ALBURY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes of the meeting held 9th January 2024, 7.15 pm at the Village Hall
Present: Councillors Kelly, Jolly and Pope.
In attendance: Mrs J Pettitt (clerk), and 1 member of the public
The vicechair opened the meeting at 7.15 pm
1. To receive and accept apologies for absence.
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillors Klimowicz, Lehmann and Sargisson.
2. To receive declarations of interest.
a) To receive declarations of interest from councillors on items on the agenda
b) To receive written requests for dispensations for declarable interests
c) To grant any requests for dispensation as appropriate.
No declarations or requests for dispensation received.
3. To confirm the minutes of the Albury Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 7th November 2023
Resolved, proposed Cllr Kelly, seconded Cllr Jolly, these minutes are a true and accurate record of the proceedings. Unanimously agreed.
4. To receive reports on actions agreed at the last council meeting
The clerk contacted Clarion Housing and they confirmed they have requested their tenant to reposition a boundary fence between The Bourne and the parish allotments
The chair emailed local parish councils regarding speeding in the villages (point 14)
The clerk emailed Robert Barclay regarding clearance of the areas of the River Ash on farmland and his response will be discussed at the next meeting.
5. Councillor Jolly to sign printed copies of Standing Orders, Code of Conduct and Financial Regulations circulated prior to the meeting
The documents were signed and have now been filed.
6. To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public
None
7. To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public
APPLICATION: 3/23/2333/FUL PROPOSAL: Demolition of dwelling. Erection of a replacement dwelling, pool house and detached garage with associated landscaping AT: Fairings Church End CONSULTATION comments by: 11th January 2024. No comment.
APPLICATION: 3/23/2340/FUL PROPOSAL: Demolition of existing bungalow; erection of two detached, five bedroom dwellings with garages, car-parking and landscaping; installation of air source heat pumps; and solar roof panels; chimneys and external BBQ area for Plot 1. AT: Christys Albury End Albury CONSULTATION: comments by: 12th January 2024. No comment
8. To receive statements, bank reconciliation and financial summary
These were received by the Council and found to be satisfactory.
Balance at 7/11/2023 £23817.18
Payments: 9/11/23 HAPTC for training -£90.00
21/11/23 E-scapes landscape hedge cutting -£532.00
29/11/23 N Lock allotment strimming (6 months) -£515.00
4/12/23 GR8 Tool Hire (patio digger/dumper) -£1500.00
5/12/23 J Poulton Sons (patio concrete/membrane) -£558.00
5/12/23 A Cooper verge trimming -£150.00
6/12/23 GR8 Tool Hire (patio whacker plate) -£250.00
6/12/23 J Poulton Sons (patio crushed concrete) -£384.00
8/12/23 B Woollard (patio labour 1) -£600.00
8/12/23 M Stock (patio labour 1) -£600.00
11/12/23 J Poulton Sons (grab lorry, cement, sand) -£1479.84
18/12/23 B Woollard (patio labour 2) -£200.00
18/12/23 B Woollard (patio machine diesel) -£93.06
18/12/23 J Pettitt salary increase backpay to April -£130.00
19/12/23 B Woollard (patio labour 3) -£200.00
19/12/23 M Stock (patio labour 2) -£200.00
21/12/23 E-scapes landscape (VH gardening) -£100.00
2/1/24 J Pettitt Q3 salary -£1083.55
2/1/24 M Vicary Q3 litter picking -£130.00
3/1/24 K Wheatley (patio soil removal) -£600.00
9/1/24 J Poulton Sons (Patio 2 tonne soil) -£136.80
Receipts:
10/11/23 VAT refund +£2328.17
8/12/23 Albury Play space +£3418.00
15/12/23 Santa tractor collection donation +£952.88
18/12/23 Santa tractor collection donation +£80.00
Available balance at 9/1/2024 £21063.98
9. To agree payments due.
None.
10. To complete and sign precept form
The form was signed with a request for £10,000 as agreed at November’s meeting. ACTION: The clerk will submit the form via email.
11. To receive the clerk’s report (for information only)
None.
12. To discuss the progress of reinstating the Albury Parochial Charities
Change of signatory mandates and new bank details were sent to BlackRock and the CCLA in December. Paul Cole has written to Barclays to request a cheque for the closing balance to be reissued after Lloyds destroyed the original cheque.
13. To discuss the progress of the village hall patio work
Work began in December. The hard core is in place and the slabs are being re-laid this week. The spending of the budget of £13400 ex VAT is being recorded by the clerk. All VAT paid will be reclaimed at the end of the job.
14. To discuss creating a traffic and Speeding steering group with other local parish councils
Stocking Pelham, Furneux Pelham, Little Hadham and Berden have expressed an interest in participating. ACTION: The clerk will suggest a selection of dates in the second and third week of February to find one that’s mutually convenient for all.
15. To receive a report on the Understanding Charitable Trusts training in relation to becoming trustees of the Dole Field.
In the absence of three councillors, becoming trustees will be discussed at the next meeting.
ACTION: Councillors Kelly and Jolly will prepare a summary of the training course to highlight the pros and cons and circulate this before the next meeting.
16. To suggest agenda items for the next Parish Council meeting to be held Tuesday 6th February 2024
Parochial Charities update, discuss becoming a trustee of The Dole Field, River Ash cleaning, village sign area clearance schedule, purchase of strimmer, find out about licence for Anthropos, patio update, 200 club draw