- Prayers
The Chairman, Councillor Worthy, led prayers.
- Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from, Councillor W. Griffin, Councillor S. Burke and Councillor E. Wackrow.
- Adjournment of meeting
At 8pm the Chairman adjourned the meeting to enable the Council to receive a presentation by PC P. Tuck, Ward Constable and PCSO Adele Jenkins.
At 8.45pm the meeting reconvened.
Members noted that the next Police surgeries would be held in the mobile police station on 7th November and 7th December 2007.
- Declarations of Interest by Members
There were no declarations of interest by Members.
- To approve the signature of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 25 September 2007
The minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.
- To receive any updates from actions in the Minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2007
- Presentation by Councillor Graham – There had been difficulties with ordering the motorised cleaner.
- Trustee Insurance - Members on outside bodies were no longer required to register with Trusteenet.org as the Council’s own insurers had recently provided indemnity insurance to £450,000 as a standard cover.
- Councillor J. Howley’s nomination to NALC Larger Local Councils Committee– It was noted with regret that Councillor Howley had not been elected.
- To adjourn the meeting for members of the public to address the Council
There was no one present who wished to speak.
- Communications from the Chairman
The Chairman advised that the Clerk had resigned from post. An advert had been prepared and the selection process would be carried out by the Recruitment Sub Committee with the final appointment being approved by Council on 18th December 2007.
- Questions from Councillors
The Transportation Committee had received a very interesting proposal by Mr Abel, 9 years old. Members had been very impressed by the presentation and it would be forwarded to County Councillor H.M. Saunders.
In view of the recent comments at the All Faiths Meeting, it was suggested that a Christmas Tree and a Menorah should be erected side by side in Radlett. It was agreed that this should be actively considered for 2008.
- Approval of the recommendations within the minutes of the following Committees
Members noted the s.137 grant to Radlett Good Neighbours recommended for approval in the minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee minutes of 19 September 2007. RESOLVED that the recommendations contained within the four sets of minutes be approved.
| Date |
Minutes |
| 18 September 2007 |
Recreation Grounds Committee |
| 19 September 2007 |
Finance and General Purposes Committee |
| 8 October 2007 |
Boundaries and Planning Committee |
| 17 October 2007 |
Finance and General Purposes Committee |
- Land to the rear of The Hawthorns, 44 The Warren, Radlett
The Jarvis Group had asked the Council’s view on maintaining a strip of land adjacent to Kitswell Brook at the rear of a potential development site in The Warren. Subject to an ecology report, the site would be retained as a wildlife site. Members expressed their appreciation at the offer but suggested that an organisation like Herts. & Middlesex Wildlife Trust may be more suited to this project than the Parish Council. RESOLVED that the offer be declined. (Action: Clerk)
- Councillors’ Letters
Following discussion at Finance and General Purposes Committee, it was agreed that in future all correspondence should go through the Parish Council office either in electronic format or, if necessary, typed by office staff. Members noted the arrangements.
- Security at Phillimore Recreation Ground
Following discussion at Finance and General Purposes Committee, the Clerk had obtained a quotation to provide security at Phillimore Recreation Ground from 4th April 2008 – 30th August 2008.
The Security Service would be provided by two fully SIA Trained Security Officers with two Patrol Dogs from 20:30 – 02:00 Fridays and Saturdays. The security firm had offered to waiver of their risk assessment fee and offer a further 5% discount.
The cost of the service per weekend would be £288.42 over 22 weekends totalling £6,345.24 ex VAT inc. discount.
It was noted that it would be possible to vary the hours worked to reflect the colder evenings in April & May and the Clerk and Chairman of Recreation Grounds Committee would take the opportunity to discuss with the contractor diversionary projects and inclusion of neighbourhood police during these security sessions.
Members RESOLVED that £6,345 be put in the 2008/09 budget for security services.
- Youth Worker
The Finance and General Purposes Committee has considered a s.137 grant application from Hertsmere Bikers on Track. So far £33,000 has been raised. Members’ views were sought on the Council funding a full time or part time Youth Worker to work on the project and others within the Parish. The post would also be available to other groups within the Parish on a re‑charge basis or to other Parish & Town Councils in the area again on a re-charge basis. The cost of such a post would be approximately £25,000 - £30,000 with on costs. Members RESOLVED that the Council would be willing to make a significant contribution to such a post if other funding partners could be found.
- Revised Income & Expenditure Account as detailed in the Internal Auditor’s Final Report
Members noted and approved the revised Income & Expenditure Account as detailed in the Internal Auditor’s Final Report.
- Amendment to Standing Orders
The Standards Board recommended that Parish Councils should have standing orders in place to let members of the public attend meetings of the authority to make representations, give evidence or answer questions. This enabled paragraph 12(2) of the new Code to apply at all Council meetings.
RESOLVED that an amendment to Standing Order 13 be made to include “13.9 each Committee and Sub Committee shall include an item on the agenda to adjourn the meeting for members of the public to address the Council (if any)”.
- Time Deposit
Members had requested that the Clerk investigate the use of higher interest yielding accounts than currently used. The Council’s internal auditor was asked his opinion on the Council using a monthly timed deposit with the Harpenden Building Society which would be rolled forward each month on an email authorisation by the Clerk and ratified at Council. The auditor advised that there were no objections as far as he could see, although given the recent Northern Rock scenario, he would be a little hesitant about "investing" Council funds in a lesser known Building Society at present. Members requested that the Clerk investigate time deposit accounts with Barclays Bank and the Co-op.
- Newberries Car Park Charges
Members noted the letter received from Richard Grove, Head of Planning and Building Control. Members requested details of the income generated by Newberries Car Park per annum and advised that a more accurate breakdown of usage would be required before the extrapolated figures quoted could be used as a statistically sound basis on which to base recharge to the Paris Council. (Action: Clerk)
- To authorise the payment of accounts
The accounts were approved and the month’s cheques signed.
- Planning
- To consider the number of applications received, allowed, refused and withdrawn from 1st January 2007 to date
268 applications had been received, 94 approved, 48 refused, 15 withdrawn and 157 outstanding.
- Report from the Boundaries and Planning Committee Chairman on applications considered at the meetings of the Committee detailed at minute 56 or decisions reached by the Local Planning Authority or Appeals lodged with the Planning Inspectorate that were of special interest
There was no report.
- Any other planning matters
There was no report
- Items of interest from Meetings and Minutes of other Authorities
Councillor J. Howley advised that the fees for HAPTC would be £1197.43 in 2008/09.
Councillor D. Lambert advised that the Aldenham War Memorial Hall Annual General Meeting would take place on Thursday 8th November 2007.
- Long Service Award
Mrs Adams was able to be present for the presentation. This would now take plave in November.
Closure 9.50pm.
