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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 26 July 2005 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

In attendance: Ms. Carrie Lloyd – Clerk

36. Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Howley, led prayers.

37. Apologies for Absence

Councillor Mrs Baker, Councillor Burke, Councillor Mrs Griffin and Councillor Lambert.

38. Declarations of Interest by Members

There were no declarations of interest by Members.

39. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 28 June 2005

It was noted that the last word on page c9 should read “basal” not “basil”.

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

40. Matters arising from the Minutes of the Meeting held on 31 May 2005

Speeding down Craigweil Avenue – A response from Hertfordshire Highways was still awaited to the Clerk's request that a survey be carried out as a matter of urgency.

Trees/Shrubs along Gills Hill Lane and Craigweil Avenue – The work to remove the basal growth removed from the trees in Gills Hill Lane , Newberries Avenue and Craigweil Avenue had been carried out but not necessarily very well.

Gutters and gullies – The Clerk had reported the growth to Hertfordshire Highways who had advised that the work was contracted out to Hertsmere Contract Services and that the gutters and gullies around the whole of Hertsmere were blocked with weeds. The officers were continuing to pursue a better service from the contractor but with little success.

Youth and Community Centre Petitions – The Deputy Clerk had written to the relevant parties and a response was awaited.

41. To authorise the payment of accounts

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

Members were advised of a recent successful VAT Inspection. The hard work of the Accounts Officer was acknowledged with thanks.

42. To receive communications from the Chairman

(i) Casual Vacancy for a Councillor – The Chairman advised that following the advertisement for a vacancy, no one had called for an election and it was therefore proposed that the co-option of a Councillor would take place at the September meeting of the Council. Any registered electors living, working or owning land within 3 miles of the Parish who were interested in standing were requested to contact the Clerk.

(ii) Listed Buildings – An email had been received from Simon Went, consultant to Hertsmere Borough Council advising that he was compiling a list of locally listed buildings in Hertsmere Borough. A local List was different to a national list. The buildings on the local list did not have automatic statutory protection but could be protected by policies in the Local Plan and by specific planning powers such as Article 4 directions. Nominations were requested (with a photo and a location map). The nominated building must either: 1. Demonstrate the Borough's history. This included buildings important for their social history such as schools, churches, public buildings, leisure, entertainment and commercial buildings. 2. Have architectural interest - be designed by a well-known architect, be a good example of a particular style or period, contain good architectural features or be important for the townscape. The building should not already be on the Government's statutory list.

It was suggested that Letchmore Heath War Memorial Hall, Skybreak in The Warren, Tykeswater Bridge, the Youth and Community Centre at 2 Loom Lane and the buildings fronting the station entrance including Vigor's Estate Agents and the barber's shop known as the Flint Cottages be put forward.

(Action: Clerk)

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

Members noted a recommendation for a s.137 grant by the Finance and General Purposes Committee 12 th July 2005 and RESOLVED that Radlett and Aldenham Good Neighbours be awarded £250.

RESOLVED that the recommendations contained within the six sets of minutes be approved;

44. Planning

(i) Planning Statistics

244 applications had been received, since 1 st January 2005 , 79 had been approved, 36 had been refused, 6 had been withdrawn and 123 remained outstanding.

(ii) Applications of special interest:

•  TP/2005/0745 – Former Builder's Yard, Station Road - Redevelopment of existing builders yard to 10x two and three storey houses with 10 car parking spaces and access from Station Road – Members noted that there was very little provision for parking and that it was over development of the site. It was suggested that more affordable housing should be built on this site if it were to be developed for residential use.

•  Application for use of former silage pit for green waste composting, together with the creation of new access and closure of existing farm access at Blackbirds Farm, Blackbirds Lane, Aldenham – Members considered this application and RESOLVED that this Council objects to the application on grounds of excessive vehicular movements and unacceptable noise caused by the development.

(iii) Other Planning Matters

A joint meeting had been held with the Parish Council, The Radlett Society & Green Belt Association and Mr Young, Principal Planning Officer (Development Control) at Hertsmere Borough Council on 6 th July 2005 . It had proved very useful.

The second application for the former Houseboat Works had been refused.

An appeal had been lodged for the refusal of the application for the telecom mast at 42-44 Watling Street .

A meeting had taken place on 20 th July to discuss the future of the toilet block at Radlett Gardens . Parish Councillors had been able to express their preference for youth provision in this area to Councillor John Graham and Mrs Hilary Shade, Head of Asset Management at Hertsmere Borough Council.

45. Reports by the Clerk

•  Revised Annual Accounts Return 2004/05 – Members noted the Revised Annual Accounts Return as circulated and RESOLVED that the Year End Accounts be approved.

(Action: Clerk)

47. Closure of Radlett Fire Station

Members noted the Fire Service Proposals regarding closure of the Fire Station. It was recognised that the Council would have to await the consultation on the draft community safety plan before a formal response could be made to the proposal.

48. Recycling Bins

Members noted the memo circulated by the Chairman and it was agreed that this issue be pressed on the Borough Councillors as a matter requiring urgent attention at the Joint Councillors meeting.

49. Agenda Items for Joint Councillors Meeting

It was agreed that the following items should be discussed;

Recycling bins, Newberries Car Park
Decriminalised Parking in Radlett
Deliveries to Tesco
Fire Station closure
Property Issues;
Radlett Gardens & Renovation of Toilet block
Newberries car park
Letchmore Heath Pond
Planning Issues
Street Cleaning
Contract Waste Services & Customer Services
Licensing
Radlett CDRP, Youth anti-social behaviour and Youth Diversion
Radlett Station including the entrance & exit in light of the recent alternative train provision by the buses
Highways Issues

50. Public Car Park , Tabard Rugby Club

The Clerk was requested to ask the Rugby Club to weed and tidy the car park.

51. Post Office Garden - Bark Chippings

It was suggested that the bark from the post office garden needed to be swept up from the pavement. It was agreed to raise this at Joint Councillors to see if the street sweeper could carry out this work.

(Action: Clerk)

52. August, September and October 2005 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

Closure 9.00pm.
Chairman