ALBURY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
Minutes of a meeting held on 4th June, 2024, 7.15 pm at the Village Hall
Present: Councillors Jolly, Kelly, Klimowicz and Pope
In attendance: Mrs J Pettitt (clerk) and 1 member of the public
The chair opened the meeting at 7.20 pm
1. To receive and accept apologies for absence.
Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor 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 annual meeting held on Tuesday 14th May 2024
Resolved, proposed Cllr Pope, seconded Cllr Kate, 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
Unsuitable for large vehicles sign and fly tipping signs have arrived and will be erected as soon as possible.
New noticeboards are still being researched (point 10)
Invoices were sent out to the shared owners of the PA system and payments are underway.
Notices were placed on newsletter and on Facebook asking for opinions on play equipment and for new Albury Play Space trustees.
Stansted Airport Night Flights consultation submission (point 11)
5. To receive petitions, comments and questions from the public
None.
6. To consider planning applications received.
None.
7. To receive statements, bank reconciliation and financial summary
These were received by the Council and found to be satisfactory.
Balance at 14/5/2024 £16,515.67
Payments: 15/5/24 Krystal Website Hosting £84.00
22/5/24 R Murdoch for plants £47.70
29/5/24 J Pettitt for signage £90.74
29/5/24 E-Scapes village hall mowing May£200.00
29/5/24 Community First Insurance£195.98
Receipts: 29/5/24 From village hall towards mowing £100.00
4/6/24 From Catherine Wheel for PA system £59.44
Available balance at 4/6/2024 £16,056.69
8. To agree payments due
None
9. To receive the clerk’s report (for information only)
Residents reported a fire on the allotment caused a nuisance
10. To discuss the purchase of three new village noticeboards
The board to be mounted at the village hall will cost £1058.50 +VAT and the board for Itch Lane will cost £1579.50+VAT. Both will cost £2638 +VAT
Resolved, proposed Cllr Kelly, seconded Cllr Jolly, that the clerk should purchase the 2 noticeboard. Unanimously agreed.
Action: the clerk will order the noticeboards.
11. To discuss the Stansted Airport night flight consultation
Our objection was submitted on 17th May. Neighbours were urged to respond via a Facebook message by the deadline date of 22nd May.
12. To an update from Gigaclear
Gigaclear supplied the following update: “Albury has been included into a completely redesigned build which covers communities south of the A120 too. The design has been completed and the proposal is to have the direct labour team (Gigaclear employees) build the scheme supported by one of our civils providers. The direct labour team have everything in hand, and we are now waiting for the civils costing before a final decision is made. Our focus has shifted to very rural build and will let you know more as soon as I have something to share.
Action: the clerk will reply asking for more clarification and to remind Gigaclear that it is now 10 years since we were told they will be bringing FTTP to Albury.
13. To discuss any assets in the village that could be designated as assets of community value
Assets of Community Value need to be registered with a Local Planning Authority by a voluntary or community body (for example a Parish Council). Once listed, if an Asset of Community Value comes up for sale, the community have an opportunity to make a bid to purchase the it. Registration expires after 5 years.
Action: the clerk and councillors will establish if any or all of the following are eligible:
The Catherine Wheel, The Dole Field, the allotments, the village hall, the village hall grounds, car park and play area.
Action: The clerk will investigate eligibility of the above.
14. To discuss the requirement for a second litter picker and the cost involved
A member of the public expressed an interest in becoming a litter picker.
Albury currently has 1 litter picker at a cost of £520. They work for 1 hour per week and are not an employee of the parish council. The councillors agreed a second litter picker is needed.
Action: the clerk will ask other parishes how they cover litter picking. and establish via the HAPTC if litter pickers should have their own liability cover or if the parish council should provide this.
15. To discuss an overhaul of the 2 large wooden Albury signs and whether to replace their fronts so they include reminders to drive carefully in through Albury
It was agreed that the signs need an overhaul. The fronts could possibly be replaced with clearer signs and a call to action to drive carefully. The verge around them is also overgrown.
Action: The clerk will get quotes for clearance of the area around the wooden Albury signs and also look for the original order to confirm their dimensions.
16. To discuss the conditioner of the finger post at Clapgate with respect to cleaning and repairing it and possibly planting flowers around it
It was agreed that the post needs repairing, cleaning and painting and that the parish council could organise keeping the area surrounding it strimmed. The closest resident currently does this.
17. To revise the allotment agreement as necessary ready for issue to the current tenants
Revisions were suggested particularly regarding the permission for fires.
Action: The clerk will add the updates and circulate to the councillors for approval before issuing the agreement to the current allotment tenants to sign.
18. To note Councillor Lehmann’s resignation and discuss the vacancy this has created
Councillor Lehmann resigned prior to the meeting which leaves one vacancy in the office of parish councillor.
Action: the clerk will inform Eats Herts Council and advertise the vacancy.
19. To discuss the possibility of moving our meeting date to the 2nd Tuesday of each month
Like us, Little Hadham and Much Hadham meet on 1st Tuesday of each month. To avoid this clash, Albury Parish Councillors agreed to alter our meeting date to the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 7.15pm, commencing next month.
Resolved, proposed Cllr Kelly, seconded Cllr Pope, to alter our meeting date to the 2nd Tuesday of each month. Unanimously agreed.
20. To suggest agenda items for the next Parish Council meeting to be held on Tuesday 9th July 2024
Traffic steering meeting, parish councillor vacancy, Litter picking, Albury Play Space trustee update, play area equipment update. Pétanque court, sign post upgrades, noticeboards
The chair closed the meeting at 8.55 pm
Signed………………………………….. Date………………………..