Download a PDF file of this page here (right-click and 'save target as').

ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 29 November 2005 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

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

85.  Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Howley, led prayers.

86.  Apologies for Absence

Councillor Burke, Councillor Lambert and Councillor Thompson.

87. Declarations of Interest by Members

There were no declarations of interest by Members.

88.  To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 October 2005

The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.

89.  To receive any updates from actions in the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 October 2005

Speeding down Craigweil Avenue, Trees/Shrubs along Gills Hill Lane and Craigweil Avenue and gutters and gullies – Councillor Worthy had met with a representative from Hertfordshire Highways.  It was noted that none of the works highlighted for attention at a previous meeting had been carried out.

Parking on grass verges - The Clerk had responded to a letter from Mr Tony Jennings over parking on grass verges.

Noise levels in Watling Street - The Clerk had responded to a letter of complaint received from the Warden at Slade Court over the general increase of noise along Watling Street.

90.  To authorise the payment of accounts

       Councillor Worthy had delivered the Winter newsletter of Around Radlett to the sorting depot at Rochester.  The newsletter would be sorted into to ‘walk bundles’ and delivered back to Radlett Sorting Office.  The mileage cost to the Parish Council was £79.59.  Members felt that this was a waste of time and resources.  The Deputy Clerk was asked to write to the Royal Mail to ask why this was necessary when the whole exercise could be dealt with at Radlett Sorting. Office. Action:  Deputy Clerk

The Clerk was requested to withhold the cheque to Turner and Debenhams Solicitors until the lease with Tabard Rugby Club had been signed.

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

91.  To receive communications from the Chairman

The Chairman informed the meeting that it had been agreed by the Executive Committee to increase the annual subscription to HAPTC as from April 2006.  He added that HAPTC operate in an advisory capacity, organise training and obtain bonded legal advice as necessary.

The Chairman reported that he had held a meeting with Mr Stuart Pole.  Mr Pole had expressed concern over the poor services received from Hertsmere Borough Council and Hertfordshire County Council, in particular the management of waste and highways and he had contacted the National Audit Office.  Mr Pole had held a meeting with the new Head of Waste Management but felt that very little progress had been made.  It was agreed that the Chairman and Mr Pole would keep in touch.

The ‘switch on’ of the Christmas lights would take place on Thursday, 1 December at 7pm outside the Radlett Centre.  

92.  To respond to questions from Councillors

(i) Councillor Mrs Wackrow reported that she had received a complaint from residents of Hawthorne Road who had reported that they were being disturbed during the early hours of the morning by cars being driven around the Station Car Park.

(ii) Councillor Mrs Turner noted a good turnout at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday but added that no coverage had been made by the press.

(iii) Councillor Mrs Griffin reported that George Galloway would not at present be appearing at the Radlett Centre.

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

Following the success of Mrs Rosamund Gray in the Volunteer of the Year Awards 2005, Mrs Gray suggested that a local annual award be set up.  This suggestion was met with approval by Members and it was agreed that presentations would be made at each Annual Meeting.  Councillor Worthy undertook to take the matter forward.

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

94.  Planning

Councillor Mrs Wackrow reported that 327 plans had been received so far, exact breakdown figures were not available as Hertsmere Borough Council were at present changing their Planning Database.

(ii) Report by the Boundaries and Planning Committee Chairman on applications considered at the meetings of the Committee or decisions reached by the Local Planning Authority or Appeals lodged with the Planning Inspectorate that are of special interest

(a)     The Pottery Café, Aldenham Road - The original planning application had not allowed for evening and Sunday opening, and the applicants now wished the clause to be lifted.  The matter would be discussed at the next planning meeting on 5 December 2005.

(a)   Councillor Mrs Wackrow reported that the Planning Committee proposed to hold afternoon meetings instead of evening meetings on a trial basis beginning January 2006.

Councillor Howley reported that at a meeting on 28 November held at Hertsmere Borough Council.  Members had recommended that the relevant portfolio holder write to Hertfordshire County Council opposing the proposal to close the Fire Station on several grounds; very little money would be saved, it would undermine a sense of security among local people and the support backup to other areas would no longer exist.

It was understood that the site was owned by Hertfordshire County Council and contrary to local opinion there was not a pumping station sited under the building.

A text, drafted by the Chairman, had been circulated with the agenda and was considered by Members.  Following minor alterations the text was agreed and would be sent to the Chief Fire Officer and also put on the Parish Council’s web site.

It was proposed to have one main Police Force structure for the East of England and Members were invited to comment on the proposal that had been circulated with the agenda. 

Members did not feel that the proposals would make a vast difference to the present police service and therefore did not anticipate local response/support would change but hoped it would improve.  Members were mindful that the Parish of Aldenham would be situated just at the edge of the proposed area.  Councillor Howley undertook to respond accordingly on behalf of the Parish Council.

The present position regarding the recycling bins was unclear as two conflicting reports had been featured in local newspapers.  The matter would be discussed at the Joint Councillors meeting in January 2006.

(i) Toilet Block, Watling Street

The matter of the toilet block would be discussed at the Joint Councillors meeting in January 2006.

(ii) Picnic Field

Councillor Worthy and the Clerk had attended a meeting with representatives from Hertsmere Borough Council, Hertfordshire County Council and the Police.  The matter of the motorcycle track was progressing very slowly and revenue funding for the project was proving to be difficult.

99.  December 2005 and January 2006 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

Closure 9.35pm.