ALBURGH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Alburgh parish council meeting held on Wednesday, 17th May 2023 at 8.00pm (following the annual parish meeting) in Alburgh Village Hall.
1.To elect a chairman – chairman to sign the declaration of acceptance of office
Jon Price proposed that Mark Thompson continue as chairman for the coming year, seconded Caroline Swanston.
Mr. Thompson agreed to be chairman and signed the declaration of acceptance of office.
Present: Cllr Thompson, Cllr Swanston, Cllr Price, District councillor Chris Brown
2. To elect a vice chairman
Jon Price proposed that Caroline Swanston become vice chair, seconded Mark Thompson. Caroline Swanston agreed to become vice chair.
3. To consider accepting apologies for absence – Cllr Hall
4. To receive any declarations of interest from members on any item to be discussed at this meeting – None
5. To receive any declaration of acceptance of office that have not been received and decide whether to grant an extension – Agreed for Cllr Hall
6. To approve and sign the minutes of the last parish council meeting held on 6th April, 2023, The minutes were approved and signed by Cllr Thompson as a correct record.
7. Open Forum for public participation (maximum 10 minutes): an opportunity to hear from members of the public – There were no members of the public present
Chris Brown, District Councillor informed us that a meeting has been held about the sale of Long Stratton house. The decision on this has been postponed to July.
The Tourist information hut in Diss is now being used as a sort of drop in centre by South Norfolk as well.
8. To discuss matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting which are not on the agenda
Clerk to get update on grit bins
The village hall lease is in hand
Pond dredging – to carry forward to next meeting
Speeding concerns – Cllr Swanston will ask Matt Legon for the information he has obtained on speeding.
9. To discuss any correspondence received
We have received an email from the village hall committee about the bins on the playing field and in the millennium garden which we use. The village hall have now got larger bins in place and these are at a higher cost than their previous refuse arrangement and they are asking if we would be prepared to share some portion of the cost. After discussion it was agreed to offer £120 per year.
10. To receive inspection reports on Playing Field and Homersfield Picnic Site
Cllr Hall did inspection but was not here tonight to give an update.
It was agreed that we would order the timber required to repair the zip wire. Cllr Hall to arrange this.
Some items of play equipment need cleaning and there is quite a lot of rust on the swings and slide. Cllr Price agreed to look in to costs for repairing these and for possibly replacing the slide and putting in a shaded area.
Homersfield Picnic Site – We have received a grant from the Adnams Community Trust for £1,050 to purchase and install a handrail and five bollards.
11. To undertake the annual review of: Standing Orders, Financial Regulations
These had been circulated before the meeting to allow councillors to read. All councillors agreed to adopt these.
12. To agree to adopt the 2020 LGA Code of Conduct
Again, this was circulated before the meeting. The council all agreed to abide by the LGA Code of conduct.
13. Village Items
Update on Film Nights
Tina Hair has agreed to carry on organising the film nights. Discussion on advertising the film night with posters and possibly a banner for the village hall.
Update on Village Questionnaire – Cllr Thompson has collated the responses. Discussions on this, it was decided to suggest holding a meeting with the village hall committee to discuss and identify what would be nice to action following the village responses. Cllr Thompson to organise.
Update on Village Hall Notice Boards – We have been looking in to quotes for a replacement notice board. Best quote for aluminium notice board was £1,104 inc vat. Cllr Thompson will speak to the village hall committee to ask if they would like to split the cost. We may then need a bigger board at a higher cost.
SNC Litter Pick – This was held on 8th May, 2023. Thanks was given to Cllr Swanston for organising this.
14. Other Parish Council Items
Use of Allotment for fruit orchard – It was decided not to go ahead with this.
To discuss use of grass area next to allotments for a boules/pétanque pitch – Cllr Thompson has looked in to the costs to build a pétanque pitch which will be in region of £500.00. All councillors agreed this would be a good idea. Cllr Thompson will ask village hall committee if they would like to contribute.
15. To report on planning decisions, applications commented on since last meeting –
Ref: 2023/1175, Rectory Cottage, Church Road, Alburgh. Installation of solar panel array on detached garage. All councillors support this application.
16. Finance: To approve payments to be made
Mrs J Loveday clerk salary £262.27, plus expenses £30.60
Ian Smith, grass cutting £120.00
Moviola Ltd for supply of film £70.85
Mrs Ling internal audit £60.00
Insurance renewal £1054.45
Annual donation to upkeep of churchyard £850 from Parish Land account
Receipts
Coronation Grant £200.00
Precept £3,250
CIL £1,330.95
17. Completion of AGAR Form:
Internal Audit Form: all agreed
Council approved the Annual Governance Statement
Council approved the Accounting Statements
Council approved the Certificate of Exemption
Council authorised the clerk to submit the AGAR to PFK Littlejohn
18. To receive and discuss items from parish councillors; vacancy for parish councillors
It was agreed to advertise the vacancy for 3 parish councillors
We have looked at Village gateway signs which range from £1205 excluding vat and not including installation. One each end of village would be ideal. Clerk to ask Highways if this allowable. The CIL money could be used for this.
19. To receive items for the next Agenda, Thursday, 6th July 2023
Any other items for the next agenda please contact the clerk.
Speeding
Summer Events
To allow dogs on playing field for larger village events
Cllr Thompson thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.20pm.