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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 8 February 2006 The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor Worthy (Chairman for the meeting)
Councillor Howley
Councillor Mrs Charrett
Councillor Mrs Griffin
Councillor Mrs Wackrow

Officer:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd (Clerk)

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Councillor Worthy was elected Chairman for the meeting.

2. DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

There were no declarations of interest.

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18 JANUARY 2006

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2006 were signed as a true and accurate record.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 18 JANUARY 2006

1. Letchmore Heath Pond – Grants from LaFarge & the Local Heritage Initiative – The Clerk would be meeting with a representative of the CMS on 16th February to discuss the Interpretation Board and publicity.  Once this had been completed the final stages of the grant could be applied for.
   
   
2. Internal Auditor’s Interim Report – The Auditor had responded that his concern with the superannuation was that the Local Government Pension Scheme was a final pay scheme and, as such final pension would only be paid on the basis of salary paid in respect of contracted hours worked in the final year of employment (or best of final three years).  He was not certain that the Council's resolution, as referred to in the minutes, necessarily overrode the superannuation rules, as overtime was a variable element, unless the hours are specifically defined and detailed in the employment contract (e.g. for weekend work of a routine nature).
   
   He suggested that the Clerk discuss the position with the pension fund administrators as there is no benefit in staff contributing for overtime work unless it was going to be counted towards the final pension.  The Clerk would be carrying this out shortly. (Action: Clerk)

5. PROPERTY PORTFOLIO

1. Lease for the Youth and Community Centre – Members noted the letter from Lambert Smith Hampton on behalf of the County Council following the meeting on 31st January.  It was noted that no clause existed in the lease providing for 6 months notice of termination of the lease and the Council was tied to it until 2010 unless there was unilateral agreement to surrender all of the leases.
   
   It was agreed that a Disability Discrimination Act Assessment should be carried out in light of comments regarding long term and short term works required at the meeting on 31st January.  A report should be prepared for a future meeting of the Youth and Community Centre Committee.
   
   The Clerk was requested to report back to a future meeting of the Committee on the implications of a risk assessment on lone working.
   
   Councillor Howley undertook to advise Lambert, Smith Hampton that this Council were satisfied that no 6 months notice clause existed in the current lease and would continue to run the Centre pending further discussions.
   
   Members agreed that users of the building should be advised of the pending works to the car park and building emphasising that the works could not be arranged around their bookings and so some disruption may be caused. (Action: Councillor Howley, Clerk and Deputy Clerk)
   
   
2. Survey and mapping of King George V Playing Fields –The Clerk had contacted Hertsmere Borough Council’s IT Department to see if a layer had been created in the Geographical Information System of land owned by the Council and whether this was accurate enough to register the Council’s land.  Their G.I.S. Manager was very busy but had been requested to look at the system as soon as possible.
   
   
3. 28 Elm Walk –Mr Phillips had not yet reported back.  The Clerk had followed this up but had not yet received a reply.
   
   
4. Sub letting of land under the lease with Tabard Rugby Club – Following correspondence between the club’s solicitor, Cllr Burke, the Council’s solicitor and the Clerk, the Rugby Club had agreed to advise the Council before letting out the car park.

6. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND BUDGET REPORT

Members noted the financial statements to January 2006.  There was an anomaly in the Transportation Budget which the Clerk undertook to follow up.

The grants from Lafarge and Lottery Heritage Initiative were due but were being held up by the creation of an information board by the Countryside Management Service.  As noted previously a meeting would be held on 16th February 2006 to discuss this.

The Clerk was requested to ascertain the exact amount required from the Festival Youth Committee for their profit on the 2005 carnival so that the Finance and General Purposes Committee could make a recommendation to Council in March regarding a s.137 grant. (Action: Clerk)

7. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was scheduled for 8pm on 15 March 2006.

Closure: 8.50pm
Chairman