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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 27 September 2005 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

In attendance:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd – Clerk
Mrs Jan Adams – Deputy Clerk

53. Prayers

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Worthy, led prayers.

54. Apologies for Absence

Councillor Howley and Councillor Mrs Charrett

55. Declarations of Interest by Members

There were no declarations of interest by Members.

56. To co-opt a new Member to the Council

Mrs Gill Balen was co-opted as a new Member to the Council

57. To receive a presentation by PC Andy Chittenden

PC Chittenden made a presentation to Members regarding the use of the Picnic Field as a motorcycle track. Members undertook to discuss the principle of using of the field in such a way in due course.

58. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 July 2005

The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.

59. To receive any updates from actions in the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 July 2005

(i) 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.

(ii) Trees/Shrubs along Gills Hill Lane and Craigweil Avenue – The work to remove the basal growth from the trees in Gills Hill Lane, Newberries Avenue and Craigweil Avenue had been not been fully completed nor to a reasonable standard.

(iii) Gutters and gullies – Members had been circulated with a report from the Herts Highways Joint Members Panel for the District of Hertsmere on 26 July regarding Weed killing on the highway. It was noted that an Agency Agreement was being drafted.

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

(v) Locally L isted Buildings – The Clerk had yet to take the photos but the list had been sent.

(vi) Public Car Park – Tabard Rugby Club – The rugby Club had been advised that the car park required tidying. The solicitor handling the new lease to the Rugby Club had advised that after 30 th September, unless the new lease had been signed, no acknowledgment or recognition should be made of the Club's tenancy.

(vii) Post Office Garden – Bark Chippings – The Noise had very kindly carried out this work in August. When the Clerk met up with the street sweeper she would ask him to sweep the bark chippings in future.

61. To adjourn the meeting for members of the public to address the Council

The meeting was adjourned at 8.40pm to enable Station Commander Tony Smith and Jane Sheridan to address the Council concerning the proposed closure of Radlett Fire Station.

The meeting recommenced at 9.15pm

62. To authorise the payment of accounts

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

Congratulations were extended to the Finance Officer for a very successful end of year internal audit report.

63. To receive communications from the Chairman

(i) Mrs Ros Gray – Nomination as Volunteer of the Year – Members were advised that following the Council's recommendation Mrs Gray had received an award for her commitment and would be nominated to the Regional Awards.

(ii) The Noise – Members noted the letter of thanks from The Noise project that had received s.137 grant funding.

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

Members noted that the Finance and General Purposes Committee of 14 September had referred the decision on whether to permit Aldenham Green to be used for a wedding marquee to the Council. Whilst Members were sympathetic to the local resident's request, concern was expressed at the effect on neighbouring properties, control of public access, health and safety issues and setting a precedent for future uses of the site. RESOLVED that the request be refused.

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

65. Planning

1. Planning Statistics

285 applications had been received, since 1 st January 2005 , 95 had been approved, 45 had been refused, 11 had been withdrawn and 134 remained outstanding.

2. Applications of special interest:

(a) TP/2005/1090 – 18 Loom Lane Radlett – Erection of a new house – The Council had objected on the grounds that the new house appeared to be over-dominant to the neighbouring properties but in particular the plans did not show the distance to the boundaries.

(b) TP/2005/0745 – Former Builders Yard off Station Road, Radlett - Redevelopment of existing builders yard to 10x two and three storey houses with 10 car parking spaces and access from Station Road – The Local Planning Authority had refused the application.

(c) TP/2005/0598 – Former Quadrant Works, Watling Street, Radlett - Erection of 65 residential apartments with associated open spaces, roadways and 110 car parking spaces, following demolition of existing building – The appeal had been dismissed.

(d) TP/2005/0289 – Land adjacent to Bridgefoot Cottages, Watling Street, Radlett - 1 x terrace of 3 (3 bedroom) dwellings with associated parking, (including block of 3 attached single garages) – The appeal had been dismissed.

(iii) Other Planning Matters

(a) A letter had been received from a Telecoms company regarding a potential application for a mast on Shenley Hill. The Council's telecoms policy had been sent to them.

(b) Park Street , Rail Freight Depot – There had not been any further communications on this issue.

(c) It was noted that a parcel of land had been auctioned off behind the post office. It was too small for residential development.

66. Reports by the Clerk

(i) Consideration of the offer of a Senior Fire Officer to attend a Council meeting to make a presentation on the Hertfordshire Fire & Rescue Service's Integrated Risk Management Plan – Members requested that a separate meeting be held from the scheduled Council Meetings. It was suggested that the date be 1 st November* in the Radlett Centre Theatre. The Clerk was requested to see if the Borough Council would like to hold a joint meeting.

(Action: Clerk)

67. Recycling Bins

Members noted the advice received that Hertsmere had engaged someone to carry out a structural survey of the old bridge adjacent to Newberries car park and to determine the structure of any tanks, etc in the car park.

Also the new Head of Waste (Steve Burton) had started, he had been briefed on this issue and would address it once he was settled in.

68. Items of Interest from other Authorities

Members noted the highway closures to take place during the resurfacing works to Watling Street . Councillor Mrs Turner had been discussing the issue with Councillor H M Saunders particularly in relation to its effects on school transport.

It was regretted that money had been wasted in putting down yellow lines in Watling Street for it to be resurfaced just a month later.

The Clerk was requested to obtain quotations for a new notice board in Watling Street and a replacement one at Battlers Green.

(Action: Clerk)

69. October and November 2005 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

Closure 9.53pm
Chairman

* Since changed to 31st October