ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 24th February 2004 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue , Radlett.

In attendance: Ms. Carrie Lloyd – Clerk

1. Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Worthy, led prayers.

2. Apologies for Absence

Councillor Mrs V. Charrett and Councillor J. Howley.

3. Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

4. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 th January 2004

Members noted that the Council’s Internal Auditor had recommended that the Precept for 2004/05 should be recorded within the body of the minutes of the meeting. RESOLVED that the second paragraph of Minute 9 – Parish Precept 2004/05 should read “RESOLVED that Hertsmere Borough Council be requested to levy the Parish Precept of £435,467 as detailed in Appendix A to these minutes.”

Subject to the above amendment, the minutes of the meeting held on 27 th January 2004 were signed as a true and accurate record.

5. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27 th January 2004

• Street Cleansing – A response had 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. The matter had been referred to Hertsmere Borough Council Street Cleansing as the function was their responsibility. A response was awaited.

• Charges for Newberries Car Park – A response had been received from Richard Grove, Head of Planning, Transportation and Building Control at Hertsmere Borough Council but required consideration by the Finance and General Purposes Committee.

• Aldenham Green – The Clerk had contacted Hertfordshire County Council to ascertain whether a break clause existed to terminate the lease earlier. No such break clause existed therefore the lease could not be considered before 2007.

• Highways Tree Survey – Members were concerned that not all of the A* work had been completed in the Parish. Councillor Mrs Turner advised of some dead trees overhanging the road in Christchurch Crescent . The Clerk undertook to advise Hertfordshire County Council Highways Department. (Action: Clerk)

• Youth and Community Centre – Insurance – Councillor Thompson had advised of an insurance broker he used for his nurseries however due to the tight timescales insurance for 2004/05 had been purchased through Ecclesiastical Insurance. Two insurance brokers had been requested to review the insurance as part of an overall review of the Parish Council’s insurance and it was hoped that a cheaper rate could be achieved from April 2005. It was noted that even if the insurance accounting period changed from January to April, insufficient funds had been budgeted for in 2004/05 to cover the full cost of the insurance to April 2005. (Action: Clerk)

• Loom Lane Street Name Plate – It was noted that this had been repaired but put up at the junction of Loom Lane and The Ridgeway. The Clerk was requested to ascertain whether a sign could be put up by the junction of The Leys and Loom Lane too. The Clerk was requested to advise Hertsmere Borough Council that a name plate south of Cobden Hill was missing too. (Action: Clerk)

• Radlett Centre Refurbishment – The Clerk advised that the wooden bollard had been repaired by the grounds staff. (Action: Clerk)

• Newberries Car Park Recycling Bins – The Clerk advised that a meeting was being arranged and she would report back at the next meeting of the Council. (Action: Clerk)

• Malt Lane - Hertfordshire County Council and Hertsmere Borough Council had not taken any action on tidying or improving the lane nor had any response been received to the Clerk’s letter of 23 January 2004 to Paul Dean, Cleansing Manager, Hertsmere Borough Council.

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

• Hertsmere Borough Council – Housing Strategy 2004/07 consultation draft – Members confirmed that Councillor Mrs Wackrow should attend the seminar and the Clerk following consultation with Councillor Mrs Wackrow respond to the draft document on behalf of the Council. (Action: Clerk / Councillor Mrs Wackrow)
  
  
• Hertfordshire Constabulary and withdrawal of traffic wardens – Members noted the minutes of Hertsmere Borough Council, Environment, Transportation ands Leisure Overview and Scrutiny Committee18 November 2003 Minute 344 and Community and Corporate Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee 25 November 2003 Minute 361. Concern was expressed at the manner in which Hertfordshire Constabulary were withdrawing traffic wardens prior to the Borough Council introducing decriminalisation of yellow line parking. The Clerk was requested to write to Hertsmere Borough Council advising that yellow lines in Aldenham Avenue were worn away and write to Hertfordshire Constabulary advising that Members were greatly concerned at the manner in which traffic wardens were being withdrawn and the potentially dangerous effect it would have to the free flow and safety of traffic and the safety of pedestrians . (Action: Clerk)

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

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

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

12. Planning

• Planning Statistics
  
  24 applications had been received, 3 had been approved and 1 withdrawn.

• Applications of special interest:
  
  Abalone Restaurant, Watling Street – Noted that an application had been received for an illuminated fascia sign with backlighting (Advertisement consent) and external alterations to install a new shop front as the restaurant was being taken over by another restaurant.
  
  50A Watling Street – Change of use from offices (Class B1) to an Aesthetic Clinic (Class D1). No objection had been raised to this change.

(iii) Other Planning matters:

• Campaign to Protect Rural England – A reply had been received to the Council’s letter 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. The Bill had been amended to address these two issues.

14. Items of Interest from Minutes of other Authorities

Elstree Aerodrome Consultative Committee - Councillor Thompson had attended this meeting. It appeared that at present the number of complaints were declining. Members advised that this was expected during the winter months.

Radlett Centre Trust - Councillor Mrs Griffin requested that the Council officially thank Cllrs N. Payne and J. Graham for the funding given by Hertsmere Borough Council for the refurbishment works to the Radlett Centre. Members so RESOLVED.

15. January and February 2004 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

Closure 8.50pm.