Each year Horley Town Council’s Annual Return is reviewed by an auditor appointed by the Smaller Authorities Audit Appointments Ltd.  Any person has the right to inspect the accounts and make copies of the annual return and any associated documents. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the statutory common period for the exercise of public rights (to include the first 10 working days of July) has been removed for the 2019/20 reporting year. These documents will therefore be made available with reasonable notice between the hours of 1000 hrs and 1600 hours on Mondays to Fridays (exc Public Holidays) commencing on 6 July and ending on 14 August 2020. The submitted Annual Return for  19/20 will be made available on the website along with the official notice from the commencement date

As some of you may be aware the Earl Haig Sports & Social Club in Horley, suffered a fire on 15th May. The probable cause was in the electrical system, but because of the intensity of the fire the inspectors have said that it’s impossible to know for sure. The fire destroyed the roof and caused extensive damage to the club. The building was not insured against fire due to the archaic electrical system, which had been in place for many years. 

The building itself is 104 years old and was donated to the people of Horley in 1916 by Earl Haig, who specified that the club can never be sold. To this day it is still owned by the community. It was formerly held by the British Legion for over 78 years and is still used regularly by them especially as a venue for their Remembrance Day service.

If you wish offer a donation (however large or small) to help with the rebuild then visit the gofundme page. 

Following government advice on the COVID-19 outbreak and under Reg 4 of The Local Authorities (Coronavirus) (Flexibility of Local Authority Meetings) 2020 Regulations, the Annual Meeting of Horley Town Council (due to take place on 26 May 2020) has been deferred until May 2021. A resolution to defer the Annual Meeting was made at a Full Council meeting, held on 28 April 2020.

The current Council and Committee Chairmanships will continue over the Municipal Year 2020/21 and there are no Committee Membership changes.  We wish Cllr David Powell continued success in his role of public office as Council Chairman & Town Mayor; and Cllr Samantha Marshall in her continued capacity as Vice-Chairman and Deputy Town Mayor.

Essential Meetings of Horley Town Council will proceed to be held virtually during the COVID-19 lockdown period and not in the Council Chamber.  For further details of upcoming Virtual Council Meetings, please refer to the Council Meetings page on our website.

Do you work for a business that might have some old working laptops gathering dust in a cupboard? Or do you have personally have a laptop you don't need any more? 

Cllr Martin Saunders is collecting these to give to local schools so they can be used by families not able to afford their own equipment to get online,

"Over the past few weeks its become increasingly clear that during and after COVID-19 the 'new normal' will involve our children and young people studying from home by using online systems and resources."

If you can help then please get in contact with Cllr Saunders, martin.saunders@horleysurrey-tc.gov.uk

Although our Hall still remains closed due to the current situation the Clubs and classes that usually use the hall still remain active.

Wardrobe Wizards
The sewing club usually meet every Wednesday during the term time but in the absence of being able to meet they have been putting their wonderful skills to use. Penny Loveday from Wardrobe Wizards,  
'Scrubs of every description have been made and distributed. We have been messaging each other with hints and tips to upgrade the designs. Facemasks in particular, fast approaching three figures in quantity, have ensured all family members and friends are well provided for in these extraordinary times. We are really missing our meetings and will be delighted when the hall is allowed to open again.'

Although the Town Council Offices are closed at the moment Horley Town Council staff and Councillors are still working (albeit from a variety of kitchen tables and spare bedrooms.)

We can be contacted on our individual email addresses or at town.clerk@horleytown.com

If you would prefer to speak to us by phone we can be contacted Mon-Fri 10.00am to 4.00pm on 07946 055897

Please pass the information contained in this newsletter to your friends and family and we hope you stay safe and well.