Meeting minutes 01.11.2016
ALBURY PARISH COUNCIL (APC) MEETING
Minutes of the meeting held Tuesday 1st November 2016, 19.15 hrs at the Village Hall
Present: Cllr Benton, Cllr Clayden-Smith, Cllr Walne and Cllr Waples
In attendance: Mrs J Pettitt (parish clerk) and 2 members of the public (MOP).
The chairman opened the meeting at 7.25 pm
1. To receive and accept apologies for absence. Cllr Murdoch sent apologies.
2. To receive declarations of interest. None.
3. To confirm the minutes of the Albury Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 4th October 2016. Resolved that these minutes be agreed as a true and accurate record of the proceedings and be duly signed by the chairman. Unanimously agreed.
4. To receive reports on actions agreed at the last council meeting
The BT phone in the phone box at Clapgate is still in working order. The clerk has asked BT for further information on the adoption process. The clerk asked for villagers’ opinions via Facebook; 34 thought it was a good idea and none raised objections.
Other actions will be reported in specific agenda points.
5. To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public
An MOP asked if Albury could have a radar speed sign installed. APC explained that they had investigated this previously and the cost had been too expensive. Cllr Benton said APC will look into arranging another DriveSafe campaign.
6. To consider planning applications
None received.
7. To receive bank statements, bank reconciliation and financial summary
These were received by the Council and found to be satisfactory.
Balance at 30/9/16 £35,211.76
Income: £0.00
Outgoings: As agreed 4/10/16 £945.36
Plus EHC playground inspection £49.80
S/O to Stop Stansted Expansion £10.00
Balance at 31/10/16 £34,206.60
8.To agree payments due
None
9.To receive the clerk’s report (for information only)
District plan details received.
Web links received to A120 Little Hadham Bypass further information.
10.To discuss the grant application received from the PCC to assist with St Mary’s churchyard maintenance
The treasurer of the Parochial Church Council (PCC) explained that the PCC are now using reserves to meet these maintenance costs. APC agreed to donate £1000 for the year 2016-2017. Resolved, proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Waples, that £1000 be donated to the PCC for churchyard maintenance. Unanimously agreed.
11.To discuss further information submitted under the A120 Little Hadham bypass planning application and whether to use a planning expert to formulate a response
The councillors discussed this item. Resolved, proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Waples, that Jacqueline Veater should be asked to formulate a response on behalf of APC at a cost not exceeding £1000 plus VAT. Unanimously agreed.
12.To discuss the progress of the Albury Parish walking leaflet
Cllr Murdoch has provided the first draft for approval. The clerk agreed to ask if a copy could be emailed to each councillor for proof reading.
13. To set a date for the Albury Parish Council Christmas Walks and set the catering budget
It was agreed that the walks will be held on Friday 30th December. Resolved, proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Waples, that £250 be allocated to cater for the event. Unanimously agreed.
14.To discuss the progress of the village hall playground fundraising
This is still in progress.
15.To discuss the positioning and design/cost of a traditional village sign
The land owner does not want a permanent sign on the site. It is hoped that he will give permission for a temporary Christmas tree with lights. Resolved, proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Waples, that a maximum of £750 be allocated to buy a tree and lights if permission is granted. Unanimously agreed.
16.To further discuss funding a taxi service into Bishop’s Stortford on Saturdays for a 3 month period
HAPTC advised that councillors can make the decision to fund transport in this way. Resolved, proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Waples, that APC will fund a thirteen week trial at a cost of £50 per week. Unanimously agreed.
Passengers will be charged a fare equivalent to the return bus fare they would have paid to recover some of the weekly cost. The chair of the 60 plus group is to liaise with the taxi company to set a start date and pick up points.
17.To discuss increasing the current litter picking hourly rate and the requirement for a litter picker/bin emptier at the village hall playground
Resolved, proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Clayden-Smith, that the litter picker rate be raised from £8.00 to £10.00 per hour. Unanimously agreed. The village hall playground is currently litter picked by a local person on a regular basis. Resolved, proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Waples, that this person should be paid for 1 hour per week, at the above rate, to litter pick the play area and empty the adjacent concrete bin. Unanimously agreed. The clerk will order the necessary high-vis vest, waste sacks and litter picking stick.
18.To discuss necessary changes to the village website
The website was hacked last weekend. David Muller has assessed the work necessary to update plugins and add further security layers. The estimated cost is £130. Resolved, proposed by Cllr Clayden-Smith, seconded by Cllr Waples, that David Muller should carry out the necessary work and invoice APC. Unanimously agreed.
19.To agree to purchasing more dog waste bags to place around the village
Resolved, proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Waples, that bags be purchased at a cost of £20. Unanimously agreed.
20.To suggest agenda items for the Parish Council Meeting to be held Tuesday 10th January 2017 at 7.15pm at the Village Hall
Easter Egg Hunt, DriveSafe, playground, walks leaflet, website, A120 Bypass, Community Taxi