Aldenham Parish Council

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Minutes of the PARISH COUNCIL held at 8pm on Tuesday 18 December 2007 at The Radlett Centre, 1 Aldenham Avenue, Radlett.

Present:

Councillor R Worthy (Chairman)
Councillor A Baker
Councillor G Balen
Councillor V Charrett
Councillor J Howley
Councillor D Lambert
Councillor E Samuelson
Councillor E Wackrow
Councillor C Wilkins

In attendance:

Carrie Lloyd, Clerk
Jan Adams, Deputy Clerk
Roberta Floate, Administrative Assistant

Prayers

The Chairman, Councillor Worthy, led prayers.
Apologies for Absence

Apologies were received from Councillors Burke, Mrs Griffin and Hyams.
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 27 November 2007

It was noted that the date of the previous Minutes should read 27 November and not 28th. Item 95, second paragraph should read ‘to turn right at Harper Lane’. Item 99(iii) referring to the proposed Watford Muslim School should read ‘some’ Members and not all Members.

Following the corrections the Minutes were signed as a true and accurate record.
To receive any updates from actions in the Minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2007 (in accordance with Standing Order 6.4.1) – previously circulated
1. Meeting to discuss funding of Newberries Car Park - It was agreed at a recent meeting with representatives from Aldenham Parish Council and Hertsmere Borough Council that there would no change to the present Newberries Car Park funding during the current year. The situation could change for 2009/2010 however, Hertsmere Borough Council would liaise with the Parish Council before any decision was made and further surveys carried out.
  
  To replace the present four meter machines and upgrade to machines, with greater memory capacity, would cost between £2,500 and £3000 per machine.
2. Time Deposit Arrangements - The matter was ongoing.
3. Signs at Harper Lane and Letchmore Heath - Following the departure of Steve Gregory from Hertfordshire Highways, Mike Jarrett was dealing with the request for two new signs, one for Harper Lane and the other for the pond area at Letchmore Heath. It was understood the matter was ongoing.
To adjourn the meeting for members of the public to address the Council

Mr Paul Balen attended the meeting to ask what arrangements were in hand to restore/clean the War Memorial, at the bottom of Shenley Hill which he felt was currently in a poor state. Following discussion it was agreed that specialist cleaning was required and the matter was referred to the Recreation Grounds Committee for future discussion and action.
To receive such communications as the person presiding may wish to lay before the council (in accordance with Standing Order 6.4.6)

Christmas Lights - Congratulations were extended to Councillor Howley on the excellent Christmas lights this year. The meeting was informed that no new decorations would be purchased in 2008 as the money was required to be spent on replacement cables and fittings.

Several residents had remarked that the Christmas lights remained lit all the time. It was understood that it would be too costly to install time switches to each lamp post and it would also be too expensive to manually turn them on and off. The lights were the LED variety and therefore the cost of electricity used for keeping them on continuously was not high.
Questions from Councillors
1. CDRP - Councillor Howley reported that he had attended a CDRP meeting and an item reported was that residents in two roads in Radlett, Loom Lane and The Ridgeway, were considering recruiting a private security guard system. Some residents have signed up to the scheme others have not owing to cost.
  
  Councillor Howley felt it was important to bear in mind that Radlett was considered an area with a very low crime rate.
2. Tesco’s - Following a letter to Councillor Martin Saunders from Clive Glover the matter of inconsideration by Tesco’s was discussed. Members were aware that several items of street furniture had been damaged by large delivery lorries and illegal parking was commonplace. Numerous complaints had been made to Teso’s all of which had been ignored. It was agreed that a senior person in the company should be approached. The matter would be taken forward by Councillor Wilkins. The matter would also be an item for the Joint Councillors meeting to be held on 31 January 2008. (Action: Councillor Wilkins)
3. Fencing, Shenley Hill - Councillor Mrs Balen expressed concern that the fencing alongside the railway bridge at the bottom of Shenley Hill was broken. It was understood that the matter had been reported several times. The matter remained outstanding.

To approve recommendations with the Minutes of the following Committees (not previously agreed) (in accordance with Standing order 6.4.8)

Date	Minutes
15 October 2007	Transportation Committee
3 December 2007	Boundaries and Planning Committee
5 December 2007	Finance and General Purposes Committee
6 December 2007	Recreation Grounds Committee (to follow)
17 December 2007	Boundaries and Planning Committee

To consider the Reports of Officers (if any) (in accordance with Standing Order 6.4.9)
1. Volunteer of the Year Award Committee - Councillors Mrs Balen and Charrett volunteered to join the panel to discuss those nominated for the Award in 2008. The meeting would be held on Thursday 13 March 2008 at 8pm.
2. Draft Budget 2008/2009 - The budget figure for 2008/2009 had been circulated. The final amendment would be made at the next Finance and General Purposes Committee to be held on 16 January, and confirmed by Members at the January 2008 Parish Council meeting. The signed precept document, with a breakdown, should be delivered to Hertsmere Borough Council by 31 January 2008.
3. Draft 5 Year Spending Plan - The Draft 5 Year Spending Plan was tabled. The gradual replacement of the children’s playground equipment had not been included as it was proposed that costs would be covered by a grant from the development at the Quadrant site.
To authorise payment of accounts

The accounts were approved and the month’s cheques signed.
Planning
1. Applications received, allowed, refused and withdrawn from 1 January 2007
  
  A total of 310 Applications had been received, 99 of which had been approved, 69 refused, 22 withdrawn and 120 outstanding.
2. 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.
  1. The Cottage, Common Lane - A revised application had been received. The Parish Council had objected to this application on the grounds that it was located within the Green Belt.
  2. 2a Station Road - The application was for a change of use from an office to an adult care centre. It was understood that Hertsmere Borough Council had suggested a number of restrictions which mainly consisted of parking and as a result it had gone to Appeal.
  3. Former Builders Yard, Station Road - The application had been refused and had gone to appeal.
  4. 72/74 Watling Street - The application was for a change of use from A1 retail to A3 restaurant. The Shopping Core Policy P6 applied to that application.
  5. Highbridge Close - A new application had been received to build security gates at the entrance to the development. The application differed from the previous one as the plans showed the gates ‘side on’ to Watling Street.
Items of Special Interest from Minutes of Other Authorities
1. Quality Status Application - The Quality Status application had now been submitted to the HALC.
2. Staffing Matters - Councillor Howley informed Members that as from 2 January 2008 new staffing arrangements would apply; Mrs Jan Adams would be Acting Clerk, Mrs Kathy Claque would take on Finance and General Purposes Committee and attend meetings and take Minutes, Mrs Roberta Floate would attend Recreation Grounds meetings and take Minutes.

Meetings – January and February 2008

Date	Meeting	Time
3 December 2007	Boundaries and Planning Committee	2.15pm
4 December 2007	Recreation Grounds Committee	8pm
5 December 2007	Finance and General Purposes Committee	8pm
6 December 2007	Recreation Grounds Committee at Pavilion	7.35pm
17 December 2007	Boundaries and Planning Committee	7.30pm
18 December 2007	Council	8pm
7 January 2008	Planning Training	1.15pm
7 January 2008	Boundaries and Planning Committee	2.15pm
8 January 2008	Recreation Grounds Committee	8pm
9 January 2008	Newsletter Committee	8pm
16 January 2008	Finance and General Purposes Committee	8pm
21 January 2008	Boundaries and Planning Committee	TBA
28 January 2008	Put Together	7.30pm
29 January 2008	Council	8pm
31 January 2008	Joint Councillors	8pm
4 February 2008	Boundaries and Planning	TBA
5 February 2008	Recreation Grounds Committee	8pm
6 February 2008	Youth & Community Centre	8pm
13 February 2008	Finance and General Purposes Committee	8pm
18 February 2008	Boundaries and Planning Committee	TBA
26 February 2008	Council	8pm

Note: The meeting of the Joint Councillors originally scheduled for 22 January would now be held on Thursday 31 January 2008.

Closure: 9.25pm.