ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 24th June 2003 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor J.A. Howley (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs A. Baker
Councillor D. Lambert
Councillor S. Burke
Councillor Mrs F.A. Turner
Councillor Mrs V. Charrett
Councillor Mrs E.E. Wackrow
Councillor W. Deem
Councillor R.T.A. Worthy
Councillor Mrs W.M. Griffin

In attendance:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd – Clerk
Mrs Jan Fletcher – Deputy Clerk

1. Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Howley, led prayers.

2. Apologies for Absence

Councillor Mrs S.A. Reith and Councillor M. Thompson

The Chairman advised Members of the recent operation Cllr Mrs Reith had undergone. Members requested that their best wishes be sent to her. Members were also advised that Cllr Thompson had had an accidental fall whilst in Spain and was in hospital in a serious condition. The Chairman was requested to keep Members advised of Cllr Thompson’s progress.

It was agreed that the Elstree Aerodrome Consultative Committee should be requested to send correspondence, agenda and minutes to the Council so that Cllr Mrs Turner may attend meetings until Cllr Thompson recovers.

(Action: Clerk)

3. Declaration of Interest

Cllr Mrs Turner declared a personal interest in the S.137 grant application recommended for approval by the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

4. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20th May 2003

The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.

5. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Meeting held on 20th May 2003

1. Appointment of School Governors – Members were advised that Mrs C. Fletcher did not wish to represent the Council on the Board of Governors of St John’s School. There were no further nominations at present.
   
2. Car Parking Charges – The Clerk had followed up the lack of response with Richard Grove, he had advised that the details were still being considered by Hertsmere Borough Council’s Finance Unit.
   
3. Prayers at Council – The Chairman had not been able to contact Rev Ken Marsh, initiator of the request, and in the absence of any strong opinion in favour of the local clergy attending Council and saying prayers it was agreed that this matter should be left in abeyance.
   
4. Draft Member/Officer Protocol – It was noted that this document required considerable editing prior to submission for approval by Members. Members were requested to forward any comments to the Clerk as soon as possible.
   
5. Hertsmere Jewish High School Trust, Kendal Hall Farm - Councillor Mrs Wackrow had written to County Cllr Saunders expressing her personal opinion of this potential application. It was agreed that until the application had progressed further it would be difficult for the Council to draft a policy statement. Councillor Mrs Wackrow undertook to keep the Council informed of any updates on the application.

6. To receive communications from the Chairman

1. Council Website - Members were advised that the Finance and General Purposes Committee had considered the report of the Working Party of Councillor Howley, Councillor Mrs Wackrow and the Clerk and had resolved that Mr Paul Maloney be appointed to design the Council’s website at a cost of £600 plus £10 per month maintenance fee and this be funded by viring £700 from code 5525 IT Support to a new code for website design and maintenance. It was suggested that contact be made with Letchmore Heath Village Trust who were also setting up their own website to share pictures or links.
   
2. Staff Health and Safety Training – The Chairman advised that the Clerk, the Head of Grounds Maintenance and Mr G Hall together with Members of staff from the Radlett Centre Trust had successfully completed their Awarding Body Consortium Level 2 Certificate in Health and Safety in the Work Place course.
   
3. Councillors’ Training – Members were advised of a video received which gave advice from the Standards Board on the practical implementation of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct. The video was 20 minutes long. Any Councillor wishing to view the video was requested to contact the Clerk.

7. To authorise the payment of accounts

Noted that the Finance and General Purposes Committee had recommended a s137 grants for £750 to Impact. RESOLVED that the grant be approved.

The accounts were approved and the month’s cheques signed.

8. To approve the recommendations within the Minutes of the following Committees;

1. Recreation Grounds Committee – 20 May 2003
2. Boundaries and Planning Committee – 21 May 2003
3. Recreation Grounds Committee – 9 June 2003
4. Boundaries and Planning Committee – 10 June 2003
5. Finance and General Purposes Committee – 11 June 2003

The recommendations contained within the five sets of Minutes were approved.

i. Notes of Boundaries and Planning Committee – 23 June 2003
Noted that this meeting had been inquorate. Members approved the grid of applications.

Members also considered the planning application by the Radlett Centre Trust for improvement works to the building. It was noted that Councillor Mrs Griffin, Councillor Deem, Councillor Mrs Baker and Councillor Worthy were the Council’s nominees on the Board of Trustees and they did not take part in the discussion. Members raised no objection to the planning application relating to the Radlett Centre and it was agreed that it be added to the already-approved grid.

9. To note the minutes of the Footpaths Sub-Committee – 9 June 2003

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 June were noted. Members RESOLVED that draft terms of reference for the Sub-Committee be drawn up for approval at a future meeting of the Council. Councillor Lambert and the Clerk were requested to prepare a draft for consideration.

(Action: Clerk/Councillor Lambert)

10. Signing of Bank Mandate

The Clerk requested that all Members sign a new bank mandate and confirm that Barclays Bank PLC should continue as the Council’s bankers under the existing terms as set out in the Council’s Financial Regulations adopted May 2002. Members so RESOLVED.

11. Planning

1. Planning Statistics
   
   198 applications had been received since 1st January, 100 had been approved, 39 had been refused and 59 were still awaiting decision.
   
2. Applications of special interest:
   
   i. Radlett Centre Trust – Members had considered this application earlier in the meeting. The works were to enable actors and performers of all abilities to use the Centre and to improve facilities front of house and back stage.
   ii. 25 Watford Road - Hertsmere Borough Council had decided that the application would have been refused if the applicant had not gone to appeal for non determination.
   iii. 2a – 4a Aldenham Road - Hertsmere Borough Council had decided that the application would have been refused if the applicant had not gone to appeal for non determination.
   iv. Manor Court, Batlers Green – Hertsmere Borough Council had refused the application for gates.
   
3. Other Planning matters:
   
   i. Draft Planning Brief – Former Quadrant Works site - Councillor Mrs Wackrow had responded to the Brief on behalf of the Council. It was likely that 30 residential units were acceptable under the Planning Brief which included some affordable housing.
   ii. Councillor Mrs Wackrow and Councillor Mrs Charrett had attended a Planning training seminar at Hertsmere Borough Council and found it very useful.

12. Items of Interest from Minutes of other Authorities

There were none.

13. Footpath 54

The contractors for the flood alleviation works along Theobald Street had erected a new fence which had made easy passage along Footpath 54 impossible. The Deputy Clerk was requested to follow this matter up with Bryony Rothwell, Rights of Way Officer, Hertfordshire County Council.

(Action: Deputy Clerk)

14. Loss of fence – Village Institute

Councillor Deem undertook to ascertain how much longer the fence would remain in its current state.

(Action: Councillor Deem)

15. Street Cleansing

The Clerk was requested to write to Hertsmere Borough Council Contract Services expressing the Council’s concern at the loss of Justin, the area’s street sweeper, and the current standard of work. Concern was also expressed at the apparent downgrading of the Parish’s service from one full time street cleaner to one part time cleaner.

(Action: Clerk)

16. Signs attached to street posts

Members asked for clarification regarding the notices attached to street lamp posts etc particularly the large pink notices recently seen in the area. The Clerk advised that they were not legal and could be removed by anyone.

17. Youths in Watling Street on Weekend nights

The Chairman advised that he had raised this issue with the Radlett Crime Reduction Group. It was suggested that the Deputy Clerk approach the local Rabbi to see if any influence could be put upon the parents of the youths who were being dropped off in Watling Street on Saturday nights. Members considered that Business Watch should be formed again to help local shops. The Clerk was requested to contact Mr Stephany concerning this. The Chairman undertook to raise the matter again with Hertfordshire Constabulary to emphasise the intimidation being caused by the sheer number of youths involved not necessarily by their behaviour.

(Action: Chairman / Clerk / Deputy Clerk)

18. July, August and September 2003 Meetings

All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated.

Closure 9:20pm.