ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 27th January 2004 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

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

In attendance:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd – Clerk

1. Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Worthy, led prayers.

2. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

3. Urgent Late Item

The Chairman advised of a consultation document received from Hertfordshire County Council regarding School Admissions for the school year 2005 – 2006 which had a response deadline of 23 February. In view of the tight deadline, Members RESOLVED that the Clerk respond to the document on behalf of the Council following consultation with Councillors Mrs Wackrow and Mrs Turner.

(Action: Clerk)

4. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 18th December 2003

The minutes of the meeting held on 18th December 2003 were signed as a true and accurate record.

5. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Meeting held on 18th December 2003

1. Street Cleansing – A response had still 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.
   
   
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.
   
   
3. Aldenham Green – The Clerk had contacted Hertfordshire County Council to ascertain whether a break clause existed to terminate the lease earlier and had made several chasing phone calls. A response was still awaited.
   
   
4. Highways Tree Survey – The Clerk had received the “missing” roads list from Mr Davis ay Highways and had been advised that all tree work listed as A* had been carried out in the Parish.
   
   
5. Youth and Community Centre – Insurance – Members noted that the charge for the buildings insurance for 2002/03 and 2003/04 had been deferred by the County Council until April 2004. An appropriate sum had been allocated in the 2004/05 budget. Insurance for 2004/05 would also be with Ecclesiastical Insurance in the absence of cheaper quotations. Councillor Thompson advised of an insurance broker he used for his nurseries which had proved cheaper than Ecclesiastical Insurance and undertook to pass the details to the Clerk.
   
   (Action: Councillor Thompson)
   
   
6. Loom Lane Street Name Plate – It was noted that this had not been repaired yet. The Clerk undertook to chase this up.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
7. Service Roads Around Radlett Station – The Clerk had received a response to her letter to Network Rail confirming that they would be asking their contractors to look at the site.
   
   
8. Radlett Centre Refurbishment - Councillor Mrs Griffin advised that the majority of the snagging work had been completed, it was noted however that the wooden bollard had not been repaired. The Clerk was requested to chase this up.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   

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. Draft Calendar 2004/05 – Members were requested to advise the Clerk of any amendments to the draft calendar prior to the next meeting of the Council when it would be recommended for approval.
   
   
2. Newberries Car Park Recycling Bins – At the meeting of Joint Councillors on 14 January it had been agreed that a meeting should be held on site. Members RESOLVED that Councillor Mrs Reith should be the lead Councillor in this matter and the Clerk be requested to write to the Head of Paid Service, Head of Asset Management and the Portfolio Holder requesting that such a meeting be arranged.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
3. St John the Baptist Church, Aldenham – Use of Aldenham Green – The Social and Fundraising Committee of St John the Baptist Church, Aldenham had requested use of the Green on Saturday 11th September 2004. Members RESOLVED that, subject to the Committee obtaining all relevant insurance, permission be granted for use of the Green in Aldenham.
   
   
4. Malt Lane – Members noted a letter received from Mr Aylett concerning the state of Malt Lane. The Clerk had written to Mr Aylett advising that responsibility for cleansing Malt Lane was Hertsmere Borough Council and they had been notified accordingly. Councillor Worthy advised that Hertfordshire County Council Highways Unit had also been advised of the problem.

9. To Agree the Precept for 2004/05

Members noted the recommendation of the Finance and General Purposes Committee regarding the Precept for 2004/05 and the suggested amendment to allow £1,000 to pump prime the Festival in June 2004. RESOLVED that Hertsmere Borough Council be requested to levy the Parish Precept as detailed in Appendix A to these minutes.

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

15 December 2003 - Boundaries and Planning Committee
5 January 2004 - Boundaries and Planning Committee
6 January 2004 - Recreation Grounds Committee
13 January 2004 - Newsletter Committee
14 January 2004 - Finance and General Purposes Committee
19 January 2004 - Boundaries and Planning Committee

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

11. To note the Minutes of the following Sub Committees;

18 December 2003 - Radlett Carnival Revival Sub Committee
6 January 2004 - Footpaths Sub Committee

12. Planning

1. Planning Statistics
   11 applications had been received, 3 had been approved and 1 withdrawn.
   
   
2. Applications of special interest:
   
   a. Roundbush Garage - Demolition of existing garage and redevelopment of site with 2x2-bedroom, 1x3-bedroom and 3x5-bedroom 2 storey houses, new access road and off-street parking. The Committee had no objection in principle but were concerned at the parking arrangements for the three houses at the front of the development.
   
   b. Wall Hall – The application had been approved and would not be called in by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
   
   
3. Other Planning matters:
   a. Campaign to Protect Rural England - A letter had been received from the Campaign to Protect Rural England requesting the Council’s support to its suggested amendments to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill. The Boundaries and Planning Committee had requested that the Clerk write to the Rt Hon Keith Hill MP, Minister for Housing and Planning, requesting that he support the amendments to the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Bill to give County Councils a statutory responsibility to engage in the preparation and review of the new Regional Spatial Strategies and to address the urgent need for better enforcement of planning controls.
   
   b. Railway Inn – A letter had been received from a local resident requesting that the Council oppose the change of use of the Railway Inn from a pub to a pizza restaurant. Whilst Members were empathetic with Mr Jackman’s concerns at the loss of Radlett’s oldest pub, the Clerk was requested to advise Mr Jackman that under the Town and Country Use Classes Order 1987 there was no change of use from the category of “A3 Food and Drink” and therefore nothing the Council could do.

14. Items of Interest from Minutes of other Authorities

Councillor Thompson undertook to attend the meeting of the Elstree Aerodrome Consultative Committee at 5pm on Tuesday 3 February.

15. January and February 2004 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

2 February 2004 - Boundaries and Planning Committee (7.30pm)
3 February 2004 - Recreation Grounds Committee
9 February 2004 - Finance and General Purposes Committee
16 February 2004 - Boundaries and Planning Committee (7.30pm)
24 February 2004 - Council
25 February 2004 - Radlett Centre Trust (2.30pm)
1 March 2004 - Boundaries and Planning Committee
9 March 2004 - Transportation Committee
10 March 2004 - Finance and General Purposes Committee
11 March 2004 - Recreation Grounds Committee
15 March 2004 - Boundaries and Planning Committee
29 March 2004 - Boundaries and Planning Committee
30 March 2004 - Council

Closure 8.50pm.



APPENDIX A