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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 16 November 2005 The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor Thompson (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs Charrett
Councillor Mrs Griffin
Councillor Howley
Councillor Mrs Wackrow

Officer:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Worthy.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

3. URGENT LATE ITEM

The Chairman advised that he had agreed to consider an urgent late item;

1. Payment by the Youth Club for use of the Youth and Community Centre.
2. Damp in 28 Elm Walk

The reason for urgency was;

1. To enable the Finance Officer to process the invoices according to Financial Regulations or Council decision.
2. To consider what further action could be taken for this on-going problem.

4. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 OCTOBER 2005

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 October 2005 were signed as a true and accurate record.

5. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 11 OCTOBER 2005

1. Purchase of a Fire Safe – Details of lodging the Council’s minutes etc. with the County Archive were being sought.
   
   
2. Truck for the Recreation Ground – More information was still awaited.
   
   
3. Tabard Rugby Football Club, King George’s Playing Field, Radlett – Members were advised that nothing further had been heard regarding the lease.  The Clerk would follow it up.
   
   
4. War Memorial, Watling Street – The Clerk had faxed the Council’s appeal against the fixed penalty to the Inland Revenue as it appeared that they still had no record of it.
   
   
5. Youth & Community Centre – Members were advised that Grounds Staff fitted a kitchen during half term week & put up a wall covering in the toilets such that the caretaker was able to paint it and will be able to keep it clean in future.  Environmental Health had been advised that the work had been carried out.
   
   
6. The Picnic Field – A meeting would be held on Monday 28th November to discuss how the project would work, who would own the project, how it would be funded and details of the planning application to be submitted.

6. PROPERTY PORTFOLIO

1. Survey and mapping of King George V Playing Fields – A quotation of £1550 had been received.  The Clerk was requested to obtain another quotation prior to the letting of any contract.
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
2. 28 Elm Walk – The tenant had advised that the damp penetration in the first floor bedrooms was still a problem after it had rained.  Having already undertaken a number of remedial actions which were not effective, it was agreed that the firm used by Councillor Thompson for work to his own property be approached to carry out a survey and provide a quotation for remedial work.
   (Action: Clerk)

7. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND BUDGET REPORT

The financial statements were not available for consideration.

Youth Club - Members considered the payment history of the Youth Club for hire of the Youth and Community Centre and determined that the Club should be invoiced in the same manner as all other users but be permitted to make payment at the end of each term to take account of their financial circumstances.

(Action: Deputy Clerk/Finance Officer)

8. DRAFT BUDGET 2006/07

Members considered the draft budget. 

The additional capital work that may be required to the Youth and Community Centre due to the poor playing surface outside and requirements under the Disability Discrimination Act was noted.  Members requested that the Clerk write to Hertfordshire County Council and the Platt Foundation seeking clarification as to their views should the Parish decide to give six months notice to terminate the lease.  Unless anything was stated to the contrary to persuade the Council otherwise it would be the Council’s intention to give such notice in January 2006.
(Action: Clerk)

The suggestion by Mrs Gray that a Volunteer of the Year Award be established by the Parish Council was considered and it was RECOMMENDED that approval for such a scheme be agreed from within existing budgets.

The 50% costs of the Parish Guide were noted at £2,725.

Members RESOLVED that all Committees be requested to aim for a 4% - 5% increase on current year budgets only.
(Action: Clerk)

9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was scheduled for 8pm on 14 December 2005

Closure:  9pm
Chairman