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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting of the FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 14 February 2007 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:
Councillor Howley (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs Charrett
Councillor Mrs Griffin
Councillor Mrs Wackrow

Officer:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd (Clerk)

1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Mrs Griffiths & Councillor Worthy

2. URGENT LATE ITEM

The Chairman advised that he had agreed to consider an urgent late item relating to the increase in hire fees for the Youth and Community Centre and the impact of the boiler breakdowns on two regular users.  The reason for urgency was so that the users could be informed as soon as possible of any decision regarding the increase in hire fee.

3. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17 JANUARY 2007

The minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2007 were signed as a true and accurate record.

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 17 JANUARY 2007

1. Refund by Royal Mail – The Clerk undertook to ascertain whether the £50 compensation had been received yet.

(Action: Clerk)

5. PROPERTY PORTFOLIO

1. 28 Elm Walk – The Clerk advised Members that following consultation with Councillor Mrs E. Wackrow, Councillor R. Worthy and Councillor Howley, Aitchisons Estate Agents had been instructed to take up references for a tenant at a monthly rental income of £1,200.  Members RESOLVED that £1,200 per calendar month be accepted as the rental income.
   (Action: Clerk)

2. Work to the Council’s Offices – The Clerk was waiting for quotations from two builders.
   (Action: Clerk)

3. Charitable Registration of King George V Playing Fields – A letter had been received from the Charity Commission advising that the land was not held on a valid charitable trust.  Members RESOLVED that the Clerk be authorised to use the Council’s powers under Local Government Act 2000 to execute a charitable declaration of trust over the land and ask the Charities Commission to retain it on the Register.
   (Action: Clerk)

4. Renewal of Scouts Lease at Kent Lodge – The Clerk advised that the lease was due for renewal in 2008.  Members RESOLVED that the Clerk progress renewing the lease with the Scouts and report back to the committee on progress in due course.
   (Action: Clerk)

6. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND BUDGET REPORTS

Following the request that postings to Miscellaneous be kept to a minimum in future, it was suggested that new codes for kitchen caddy liners, civic expenses and publications be created in 2007/08.

Members noted that the reason for the -£500 in income on Parish Paths Partnership was due to a £1,500 accrual made at year end 2005/06 and actual income only being £1,000 in 2006/07.

Members noted that the Administration Asset purchase nominal code listed the following purchases to December 2006;
15 Boardroom tables (APC share) - £712.50
Accounts Officer’s PC - £630
Air Con Units (APC share of Apthorp Gallery, Admin Office & Finance Office) - £4720
Microsoft Office 2003 (4 licences) - £1060

Members noted the financial statements to January 2007. 

7. HIRE CHARGE INCREASE FOR YOUTH AND COMMUNITY CENTRE

Members noted the recent 5% increase to the hire charges for the Youth and Community Centre.  Due to the odd amount created by applying 5% to the party hire fee, it was suggested that it be increased to £60 per child’s party.  Problems with the heating at the Youth and Community Centre had meant that Rexton House Nursery and Top Kidz After School Club had not had a fully heated building since 4th November 2006.  The majority of the problems had been exacerbated by the County council’s slow responses to requests for works orders.  The Deputy Clerk would be addressing this by requesting compensation from the County for additional electricity used by having to use fan heaters, hire fee for specialist heating for two children’s parties and the potential loss of increased income should Members agree to a proposal to freeze the hire charge increase for the Nursery and After School Club.

The Youth and Community Centre Committee had requested that new seating be purchased for the Centre.  There was £400 in the budget for asset purchase in 2006/07 and Members were requested to consider how to fund the additional £380 required to purchase the furniture.

Members RESOLVED that;

1. Children’s parties be charged at £60 per session after 1st April 2007;
2. Rexton House Nursery and Top Kidz After School Club be given one term’s notice of hire charge increases but also be advised that due to the heating problems the increase would not be applied in their case until 1st January 2008;
3. The Deputy Clerk pursue the County Council for recompense on the additional costs incurred by their late responses; and
4. £380 be vired from savings on revenue expenditure to asset purchase capital expenditure to purchase new seating at the Youth and Community Centre.

(Action: Deputy Clerk)

8. EXTENDED ANNUAL LEAVE – MRS R. FLOATE

The Clerk advised that under the Council’s Annual Leave Policy, Mrs Floate had been granted 3 weeks consecutive annual leave in 2007/08.  Members RESOLVED that an additional couple of days leave (annual or flexi) either side of the 3 weeks to allow for late flights etc. be agreed.

9. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was scheduled for 8pm on 14 March 2007.

Closure: 8.45pm