ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 30th September 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 S. Burke
Councillor Mrs F.A. Turner
Councillor Mrs V. Charrett
Councillor Mrs E.E. Wackrow
Councillor Mrs W.M. Griffin
Councillor R.T.A. Worthy
Councillor D. Lambert

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

1. Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Howley, led prayers.

2. Apologies for Absence

Councillor W. Deem and Councillor M. Thompson

3. Declarations of Interest

Cllr Burke declared an interest in item 12(4) Tabard Rugby Club as Vice-President of the Club.

4. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 29th July 2003

The minutes of the meeting held on 29th July 2003 were signed as a true and accurate record.

5. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Meeting held on 29th July 2003

1. Draft Terms of Reference - Footpaths Sub-Committee – The Clerk advised that this had yet to be completed and would be submitted to the next meeting of the Council.
   
   
2. Footpath 54 – The Clerk confirmed that the areas within the Parish’s responsibility had been cleared up. Members were still concerned with the boundary fence where the footpath adjoined the flood alleviation works. It was confirmed that Hertfordshire County Council had been requested to investigate the matter.
   
   
3. Street Cleansing – The Clerk had made repeated calls to Mr Dean and to Customer Services, Hertsmere Cleaning Services. Although the broken glass bottle under the bench outside Watling Mansions had been cleared up, outstanding footpath clearance and cleansing works had not been carried out. The Clerk would continue to chase Cleansing Services about the footpaths at Theobald Street to Newberries Avenue, Canons Close to Shenley Hill and along the footpath running behind the post office from Aldenham Ave to Aldenham Road. The Clerk undertook to keep chasing Hertsmere Contract services until a successful conclusion was reached.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
4. Communications from the Chairman – Liaison Meeting – The Chairman advised that he had just received a response from Richard Grove, Head of Planning, Transportation and Building Control at Hertsmere Borough Council regarding the charges for Newberries Car Park. Hertsmere Borough Council were not prepared to review the Parish Council’s contribution to free parking at Newberries car park. The Parish Council’s response would be discussed at the next meeting of the Finance and General Purposes Committee. Members were concerned that the ticket machines were still not repaired. The Clerk was requested to follow this up.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
5. Questions from Councillors – Station Car Park – Cllr Worthy advised that a meeting would be taking place on site with Mr Moriarty, Hertsmere Highways, County Cllr H.M. Saunders and himself to discuss the in appropriate entrance and exit at the station car park.

6. To receive communications from the Chairman

1. Councillor M Thompson – The Chairman advised that Cllr Thompson was at home but still under medical supervision. It was anticipated that he could not resume his duties as a Councillor until at least the New Year. Members accepted that there were reasonable grounds for Cllr Thompson’s non attendance at meetings over more than a six month period.
   
   
2. Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils Open Evening – The Chairman advised Members of an open evening which would take place 6.30pm – 8.30pm on Tuesday 14 October at Roe Hill Hall, Hatfield.
   
   
3. Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils Councillor Training – Members were advised of training sessions organised by HAPTC on Saturday afternoon 22nd November 2003 at North Herts College, Thursday evening 22nd January 2004 Civic Centre, Hemel Hempstead and Wednesday evening 17th March 2004 at ware or Bishops Stortford. The Chairman undertook to ascertain the content of the training courses to prevent duplication.
   
   (Action: Chairman)
   
   
4. T Mobile Installation, The Radlett Centre – The Chairman advised that T-Mobile had applied to install more equipment at the Radlett Centre to provide for the Third Generation phones. The equipment would operate in exactly the same manner as the equipment currently in place. Mr Watkiss, Sedgwick Kelly Solicitors was handling the changes to the lease etc and T Mobile had confirmed that they would pay his fees. Members raised no objections to the works.
   
   
5. Radlett’s Hanging Baskets – Mr Jennings had written to the Chairman expressing his gratitude to the Grounds Staff for an excellent display this year and also to the Red Lion and Stuart Thorne who also provided an impressive display outside their premises. Members concurred with Mr Jennings’ comments.
   
   
6. RAIFA Reception – Members were advised that RAIFA would be submitting a s137 grant to cover the cost of the reception for the visitors from Louveciennes. Members agreed that as a guideline it should not exceed £400. RAIFA had invited Members and their spouses to the Reception at 12noon on 11 October in the Douglas Hicks Room.
   
   
7. Salter’s Field – The Chairman had been advised that the consortium of local clubs could not find the additional funding for the professional fees which the Council had already undertaken to fund up to £5,000. It was agreed to hold the matter in abeyance until the Clubs found means of financing the professional fees over £5,000.
   
   
8. Council Website – The Council’s website was now on line at www.aldenham.gov.uk
   
   
9. Members’ Allowances – Members were advised that Part 5 of the Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 made provision in respect of payment of allowances to members of parish councils. Parish councils may pay parish basic allowance and parish travelling and subsistence allowance to their members. In setting the levels of such allowances parishes must have regard to the recommendations of parish remuneration panels. The Borough Council would set up and run the remuneration panel and the Parish Council would have to pay for it. It was noted that Hertfordshire County Councillors had voted against the recommendations of their own independent remuneration panel and awarded themselves considerably higher allowances. RESOLVED unanimously that no allowances be paid to Parish Councillors except for the Chairman’s Allowance as at present.

7. To authorise the payment of accounts

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

The Clerk was requested to look into the terms of the lease with Hertfordshire County Council for Aldenham Green.

(Action: Clerk)

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

9. To Consider Reports from Officers of the Council

1. Auditor’s Report 2001/02 – Members noted the Auditor’s report on the Accounts for 2001/02 and its criticism that there was no internal audit function during the year ended 31 March 2002. It was further noted that in the year 2002/03 there was no Internal Auditor because the Council was not aware that it was a legal requirement and this Council had been satisfied that its Finance and General Purposes Committee exercised proper and adequate control in respect of its finances and administration. The Council had now appointed a qualified Internal Auditor who will act in respect of the year 2003/04.
   
   
2. To Confirm the Statement of Assurance to External Auditor 2002/03 – The Council’s Annual Return 2002/03 and comments on the “no” response to the Statement of Assurance was circulated to Members. Members RESOLVED that the Statement of assurance be approved and the Return forwarded to the Council’s External Auditors.
   
   
3. Radlett Station – platform and car parking – Cllr Lambert had requested that this matter be discussed. 16 years ago parking at the station was a lot less expensive, there were always spaces in the station car park and there was a fast train service.
   
   Since then there had been a considerable increase in the number of commuters, leading to the station car park often being full by 9.00, and a deterioration of the train service
   
   Cllr Lambert was of the opinion that the proposals to upgrade the line to take 12 coach trains, the Health & Safety issues that would preclude 12 coach trains stopping at short platforms and the intention not to extend the platform at Radlett would lead to a further deterioration of the Radlett train service.
   
   Meanwhile it would be likely that the number of commuters from Radlett would increase as the number of houses increases, through Harperbury and Wall Hall following the Shenley development, continuing in-fill and development of flats and multiple houses in place of the demolition of single houses and industrial units.
   
   It was suggested that the Council, should make the future of Radlett station more of an issue. In particular, getting the involvement of the Borough & County Councillors, local MPs, Thameslink, the Strategic Rail Authority and local residents, with a view to ascertaining the basis on which Radlett had been excluded from the platform upgrades and then, if appropriate, setting about the reversal of that decision. It was recognised that the implications for parking at the station would also have to be considered.
   
   Members concurred with Cllr Lambert’s views and agreed that an article should be placed in Around Radlett and on the Council’s Website and a statement be drafted by the Clerk and Cllr Lambert for approval by the Council. The Transportation Committee were requested to take whatever action they considered appropriate to take this matter forward.
   
   (Action: Clerk / Cllr Lambert / Cllr Worthy)
   
   
4. Local Authorities (Code of Conduct) Local Determination Regulations 2003 – The Regulations stated that where a matter was referred to a Monitoring Officer, he would arrange for the Standards Committee to consider the report. Mr E Lee, Monitoring Officer Hertsmere Borough Council, recommended setting up two sub-committees; one to consider complaints against Parish or Town Councillors and one for Borough Councillors. Members RESOLVED that Mr Lee’s proposals were acceptable.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
5. Invitation to assist with the Rights of Way Improvement Plan – The Clerk advised Members that the Invitation and attached questionnaire were available for any individual to complete. Members RESOLVED that the Footpaths Sub-Committee complete the questionnaire on behalf of the Council.
   
   (Action: Deputy Clerk)

10. Revision of Standing Orders

The Chairman had 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. No further amendments or comments had been received from Members and it was RESOLVED that the Standing Orders as amended be circulated to all Members.

(Action: Clerk)

11. Membership of Committees – Cllr Mrs Charrett

Members approved the appointment of Cllr Mrs Charrett to the Finance and General Purposes Committee, Recreation Grounds Committee, Newsletter Committee and noted her appointment to the Carnival Sub-Committee.

12. Planning

1. Planning Statistics
   284 applications had been received since 1st January, 158 had been approved, 59 had been refused and 69 were still awaiting decision.
   
   
2. Applications of special interest:
   i. Wall Hall – An application for the development of Wall Hall had been submitted, it included more dwellings than the previous application and less parking spaces.
   
   
3. Other Planning matters:
   
   It had been suggested that to alleviate the repeated requested for Telecoms masts in the Parish, that the Council may consider potential sites it owned such as Tabard Rugby Club. Members were conscious of the Council’s Telecoms Policy and agreed that the outcome of the latest Planning Appeal for refusal of a mast at Organ Hall Farm should be awaited before any further consideration of this matter but it should be for Telecoms companies to find suitable locations for their masts not the remit of the Parish Council.

13. Items of Interest from Minutes of other Authorities

1. Elstree Aerodrome Committee - Councillor Mrs Turner was unable to attend the next meeting on 28th October. Councillor Lambert undertook to attend in her place and the Clerk was requested to inform Mr Beney, the Committee’s Secretary.
   
   
2. Aldenham Burial Ground Committee – The Vicar of St John the Baptist Church had advised Councillor Mrs Turner that a reorganisation may take place of the Committee which would not include a Parish Councillor as one of its Members. Members raised no objections to this suggestion.
   
   
3. Radlett and Aldenham Senior Citizens’ Welfare Committee – The Committee had raised the poor state of pavements and roads in the Parish and inconsiderate parking on pavements. Andy Chittenden had advised that parking on pavements was a very low priority for the police. Members were requested to advise the Clerk of any poor paving or roads so that it could be reported to Hertfordshire County Council.

14. To Answer Questions from Councillors

1. Footpaths Sub Committee – Members confirmed that any Sub Committee of the Parish Council was expected to have a Parish Councillor as its Chairman.
   
   
2. Highways Tree Survey - Councillor Worthy had been passed an extensive tree survey carried out by Hertsmere Highways. The Clerk was requested to ascertain why Newberries Avenue and The Green, Letchmore Heath were not included in the survey. It was understood that a number of trees were A* rated which required the work to be carried out within one month.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
3. Article for Horizons – Councillor Burke had been requested to write articles for Barry Allsuch’s Horizons Magazine. Members agreed to Councillor Burke writing the articles and they were requested to forward their ideas for the articles to Councillor Burke.
   
   
4. Missing Tree outside Watling Mansions – A meeting would be taking place on site with Mr Moriarty, Hertsmere Highways, County Cllr H.M. Saunders and Councillor Worthy to discuss this.
   
   
5. Sainsbury’s Local – Complaints had been received that staff were wheeling rubbish bins through the shop. The Clerk was requested to contact Environmental Health concerning the matter.
   
   
6. Footpath 54 – It was suggested that the Clerk ascertain what improvements were to be carried out to the footpath as a planning condition to the approval given to the flood relief works, to ensure that they had been carried out.
   
   (Action: Clerk)

15. October, November and December 2003 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

Closure 9.40pm.