ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the JOINT COUNCILLORS held at 8 pm on Monday 11 August 2003 in The Douglas Hicks Room, The Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor J Howley (Chairman) representing Aldenham PC
Councillor Mrs A Baker
Councillor S Burke
Councillor V Charrett
Councillor W Deem
Councillor Mrs W Griffin
Councillor D Lambert
Councillor Mrs A Reith
Councillor Mrs F Turner
Councillor Mrs E Wackrow
Councillor R Worthy
Councillor N Gilmore representing Hertsmere BC
Councillor J Graham
Councillor N Payne
Councillor H Saunders representing Herts CC and Hertsmere BC

In attendance:
Mrs J Adams (Deputy Clerk)

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Councillor M Thompson.

2. Declarations of interest

There were no declarations of interest.

3. Minutes of the meeting of 27 January 2003

The Minutes were signed as a true and correct record.

4. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 January 2003

1. Footpath 31a - Members were informed that a meeting to discuss the First
   Modification Order would be held on 20 and 21 August 2003 in the War Memorial Hall, Letchmore Heath.
   
2. Former Prowting Site - It was noted that two seats and a tree were still missing from outside the Prowting site. The new developers had denied any knowledge of the problem.
   
3. Speed Limit – Newberries Avenue - Councillor Saunders reported that speeding in Newberries Avenue was considered a low priority, however he offered to speak to the appropriate officer in the Highways Department.
   
   (Action: Councillor Saunders)
   
4. Helicopter Flights - Councillor Payne reported an increase in helicopter flights during the last eighteen months particularly over Letchmore Heath and The Ridgeway.
   
   Councillor Howley informed the meeting that Aldenham Parish Council had
   agreed a policy statement a copy of which had been sent to Mr Houlder at Elstree Aerodrome.
   
   It was noted that the Parish Council representative on ACE, Councillor M
   Thompson, had been unable to attend recent meetings owing to illness. Councillor Mrs Turner offered to stand in at future meetings and asked for copies of the last Minutes be sent to her. It was understood that the next meeting would be held on 28 October 2003.
   
   (Action: Councillor Saunders)

5. Items raised by Parish Councillors

1. Recycling Bins - Members of the Parish Councillor continued their resolve
   to have the recycling bins moved to Newberries Car Park and emphasised their
   reason as being traffic problems, noise and appearance. Pressure from residents
   of Watling Mansions was a secondary consideration.
   
   It was noted that Hertsmere Borough Council were the owners of the recycling area and the access road.
   
   Councillor Payne agreed to speak to officers concerned.
   
   (Action: Councillor Payne)
   
2. Newberries Car Park - Councillor Howley reported that he had written to Mr Richard Grove on 22 March 2003 regarding car park charges. The Clerk had followed this up on three occasions and had spoken to the Finance Department, a reply was still awaited. Councillor Graham offered to look into this matter.
   
   (Action: Councillor J Graham)
   
3. Street Sweeper - Councillor Howley reported the Parish Council’s dissatisfaction with the present road sweeping arrangements.
   
4. Recreation Grounds - Councillor Howley reported that the Parish Council
   continued feel that additional funding should be forthcoming from the Borough
   Council to assist in the upkeep of the Recreation Grounds. Councillor Payne
   requested a formal letter be sent to him.
   
   (Action: Councillor Howley)
   
5. Bucket Swing – Letchmore Heath - Councillor Howley asked the Borough
   Councillors if funding would be forthcoming to assist in the purchase of a bucket
   swing. Councillor Payne asked for the request to be included in the letter, as
   item four above.
   
   (Action: Councillor Howley)
   
6. Extension to Pavilion - The Borough Councillors were asked to note that the
   Parish Council might apply for planning permission to extend the Pavilion at.
   Phillimore Recreation Ground.
   
7. Millenium Copse - The Parish Council asked when the copse of ten trees
   would be planted. Councillor Payne offered to look into the matter.
   
   (Action: Councillor Payne)
   
8. Toilet Block, Watling Street - Councillor Graham reported that an architect
   had been engaged to look at options for the building and consideration was being
   given to either turn it into a useful building or to demolish it.
   
9. Salters Field - It was reported that £8000 would be needed to get the project
   off the ground. Aldenham Parish Council had offered £5000 towards costs but
   the local sporting organisations involved with the project say they are unable to
   fund the difference. The Borough Council responded that they were unable to
   assist and suggested the organisations be re-approached.
   
10. Planning - Harperbury Hospital, Proposed Development - Councillor Mrs
    Wackrow expressed concern over the knock on effect a large-scale development would have on Radlett. Councillor Payne reported that the site was mostly in St Albans with a small percentage being in Hertsmere. Councillor Payne said the proposals were at an early stage and he assured the Parish Council that they would be kept fully informed.
    
11. Breaches of Planning Permission and Enforcement - Councillor Mrs Wackrow expressed concern that comments and follow up telephone calls made
    by the Parish Council were often ignored by the Planning Department and she
    highlighted 34 Loom Lane as a typical example. Councillor Saunders responded
    that the application in respect of 34 Loom Lane would go back to committee in
    September.
    
12. Wall Hall - A revised planning application from Octagen was still awaited.
    
13. Jewish Secondary School - It was reported that proposals to develop Kendal Hall Farm into a Jewish Secondary School had been withdrawn. It was understood that the school was now looking at Hillside School site in
    Borehamwood. It was noted that under section 106 Hertfordshire County Council were unable to sell the site for development until 2005.
    
14. Quality Status - Councillor Howley notified the meeting that the Parish Council would apply for Quality Status in April/May 2004.
    
15. Parking and Highways Matters - Councillor Payne reported that the decriminalisation of parking and highways would take effect from 1 April 2004. Currently the financial aspect was being considered across the Borough.
    
    Councillor Worthy reported that parking bays were not being marked properly. He added that a large hole in the Watling Street entrance to The Rose Walk had been apparent for some time.
    
    Councillor Mrs Turner reported that the double yellow lines had been relined at the bottom of Aldenham Avenue and past No. 11 but the junction of The Crosspath had been omitted.
    
    Councillor Mrs Turner also informed the meeting that a refuse truck had stopped in Watling Street to collect refuse from the new Sainsbury’s. Two large bins had been wheeled through the centre of the store and out to the truck to be emptied. She wondered if this was a Health & Safety issue.
    
    Members noted that Mrs Sylvia Cohen had made the comment at the Annual
    Meeting that the signage advertising the first hour free at Newberries Car Park
    was insufficient.
    
    Councillor Saunders said it was important that all areas were properly signed and points put in writing to Highways with a copy to the County Secretary.

6. Items raised by Borough Councillors

1. Disorderly Conduct - Councillor Payne informed members that 49 incidents of disorderly conduct had been reported from 8 January to 12 July 2003, he added that not all of those responsible were local people.
   
   Councillor Howley reported that he had spoken to Inspector Rankin over the
   problem and action had been taken by the police. It would appear that those
   responsible had now moved on to Stanmore.
   
2. Police Presence - It was reported that the number of PCSO in Hertsmere at any one time amounted to eight full time and 2 part time during the day on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and during the evenings at the weekends.
   
3. Waste Cart Rubish - Councillor Graham reported that a smaller waste vehicle had been purchased to deal with smaller roads in particular Scrubbitts Park Road.

7. Any other business

1. Kerb Side Collection - Councillor Lambert asked when it could be
   anticipated that a kerb side collection service would be up and running.
   The Borough Councillors responded that at present the target date was January 2004.
   
2. Changes to Licensing - Councillor Saunders informed the meeting that
   a change to justices licensing would take place from April 2004 when all
   aspects of licensing would come under Environmental Health at Hertsmere.
   
3. Park and Gardens News - Councillor Howley noted that there was no
   mention of Radlett in the recent publication of Hertsmere’s Parks and
   Gardens News.
   
4. Painting of Street Furniture - In response to the question of repainting the street furniture in Watling Street, the Borough Councillors said they had no knowledge any proposals.
   
5. Councillors Surgeries - Councillor Payne informed the meeting that there
   would be no more Councillors surgeries in Radlett owing to a lack of public
   interest.
   
6. Bridge at Shenley Hill - Councillor Graham reported that a letter had been
   written to Thameslink over the poor state of the bridge at Shenley Hill, a reply
   was awaited.
   
7. Station Approach - Councillor Mrs Charrett said that a number of residents
   had approached her over the illogical access and egress to Station Approach.
   
   Councillor Payne responded that he is informed by the Highways that the
   present approach is correct. Councillor Saunders added that it was anticipated that this matter would be discussed at a meeting of the Highways in September 2003.
   
8. Footpath 54 - Several Members expressed concern over the new flood alleviation scheme, which instead of upgrading footpath 54 had rendered it less than 2’ wide. Members of the Borough Council were unsure whether or not Hertsmere was responsible for maintenance and asked for the matter to be put in writing.
   
   (Action: Aldenham Parish Council)
   
   The Parish Council members also expressed concern over the amount of weeds growing in the area. Councillor Saunders said the land was owned by the Environmental Agency who are responsible for maintaining the area.

9. Date of next meeting

The next meeting would be held on Monday 12 January 2004.

Closure 9.55 pm