Draft Minutes of the Annual Ickleford Parish Council Meeting 2025

DRAFT MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL ICKLEFORD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

WEDNESDAY 14 MAY 2025 AT 7.30PM

Present:   Councillors K Goldie (Chair), R. Blake, M. Jones, E. Furr, P. Seal and R. Day

 

Officer in Attendance:  After being nominated by M. Jones and Seconded by P. Seal, E. Furr was approved as Acting Officer in Attendance (Parish Clerk)

 

Also in Attendance: Four members of the Public.

 

  1. Election of Chairman

26.1          Nominated by R. Blake, seconded by P. Seal and with a unanimous vote, Cllr Goldie was duly elected as Chairman for the ensuing year and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

 

  1. Election of Vice Chairman

27.1          Nominated by K. Goldie, seconded by M. Jones and with a unanimous vote, Cllr Blake was duly elected as Vice Chairman for the ensuing year and signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office.

 

  1. Apologies for Absence

28.1          Apologies were received by P. Crowe, which were approved by R. Day and M. Jones and accepted by a unanimous vote.

 

  1. Chairman’s Notice

29.1          As the Chairman’s notice had been read out at the previous Annual Village Meeting, which took place at 6.30 pm, it was agreed by all that it was unnecessary to repeat this notice.

 

  1. Declaration of Interests

30.1          No declarations of interest were received.

30.2          No written requests for dispensation for declarable interests were received.

30.3          The granting of requests for dispensation was not applicable.

 

  1. Minutes of the Last Meeting

31.1          Following a unanimous vote, the minutes of the 29th April 2025, were approved after a proposal by R. Blake, seconded by P. Seal and duly signed by the Chairman, as being a true record of the meeting.

  1. Public Participation Session

32.1          Mr Bruce Parker informed the Council that the Hyde Mill area had become very overgrown and that he would like to offer his services and tractor to help keep the area tidy.  Mr Parker was thanked for his kind offer, which was duly accepted by all present.

32.2          Mr Parker then went on to say that it was his future intention of applying to the Herts County Council to have footpath 17, as shown on the Definitive Map, relocated, as he hopes to plant an avenue of trees, in the same location.

 

  1. Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations

33.1          R. Blake is looking into the Standing Orders, and any amendments will be referred to the June meeting Agenda.

ACTION: R. Blake

 

33.2          Financial Regulations approved by full council in April 2025.  Will be added to 2026 Annual Meeting agenda.

ACTION: Clerk

 

  1. Appointment of Representatives for Ensuing Year

34.1          Rands Educational Foundation – P. Crowe

34.2          Ickleford Village Hall Committee – M. Jones

34.3          Ickleford Sports and Recreation Club Committee – P. Crowe, M. Jones

34.4          Staffing Committee – P. Crowe, M. Jones, E. Furr

34.5          Common Holders Committee – R. Day

34.6          Children’s Play Area and Equipment – P. Crowe, P. Seal

34.7          Allotments – P. Crowe, R. Day

34.8          Burial Ground Trustees – P. Crowe, K. Goldie

34.9          Planning Advisors – K. Goldie, P. Crowe, R. Blake, E. Furr

34.10        Rights of Way Advisors – K. Goldie, M. Jones, R. Day

34.11        Highways – R. Blake

34.12        Online Banking Signatories – P. Crowe, P. Seal, M. Jones

34.13        Responsible Financial Officer (Temporary) – R. Blake

34.14        Internal Auditor (2025-2026 audit) – S. Vine

ACTION: R. Blake

34.15        Payroll (2025-2026) – DCK Payroll

ACTION: R. Blake

 

  1. Review of Insurance Cover Arrangements and Asset Register

35.1          Approval of terms and costs of Insurance –

It was proposed by P. Seal, seconded by E. Furr and unanimously agreed by all, to accept the ongoing policy and agree the Annual Premium as quoted by Gallagher of £1,224.43 (2025-2026).

ACTION: R. Blake

35.2          To review and approve any amendments to the Asset Register –

35.3          It was proposed by M. Jones, seconded by R. Day and unanimously agreed by all, to add to the Asset Register the Play Area Lighting and new Bench, located on Lower Green.

ACTION: R. Blake

 

  1. Review of Council’s and Clerk’s Membership of Other Bodies

36.1          Proposed by R. Blake, seconded by M. Jones and unanimously agreed by all, to continue membership of the following Bodies:

36.1.1       HAPTC (Including NALC affiliation)

36.1.2       CPRE

36.1.3       Open Spaces

36.1.4       ICO (Information Commissioner)

Also

36.1.5       SLCC (after the engagement of the new Clerk/RFO

 

  1. Review of policies

37.1          Safeguarding Policy

A copy has been sent to all Councillors.

37.2          After a proposal by R. Blake, seconded by M. Jones, it was unanimously agreed that P. Seal will hold the position of Safeguarding Officer and oversee and coordinate all duties, until the Safeguarding Lead, which is held by the Clerk, is in position.

 

 

  1. Review of Allotment Rental

This Item has been deferred until the June Meeting Agenda.

ACTION:  P. Crowe/R. Day

 

  1. Calendar of meeting dates for the Ensuing Council Year 2025/2026

39.1          Proposed by P. Seal, seconded by M. Jones and unanimously agreed by all, to approve the following dates for the Monthly Council Meetings, in the Small Village Hall, 6.45 pm arrival, for commencement at 7 pm:

2025

11th June

9th July

August – Annual Holiday

10th September

8th October

12th November

10th December

2026

                 14th January

11th February

11th March

8th April

13th May – Annual Parish/Village Meeting

 

  1. To Approve the Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2024-25

40.1          The following were unanimously approved by all, after a proposal by R. Blake, and seconded by M. Jones: –

40.1.1       Annual Accounts for 2024-25

40.1.2       Internal Auditor’s Report for 2024-25

 

40.1.3       Annual Governance Statement for 2024-25

Following a proposal by R. Blake, seconded by P. Seal and unanimously approved by all, the Chairman and Clerk were duly authorised to sign the Statement which was signed immediately.

 

40.1.4       Accounting Statement for 2024-25

Following a proposal by R. Blake, seconded by R. Day and unanimously approved by all, the Chairman and Clerk were duly authorised to sign the Statement, which was signed immediately.

 

40.1.5       To agree the dates for the public rights period for the 2024-25 Accounts.

External Auditors will be PFK Littlejohn.  This item was deferred to June Meeting Agenda.

ACTION: R. Blake

 

  1. Ongoing Projects

41.1          To receive updates on the legal documentation for the lift and the arrangements for insurance and ongoing maintenance at the Ickleford Sports and Recreation Club and approve any actions.

This Item was deferred to June Meeting Agenda.

ACTION:  M. Jones/P. Crowe

 

41.2          To receive updates on Rights of Way and to discuss the potential part-funding of filling potholes on BW4 and approve any actions.

Because of ongoing problems at Lower Green, this item was deferred to June Meeting Agenda.

ACTION:  K. Goldie/M. Jones/R. Day

41.3          To receive an update regarding land to the front of the Old George and approve any actions including a response to the objection by Greene King.

After a report by Resident C. Thurstance, it was proposed by R. Blake, seconded by R. Day and agreed unanimously to write to Rachel Knowles at Herts County Council, in response to Greene King’s Objections.

ACTION: K. Goldie

41.4          Highways matters and Actions.

This item was deferred to June Meeting Agenda.

ACTION:  R. Blake

41.5          Electricity Metering on Upper Green and UK Power Network Survey.

This item was deferred to June Meeting Agenda.

ACTION:  R. Blake/P. Seal

41.6          Recruitment of Clerk/RFO

As the closing date for this position is the 31st May, 2025, this item was deferred to June Meeting Agenda.

 

  1. New Matters

42.1          New Chairman training – not required.

42.2          New Clerk training – HAPTC have provided the necessary information.

42.3          New Dog Bin, Greenfield Avenue/Wyatt Close Area – this item was deferred to June Meeting Agenda.

42.4          Following a proposal by E. Furr, seconded by R. Blake and unanimously approved by all, it was agreed to the following:

42.4.1       Paying a contribution of £150 towards the cost of repairs to the fence on Ickleford Common.

42.4.2       Approval for HDMDS to liaise with the Common Holders for Ickleford Common and Whitsun Common.   With two provisos as confirmed to the Secretary of the Common Holders.

42.5          To discuss the safety of Construction Vehicles along Chambers Lane during school hours.

42.5.1       It was proposed by M. Jones, seconded by P. Seal and unanimously agreed by all, that the Parish Council should approach North Herts Council, and the Developer as soon as is possible.

ACTION: R. Blake

42.6          To approve the cost of storage boxes for the marquees.  This item was deferred to June Meeting Agenda.

ACTION: P. Seal

  1. Planning Applications

43.1          New Planning Applications Received since the last Meeting

43.1.1       25/00787/LBC – Barn House, Turnpike Lane.

No Objection

43.1.2       25/00786/FPH – Barn House, Turnpike Lane.

No Objection

43.1.3       Consultation on the proposal to open a Specialist Resource Provision (SRP) at Lordship Farm Primary School, Letchworth.

No Objection

 

43.1.4       25/00990/FPH Top Park, Westmill Lane, Ickleford, SG5 3RN

No Objection

43.1.5       Planning applications received between 7th and 14th May

None

 

  1. Planning Decisions

44.1.         Planning Decisions received since the last meeting

44.1.2       25/00524/FPH St. Katherine’s Close, Ickleford, SG5 3XS

Conditional Permission Granted

 

44.2          Planning Decisions received between 7th and 14th May

None

 

  1. Planning Appeals

45.1          Appeal by Mr B Parker – Appeal Ref: APP/X1925/W/25/3362553

Land at New Pound Farm, East side of Old Hale Way, Hitchin, SG4 0SA.

Erection of one detached 2-Bed Farm Workers Dwelling.

Appeal Start Date: 22nd April 2025; representation to be received by the Planning Inspectorate by 27th May 2025.

Previous Objections by the Ickleford Parish Council, still stand.

 

  1. Finance

46.1          To note receipts between meetings – None

46.2          To approve payment of the following Invoices:

46.2.1       Approved by M. Jones, seconded by P. Seal and unanimously agreed by all, Invoice for G. Ellis (Danger Mouse) for the sum of £100 in payment for entertainment at 80 Year VE Day Celebrations.

46.2.2       Approved by E. Furr, seconded by P. Seal and unanimously agreed by all, Invoice for W. Crosse for the sum of £632.40 in payment for Contracted Work.

46.3          To approve payments made between meetings and any payments made at the meeting.

46.3.1       Resolved, proposed by R. Blake, seconded by M. Jones and approved by all present.

 

  1. Reports

47.1          Rands Educational Foundation Governors (RANDS) – Nothing to report.

47.2          Ickleford Sports and Recreational Club Committee – Nothing to report.

47.3          Ickleford Village Hall Committee – Cancelled meeting, nothing to report.

47.4          Common Holders Committee – Nothing to report.

47.5          Ickleford Burial Ground Trustees – Nothing to report.

 

  1. Chairman’s Report

Nothing to report.

 

  1. Next Meeting

49.1          To suggest agenda items for the next Parish Council meeting.

49.1.1       Bench requested by Mr S. Heath.

49.1.2       Co-option of new Councillor.

49.2          Next Meeting 11th June 2025.

49.3          Meeting closed at 9.45pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Signed by Chairman:           ………………………………………………………..  Date…………………………………

 

 

Print name of Chairman:     ………………………………………………

 

 

 

 

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