ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the ANNUAL PARISH MEETING held at 8 pm on Tuesday 6 April 2004 in The Auditorium, The Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue , Radlett.

Present:
Councillor J A Howley (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs A Baker
Councillor Mrs V Charrett
Councillor W Deem
Councillor D Lambert
Councillor Mrs E Wackrow
Councillor R T A Worthy

In attendance:
Ms C Lloyd (Clerk)
Mrs J Adams (Deputy Clerk)
Mr G Dexter (Radlett Centre Manager)

1. Apologies for absence

Apologies were received from Councillors S Burke, Mrs A Reith, M Thompson, Mrs F Turner, from Borough Councillors J Graham, S Nagler and Mr G Nunn.

2. To confirm the Minutes of the Annual Meeting held on 8 April 2003

The Minutes were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

3. Address by Chairman of the Council

On the legal front it was reported that on 30 March the Parish Council had adopted new Standing Orders and Financial Regulations in order to comply with the Government’s latest legislation.

The Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002 had been a huge and popular success and had led to a movement, initiated by Professor Allan Beaver, to create a new event entitled the Radlett Festival to be held on 12/13 June 2004, the Parish Council had been delighted to support it.

It was believed that the levy imposed upon the Parish Council to enable ‘free’ use for one hour of Newberries Car Park was not justified. Data had been gathered by the Borough Council’s own staff that showed that the car park was never fully used. Parish Councillors believed that the first hour should be free, just as it was in Bushey. A letter had been written to Hertsmere in March 2003 to seek either abolition of the levy or an appropriate reduction, coupled with compensation for overcharging during earlier years. That request had been rejected and the Parish Council recently responded, by letter, about the MORI survey questionnaire that had been sent to a sample of citizens of the Borough.

Hertsmere Borough Council had proposed to increase the charge in Newberries Car Park in the previous year. To date, they had not been reviewed but a MORI questionnaire had recently been circulated for consultation.

The Parish Council was always concerned to see the locality clean and tidy. There had been a noticeable improvement in Radlett when our own street cleaner had been acquired two years ago. The situation had become increasingly unsatisfactory in recent months.

The Parish Council wanted the recycling bins to be moved from the entrance road to Newberries Car Park into the car park itself. Councillors thought it would be less of a traffic hazard there and cause less nuisance to the local residents. When asked readers’ views through Around Radlett, there was overwhelming public support (48 for, 1 against). However, Hertsmere Borough Council officers continued to resist their intention, suggesting recently to the Radlett Society that “…the car park was fully utilised at certain times of the day ….”. that the parking area would have to be redesigned and that contractors might “inadvertently leave the barrier open, thus enabling invasion by travellers and the like. It was hoped to hold a meeting soon with the HBC officers and the Executive Member responsible.

Inconsiderate parking continued in bays reserved for disabled drivers. Especially at the Radlett Centre. As the Chairman reported at the Annual Meeting in 2003 the Council hoped to install new controls there, that would include charging and wheel clamping. Those plans had had to be deferred due to the refurbishment of the Centre.

Recorded crime in the Parish had shown an encouraging downward trend in the past year (March to February, 740 down to 650), although the number of incidents of youth-related nuisance (110 up to 156) had increased.

Sadly, vandalism continued to blight the Parish. A full reported would be contained in the Recreation Grounds Committee report.

Fellow Councillors and the Chairman, felt that the Parish Council’s staff did an excellent job for the community and their helpfulness was often commented on by people who called upon them for help.

The Chairman also recorded his thanks to all of the Councillors who had worked so hard in the interest of residents for the past year. They were all unpaid volunteers. most of whom were re-elected on 1 May 2003 . The Chairman added that he was pleased to report that the Councillors had decided unanimously last September not to award themselves allowances that the Government had legislated for.

4. Annual Reports – tabled by the Chairmen of the Committees

1. Finance and General Purposes presented by Councillor J A Howley
2. Boundaries and Planning presented by Councillor Mrs E E Wackrow
3. Transportation presented by Councillor R T A Worthy
4. Radlett Youth & Community Centre presented by Councillor Mrs V Charrett
5. Newsletter presented by Councillor Mrs S A Reith
6. Recreation Grounds presented by Councillor J A Howley
7. Footpaths Sub Committee presented by Councillor D Lambert
8. Radlett Festival Sub Committee presented by Councillor Mrs V Charrett

5. Open Discussion

1. Mr Michael Posner, Shenley Hill
   
   Mr Posner referred to the one hour “free” parking in Newberries Car Park. He asked if the Council were aware of a recent random survey carried out by Hertsmere Borough Council and in light of that survey did the Council intend to carry on paying for first hour.
   
   In response Councillor Howley said that the matter of the survey had been discussed by the Parish Council and a letter had been written to Hertsmere. The Council would continue to pay for one hour’s parking in Newberries Car Park but would prefer to see two hours “free”, also for parking for over six hours by commuters to be discouraged by a hefty fee.
   
   
2. Mr P Walker, Watling Street
   
   Mr Walker said he was alarmed at the present crime rate in Radlett. He asked what had happened to CCTV and what had happened to local security.
   
   Councillor Howley replied that the number of crimes in the area had been reduced adding that we lived in a comparatively low crime area. There had been a very limited amount of interest in CCTV by shop keepers and as result attempts made by the Parish Council had failed at a time when the Government were offering substantial grants.
   
   It was estimated that it would take £80,000 - £100,000 to set up CCTV and £35,000 per year in running costs.
   
   The Parish Council was discussing the matter with Hertsmere.
   
   
3. Mr Tony Jennings, Watford Road
   
   Mr Jennings stated that the bottle bank was originally in Newberries Car Park, access to the bottle bank was originally over an old weak bridge and in order to take the additional weight a bigger bridge had been built. Therefore, he asked why did Hertsmere continue to refuse to reinstate the bottle bank to the car park which so much effort had gone into getting it there in the first place. He asked that the meeting be democratic and put it to a vote that Hertsmere should act upon. A straw poll had taken place with 48 people wishing to see the bottle bank moved to the car park and one against. On a show of hands 26 people present supported the plan for the bins to be moved.
   
   Councillor Howley replied that he would be speaking to the appropriate portfolio holder in the near future.
   
   
4. Clive Glover, Woodfield Road
   
   Mr Glover said that he had been overwhelmed with the police presence in Watling Street on 1 and 2 April.
   
   Councillor Howley replied that the event was called ‘Spotlight’ and had been organised by the Hertsmere Crime and Disorder Partnership.
   
   
5. Mr K Milbank, Folly Close
   
   Mr Milbank suggested that in order to ease speed into Radlett, mini roundabouts could be sited at the junction of The Cross Path and Aldenham Avenue , and the junction of Gills Hill Lane and Watford Road.
   
   Councillor Worthy responded that this could lead to proliferation of roundabouts in Radlett which could be hazardous. A roundabout at the junction of Gills Hill Lane and Watford Road would prove difficult in such a narrow part of Watford Road . The Highways Partnership was currently discussing plans to create a footpath and improve sight lines along that stretch of Watford Road.
   
   
6. Mr P Marley, Homefield Road
   
   Mr Marley was concerned that since the withdrawal from enforcement of yellow lines by Hertfordshire Constabulary, traffic control in the area had become negligible. He was also concerned over car parking charges and compared the £5 per day charged at Newberries Car Park to the £3.50 a day charged at the railway car park, which he added was full every day.
   
   Councillor Howley responded that everything was being done to press the police to enforce the law.
   
   
7. Mrs R Gray, Loom Lane
   
   Mrs Gray said that Radlett Society and Green Belt Association totally supported the Parish Council in their endeavours to improve the Post Office gardens. She asked if the Parish Council would now support the Radlett Society in their endeavours to stop ivy strangling trees along Watling Street and Cobden Hill.
   
   Councillor Howley responded that Mrs Gray’s comments would be noted and taken to the next meeting of the Recreation Grounds Committee.
   
   
8. Mr Tony Jennings, Watford Road
   
   Mr Jennings asked if the ivy climbing the lime trees could be cut by the Recreation Grounds staff.
   
   It was noted that the lime trees in question were along the highway and as such required permission from the Highways Partnership before any work could be carried out.
   
   
9. Councillor N Payne, Newlands Avenue
   
   Councillor Payne thanked those responsible for ‘Around Radlett’ he felt it fulfilled a very useful need.
   
   On policing matters he reported that crime figures were significantly down as was anti social behaviour and he added that this was due to number of PCSO’s working across the Borough.
   
   The Spotlight event which had taken place on 1 and 2 April had been welcomed across the Borough and many tickets had been issued.
   
   On the matter of decriminalisation, he reported that Herts Constabulary had withdrawn their services as from last week. He added that plans needed to be drawn up to decriminalise across the Borough, at present the process was out to consultation after which an application would be made to seek permission for Hertsmere Borough Council to take over enforcement of all parking regulation.
   
   In relation to the re-siting of the bottle bank, Councillor Payne said that he had noted the comments made and would take them back to Hertsmere for discussion with officers and the portfolio holder. He added that it was also noted that the car park was generally untidy and that the surface required attention.
   
   Helicopters flying over the area was lower than last year and it was felt that a recent re-routing had contributed to the improvement.

6. To receive the accounts and reports from the following charities:

1. Platt Subsidiary Foundation
2. Radlett Centre Trust
3. Radlett Village Institute Management Committee
4. Aldenham War Memorial Trust

Councillor Mrs Griffin, as Chairman of the Radlett Centre Trust, offered her thanks and appreciation to the directors of the Board and especially to Mr Philip Eastburn who had recently retired, and to Mr Paul Marley for all his work in connection with the alterations to The Centre.

7. To receive the reports for the following organisations:

1. Radlett Youth Club Management Committee
2. Radlett and Aldenham International Friendship Association (RAIFA )

Mr Marley , as President of RAIFA, reported that the second half of the 20 th Anniversary celebrations would be held in May this year in Louveciennes , France . He appealed for more Members to join RAIFA adding that a new Chairman needed to be nominated.

8. Date of next years meeting

Councillor Howley reported that the meeting next year would be held on Tuesday 5 April 2005.

9. Vote of thanks

Mr Marley offered a vote of thanks to Councillor Howley for his chairmanship, to the councillors for their hard work and to the staff for their support.

Closure: 9.25 pm