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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 31 October 2006 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

In attendance:   Ms. Carrie Lloyd – Clerk

54.  Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Worthy, led prayers.

55. Apologies for absence

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Burke, Councillor Lambert and Councillor Mrs Wackrow.

56. Urgent late item

Members agreed to consider an urgent late item relating to Christmas Lights. The reason for urgency was to enable a decision to be made before the Christmas Lights were due to be erected in the next month.

57. Declarations of Interest by Members

There were no declarations of interest by Members.

58. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 26 September 2006

The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.

59. To receive any updates from actions in the Minutes of the meeting held on 26 September 2006

1. Colour of Street Furniture – Hertfordshire Highways had arranged for one lamppost to be painted burgundy and one conservation black.  Member’s opinion was sought on the three colour choices and the public’s views had been requested in Around Radlett.
   
   
2. County records – The Clerk advised that she had asked the County Records Office if they required the minutes in a bound format and a response was awaited.

60.  To authorise the payment of accounts

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

61.  To receive communications from the Chairman

1. Remembrance Sunday - Members were reminded that Remembrance Sunday would be on Sunday 12th November.  It was agreed that Councillor Lambert would lay the wreath on behalf of the Council at Letchmore Heath and Councillor Howley would lay the wreath at Radlett on behalf of the Council.
   
   
2. Closure of Fire Station – Members noted with disappointment that the County Council had decided to cease negotiations with the Save the Radlett Fire Station Group and close the station forthwith.  The Clerk was requested to write to County Councillor Beatty expressing the Council’s dissatisfaction. Action: Clerk
   
   
3. The Future of Radlett Festival – In view of the County Council’s decision regarding the Fire Station, some Members asked whether the decision to externalise the Festival could be re-considered.  The Chairman reminded Members that the decision had not just been on financial grounds but also on the deployment of staff resources.  Councillor Mrs Charrett was requested to obtain the opinion of the Festival Youth Fund organisers and the Clerk undertook to check Standing Orders regarding rescinding a decision within six months, whilst more details were sought on the closure of the Fire Station. Action: Clerk
   
   
4. Bio-degradable Bags – The bags were now available for £2.50 per roll from the Parish Council Offices.
   
   
5. Unveiling of interpretation board at Letchmore Heath – All Members were invited to the unveiling which would take place at 10.30am on 21st November by the pond in Letchmore Heath.
   
   
6. Christmas Light Switch on – The switch on would take place at 7.15pm on 28th November outside the Radlett Centre.
   
   
7. Proposed Highway Works – The council had been advised of proposed works which included using Loom Lane as a two way diversion.  Mr Gregory from Highways had undertaken to resolve this mistake before the Traffic Order was made.

62.  Questions from Councillors

Councillor Mrs Balen advised that since breaking her ankle she had discovered how hard it was to open the doors at the Radlett Centre when using crutches.  She asked if doors more suited for disabled users could be installed.  Councillor Mrs Griffin, as Chairman of the Radlett Centre Trust advised that an automatic door system had proved too costly to install, however, the Board of Trustees were looking at removing as many doors as possible without affecting the Centre’s Fire Safety and was looking at the installation of fire shutters as an alternative to fire doors.

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

RESOLVED that the recommendations contained within the one set of minutes be approved.

64.  Planning

1.   To consider the number of applications received, allowed, refused and withdrawn from 1st January 2006 to date
   
   259 applications had been received, 73 had been approved, 47 refused, 13 withdrawn with 126 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

1. Rail Freight Depot, Park Street - Outline planning application (approval of access, siting and landscaping only) for the development of a Strategic Rail Freight Interchange etc – The discussion by St Albans District Council on this application would take place on 1st November and could be viewed on line via the District Council’s website.
   
   
2. Blackbirds Farm – Despite the recent refusal of planning permission the use was still continuing with increased use and more litter.  The Clerk undertook to raise this with Hertfordshire County Council. Action: Clerk
   
   
3. 2 The Rose Walk – The application had been approved by Hertsmere Borough Council.

65.  Christmas Lights

Councillor Howley advised that because of new rules relating to the purchase of street light electricity, the council would have to pay an estimated £1,700 for electricity this year.  In view of the already committed expenditure on decorations including new lights for the Christmas Tree outside the Radlett Centre and testing and installation costs of the lights along Watling Street, Members were requested to consider whether 6 more snowflake lights should be purchased as follows;

1 on the east side of Watling Street adjacent to Barclays Bank;
5 on the west side of Watling Street between the red Lion and Station Road.

Members RESOLVED that an additional £2,000 expenditure on Christmas Lights be approved from reserves.

66.  Reports from the Clerk

1. To consider transferring the Council’s Assets with a book value of nil to the Radlett Centre Trust for insurance purposes – Members considered the asset Register which indicated those assets purchased by the Council before the Trust was set up and RESOLVED that items with a book value of nil should be transferred to the Radlett Centre for insurance purposes and replacement when necessary subject to the Council’s Common Costs agreement as indicated on individual items listed. Action: Clerk
   
   
2. To appoint a representative on Hertsmere Together – Members RESOLVED that Councillor Howley be appointed to represent the Council on Hertsmere Together. Action: Clerk

67.  Items of Interest from other Authorities

1. Councillor Howley circulated a synopsis on the White Paper on Local Government 2006.  All Members were encouraged to let the Clerk know if they wished to attend the seminar on 29th November at Rothamsted Research Centre, Harpenden.
2. Councillor Howley advised that HAPTC and NALC had set their membership fee for this Council at £1,174 for 2007/08.

68.  November and December 2006 Meetings

(All commence at 8pm unless otherwise stated)

Closure 9pm.