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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 22 March 2005 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

In attendance: Ms. Carrie Lloyd – Clerk

151. Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Howley, led prayers.

152. Apologies for Absence

Councillor S. Burke, Councillor Mrs F. Turner and Councillor Mrs E. Wackrow

153. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 February 2005

It was noted that Councillor Mrs Reith had been present.

Subject to the above amendment, the minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.

154. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Meeting held on 22 February 2005

•  Illegal parking B462 – The Clerk had contacted Hertfordshire Highways regarding the coach parking for long periods just outside the Parish.

•  Speeding down Craigweil Avenue – The Clerk had contacted Hertfordshire Highways requesting that a survey be carried out as a matter of urgency. A response was awaited.

•  Bhaktivedanta Manor, Letchmore Heath – The Clerk confirmed that an appeal for non-determination had been lodged prior to Hertsmere Borough Council's decision to refuse the application.

155. To authorise the payment of accounts

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

156. To receive such communications as the person presiding may wish to lay before the Council

•  Members were advised that the Post Office had closed the previous Friday and a complaint received from a local resident. Various reasons for the closure had been suggested but it had re-opened by Monday and Members did not consider it necessary to raise the issue with Postwatch.

•  The Chairman had circulated a memo to Councillors regarding the Local Government Pension Scheme. He advised Members that the Council were paying 305% employer's contribution in 2004/05, the amount for 2005/06 had not yet been determined.

•  The Chairman had been contacted by the police regarding youth nuisance in Battlers Green. He hoped to arrange a meeting between interested parties including Hertsmere Borough Council, Hertfordshire Constabulary and Groundwork and would report back to Members on the outcome of the discussions.

157. To respond to questions from Councillors

•  Watling Mansions – Councillor Worthy advised that a tree had now been planted outside Watling Mansions to replace the one lost during its construction. A new bench was still awaited.

•  Wall Hall - Councillor Lambert advised that the show home was now open at Wall Hall.

•  Weed killing around lamp posts – the Clerk was requested to advise Hertsmere Borough Council that their contractors had been too vigorous with weed killing around lamp posts and had managed to kill the grass along verges too.

•  Shrubs along Gills Hill Lane and Craigweil Avenue – The Clerk was requested to remind Hertsmere Borough Council that the shrubs along the verges needed trimming back before they reverted. (Action: Clerk)

•  Letchmore Heath Pond - Councillor Lambert advised that as permission had now been given to spread the silt on a farmer's land, it was anticipated that the pond would be cleaned after the harvest in 2005. The Parish Council had been requested to provide some funding toward the project but at present, assistance in kind by grounds staff and village volunteers was the preferred method rather than just a monetary contribution.

158. Approval of the recommendations within the minutes of the following Committees

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

159. To note the minutes of the meetings of Sub Committees

The minutes of the following meetings were noted;

160. Planning

•  Planning Statistics

75 applications had been received since 1 st January 2005 , 4 had been refused, 71 remained outstanding.

•  Applications of special interest:

(a) TP/2005/0025 - Brickfields, Watling Street , Radlett - Demolition of existing building and the erection of 2 detached dwellings - Members had raised no objection to the application but had noted that the plans were for semi-detached properties. Previous applications on the site had been for office use of the disused warehouses which had been refused by the local planning authority, it was considered that two dwellings would create a more acceptable level of vehicular movement than offices.

161. Report by the Clerk

The Council had been requested to nominate a Member to the Board of Governors of Fairfield Junior School. Councillor Thompson undertook to ascertain the level involvement required and Members RESOLVED that, subject to Councillor Thompson's agreement, he be nominated to the Board of Governors of Fairfield Junior School.

162. Report by the Chairman

Members noted and approved the responses that the Chairman had made to the East of England Regional Spatial Strategy on behalf of the Council following consultation with Councillor Mrs Wackrow.

163. Recycling bins – Newberries Car Park

The Clerk had written to the Chief Executive at Hertsmere Borough Council, Mr Eden Lee, requesting an update on the relocation of the bins.

164. April and May 2005 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

* Please note change of date

165. RESOLVED that the following item was confidential as defined in the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 and the press and public be excluded from the meeting.

•  Clerk's Terms and Conditions of Employment

8.45pm The Clerk left the meeting and the following minute was taken by Councillor Howley.

166. Clerk's Terms and Conditions of Employment

A memorandum about the Clerk's Terms and Conditions of Employment was discussed and it was RESOLVED to offer the Clerk a new contract, to begin on 1 April 2005 . The new contract would be based upon the new National Agreement and would include an allowance that recognised the fact that Aldenham is in an area of high housing cost. The Council also RESOLVED that it might wish to review payment of that allowance if relevant advice were to be received in due course.

Closure 9.15pm.