MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING
HELD ON MONDAY 2
nd DECEMBER 2024 AT 7.00 PM IN THE JUBILEE ROOM
PRESENT: Cllrs S Moore (Chair), A Price (Vice Chair), J Hutchinson, H Kendall, Y Perrett, W
Evans.
In attendance: N Rapley, Clerk to the Council
4 Members of the Public
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None were received.
2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS
Cllr Kendall declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 6a for the allotments as she has a plot. Cllr Price
declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 5b for the proposed extension to the Churchyard.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETINGS
The minutes of the Council meeting held on Monday 4
th November 2024 were APPROVED by Councillors
and signed by the Chair as a true and accurate record.
4. REPORTS FROM BOROUGH AND COUNTY COUNCILLORS, CLERK & RFO.
The Clerk and RFO’s reports were circulated prior to the meeting. Cllr Perrett gave a verbal update on the
decision made by Surrey County Council to close the recycling facility at Swift Lane in Bagshot.
5. RECREATION, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
(a) Remembrance Sunday
i) Councillors discussed the feedback received from this year’s Remembrance event with
contributions from the members of the public present. The following points were NOTED for
inclusion on the event checklist for next year:
The names of the fallen to be as stated on the memorial tablet in the Church.
The children from the uniformed organizations are to sing a Remembrance hymn.
One other hymn is required – making 2 in total.
Crosses to be laid whilst the second hymn is sung.
PA system upgrade to be investigated.
Another chair to be available.
The Band and choir to be near each other for better co-ordination.
Refreshments at the Village Hall to be announced.
Participating groups meet at the early stages of planning to confirm arrangements.
ii) Consideration of a donation to the Womens Institute for their help in preparing the
refreshments was DEFERRED to the next meeting pending a review of the remaining budget.
(b) The extension of Bisley Churchyard
Council had a lengthy and robust debate regarding the letter received by the Clerk from Reverend
Fiona Simon with a request for the parish councils of Bisley and West End to consider funding survey
costs of extending the churchyard at Bisley St John the Baptist Church.
It was NOTED that the current churchyard at Bisley only has sufficient capacity for approximately 2
more years. It was also NOTED that the Churchyard at West End Holy Trinity has been formally
closed. The Councillors discussed the request, and questions were raised in relation to possible
other land being available at West End, and what level of funding was required. Reverend Simon noted
that the amount required would be £10,000 split equally between Bisley and West End to cover all
associated costs and requirements. She stated that she has received quotes for biodiversity and
groundwater surveys via email.
It was NOTED by Councillors that the budget does not provide for the cost of burials.
Further debate ensued regarding the funding, and it was AGREED in principle to release the funds
requested by sharing the cost equally with West End PC and by allocating the funds over a period of
the next 2 years by the inclusion of provision within the precept for 2026/2027 of £2,500.00. The
provision of the remaining £2,500.00 will be confirmed as part of the budget calculations for
2025/2026 currently underway.
It was NOTED that the Clerk will liaise with West End PC to advise them of our decision.
6. ADMINISTRATION / FINANCE
(a) Allotments
i) Councillors CONSIDERED the letter received by the Clerk from Reverend Fiona Simon,
Trustee of Bisley Consolidated Charities, requesting that the Parish Council appoints a
member to the position of treasurer following the retirement of the incumbent trustee.
Following a lengthy debate, it was AGREED that no member of the Parish Council would
undertake this role. Councillor Evans did indicate that she would be willing to become a
trustee but not to take on the role of treasurer.
ii) Councillors CONSIDERED the Clerks report and accompanying documents relating to the
ownership and management of the allotments. It was AGREED that the Clerk will
investigate this matter further and return it to a future agenda.
(b) National Salary Award 2024/2025
Councillors REVIEWED the report from the Responsible Financial Officer regarding the newly
published salary scales agreed by the National Joint Council for Local Government Services (NJC)
and AGREED to implement the increase as soon as possible and to do so retrospectively from April
1
st, 2024.
Councillors also NOTED the impact on the budget for next year created by the recent increase in
employers’ National Insurance contributions and that Government exemptions do not apply to
Parish Councils.
(c) Banking update
i) Councillors NOTED the Clerks report regarding the mandate from Nationwide Building
Society to formally note that Hester Clarke, Jane Clark, Greg Hubbard, Norman Fostekew,
Carl Raynor and Malcolm Vaughan are no longer associated with the Council for the
following reasons:
• Hester Clarke – Ex Councillor left the Council in May 2019
• Jane Clark – Ex Councillor left the Council in January 2022
• Greg Hubbard – Ex Councillor left the Council in May 2019
•Norman Fostekew – Ex Councillor left the Council in June 2017 – deceased
• Carl Raynor – Ex Councillor left the Council in May 2019
• Malcolm Vaughan – Ex Councillor left the Council in January 2022
ii) Councillors REVIEWED the report from the Responsible Financial Officer regarding changes
to the Lloyds Bank treasurer’s account and DECIDED to stay with Lloyds and transfer to the
new account applicable from January 2025.
(d) Payment of Accounts and Financial Statement
The financial position as of 30
th November 2024 was NOTED, the payments listed were APPROVED
and the signing of cheques was AUTHORISED and UNDERTAKEN.
There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 9.54pm
The next full Council meeting will be held at 7pm on Monday 6
th January 2025 in the Jubilee Hall