ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at 8pm on Tuesday 15th July 2003 in Meeting Room 2, The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor J.A. Howley (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs W.M. Griffin
Councillor Mrs S.A. Reith
Councillor Mrs E.E. Wackrow

Officer:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Thompson and Councillor Worthy

2. URGENT LATE ITEM

The Chairman advised of an application for a S137 grant that had been received from Radlett Ecumenical Christian Council. It was proposed that this would be considered as Item 9a on the agenda.

3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS

There were no declarations of interest by Members.

4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9th JUNE 2003

The minutes of the meeting held on 9th June 2003 were signed as a true and accurate record.

5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9th JUNE 2003

Phillimore Recreation Ground Alarm System – The Chairman was still discussing the issue of police response as it appeared that some flexibility existed in reactivating police response to alarm call outs.

(Action: Chairman)

Footpath Maintenance and Cleansing – The Clerk was requested to advise Hertsmere Contract Services that the footpaths at Theobald Street to Newberries Avenue and Canons Close to Shenley Hill not only needed cleaning but needed cutting back too.

(Action: Clerk)

6. PROPERTY PORTFOLIO

1. 28 Elm Walk – The Clerk was requested to chase up further legal advice to ascertain the legality of the historical use of the house as tied accommodation and potential future use of the house and the location of the deeds (or a copy of them) through Land Registry. It was suggested that the Clerk contacted the Clerk to Harpenden Town Council who had been very knowledgeable on Parish Council issues at a recent course attended by some Members.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
2. Wellhouse Dell – Registration of Land – The Chairman had written to Mr Hathaway to request a meeting on site. It was thought that Mr Hathaway was currently unavailable but it was hoped that a meeting could take place soon. In the meantime a letter had been received from Land Registry which gave greater indication that the Council’s claim was valid. Mr Eastburn would be taking the matter further for the Council.
   
   (Action: Chairman /Mr Eastburn)
   
   
3. Registration of Cobden Hill Dell – The Clerk was pursuing the registration of the access land onto the site.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
4. Radlett Gardens/RAIFA Gardens – The Clerk advised that a quotation had been received for £725 to put a wall along the RAIFA Garden which abutted the petrol station. Members were anxious that this scheme did not lose momentum but requested that a further quotation be obtained before awarding the contract. It had been suggested that a hosepipe point was located at the rear of the Radlett Gardens. The Clerk was requested to ask the Head of Grounds Maintenance to locate it to make watering of the Gardens easier.
   
   (Action: Clerk/Head of Grounds Maintenance)
   
   
5. T Mobile Installation – The Clerk had received a request from T Mobile to alter their installation at the Radlett Centre. The matter was being dealt with by Mr John Watkiss of Sedgwick Kelly Solicitors who held the original lease.

7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND BUDGET REPORT

The financial statements to June 2003 were noted. Members requested that the budgets be profiled out.

The Clerk was reminded to keep within budget especially on administration overtime.

(Action: Clerk)

8. APPOINTMENT OF INTERNAL AUDITORS

The Clerk advised that a further quotation was being sought before a recommendation would be made to Members.

(Action: Clerk)

9. TO DECIDE THE AMOUNT TO BE MOVED TO CAPITAL RESERVES

The Clerk recommended and Members RESOLVED that £50,000 be moved to a capital reserve account.

10. RADLETT CENTRE TELEPHONE LINES

The Clerk had established that Barclays Business Master had to have a separate telephone line and it was recommended that the alarm system have a separate line as the switchboard lines were usually the first to be cut by burglars. Members noted the quotations received and suggested that the Clerk discuss the annual maintenance fee with Voice Services Ltd before making a recommendation to Council.

(Action: Clerk)

11. APPLICATION FOR S.137 GRANT

Members considered the application from Radlett Ecumenical Christian Council and RECOMMENDED that a grant be made of £200.

(Action: Clerk)

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was scheduled for 17 September 2003 at 8pm.

13. EMPLOYEE APPRAISALS

The Clerk circulated the appraisals undertaken with staff. I was noted that some did not contain any comments on performance as it was the initial assessment for staff where key result areas were set. Performance appraisal would commence in 6 months time.

Members noted the satisfactory performance by the Head of Grounds Maintenance and the Ground Staff and RESOLVED that the Head of Grounds Maintenance should be issued with a B&Q Trade card with a spending limit of £200 and grounds staff be progressed along their salary scale by one spinal point.

Members noted the request for a review of annual leave in comparison to that offered by Hertsmere Borough Council and the Clerk was requested to report back to the next meeting of the Committee.

(Action: Clerk)

Closure: 9:30pm