ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 29th July 2003 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

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

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

1. Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Howley, led prayers.

2. Apologies for Absence

Councillor S. Burke, Councillor D. Lambert and Councillor M. Thompson

Members were also advised that Cllr Thompson was recovering from his injuries in the Wellington Hospital in London.

3. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

4. Urgent Late Items of Business

The Chairman advised that he had three urgent, late items of business;

8.(vi) Approval of the recommendations within the minutes of the meeting of the Boundaries and Planning Committee held on 21 July 2003.
The reason for urgency was so that there was no delay in approving the recommendations.

9.(ii) Report of Officers – Provision of Telecommunications Equipment – Radlett Centre
The reason for urgency was to let the contract in time to coincide with the building works to be carried out to the Radlett Centre in August.

Part II Report
1. Parish Clerk’s Appraisal
The reason for urgency was to amend the Clerk’s contract of employment and deal with outstanding remuneration issues as soon as possible.

5. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 24th June 2003

It was noted that under Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 20th May 2003 that Item (v) Hertsmere Jewish High School Trust, Kendal Hall Farm should be amended to the following;

Councillor Mrs Wackrow had written to County Cllr Saunders expressing her personal opinion about the challenge to the selection procedure for the six Watford High Schools and its potential effect on Radlett children. Councillor Mrs Wackrow had spoken to the Borough Councillors concerning the Council’s intention to draft a policy if the application progressed further. Councillor Mrs Wackrow undertook to keep the Council informed of any updates on the application.

Subject to the amendment above, the minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.

6. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Meeting held on 24th June 2003

(i) Challenge to Watford Schools’ Selection Procedure - Councillor Mrs Wackrow advised that the adjudicator’s ruling had been that 25% of the schools’ intake could be on selection (currently 35%) and selection on musical aptitude or sporting prowess was incorrect and should cease.

(ii) To Note the Minutes of the Footpaths Sub-Committee – 9 June 2003 – It was noted that the draft Terms of Reference would be submitted to the September meeting of the Council.

(Action: Clerk/Councillor Lambert)

(iii) Footpath 54 – The Deputy Clerk had spoken to Bryony Rothwell, Rights of Way Officer, Herts. County Council. This matter would be investigated by County Officers. Members requested that the areas within the Parish’s responsibility be cleared up as they were overgrown.

(Action: Head of Grounds Maintenance)

(iv) Loss of Fence – Village Institute – It was noted that the fence had been repaired.

(v) Street Cleansing – The Clerk had not received any reply to her phone calls to Mr Dean, Hertsmere Cleaning Services. It was noted that the broken glass bottle under the bench outside Watling Mansions had been reported a week earlier but still had not been cleared up. The Clerk would continue to follow the matter up.

(Action: Clerk)

(vi) Signs attached to street posts – It was noted that Edge Grove School had been of the opinion that they had received relevant authority from Hertfordshire County Council. The pink notices had been removed within 24 hours of the event taking place.

(vii) Youths in Watling Street on Weekend nights – Cllr Howley advised that he had raised the matter with the police and the gathering had been moved on one weekend which appeared to have stopped the problem all together.

7. To receive communications from the Chairman

(i) Liaison Meeting – The Chairman circulated a list of draft agenda items for the Councillors Joint Liaison Meeting on 11th August as follows;

• Recycling bins outside Newberries Car Park
• Newberries Car Park charges
• Street Sweeper
• Recreation Grounds
• Bucket Swing at Letchmore Heath
• Toilet Block at Radlett Gardens
• Development of Salter’s Field
• Phillimore Recreation Ground – Pavilion and Playground
• Planning
• Wall Hall development
• Jewish Secondary School
• Quality Status

Members requested that the following be added;

• Parking Matters
• Breaches of Planning Permission and Enforcement

(ii) Revision of Standing Orders – The Chairman circulated his suggested revision to Standing Orders which would update the Council’s Standing Orders to reflect current legislation and allow for the public to address the Council at its meetings. Members were requested to send any further amendments or comments they considered necessary to the Clerk in order that the amendments may be considered at the next meeting of the Council.

8. To authorise the payment of accounts

Noted that the Finance and General Purposes Committee had recommended a s137 grant for £200 to the Radlett Ecumenical Christian Council. RESOLVED that the grant be approved.

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

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

i. Boundaries and Planning Committee – 23 June 2003
ii. Recreation Grounds Committee – 1 July 2003
iii. Boundaries and Planning Committee – 7 July 2003
iv. Newsletter Committee – 10 July 2003
v. Finance and General Purposes Committee – 15 July 2003
vi. Boundaries and Planning Committee – 21 July 2003

10. To Consider Reports from Officers of the Council

(i) Appointment of Internal Auditor – Members were advised of the quotations received from four various firms regarding the provision of an audit service to the Council. Negotiations were nearing a conclusion with the lowest bidder and authority was sought to progress the matter to a conclusion prior to the next meeting of the Council in order that an internal audit service could be commenced as soon as possible.
RESOLVED that the Clerk be authorised to appoint an internal auditor for the Council following consultation with and approval by the Chairman of the Council up to a limit of £1,500 per annum.

(ii) Telecommunications – Four quotations had been obtained from three companies regarding a replacement switchboard telecommunications system for the Radlett Centre. The Clerk advised that VSL Voice Services had been from a personal recommendation whereas the other companies known in terms of their quality of work. In view of the superior quality and service offered by the Toshiba system it was recommended that the Council accept the quotation by VSL Voice Services for the sum of £3,300 plus VAT with an annual maintenance charge of £260 p.a. after the first year, the costs to be split 50:50 with the Radlett Centre Trust. Members so RESOLVED.

15. Planning

1. Planning Statistics
   
   240 applications had been received since 1st January, 120 had been approved, 45 had been refused and 71 were still awaiting decision.
   
2. Applications of special interest:
   i. Bhaktivedanta Manor – Cllr Lambert had visited the site and sent a letter to Hertsmere Borough Council with comments. Whilst the principle was not objected to the height and size of the current design was cause of some concern.
   
   ii. 34 Loom Lane – Concern was expressed at the variations that had taken place to the original planning permission and that no enforcement action was proposed. It was agreed that this should be discussed at Joint Councillors on 11th August. The Clerk was requested to raise with Head of Planning, Transportation and Building Control at Hertsmere Borough Council the apparent ease with which people seemed to be able to flout planning conditions. It was noted that Councillor Mrs Reith had entered into a great deal of correspondence on behalf of neighbours of the property.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
3. Other Planning matters:
   
   (i.) Wall Hall – It was noted that the application had been refused by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister on density grounds. It was anticipated that an amended scheme would be forthcoming very shortly.
   
   (ii.) Draft Supplementary Planning Guidance – Annexes for dependent relatives and domestic staff – The Council had responded to this document fully endorsing its recommendations.
   
   (iii.) Kendal Hall – It was noted that the Jewish Secondary School Trust had abandoned out of proposals for this site.
   
   (iv.) Harperbury Hospital Site - The Clerk was requested to ensure that the Council were consulted on the Health Authority’s proposal to put residential units on this site.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   (v.) Renewable Energy Consultation Document – Members were advised that this was available to view if they so wished.
   
   (vi.) Land opposite the new Quadrant Works, Watling Street – It was noted that this land was for sale again.

16. Items of Interest from Minutes of other Authorities

There were none.

17. To Answer Questions from Councillors

(i) Station Car Park – The inappropriate entrance and exit at the station car park was raised. Members were advised that strong representations had been made in the past but the Borough and County Councils had not been convinced.

(ii) Lack of Carnival – It was noted that Round Table had not held the carnival in 2003. Rotary would be contacting the Parish Council to seek assistance in organising an event in 2004.

(iii) Car park meters – Members raised concerns with the length of time it had taken to repair the ticket meters in Newberries car park.

(iv) Controlled Parking Zone - Hertsmere Borough Council had written advising that the CPZ would be extended along Newberries Avenue and Williams Way but not before decriminalisation of parking took place in April 2004.

(v) Weeds in Gutters – It was noted that Street Cleansing at Hertsmere Borough Council did not appear to be clearing gutters properly again.

22. August and September 2003 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

Part Two

1. Clerk’s Appraisal

The Chairman reported that he had carried out a satisfactory twelve months appraisal with the Clerk. He added that there were one or two administrative points that needed to be addressed and five objectives had been agreed. A further appraisal would take place in January 2004.

The meeting was informed that it was a requirement for all Members to approve the Clerk’s salary. It was proposed to increase the current salary scale by one point backdated to 1 April 2003. Members were informed that the increase would cost an additional £690.00 per annum. The amount had been allocated in the budget for 2003/2004.

It was RESOLVED to increase the Clerk’s salary.

Closure 9.20pm.
Chairman