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Minutes - 10/03/10 |
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SANDRIDGE PARISH COUNCIL
Met at Marshalswick Community Centre on
Wednesday 10th March 2010 at 7.30 pm.
PRESENT:
Councillors David Terrar (in the Chair), Lyn Bolton, Geoff Churchard, Janet Churchard, Tony Farnfield,
John Foster, John Hale, John Harmsworth,
Barbara Gibson, Natalie Kemp, Peter Kennedy,
John Newton-Davies, James Spencer
APOLOGIES:
Councillor Chris Hackett
OFFICER:
Mrs. Diane Winn, Clerk of the Council
IN ATTENDANCE:
Louise Neicho, Alistair Crosby from the Woodland Trust
Mr. Doug Neville, St. Albans Cycle Campaign
The Chairman welcomed Louise Neicho and Alistair Crosby from The Woodland Trust and Doug Neville representing the St. Albans Cycle Campaign in attendance to discuss cycleways.
Councillor Geoff Churchard explained that the Mayor of St.Albans, Councillor Chris Oxley, wished to pursue the possibility of routes to increase the number of cycleways in the district and was keen to secure safe routes from Wheathampstead and Harpenden going south towards St. Albans and east towards Hatfield and Welwyn Garden City. It is believed that Heartwood Forest is in a strategic position whereby some of these routes might link up.
Louise and Alistair explained that cycleways featured in the Environmental Impact Assessment, the results of which showed a wide interest in cycle access. The route foremost in their planning at present is along the B631 which is the footpath from Sandridge to Normansland Common; it is planned that this will become a footpath/cycleway/bridlepath . A map of Heartwood Forest showing existing cycle routes was tabled and discussed at length and interest was expressed in taking the cycleway to Luton. It was also suggested that directional sign-posts made of wood be installed. After discussion, Louise and Alistair agreed to take the suggestions made to the next meeting of the St. Albans Cycling Forum to be held on the 24th March 2010.
Alistair explained that plans for the car park were shortly to be submitted to St. Albans District Council and he was asked to consider if the impact of possible increased traffic into the village had been considered and whether the Woodland Trust would consider traffic calming measures. He explained that the 30 and 40 m.p.h. signs would be moved further away from the village and this could potentially help.
The Chairman thanked them for coming and giving an interesting presentation.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Councillor Barbara Gibson declared an interest in item 5.3 as she is Chairman of the St. Albans Association for the Disabled and Councillor Lyn Bolton declared an interest in item 5.6 as Co-ordinator of the Jersey Farm Day Care Centre.
4146 MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on the 10th February 2010, having previously been circulated, were taken as a correct record and it was unanimously:
RESOLVED
That the minutes of the meeting held on the 10th February 2010 be approved and signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
4147 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES NOT ON THE AGENDA
The Chairman reported on his negotiations with Chiltern Sports Contractors who have offered to supply us free of charge with two sets of tennis nets and posts and to service the floodlighting system at a total cost of £877.00 + VAT to compensate for the drainage problems experienced, and rectified, by Sandridge Parish Council.
Councillor Barbara Gibson has arranged an improved Marshalswick route for the PPH bus for the elderly and disabled which will be publicised on our notice boards and in Neighbourhood News. These changes do not incur extra costs to the Council.
The Clerk has written to BT Openreach to ascertain the proposed locations for the next generation access cabinets but to date no response has been received.
4148 ISSUES FOR DISCUSSION
1. Public Participation
There were no members of the public in attendance.
2. Monthly Accounts
The list of payments made for the period 11th February to 10th March 2010 was circulated with the agenda. Councillor Lyn Bolton expressed concern at the cost of litter picking by John O’Conner and it was suggested this matter be placed on the agenda of the next Finance and Quality Parish Council Committee meeting. She also expressed concern about paying the invoice from Abbey Furniture as the stacking chairs did not stack. It was suggested the Combined Community Centre Committee resolve this issue and in the meantime, the cheque will not be signed.
RESOLVED
That the cheques drawn for the period 11th February to 10th March 2010 be signed by the Chairman and a member of the Finance Committee with the exception of cheque number 001382 to Abbey Furniture.
3. Sherwood Avenue Tennis Clubhouse – Lease Arrangements
It is proposed that Hertfordshire County Council will demolish the existing tennis clubhouse in the Sherwood Avenue recreation ground and build a new structure for the SureStart programme. Sandridge Parish Council leases the recreation ground from St. Albans District Council and a new lease is required.
The proposed main heads of terms for the new lease, together with underleases to Hertfordshire County Council and the St. Albans Association for the Disabled were circulated with the agenda. Also circulated was an e:mail from the Hertfordshire County Council agents expressing concern relating to two of the clauses contained within the proposed lease.
After discussion, it was agreed that a small working party, comprising of two Councillors plus the Clerk, be formed to negotiate the main heads of terms and the underleases. Councillors Peter Kennedy, Geoff Churchard, Natalie Kemp and John Newton-Davies offered to form the working group of which two will attend meetings along with the Clerk.
4. Spencer Meadow Recreation Ground – Pitch and Court Fees
The schedule of pitch hire fees and tennis court usage in force from the 1st April 2009 was circulated with the agenda. After discussion it was unanimously:
RESOLVED
In view of the current economic climate, no increase would be levied for 2010-2011 for pitch hire and tennis court fees as per the attached schedule.
5. Sandridge Cricket Club
A request from Sandridge Cricket Club for financial assistance towards the contractor cost of cutting the outfield to club cricket standard was circulated with the agenda and following discussion, it was unanimously:
RESOLVED
To award Sandridge Cricket Club the sum of £605.00 for the 2010 season to offset the increase pitch fees to fund the extra cuts to the outfield.
This grant to be made from Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 s.19 spending powers in relation to Recreation.
6. Jersey Farm Day Care Centre
A request from the Jersey Farm Day Care Centre for financial assistance towards the cost of hiring Jersey Farm Community Centre was circulated with the agenda and following discussion, it was unanimously:
RESOLVED
To award the Jersey Farm Day Care Centre the sum of £860.00 towards the hire fees of Jersey Farm Community Centre.
This grant to be made from Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 s.19 spending powers in relation to Community Centres.
7. Maintenance of St. Leonard’s Cemetery
A request from the volunteers who cut the grass in St. Leonard’s Church cemetery for financial assistance in purchasing a sit on mower was circulated with the agenda.
Following discussion, it was agreed in principle to grant an award, subject to the mower being the property of St. Leonard’s Parochial Church Council as the legal framework governing parish councils would not permit funding to an individual.
Vote - 12 in favour
- 1 against
The motion is carried.
Post meeting note: The mower is the property of St. Leonard’s Parochial Church Council.
The grant to be made from Local Government Act 1972, s.251 relating to Churchyards.
8. Jersey Farm Woodland Park
An e:mail from Ken Rirsch who sits on the Jersey Farm Woodland Park Management Committee, was circulated with the agenda.
He was proposing to take on the role of Park Warden by providing twice daily visits to the Jersey Farm Woodland Park and being the eyes and the ears of Sandridge Parish Council. After discussion, it was agreed that the new Police Dog Watch Scheme, other users of the Park, the Committee and park maintenance personnel would alert us to problems, Therefore, it was proposed to decline the offer made by Ken Rirsch.
Vote - 8 in favour
- 1 against
- 4 abstentions
The motion is carried.
9. Christmas Lights/Decorations in the Parish
Towards the end of 2009, members gave consideration to providing Christmas lights/decorations around the Parish and although some costings were available, the time-scale was insufficient to make suitable arrangements. Over the Christmas period, members observed the use of solar powered lights in the district.
After discussion, it was agreed that the Clerk would pursue the possibility of solar powered lights and to make contact with Brian Peers of St. Albans District Council who had been instrumental in obtaining solar powered lights in St. Albans City.
10. Salt/Grit Bins
Following the meeting held on the 10th February 2010, Sandridge Parish Council provided Hertfordshire Highways with a list of suggested locations for salt/grit bins to ease problems in the icy conditions. Hertfordshire Highways response was circulated with the agenda.
Members considered the response negative as only 3 of the 17 suggested locations were to be considered as possibilities by Hertfordshire Highways and some had been refused as they are on a gritting route and not eligible. The Clerk to write to Hertfordshire Highways stating that if salt/grit bins were available for the public to use, then pavements which are not covered by gritting lorries could be treated and to ask them to re-consider.
11. Traffic Calming/Roadwork Wish List
A wish list of traffic calming measures and road works submitted to the Parish Office by members was circulated with the agenda.
The item considered of high importance is the installation of a vehicle activated sign on the south side of the 30 m.p.h. sign on St. Albans Road near Sandridge High Street; the Clerk to seek to get this put on the agenda of the next Highways Joint Panel meeting with an offer of funding towards the installation by Sandridge Parish Council.
The wish list to be submitted to Hertfordshire Highways highlighting the need for a vehicle activated sign and the introduction of a pedestrian crossing along Sandringham Crescent in the vicinity of St. Brelades Place.
12. Oak Tree at Sherwood Avenue Recreation Ground
Following concerns raised about a large Oak tree at Sherwood Avenue recreation ground after being struck by lighting, two quotations to carry out a health and safety assessment and provide an arboricultural report were circulated with the agenda.
Following consideration of the quotations, it was agreed to ask the opinion of Andrew Branch, Trees & Woodlands Officer of St. Albans District Council. The Clerk to check the current lease held with St. Albans District Council to ensure tree work can be carried out by Sandridge Parish Council.
13. Sandridge Village Hall Car Park
It has now been established that Sandridge Parish Council is responsible for the up-keep of Sandridge Village Hall car park (with the exception of the toilets and parking enforcement). The hedge running the length of the car park has become overgrown and is encroaching on the car parking spaces and it was unanimously:
RESOLVED
To accept the quotation in the sum of £275.00 from Rural Renovations to cut the hedge.
14. Launch of Hertfordshire’s Policing Plan 2010/13
Details of the above launch taking place on Monday 29th March were circulated with the agenda and Councillor John Foster offered to attend on behalf of Sandridge Parish Council.
15. St. Albans District Council – Litter Pick Week 20th – 28th March 2010
A copy of the letter from St. Albans District Council concerning the litter pick taking place between the 20th and 28th March 2010 was circulated with the agenda. The Clerk explained that for several years the Parish Paths & Environment Committee and the PEAP Committee had organised litter picks to coincide with the District Council’s initiative but our efforts did not seem to attract any helpers other than members of Parish Council and its Committee members. St. Albans District Council was asked if they could advertise the event more widely to raise its profile and also give us more notice to organise an event .but the recent letter was received by the Parish Office on the 1st March 2010 giving little notice.
It was agreed to reiterate our request for more notice of the dates chosen annually for the litter pick and to request that St. Albans District Council reinstate litter picking along Jersey Lane.
16. Revised Code of Conduct for Members of Local Authorities
NALC Legal briefing L01-10 was circulated with the agenda and it was duly noted that the introduction of the proposed Revised Code of Conduct for Members of Local Authorities was being postponed until after the Parliamentary General Election.
17. Finance and Quality Parish Council Committee
The Part I minutes of the Finance and Quality Parish Council Committee meeting held on the 16th February 2010, having previously been circulated, was taken as a correct record.
Councillor John Hale highlighted the following points:
The SAGE reports showed that income and expenditure were in line with what was expected.
Recommendations contained within the internal audit report for 2009-2010 were carefully considered and the relevant action has been taken and procedures have been implemented.
A review of the effectiveness of the internal audit was carried out and after considering the letter of engagement dated the 24th November 2009, the Committee agreed the internal auditor is still independent, the scope of procedures set out in the engagement letter are appropriate, he is qualified for and competent to perform the role and the letter of engagement clearly defines his responsibilities and those of the Clerk/RFO and members of the Council. The Committee feels we have appropriate procedures in place for the audit and would like to bring this to the attention of Full Council.
We have agreed a contract of employment for Martine Barnes who has taken on the role of Community Centre Manager.
We are confident that the asset register is a fairly comprehensive list of our assets.
4149 CORRESPONDENCE AND MATTERS OF NOTE
The Clerk tabled a letter from St. Albans District Council and members were pleased to note they are offering a contribution of £1,950 towards planting three roundabouts in the Parish.
An e:mail request was tabled from Harriers Volleyball Club seeking permission to hold a tournament at Spencer Meadow recreation ground on Sunday 18th July 2010. Members were happy with the arrangements suggested.
4150 PLANNING MATTERS
An Enquiry by the Secretary of State into the Ardens Rise planning applications was heard on the 16th, 17th and 18th March at St. Albans District Council offices. The hearing was not concluded and will continue on the 20th, 21st and 22nd July 2010.
Timber Shed at 44 Pondfield Crescent. Having viewed the plans, members agreed to object to the plans on the grounds of its bulk and intrusion on the neighbours views.
After discussion, the Clerk to write to Head of Planning at St. Albans District Council asking them to put pressure on BT to be more sensitive in placing the new large green cabinets.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday 14th April 2010 at 7.00 pm followed by the meeting of Sandridge Parish Council at 7.30 pm on Wednesday 14th April 2010.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.35 pm
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