Confusion has arisen over whether planned improvement works for a Borehamwood park will go ahead this year.

At a Hertsmere Borough Council meeting in February, councillors agreed to pay £195,000 for extra amenities in Aberford Park, to improve its chances of achieving Green Flag status.Included in the proposal was the refurbishment of the park's community centre, including toilets and a café. But the Aberford Community Centre Trust, which manages the building, this week said it had not approved the changes despite the council's claims in the latest edition of its Parks and Amenities newsletter.The newsletter states: "The council, in consultation with the community centre trust, has agreed to convert part of the existing community centre into a café with public toilets. Building work will take place over the summer."But Peter Roach, secretary and treasurer of the trust, said: "The suggestion that building work will take place over the summer and would be part of the centre is complete news to us and at the moment, we object to it."The council has jumped the gun. It needs to have our approval. We are prepared to look at the plans, then I will call a special meeting of the committee to make a decision."A council spokeswoman said council officers will meet with Mr Roach next Wednesday to show him the first set of plans.She said: "Once the plans are finalised they will be subject to the usual planning permission process and consultation."As the plans stand at the moment, the café and toilets will not take up any space in the existing building and will be built on the side."These improvements will benefit users and visitors and hopefully enable us to achieve Green Flag status."Councillor Ian Feeney said: "I welcomed the news when, at the last full council meeting, the leader announced that the council would be improving Aberford Park by putting in a café and toilet block. "The latest copy of Hertsmere's parks magazine certainly seems to consider the matter finalised."But after attending a public meeting of the park's community centre trust, it appears the committee has not been fully consulted or given any approval for redevelopment of the site to go ahead."However well intentioned, is this another case of the council putting the cart before the horse, or does the committee have any real say in this? I will be seeking further clarification at the next full council meeting on Wednesday."