Meeting minutes 04.04.2017

ALBURY PARISH COUNCIL (APC) MEETING
Minutes of the meeting held Tuesday 4th April 2017, 19.15 hrs at the Village Hall

Present: Cllr Benton, Cllr Murdoch and Cllr Waples
In attendance: Mrs J Pettitt (parish clerk)

The chairman opened the meeting at 7:20 pm

1. To receive and accept apologies for absence. Councillor Clayden-Smith and Councillor Walne sent apologies both due to prior work commitments. These were accepted by the councillors present.
2. To receive declarations of interest. None.
3. To confirm the minutes of the Albury Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 7th March 2017.
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 clerk confirmed that two new water boilers had been purchased for the village hall @£147.50
5. To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public. None.
6. To consider planning applications.
3/17/0763/HH. 2 Gravesend Cottages, Gravesend, Albury. Single storey and two storey rear extensions and single storey side extension. No comment.
3/17/0596/LBC. River Cottage, Mill Lane, Albury. Single storey timber-framed and weather-boarded extension with pitched slate roof incorporating a bathroom. Removing built up ground surrounding external walls. Raising first floor ceiling height. Overhauling windows and doors throughout. Creating access to un-used void. Introduction of services to include water, electricity, oil and foul drainage. Installation of an external boiler and oil tank. 2no new ground floor window openings. No comment.
7. To receive bank statements, bank reconciliation and financial summary
These were received by the Council and found to be satisfactory.
Balance at 7/3/17 £31,424.42
Income: Reclaimed VAT £1,547.14, Wildlife Talk (tickets/bar) £653.45, BT Wayleave £91.12
Outgoings: As agreed 7/3/17 minute 8: £235.50 As agreed 7/3/17 minute 17:£199.00            
       VAT owed to Govresources £30.00
Balance at 3/4/17 £33,251.63
8. To agree payments due
Clerk’s salary £711.36, Litter picker 1 £130, Litter picker 2 £130, J Pettitt for 2 water boilers £147.50, J Pettitt for Easter Egg Hunt presents/bags £100.22, PMA for Walks Leaflet design £744, CHBT defibrillator £2290.14, Donation to HMWT £759.11, HAPTC subs £332.39, Graham’s Taxis £35. Total £5,379.72
Resolved, proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Waples, that these payments be made. Unanimously agreed.
9. To receive the clerk’s report (for information only)
Councillor Muller sent a letter of resignation which was circulated to the councillors. A resident has requested permission to install a water harvester on his allotment plot.
10. To discuss the popularity of the Community Taxi on 25/3/17 and 1/4/17
Five people used the service on 25/3/17 and three used it on 1/4/17. We are still awaiting a response from Furneux Pelham parish council regarding sharing the service. The clerk agreed to follow this up.
11. To receive an update of the success of the Russell Savory wildlife talk and sign a cheque for £700 to present to HMWT
This was a great success. 100 tickets were sold and many people have reported that they enjoyed the event. Ticket sales, refreshment sales and a raffle raised £759.11. Ray and Judi Murdoch were reimbursed £105.66 for refreshment purchases and £653.45 was banked. The village hall hire fee was waived and APC had previously agreed to pay for the refreshments so the full £759.11 can be donated to HMWT.
Resolved, proposed Cllr Murdoch, seconded by Cllr Benton, that £759.11 should be donated to HMWT specifically for use at Patmore Heath. A cheque was duly signed.
12. To discuss the cost and dimensions of a traditional village sign, and the response from Highways regarding the site for possible installation
Highways require details of the sign design to get an understanding of the type and size of foundation needed. They suggested we wait until after the Council Elections and then the incoming County Councillor may wish to support us by facilitating / supporting designs, site assessments etc.  The site needs to be assessed by Highways for suitability. Cllr Waples has had quotes ranging from £3,000 to £5,500 excluding installation. There are varying designs with and without brick plinths. The clerk agreed to ask Highways if they could survey the site for suitability.
13. To receive an update of the Gigaclear FTTP installation schedule
Due to an increase in the number of surrounding villages that have signed up, Gigaclear have had to go back to the design stage to look at increasing the size of the fibre cable to be routed here from Hunsdon. We are awaiting a new installation schedule. BT are yet to release a date for the Albury exchange upgrade to fibre.
14. To receive an update of the Albury walks leaflet
We have now received the invoice for the design of the leaflet. A minor update to the map was required and it is now ready to print.
15. To receive an update of the 2nd defibrillator purchase
The order has been placed and the invoice received. We are expecting news of a delivery date. Another training session for locals will be booked and announced soon.
16. To discuss changing the village website to a WordPress site to make it easier for the parish council to self-manage
Postponed to a future agenda.
17. To agree on a printer to purchase and set a budget for a new parish council laptop
The clerk circulated the details of an HP-Envy printer for £45. A suitable laptop will cost in the region of £450-£500. We have previously received funding from the HAPTC which will cover these costs.
Resolved, proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Waples, that the clerk purchase the printer @£45. Unanimously agreed.
Resolved, proposed by Cllr Benton, seconded by Cllr Waples, that a budget of up to £500 be set for the purchase of a new laptop. Unanimously agreed.
The clerk agreed to continue research into a suitable laptop and provide further details to the councillors. The clerk agreed to order the printer.
18. To discuss the progress of the village hall playground fund raising
Cllr Benton has almost completed the funding applications. Each one has required a 3000 word explanation of how a new playground will benefit Albury. Playdale are ready to supply and fit the equipment they have quoted for.
19. To discuss whether to buy dog waste bins, numbers and locations
The councillors discussed this and decided that bins would spoil the appearance of the area and they would prefer to spend the money on more worthy projects.
20. To suggest agenda items for the Annual Parish Council Meeting to be held Tuesday 2nd May, 2017 at 7.15pm at the Village Hall
Election of chair and vice-chair, approve and sign the Annual Return, review Annual insurance policy, review standing orders and financial regs, WordPress website,

The chairman closed the meeting at 8:15 pm