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 21 May 2026 at Pickhill. Ref: 349

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

Agenda for Parish Council Meeting at 7.30pm on Thursday 2 July 2026, at Pickhill School

June 30, 2026
Residents are welcome Councillors are reminded they must declare any conflict of interest on an item, where applicable.
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