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

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:   4.2.2025New Paragraph

Latest News

Additional Flying at RAF Leeming

March 5, 2026
A message from RAF Leeming: Exercise Agile Warrior 26; the RAF’s long-planned major homeland defence training activity is designed to rigorously test the RAF’s ability to protect the United Kingdom in an increasingly contested and volatile global security environment and forms a critical step to ensuring the RAF remains ready to 'fight tonight' in defence of the nation. Agile Warrior 26 (AW26) will allow the RAF to evaluate and, if necessary, enhance front line capabilities through dispersed, resilient and agile airbase operations. During the exercise, air and ground units across multiple RAF stations will train under contested, degraded and operationally limited conditions, simulating the effects of cyber-attacks, long-range precision strike threats, and persistent attempts to disrupt UK air operations. Essentially, the exercise is intended to test the RAF’s ongoing ability to defend the UK when under direct attack from an adversary, ensuring the RAF can continue protecting the country no matter what challenges it faces. Due to Exercise Agile Warrior, there will be increased movement by aircraft operating from RAF Leeming in the week commencing 9 March. We understand our responsibility as good neighbours to inform the local community of such events that are additional to our normal flying activities and every effort will be made to keep the disturbance to a minimum. Norma Grubb, Clerk to the Parish Council , 05 March 2026 Email: clerk@pickhillandsinderbypc.co.uk

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

February 23, 2026
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
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