ALBURY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes of a meeting held on 14th January 2025, 7.15 pm at the Village Hall
Present: Councillors Jolly, Kelly, Klimowicz, Levell, Murdoch and Pope
In attendance: Mrs J Pettitt (clerk), 2 members of the HMWT, and Councillor Geoff Williamson
The chair opened the meeting at 7.25 pm
1. To receive and accept apologies for absence. None.
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 14th November 2024
Resolved, proposed Cllr Pope, seconded Cllr Levell, that 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
Complete the form to request the Catherine Wheel is made a community asset: see item 15
Increasing parking spaces at the village hall car park: an update will be provided in February
Footpath garden waste fly tipping: the path in question was clear in December
Our response to the consultation on enabling remote attendance and proxy voting was submitted.
The link to East Herts Council’s Community Governance Review was published on Facebook and residents were invited to submit their views.
5. To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public. None.
6. To consider planning applications received.
APPLICATION: 3/24/2300/LBC PROPOSAL: Single storey rear timber conservatory extension AT: The Nook Upwick Green Albury Hertfordshire. No comments.
7. To receive statements, bank reconciliation and financial summary
These were received by the Council and found to be satisfactory.
Balance at 12/11/2024 £13,428.21
Payments: 19/11/2024 PKF Littlejohn External Audit £378.00
20/11/2024 EHC Play Area Inspection £69.60
25/11/2024 J Pettitt Office Supplies £23.98
24/11/2024 Clerk’s November pay£374.62
27/11/2024 N Lock Allotment Mowing May – Oct £520.00
27/11/2024 E-Scapes hall mowing November£200.00
29/11/2024 CHBT Annual subs£151.20
17/12/2024 E-scapes hall mowing December£100.00
23/12/2024 Clerk’s December pay£374.62
30/12/2024 M Vicary Litter picking Oct – Dec£130.00
7/1/2025 K Wheatley Village Hall hedge cut£264.00
Receipts: 27/11/2024 Albury VH for mowing November £100.00
7/12/2024 Z Kell Santa donation £1277.82
7/12/20244 Albury VH for mowing December £50.00
Available balance at 13/1/2025 £12,270.01
8. To receive and agree payment of the invoice for the Santa Envelopes
An invoice for £151.20 was received.
Resolved, proposed Cllr Jolly, seconded Cllr Murdoch, to pay the invoice for £151.20 for the printed Santa envelopes. Unanimously agreed.
9. To agree payments due.
Santa envelopes £151.20 as agreed at item 8.
10. To receive the clerk’s report (for information only). None
11. To discuss responses received from residents to the letter requesting No Parking on the SSSI areas of Patmore Heath
One resident has asked for clarification on where to park and one has suggested a clearer No Parking Sign should be installed.
Action: Councillor Levell agreed to write a response to the letter.
Action: The clerk will email HMWT as they are to confirm with Natural England that clearer parking signs can be installed by the parish council.
12. To discuss with HMWT representatives their plans for tree works at Patmore Heath, the history behind the designated car park and parking on the SSSI areas in general
HMWT explained that 6 oaks and 2 birch trees are scheduled to be removed on 13/02/2025 in line with the management plan dictated by Natural England. They have applied for the necessary permissions from the Tree officer at East Herts Council.
Action: residents are to be informed in the Newsletter and on Facebook
13. To agree the clerk’s salary upgrade from SPC23 to SPC28
Resolved, proposed Cllr Kelly, seconded Cllr Murdoch, to increase the clerk’s grade from SCP23 to SCP28. Unanimously agreed.
14. To agree the precept for the next financial year and complete the relevant form
Current available reserves are £8,121. The forecasted expenditure for 2025 to 2026 is £10,700.
In order to keep the reserves at the current level it was decided that in order for the precept to cover the forecasted expenditure, it should be set at £11,000.00
Resolved, proposed Cllr Kelly, seconded Cllr Jolly, to set the precept at £11,000.00 Unanimously agreed.
The form was completed and signed. Action: The clerk will scan and submit the precept form.
15. To sign the form to request The Catherine Wheel to be registered as an Asset of Community
The form was duly signed by the chairperson.
Action: The clerk will scan and submit the form to East Herts Council.
16. To discuss the latest planning application for a BESS on land at Hixham Hall, Furneux Pelham
We have submitted an objection with photographs that show the current traffic jams that occur at certain areas along the Albury Road.
17. To discuss Herts connected and Echo for the rural policing team
Action: The clerk will scan two flyers and post them on Facebook, the noticeboards and ask if they can be printed in the Albury Newsletter.
18. To agree ideas for new equipment ideas for the play area
The clerk has found some pull up bars and gymnastic bars suitable for adults and children and a combined target.
Action: the clerk will arrange for a site visit and a quote from the supplier.
19. To discuss the next consultation on the next Sign of The Times Festival
The festival has a perpetual licence but in light of issues last year, there has been a request for a review of the licence by two interested parties. If a review is granted, there will be a public consultation. We will be informed of the progress.
20. To draw the December 200 Club
No. 85 was drawn by Councillor Geoff Williamson.
21. To suggest agenda items for the next parish council meeting: 11th February 2025
Grant from UKSPF, memorial garden, village hall car park and drainage, Albury Play Space update, play area equipment update, defibrillator for Upwick. Tree removal on Patmore Heath. New accessible village website, Parking on Patmore Heath, traffic/speeding update
The chair closed the meeting at 9.30 pm