increase available parking spaces. Parish Councillors offered help with infill, machinery, labour, though purchase of surface grid matting etc would be a substantial expense. Enquiries being made to cost this and establish what grants might be available. Cllr Webster (NYC) offered to assist where possible.                                                                                                                For next Agenda.

3. Litter & Dog Waste Bins – Pickhill and Sinderby: After complaints, Parish Clerk had reviewed the provisions: eleven bins in the two villages, some litter only, some dog waste only and some take both. Of these, only three are in decent order. A further dog waste bin is needed for the south end of Sinderby (verge outside Manor Farm perhaps). She had produced a list and photographs, to assist. Discussion on responsibility for replacement/repair. The Clerk will speak to NYC in first instance.         For next Agenda.                                                                                                                               

                                             

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

     

9.    COUNCILLORS REPORTS.

Cllr Webster Cllr Webster mentioned the application by the Parish Council to last year’s Locality Fund towards seating on the Green. Through no fault of the Parish Council, the application was not processed by NYC, for which he apologised.

He also referred to a coming seminar on cyber security and the cost of breaches; NYC had signed up to an early warning scheme with measures to protect systems. There is a 2 to 3 year project for moving to a new County wide planning online-hub. Currently operates on the individual former District Council systems.

         

10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Parish Clerk mentioned that invoices submitted for cutting the grassed splays have    not yet been paid by NYC Highways         she is chasing them up.                                              For next Agenda.                                                                                            

 

  

 Signed:   R Barker                                                          Dated:  3 Feb 2026   


Latest News

April 7, 2026
OPEN SESSION - prior to start of Parish Council meeting. 1. PRESENT 2. APOLOGIES 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (31 March 2026 - Minute Ref: 347) 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES (1) Item 6 – Church grass-cutting – Mr Clarke to report. 5. PLANNING (1) New Application: Stannum Barn, Pickhill: erect timber workshop. (2) Any updates on earlier applications. 6. FINANCE (1) Update on accounts since last Parish Council meeting. (2) AGAR: Applying for exemption from central audit of accounts 2025/26 7. PROJECTS (1) Proposed improvements to car parking in Pickhill (2) Litter / dog waste bins in Pickhill and Sinderby 8. CORRESPONDENCE (circulated to Councillors prior to meeting) 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS (1) Setting date of Annual General Meeting in May 2026 Norma Grubb, Clerk to the Parish Council. Posted: 7 April 2026 Email: clerk@pickhillandsinderbypc.co.uk
April 7, 2026
OPEN SESSION: Mr Walker referred to potholes at the bend out of Sinderby towards Pickhill, and a groove in the verge on Lowfields Lane, just after the school. Noted. 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Jim Wadsworth. Also: Cllr D Webster (NYC) , Mr D Grubb (minutes). Residents: Mr R Walker. 2. APOLOGIES: Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mr Minty Scaife 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (4 Nov 2024 Ref 345) Agreed: signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: nil 5. PLANNING (1) Land off Sinderby Lane, Sinderby : proposal to demolish existing farm buildings and build new dwelling (consent previously granted to alter to a dwelling). Agreed: No objection (2) Beechcroft, Pickhill : create annexe in existing outbuilding. Agreed: No objection 6. FINANCE (1) Update provided on current account balance. (2) Highways seek confirmation of Parish Council once again mowing their splays. Agreed. Parish Clerk pointed out that Highways had not yet made payment for the 2024 season, after invoices were submitted in March 2025. These have been re-submitted. Noted. 7. PROJECTS (1) Update on car parking improvement proposals for Pickhill: Mr Barker reported there are two Types of grid matting – one lies on surface and grass grows through; the other – more expensive option - is laid on hardcore with soil and grass seed applied into grid. He suggests that we level up with soil and then consider matting. The soil is available, just need volunteers with tractors/trailers. . (2) Update on litter and dog waste bins – Pickhill and Sinderby. The request for renewal/repair was submitted in November. Still await response. 8. CORRESPONDENCE (circulated to Councillors prior to meeting). Nothing requiring action 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS Councillor David Webster reports the NYC budget debate would be on 13 February. There is a £42m loss of income due to agricultural changes and a £17m deficit on CARE and SEND costs. The savings from the new County have been absorbed and there is less coming from central government. Roll-out of new refuse collection arrangements is imminent. Local elections will be in May 2027. There will be boundary changes for our division (Bedale) to accommodate reduction of council seats to 89. In answer to a question from Mr Wadsworth, Cllr Webster explained the CIL payment rules and exemptions, for new build homes and policies for affordable housing and the Govt targets for housing. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS Following on from the discussion re CIL payments, Mr Barker asked the Parish Clerk to check if there were any outstanding payments due to our Parish, from recent building projects. Signed: R Barker Dated: 31.3.2026
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