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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the meeting of the FINANCE & GENERAL PURPOSES COMMITTEE held at 8pm on 18 April 2007 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.
Present:
Councillor Howley (Chairman)
Councillor Mrs Charrett
Councillor Mrs Griffin
Councillor Mrs Griffiths
Councillor Mrs Wackrow
Councillor R. Worthy
Officer:
Ms. Carrie Lloyd (Clerk)
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URGENT LATE ITEMS
The Chairman advised that he had agreed to consider two urgent late items which were confidential. The reason for urgency was so that administrative and legal work could continue without delay. The items to be considered once the press and public had been excluded were
(i)
Option to lease Salter’s Field
(ii)
Option to lease the Picnic Field
- DECLARATION OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
- MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 MARCH 2007
It was noted that under item 4(iii) “rev” should be “Revd” and “action” should be “acting”.
Subject to the above amendments, the minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2007 were signed as a true and accurate record.
- MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 14 MARCH 2007
(i) Refund by Royal Mail – The Clerk understood that the Deputy Clerk was still chasing Royal Mail for the £50 compensation. (Action: Deputy Clerk)
(ii) 28 Elm Walk – The Clerk advised that she had the lease to look at now and sign in due course.
(iii)Purchase of drainage maps for Letchmore Heath – Thames Water had supplied the maps free of charge.
- PROPERTY PORTFOLIO
There were no property issues to report.
- FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND BUDGET REPORTS
The financial statements to March 2007 were not available for discussion.
- TO CONSIDER THE REQUEST OF THE RECREATION GROUND COMMITTEE TO INCREASE THE ASSET PURCHASE BUDGET BY £2,000
Members were advised that since setting the budget of £12,000 the price of a tipper truck had risen to £15,575 as there were no longer any special offers available. The Clerk had been offered £2,000 for the old truck against an estimated income budget of £1,000. Members considered the request of the Recreation Grounds Committee to increase the Asset Purchase budget by £2,000 by viring funds from the contingency budget to enable a new truck to be purchased. Members RESOLVED accordingly.
- TO CONSIDER THE REQUEST OF THE RECREATION GROUNDS COMMITTEE TO AUTHORISE UNPLANNED EXPENDITURE OF £2,200
Members were advised that despite many requests, only one contractor had quoted for replacing the lighting around the War Memorial. No budget had been allocated for this work and Members were requested to authorise the expenditure. Members RESOLVED accordingly.
- DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting was scheduled for 8pm on 13 June 2007.
- EXCLUSION OF PRESS AND PUBLIC
RESOLVED that the following items were confidential as defined in the Public Bodies (Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 and the press and public be excluded from the meeting.
(i) Option to lease Salter’s Field
(ii)
Option to lease the Picnic Field
- OPTION TO LEASE SALTER'S FIELD
Members considered a draft proposal for use of the field for recreational purposes such as Football, Rugby & Cricket. It was noted that to progress matters further the enquirer required the Council to agree to enter into negotiations about an option for them to acquire an interest in Salter’s Field. Members RESOLVED that this be agreed and that the party concerned be advised that the Council would have a duty to achieve rental on the land for what it is worth and not at a peppercorn rent.
(Action: Clerk)
- OPTION TO LEASE THE PICNICE FIELD
Members considered the need of interested parties to know if the Council would grant a lease of a number of years to enable grant funding applications to be submitted. Members were of the view that the land should be leased at a peppercorn rent for up to 25 years provided that proof was given that 25% of the registered users of the site came from within the Parish of Aldenham. If the number of registered users fell below 25% at an annual review date then the rent would be increased to that which would be charged to a private club. Members stressed that due regard must be given to users of neighbouring sites and as such the lease would stipulate that only 4 stroke engines could be used on site and that any noise problems would result in forfeiture of the lease. Members further requested that a representative from the Parish Council should sit on the management committee. It was suggested that any grant application should include funding for the legal fees that would be incurred by the Council in drawing up the lease.
Subject to the considerations in the preamble to this minute, Members RESOLVED that the land be leased at a peppercorn rent for up to 25 years provided that proof was given that 25% of the registered users of the site came from within the Parish of Aldenham.
(Action: Clerk)
Closure: 8.40pm
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