| ALCONBURY PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of a Meeting held on Tuesday 20th July 2004 in the New Memorial Hall Present Mrs. Watkin (Chair), Mrs Adams, Mr Brown, Mrs Dix, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mr. Lane, Mrs Turner and Mr Vanbergen. County Councillor Mr Peter Downes, District Councillor Mrs Sarah Vanbergen. Mrs. Lancey (Clerk), 2 members of the public. Presentation from Huntingdon Youth Workers Clerk reported that unfortunately, at the last minute, the presentation from Huntingdon Youth Workers had been cancelled. Open Forum: Mrs. Horner enquired if there was any news on the new bus shelter outside the New Memorial Hall. Clerk informed the meeting that installation was scheduled for August 2004. If this date was not met, she would pursue the issue with HDC. Mrs. Horner also enquired if any news had been received about the cancellation of the direct bus service from Huntingdon to Bedford via St. Neots. Clerk had not received a reply from the service provider nor any update from CCC. Clerk to pursue, if necessary with the help of Mr. Downes. 1. Apologies for Absence Apologies were received from Mr Dawson. 2. Minutes The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 29th June 2004 had been changed to record a hole in the fence in The Paddock rather than an hole in the grassed area. They were approved and signed. 3. Committee Reports i. Infrastructure Report Churchyard: The Churchyard was looking very tidy. ii. Village Green: Clerk reported that the invoice for the replacement planters had been sent to Ringway for payment. Fergusons had cut the grass, as requested, prior to the village fete. Neighbourhood Watch had requested permission to site a notice board on the grass verge at the corner of High Street outside number 19. Clerk had enquired about ownership of the grass before making a response. It was thought planning permission would also be required. Mrs. Watkin reported that those responsible for running the fair on the village green had been in touch with her to explain their absence again this year. It was simply a fact that they could not make enough money as attendance had been so poor. She regretted their absence but under such circumstances felt nothing more could be done to help. iii. General: A patch of grass at the end of Elm End needed cutting. Clerk to investigate whose responsibility this might be. A complaint had been received that the path behind Coulson Way was unkempt. Clerk to organise clearance. A complaint had also been received that the ditch at the very bottom of Polecat Lane needed attention. Clerk to organise. Two complaints had been received about blocked sewage pipes in both Willow End and The Maltings. Clerk had written to Anglia Water. An estate agent (Harris Brown) had displayed a “for sale” sign on the village green (for a house in Brook Close) Clerk had requested its removal. Mrs Watkin reported that a resident of the village was growing an oak tree and would, eventually, like to replant it on the village green. Clerk to acknowledge and discuss with Tree Warden. An elm tree appeared to be dying near the bridge. Clerk to contact Tree Warden. iv. Planning: New Applications: 0402087TELDET – Erection of 10.5 metre radio pole and microwave dish for broadband – Alconbury Primary School. Mrs Watkin reported that no objections had been received from the general public or the school authorities. Mr Brown wished to look further into the matter. 0402047FUL –Re-establish change of use of aircraft shelter to explosive facility – Alconbury Airbase. No observations. 0402122FUL – Erection of 2 detached dwellings – land adjacent The Vicarage, Church Way. After some discussion it was agreed that access from two dwellings onto Church Way during busy times at the Church may cause congestion, and that perhaps a shared access might be considered. Clerk to respond accordingly. Applications Determined: 0401506FUL – Extension to dwelling, 1 Beech End - permission granted. 0401602FUL – Change of use of part of car park associated with Mill P.H. to part of garden to 3 Mill Road – permission granted. 0401677S73/0401763LBC – renewal of permission for erection of garage/workshop – 7 The Maltings – permission granted. v. Bramble End Playground The Clerk reported that the school hedge had been trimmed and that it was felt that trimming the remaining hedge joining the house in Spinney Lane might be left until the autumn. Clerk explained that application forms for grants for play areas would shortly be sent out from HDC but that HDC had indicated that as the playground had passed the ROSPA inspection, such an application might not have high priority. This did not, however, mean an application could not be made. The fact that Alconbury had already received other grants might also count against such an application. The playground and its safety was discussed at some length. It was decided to leave any further decisions until it was known whether Bramble End was an area for concern in the Parish Plan. 4. Matters Arising i. Safer Routes to School: Clerk reported that Alconbury’s bid for Cambridgeshire County Council’s Safer Routes to School project had been successful. Mrs. Dyer was congratulated on her hard work. Mrs. Dyer reported that a Project Officer would be in contact in September with a view to forming a two-year working party. It was agreed Mr Brown should be a member of this working party along with Mrs. Dyer. Clerk to contact Alconbury Weston PC to inform them of the successful bid and to ask for a volunteer for the working party. Councillor Downes remarked that from experience with a similar scheme in Brampton, it was found to be very important to keep local residents fully informed of any changes that may affect them as a result of the project allowing them a chance for input. ii. The Village Fete: It was agreed that the fete held on 17th July had been very successful. Much of this success was due to the hard work of Mr. Dawson. Clerk had written him a letter of appreciation and thanks. iii. American Traffic: More complaints had been received about the amount of American traffic passing through the village. It was agreed that Mrs. Dyer’s contacts at RAF Molesworth had done everything possible to minimise the nuisance, and Mr. Lane suggested contacting someone in higher authority at Lakenheath. He would pass details to Mrs. Dyer. 5. Correspondence (A list of all correspondence had been circulated) i. Request for Donation by Alconbury Cricket Club: The Clerk explained that this request was for £500 to go towards the routine running costs of junior cricket. After some discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should send out the necessary form for completion by the Cricket Club, and also suggest that they might contact Alconbury Weston PC for a similar donation. ii The Charity Commission: A reply had been received from the Charity Commission in response to Mrs. Watkin’s letter outlining how the current situation had evolved. She was hopeful that the money owed to the PC could be repaid. Mrs. Watkin also outlined the agreement which had been reached with ADCHC in so far as the proceeds of the sale would become the property of the ADCHC and that once this had been completed the PC would simply remain its Custodian Trustees. The funds would be used for the benefit of Alconbury and Alconbury Weston and that ADCHC would recognise the contribution made by the Old Memorial Hall Committee with some form of permanent record. Mrs Watkin suggested a meeting of the Old Memorial Hall Committee be held prior to the next PC meeting to discuss outstanding issues. Mrs. Turner to inform Mrs. Rowlings. The Charity Commission still seemed to require a meeting between the PC, ADCHC and themselves in Liverpool which would possibly take place in August. iii Model Code of Conduct: A seminar was to be held on 22nd September. No one was available to attend. iv CALC/HDC/PC Liaison Meeting 28th September: Mrs Dyer would attend this first meeting when the presentations would be Waste and Recycling Proposals and Code of Ethics. v. Register of Financial and Other Interests: Register had been changed to reflect Mr Brown’s election. Copy given to Mr. Brown. vi. Authorisation of Expenditure between PC Meetings: Clerk explained that she had been unable to authorise some tree work requested by Neighbourhood Watch which was required prior to the village fete because she had been given insufficient time to put the proposal before a full Council meeting. It was agreed that should an emergency arise between meetings, she could, with the agreement of the Chair and one other Councillor, authorise expenditure up to £250 without holding a full Council meeting. vii. Cambridgeshire Services Pamphlet: It was agreed that the Clerk should write to the Minister of State for Local and Regional Government in support of CCC’s case for fair funding for Cambridgeshire. viii. Princes Street/George Street – Chequers Court – Pathfinder House: Documents concerning these developments in Huntingdon could be viewed at Pathfinder House or on the Council’s website www.huntsdc.gov.uk/planning. 6. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report i. Payment of Accounts: The following cheques were presented for payment: Clerk’s Salary July (32 hours) - £241.60 Winged Fellowship Trust – donation - £50.00 Petty Cash - £33.58 Payments were proposed by Mrs Adams and seconded by Mrs Dix. ii. Free Balances: Clerk reported free balances at Deposit Acct. £21,491.35 and Current Acct. £6878.70. 7. Representative Reports i. The New Memorial Hall Mr Vanbergen reported that an extraordinary meeting had been held to update the Committee on correspondence from the Charity Commission. Unfortunately he did not attend this meeting. He reported that the new committee seemed to be a very proactive team who were committed to supporting a well run village hall and that members were enjoying their commitment. There would be a Beer Festival organised for October, a 60/70/80’s night in February of next year and a June Summer Ball. ii The Parish Plan Mrs Watkin reported that analysis of results of the questionnaires should be available by 9th August. iii The Youth Group Mrs Adams reported that the Youth Group had found some new recruits, including some young people in the village. Nigel Murphy required copies of the latest audited accounts for the funding authorities. It was expected to be approx. 6-8 weeks before results of the application for funding would be known but they were optimistic of success. A new representative for Alconbury Weston was required as Sandra Orange had resigned. Sarah Vanbergen to discuss with Alconbury Weston PC. Mrs. Adams reported that youth workers were anticipated in the village week commencing 26th July. They would hopefully contact the Clerk and Mrs. Vanbergen. The Secretary of the Youth Group had resigned and would need to be replaced. Mrs. McCrorie would be submitting an invoice to the Parish Council for £1000 as a contribution towards costs. Clerk to request breakdown of costs if necessary. The next meeting would be held before the PC meeting – date to be confirmed. iv ASSC Mrs Adams reported that a new Social Committee had been formed at the Sports & Social Club aimed at fund raising. An Open Day would be held on 5th September. The Charity Cricket Match had been a success despite the weather with profits expected similar to the previous year. The Club intended to hold a fireworks display again in November and Mrs. Adams requested that the Parish Council might consider a donation similar to last year. It was agreed this could be discussed at a later date. 8. Date of Next Meeting: It was agreed that as there were many large projects currently in hand, a meeting would be required in August. The date was set for Tuesday 24th August 2004 at 7.45pm in The New Memorial Hall. The following meeting would then be held on 28th September 2004. |