ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the RADLETT YOUTH & COMMUNITY CENTRE COMMITTEE held at 8 pm on Tuesday 9 September 2003 in the Youth Centre, 2 Loom Lane, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor Mrs A Baker
Councillor Mrs V Charrett
Councillor Mrs F Turner
Councillor R Worthy

In attendance:
Mrs J Adams (Deputy Clerk)
Mrs S Huff (Radlett Youth Club)

1. Appointment of Chairman

Councillor Mrs Charrett was elected as Chairman.

2. Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Councillor M Thompson.

3. Declarations of Interest

Councillor Worthy declared a interest under item 7 Maintenance Items, he referred to one of the decorators who had quoted for the redecoration of the hall as being known to him.

4. To approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2003

The Minutes were approved and signed as a correct record.

5. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 21 January 2003

1. Filing Cabinet - It was reported that the filing cabinet had been removed and Rexton House Nursery School now used the room for storage purposes.
   
2. Coin Box - Under the Ofsted regulations it was a requirement to supply a telephone with emergency facilities and therefore the telephone had been adapted to receive in-coming calls and to make emergency calls only. A saving of £22 per quarter would be made.
   
3. Plumbing Works - The plumber had not turned up to carry out works to the building and therefore the Deputy Clerk had written to Mouchel in April 2003 asking them to carry out these and other works to the building. A reply had not been received and the Deputy Clerk was asked to follow it up.
   
   During the walkabout the following items were highlighted as being in need of attention:
   
   • Order two new basket nets for main hall.
   • Purchase two new photocell lights for front and rear of building.
   • Weed outside fire exit to flat at front.
   • Purchase four new toilet raisers.
   • Clean inside of kitchen cupboards.
   • Relocate Fire Extinguisher in kitchen or indicate location.
   • Inquire with PAT company what socket to left hand side of kitchen is
     used for.
   • Three light bulbs required to rear hall

6. Maintenance Items

1. Pat Testing - A company authorised by HCC had arranged for all electrical appliances and portable equipment to be tested. The testing had been arranged for Monday 15 September and all regular users had been invited to make any of their own portable equipment available on the day.
   
2. Redecoration of main hall and front doors - Two quotations had been received for approximately £4200, the difference between the two quotes was £60. It had been unclear how much money remained in the budget to allow the work to be carried out. It was agreed to discuss the matter further at the next meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee on 17 September.

7. Way forward with Herts County Council and the Platt Foundation

It was agreed that in order to reach a decision over the proposed extension to the lease it would advisable to hold a meeting with all interest parties ie The Platt Foundation, Herts County Council and Councillor Martin Saunders and the Parish Council and the Deputy Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting.

8. Response to letter from The Platt Foundation

A letter had been received from the Platt Foundation, with a similar letter being sent to HCC, regarding the building insurance for the Youth Centre. During the past two years the Platt Foundation had paid £6000 in insurance with a renewal date in January 2004 and as a charity this was an amount they can ill afford. Therefore, they are asking for it to be clarified as to who is responsible for the structural policy.

It was agreed to look at the lease with copies being sent to Councillor Bill Deem and Ms Gill Ayling of Stephany & Co. for their opinion. A further discussion would take place at the Finance and General Purposes Committee meeting on 17 September.

9. Radlett Youth Club Report

Mrs Sandra Huff reported that the membership had been diminishing since Christmas 2002 and as a result the club had been closed since May 2003. However, following a successful recruitment drive the club had now reopened. The present difficulty being tackled was that due to its temporary closure trained youth workers had been lost to other areas.

However, following a visit by Mr Stuart Pittman, the director of Herts Association for Young People, Mr Stuart Pittman a free youth worker had been obtained for one month.

Mrs Huff also expressed concern that no funding had been received by Herts County Council for youth workers and asked if any other local organisation could help. It was suggested that she apply for a grant from the Parish Council and also make approaches to Round Table, Rotary and to the Harpenden Building Society who were currently funding youth projects.

10. Date of next meeting

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 20 January 2004.

Closure; 9.50 pm