WATFORD RURAL PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING of the Council Meeting held at the Parish Hall, Oxhey Drive on
WEDNESDAY 5th February 2014 at 7.30 pm.
101.
PRESENT
Councillors: Mr B O’Brien (Chaired the Meeting)
Cllr. A Bakshi, Mrs P Hames, Mrs J King, Mr S King, Mrs P King, Mrs A Scarth,
Mr W Waite
Michele Fundrey – Clerk
Sgt. Luke Mitchell - Oxhey Police
APOLOGIES
Apologies for absence were received from:
Councillors: Cllr. D Wilkinson (Chairperson), Mr E Bishop, Mrs D Day, Mr P Gordon,
Mr B Jukes, Mr P C Ray,
102.
DECLARATIONS
The following declarations were received:
Cllr. W Waite declared a non-pecuniary interest in item 7.6 (Scouts grant). Cllr. Waite is
involved in the Scouts Group. Cllr. Waite will leave the room whilst this item is being
considered.
Cllr. S King & Cllr. P Hames declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 8 (Planning)
as they are Members of the Planning Committee at the District Council. Cllrs. King &
Hames will leave the room whilst this item is considered.
103.
POLICE MATTERS
Sgt. Mitchell reported that there had been a dwelling burglary on Hayling Road where
jewellery had been taken. James Street from Cherryhills has been charged with the
burglary.
A male (Roger McConnon) has been charged with handling stolen goods after being
caught in Cash Converters.
Sgt. Mitchell reported that there have been some racial issues taking place at the back of
the shops. Two Asian residents have been verbally abused and the Police are
investigating this.
There was disorder at the Ox Pub on 24.1.14 @ 11.30pm. A large sword and knuckle
dusters were used with numerous injuries sustained. The Police are investigating and
they have lots of CCTV footage. The Ox has now changed Landlord. The Ox is a
problematic pub and the owner is very supportive of Police advice.
Sgt. Mitchell reported that two 10 year old girls were knocked down on a zebra crossing
outside of Greenfield School on Tuesday 4.2.14. One girl was walking wounded, but the
other girl had serous facial injuries and has been transferred to the Royal Free Hospital.
Speed was not a factor. One car had stopped at the zebra crossing but the other
continued, knocking down the girls. Sgt. Mitchell advised that it would be difficult to install
a speed camera on this part of the road due to there being a bend. The Police will be
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attending all 6 schools to speak to children about road safety and ask the children to
create banners and posters about road safety.
The Parish Council would like to contribute to the safety of the school children and one
suggestion was visibility cuffs. Sgt. Mitchell will send the Clerk a link to a website where
these can be purchased. Clerk to report back on the cost at the next meeting.
The Clerk is to write to Greenfield School to pass on the Council’s best wishes for a
speedy recovery for the 2 young girls.
Sgt. Mitchell advised that 3 new PCSO’s were in training. The Members agreed that this
was good news.
Sgt. Mitchell was thanked for his time and left the meeting.
104.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES (8.1.14)
The Minutes were approved as a true record and signed by the Chairperson, but with the
following amendments:Minute 91 correct 6.11.13 to 4.12.13.
Minute 93 correct 6.11.13 to 4.12.13.
Minute 100 – 3rd paragraph - remove Cllr. P Gordon.
105.
PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public present.
106.
MATTERS ARISING FROM PREVIOUS MEETING (8.1.14)
106.1. Minute 90- Police Matters
The Clerk reported that at the Joint Parish Meeting she raised concern regarding
PCSO funding. Chorleywood advised that the Police stop invoicing for the named
PCSO when they leave, but reinstate the invoicing once they have recruited and
have someone in training, this is normally 3 months.
106.2. Minute 93.3 – LSP Nomination
The Clerk has advised the Joint Parish Committee that Cllr. W Waite would like to
be put forward for the above nomination. The Clerk will send Cllr. Waite’s details
to the Chorleywood Clerk.
106.3. Minute 93.4 – Parks
The letter from Geof Muggeridge (TRDC) was noted. The Clerk reported that
TRDC assets were discussed at the Joint Parish Meeting. The Clerk reported the
Council has spent in the region of £200,000+ since the leases expired. It was
interesting to hear the views of the Committee. One suggestion was that WRPC
should pursue the purchase of the parks in light of the fact that we have maintained
the parks for so many years. The other suggestion was, if TRDC will not sell the
parks then request a 999 year lease.
Cllr. S King reported that the 2 play areas were originally on the plans for the SOI.
Now they have been removed.
The Clerk reported that she looked at the TRDC asset register (2009-2014) and
the parks were not on the list. The asset register is due to be reviewed in June
2014. This is because the parks were not officially listed with land registry until
2010. It appears that TRDC were not aware that they owned the land until the
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Clerk was trying to ascertain who owned the parks in 2010. The Clerk also
advised that TRDC have earmarked £150,000 for play areas in Carpenders Park
and can only imagine that this money is for Greenfield and the Mead.
The Members requested that the Clerk compiles a report with the costs incurred by
the Parish Council since expiry of the leases, in readiness for the next
communication from TRDC.
The Clerk advised that she is still waiting to receive a reply from Daniel Monk/Chris
Hope in relation to her email regarding fences. Incidentally, the Clerks at the Joint
Parish Committee also advised that communication between TRDC and the Parish
Councils is very poor.
106.4. Minute 94.2 – Business Connector
The Clerk advised that Business Connector will attend the meeting on 2nd April
2014.
106.5. Minute 95 – Polling Stations
The Clerk advised that TRDC have considered representation received in respect
of the 2 polling stations in Hayling Ward. TRDC have confirmed the 2 polling
stations will not be amalgamated.
106.6. Minute 98.3 – Market
The Clerk confirmed that the Fruit & Veg stall is back.
107. CORRESPONDENCE for consideration
107.1. TRDC – Summer Activity/Event in the Precinct
Noted. The Clerk is to request the date(s).
107.2. HCC – Waste Site Allocation Document
Noted.
107.3. HCC – Travel Plan Consultation
Cllr. P King reported that the No. 503 (formerly No.2) buses are always late. This
makes children late for school and people late for work. Children have to leave
home at 6.30am to ensure that they get to school on time. Cllr. P King advised that
she left home at 6.35am and got into work at 7.55pm – Cllr. P King works in
Watford. The new electronic screens at the bus stops showing the time tables of
the buses, do not display late or non-running buses.
Cllr. O’Brien advised that a member of his family catches the No. 8. This bus is
also late and sometimes does not show up. It was also noted that the time on the
bus tickets is incorrect.
Cllr. P King enquired as to whether there is a refund available for those residents to
purchase weekly/monthly passes. Clerk to check on the Arriva website.
The Clerk is to write to Arriva with the above concerns cc to John Woods Chief
Executive at HCC with a copy to County Councillor Joan King. Clerk is to also
respond to the consultation.
107.4. Grant Request – Oxhey Police
The Police have requested a grant for equipment that enables them to enter
properties to help the elderly, drug searches etc. The equipment will assist the
Police in entering properties with minimum disruption to doors and the frames.
RESOLVED that the Police are awarded a grant for £236.94 for the equipment.
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(Crime & Disorder Act 1998 s17)
107.5. Grant Request – Oxhey Jets
Oxhey Jets have requested a grant for travel kits for 17 players at a cost of
£600.00.
RESOLVED that Oxhey Jets are awarded at grant of £600.00 for the purchase of
the travel kits. The Clerk to request that Oxhey Jets advertise that the Parish
Council sponsored the kits in their programmes.
(Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 s19 ss1(f))
Cllr. Waite left the room.
107.6. Grant Request – 14th Bushey & Oxhey Sea Scouts
The Scouts have requested a grant for their Liability Insurance. The Clerk advised
that she was waiting for the accounts. Very careful consideration was given to this
grant request and it was agreed that £1,250 would be awarded on this occasion
only. It was clear that the Scouts did not have the funds to pay the insurance
without which the Scouts would have to close down.
Subject to the Clerk receiving the accounts:
RESOLVED that the Scouts are awarded £1,250 for the insurance. The Members
request that the Scouts look at their finances to ensure that they have sufficient
funds for when the next insurance is due. The Parish Council will not consider
such a request (Liability Insurance) in forthcoming years. (Local Government
(Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 s19 ss1(f)).
Cllr. Waite returned to the meeting.
107.7. Grant Request – Knit & Natter
Knit & Natter requested a grant for the purchase of wool and postage to enable
them to continue knitting premature baby clothing for the hospitals.
RESOLVED that Knit & Natter are awarded a grant of £300.00. (Local
Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1976 s19 ss1(f)).
107.8. Grant Request – Carpenders Park Station 100 years Plaque
A request from David Reidy for a plaque. David is organising a celebration of
Carpenders Park Station being open 100 years. The cost of the plaque is £205.20.
Cllr. B O’Brien and Cllr. J King are not in agreement with this grant being awarded.
RESOLVED that the Carpenders Park Centenary Plaque be purchased for a cost
of £205.20. (LGA 1972 s144(1)).
Clerk to enquire as to where the plaque will be located in the station.
108.
PLANNING/LICENCE APPLICATIONS
Cllrs. P Hames & S King left the room.
At 9.25 it was agreed to continue the meeting for 15 mins.
108.1. Planning Applications
108.1.1. 14/0047/FUL 86 Raglan Gardens, Oxhey Hall
Demolition of garage and erection of part single, part two-storey
side and rear extension
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OBJECTION: The proposal for the 1st floor to come out as far as the front
of the house will give the effect of a terrace house and will not be
consistent with the other houses on Raglan Gardens nor on the Oxhey
Hall estate.
There is also concern that there is not sufficient gap between the first
floor wall and the neighbouring property.
The original 1930’s door should be replaced with a similar style door and
not a double front door as the proposal. Again, this will not be in-keeping
with the rest of the road.
108.1.2. 14/0060/FUL Oxhey Golf Range, Prestwick Road
COMMENTS: In relation to the proposed pond. For safety to children, to
erect a fence around the pond and remove the bunds on Prestwick Road
so that children, if in the vicinity of the pond, can be seen from the main
road.
108.1.3. All other planning applications were noted.
108.1.4. TRDC Appeal Hearing Date – Green Acres, Oxhey Lane, Carpenders
Park
Noted.
Cllrs. P Hames & S King returned to the meeting.
109.
COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
109.1. F&A Recommendations (28.1.14)
109.1.1. Bus Shelter – Hampermill Lane
The Clerk advised that the cost of the Guildford bus shelter including
installation is £6,192.37 net. The Clerk advised that to dismantle and
dispose of the existing shelter will be an additional £350.00. The Clerk
did seek an alternative quote but the Bus Shelter company were
cheaper. The Clerk is to request a grant from the County Councillors
Locality Budget Scheme for Oxhey Hall (Cllr. Button). As mentioned
previously, the Oxhey Hall Residents Association would like contribute
towards the bus shelter. Cllr. Scarth will speak to the OHRA. The Clerk
is to report back at the next meeting.
At 9.45 it was agreed to continue the meeting for 15 mins.
109.1.2. Lights
RESOLVED that the lights at the side of the building are replaced with
dawn to dusk sensor lights at a total cost of £201.50 .
109.1.3. Band Stand (Hemel Hempstead)
RESOLVED not to take up the offer of the bandstand.
109.1.4. Welcome to South Oxhey Sign (Prestwick Road)
RESOLVED that the sign is erected in its agreed original position (on the
back of the Oxhey Hall sign).
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109.1.5. Interim Audit Report 2013/2014
RESOLVED that its contents are noted and approved.
110.
FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION
110.1. Schedule of Accounts
The Schedule of Accounts for January were approved.
110.2. Precept 2014/2015
It was agreed that the precept of £219,323 be agreed. The Clerk explained that
although this is a 1% increase, there is no increase to the householder. This is due
to the tax base slightly increasing on last year’s figures. The cost to the
householder will be the same as 2013/2014 at £33.21 per year/per household.
The grant received from TRDC of £33,128 will be placed into reserves.
RESOLVED that the precept for 2014/2015 is £219,323.
110.3. Hall Hire
The Clerk advised that a hall hire enquiry for a regular booking on a Sunday has
been requested. It was agreed that due to Staffing issues, a regular Sunday
booking could not be authorised.
RESOLVED not to accept regular bookings on a Sunday due to staffing.
111.
PART II – CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS (Agenda Item 11 Staff) (Separate sheet)
Due to there not being press or public in attendance, a resolution was not required.
There being no further business to be considered, the Chairperson closed the meeting at
10.07pm.
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Chairperson, 5th March 2014
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