WATFORD RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING of the COUNCIL MEETING held at the Parish Hall, Oxhey Drive on
WEDNESDAY 4th NOVEMBER 2015 @ 8.30PM
Ahead of the meeting Alan Head from Three Rivers District updated the Parish Council on matters
concerning the South Oxhey Initiative. This update was not open to the public. The public
exhibition will be held on 13th/14th November 2015.
Attendance:
Councillor Valerie Coltman (Chairperson)
Councillor Ty Harris (Vice Chairperson)
Councillor David Coltman
Councillor Yessica Gould
Councillor Joan King
Councillor Pam King
Councillor Shanti Maru
Councillor Sean McCluskey
Councillor Brendan O’Brien
Councillor Alison Scarth
Councillor William Waite
Police:
Not in attendance
Officer:
Michele Fundrey – Clerk
Public:
0
Apologies:
Councillor Terry Dos Ramos
Councillor Ann Grant
Councillor Angela Roberts
209.
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
The apologies were noted and accepted.
210.
DECLARATIONS
No declarations were received.
211.
POLICE MATTERS
The Police were unable to attend, but sent the latest newsletter which was distributed.
The contents of which were noted.
212.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public present.
213.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The Council Meeting Minutes of 7th October 2015 were approved as a true and correct
record, with the following amendment.
Minute 194.2, 2nd line – change “daughter” to “grand-daughter”.
The Chairperson signed the minutes.
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214.
MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING(S)
214.1. Minute 203. – Gas & Electric Contracts
The Clerk reported that quotes were received from Powerhouse, but the quote
from e-on was still the cheapest supply. Therefore, it was agreed to go ahead with
the e-on 3 year contract.
RESOLVED that we enter into a 3 year contract for the gas and electricity supply
with e-on.
214.2. Minute 203.5 – TRDC Invoice for 2011 Election Costs
The Clerk reported that a meeting with TRDC and the Parishes was held in relation
to the election costs. TRDC agreed to review the costs. TRDC have now revised
the figures and these are 50% less than the original figure. The 2011 election
costs to the Parish Council are now £7,936.15 (previously £15,872). It was
unanimously agreed to settle the account based on the revised figure. The Clerk
advised that Freddie Alnutt has now retired and a Mr Richard Harris will be taking
over his role. Mr Harris will be requested to look at a new formula for calculating
the 2015 and future election costs.
RESOLVED that the TRDC 2011 elections costs of £7,936.15 are paid upon
invoice.
215.
CORRESPONDENCE FOR CONSIDERATION
215.1. Hertfordshire County Council – Transport Vision 2050
The contents were noted.
215.2. Hertfordshire County Council – Primary Support Base Closure, Highwood
School
This item was discussed at some length. Due to the timescale of the consultation
closure date, Members agreed that they would individually look further into the
Primary Support Base and send their comments directly to HCC. The Clerk is to
request clarification on the 2 conflicting paragraphs on page 1 and 2, as firstly HCC
state that it is a review and secondly the Governing Body states that they cannot
offer this provision once Highwood School has converted to academy status.
215.3. Grant Request – Oxhey Jets Football Club
Consideration was given to the grant request for £500 towards the cost of hire of
the astro-turf area for the Youth & Academy team members training.
RESOLVED that the Oxhey Jets Football Club be granted £500.00 towards the
funding of the astro-turf hire for training.
216.
PLANNING/LICENSE APPLICATIONS
The planning applications for October were noted with no comments.
217.
SOI UPDATE
Update received from Alan Head prior to the meeting.
218.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS / REPORTS
218.1. Events Committee Minutes 13.10.15
The minutes were noted.
218.2. F&A Committee Minutes 21.10.15
218.2.1. The recommendation that the “Welcome to South Oxhey” sign is
replaced by TRDC at a cost of £100.00, is approved.
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218.2.2.
RESOLVED that the “Welcome to South Oxhey” sign is ordered and
replaced by TRDC.
The minutes were noted.
218.3. Community Bus Working Party Minutes 21.10.15
The minutes were noted.
219.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
219.1. Accounts
The schedule of accounts for October 2015 were noted and approved.
219.2. Dog Bags
The Clerk reported that some residents are abusing the dog bag scheme by
requesting bags 2/3 times per week. Each pack contains 20 individual bags and
should last at the very least just over a week. The Clerk also reported that it
appears that some people requesting dog bags are from outside the Parish but
work in the vicinity. It was agreed that a notice is to be placed in reception advising
residents that only 1 pack of bags per person per week will be given out and proof
of residency in the Parish may be requested. Bags will not be given out for
neighbours or friends. Only personal callers will receive the bags.
RESOLVED that a notice be placed in reception advising the above.
220.
CHAIRPERSON EVENTS
The events were noted.
221.
OUTSIDE BODY MEETINGS – COUNCILLOR UPDATE
Cllr. Y Gould attended the last Environmental Forum and updated the Members on the
discussion held.
Cllr. Y Gould advised that the it was reported at the Environmental Meeting that there is an
increase in North American Minks. The Minks are eating the local water voles. Last year
was the highest number of Mink caught, but they are still spreading very fast.
Cllr. Y Gould was thanked for the update.
222.
URGENT MATTERS agreed by Chairperson
222.1. Festive Drinks
Depending on a booking in the diary, the Festive Drinks will be held on Thursday
17th December. If this date is not available, the F&A Committee will be moved and
the Festive Drinks will be held on Wednesday 16th December. The Clerk will
confirm.
222.2. Christmas Tree Lights
The Clerk received information just before the meeting that there appears to be a
problem with Ringway allowing Christmas lights to be placed on the Christmas
tree. The Clerk is not aware of the full details, but it seems that we are no longer
allowed to run the cable from the street lights to the top of the tree. The Clerk will
enquire further and report back.
179.
CLOSURE
There being no further business to be considered, the Chairman closed the meeting at
9.42pm.
.........................................................
Chairman, 2nd December 2015
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