Minutes of meeting held on 5 March 2024 at Pickhill School. Ref: 335

1.   OPEN SESSION:  Mr Robson: discussion re charges for cutting grass in Church grounds compared with village green (same NYC contractor).                    Concluded charges probably in balance.

 

2.   PRESENT: Mr Ron Barker (Cllr & Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Cllr & Vice Chair) Mrs Norma Grubb (Cllr & Parish Clerk),  Mr Jim Wadsworth (Cllr) , D               Grubb (Minutes). Residents: Mrs Harvey, Mr Robson, Mr Walker

      APOLOGIES:    Mr Minty Scaife (Cllr)

 

3.   MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (2 Jan 2024: Ref 334): Agreed by Cllrs present. Signed by Chair.

 

4.   MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES:

1.    Pickhill road resurfacing – finalisation: Signs and rubble now removed.  Mrs Grubb had an email from the contractors thanking her for kind feedback re quality of work and helpful workforce. 

2.   Tree trimming: Sinderby - trees trimmed, satisfactory outcome; tree surgeon invoice paid.  

Pickhill – branches by noticeboard and around Lime seats need trimming. Cherry trees damaged during hedge cutting on verge opposite “station” wall, one is dead.       Agreed: Parish Council to trim trees and replace dead tree. Mr Clarke volunteered.

3.    Vehicle damage to Pickhill Green: less incursions, but still an issue. Mr Barker said we may have to consider installing posts / chains to prevent damage to Green. To be monitored.        For next agenda.

 

5.   PLANNING:

1.   Appeal to Secretary of State: West Garth Sinderby. As this required response by 5 March, reply agreed earlier – “Parish Council had not objected to the planning application and supported the appeal, as an on-site farm manager was seen as necessary at a large pig breeding unit.”  Response submitted.

2.   Application: Brook House, Pickhill: work to trees in back garden (conservation area). Again response required by 28 February, so after earlier consultation.....      Agreed: no objections.                                                                                               

3.   Modification  application: 1-2 The Cottages, Pickhill: changes to 2021 drawings to move proposed dwelling forward, square off garage, add 1st floor, dispense with proposed detached barn for gym, fenestration amendments. Plans considered.....                   Agreed: no objections.  

4.   Updates on earlier applications: Highthorne Farm, Pickhill (conversion of barn to dwelling) adjudged by planning as permitted development. Pear Tree House in Sinderby (extension) has been granted. Noted.

 

6.    FINANCE:

1.   Update since last meeting: Tree surgeons invoice paid. Payment made to NYC for 2023 grasscutting. We have received payments for cutting the splays. Website/domain name invoice paid.

2.   Parish precept for 2024/25: increase same as last year – a difference of only pence per household per month on Council tax. More homes in Parish Council area also means slightly less per household.

3.   Grasscutting/pitch-marking for 2024: contract agreed with NYC Facilities. Mr Barker queried whether we need the pitch marked now there is no walking football. Agreed to monitor this summer.

4.   Cutting splays in 2024: we have agreed to continue cutting the junction visibility splays for which we receive a small remuneration from NYC Highways.

 

 7.   PROJECTS:

1. Pickhill Playground: Mr Barker and Mr Clarke reported that the timber has now been delivered. Climbing wall panels and roof of one tower removed to workshop for restoration.

2. Dog Waste bin for Sinderby: Parish Clerk is liaising with the NYC manager who deals with this and is arranging a site meeting. Mr Wadsworth and Mr Barker will also attend.

3. Verge at Pickhill sign – top of hill. Further discussion re shaping of banking and levels. Mr Barker & Mr Clarke will meet there with digger and do some sculpting, before any planting.            For next agenda.

                                 

8.        CORRESPONDENCE: nil

                                                         

9.    COUNCILLORS REPORTS: Mr Clarke: has some historic photographs of village which could be placed on Parish Council website – will be of                       interest.                                           Agreed.                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                         

10.   ANY OTHER BUSINESS:  none.     

 

 Signed:  R Barker                                                          Dated: 28 May 2024


Latest News

Minutes of meeting held on 4 February 2025 at Pickhill School. Ref: 340

April 17, 2025
1. OPEN SESSION : nil 2. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Minty Scaife, Mr Jim Wadsworth. Others: D Grubb (Minutes). NYC: Cllr David Webster. Residents: Mr R Walker APOLOGIES: None 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (7 Jan 2025 - Ref 339): Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES : 1. Speed reduction signage on entering Pickhill: still awaiting response from Highways. 5. PLANNING: 1. Church House, Pickhill (Grade II Listed) : retrospective application re various works discovered during ongoing renovation. Agreed – no objections. 2. Church House, Pickhill (Grade II Listed): change of use of land to domestic; create new vehicle access track and parking; alter existing yard access to pedestrian only. Agreed – no objections. 3. 1-2 The Cottages, Pickhill: retrospective application to convert existing garage to a granny annexe including small extension to create porch. Agreed – no objections. 4. Any updates on earlier applications - none 6. FINANCE: 1. Update since last meeting: Parish Clerk confirmed last statement from bank at end of November. Invoice received for parish council website renewal & domain name at £159.45. Renewal agreed. 2. Grasscutting contract for Sinderby: Following last meeting Mrs Grubb had signed and returned the Pickhill contract and had requested a copy of the plan for Sinderby showing the verges to be cut . Still awaiting a response. Cllr Webster offered to chase that with the member of staff. For next Agenda. 7. PROJECTS: Pickhill Village Green improvements. (i) Seats: Parish Clerk confirmed a grant application was submitted for three bench seats at £900 +VAT. (best of two quotes obtained). Cllr Webster said he had recommended a grant of £500 towards this, for which he was thanked. Design is to match the one existing fixed blue bench seat. Will be heavy but free standing; discussed need to try out positioning. If they get moved by the public we can consider securing them down later. It was proposed that the order be placed with Mr Charlton. Agreed. (Mr Clarke to order) (ii) Signage: Second quote, obtained by Mr Scaife from Swift Signs (£312 + VAT each) beats that from Fox’s. After discussion it was proposed two signs be ordered from Swift. Agreed. (Mr Scaife to order) 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting) (1) Speed campaign/road safety in NY villages – update from campaign co-ordinator – this is a campaign to have fixed enforcement cameras in villages, which is resisted by the Mayors office/Police & Crime Commisioner as the policy is to use mobile camera units across North Yorkshire. Noted. (2) Message from All Saints Church. Email received thanking Parish Council for the donation towards Church’s grass-cutting bill. Noted. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS: Mr Barker: reports that trees on the Street Lane verge opposite the “Station” wall have again been damaged during hedge trimming. He had spoken to the owner of the hedge who confirms the contractor had reported this back to him. Mr Barker noted that these trees were planted by the Parish Council some 20 years ago, yet it is only in the last 2 winters that this has occurred. The Parish Council had to replace one of the trees last winter and others needed “first aid”. Councillors to go and inspect the damage / layout: to discuss further at next meeting. For next Agenda. Cllr Webster: · NY Council meeting the following day to discuss the deficit. · It is likely that Locality Grants budget will be halved next year (to be applied for in second half of 2025 – applications will close 31 Jan 2026. · Each household will be getting one extra recycling bin. · There is a move to even out each Councillors area (based on number of residents) and it is likely that our Parish Council will not be in his area (Bedale division) by the next NYC elections in 2027. · National target of 1.5 million extra homes during this Government means North Yorkshire having to substantially increase its target on the local plan. Mrs Grubb: on that last point, she had downloaded the Local Plan map of the County showing sites suggested by landowners as possibly available for building/development. There was just one within our Parish Council area (copy viewed). Cllr Webster issued a note of caution in that these sites were unfiltered – ie., had not yet been evaluated. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: none. Signed: R Barker Dated: 15.4.2025 New Paragraph

Minutes of meeting held on 7 January 2025 at Pickhill School. Ref: 339

April 17, 2025
1. OPEN SESSION : nil 2. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Minty Scaife, Mr Jim Wadsworth. Others: D Grubb (Minutes). NYC: Cllr David Webster. APOLOGIES: None 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETINGS (12 Nov 2024 - Ref 337 and 3 Dec 2024 - Ref 338): Both Agreed. Signed by Chair . 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES : 1. Speed reduction on entering Pickhill: reinstatement of SLOW signs on road at 30mph entry points: Highways have been asked to reinstate them. Awaiting their response. 2. Vehicle damage to Pickhill Village Green: see Item 7(2). 5. PLANNING: 1. Application re land west of Sinderby Lane, Sinderby – change of use of farm buildings to dwelling house and associated building works – discussed. Agreed – no objections. 2. Previous applications: (1) Chancefield, Pickhill – conversion of agricultural buildings into six dwellings - has been refused by the planning department. (2) Church House, Pickhill – staircase/loft hatch, etc – was granted. 6. FINANCE: 1. Update since last meeting: The Parish Clerk outlined position of current account. A cheque for the Church grounds donation (£300) was signed. The proposed precept forms (2025/26) were submitted in November (£4,620). 2. Grasscutting contracts: Quotes for 2025 growing season received.... Pickhill: The NYC contractors will charge £1665.83, whilst Highways will pay £112.34 for cutting their visibility splays. After discussion, this was accepted. Sinderby: NYC originally quoted over £800, but when Mrs Grubb queried the amount it transpired this included the “village green”, as they believed we owned it. They have now accepted that NYC do own it and have re-quoted £416 for just the roadside verges. Highways will pay us £52 for the splays. Councillors queried the £416 as there seems to be little which was not splays. Mrs Grubb to request plans showing the verges to be cut within that quote For next Agenda. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Pickhill Playground improvements : due to winter conditions no further work had been undertaken. 2. Vehicle damage to Pickhill Village Green: Mr Barker had obtained a quote from Fox’s for two signs mounted on posts, at £334 each, plus VAT, and showed images of the wording options. Mr Scaife would obtain a second quote to same specification. For next Agenda. 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting) None 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS: Cllr Webster : will be attending NYC budget meeting the day after, so little to report. Locality Grants available on a 50/50 basis; closing date is 31 January. Discussion regarding seating benches to improve amenities on Pickhill Village Green, which only has one bench currently. Quotes to be obtained. Mr Scaife: recalls earlier suggestion for a flower bed on the verge by Pickhill sign at top of hill – ongoing. Mrs Grubb: a resident at Holme on Swale had asked if our Parish Council could represent their village as their Parish Meeting had ceased to exist. Mrs Grubb had advised her that it was not within our remit and referred her to NY Council. Cllr Webster confirmed that was the position and advised there were other villages in the area in a similar position, such as Ainderby Quernhow and Howe. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: none. Signed: R. Barker Dated: 4.2.2025 New Paragraph
More Posts