Log In Redbourn Parish Council
The main Parish Council minutes are below.
See also Commons Footpaths And Open Spaces,.... Planning And Development,.... Finance Committee
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Agenda are at Parish Council Agenda
See also: Redbourn Parish Council
Minutes are draft until signed.
REDBOURN PARISH COUNCIL
REDBOURN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council held on Thursday, 17th April 2008 at 7.30 pm in Redbourn Village Hall
PRESENT: Mrs P Schofield (Chairman), A V Bull, Mrs M Crawley, R Gray, J Lowen, C O’Donovan, R Stent, A E Swendell, Mrs E Warren and Mrs V Windle
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs D Whiskin, Clerk to the Council and two residents from South Common Cottages
APOLOGIES: Councillors L Beere, R Stent and Mrs M Maynard,
192 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor P Schofield Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
Councillor A V Bull Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Councillor E Warren Redbourn Recreation Centre
193 NOTIFICATION OF OTHER URGENT BUSINESS
Complaints received regarding the removal of a seat in Crouch Hall Lane – considered important because of difficulties removal of seat is causing some members of the public. This matter was discussed under the report from the Common, Footpaths and Open Spaces Committee.
194 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20th March 2008 be signed as a true record.
195 Finance
195.1 Accounts for payment
RESOLVED that the accounts on the attached sheet be paid. It was noted that the balance of the grants to Redbourn Care Group and Redbourn Museum have been paid. The Clerk reported that over the past year CIT Vendor Finance (the finance company which Alto Digital use for leasing the photocopier) have lost a number of the Parish Council cheques and have subsequently cashed both the original and replacement cheques. The monies have been reimbursed but considerable administrative time was spent in sorting out the problem.
195.2 Moneymarket investment
The Moneymarket interest for last month was 4.84%. Future interest rates are likely to decrease if, as indicated, the Government steps in to assist the banks through the current economic crisis.
195.3 Year End Accounts
• Year end accounts have been balanced
• Accountant is drawing up the first draft of the accounts
• A meeting is to be held between the Accountant, Clerk and Chairman of Finance on 8th May
• Final draft should be ready by 23rd May
• Accounts will be ready for public inspection end of May/early June
• The Finance Committee will review the accounts on 12th June and they will be ready for adoption by full Council on 19th June.
•
195.4 Financial Report: Chairman of the Finance Committee
195.5 Funding for Redbourn Parish Centre
The table below highlights the current position, relating to the funding position for Redbourn Parish Centre.
(Details available from the Parish Clerk)
The total shown above will be augmented by further interest, from April 1 2008 until the date when the above monies are spent. The amount needs to be adjusted down by the amount that has been spent on this project since 1 April 2007.
The Parish Council should continue to seek other grants, as this will reduce the strain on the Parish Council reserves, possibly leaving a residual for future projects.
Two years ago a budget was drafted for the new building that indicated a break even situation in terms of costs vs revenue (including the saved costs of hiring the current Council offices in the Village Hall). It was suggested that the Finance Committee should update this work to assess the current position following changed assumptions (e.g. usage) and various cost increases (utilities etc). The Chairman of the Parish Centre Development Committee agreed to draft an estimate of costs.
195.6 PCSO Cost
A decision is required regarding financing this year’s contribution for the PCSO as this was not included in the budget. From the 1 June 2008 to 31 March 2009 the cost will be £5,940. Next year the sum will be included in the budget calculations. This amount either has to be financed as a one off from reserves or added as a one off to next year’s precept. If it is taken from reserves it will come from the Wayleave fund this reducing the monies available for the Parish Centre, as detailed above. If it is added to the 2009/10 precept it will be a one off additional increase of 5.2%. Assuming that the precept is also increased by £7,410 (£7,125 + 4% inflation) for the 2009/10 cost of the PCSO and the normal precept increase is restricted to 4%, this would mean the 2009/10 precept would increase by c. 15.2% to £137,646.
Following a discussion it was agreed that the decision on how to fund the PCSO should be held in abeyance until later in the year when a more accurate figure on the cost of the Parish Centre is known.
The Clerk to write to businesses in the village seeking sponsorship for the PCSO. It was suggested that fundraising events should be held for the Parish Centre.
A letter was received from Mr Tillyer which had been omitted from the agenda papers but was circulated to members at the meeting. Mr Tillyer requested that a record be made of how the councillors voted. The Clerk advised that to be procedurally correct a member should request a recorded vote before the vote is taken. Following a discussion it was RESOLVED that members’ votes on whether to finance a PCSO should be recorded in the minutes but that the Clerk should ask members not present if they agree, if so, their names should be included.
The following members voted for the proposal to finance a PCSO: Councillors Beere, Schofield, O’Donovan, Swendell, Crawley and Windle.
The following members voted against the proposal to finance a PCSO: Councillors Maynard, Gray, Bull, Lowen and Stent.
Councillor Warren was absent.
195.7 Money Market Deposit Rate
The country is in the midst of probably the worst financial crisis since the 1930’s depression. Banks are finding it extremely difficult to get non deposit funding at normal commercial rates. Northern Rock has already failed and others could follow. In all likelihood if this happens the Government would step in and stand behind any Bank in this situation due to the political risk of not doing so and the systematic risk to the rest of the banking sector if any bank were to fail. Although this would be likely to happen, it cannot be relied on.
The Chairman of Finance recommended that the Parish Council should not at this time only focus on the best interest rate on offer, but also consider the best security. The best rates are likely to be offered from the banks most stressed at the current time (e.g. Alliance & Leicester, Bradford & Bingley, the Icelandic banks etc). Redbourn Parish Council’s reserves are currently held on one month deposit at HSBC. Last month the rate received was 4.84%, which is c. 0.5% below the bank rate at the time, but 0.25% below the rate expected from early April (rates are expected to be cut by 25bp – an element of this expectation will be embedded in the rate we received). A brief review of the ‘risk banks’ highlighted above suggests the Parish Council could achieve 60-65bp more than this per annum, if a relationship with them were to be established.
HSBC is widely regarded to be one of the best capitalised banks in the world, has one of the highest tier 1 ratios (a measure of capital adequacy) and has no deposit/liability mismatch. As a Council, Redbourn Parish Council would not be criticised for placing funds with HSBC. It could be criticised if it invested in banks that have more stressed balance sheets or liquidity concerns.
As a result of this the Chairman suggested the Parish Council remain with HSBC for the time being, but in six months’ time when some form of normality returns to the banking sector, it can (a) look to see if there are any other more attractive offers (on a risk adjusted basis) or (b) with a lower amount left (post the completion of the Parish Centre) it may decide it is more appropriate to have a high interest deposit account.
195.8 External Auditor
The Audit Commission has appointed BDO Stoy Harward external auditor for Redbourn Parish Council for the years 2007/8 to 2011/12
195.9 BDO Stoy Hayward: Annual audit year ending 31 March 2008
Information on the Annual Audit was circulated and noted. The Clerk to include review of internal audit as an item on the Finance Agenda.
195.10 Allianz Insurance: Insurance cover for 2008/9
A copy of the Client Portfolio Renewal Summary for insurance was circulated to members. The Clerk to check the cost of the Chairman’s insignia which is insured for £859.39. Members considered this amount to be too high. The Fantasia Unit was vandalised and should be removed from the insurance cover. The new equipment will be added once it is installed.
CORRESPONDENCE
196 Hertfordshire County Council: temporary grazing licence for land adjacent to Ver Meadows
The Chief Executive of Hertfordshire Highways has agreed that the following conditions should be applied to the temporary grazing licence
• No structures to be built, even temporary ones
• No motor vehicles to be allowed on the site
• No fly tipping or rubbish of any kind
• The site is not to be extended
The Clerk to reply to County requesting that Norbert Mc Cabe? should monitor the site to ensure that these conditions are upheld. The Parish Council should also monitor the site.
197 Hertfordshire Highways: Redbourn Village Travel Plan
Three copies of the Travel Plan have been sent to the Parish Council. Councillors O’Donovan and Gray borrowed a copy of the Plan.
The Clerk to ascertain
• when the different aspects of the Travel Plan are to be implemented
• process for including new projects into the Travel Plan
• a date for a meeting of the ongoing Travel Forum
The businesses in the High Street are to be invited to attend meetings of the Travel Forum
198 St Albans City & District Council: Planning for Gypsies and Travellers Accommodation
It was agreed that the Parish Council should use the comments set out in the District Council report as a basis for a response to the East of England Plan on Gypsy and Traveller pitch provision.
199 Mr B Crane: Speeding in Harpenden Lane
A complaint has been received regarding speeding traffic in Harpenden Lane. The Clerk to request the police carry out a speed check.
200 West Herts PPI Forum Annual Report
A copy of the annual report was circulated. Members were pleased to note that the neurological rehabilitation unit is to remain at the St Albans Hospital.
201 NHS: Consultation Document
Two copies of the consultation document are being circulated to members. Some members reported that they had received personal copies and would be responding individually.
202 Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils
The following information was received: i) Newsletter – Councillor training is to be held on 7th October. A Seminar on Local Government Modernisation is to be held on 3rd June at Hertford Town Council . ii) The AGM is to be held on 18th June at Wheathampstead Parish Council iii) Nominations for Executive Committee iv) Chairmanship Training is to be held on 4th June. The Clerk to attend the training on Finance on 17th September.
203 Ver Valley Newsletter
The April Newsletter was noted.
204 Reports
RESOLVED that the following reports be adopted
i) Common Footpaths and Open Spaces (3rd April 2008)
The Clerk reported that she had received complaints about lorries using the Nicky Line to access the rear of a property in Hemel Hempstead Road which was causing damage to the Nicky Line. This had been reported to the District Council and Hertfordshire County Council. Councillor O’Donovan agreed to inspect the site over the weekend. The Chairman asked for Teenage Play Equipment to be added to the agenda of the next Commons meeting. She is seeking suggestions for suitable equipment. It was felt that Flamsteadbury Lane would be the best location for this equipment. The Clerk cautioned that the farmer had a right of way into the field and that his access must be kept clear. The Chairman agreed to inspect equipment at the Oysterfields estate which it was felt could be suitable. Councillor Warren agreed to lead the Beating the Bounds on 27th April.
The Chairman reported that he had received complaints regarding the removal of the seat in Crouch Hall Lane. The seat was removed because a nearby resident was experiencing nuisance from youngsters congregating on the seat. It was agreed that this decision could be reconsidered in six months. If the seat is replaced it should be of a design that does not encourage youngsters to congregate. The resident who sought removal of the seat should be consulted. Councillor Warren is drawing up a scheme for Cumberland Garden.
ii) Planning (17th March 2008)
(iii) Hertfordshire Highways (1st April 2008)
The blocked drains by the bridge have collapsed, the ditch on the Common near Hawkes Drive needs to be dug out/ The Clerk reported that complaints had been received regarding blocked drains in Harpenden Lane and these had been included in the list of drains for jetting.
The following reports were noted
i) Village Hall Management Committee (11th March 2008)
ii) Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
The local competitions will be judged at the end of June/beginning of July. Residents should submit entry forms if they wish to enter the competition for the best hanging baskets, window boxes and containers. Entries are not required for front gardens which are all judged by independent judges from outside the village. The Anglia in Bloom judges will be visiting the village in July. Councillor Bull is currently compiling the portfolio. The Committee would like to involve more village groups in the entry. If anyone is involved in a project to improve their area, and would like to be included, they should contact a member of the Committee. An additional course of bricks is to be placed on the planters near the rose garden. This will give a greater depth of soil which should improve the growth of the plants. The contractor has been asked to place an additional course of bricks on the two new planters.
iii) Redbourn Playing Fields Trust Recreation Centre
Councillor Warren has joined the Committee and is putting forward some good and useful ideas on marketing. Inger Cooper has indicated that she is retiring from her position as Treasurer and Company Secretary this year which could have a financial impact on the Centre. A replacement is required for this post who should be experienced in accountancy and payroll. Inger also supported the Manager and undertook some bar work and gardening. Volunteers are required to assist with these tasks. In the past the Centre has managed to break even but this is becoming more difficult. The Committee is seeking financial support from the District Council. The building belongs to the District Council and has been improved over recent years. All other leisure centres in the District receive support. The three District Councillors and the Parish Council Chairman of Finance, Councillor Lowen, have been invited to a meeting at the Centre on 3rd June at 7.30.
205 Parish Centre
205.1 Responses to application to Planning Inspectorate
Responses to the Parish Council application to redevelop the Youth Centre were circulated to members with the Commons agenda. The Parish Council has responded to the comments made. The Clerk reported that Mrs Fox had visited her and expressed concern at the Council’s response regarding the removal of the Horse Chestnut tree. She wished it to be placed on record that she had expressed concern to the Parish Council at the condition of the tree because branches were falling from the tree and she was worried about the safety of children attending the nursery school. She had not asked for the tree to be removed. As a result of her concerns the Clerk requested the Trees and Woodlands officer at the District Council inspect the tree. He did so and requested the tree be monitored. Over the next year Mrs Fox visited the council office on a couple of occasions reiterating her concerns. The Trees and Woodlands Officer was asked to inspect the tree again and agreed that it was diseased and should be removed.
205.2 Open Spaces response
The Letter from Open Spaces was noted.
205.3 Mrs Rawlings: request for information
Members agreed to a request from Mrs Rawlings seeking a copy of the lease between County and the Parish Council when the building was used as a school, the letter from County agreeing to delay demolition of the building so long as it was required for use as a Youth Centre.
205.4 Recommendation from the Commons Committee
Members noted that the Commons Committee has recommended that no further monies be expended on this project until decision is received from the Planning Inspectorate
205.5 Building regulations
Building regulations have been received
205.6 Report on meeting with County regarding funding applications
The report on a meeting with County Youth Services, Children’s Centre and Redbourn Youth Club Management Committee was noted. It was agreed that every effort should be made to reconstitute the Youth Council so that it could make an application for funding. Paul Sands agreed to help with grant applications. It was suggested a stand be taken at the Scout Fete to publicise this and that a climbing wall be hired to attract participants. Hire of the climbing wall is £450 and members did not feel that the cost was warranted.
206 Meetings
The Annual Parish Meeting cannot be held on the usual date as Redbourn Players are holding their annual play. It was agreed to hold the meeting on 22nd May. If possible, the Annual General Meeting is to be held on 22nd May, at 6.45pm, before the Annual Parish Meeting.
207 Questions from the Public
There were no questions from the members of the public present.
208 Date and time of Next Meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council is to be held on 15th May 2008. There will be no Commons, Footpaths and Open Spaces meeting in last May as this is election day.
REDBOURN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council held on Thursday 21 February 2008 at 7.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Redbourn Village Hall.
PRESENT: Councillors Mrs P Schofield (Chairman), L Beere, A V Bull, Mrs M Crawley, R Gray, Mrs M Maynard, C O’Donovan, R Stent, A E Swendell and Mrs V Windle
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs P Allcroft, Assistant to the Clerk to the Council, County Councillor D Hills, Barry Welch (Neighbourhood Watch), and 4 members of the public.
APOLOGIES: Councillor J Lowen (unwell), Mrs E Warren (holiday)
178 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor P Schofield Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
Councillor A V Bull Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Councillor C O’Donovan Donation of Seat
179 NOTIFICATION OF OTHER URGENT BUSINESS
The following matters were raised for consideration (Minute No 186):
(i) Accident in Ben Austins – e-mail
(ii) Damage to grass verge in Nichols Close and request for posts to protect – letter and photographs
(iii) Quote for Dog Bin in Cumberland Gardens – fax
(iv) Development Economics Study Workshop 10.3.08 – circular
(v) Dog Mess complaint – e-mail
(vi) Youth Centre Development query and questions – e-mail
(vii) Fairtrade Fortnight – invitation
(viii) Closing of M1
(ix) Incident at Cumberland House
(x) Election of new council members to Committees
180 MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING
It was RESOLVED to approve and sign the minutes of the full Council held on 17 January 2008 and 7 February 2008.
181 FUNDING OF PCSO
An e-mail from Councillor Lowen, in which the following points were made, was read to those present:
• having PCSO cover/availability is clearly a good thing;
• the cost on a per household basis looks reasonable;
• policing should be paid for out of the police budget;
• what assurance would there be that the current amount being requested from the Council towards the budget for a PCSO would not be increased in the future; there is not enough funding in this year’s precept to cover the budget required; why were we not informed about this when our budgets/precept were being set (the funding issue is irrespective to the loss of Redbourn’s PCSO).
• it is vital that there is always a link between funding and accountability, and it seems that under the proposed arrangement this would be lost since the PCSO would not be entirely based at Redbourn or Wheathampsted;
• PCSO's were a well publicised government policy, but it is not being backed up by Government funding.
STANDING ORDERS were suspended to allow contributions from Barry Welch, Neighbourhood Watch and discussion between all those present. The following points were made:
• The loss of the PCSO has already had a detrimental effect on the community;
• Our latest PCSO had been a positive asset to the village and had been particularly helpful to schools and elderly, as well as helping to initiate and organize our Neighbourhood Watch;
• It was felt that the wording had been negative in the newsletter article requesting residents to make a return on whether or not the precept should be increased to cover the cost of a PCSO;
• PCSO had been valuable in reducing crime in Redbourn;
• If Wheathampsted Parish Council votes for matched funding and Redbourn does not, then we are likely to have to share PCS Os from Harpenden; a dedicated PCSO would be preferable.
• As provision of PCS Os was a Government policy, resolving the current situation should be at highest level;
• Allocation of PCS Os in the area does not seem equitable as some areas seem to be getting them “free”, and PCS Os in St Albans and Hemel Hempstead have been seen working in pairs; costs should be shared across the board;
• Police want PCS Os to support the work of their officers.
• There was some disparity on a guarantee that the villages would keep the PCSO longer than the proposed contract of 2 to 3 years.
• When funding is cut, quite often it is local neighbourhood police officers that go to save costs.
• We need our own dedicated officer; problems which occur are often after 11.00 pm.
• Accountability and funding should go together; the role of the PCSO is not as powerful as the proper police officer
STANDING ORDERS were resumed.
It was RESOLVED to hold a Public Meeting on Thursday 13 March where local
residents’ views can be heard. A decision will then be made by the Parish Council. Cllr Beere and members of Neighbourhood Watch agreed to write a flier which would be distributed to as many residents as possible before the meeting. The Clerk was asked to organize a venue and publicise the event.
Councillor Maxine Crawley left the meeting to attend another.
182 FINANCE
182.1 Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED to approve the attached accounts for payment.
182.2 Moneymarket Investment
The interest paid on the Money market investment at 4.6% was noted.
182.3 Request to pay VHMC’s 2008-09 Grant in advance
RESOLVED to pay next year’s grant in advance to the VHMC.
183 CORRESPONDENCE
183.1 St Albans City & District Council
i) Special Expenses
It was recommended that the Finance Committee find out if any monies can be reclaimed in instances where District Council are paid tax by residents of Redbourn, and then villagers pay again to the Precept, ie grasscutting, public clocks, etc.
ii) Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment
The Clerk was asked to write to SHLAA indicating that no recommendations were to be made, but that the Parish Council were considering formulating a village plan with the specific purpose of identifying possible areas for the development of affordable housing for people (the young and elderly particularly) living in the village.
RECOMMENDATION that a Working Party or the Planning Committee follow this up.
iii) Health Matters: Noted.
iv) Application for hedgerow removal St Mary’s Church: Noted.
183.2 Hertfordshire County Council
i) Travel Plan: Details in the letter were noted.
ii) Primary Admissions: Two children had now been allocated places at Redbourn
Primary School but 10 children (all from Redbourn) still remained on the Continuing List. The Clerk was asked to write to the Head to see if vertical grouping might create space for the children who remained without places, especially as there was room in the new centre recently created. County Cllr Hill advised that parents should write to Robert Gordon (Chair of the Education Committee) and John Harris (Children, Schools and Families at Hertfordshire County Council). He said he would try to supply the Parish Council with a list of names of those on the Continuing List.
iii) Hertfordshire Local Govt Pension Scheme Briefing Note: Noted.
District Councillor Hill left the meeting.
iv) Ver Meadows Caravan Site: The Clerk was asked to acknowledge that the
Councillors were willing to accept the one year trial period for the adjacent field to be used for grazing, although it was against their wishes. However, Councillors wished to suggest that the following conditions be applied:
• No structures to be built, even temporary ones
• No motor vehicles to be allowed on the site
• No fly tipping/rubbish to be allowed on the site
• The site should not be extended further.
v) Adult Care Services: Noted.
vi) Minerals and Waste Development Consultation: It was recommended that
Councillors should look at the website (www.hertsdirect.org/wasteplanningconsultation) and let the Clerk have comments before the deadline of 10 March 2008.
183.3 Mrs Gregory: Adult Care Services - Noted.
183.4 Mr D Wrottesley: Helicopter Noise
The Clerk was asked to suggest to Mr Wrottesley that he contact Austin Truman.
183.5 Redbourn Museum
Trustees of the Museum had requested a change in the wording of Section 3.9.4 of the Lease dated 2 December 1999 which reads “To keep open the demised premises for a minimum of five hours per week once six months of the term has elapsed.” The Trustees would prefer that the “five hours per week” should be on an accruable basis over one year, ie 260 hours per year, which would give them more flexibility during the winter months and allow for unexpected circumstances which might require the museum to be closed for a short period. At present the Museum is open for eight hours per weekend thus easily achieving the minimum five laid down in the agreement.
RESOLVED that the proposal by the Trustees be accepted and the Lease changed accordingly.
Councillors agreed that more flexibility for opening hours, especially during the winter would be beneficial. Councillors also felt that a new pattern of seasonal opening hours should be confirmed by the museum, and suggested that it should be published on Parish Notice boards, in the Common Round, on the Village Website and in the next Newsletter. It was suggested that a new notice with new opening hours be put up outside the Museum, and the Clerk was asked to invite Peter Hildebrand to the next Full Council Meeting to discuss these suggestions.
183.6 HAPTC:
i) Newsletter - noted.
ii) Community Contracts and Charters – noted.
183.7 Mr and Mrs Barnes
The Chairman had received a letter from parents on the Continuing Interest List for Redbourn Infant School along with a possible 12 other children. The parents were querying the possibility of setting up an action committee for school placements at the local Infant School. It was AGREED that the Parish Council would support this action, and Councillors Schofield and Swendell said they were willing to be involved. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr and Mrs Barnes to confirm this (see Minute 183.2 (ii) above).
183.8 St Albans Association of Parish Councils: Quarterly meetings
All Councillors were asked to attend and help the Clerk with refreshments. The meeting is to take place on 22 April 2008.
183.9 Information received and not circulated:
(i) District Council Agendas/minutes - noted.
(ii) Letter of thanks from VHMC re grant – noted.
184 REPORTS
It was RESOLVED to adopt the following reports
i) Common Footpaths and Open Spaces (7th February 2008)
Councillors were asked to note the following:
Occurrence of vehicle trespass on Nickey Line
Redbourn in Bloom are doing planting in Cumberland Garden
There is money in the budget to carry out work to tidy up the entrance to the village
Bobby Foods had written to say they are unable to support this work.
ii) Planning (11th February 2008)
The following reports were noted:
iii) Parish Centre Fundraising Working Party (31st January 2008)
County has confirmed that funding will be available next year.
There will be a meeting with Mr S Maddon on Monday, 17th March – time to
be confirmed
Meeting arranged with relevant County Officer on 18th March 2008 at 7.30pm
Meeting with Architect and Councillors O’Donovan, Bull and Stent will take
place on Tuesday 26 February, 9.00 am at the Village Hall.
iv) Hertfordshire Highways (27th January 2008)
v) Village Hall Management Committee (11th December 2007)
The fire alarm has now been ordered.
vi) Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society (21st January 2008)
vii) Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust (verbal)
Cllr Schofield reported that the Annual Art Show, (main fund raising event)
would take place over the Easter weekend, and offers of help from other Councillors would be appreciated.
185 CUMBERLAND HOUSE GARDEN
i) It was confirmed that there is a water supply in the Garden.
ii) It was RESOLVED to accept the recommendation from the Commons Committee that a section of fencing be removed on the southern side to allow access onto the grassed area
iii) It was noted that Miller Homes are to inspect remedial works and feedback to be given
iv) It was RESOLVED to accept the request by C O’Donovan to install a sponsored bench in Cumberland Garden
It was proposed and AGREED that Standing Orders should allow the meeting to continue
for a further 15 minutes
v) It was AGREED to purchase materials to build a compost bin, and noted that Mike Thain (Redbourn in Bloom) had agreed to carry out the work
186 OTHER BUSINESS (permitted by the Chairman)
186.1 Accident in Ben Austins
Graham Tillyer had reported a car accident at the entrance of Ben Austins. He drew the attention of the Council to car parking in the area which he felt caused a visual hazard to drivers. Councillors felt the cars had the right to park if properly licenced, taxed and insured. Mr Tillyer had quoted conditions imposed on parking related to his property but felt these may not apply to the road next to his. They recommended that Mr Tillyer should write to the Planning Department for clarification.
186.2 Damage to Grass Verge in Nicholls Close
Mr Mc Callum? of Nicholls Close had reported a problem with vehicles using the grass
verge for access and parking in Nicholls Close, and more specifically the driveway to number 35 as an access onto the verge. This had resulted in the water service to numbers 35 and 36 having to be repaired three times by Three Valley Water over the last five years because of resultant damage to the stop cock or pulling the water service off the water main. He was requesting that some wooden bollards, similar to those along Lybury Lane, be placed in this area to stop vehicles accessing the verge from his driveway and causing more damage. Councillors felt that in other areas in St Albans (ie Batchwood Drive) similar problems had been resolved with bollards. The Clerk was asked to write to St Albans District Council to see if this could be arranged for Nicholls Close, and also to write to the resident and inform him of this action. Councillor Swendell said that this problem was happening in many areas and there was to be a District meeting shortly to try and find a solution for the parking situation.
186.3 Dog Litter Bin for Cumberland Gardens
The estimate for a dog litter bin in Cumberland Gardens from TBS Hygiene Ltd for £230.40 was agreed. The Clerk was asked to order one.
186.4 Development Economics Study Workshop
Details relating to the above workshop, to be held 10 March 2008, were noted.
186.5 Dog Mess
An e-mail from Anita Siddle expressing conceren about dog mess in the village was
noted. Councillors asked the Clerk to
• write to the Dog Warden at the District Council to flag the problem and ask them to ensure that the dog bins were emptied regularly;
• publicise the problem in the next Newsletter, and remind dog owners to clear up after their dogs and be more considerate to members of the public, especially those with children;
• contact Mrs Siddle and inform her of the action the Council is taking in response to her e-mail.
186.6 Parish Centre
An e-mail received from The Open Spaces Society had been received with a number of
queries about the proposed Parish Centre. Councillors agreed that this should be followed up by the Clerk on her return from holiday.
186.7 Invitations to the Fairtrade Fortnight (SADC)
Invitations to attend the above event were distributed amongst members.
186.8 Closing of M1
The motorway was to be closed over the weekends of 7th/8th March (Junction 8) and 15th/16th March (Junction 9). The Clerk was asked to confirm this with Balfour Beattie Skanska and to clarify what steps had been taken to notify the public (signage, press releases, notices, etc) and to determine what procedures were in place to deal with accidents and recovery of vehicles bearing in mind potential gridlock situation in Redbourn.
186.9 Cumberland House
(i) A 40th birthday had been held in a marquee at the above residence.
Environmental Health received many complaints about nuisance from loud music and visited the venue accompanied by police. Councillor Swendell confirmed that as it was a private party no planning permission was required to erect the marquee. The Clerk was asked to write a tactful letter to the family concerned, asking that if any future events of this nature are held, due consideration should be given to residents in the neighbourhood.
(ii) The Clerk was asked to write to the Enforcement Officer as there is a suspicion
that a business in being run from this property, and damage is being done by vehicles going across to the Common to gain entry and exit to the gates. The Clerk was also asked find out if business rates are being charged.
186.10 Election of New Council Members to Committees
It was RESOLVED unanimously that Cllr Roger Gray be elected to serve on the
Commons Committee, and Cllr Elaine Warren be elected to serve on the Planning Committee and the Commons Committee.
187. Date and time of Next Meeting: 20th March 2008
The meeting closed at 10.15 pm.
Signed……………………………………………………… Date………………………………………
Minutes are draft until signed.
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REDBOURN PARISH COUNCIL
REDBOURN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council held on Thursday, 20th March 2008 at 7.30 pm in Redbourn Village Hall
PRESENT: Mrs P Schofield (Chairman), L Beere, A V Bull, Mrs M Crawley, R Gray, J Lowen, Mrs M Maynard, C O’Donovan, R Stent, A E Swendell, Mrs V Windle
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs D Whiskin, Clerk to the Council, Barry Welch (Neighbourhood Watch)
and four members of the public
APOLOGIES: Councillor Mrs E Warren
188 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor P Schofield Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
Councillor A V Bull Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
189 NOTIFICATION OF OTHER URGENT BUSINESS
Scout Fair: request to hold fete on Common
190 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 21st February 2008 be signed as a true record.
191 FUNDING OF PCSO
RESOLVED to suspend Standing Orders to permit Barry Welch, Neighbourhood Watch to speak.
Points raised by Barry Welch
• Whole of village consulted over whether the Parish Council should contribute towards a PCSO
• Overwhelming response in favour
• A vote against partially financing a PCSO will be a vote for the deterioration of quality of life in the village
Standing orders were resumed
The following points were raised by members
• Vote against funding PCS Os would be tantamount to reneguing on Parish Council’s responsibility and it would be partially responsible for any rise in crime which may occur
• PCS Os have not reduced crime in the village – crime has increased
• The Flanagan Report recommends that funding for Southern forces such as Hertfordshire should be reduced and the extra money put into the Northern Forces which appear to have a greater amount of serious crime - if we do not have a PCSO or a uniformed presence in the village (irrespective of their powers) if the Flanagan Report is implemented the first thing to go will be the fully trained neighbourhood officer and we would have no representation
• Annual cost would be £7,150
• No provision has been made in this year’s budget – if the vote is in favour it will be necessary to borrow this year’s contribution from one of the budget reserves and precept for a double payment next year
• A recent leaflet from the Police states that one of its four priorities is to ensure that neighbourhood police officers and PCS Os are visible in our communities. This does not equate with our being asked to partially fund a PCSO
• Parish and Town Councils are the only tier of government which is not rate capped – increasing our budget to fund a PCSO will set a precedent and District and County may well ask us to pay for services as a means of supplementing their budgets
• If Redbourn does not agree to this proposal it will receive half cover – we are being asked to support additional cover which will lead to us receiving greater support per head of population than either St Albans or Harpenden
• If the Parish Council agrees to pay for PCSO following conditions should be laid down
i) Preference for Alli Dewer as our PCSO
ii) Future increases in costs should not be in excess of the rate of inflation
iii) Contract should be for two years with a six month get out clause
iv) The PCSO should spent the majority of his/her time in Redbourn and should only be withdrawn in extreme emergencies
Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that this Parish Council should partially fund a PCSO. The vote was six in favour, five against.
No provision for funding a PCSO has been made in this year’s budget. This matter will be discussed at next month’s meeting.
192 FINANCE
192.1 Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the accounts for payment on the attached sheet be approved. The Chairman noted that Pauline Allcroft had covered the Clerk’s duties whilst she was on holiday. The Parish Council wished to place on record its thanks for the efficient way in which she had carried out these duties. Pauline has said she will be available to work extra hours from July onwards.
192.2 Moneymarket
The Moneymarket interest from March to February was 4.6%.
193 CORRESPONDENCE
193.1 St Albans City & District Council
i) Training on the Revised Code of Conduct: 27th March 2008
Councillor Maynard and the Clerk are to attend District Council training on the Revised Code of Conduct.
ii) District and Parish Council Engagement
The District Council is proposing to replace the Joint Parish Liaison meetings with a twice-yearly conference which will feed into the Council’s planning process and allow for actions and recommendations to be taken forward by the various partner councils. The first conference will explore Charters. The Chairman and Clerk are to attend a meeting to discuss the conference.
193.2 NATS: Consultation on proposed changes to airspace
A consultation is taking place on proposed changes to airspace over parts of London, southern and eastern England. This airspace is called Terminal Control North (TCN) and is amongst the most complex airspace in the world. Redbourn is beneath the TCN region. Information is available on the NATS website www.nats.co.uk/TCNconsultation. Copies of the Consultation Document and leaflets are being placed in main libraries.
The District Council is holding a meeting on 9th April at 9.30 to explain the implications of these proposals. The Clerk to ascertain whether Parish Councillors may attend. Consultation ends on 22nd May 2008.
193.3 The Standards Board: Newsletter March 2008
Key features of the changes are:
• Standards committees, chaired by an independent member, will be responsible for receiving allegations in relation to the Code of Conduct. They will also decide whether any action needs to be taken. This is referred to as “local assessment”
• Where the standards committee decides action is needed, the cases will be passed to the local monitoring officer for investigation, or for any other action the committee feels appropriate
• Standards committees will be responsible for reviewing any request from a complainant
• The Standards Board will be responsible for supporting and monitoring local arrangements and for carrying out investigations which cannot be done locally
• Standards committees will be have an independent chair and at least three independent members and at least three parish or town council representatives.
193.4 Hertfordshire County Council
i) Road Closures
A length of Hemel Hempstead Road, Redbourn from its junction with Gaddesden Lane south westwards to its junction with B487 Redbourn Bypass, a distance of approximately 300 metres, will be temporary closed (except for access) between the hours of 9.30 and 3.30 (Mondays to Fridays) fro up to two days sometime during the period 1st April and 2nd April 2008.
A length of Lybury Lane, Redbourn, from its junction with Chequers Hill, Flamstead south eastwards to its junction with Hilltop, Redbourn (approx 2580 metres) will close between 7.30 and 5 pm (Mondays to Fridays) for up to two weeks, sometime during the period 10th April and 9th October 2008.
193.5 Stop Stanstead Expansion
It was agreed that Carol Barbone, Campaign Director, should make a presentation to Redbourn Parish Council, at its meeting in May.
193.6 Cawleys: Increase in Landfill Tax
The Parish Council pays for a skip at St Mary’s churchyard which is hired from Cawleys. Landfill Tax increases on 1st April by just over 33%. From 1st April the hire of a 1100 ltr Eurocart will increase by £1.92 per cart and a rear end loader by .84p per cubic yard.
193.7 East of England Regional Assembly
The East of England Regional Assembly recently submitted the draft RSS Single Issue Review on Planning for Gypsy and Traveller Accommodation in the East of England to Central Government for consideration. The document is available on www.goeast.gov.uk. The Government are inviting views on the draft policy. The consultation period ends on 16th May.
193.8 Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils: Newsletter
Parish and Town Councillors and Officers are invited to attend a seminar at the Police Headquarters on either 22nd or 29th April. The Clerk to ascertain whether there are still vacancies on the seminar.
193.9 Campaign to Protect Rural England: Village of Year Competition
RESOLVED that the Parish Council should organise the Competition entry. The Clerk to ask Councillor Warren if she would be willing to organise the entry. Councillor Windle said she would be willing to assist with the entry. It was felt that it may be worth setting up a working party of three people to organise the entry.
193.10 Redbourn Village Museum
The Clerk to invite Peter Hildebrand to attend the April meeting of the Parish Council.
194 REPORTS
RESOLVED to adopt the following reports
i) Common Footpaths and Open Spaces held on 6th March 2008 – the Clerk reported that she had attended a meeting at Harpenden Town Council when it was agreed that Jim Bennie, St Albans District Council, would arrange an on-site meeting with Balfour Beatty, St Albans District Council and Redbourn Parish Council, to discuss works on the Nicky Line. The Clerk to invite Mrs Keeley to attend the next Commons meeting to discuss the works on the Nicky Line. The firework display will be held on 8th November. The Clerk to place an order with Fantastic Fireworks.
ii) Planning held on 3rd March 2008.
iii) The District Council is carrying out a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment and has asked Parish Councils to identify land suitable for development. A working party has been set up to identify parcels of land which the Parish Council wishes to protect. The first meeting is to he held on 7th April. All councillors are welcome to attend.
The following minutes were noted
i) Redbourn Village Hall Management Committee – 12th February 2008
iv) Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society: Preparations for entry into Anglia in Bloom are well in hand. A talk by Rosamund Wallinger on “Gertrude Jekyll and her place in Garden History” is to be held on 9th April. Open Garden weekend to be held in 28th-29th June. Anyone interested in opening their garden should contact Rita Green
v) Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
Mary Taylor has resigned from the Committee. Brett Stuart has moved out of the village and has not attended any meetings for the past six months due to work commitments. Additional Directors are being sought. There are now only four active members. Councillor Warren has been co-opted and has some very good ideas for marketing. Inger Cooper has informed the Committee of her intention to resign next year. Inger is an important member of the Committee, she acts as Treasurer, supports the Manager and also acts as gardener. Roy and Brenda Whyman have planted out, and are looking after, the garden by the Bowling Green at the Centre and the clerk was instructed to write and thank them. The Centre is breaking even at the moment but the Treasurer is budgeting for a deficit next year. Redbourn is the only Centre which does not obtain any financial support from the District Council. District Councillors were asked to make representations for financial support – members felt that support should be given for the Kids Camp as all the other Kids Camps in the District are supported by the District Council. The three District Councillors, Sheila Burton, Portfolio Holder for Leisure, and the Chairman of the Parish Council Finance Committee, are to be invited to attend the Committee meeting at the Recreation Centre which is to be held on 3rd June. The profits from the Easter Arts and Crafts Show are to be used towards providing equipment for older children.
195 Play/Sport Provision for Older Children/Teenagers
Members of the Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust Committee were considering financing a play wall at the Centre but this has now been discounted as it would have to be maintained by the Centre but would not bring in any additional income. Members have suggested a basketball initiative, perhaps basketball coaching. Other suggestions would be welcome. The Chairman asked members for ideas for equipment which could be placed at Long Cutt or Flamsteadbury Lane Play Area.
One members reiterated previous requests for goal posts at Flamsteadbury Lane Play Area. A single Basketball net could also be placed on site. This matter is to be discussed at the next meeting of the Commons Committee.
The Clerk to ask Paul Sands if he has any information on informal play equipment which is popular amongst teenagers. The Clerk to seek advice from other Parish Councils.
196 Cumberland Garden
The dead wood over the entrance to the Cumberland Garden should be removed. It was agreed that Councillor Swendell should investigate sourcing a wooden name plaque for the garden. Redbourn in Bloom has made suggestions for planting. In Bloom members have provided snowdrops which have been planted in the garden. Mike Thain has agreed to act as co-ordinator for volunteers and is willing to construct the compost bins. The Parish Council to purchase the materials.
At a previous meeting it was agreed that someone should take overall charge of the garden. Councillor Warren has said she would be willing to do this if no one from Redbourn in Bloom is willing to take on this responsibility. Members felt that perhaps Councillor Warren, Mike Thain and Barbara Corbett could act jointly in this role.
Councillor Swendell said that at least six volunteers are needed to open and close the gardens. One volunteer has already withdrawn for health reasons, another may not be able to continue due to work commitments and another is concerned that if there are insufficient volunteers the burden on the remainder would be too great. Members were asked to find additional volunteers.
Miller Homes has agreed to repair the lights and subsidence to the footpaths.
197 Parish Centre
Notes on a meeting with the Architect were circulated. One member expressed concern at the cost of the proposed building.
198 OTHER URGENT BUSINESS (with the permission of the Chairman)
198.1 Scout Fete
RESOLVED that permission be granted to Redbourn Scouts to hold a Fete on Redbourn Common on 28th June 2008.
The meeting closed at 8.50 pm
Signed………………………………….……………………………………………………… 17th April 2008
(Chairman)
Minutes of the Parish Council held on Thursday, 13th December 2007 at 7.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Redbourn Village Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Mrs P Schofield (Chairman) L Beere, A V Bull, Mrs M Crawley, R Gray, J Lowen, C O’Donovan and A E Swendell
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs D Whiskin, Clerk to the Council
APOLOGIES: Councillor R Stent, Mrs M Maynard and Mrs V Windle
138 Declarations of interest
Councillor P Schofield Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
Councillor A V Bull Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Councillor C O’Donovan Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
139 Notification of Other Urgent Business
139.1 Missing Road Signs: reason for urgency – missing road signs pose a danger to motorists unsure of destination
140 Minutes of previous meeting
RESOLVED to approve and sign the minutes of the full Council held on 15th November 2007
141 FINANCE
141.1 Accounts for payment
RESOLVED to approve the attached accounts for payment.
142.2 Moneymarket investment
The moneymarket investment was noted. The Chairman of Finance reported that next month’s interest should be in the region of 5.5%.
142.3 Report from Chairman of Finance
A draft budget has been drawn up based on discussions at the November Finance Committee meeting, recommendations from the Commons Committee and the Salary Review Committee. The budget will be re-discussed at the January Finance Committee meeting after which a final draft version will be presented to the Full Parish Council Meeting.
The draft budget includes a provision for all requests that have been made to date. The Chairman has provisionally increased the Precept by 4.9%.
The draft budget shows a deficit of c. £5,300. When the draft budget is reviewed it will be necessary to either reduce some provisions or increase the Precept by more than 4.9%. Whilst it may be considered reasonable to increase the precept slightly, all new projects should be evaluated and a decision made as to whether they should be phased in over a number of years or alternatively grants should be sought to finance some of them. The three projects which would lead to a budget deficit are (a) refurbishment of the path on the Common. To complete refurbishment of the path would cost £5,500 vs the provision of £2,000 which has been placed in the budget in previous years, (b) older children’s play equipment - £1,000 and (c) Bus Shelters - £2,000).
It was noted that the Parish Council has a difficult balancing act between fulfilling its obligations as a statutory body and grant aiding village organisations. Members stressed the importance of assisting village organisations which are manned by volunteers and have an important part to play in delivering facilities for the village.
142.4 Proposal for Grant to Village Hall
RESOLVED that this Parish Council agree to a grant to the Village Hall of £3,500 to be allocated from 2008/9 budget.
142.5 Report on VAT
The following points were raised:
• Some confusion over definition in VAT documentation vis a vis use of word “charity” in relation to village hall
• Clarification received from HMRC suggests (but not conclusively) that the building (with the exception of certain parts) will be zero rated
• It is the responsibility of the project manager/builder to decide how to apply VAT to any building they construct. They also presumably take the liability if they make an incorrect judgement
• Guidance unclear as to whether the whole building would be zero rated
• As the offices are not available to the community at large they would not be zero rated
• Unsure whether VAT is payable on hiring fees
The Chairman of Finance agreed to write to HMRC highlighting how the proposed Parish Centre will be treated from a VAT perspective. Councillors O’Donovan and Bull are to review the building and determine which elements are “for community at large”. HMRC Public Notice 708, section 15, highlights how apportionment splits should be made. The Chairmen of Finance and the Parish Centre Development Committees are to meet the Project Manager/Builder as soon as possible, before a formal quote is submitted, to discuss these issues. The Clerk to write to the VAT office and ascertain whether the Parish Council is able to reclaim VAT on the non zero rated sections of the building.
143 PARISH CENTRE
143.1 Current position
The Parish Centre Development Committee has approved the revised drawings for slightly larger ladies toilets. He advised that if the slab level were to be raised by 1/2m
this would significantly reduce the costs. The Parish Centre Committee discussed this at length but agreed that in view of the consultations which had taken place with the residents of South Common, who were unhappy with the height of the building, it would be wrong to increase the slab level. Members agreed with this decision.
143.2 Schedule of costs
The schedule of costs was noted.
143.3 Letters of Support
Letters of support for the project were received from Redbourn Junior School, Redbourn Infants School, St Mary’s PCC and the Youth Club Management Committee. Open Spaces has informed Defra that it has no objections to proposals.
143.4 Youth involvement
It was agreed that a working party be set up to encourage youth involvement in planning facilities at the Parish Centre. To comply with guidelines for the Youth Opportunities Capital Project Grant young people aged between 13 and 19 (preferably some disadvantaged) must be involved in the project. Survey forms have been compiled and some were completed at St Luke’s Consultation Day but only one young person was from Redbourn. Margaret Corley, Paul Sands, Elaine Warren and Councillor Crawley expressed a wish to join the working party. It was agreed that Councillor Crawley should speak to Year 6 at the Junior School.
144 REDBOURN TRAVEL PLAN
A copy of the Travel Plan was circulated to members.
The Vision is as follows
• Sustainable modes of travel become a more realistic alternative to the car whilst all residents of Redbourn have good access to village facilities and services, and to the key destinations used by residents
• The transport system is safe and secure for all users, especially for those choosing more sustainable modes of travel such as walking, cycling and public transport, and that these alternatives are given priority where it is feasible to do so
• The environment in Redbourn is enhanced, with streets kept green and tidy, to ensure that the rural character of the village is appreciated by local residents and those that pass through or visit the village
The plan has strategies for walking, cycling, passenger transport, traffic management, safer routes to school and street lighting. The Chairman expressed concern that the Plan was too strategic and was weak on implementation, particularly on how to improve public transport or encourage cycling.
The Clerk to
• Inform Hertfordshire Highways that any prospective path from the village should be extended to Aubrey Lane
• Request a timetable for the works outlined
• Reinstate Travel Plan working party (to include the original members of the community and representative from Hemel Hempstead Road) to meet quarterly to monitor progress of actions
• Suggest that £20,000 being held from the development in Lybury Lane be used for crossing on the Common
• Inform Hertfordshire Highways that the Plan should have clear proposals for improving public transport and improving cycle paths – particularly path to St Albans which is unsafe for cyclists and pedestrians
Councillors Swendell, Schofield, O’Donovan and Bull agreed to join the working party.
RESOLVED that this Parish Council officially adopts the Redbourn Travel Plan
It was noted that the Travel Plan is an evolving document and changes may be incorporated as and when the need arises.
CORRESPONDENCE
145 St Albans City & District Council
145.1 Emergency Call Out Service
A letter expressing concern that the Emergency Call Out service is inadequate was noted.
145.2 Report on first Annual Community Conference
A report on the first Annual Community Conference was noted.
145.3 Briefing on Sheltered Housing Review
A representative from the District Council is to attend a future meeting to discuss the current position on the Sheltered Housing Review. A member expressed concern that the residents of Gertrude Peake were not given sufficient information or time to enable them to make a considered decision on whether sheltered housing should be transferred to a housing association.
146 Herts County Council: Grazing of horses on land adjacent to Ver Meadows
County confirmed that there are no plans at present to increase the number of pitches on the Ver Meadows Site. The aim of permitting horse grazing on the site was to maintain the area in a reasonable condition and accommodate the needs of a tenant who required grazing for his ponies. Should the gypsy be offered the land for grazing there would be stringent conditions imposed and the Parish Council could be involved in setting the conditions. County confirmed that the allocation of gypsy sites is subject to planning permission and would not be influenced or materially affected by granting permission to graze this land. Members doubted this and the Clerk was instructed to reiterate the Parish Council’s concerns at the proposal to permit the grazing of horses.
147 Redbourn Public Tennis Club
Members noted that the Tennis Club has applied to join Lawn Tennis Association.
148 Hertfordshire LAA/VCS Liaison
An invitation to attend “My Herts LAA” Conference on 24th January 2008 was noted.
149 Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils
149.1 Subscriptions: There will be a 3% increase in the rate of subscription for 2008/9
149.2 Quality Parish and Town Councils
The Clerk to complete the consultation on Quality Parish and Town Councils.
149.3 Newsletter: noted
149.4 Grant
The Parish Council has been awarded a grant of £351.75 for computer software.
149.5 Launch of “Engage” on 22nd January
An invitation to attend the launch of “Engage” was noted.
150 Hertfordshire Police Authority: Policing Plan 2008-11
The Policing Plan for 2008-11 was noted.
151 Information received and not circulated
St Albans DC Agendas/Minutes, Wheathampstead Newsletter.
152 REPORTS
RESOLVED to adopt the following reports
(i) Common Footpaths and Open Spaces (6th December 2007)
RESOLVED to remove the seat on the corner of Lords Meadow Crouch Hall Lane for a period of six months and to monitor the situation regarding anti social behaviour. If complaints are received from the public regarding the removal of the seat the situation will be reassessed.
(ii) Finance Meeting (28th November 2007)
(iii) Parish Centre Development Meeting (6th December 2007)
(iv) Firework Working Party (22nd October 2007)
Members congratulated Councillor O’Donovan and the Firework Working Party for the excellent firework display. £2000 has been allocated to local organisations from the profits of the event. Consideration is to be given to financing a new flag from the profits and this is to be placed on the agenda for the next Commons meeting.
The following reports were noted
i) Village Hall Management Committee (9th October 2007)
ii) Redbourn In Bloom
A successful Quiz Night was held recently. Plans for new brick planters outside Nine Lives and opposite the Fire Station, to replace existing wooden planters were circulated. RESOLVED to accept the plans. The Clerk to obtain quotations for the work which is to be financed by Redbourn in Bloom.
iii) Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
Elaine Warren attended the Stakeholders Meeting and may join the Committee. Consideration is being given to drawing up a Forward Plan for the Centre. Steve Pullinger is investigating funding for new projects at the Centre.
153 Other business
153.1 Road Signs
The Clerk to inform Brian Peers that the followings signs need replacing
• Harpenden Lane – opposite Ver Road turning
• South Common
• Tassell Hall – at junction with Lybury Lane
• Lamb Lane
• Long Cutt
154 Questions from the Public
No members of the public were present.
155 Resolution
RESOLVED that in accordance with Standing Order 68 and in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted, it is advisable in the public interest that the press and public be temporarily excluded and they were instructed to withdraw.
156 Old Station Yard: East Redbourn
RESOLVED to reject the suggestions made by the District Council.
157 Date and time of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 17th January 2008, at 7.30 pm in the Council Chamber.
Signed …………………………………………………………………………. Date…………………………………
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REDBOURN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council held on Thursday, 18th October 2007 at 7.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Redbourn Village Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Mrs P Schofield (Chairman) L Beere, A V Bull, Mrs M Crawley, K Maidment, J Lowen, Mrs M Maynard, C O’Donovan R Stent and A E Swendell and Mrs V Windle
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs D Whiskin, Clerk to the Council
APOLOGIES: None
84 Declarations of interest
Councillor P Schofield Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Redbourn Recreation Centre
Redbourn Playing Fields Trust
Councillor A V Bull Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Councillor R Stent Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Councillor C O’Donovan Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
85 Notification of Other Urgent Business
85.1 Invitation to Challenge Award on 1st November
86 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 20th September be signed as a true record.
87 Co-option of Parish Councillor
Four very good candidates had applied for the vacancy on the Parish Council following the resignation of Councillor Cardy. Roger Gray received the majority aggregate votes in the ballot.
RESOLVED that Roger Gray be co-opted onto the Parish Council.
Councillor Maidment reported that he was moving out of the village and would be resigning as a Parish Councillor. He was informed that he should formally write to the Chairman of the Parish Council tendering his resignation. The Clerk was instructed to ask the three unsuccessful if they would wish to be considered for the post. The Clerk reported that it would be necessary to post a notice advertising the vacancy before the post could be filled.
88 VARIATION OF ORDER OF BUSINESS
RESOLVED to vary the order of business and discuss VAT on the proposed Parish Centre.
89 VAT
A paper outlining Councillor’s Lowen’s discussions with HMRC was circulated. It is difficult to form a 100% conclusion as the VAT officer has not fully answered the questions. It would appear that village halls/parish centres are VAT exempt although it is unclear at this stage whether the VAT will have to be paid on part of the building. This should be clarified once a response is received to the additional questions which have been submitted. It is up to the builder/project manager to decide whether VAT will be levied on the Parish Council and this should be discussed at an early stage. It is important that he is given all the relevant evidence to show that the building is for the benefit of the community.
Councillor Lowen left the meeting.
90 Finance
90.1 Accounts for payment
RESOLVED that the accounts on the attached schedule be paid including an invoice from Greenbarnes for £242.94 for polycarbonate for the noticeboards.
90.2 Moneymarket investment
The moneymarket investment was noted. The Chairman of Finance had expressed his concern at the low interest quoted for November and agreed to contact HSBC regarding this.
90.3 External Auditor’s Certificate and Opinion
The External auditor has reported as follows:
“On the basis of our review, in our opinion the information contained in the annual return is in accordance with the Audit Commission’s requirements and no matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met.”
He has reported that the Council’s fidelity guarantee insurance cover is considered to be low in view of the levels of income and bank account balances and advised that the level of cover should have been approximately £534,000.
The Clerk had obtained a quotation from Allianz for increased fidelity guarantee cover. The Parish Council had decided not to increase the cover as there are sufficient safeguards in place to protect the Council finances.
90.4 Internal Audit Service
Dacorum Borough Council may not offer an Internal Audit service for 2008/9. If this is the case the Council could consider using RBS Solutions who carry out internal audits for a number of councils in the country, including Wheathampstead and Colney Heath.
91 NORTH COMMON
The proposal by Peter Fox to return part of the road through the Cricket pitch on North Common to Common land was referred from the Commons Footpaths and Open Spaces Committee to the main Council. Members felt an issue of the importance should be dealt with by the full Council. A report from Peter Fox outlining his proposal was circulated. Members agreed that before taking this issue any further the Parish Council should ask Hertfordshire Highways whether it would be possible to stop of a public highway. The Parish Council liaison officer had recommended that this advice be sought from Stuart Walmsley. If necessary, he would take advice from the County legal department.
RESOLVED that a letter be written to Stuart Walmsley seeking advice on whether it would be possible to close and take up the tarmac on part of the road on North Common and return it to Common land, what procedures should be followed and the likely costs of doing so.
RESOLVED that a letter be sent to Hertfordshire Police requesting a traffic survey be carried out to ascertain the feasibility of this proposal, in particular whether it would be safe to increase the traffic at the Jolly Gardener junction with the Hemel Hempstead Road.
92 Horse Grazing on field adjacent to Ver Meadow
A substantial amount of rubbish has been dumped in the field adjacent to Ver Meadows. The lock on the bollard at the Harpenden Lane entrance has been cut to provide illegal access. County was considering leasing the field to Ver Meadows residents for grazing of horses as it was felt that this would act as a deterrent to further dumping. The Commons Committee objected to this proposal which it felt was tantamount to rewarding illegal behaviour. Members were concerned that if the travellers have a legal right to use the land they may use it to house visitors’ caravans when there is a christening, wedding or funeral on the site. Furthermore, once the land is in use by the travellers it would be a step nearer to using it to expand the site to provide further pitches. A letter of objection to this proposal has been sent to the Gypsy Section.
93 PARISH CENTRE
93.1 Current Position
The asbestos survey has been received. Materials with scores of 10 or more are regarded as high risk, 7 to 9 are medium risk, 5 to 6 are low risk and 4 or less are very low risk. The safe received a score of 2 with a recommendation that when disposing of the safe HSE guidelines for the disposal of hazardous waste should be followed. Everything else in the building had a 0 score.
The Architect has drawn up plans for building regulations. Some slight internal alterations were recommended and Councillor O’Donovan has agreed to contact the Architect about these.
The regulations for works on common land changed from 1st October and the completed application which was about to be submitted cannot be used. It is understood that the application should be made under Section 38 of the Commons Act 2006. The Act states that it is possible to have land deregistered if it had a building on it when it was registered under the 1965 Act. The Clerk is seeking advice from the County Council on this matter. It was agreed that the application under Section 38 should be completed pending advice regarding the de-registration of the land. It may be that both applications could run together.
93.2 To note schedule of costs
The schedule of costs was noted. The invoice for the asbestos survey should be added to the costs.
93.3 Herts County Council: accessing Youth Capital Fund
The Clerk was instructed to contact Peter Hosier, Youth Service Manager, regarding funding from the Youth Capital Fund.
Councillor Stent and the Clerk attended a Funding Fair on Wednesday and visited a number of stands offering advice on funding. The Awards for All representative said an application could be made for the kitchen at the Centre. 50% of applications for Awards for All are successful. The maximum amount is £10,000. The Parish Council is advised to submit the application a few month’s before the kitchen would be installed as there is a time limit for spending the grant. There is a Community Building Fund which awards grants of £250,000 which looks promising. The applications are very complicated and it would be necessary for a dedicated person to complete the bid. Members wondered whether someone could be found in the Community who would be willing to do this. Some organisations use a professional person to complete the bids.
CORRESPONDENCE
94 St Albans City Council
94.1 Speed Reduction in Hemel Hempstead Road
A meeting was held today with the Clerk, Councillor Swendell and two officers from Hertfordshire Highways. Concern was expressed that the Parish Council has received no current information on the Redbourn Travel Plan. Hertfordshire Highways thought a copy of the completed Report had been sent to the Parish Council. The Clerk confirmed that it had not been received. The officer agreed to forward the Report which contains an analysis of the work carried out and the proposals agreed by the Travel Plan Forum. The Plan should be approved by the Parish Council. The officers confirmed that the parking restrictions in the High Street should be completed by the end of this financial year. The crossing in the High Street/traffic calming measures in Lybury Lane are being held in abeyance pending the release of funding and the completion of works on the Ml. The works should be completed by the end of the next financial year 2008/9. A letter confirming this will be forwarded to the Parish Council.
It was noted that £20,000 S106 monies from the development in Lybury Lane is being held by Hertfordshire Highways for traffic calming in this area.
A petition containing approximately 70 signatures has been received regarding speeding in Hemel Hempstead Road. Before anything can be done about the speeding, evidence has to be collected to prove that there is a problem. If it is proved that cars are travelling in excess of 40mph County has an obligation to take action.
Members said that information was collected on speeding in certain parts of the village as part of the Travel Plan. It was not clear whether Hemel Hempstead Road was included in the survey.
A member noted that planning permission for a car park at Ver House had been refused. The car park had been built in the Conservation Area without planning permission. Complaints had been received from neighbours regarding the extent of tree/shrub clearance works which had been undertaken without permission. A retrospective planning application was refused. It was noted that a number of cars could be displaced which would increase parking problems in the village.
The Chairman left the meeting and the Vice Chairman took the Chair.
94.2 Adoption of Brooke End
Westbury Homes has been acquired by Persimmon Homes. There is a problem in one of the foul sewer lines which requires further attention. Once this problem is remedied Persimmon Homes should be in a position to complete the highways agreement subject to any remedial work required by Hertfordshire Highways. Completion of the Section 104 and 38 on the Brooke End development will allow completion of the agreements for Silk Mill Road and Mulberry Close to go ahead.
95 Hertfordshire County Council
95.1 Pension Scheme Briefing Note
A pension workshop is being held on Tuesday, 30th October.
95.2 Temporary Closing of Hogg End Lane/Punch Bowl Lane
Hogg End Lane/Punch Bowl Lane will be closed for 11 weeks between 19.10.07 and 21.12.08 to enable bridge and carriageway construction works to take place.
96 Hertfordshire Highways: Parking outside 93 Tassell Hall
Mr Walecki has agreed to meet Councillor Swendell to discuss parking problems outside 93 Tassell Hall.
97 Centrebus: Changes to Service 35
The Commercial Director of Centrebus has confirmed that the peak time service before 9am and after 3pm has not changed. Service 35 which previously provided a service between 9am and 3pm every hour between Lybury Lane and St Albans has been withdrawn. Together with service 34 this provided a half hourly service off peak. An hourly off peak service now remains between Redbourn High Street and St Albans with Lybury Lane no longer served by a direct service to St Albans. This business decision was taken because the route was uneconomic. The changes were made after a lengthy consultation with Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire County Council. The Company said that County Councils are their point of contact and County should inform Parish Councils of changes. It was noted that Centrebus is now using a larger bus on Wednesdays to accommodate people travelling to St Albans market.
The Clerk was instructed to inform County that an hourly bus service is not sufficient to meet the needs of Redbourn residents. If County has insufficient funds to ensure the provision of a good bus service it should apply for government funding. It is important that rural services are maintained and bus companies should be grant aided so that rural routes are kept running.
98 Redbourn Care Group: Replacement minibus
The Redbourn Care Group ordered a new minibus but when it arrived it was the wrong specification and was therefore refused. The replacement minibus should arrive in January 2008.
99 Mr Burden: Removal of tree in Rickyard Meadow
A self set tree in Rickyard Meadow is damaging the path. The Clerk was instructed to forward the request for its removal to the District Council for attention.
100 Defra: Ways to tackle climate change
A copy of “Ways to tackle Climate Change” has been received. The guide offers advice on how parish and town councils can play a substantial role in the drive to combat and mitigate climate change. The guide is available on line at www.defra/environment/climatechange/uk/publicsector/index.htm. A member reported that the local butcher was considering replacing his plastic bags with canvass bags which could be re-used. It was agreed that an article should be placed in the Newsletter encouraging people to take steps to tackle climate change.
101 Standards Board: Newsletter
A copy of the September newsletter was noted.
102 Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils
The following information was noted
• Newsletter
• Financial update Accounts and Audit Regulations – Accounts for 2008 must be approved by the Parish Council by 31st July 2008, thereafter accounts must be approved by 30th June 2008.
• Guidance to Licensing Act
• Valuing Volunteers
• Hertfordshire Conference – it was agreed that the Clerk should attend the Hertfordshire Conference on 6th November
• NALC Annual Report
103 St Luke’s School: Invitation to take a stand at St Luke’s Information/Consultation Day on 28th November, 10am to 6pm
RESOLVED to participate in St Luke’s Information/Consultation Day
Councillors C O’Donovan, A V Bull and Mrs M Maynard agreed to man the stand. Councillor Windle agreed to draw up a questionnaire seeking the views of young people on what they would like to see at the proposed Youth Centre. This information is necessary to access funding streams. The questionnaire could also be given to the top stream of the Junior School.
104 Information received but not circulated: Agendas/minutes from District Council, Letters of thanks for grants from Recreation Centre/Tennis Club/Museum
REPORTS
105 RESOLVED to adopt the following reports
i) Common Footpaths and Open Spaces (4th October 2007)
Councillor O’Donovan held an on site meeting with Countryside Management Services to discuss a revised management plan for the Common. This will be available for discussion at the next Commons meeting.
CMS is carrying out some hedge laying and hedge planting to thicken areas near Ver Meadows. A trench has been dug to prevent travellers accessing the Nicky Line off the By Pass. A substantial bollard is to be manufactured for the Harpenden Lane access. Post and rail fencing is being installed near Ver Meadows and the Kane Haulage site.
The Clerk was instructed to inform the contractor that when the path on North Common is re-laid, the additional width should be near the road wherever possible. If the works cannot be completed before 3rd November they should not be started until after that date.
Roy Titchmarsh has expressed concern at the state of the Nicky Line and, in particular, the area at the corner of the Hemel Hempstead Road entrance to the village which was planted by Redbourn in Bloom and has been destroyed by the motorway works. He has offered to liaise with the contractors to ensure that the area is reinstated. Members agreed that he should be given authority to do this on behalf of the Parish Council. The Clerk was instructed to inform the Chairman of Redbourn in Bloom of this decision.
ii) Planning (8th October 2007)
The meeting held on 8th October was inquorate. RESOLVED to ratify the decisions taken by the Planning Committee.
iii) Parish Centre Development and Funding Committee (13th September 2007)
iv) Firework Working Party (17th September 2007)
The following reports were noted
i) Village Hall Management Committee (10th July 2007)
ii)
ii) Redbourn in Bloom
RESOLVED to approve Redbourn in Bloom’s proposal to replace wooden planters with brick planters. Designs will be submitted to the Parish Council in due course.
iii) NHS Health Committee
Councillor Swendell represents the District Council on the Overview and Scrutiny Committee for Health. One of the most urgent problems that need addressing is the cleanliness of hospitals in West Herts which were ranked in the bottom ten in the list of hospital trusts. Problems are exacerbated by the way in which finances are apportioned. More money is spent per head of population in the North, Wales and Scotland than is spent in the South and Eastern Region.
iv) St Albans and District Association of Parish Councils
106 CUMBERLAND GARDEN
The agreements have been signed for Cumberland Garden.
107 CHURCH END TELEPHONE KIOSK
Following a discussion on whether the telephone kiosk in Church End should be removed it was agreed that not everyone carried mobile phones and steps should be taken to ensure that the phone was repaired. This was thought to be particularly important as there is a play area nearby in East Common. The contractor has been instructed to cut back the trees around the box and the Clerk was instructed to write to British Telecom requesting that the telephone be repaired.
OTHER BUSINESS
108 Invitation to Challenge Ceremony at Redbourn Infants School
Councillor Bull, O’Donovan, Windle and the Clerk agreed to attend the Challenge Ceremony on lst November. Redbourn Infants and Nursery School is the first Infant and Nursery School in Hertfordshire to achieve the prestigious NACE Challenge Award for excellence in provision for able, gifted and talented pupils and only the 77th school nationally.
109 Questions from the Public
No members of the public were present.
110 Date and time of next meeting
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday, 15th November 2007at 7.30pm.
Signed ……………………………………………………………… Date…………………………………………….
REDBOURN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council held on Thursday, 20th September 2007 at 7.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Redbourn Village Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor C O’Donovan (Vice Chairman in the Chair), A V Bull, K Maidment, Mrs M Maynard, R Stent and A E Swendell
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs D Whiskin, Clerk to the Council, Mrs M Taylor, Mr P Rosen
APOLOGIES: Councillors L Beere (business commitment), Mrs M Crawley (District Council meeting), J Lowen (business commitment), Mrs P Schofield (illness) and Mrs V Windle (illness)
Declarations of interest
Councillor A V Bull Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Councillor R Stent Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Councillor C O’Donovan Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
54 Notification of Other Urgent Business
The Chairman and members agreed to consider the following urgent business:
54.1 Skip outside Saracens Head: reason for urgency – health and safety
55 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 19th July be signed as a true record.
56 Report on Recreation Centre: Mary Taylor
The following points were raised:
• Issue of leaking roof has yet to be resolved
• Two quotations for roof repairs have been received
• District Council has confirmed that leak is not a result of an inherent defect – all inherent defects were signed off
• Members felt that the accidental damage to the fabric of the building should be covered by insurance
• The repairs to the roof should be financed from the dilapidations fund
• Kids Camp was very successful
• One member of staff has left
• A surplus was made in August
• A new bank account has been opened
• New cycles have been purchased for the fitness room
• Volunteers are required
Members thanked Mary Taylor for her report.
57 Proposal from the Chairman
Having been duly proposed by the Chairman it was RESOLVED to vary the order of business and discuss item 8 on the agenda.
58 Traveller Sites
A letter from Phillip Rosen expressing concern that the Parish Council has not organised a campaign against the proposals for additional traveller sites was noted. Harpenden and London Colney are campaigning against sites in their areas. A member reported that Redbourn Parish Council was successful in campaigning to ensure that the report setting out the location of proposed sites was made public. An orchestrated campaign could result in expending energy too soon. The Parish Council has sent objections to the relevant authorities regarding the allocation of additional sites in the village. Redbourn has an official Traveller site at Ver Meadows, a private site off Chequer Lane, a site close to the boundary in Three Cherry Tree Lane and a site with temporary planning permission to 2009 at Tullochside. Objections, on sound planning grounds, should be made when planning applications are submitted. It is important that a balanced view is taken on this issue. Councillor Swendell agreed to write an article on this matter for publication in the next newsletter.
59 Finance
59.1 Approval of Accounts for Payment
RESOLVED that the accounts for payment on the attached sheet be paid. RESOLVED to retrospectively approve the accounts on the attached sheet for August.
59.2 Moneymarket investment
Interest on the investment on the moneymarket was slightly lower this month (5.4%).
59.3 Fidelity Guarantee Insurance
The external auditor recommended the Fidelity Guarantee insurance is increased. Allianz has confirmed the cost would be £228.58. Members agreed not to increase the insurance as there are sufficient measures in place to protect the Parish Council finances.
60 PARISH CENTRE
An order has been placed for an asbestos survey on the Youth Centre.
The architect is working on drawings for submission to the District Council for building regulations. These are nearly ready.
To date £6685 has been spent on professional fees, planning application and appeal costs.
RESOLVED that this Parish Council gives delegated authority to the Parish Centre Development Committee to progress the development of the Parish Centre.
61 Redbourn Youth Council
In the absence of Councillor Windle it was agreed that the Parish Council should endeavour to reconvene the Youth Council.
62 Remembrance Day Service
Phillip Rosen has agreed to organise the Remembrance Day Service for 2007 and to order the wreaths for the various parties. Mr Pusey will not be able to play the Reveille and it may be necessary to play a tape.
63 CORRESPONDENCE
63.1 St Albans City & District Council: Review of Parliamentary Polling Districts/Polling Places
Information on the Review of the Parliamentary Polling Districts/Places was noted. The Clerk to inform the District Council that Blackthorn Lane should read Blackhorse Lane. Members noted that it would prefer the polling station to revert to the Parish/Youth Centre once it is redeveloped.
63.2 District Councillor: Downfall of Democracy
A copy of a District Councillor’s letter to the Government expressing concern that the public is being denied a vote on the European Treaty was noted.
63.3 Redbourn Recreation Centre
The District Council confirmed that it had agreed to remain responsible for the inherent defects in the Recreation Centre because of its direct contractual relationship with the builders. In accordance with the appropriate clause the patio area was re-laid, a guarantee was accepted with regard to the sports hall floor and remedial works were carried out to the roof. This work was completed in 1997/8 and the Parish Council confirmed that the leaks to the roof seemed to be rectified and the patio arrangement seemed to be acceptable. The Council’s architect was satisfied with the roof “as it no longer leaks”. As no suggestion was made to the District Council that the works were unsatisfactory the subsequent leak must be considered as normal maintenance and repair.
63.4 District Councillor: Policing/Drugs
A copy of a District Councillor’s letter to the Home Office commenting on the leaflet “Drugs, Our Community, Your Say” was noted. The main points raised were:
• Cannabis should not have been downgraded as it is a gateway drug
• Police objectives of “Protection of life and Property”, “Prevention and Detection of Crime” and “Maintenance of the Peace” are being subsumed by administration, new legislation and the pursuit of targets
• Concern at reliance on figures gathered through the British Crime Survey (a telephone survey) rather than that compiled by the police on reported crime
• Pursuit of targets detracts from real policing
• Lack of sanctions against crime and antisocial behaviour
• Poor rates of crime detection (less than 25%)
63.5 Health Issues
A copy letter from a District Councillor to Parish Councils in the District raised the following points:
• Scrutiny role for County health issues is the prerogative of the County Council’s Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• The District Council is allowed a place on the Committee but has limited voting rights
• The District Council representative is Councillor A E Swendell
• Current priority is response to consultation paper “Delivery Quality Health Care in Hertfordshire”
63.6 Footpath in Downedge/Stephens Way
The Parish Council’s request for a barrier be placed in front of a footpath following a report of a near accident was rejected because it would prevent access to some of the residents with disabled scooters.
63.7 Change in Centrebus Service
A number of complaints have been received regarding the change of timetable for the number 34 bus without prior notification, leaving people unable to get to work on time. The bus is used by the elderly and infirm to travel to the High Street and by people travelling to St Albans. The Clerk to write to i) Centrebus and ask them to reinstate the service and to invite a representative to a public meeting to discuss this issue ii) Arriva to request that they consider providing a service.
63.8 Refuse Collection and Recycling
The new seven year contract for refuse collection and recycling commences in February 2008. Food waste will be collected weekly: one week in the black sacks and one week with the garden waste. The lids on the recycling bins must be closed as the vehicles cannot manage bins with an open lid.
63.9 Consultation on the grants process
The District Council is reviewing its application process to make it more transparent and to ensure the Council has the relevant information. From 2007/8 the District Council is considering supporting a funding advice service hosted by the District Centre for Voluntary Service. It was agreed that the Clerk should inform the District that forms should be kept as short as possible and that questions on gender and ethnicity are not relevant and should be removed.
64 Hertfordshire County Council
64.1 Local Government Pension Scheme
The employer contribution rate for 2008/9 was noted. Employer Workshops are to be held on 21st September and 11th October.
64.2 Transport Progress Report
A copy of the Towards Better Transport in Hertfordshire – 2006/7 Progress Report is available in local libraries and on http://www.hertsdirect.org/ltp, the Hertfordshire Traffic and Transport Data Report 2006 and Hertfordshire Transport Facts 2006 and Hertfordshire Road Traffic Accident and Casualty Facts 2006 are on http://www.hertsdirect.org/ttdr. The Strategic Environmental Assessment detailing the impacts of any significant environmental impacts from the first year of delivery of the Local Transport Plant is available on http://www.hertsdirect.org/ltp.
65 Rt Hon Peter Lilley: Withdrawal of draft Master Plan for Luton Airport
Luton Airport Operators have withdrawn the current draft Master Plan and decided to focus on making the most of the existing airport site.
66 Mr T A Bradley: Parking in Pondsmeade
A letter from Mr Bradley complaining about the continued problems of parked vehicles blocking access in Pondsmeade was noted. The District Council has confirmed that the contractors are sometimes unable to collect the waste and occasionally have to make two journeys because of parked cars. Parking problems were discussed in the Travel Forum and to alleviate these it was agreed that restrictions would be placed in the High Street and in Pondsmeade. The Clerk to inform Mr Bradley that Hertfordshire Highways has confirmed that the yellow lining should be installed later in this financial year. Confirmation was also received that no funding is available for the zebra crossing on the Common in this financial year but a bid will be made for the 2008/2009 financial year.
The Clerk was instructed to express concern to Hertfordshire Highways that despite the scepticism of some members of the Travel Plan Forum they continued attending meetings because they were assured that monies would be made available to finance improvements agreed in the Travel Plan. It would appear that these assurances were misplaced and expectations were raised to no avail. The time spent by members of the public, councillors and officers may well have been wasted.
67 Claytons/St Mary’s PCC: Extension to St Mary’s Churchyard
Negotiations for the extension to St Mary’s Churchyard are completed and the necessary documentation is being executed. A letter of thanks has been received for the grant made by the Parish Council. The grant was originally intended for the refurbishment of the church hall and it is understood that no further monies will be made available for this refurbishment.
68 Community Development Agency: 21st Century Village
A national programme of activities was launched in July for a new initiative “Local Action – Global Impact” which includes working together on issues facing rural communities. It was agreed that the Chief Executive Officer should be invited to a meeting of the Commons Committee to discuss this initiative.
69 Commission for Patient & Public Involvement in Health: Volunteering for forum
The Commission for Patient & Public Involvement in Health is seeking volunteers to work to improve the local NHS Service. Forum members have the right to access non-patient specific confidential information and to conduct on-site visits to carry out investigations. The role includes researching NHS policies, talking to staff and patients and engaging with local support groups. Free on-going training will be given and all expenses associated with forum business will be reimbursed. The Clerk to request that further information is sent to Councillor Maynard who expressed an interested.
70 NHS: Quality Care for Hertfordshire
The West Herts Primary Care Trust has acknowledged the Parish Council’s response to the consultation exercise on Quality Care for Hertfordshire. An independent report will be considered at a meeting of the relevant Boards towards the end of the year. The dates will be advertised in the local press and on the website www.enherts-pct.n hs.uk/consultation.
71 Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital: proposals for becoming a NHS Foundation Trust
The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust is proposing to become a NHS Foundation Trust and wish to attract as many people from the local community as possible to become “members” of the public constituency. Further information is available on http://www.rnoh.nhs.uk.
72 Hertfordshire Constabulary: Licence application from Village Hall
The Village Hall has applied for a premises Licence under the Licensing Act 2003.
73 Mr and Mrs Tomsett: Courtesy markings outside 93 Tassell Hall
Mr and Mrs Tomsett reported that their driveway is often blocked by a car preventing access on or off their property and have requested parking restrictions outside their driveway. The Clerk was instructed to forward the letter to Hertfordshire Highways. Councillor Swendell agreed to meet Paul Walecki, Hertfordshire Highways on site.
74 Three Valleys Water: Stakeholders consultation
Members were invited to attend a meeting to assist Three Valleys Water in developing its business strategy. The Clerk was instructed to inform Three Valleys of the difficulty experienced by a member trying to contact their switchboard to report a problem of an overflowing sewer. Eventually he had to contact the District Council to ask them to call an emergency number. It was 72 hours before any action was taken which caused considerably distress to the pensioner who was severely disabled. To prevent a repetition of incidents of this nature the business strategy should include a 24 hour emergency service.
75 Magic Nurseries: Sign on Common
Magic Nurseries purchased Ravenstone House earlier this year and is seeking permission to place a sign on the Common. The Clerk to inform the Company that this would not be permitted but they may wish to consider sponsoring one of the Redbourn in Bloom projects which would permit them to place a sign on the planting scheme. Alternatively they could become a sponsor of the Redbourn web site which would allow them to place information on the front page.
76 REPORTS
RESOLVED to adopt the following reports
i) Common Footpaths and Open Spaces (6th September 2007)
There is approximately £6,000 in the budget to refurbish the path on North Common. Approximately £9,000 is required to refurbish the path from Lybury Lane to the bus stop and to install a new footpath from Drs Alley to the road. To enable the works to be carried out quickly the Chairman of Finance has suggested that the Parish Council transfers £1,000 from the playing equipment fund and £2,000 from the wayleave interest. This would be paid back from next year’s precept.
RESOLVED
• that this Parish Council refurbishes two-thirds of the path on North Common
• that this Parish Council installs an additional 9m of footpath from Drs Alley
• that £1,000 is transferred from the playing equipment fund and £2,000 from the wayleave interest to permit the project to be carried out this year
• that the money is repaid from next year’s precept
ii) Finance (2nd August 2007)
The Clerk was instructed to write to the internal auditor to ascertain whether he is prepared to carry out the internal audit for 2007/8.
iii) Hertfordshire Highways Liaison (11th September 2007)
iv) Gypsy Police Liaison (3rd September 2007)
The police have investigated reports of youngsters riding quad bikes on the Nicky Line. Three bikes were traced to Ver Meadows Gypsy Site. There has been a considerable amount of rubbish dumped in the field adjacent to the Gypsy site. The contractor has reported that the lock to the bollard has been cut through allowing vehicles access along the Nicky Line.
Neighbourhood Watch has changed to an OWL system which does not work unless someone is available to answer the telephone. A complaint has been received about noise levels from the Bell and Shears during the late evening opening.
v) Planning (30th August 2007)
The following reports were noted:
i) Village Hall Management Committee (10th July 2007)
ii) Redbourn in Bloom
Redbourn was awarded Silver in the Anglia in Bloom Competition
77 Cumberland House Garden
Despite the notification from the Chairman of Miller Homes that the garden should be transferred at the end of August this has not occurred. The Company solicitor was unwilling to grant the Parish Council a licence to open the garden pending the transfer. A survey for underground cables has to be carried out before the licence with EDF is completed. The Chairman of Miller Homes has been asked to open the garden to the public pending the transfer as this would at least permit the public access to the Doctors Surgery.
78 Closure of Hogg End Lane
A section of Hogg End Lane from the junction with Cherry Tree Lane/Green Lane eastwards to the junction with Southend Lane is to be closed for up to 11 weeks sometime between 19 October 2007 and 21st December 2008 to enable bridge and carriageway construction works to take place. The Clerk was instructed to ascertain whether residents have been informed of these works.
OTHER URGENT BUSINESS
79 Skip Outside Saracens Head: A member reported that a skip has been placed on the High Street outside the Saracens Head. It has no lights and no cover. She had spoken to the contractors who had agreed to put lights and a cover on the skip. However no such action has been taken. The Clerk was instructed to report this to the enforcement officer.
81 Harpenden Primary Review: An invitation was received to a meeting of representative stakeholders at Sir John Lawes School on Monday 1 October at 7pm.
82 Firework Display: The Chairman asked members to assist in selling firework raffle tickets.
83 Questions from the Public: No questions were received from the public
84 Date and time of Next Meeting: The next meeting is to be held on Thursday, 18th October 2007
REDBOURN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council held on Thursday, 17th May 2007 at 7.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Redbourn Village Hall.
PRESENT: Councillor Mrs P Schofield (Chairman) A V Bull, Mrs C Cardy, C O’Donovan, J Lowen, Mrs M Maynard, R Stent and A E Swendell, Mrs V Windle
IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs D Whiskin, Clerk to the Council, one member of the public
APOLOGIES: Councillors Mr K Maidment (family commitment)
Declarations of interest
Councillor Mrs P Schofield Redbourn In Bloom Horticultural Society
Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
Councillor A V Bull Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Councillor R Stent Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Councillor C O’Donovan Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
Councillor Mrs M Maynard Redbourn Museum 1 Notification of Other Urgent Business 1.1 Cycle paths to St Albans
1.2 Reallocation of Election and Vital Village Plan budgets
2 Minutes of the previous meeting Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19th April 2007 be signed as a true record. 3. Finance
3.1 To approve accounts for payment
Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the accounts on the attached be paid. 3.2 Moneymarket investment The moneymarket investment was noted. 4. CORRESPONDENCE 4.1 St Albans District Council: Bowling Green Project: VAT The Parish Council was advised by HM Revenue & Customs that it could not reclaim VAT on the District Council grant for the bowling green and it asked the District Council to do so on its behalf. The District Council has received a letter advising that it cannot do so because “it has not received any benefits in return nor is the Council making any supplies of the bowling green” the letter goes on to say “however, this would not preclude the Parish Council submitting a claim if they have incurred expenses directly”. Members felt there were some inconsistencies between advice given to the Parish Council and the District Council. It was agreed that Councillor Lowen should draft a letter regarding this issue to HM Revenue & Customs on behalf of the Parish Council. Councillor Lowen also agreed to draft a VAT policy for the Parish Council. 4.2 Hertfordshire County Council i) Local Government Pension Scheme A briefing note on the valuation of the Pension Fund was noted and the contents agreed. ii) Adoption of Minerals Local Plan Review 2002-2016 The Minerals Plan was formally adopted by County on 27th March. Copies of the Plan are available for inspection at Hertfordshire County Council, District Council and libraries and on County’s website at www.hertsdirect.org. 4.3 Lubbock Fine: Audit 2006/7 The Public Audit Day has been set for 13th July. The Parish Council books will be available for inspection from 15th June to 12th July 2007. The books have been balanced to the year end and the Accountant is drawing up the accounts for 2006/2007. 4.4 Hertfordshire Highways: bus stop layby on A5183 Residents in Shafford cottages are endeavouring to get the speed limits on the A5183 reduced. This is being investigated as part of an overall scheme of proposals for the A5183. One of the proposals suggested by the Parish Council is for a bus layby to be installed at the bus stop to allow passengers to get on and off the bus safely. 4.5 Redbourn Care Group i) Proposed Care Group Garage Discussions are taking place between Redbourn Care Group and the Fire Services to build a garage for the Care Group minibus at the Fire Station in Dunstable Road. ii) Proposed new minibus The Care Group has placed an order with Held the Aged for a new minibus to be delivered in the Summer. 4.6 Cannon Morgan & Rheinberg: Retirement of two partners Notification has been received that two partners are to retire from the Cannon Morgan & Rheinberg Partnership, the architects who designed the Parish Centre, but their services will be retained as consultants. 4.7 Carter Jonas: Rubbish dumped in footpath off Chequer Lane Carter Jonas has written to the tenant requesting the rubbish in the field adjacent to the Ver Valley Walk be cleared. The tenant has assured them that within two months there will be no further rubbish on the site. 4.8 Mrs Brown: footpath from Aubrey Lane Copy letters to and from Balfour Beatty Skanska regarding the difficulty of getting from Aubrey Lane to the village on foot and concerns regarding the run-off water and safety issues with the balancing ponds near the Nicky Line were noted. Members agreed that the road from Aubrey Lane to the village was dangerous for pedestrians and thought that safety would be improved if the speed limit was decreased. The Clerk was instructed to include this as an item on the next Hertfordshire Highways meeting and to invite Mrs Brown to attend the meeting. 4.9 Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils i) Newsletter: noted ii) NALC Conference The NALC Conference is to be held on 5th-7th October in Bournemouth. The Clerk to ascertain whether it is possible to obtain a one day pass and how much this would cost. 4.10 Information received and not circulated The following information was received but not circulated: District Council agendas and minutes. 5. BANK MANDATE 5.1 Bank Policy Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the following Bank Policy be adopted. a) a bank account be continued with HSBC (the ‘bank’) b) the bank be authorised to (1) pay all cheques, (2) accept other instructions for payment, (3) stop such payments, (4) deliver any item held on behalf of the Parish Council by the bank in safe keeping and (5) conduct any other transaction (including closure of the account) when such cheques or instructions are signed by any two of the listed signatories (see (d)). c) any debt incurred by the bank, in the absence of written agreement by the bank, be repayable on demand. d) the Parish Council will provide a list of permitted signatories to the bank from time to time. This list will always be sent to the bank with an accompanying letter signed by the Parish Council Clerk and either the Chairman of the Parish Council or the Chairman of the Parish Council Finance Committee. The bank may only rely on such lists communicated to them in this manner. e) each time a Councillor resigns a letter will be written to the bank within one week highlighting that the Councillor in question should be removed from the list of permitted signatories. This notification will always be sent to the bank with an accompanying letter signed by the Parish Council Clerk and either the Chairman of the Parish Council or the Chairman of the Parish Council Finance Committee. f) within a month, following a Council wide election, a letter will be sent to the bank as prescribed in (d) with a list of new signatories. This letter should highlight that the previous list should be disregarded from that date forward. g) any other changes to the relationship or the structure of the account will be communicated to the bank in writing with the letter signed by the Parish Council Clerk and either the Chairman of the Parish Council or the Chairman of the Parish Council Finance Committee. h) The cheque book remains in the charge of the Clerk at all times i) The Clerk is authorised to draw petty cash cheques – a letter to this effect, signed by two signatories is kept on file at HSBC The Clerk to inform the bank that Messrs Rosen and Pierpoint are no longer members of the Parish Council. 5.2 Bank Mandate It was agreed that all members should sign the bank mandate. The Clerk to ascertain whether members have to resubmit their details to the bank. 6. Reports Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED to adopt the following reports i) Planning (23rd April 2007) It was noted that a Call In form for a development in Monks Close had not been received by the District Council before the expiry time. The District Council said they could not accept the form as it was submitted too late and was signed by a Councillor who lost his seat at the last election (although he was a District Councillor at the time the form was submitted). It was agreed that the Parish Council procedures for Call In should be tightened. It was noted that the District Council is also reviewing its procedures. A member has suggested that it would be more appropriate if the District Council accepted Call In forms signed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Parish Council Planning Committee who would have more knowledge of a particular application than a District Councillor who had been asked to call it in.
ii) Firework Working Party
iii) Annual Parish Meeting
The following reports were noted i) Village Hall Management Committee (10th April 2007)
ii) Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society: The plants are being removed from the planters and replanting will take place at the end of May/early June. A hanging basket evening is being held at Godly Roses on 30th May and a trip to Coton Manor has been organised on 7th June. The local competitions will be advertised soon. Entry forms are available from the library, post office and Godly Roses. Entry forms are not required for the front garden competition as all front gardens are judged. The Anglia in Bloom judges will be visiting the village in the middle of July. Membership of the Society has increased to 66 households. An article on Redbourn in Bloom is being published in the June issue of Hertfordshire Life
. vii) Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust: The merger of the Redbourn Playing Fields Trust and the Recreation Centre is progressing. The Annual General Meeting is to be published shortly. The staffing issues have been resolved. Holiday Play Schemes are being organised. There are still some empty periods at the Centre during the day which need to be filled. A marketing expert is assisting the Centre with publicity and is redesigning the leaflets. The Centre is currently operating without a lease between the newly formed Trust and the Parish Council. Following several meetings it was thought that an agreement had been reached but the Trust raised queries at the eleventh hour resulting in further discussions. A meeting is to be held next week and it was agreed that Councillor Lowen, Bull and the Clerk would represent the Parish Council. Councillor Schofield and Inger Cooper will represent the Trust. It is hoped an agreement will be reached and the amended lease will be placed before the next meeting of the Parish Council for approval. The newly formed Trust will continue with fundraising for the Centre. It was noted that any new projects should be carefully considered and the staffing implications taken into account. It has been suggested that future Parish Council grants should be used for revenue rather than capital projects. 7. Cumberland Garden Both the Parish Council solicitor and the District Council Solicitor are chasing Miller Homes in an endeavour to complete the legal procedures for Cumberland Garden. The Health Centre wish to use the garden for a function at the end of May. They have been informed that they should seek permission from Miller Homes who remain the owners of the land until it is officially handed over to the Parish Council. The Clerk was instructed to write to all parties concerned inviting them to attend a meeting to discuss what steps are necessary to speed up the formalities and ensure the garden is open at the earliest opportunity. It was agreed that once the Parish Council has ownership an opening event should be arranged. 8 Other business 8.1 Cycle Paths An item on Cycle Paths from St Albans to Redbourn is to be placed on the agenda of the next meeting. 8.2 Finances An item is to be placed on the next Agenda to discuss the reallocation of • Election budget
• Balance in Vital Village budget 9. Questions from the Public A member of the public reported that considerable amounts of rubbish have been dumped in Gaddesden Lane. 10. Date and time of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Parish Council is to be held on Thursday, 21st June 2007. Signed ………………………………………………………………. Date………………………………… Return to the top of the page REDBOURN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Parish Council held on Thursday, 15th March 2007 at 7.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Redbourn Village Hall. PRESENT: Councillor A V Bull, Chairman, K Maidment, Dr W S Pierpoint, P Rosen, R Stent and A E Swendell, Mrs V Windle IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs D Whiskin, Clerk to the Council, Rev W Gibbs, County Councillor D Hills APOLOGIES: Councillors Mrs C Cardy (work commitment), J Lowen (work commitment Mrs M Maynard (illness), C O’Donovan (work commitment) Mrs P Schofield (illness) There were no declarations of interest 222 Notification of Other Urgent Business There was no notification of other urgent business. 223 Minutes of the previous meeting Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15th February 2007 be signed as a true record. 224 Variation in the order of business Having been duly proposed and seconded it was agreed that the Questions from the Public be taken as the first item of business. 225 Questions from the Public Rev W Gibbs, St Marys Church, informed members of the ongoing delays in concluding the legal paperwork to formalise the acquisition of the additional land for the extension to the Churchyard and of the difficulties this was posing to the residents of Redbourn. No burials can take place until the additional land is acquired. A legal representative, highly experienced in ecclesiastical law, is acting on behalf of St Mary’s and is frustrated by the delays. A member pointed out that the land belongs to a local farmer and part of land is in the Flamstead which may be partly responsible for the delays. He agreed to speak to the relevant solicitor and the portfolio holder and stress the importance of finalising the matter. The Clerk to • write to the District Council with a copy to the Chief Executive • arrange a meeting with the officer progressing this matter Reverend Gibbs said he would be happy to hold an on site meeting to show members the site of the extension should they so wish. 226 Finance 226.1 Accounts for payment Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the accounts on the attached sheet be paid. CIT have reported that the cheque in payment of their January account has not been received. It was agreed that the cheque should be cancelled and a replacement issued. 226.2 Moneymarket investment The moneymarket investment was noted. 227 School Transport 227.1 Correspondence/report Correspondence from Councillor Hills and a report from Councillor Windle on school transport were circulated. Because of the ongoing problems of not knowing whether children will be able to secure a place on the bus Harpenden parents have formed a committee to organise their own transport to local schools. The bus costs £205 a day to operate and parents pay £280 a term for a seat on the bus compared. This is more expensive than the County run bus which is £190 a term but parents are prepared to pay this as it is reliable. 50 pupils use the bus; 25 from Harpenden and 25 from Wheathampstead. County finances one place on the bus for a pupil who is entitled to free transport. Members felt that there would be too few pupils in Redbourn to make the system viable. 227.2 School Travel Plan A copy of the school Travel Plan was circulated and noted. 227.3 Signs to Schools Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would finance five signs to the schools in Redbourn to be financed from the unallocated grant budget. The Chairman agreed to draw up a map showing the location of the signs which is to be forwarded to the relevant parties for approval. It was noted that there is a gate in Snatchup which could be used to gain access to the school which may help to ease congestion in Long Cutt. The Clerk to forward this suggestion to the schools. CORRESPONDENCE 228 St Albans City & District Council 228.1 Licensing A member reported that when the Government transferred responsibility for licensing from the Courts to Local Authorities it did not ensure that there was sufficient funding to cover the costs. As a result a signific
Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
Councillor A V Bull Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Councillor R Stent Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society
Councillor C O’Donovan Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust
Councillor Mrs M Maynard Redbourn Museum 1 Notification of Other Urgent Business 1.1 Cycle paths to St Albans
1.2 Reallocation of Election and Vital Village Plan budgets
2 Minutes of the previous meeting Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 19th April 2007 be signed as a true record. 3. Finance
3.1 To approve accounts for payment
Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the accounts on the attached be paid. 3.2 Moneymarket investment The moneymarket investment was noted. 4. CORRESPONDENCE 4.1 St Albans District Council: Bowling Green Project: VAT The Parish Council was advised by HM Revenue & Customs that it could not reclaim VAT on the District Council grant for the bowling green and it asked the District Council to do so on its behalf. The District Council has received a letter advising that it cannot do so because “it has not received any benefits in return nor is the Council making any supplies of the bowling green” the letter goes on to say “however, this would not preclude the Parish Council submitting a claim if they have incurred expenses directly”. Members felt there were some inconsistencies between advice given to the Parish Council and the District Council. It was agreed that Councillor Lowen should draft a letter regarding this issue to HM Revenue & Customs on behalf of the Parish Council. Councillor Lowen also agreed to draft a VAT policy for the Parish Council. 4.2 Hertfordshire County Council i) Local Government Pension Scheme A briefing note on the valuation of the Pension Fund was noted and the contents agreed. ii) Adoption of Minerals Local Plan Review 2002-2016 The Minerals Plan was formally adopted by County on 27th March. Copies of the Plan are available for inspection at Hertfordshire County Council, District Council and libraries and on County’s website at www.hertsdirect.org. 4.3 Lubbock Fine: Audit 2006/7 The Public Audit Day has been set for 13th July. The Parish Council books will be available for inspection from 15th June to 12th July 2007. The books have been balanced to the year end and the Accountant is drawing up the accounts for 2006/2007. 4.4 Hertfordshire Highways: bus stop layby on A5183 Residents in Shafford cottages are endeavouring to get the speed limits on the A5183 reduced. This is being investigated as part of an overall scheme of proposals for the A5183. One of the proposals suggested by the Parish Council is for a bus layby to be installed at the bus stop to allow passengers to get on and off the bus safely. 4.5 Redbourn Care Group i) Proposed Care Group Garage Discussions are taking place between Redbourn Care Group and the Fire Services to build a garage for the Care Group minibus at the Fire Station in Dunstable Road. ii) Proposed new minibus The Care Group has placed an order with Held the Aged for a new minibus to be delivered in the Summer. 4.6 Cannon Morgan & Rheinberg: Retirement of two partners Notification has been received that two partners are to retire from the Cannon Morgan & Rheinberg Partnership, the architects who designed the Parish Centre, but their services will be retained as consultants. 4.7 Carter Jonas: Rubbish dumped in footpath off Chequer Lane Carter Jonas has written to the tenant requesting the rubbish in the field adjacent to the Ver Valley Walk be cleared. The tenant has assured them that within two months there will be no further rubbish on the site. 4.8 Mrs Brown: footpath from Aubrey Lane Copy letters to and from Balfour Beatty Skanska regarding the difficulty of getting from Aubrey Lane to the village on foot and concerns regarding the run-off water and safety issues with the balancing ponds near the Nicky Line were noted. Members agreed that the road from Aubrey Lane to the village was dangerous for pedestrians and thought that safety would be improved if the speed limit was decreased. The Clerk was instructed to include this as an item on the next Hertfordshire Highways meeting and to invite Mrs Brown to attend the meeting. 4.9 Hertfordshire Association of Parish and Town Councils i) Newsletter: noted ii) NALC Conference The NALC Conference is to be held on 5th-7th October in Bournemouth. The Clerk to ascertain whether it is possible to obtain a one day pass and how much this would cost. 4.10 Information received and not circulated The following information was received but not circulated: District Council agendas and minutes. 5. BANK MANDATE 5.1 Bank Policy Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the following Bank Policy be adopted. a) a bank account be continued with HSBC (the ‘bank’) b) the bank be authorised to (1) pay all cheques, (2) accept other instructions for payment, (3) stop such payments, (4) deliver any item held on behalf of the Parish Council by the bank in safe keeping and (5) conduct any other transaction (including closure of the account) when such cheques or instructions are signed by any two of the listed signatories (see (d)). c) any debt incurred by the bank, in the absence of written agreement by the bank, be repayable on demand. d) the Parish Council will provide a list of permitted signatories to the bank from time to time. This list will always be sent to the bank with an accompanying letter signed by the Parish Council Clerk and either the Chairman of the Parish Council or the Chairman of the Parish Council Finance Committee. The bank may only rely on such lists communicated to them in this manner. e) each time a Councillor resigns a letter will be written to the bank within one week highlighting that the Councillor in question should be removed from the list of permitted signatories. This notification will always be sent to the bank with an accompanying letter signed by the Parish Council Clerk and either the Chairman of the Parish Council or the Chairman of the Parish Council Finance Committee. f) within a month, following a Council wide election, a letter will be sent to the bank as prescribed in (d) with a list of new signatories. This letter should highlight that the previous list should be disregarded from that date forward. g) any other changes to the relationship or the structure of the account will be communicated to the bank in writing with the letter signed by the Parish Council Clerk and either the Chairman of the Parish Council or the Chairman of the Parish Council Finance Committee. h) The cheque book remains in the charge of the Clerk at all times i) The Clerk is authorised to draw petty cash cheques – a letter to this effect, signed by two signatories is kept on file at HSBC The Clerk to inform the bank that Messrs Rosen and Pierpoint are no longer members of the Parish Council. 5.2 Bank Mandate It was agreed that all members should sign the bank mandate. The Clerk to ascertain whether members have to resubmit their details to the bank. 6. Reports Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED to adopt the following reports i) Planning (23rd April 2007) It was noted that a Call In form for a development in Monks Close had not been received by the District Council before the expiry time. The District Council said they could not accept the form as it was submitted too late and was signed by a Councillor who lost his seat at the last election (although he was a District Councillor at the time the form was submitted). It was agreed that the Parish Council procedures for Call In should be tightened. It was noted that the District Council is also reviewing its procedures. A member has suggested that it would be more appropriate if the District Council accepted Call In forms signed by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Parish Council Planning Committee who would have more knowledge of a particular application than a District Councillor who had been asked to call it in.
ii) Firework Working Party
iii) Annual Parish Meeting
The following reports were noted i) Village Hall Management Committee (10th April 2007)
ii) Redbourn in Bloom Horticultural Society: The plants are being removed from the planters and replanting will take place at the end of May/early June. A hanging basket evening is being held at Godly Roses on 30th May and a trip to Coton Manor has been organised on 7th June. The local competitions will be advertised soon. Entry forms are available from the library, post office and Godly Roses. Entry forms are not required for the front garden competition as all front gardens are judged. The Anglia in Bloom judges will be visiting the village in the middle of July. Membership of the Society has increased to 66 households. An article on Redbourn in Bloom is being published in the June issue of Hertfordshire Life
. vii) Redbourn Recreation Centre and Playing Fields Trust: The merger of the Redbourn Playing Fields Trust and the Recreation Centre is progressing. The Annual General Meeting is to be published shortly. The staffing issues have been resolved. Holiday Play Schemes are being organised. There are still some empty periods at the Centre during the day which need to be filled. A marketing expert is assisting the Centre with publicity and is redesigning the leaflets. The Centre is currently operating without a lease between the newly formed Trust and the Parish Council. Following several meetings it was thought that an agreement had been reached but the Trust raised queries at the eleventh hour resulting in further discussions. A meeting is to be held next week and it was agreed that Councillor Lowen, Bull and the Clerk would represent the Parish Council. Councillor Schofield and Inger Cooper will represent the Trust. It is hoped an agreement will be reached and the amended lease will be placed before the next meeting of the Parish Council for approval. The newly formed Trust will continue with fundraising for the Centre. It was noted that any new projects should be carefully considered and the staffing implications taken into account. It has been suggested that future Parish Council grants should be used for revenue rather than capital projects. 7. Cumberland Garden Both the Parish Council solicitor and the District Council Solicitor are chasing Miller Homes in an endeavour to complete the legal procedures for Cumberland Garden. The Health Centre wish to use the garden for a function at the end of May. They have been informed that they should seek permission from Miller Homes who remain the owners of the land until it is officially handed over to the Parish Council. The Clerk was instructed to write to all parties concerned inviting them to attend a meeting to discuss what steps are necessary to speed up the formalities and ensure the garden is open at the earliest opportunity. It was agreed that once the Parish Council has ownership an opening event should be arranged. 8 Other business 8.1 Cycle Paths An item on Cycle Paths from St Albans to Redbourn is to be placed on the agenda of the next meeting. 8.2 Finances An item is to be placed on the next Agenda to discuss the reallocation of • Election budget
• Balance in Vital Village budget 9. Questions from the Public A member of the public reported that considerable amounts of rubbish have been dumped in Gaddesden Lane. 10. Date and time of Next Meeting The next meeting of the Parish Council is to be held on Thursday, 21st June 2007. Signed ………………………………………………………………. Date………………………………… Return to the top of the page REDBOURN PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Parish Council held on Thursday, 15th March 2007 at 7.30 pm in the Council Chamber, Redbourn Village Hall. PRESENT: Councillor A V Bull, Chairman, K Maidment, Dr W S Pierpoint, P Rosen, R Stent and A E Swendell, Mrs V Windle IN ATTENDANCE: Mrs D Whiskin, Clerk to the Council, Rev W Gibbs, County Councillor D Hills APOLOGIES: Councillors Mrs C Cardy (work commitment), J Lowen (work commitment Mrs M Maynard (illness), C O’Donovan (work commitment) Mrs P Schofield (illness) There were no declarations of interest 222 Notification of Other Urgent Business There was no notification of other urgent business. 223 Minutes of the previous meeting Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the minutes of the previous meeting held on 15th February 2007 be signed as a true record. 224 Variation in the order of business Having been duly proposed and seconded it was agreed that the Questions from the Public be taken as the first item of business. 225 Questions from the Public Rev W Gibbs, St Marys Church, informed members of the ongoing delays in concluding the legal paperwork to formalise the acquisition of the additional land for the extension to the Churchyard and of the difficulties this was posing to the residents of Redbourn. No burials can take place until the additional land is acquired. A legal representative, highly experienced in ecclesiastical law, is acting on behalf of St Mary’s and is frustrated by the delays. A member pointed out that the land belongs to a local farmer and part of land is in the Flamstead which may be partly responsible for the delays. He agreed to speak to the relevant solicitor and the portfolio holder and stress the importance of finalising the matter. The Clerk to • write to the District Council with a copy to the Chief Executive • arrange a meeting with the officer progressing this matter Reverend Gibbs said he would be happy to hold an on site meeting to show members the site of the extension should they so wish. 226 Finance 226.1 Accounts for payment Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the accounts on the attached sheet be paid. CIT have reported that the cheque in payment of their January account has not been received. It was agreed that the cheque should be cancelled and a replacement issued. 226.2 Moneymarket investment The moneymarket investment was noted. 227 School Transport 227.1 Correspondence/report Correspondence from Councillor Hills and a report from Councillor Windle on school transport were circulated. Because of the ongoing problems of not knowing whether children will be able to secure a place on the bus Harpenden parents have formed a committee to organise their own transport to local schools. The bus costs £205 a day to operate and parents pay £280 a term for a seat on the bus compared. This is more expensive than the County run bus which is £190 a term but parents are prepared to pay this as it is reliable. 50 pupils use the bus; 25 from Harpenden and 25 from Wheathampstead. County finances one place on the bus for a pupil who is entitled to free transport. Members felt that there would be too few pupils in Redbourn to make the system viable. 227.2 School Travel Plan A copy of the school Travel Plan was circulated and noted. 227.3 Signs to Schools Having been duly proposed and seconded it was RESOLVED that the Parish Council would finance five signs to the schools in Redbourn to be financed from the unallocated grant budget. The Chairman agreed to draw up a map showing the location of the signs which is to be forwarded to the relevant parties for approval. It was noted that there is a gate in Snatchup which could be used to gain access to the school which may help to ease congestion in Long Cutt. The Clerk to forward this suggestion to the schools. CORRESPONDENCE 228 St Albans City & District Council 228.1 Licensing A member reported that when the Government transferred responsibility for licensing from the Courts to Local Authorities it did not ensure that there was sufficient funding to cover the costs. As a result a signific