Minutes of the meeting of the FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at 8pm on Tuesday 13th July 2004 , The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue , Radlett.

Present:
Councillor M. Thompson (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs V. Charrett
Councillor J.A. Howley
Councillor Mrs S.A. Reith
Councillor R. Worthy

Officer:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
   
   Apologies for absence had been received from Councillor Mrs E. Wackrow and Councillor Mrs W. Griffin.
   
   
2. URGENT LATE ITEM
   
   The Chairman advised that he had agreed to accept an urgent late item regarding a potential regular booking for the Youth and Community Centre from Perform.
   
   
3. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST BY MEMBERS
   
   Councillor Worthy declared a personal interest in the item Common Costs with the Radlett Centre Trust as a Member of the Board of Trustees.
   
   
4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16TH JUNE 2004
   
   The minutes of the meeting held on 16th June 2004 were signed as a true and accurate record.
   
   
5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16TH  JUNE 2004
   
   1. Land Registry Search – Area behind Beaver Travel – The Clerk advised that the search was in hand. (Action: Clerk)
   
   
6. PROPERTY PORTFOLIO
   
   1. Wellhouse Dell – Registration of Land – Sale of the land had been completed.
   
   2. Registration of Access to Cobden Hill Dell – The matter was still in the hands of the Council's solicitor.
   
   3. Land at Pegmire Lane – A letter had been received from Mr Bourne, the owner of some land adjacent to the Council's plots in Pegmire Lane . Mr Bourne suggested that the land could be developed for affordable housing for the young or elderly. Members were mindful that the site was in the Metropolitan Green Belt and very unlikely to receive planning permission from the Local Planning Authority. As part of the Parish Plan the Countryside Management Service were investigating the feasibility of the Council renting out its land for grazing of cattle, possibly by the Aldenham Country Park . The Clerk was requested to write to Mr Bourne advising him of the Council's opinion. (Action: Clerk)
   
   
7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND BUDGET REPORT
   
   The financial statements to the end of June were noted.
   
   The Chairman requested that an alternative layout be prepared in time for the next meeting to gauge Members' views on its clarity. (Action: Clerk / Accounts Officer / Chairman)
   
   
8. TO CONSIDER OPENING A DEPOSIT ACCOUNT WITH THE ALLIANCE AND LEICESTER COMMERCIAL BANK
   
   The Clerk advised that the 30 day notice account at the Alliance and Leicester gave 4.35% APR. Members RESOLVED that £50,000 should be transferred to an Alliance and Leicester 30 day notice business deposit account. (Action: Clerk)
   
   
9. RECHARGE OF STAFF TIME TO THE FESTIVAL
   
   Members considered the Clerk's report and RESOLVED that a recharge should be made for the two staff who were paid overtime on the Sunday, costing approximately £276.13, as previously notified to the Festival Sub-Committee and the cost to the Council of £192.10 for the other member of staff who had taken the time as Time Off in Lieu not be recharged to the Festival Sub Committee.
   
   Members advised that any additional work requested of staff should be approved by the Committee in future prior to costs being incurred. (Action: Accounts Officer)
   
   
10. RECOMMENDATION TO COUNCIL REGARDING THE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES REQUIRED FOR THE RADLETT FESTIVAL 2005 IF RUN BY ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
    
    Members did not wish to pre-empt the decision to be taken by Council at the end of July but were requested to made a recommendation should the Council decide that the Parish Council should take a lead role in the future.
    
    Members RECOMMENDED that £3,000 be set aside in the 2005/06 budget for Festival costs should the Council decide to run the Festival via a Sub Committee subject to the majority of the work being undertaken by the volunteers on the Festival Sub Committee and the Finance and General Purposes Committee agreeing to any additional work being requested of staff prior to the expenditure being incurred.
    
    
11. COMMON COSTS WITH THE RADLETT CENTRE
    
    A letter from the Board of Trustees of the Radlett Centre Trust WAS AWAITED.
    
    The Chairman had been sent details of the Trust's monthly accounts which the Clerk was requested to circulate to Members of the Committee. (Action: Clerk)
    
    
12. BOOKING OF THE YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE BY PERFORM
    
    The Deputy Clerk had received an enquiry to book the Youth and Community Centre for 2 hours every Saturday afternoon between September and December. The hirer had not been willing to pay the standard fee for a Saturday afternoon between 2pm and 5pm . Members were requested to approve a reduced fee of £35 per session in view of the reduced time required and the block booking being made.
    
    RESOLVED that the hirer be requested to pay 4 weeks in advance and the price per session be £35 inc. VAT. (Action: Deputy Clerk)
    
    
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
    
    The next meeting was scheduled for 8pm on Tuesday 15 September 2004
    

Closure: 9.05pm