Amber Hill Minutes and Agendas 2024-25

Present:                               Cllr Chris Stephenson, Cllr Elizabeth Gadd, Cllr Jane Webb, Cllr Ros Bowler, Cllr Nigel Hardy, Cllr Grahame Winman, Cllr Edward Panton

Also Present:                     N Bush (Clerk), Cllr Mike Brookes (County Cllr)

Public Forum:                    None

Meeting started 7.18 pm

24/673 Chairman’s remarks.

Cllr CS welcomed everyone.

24/674 Apologies for absence and reasons given.

There were no apologies.

Cllr’s S Welberry and S Evans were unable to attend due to a Borough meeting.

24/675 To receive any declarations of interest in accordance with the Localism Act 2011.

None

24/676 Draft minutes of the meeting held on 18-03-24 to be confirmed and signed as minutes.

It was resolved to accept the above notes as minutes.  They were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

24/677 Financial matters: Accounts for payment and budget figures, including report, up to 11.05.24.

The budget year to date was reviewed, the bank reconcilliation was confirmed with the bank balances as follows:

Lloyds Current Account   £5,057.74           Lloyds Deposit Account   £4,955.48

It was resolved to accept the accounts for payment and to move £3,000 into the savings account to maximise interest received, which can then be moved back when it is required.

Action: Clerk to make outstanding payments and transfer funds to savings account.

24/678 Planning:

No planning applications for review

Planning Decisions

B/24/0091 - Amber Hill House at Amber Hill House Sutterton Drove  - Favourable with conditions

B/24/0073 - replacement bungalow with attached garage at Dwelling off Ullyatts Drove   - Favourable with conditions

B/24/0034 - Copperfield, Lineside- Favourable with conditions

B/23/0204 – Amber House Farm Barn, Sutterton Drove- Favourable with conditions

Wiltrans Appeal- No further updates

Ecotricity – Heckington Solar Farm- No further updates

Action: None

24/679 Correspondence

Action: None.

24/680 Clerks report including police report.

Action: None

24/681  Internal Audit & AGAR – review and approval of Audit Documents

  a  Review internal Audit report.

The clerk presented the internal auditors report and the Chairman’s report to the Councillors.It was proposed to accept the Internal Audit report by Cllr EG, seconded by Cllrs JW and agreed by all.

  b  Review and agree Annual Governance Statement

The clerk read out each statement on the Annual Governance Statement, and all statements were agreed.This document was then duly signed by the Clerk and Cllr CS

  c  Review and agree Accounting Statement.

The clerk presented the Final Accounts and Accounting Statement, it was proposed to accept the Accounting Statement by Cllr EG, seconded by Cllrs CS and agreed by all.This Accounting statement was then duly signed by Cllr CS.

  d  Review explanation for variances and reserves.

The clerk presented the Explanation of variances to the Cllrs. It was proposed to accept the explanation for variances by Cllr EG, seconded by Cllrs CS and agreed by all.This Explanation was then duly signed by Cllr CS.

  e  Agree and sign certification of exemption.

It was resolved to complete the certificate of exemption, which was then signed by NB (RFO) and Cllr CS (Chairman)

Action: Clerk to publish Audit report on website and in the noticeboard and to submit exemption certificate to External Auditors

24/682 Transfer of street lamps from BBC to Parish

The clerk confirmed the cost of running LED lights compared to the old lights is £34.93 cheaper per light which would give a saving of £104.79 per year for the 3 lights that have not yet been converted, however the cost to change them would be £350 each.  The previous ones have been changed when the lights and poles have been updated and these were at a cost of £950 each.

With regards to taking ownership of the lights it would cost an additional £35.00 in insurance, however we would be responsible for arranging safety checks and the supply of electricity.

It was resolved not to convert the remaining three lights at this time but when they are ready for replacement.  It was resolved that it would not be in the interest of the Parish to take on the assets as our own as we would not be able to obtain the same competitive prices that the Borough are able to obtain as a bulk supply.

Action:. None

24/683 Replacement 30 mph signs

The clerk confirmed that the cost of the signs in 2021 was £10.00 each. After discussion it was resolved that they are not replaced as they do not have sufficient impact.  A speed indicator was discussed, but Cllr MB confirmed the cost of the ones Swineshead had recently purchased, and the cost would be too much for the current precept.  Cllr MB advised Swineshead’s old one had been offered to neighbouring parishes, but they have purchased their own so advised the Clerk to contact Swineshead Clerk to see if this was still available.

Action:. Clerk to contact Swineshead Clerk regarding availability of speed indicator device.

24/684 Citizens Advice and Lives donation request

The clerk confirmed that she has received donation requests from both Citizens Advice and Lives.

It was resolved that donation of £50 would be made to Lives this year as Citizens Advice received last years donation

Action: Clerk to send donation to Lives

24/685 Matters Arising

Cllr MB reported that the resurfacing of the roads has now begun as per the traffic management programme.

Concerns have been raised regarding the garden at No 34 again and it was resolved that the Clerk would contact Cllr S Welberry to see if she can assist again.

Cllr EG raised concerns about some big ruts on the road in the centre of the village and Cllr MB advised that these should be reported on fix my street, with depth and photos if possible and the team will pick then up and programme them in.

Kings portrait

Action: Clerk to contact Cllr SW with regards to no 34

24/686 Items for inclusion at next meeting

None

Action: None

24/687 Date and time of next meeting

15th July 2024

Meeting Closed       8-10 pm

Signed:                                                                                                    (In the chair)