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

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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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