ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 25th November 2003 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

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

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, Councillor M. Thompson and Councillor Mrs E. Wackrow

3. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

4. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 28th October 2003

The minutes of the meeting held on 30th September 2003 were signed as a true and accurate record.

5. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Meeting held on 28th October 2003

1. Street Cleansing – A response had not been received to County Councillor Saunders fax to Head of Asset Management at Hertsmere Borough Council suggesting that the Parish take over the cleansing function of these footpaths. A response had not yet been received to the Clerk’s letter to the Head of Street Cleansing.
   
   
2. Charges for Newberries Car Park – The Chairman had not received a full response from Richard Grove, Head of Planning, Transportation and Building Control at Hertsmere Borough Council.
   
   The replacement ticket machines for the car park had been installed.
   
   
3. Aldenham Green – The Clerk had contacted Hertfordshire County Council to ascertain whether a break clause existed to terminate the lease earlier. A response was awaited.
   
   
4. Highways Tree Survey – It was noted that Steve Gregory was the Deputy District Manager for Radlett and Elstree with Mike Davis remaining as the Area Engineer. Mr Davis had had the “missing” roads surveyed and a list would be sent to the Clerk in due course.
   
   
5. Remembrance Sunday – Councillor Mrs Charrett was thanked for stepping in to lay the wreath at Radlett at short notice when Councillor Mrs Reith was taken ill suddenly.
   
   
6. Youth and Community Centre – Insurance – A letter had been received from Hertfordshire County Council requesting that the Parish pay their proportion of the buildings insurance for 2002/03 and 2003/04 as required under the lease. Members expressed concern that the County Council had not achieved best value in accepting the insurance costs incurred by the Platt Foundation, when the Foundation had failed to obtain competitive quotations. Members requested that the Deputy Clerk write to Hertfordshire County Council expressing the Parish Council’s concerns.
   
   
7. Letter received regarding concessionary rates charged by the Radlett Centre – Councillor Mrs Griffin confirmed that the Company Secretary to the Radlett Centre Trust had responded to the correspondent.
   

6. To adjourn the meeting for members of the public to address the Council

There was no one present who wished to address the Council.

7. To authorise the payment of accounts

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

8. To receive communications from the Chairman

1. Boundaries and Planning Committee Agenda – Members were advised that the agenda would be publicised on the notice board with the applications due to be considered. It was hoped that this would generate more public participation in the Council’s planning function. At the suggestion of Members, the Clerk undertook to ensure that the agenda was also published on the Council’s website.
   
   
2. Councillors and Procedures – The Chairman expressed the Council and staff’s gratitude to Members who undertook work on behalf of the Council in their own time. The added value brought to the Council by Members assisting in this way was recognised by all concerned. Members were reminded that when undertaking such work, a copy of correspondence or a note of the telephone call should be passed to the Council staff to keep them informed.
   
   
3. Comprehensive Performance Assessment - Hertsmere Borough Council – The Chairman advised of a meeting held with the Clerk, Mr Higgins, Head of Paid Service at Hertsmere Borough Council and himself. The meeting had been to discuss the Borough Council’s forthcoming Comprehensive Performance Assessment by the Audit Commission and the Borough’s desired outcomes from the assessment. The meeting had proved very useful and further meetings may take place in future to facilitate a clear administrative link between the Parish and Borough Councils.
   
   
4. Christmas Light Switch on – Members were reminded that the switch on would be taking place at 7pm on Friday 28th November.
   

9. To Answer Questions from Councillors

1. Website – A Member asked for details of the Council’s website usage. The Clerk undertook to circulate the weekly statistics to all Councillors. It was confirmed that the public were accessing the website as at least two emails had been sent to councillors@aldenham.gov.uk. This address had until now only been publicised on the Council’s website.
   
   
2. Grass verges - Some Councillors questioned why the verges in Aldenham Avenue, Radlett were returfed recently. The Clerk undertook to ask Highways for information. It was noted that Mr Moriarty no longer worked for Hertfordshire County Council Highways in the Radlett area.
   
   
3. Taxi Vouchers – A Member asked when the vouchers would be reissued. The Clerk advised that the grant for the second year had been awarded and a cheque was awaited from the Countryside Agency.
   
   
4. Parking – Members were advised that Councillor N. Payne had agreed to take up the issue of the delivery van to the chip shop parking in the slip road to Newberries Car Park because, according to the driver, they had been told to do so by Hertsmere Borough Council Environmental Health Department. It was agreed to include Parking as an item on the agenda for Joint Councillors.
   
   
5. Loom Lane – It was noted that the street name outside 25 Loom Lane needed replacing. The Clerk undertook to notify the Highway Authority.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   

10. Approval of the recommendations within the Minutes of the following Committees;

(i) 3 November 2003 - Boundaries and Planning Committee
(ii) 4 November 2003 - Recreation Grounds Committee
(iii) 12 November 2003 - Finance and General Purposes Committee
(iv) 17 November 2003 - Boundaries and Planning Committee

Members noted the recommendation to approve the S.137 grant to RAIFA to fund the refreshments of £354.21 for the visitors from Louveciennes held on 11 October plus room hire of £30. RESOLVED that the grant be approved.

RESOLVED that the recommendations contained within the four sets of minutes be approved.

Members requested that a numbering system be implemented for the Planning Grid. Members requested that the Local Planning Authority be advised of their concern that the footpath at Crimbles, Loom Place should be reinstated by the applicant should it become damaged during construction on site.

11. Planning

1. Planning Statistics
   
   320 applications had been received since 1st January, 197 had been approved, 77 had been refused and 46 were still awaiting decision.
   
   
2. Applications of special interest:
   
   a) Wall Hall – An informal presentation was due to take place on 5th December. The application would then be considered by the Local Planning Authority on 22nd December.
   
   b) Former Brick Works – This application had been withdrawn from the agenda of the last meeting of Hertsmere Borough Council’s Bushey/Aldenham Planning Sub Committee.
   
   c) 34 Loom Lane – This item would be discussed at the meeting of Hertsmere Borough Council’s Bushey/Aldenham Planning Sub Committee on 18th December.
   
   
3. Other Planning matters:
   
   a) Hertsmere Jewish High School Trust – The United Synagogue had received the backing of Hertfordshire County Council for a school at Hillside School, Borehamwood. It was now highly unlikely that an application would be submitted again for the Kendal Hall Farm site.
   
   b) Footpath 31A – members noted that the Inspector had dismissed the appeal by Mr Willis.

12. To Consider Reports from Officers of the Council

Sage Training for Accounts Officer – The Clerk advised Members that 5 training days had been purchased in the use of the Sage Accounts package. Due to other training commitments the Clerk would not be able to take up two of the days she had proposed to use and it had been agreed that the Accounts Officer would be able to benefit from an additional two days training

13. To Consider Reports from the Chairman

Police Authority Meeting held on 24th November 2003 – The Chairman had attended a public meeting the previous evening. Hertfordshire Constabulary had advised that recorded crime was down on the previous year.

15. November and December 2003 and January and February 2004 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

Closure 9.07pm.