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ALDENHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the JOINT COUNCILLORS meeting held on Tuesday 17 July 2007 at 8pm in The Douglas Hicks Room, The Radlett Centre, Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:

In attendance: Mrs Jan Adams, Deputy Clerk

1. Apologies for absence
   
   Councillor J Graham, Councillor D Griffin and Councillor Mrs W Griffin.
   
   
   
2. Declarations of Interest
   
   There were no declarations of interest.
   
   
   
3. To approve the signature of the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2007
   
   The Minutes were signed as a true and correct record.
   
   
   
4. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2007
   
   
   1. Improvement to Tykesglade Bridge - It was agreed that any proposals put forward by consultants on behalf of the Red House Surgery would not have any effect on the Parish Councils proposals to improve the bridge over Tykesglade.
      
      
   2. Use of Newberries Car Park - Councillor Howley informed the meeting that he had written to Richard Grove regarding the use of Newberries Car Park. A reply was awaited.
      
      
   3. Loss of car parking places - Councillor Saunders had been in contact with officers at Hertsmere Borough Council regarding the threatened loss of 10 car parking. It was initially understood that no spaces would be lost.
      
      
   4. Policy H6 - Councillor Mrs Wackrow reported that she had written to Richard Grove regarding the application of policy H6 and Hertsmere Borough Council’s reluctance to enforce it where bungalows were concerned. Mr Grove had responded that Policy H6 was difficult to apply when many sites were surrounded by large properties. Councillor Saunders highlighted Policy H6 as being applicable to applications such as 36 and 38 Goodyers Avenue.
      
      
   5. Policy on Replacing Stolen Wheelie Bins - In the absence of Councillor Graham, the item would be carried over to the next meeting of Joint Councillors.
      (Action: Councillor Graham)
      
      
   6. Pavement at the bottom of Shenley Hill - It was noted that work had been carried out to that area.
      
      
   7. Christmas Lights and EDF - Despite requests EDF had refused to waive the amount Parish Councils pay in electricity for their Christmas lights. It was noted that Aldenham Parish Council’s costs for Christmas lights alone could amount to £600. Councillor Saunders suggested that a campaign be mounted by all Parish Council’s to EDF for free electricity for Christmas lights as a goodwill gesture to local communities.
   
   
   
5. Decriminalisation Parking in Radlett
   
   Income from decriminalisation was down Borough wide but made a small surplus after expenses. Councillor Saunders was waiting for an analysis of the whole statistics.
   
   Councillor Goldstein added that decriminalisation in Aldenham was running profitably with decriminalisation working well and financially breaking even.
   
   Members asked if the £10,000 currently paid to Hertsmere Borough Council could be reduced or at least looked at when the new figures were available. Councillor Saunders offered to look into this.
   (Action: Councillor Saunders)
   
   Councillor Mrs Baker asked if roads could be marked with ‘disabled’ and not only posts.
   
   
   
6. Property Issues
   
   
   1. Teen Shelter - Councillor Burke asked the possibility of using the site of the disused disabled toilet block as a teen shelter.
      The suggestion was agreed in principle but it was thought that a high backed wall would be required adjacent to Radlett Gardens and Barclays Bank.
      
      Councillor Howley offered to make enquiries with Ground Works to seek advice on siting a teen shelter in the place of a disabled toilet.
      (Action: Councillor Howley)
      
      Members expressed concern that they had initially understood that there was sufficient grant funding for four shelters across the Borough. It was now understood that the four shelters had already been allocated to Bushey, Potters Bar, Borehamwood and Shenley leaving Radlett, once again, the forgotten corner of the Borough and to pay for its own shelter.
      
      Borough Councillors responded that the Parish Council should write to Councillor John Graham requesting funding for a shelter in Radlett.
      (Action: Clerk)
   
   
   
7. Late Items
   
   
   1. ‘Us and Them’
      The Hertsmere led exercise ‘Spotlight on Radlett’ had taken place without prior consultation with the Parish Council and had emphasised the divide and lack of communication that existed.
      It was suggested that more information and direction needed to be given to Hertsmere Borough Council officers either by a letter from Mr Eden Lee or by regular meetings with the five Parish Councils, Head of Paid Services and the Leader of the Council.
      
      
   2. Secondary School in Radlett
      Members asked the possibility of having a secondary School in Radlett, Councillor Saunders responded that it would never happen as there was a lack of provision. Seven entrance forms would be required for each year and as insufficient pupils lived solely in the area a large number attending would have to be bussed in.
      
      
   3. Gypsy Sites in Radlett
      At present 17 sites were required, six already existed in Potters Bar leaving a remaining eleven sites to be found.
      
      
   4. Mayor’s Charity Events
      
      • Saturday 22 September 2007 - Charity Dinner in Paul Haworth’s Barn
      • Sunday 7 October at 3pm - Civic Service at St John the Baptist Church, Aldenham featuring the Purcell School Choir.
      • Friday 22 February 2008 - Purcell School Charity Concert at the Radlett Centre with a 50 piece orchestra from the Purcell School.
      • Civic dinner 5 April 2008 - more details later.
      All proceeds to be divided between two charities, Asthma and the Purcell School.
   
   
   
8. Fire Station
   
   A meeting had taken place on 17 July 2007 at Hertfordshire County Council and a petition containing 7,000 signatures had been handed in.
   
   The meeting was informed that Bushey Retained Fire Station was now considered to be substandard and would close. The Watford Fire Station would also close and a new station, that would cover both areas, would be built at Bushey Arches.
   
   Councillor Saunders confirmed that Hertfordshire County Council were the legal owners of the land the fire station was built on. It was understood that a covenant existed and that documentation needed to be sought. It was suggested that in order to retain the fire station building in it’s present state a Listing should be considered; it was known that Hertsmere Borough Council were seeking to add to their Listings list. It was suggested that if the price was right then the Parish Council should consider purchasing the building.
   
   
   
9. Planning
   
   
   1. Site at Blackbirds Farm, Recycling Plant - It was understood that the application had gone to Appeal and would be heard in January 2008.
      
      
   2. Builders Yard, Station Road - No further developments were reported.
      
      
   3. Synagogue, 22 Watling Street - It was understood that new plans had been submitted. Parking issues were a major concern. The existing permission was and still remains for a public building ie formerly Radlett Hall.
      
      
   4. Nicholas King development at the former Quadrant Meter Works - It appeared that provision was being made to create a ‘gated development’ by building two large piers at either side of the main entrance without the appropriate planning permission. Councillor Howley offered to contact Richard Grove at Hertsmere Borough Council to ascertain the position.
      (Action: Councillor Howley)
      
      
   5. Comments on Planning Applications - Councillor Mrs Wackrow felt that as Aldenham Parish Council were consultees on planning applications then comments from residents should be directed to the Parish Council as well as the Borough Council. She suggested that a notice to that effect be put on the filing cabinets at the library. Councillor Goldstein suggested that Mr Rob Reith be approached for copies of the Radlett Society and Green Belt Association comments.
   
   
   
10. Street Cleaning and Waste Services
    
    
    1. Road Sweepers - It was noted that an electric sweeper would shortly be cleaning the streets of Radlett. Presently, the road sweeper used a pick as opposed to a broom.
       
       
    2. Network Rail – Steps to Station - The Clerk was requested to contact Network Rail to clear rubbish from around the steps to the station.
       (Action: Clerk)
       
       
    3. Green Waste - At present green waste travels a 60 mile round trip,  therefore it was essential that Hertfordshire County Council provided a local site for green waste. A depot had been earmarked for this purpose at Cranbourne Park, Potters Bar. Once the new depot was in place food bins would be collected on a weekly basis.
    
    
    
11. The Future of Newberries Car Park
    
    Councillor Mrs Balen said that it was vital that a new medical centre was built in the Parish otherwise the funding currently available would go elsewhere.
    
    Councillor Saunders recommended a mix of uses on the site ie medical centre and restaurants (A3) plus double storey car parking, leaving Newberries Parade and The Oakway to concentrate on shop use (A1).
    
    
    
12. Highways Issues
    
    
    1. Station Entrance - The entrance to the station had always proved to be a controversial issue but to alter it would be extremely difficult.
       
       
    2. Tesco's - Consideration was being given to redesigning/widening part of the road where the bus stop was situated, once the work was carried out the ‘no entry’ order would be lifted.
       
       
    3. Shenley Hill - The speed bumps in Shenley Hill had not been put back after the resurfacing because 50% of residents had wanted it removed owing to noise and the remaining 50% were concerned over speed. The situation would be monitored.
       
       
    4. Bus Shelter - The bus shelter outside the Post Office had been hit by a bus and had been removed. Presently there was no bus shelter outside the Post Office and Parish Councillors asked when it would be replaced. A request was made to site a bus shelter outside the Red Lion Public House in Aldenham Road.
       
       
    5. Resurfacing Newberries Avenue - It was understood that parts of Newberries Avenue and Craigweil Avenue were to be resurfaced during the school holidays. Councillor Saunders highlighted other areas that were highlighted for resurfacing, these included Williams Way, around the school area in Newberries Avenue, New Road and Church Lane.
       
       
    6. Hanging Baskets - Steve Gregory from Hertfordshire Highways would discuss with the Clerk or the Head of Grounds Maintenance the painting of lamp posts that currently held hanging baskets.
       (Action: Steve Gregory/Clerk)
    
    
    
13. Date of Next Meeting
    
    Tuesday 22 January 2008.

Closure: 10.30pm