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 25 July 2006 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

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

31. Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Worthy, led prayers.

32. Declarations of Interest by Members

There were no declarations of interest by Members.

33. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 27th June 2006

On Page C8 Item 26.(iii) “Councillor Mrs Wackrow” was changed to “A Member…”.

On Page C9 Item 28. Planning (ii) (c) the address should read “2 & 3 Theobald Street…”.

Subject to the above amendments the minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.

34. To receive any updates from actions in the Minutes of the meeting held on 27th June 2006

Rail Freight Depot – The Clerk had investigated a comments form that had been circulated in London Colney Parish for comments on the application but it only related to the pre-application presentation that many Members had been able to attend in Park Street.

Colour of Street Furniture – Hertfordshire Highways had agreed to paint one lamppost burgundy and one lamppost conservation black to assist in choosing a colour.

Letter from the CDA – The offer of an affordable housing needs survey did not apply to Parishes in Hertsmere and had therefore not been pursued.

35.  To authorise the payment of accounts

The accounts were approved and the month’s cheques signed.  The Clerk was requested to ascertain the status of Councillor Mrs Griffiths’ application to become a signatory to the Council’s cheques.

(Action: Clerk)

36.  To receive communications from the Chairman

Some Members has attended the exhibition on the Development of the Harperbury Hospital Site.  Some concern had been expressed regarding lack of infrastructure, particularly lack of places available in local primary schools and no Secondary School in the area.  The Boundaries and Planning Committee would be discussing the Council’s formal response at its meeting on 26 July.

37.  To respond to questions from Councillors

1. Councillor Mrs Wackrow requested details of how the council’s records could be safeguarded in the future especially as it appeared that the first minute book had gone missing.
   
   The Clerk advised that the County Records Office had agreed to take the Council’s records and she would be arranging for their delivery to the Records Office at County hall in due course.
   
   (Action: Clerk)
   
   
   
2. Councillor Mrs Griffiths requested further details on the suggestion that the taps should be removed from the water tanks on the allotments.  She was advised that the Recreation Grounds Committee had considered letters and a petition from allotment holders regarding the use of taps and hoses on the water tanks.  It had been noted that the Council would soon have a duty to consider environmental issues and there was a need to explore the possibility of more efficient management of the allotment watering system.  The Clerk had invited a representative group from the allotment holders to the October meeting of the Committee to begin to discuss some of the detail before the Council embarked upon any action which could be considerably expensive.

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

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

Members noted the recommendation of the Finance and General Purposes Committee regarding a s.137 grant to Good Neighbours of £300 and a s.142(2A) grant to the CAB of £2,000 and RESOLVED that the grants be approved.

39.  Planning

1.   To consider the number of applications received, allowed, refused and withdrawn from 1st January 2006 to date
   
   157 applications had been received, 24 had been approved, 24 refused, 9 withdrawn with 100 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) Retrospective Application for processing of bread and other bakery products to provide animal feed, together with the creation of new junction arrangements at Blackbirds Farm, Blackbirds Lane, Aldenham – The application had been refused.
   (b) Harperbury Hospital – As discussed earlier in the meeting, Members’ concerns regarding lack of infrastructure would be discussed at the next meeting of the Boundaries and Planning Committee on 26th July.
   Other Planning Matters
   
   
3. Shops in Newberries Parade – Members noted that some shops had received a 70% increase in rent under the lease renewal which was forcing them to vacate their premises.  Concern was expressed at the loss of independent local shops and Members agreed that pressure should be kept on the Borough Council to keep and enhance current Design Standards for the shopping core, local residents should be encouraged to shop locally and local shop keepers be encouraged to group together to provide mutual help and support.

40.  Reports from the Clerk

1. Approval of Year End Accounts – Members noted the comments made by the External auditor in 2004/05 which required amendments to the balances in previous years.  The Year End Accounts as drafted and attached at Appendix A to these minutes were APPROVED.
   
2. To consider approving the appointment of the Clerk as Company Secretary to the Save Radlett Fire Station Company (if necessary) and use of the Council address as its registered office – Members considered this in principle and whilst expressing the Council’s commitment to Saving Radlett Fire station, it was not considered appropriate for the Council to be providing the commercial back up to the Company.  The proposal was therefore declined.

41.  August and September 2006 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

Closure 9.05pm.