“Notes” re meeting of 16 March 2020 outside Pickhill School.
1. PRESENT: Mr Graham Clarke (Chairman), Mr Ron Barker (Vice Chairman), Mrs Norma Grubb (Parish Clerk), Mr Minty Scaife, Mr James Wadsworth.
David Grubb (Minutes), Residents: Mrs Anita Harvey.
APOLOGIES: from Cllr David Webster and County Cllr John Weighell.
The school had sensibly been placed out of bounds that day, due to Covid-19 advice just issued, so the meeting was on the car park. As a result it was agreed the meeting would be limited to urgent business only (Items 2 and 5).
2. OPEN MEETING: Nil
5. PLANNING
(i) Planning Application: Station Farm, Pickhill – application re reserved matters, including landscaping and appearance of 14 new dwellings and 1 replacement dwelling. (Outline planning granted in 2017). The Parish Council had no objections when the outline application was made in 2017. Following discussion there were no objections to the current application, but councillors had some points to ask the Planning Officer to take into account. Detail to Parish Clerk before 23 March deadline. The points, submitted to Planning on 23 March, were:
1. access for site vehicles be from Cross Lane ONLY (by the Block Factory) to avoid traffic passing through the narrow main street, particularly as there is another re-development site in Street Lane just after Cross Lane;
2. no site-related vehicles be parked on the main street (Street Lane);
3. create an off road compound for deliveries, loading / unloading of machinery and materials, so road closures can be kept to a minimum and avoid unnecessary disruption;
4. confirmation that the infrastructure of the village can cope with the increased demand on water/sewage/drainage etc;
5. regular cleaning of the road be undertaken throughout the development period;
6. the road be re-instated after the completion of works.
(ii) Update: The Old Post Office, Sinderby – application granted by Hambleton Planning Committee.
There being no other urgent business, the meeting was adjourned until Monday 23 March 2020 at Sinderby Village Hall. However, due to Coronavirus lockdown implemented by Government that day – the meeting was cancelled. Urgent business will be handled via remote conferencing arrangements until further notice.
Latest News
Accounting Return 25 / 26
OPEN SESSION: A resident raised an issue re the number of dog walkers who do not clean up dog poo around Pickhill. He felt there was a need for community involvement, such as the school - might want the children to be involved in raising awareness, such as by designing posters to encourage cleaning up by dog owners. He was happy to laminate them. Also could poo bag dispensers be provided? Mr Barker advised that this was an issue for Parish Council’s everywhere. In the past, dog wardens have patrolled the villages, but with little success. The Parish Council has put up several notices asking owners to clean up after their dogs. Mrs Grubb said there are numerous dog poo bins around the villages. She had recently asked for some of these to be replaced and additional bins installed. To be placed on next Agenda. 1. PRESENT: Parish Councillors: Mr Ron Barker (Chair), Mr Graham Clarke (Vice Chair), Mrs Norma Grubb (also Parish Clerk), Mr Jim Wadsworth. Also Cllr D Webster (NYC), D Grubb (Minutes), Two residents. 2. APOLOGIES: Mr Minty Scaife. 3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (31 Mar 2026– Minute Ref. 347): Agreed. Signed by Chair. 4. MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES: Item 6: Mr Clarke had confirmed the Church grass was still being cut by Stuart Boynton. There had been a question over whether he would be able to continue which had prompted Mr Robson to seek the NYC quote, but that was prohibitive. In the mean-time Mr Clarke proposed the Parish Council support the Church with these costs, as in past years. Agreed: Donation of £300. Mr Robson had also referred to debris accumulating in the beck, at the bridge grid. Mr Clarke will deal. 5. PLANNING: 1. New Application: Stannum House, Pickhill – timber framed workshop. Agreed: no objections. 2. Earlier Application at Brooklyn, Pickhill. Parish Council objections sent to Planning on 1 April and architects submitted amended plans on 10 April. Mr Barker noted these showed the ground floor extension had been reduced slightly at front and rear. Changes to dormers included opaque, non opening windows. This addresses Parish Council objections. Agreed: P/C will lift its objection if consulted. (Note: Not further consulted but application granted 20/4 based on amended plans. 3. Earlier Application at Beechcroft, Pickhill (annexe): now granted by Planning. Noted. 6. FINANCE: 1. Parish Clerk’s Update: The draft balance sheet for year ending 31 March 2026 was presented. Invoice received for Pickhill grasscutting in 2026 growing year... (£1,970). Cheque signed. 2. AGAR: Applying for exemption from central audit of accounts 2025/26. Discussed.... Agreed. 7. PROJECTS: 1. Car Parking. Plan to improve parking on the area in front of Church House by levelling, put down grid mats, erect a fence along the back edge. Could accommodate 20 extra cars. Mr Clarke advised the Water Board have a 9 metre way-leave either side of the beck, so consent needed. Mr Barker and Mr Clarke to meet on-site to confirm measurements & draft application. Mr Barker felt volunteering farmers may have to be offered some diesel costs, in current fuel crisis. Cllr Webster advised of locality budget grants for 2026/27. After discussion.... Agreed: apply for grant towards fence costs. 2. Litter & Dog Waste Bins: No progress so far, since request submitted. For next Agenda. 8. CORRESPONDENCE: (circulated to councillors in advance of meeting): Nothing requiring action. 9. COUNCILLORS REPORTS. Cllr Webster (NYC): Central government had allocated 8% of the highways budget to the Mayor of York & North Yorkshire, resulting in NYC having a £20m reduction of that budget over the next 4 years. The new bin re-cycling arrangements have been rolled out in Malton – lessons learned, which will benefit the imminent roll-out in Richmond/Northallerton. Changes to government funding for rural support, Fairer Funding Formula and National Insurance come to 42m reduction, leaving NYC with a £17m budget deficit. Mr Barker: a NYC circular highlights the Crisis Resilience Fund, aimed at helping those in difficulties due to heating oil increases etc., in the current fuel crisis. He asks for details to be made available to residents. 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS: Nil. Signed: R Barker Dated: 21 May 2026