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Category: Archive News

Published on

We would like to give an update following our announcement of the very difficult decision to cease operating the Village Hall. This is in response to some questions that have been raised.

  • This applies to the Hall only — not to the Memorial Library. We are in discussions with Albury Estate about continuing to operate the Memorial Library.
  • We will shortly publish material explaining why this decision had to be taken. The net cost over the last three years has been between £4,000 and £11,000 per annum, and was forecast to be over £6,000 next year. For an organisation whose income from the Council Tax payer is approximately £50,000 a year (of which around £30,000 is operating costs - primarily the Parish Clerk), this is not sustainable.
  • Our reserves this year are forecast to reach the minimum recommended level of around £26,000, which will almost certainly be commented on in the audit.
  • Many other parish councils own their facilities or have them held in trust. We rent the Hall, which was refurbished and modernised by the Estate in 1993, at a concessionary rent but are responsible for decoration & internal repairs
  • Although the Parish Council cannot continue to operate the Hall, we would be very happy to work with any other parties interested in taking it over.

On a final point, we would like to stress that the Albury Estate has not driven this decision. They have been, and will continue to be, a key partner for the Parish Council, and we are grateful for their assistance and contributions.

Published on

After an extended review the Parish Council has reluctantly decided that it can no longer afford to operate the Village Hall and so it will close at the end of the year.

The Village Hall has been making a growing loss for a long time and whilst the Parish Council was happy to subsidise these losses, the situation is no longer sustainable.  Combined with statutory and other commitments, continuing the subsidy would have made the long term financial position of the Council untenable - in short we would have run out of money.

The increase in losses has been driven by a number of factors:

  • Bookings have never returned to pre-covid levels and we do not believe we could recover them even if we did we have the resources to mount a sustained campaign
  • Costs have increased significantly.   We have taken aggressive action to reduce all expenses and do not believe that they can be reduced further
  • Our commitments elsewhere have grown (in particular those associated with maintenance) and to reduce those to make the costs of running the hall acceptable would, we believe, require actions that would be even more unpalatable to parishioners

The historical use of the building and its position in village life have made this a hard decision but it is one we believe the Parish Council have had to take.

We would like to thank all the people who have used it over the years and also to extend our apologies to those long term renters for whom this will undoubtedly create a problem.

Published on

We received a notice from Surrey County Council (SCC) - the detail is below but in essence:

  • Shophouse Road will be closed between Lockhurst Hatch Lane to its junction with Row Lane for up to 5 days from Oct 14th
  • the works are anticipated to be completed within 2 days between the hours of 9:30am and 3:30pm
  • Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained at all times
  • It is for drainage repair works to be carried out by, or on behalf of Surrey County Council

Please find below, a copy of the notice in accordance with the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984:

NOTICE
Surrey County Council
Shophouse Lane (D194) Albury
Temporary Prohibition of Traffic Notice 2025

Surrey County Council in Exercise of Its Powers Under Section 14(2) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 and of all other enabling powers hereby gives notice that no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to enter or proceed in that length of Shophouse Lane (D194) Albury which extends from its junction with Lockhurst Hatch Lane (D224) to its junction with Row Lane (D224).

Alternative route: Row Lane (D194), Winterfold Heath Road (D194), Winterfold Heath Road (D193), Windmill Plain (D192), Hound House Road (C46), Shere Heath Road (D222), Little London (D222), Brook Lane (D222), Brook Hill (D194) and Shophouse Lane (D194) or the same route in reverse. 

This Notice is required to enable drainage repair works to be carried out by, or on behalf of Surrey County Council. The Notice will commence on 14 October 2025 for a period of up to 5 days, however the works are anticipated to be completed within 2 days between the hours of 9:30am and 3:30pm. Advanced warning signs will be displayed, and the temporary closure will only operate when the relevant traffic signs are displayed. Access for pedestrians and cyclists will be maintained at all times. All other vehicular traffic will be required to use the signed diversion route including emergency vehicles and residents. 

The prohibition referred to above will not apply: (i) in respect of anything done with the permission or at the direction of a police constable in uniform; (ii) in respect of anything done in accordance with any restriction or requirement indicated by traffic signs placed on the highway by or on behalf of the Police; (ii) to any vehicle being used in connection with the works; (iv) to any person carrying out the works.

Published on

Agenda for the upcoming Open Spaces, Highways & Byways Sub-Committee meeting, taking place on 30th July 2025 at 19:00 at Farley Hall:

30-07-2025 APC Open Spaces and Maintenance AgendaDownload

Agenda for the Finance & Village Hall Sub-Committee, taking place on 30th July at 19:30 (or after the maintenance meeting) at Farley Hall:

30-07-2025 APC Finance and Village Hall Meeting Agenda (1)Download

To find the annexes for these agendas and view past agendas, please click here.

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