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

August 9, 2026
Residents are welcome Councillors are reminded they must declare any conflict of interest on an item, where applicable.
July 27, 2026
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
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