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 27 June 2006 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

In attendance:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd – Clerk
 

18.  Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Worthy, led prayers.

19.  Apologies for Absence

Councillor S. Burke and Councillor Lambert.

20. Declarations of Interest by Members

There were no declarations of interest by Members.

21.  To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 30 May 2006

Members were advised that the Newsletter Put Together meeting had been subsequently changed to 26th July.

The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.

22.  To receive any updates from actions in the Minutes of the meeting held on 30th May 2006

1. Membership of Committees – Councillor Mrs Turner advised that she would not be able to be a member of the Footpaths Sub Committee because the meetings clashed with other commitments.  Councillor Mrs Balen advised that she had been omitted from the membership of the Footpaths Sub Committee. (Action: Clerk)
   
   
2. Rail Freight Depot – The letter had been circulated to Members from St Albans’ MEP stating her opposition to the scheme.  The Clerk was investigating a comments form that had been circulated in London Colney Parish for comments on the application. (Action: Clerk)
   
3. Colour of Street Furniture – Some replies had been received mainly in favour of black street furniture.
   
   
4. Response to the consultation on the merger of Hertfordshire Constabulary with Bedfordshire and Essex – The Clerk had responded on behalf of the Council with the same comments as last time.  Subsequently John Reid MP announced in the House of Commons that he does not intend to proceed with laying the Orders to create new mergers in July, for implementation in April 2007, as was proposed by his predecessor Charles Clarke MP.  The only merger that will go ahead is between Cumbria and Lancashire, who have volunteered to merge together.  There would be an opportunity for further consideration of the key issues, such as local accountability, financing and council tax precept equalisation, and wider issues such as geography and identity with force areas in due course.

23. To consider making a s.137 grant to RAIFA

Members noted that in previous years the Council had grant funded the Reception for visitors from the twinned towns. RESOLVED that a grant not exceeding £400 be paid to RAIFA to fund the Civic Reception for the visit by APEG Members in September.

24.  To authorise the payment of accounts

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

25.  To receive communications from the Chairman

Councillor Worthy advised that he had received a letter of thanks from Councillor Howley for his award of Honorary Citizen and a letter of thanks from Councillor H M Saunders, Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere Borough Council for an excellent Festival.

To celebrate the 90th Anniversary of the Battle of the Somme on 1st July, a laurel tribute would be laid on the War Memorial in Watling Street.

26.  To respond to questions from Councillors

1. Councillor Mrs Charrett was asked how much the Festival had raised.  Councillor Mrs Charrett advised that both events raised over £8,500, after deducting the donation to the Peace Hospice funds from this Festival and previous Festivals would total £8,000 or £9,000 which would be available for a Youth Project.  Members expressed their thanks to Councillor Mrs Charrett, the Festival Sub Committee, volunteer workers and Jan Adams for all their hard work.  Councillor Howley suggested that a skate / BMX park similar to that in Stevenage which cost £40,000 may be an appropriate project to aim towards.
   
   
2. Councillor Mrs Wackrow raised her concern that Hertsmere’s latest publication appeared to ignore Radlett again, even for services provided by the Parish Council on behalf of the Borough such as bus passes.  It was agreed to raise this at Joint Councillors.
   
   
3. Councillor Mrs Wackrow asked for the exact details of the subsidy for the first hour free parking in Newberries Car Park.  It was agreed that the Clerk should ask the Head of Planning, Transportation and Building Control at Hertsmere Borough Council for statistics on car parking in Radlett including fine income for discussion at the Joint Councillors’ meeting.
   
   
4. Councillor Mrs Baker raised the issue of First Capital Connect not permitting use of off-peak return tickets between 4.30pm and 7pm weekday evenings and the ring fencing for cheap day returns, one-day travelcards, family travelcards and day save tickets to the London travelcard boundary thus excluding Radlett.  Members advised that similar schemes had been in place in the past and whilst their re-introduction was not welcomed train users could use stations within the ring fence such as Elstree & Borehamwood for cheaper travel.
   
   
5. Councillor Howley asked if the Chairman and Vice Chairman would benefit from business cards being produced for their use.  It was agreed that the Clerk should look into producing business cards for the Chairman and Vice Chairman.  Members also confirmed that they wished to have identity badges purchased for them. (Action: Clerk)
   
   
6. Councillor Howley asked whether a letter of congratulation should be sent to the Chief Constable on being awarded the QPM.  It was agreed that this should be done and a letter of congratulations should also be sent to Mike Thompson on being awarded the OBE.
   
   
7. Councillor Mrs Griffin asked for an update on Tykesglade Bridge.  Hertsmere Borough Council had given their permission for work to commence but an officer had not yet been allocated to the project by the Countryside Management Service.  Councillor Howley had followed the lack of progress up with Mr Hardstaff from the Countryside Management Service but no further action had arisen.  Councillor Howley advised that he would be taking the matter further.  It was agreed to place an item on the agenda for Joint Councillors to ask the County Councillor to intervene on the Parish’s behalf. (Action: Clerk)
   
   
8. Councillor Mrs Balen asked if the Council had been advised of the new Clinical Assessment Treatment Services being introduced to streamline consultant referrals by 60%.  The Council had not been advised but would welcome details of the new service.

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

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

28.  Planning

1. To consider the number of applications received, allowed, refused and withdrawn from 1st January 2006 to date
   
   147 applications had been received, 16 had been approved, 16 refused, 1 withdrawn with 114 outstanding.
   
   
2. 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) Old Houseboat works, Watling Street – The application had been approved a s.106 Agreement had been entered into which allocated £65,000 for Phillimore Recreation Ground, 6 affordable properties, £20,000 for cycle routes and a turning area, a contribution of £20,000 towards affordable housing, payments to Hertfordshire County Council of £10,000 towards childcare provision, £42,000 towards sustainable transport, £5,000 towards the library service, payment for fire hydrants and highway works and provision of a fine art sculpture.
   
   (b) Former Builder’s Yard, 22 Station Road, Radlett – No decision had been made on the application yet.
   
   (c) 23 & 3 Theobald Street - Demolition of existing dwellings and erection of 4 X 3 bedroom semi-detached dwellings – A number of letters had been received from local residents and Councillor Mrs Charrett declared an interest during discussion of this item and left the meeting.  The Committee had decided to object to the application because it was completely out of character with surrounding detached properties, was detrimental to the street scene particularly on a major entry road into Radlett, contrary to policy H6 and the extra vehicular accesses (which had been refused on neighbouring properties by Hertsmere) would cause extra traffic on a very dangerous stretch of Theobald Street.  Further considerations were loss of privacy issues for properties in Craigweil and Newberries Avenues.
   
   
3. Other Planning Matters
   
   (a) Letter from the CDA – The Countryside Development Agency had written offering to carry out an affordable housing needs survey.  Members agreed that this should be accepted.

29.  Reports from the Clerk

1. Approval of Year End Accounts had been withdrawn from the agenda as a query had arisen with the Internal and External Auditors and their response was awaited.
   
   
2. Appointment of Editor to the Parish Guide 2007 – Members RESOLVED that Mr Eastburn be appointed Editor to the Guide.

30.  July, August and September 2006 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

Closure 8.55pm.