Present
Mrs. Watkin (Chair), Mrs Adams, Mr Brown, Mr Dawson, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mr Senior, and Mrs Turner, District Councillor Mrs. Vanbergen, Mrs Lancey (Clerk), 2 members of the public.

Public Forum:
Mr Wade had written to the Parish Council and also attended the meeting to complain about speeding along the Old Great North Road. The Clerk explained that after the January meeting she had been in touch with the police and had been given a contact for arranging a traffic survey to be carried out. The Parish Council felt that other areas in the village, particularly High Street leading to Chapel Street and School Lane should also be the subject of a survey. Clerk to organise. It was agreed this was the first step to be taken in order to achieve any type of traffic calming measures.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Mrs Dix and Mr Vanbergen.

2. Minutes
The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 25th January 2005 were approved and signed.

3. Committee Reports
a) Clerk’s infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Nothing to report.

Village Green: The green was in a very poor state due to horses galloping on the grass. It was suggested that the Clerk should contact local stables to point out that local bylaws do not allow any riding on the village green without permission – and while as a rule there was no real cause for concern – during wet periods the Parish Council would be grateful if riders could be aware of the situation.

General:
Mrs Turner and Mrs Elphick reported that dog control signs had been removed from several lamp posts around the Green and along The Old Great North Road. Clerk to obtain more signs and replace.

Mrs. Dyer had received complaints about the state of the overgrown hedge outside 26 Spinney Lane. Clerk to contact Highways Division to see if they could help with the situation.

Clerk reported that Mr Ron Page, a resident, frequently cleaned out the bus shelter at the junction of Mill Road and High Street, and had discussed with her the possibility of painting the inside with a stone coloured masonry paint. Mr Page was quite happy to carry out the work. It was agreed that the Parish Council should supply the paint and a letter of appreciation should be sent to Mr. Page. Clerk to action.

b) Planning
New Applications:
0500228FUL – Extension to dwelling – 46 Field Close - No observations
0500259FUL - Extension to dwelling – 27 Chapel Street – Although Mr. Vanbergen was not present at the meeting, the Clerk explained that he had lodged a prejudicial interest in this application. There were no observations.

Applications Determined:
None

c) Bramble End
Clerk reported that both cradle swings had now been replaced. A firm quotation had been requested for the safety grass under the helicopter from Wicksteed Leisure Ltd.

4. Matters Arising

Alconbury Action for Youth
Mr. Nigel Murphy attended the meeting in order to give the Parish Council an update on Alconbury Action for Youth. He reported that two Youth Forums had now taken place which had been very well attended. These had been aimed at the 15+ age group. A further one would shortly be held for the younger ones. The aim was to involve all youngsters at every stage of the activities being carried out by the group in order to get a clear view of their views and aspirations. A youth worker had been appointed for 8 hours a week, whose salary would be paid from the grant obtained from the Local Network Fund. After the final Youth Forum had been held, the Committee would meet to discuss the way forward. He also reported that the group had received very positive support from both Sawtry Village College and Cambridgeshire ACRE and it was hoped Alconbury might share in some of their organised activities. He informed the Clerk that arrangements had been made for invoices to be sent direct for booking of The New Memorial Hall and requested a cheque for £7.50 for money that had already been paid for room hire. Mrs. Watkin congratulated the Group on the work carried out so far and thanked Mr. Murphy for his presentation.

Vacancy – Parish Councillor
The Clerk reported that the Notice of Vacancy had been displayed on the Parish Council notice board and explained that if a request from 10 or more electors was received by HDC within 14 days of the notice being displayed, then an election would be held. Otherwise the Parish Council could fill the vacancy by co-option.

Small Motorbikes
The Clerk informed Councillors that should these bikes be seen again they should ring Police Headquarters and ask for the Control Room in order to make a complaint.

Old Memorial Hall Site
Mrs Watkin reported that at long last she had received permission from the Church Commissioners to sell the land where the Old Memorial Hall had been situated. This should happen within the next couple of weeks. The land would be on the market for approx. 6 weeks when tenders would be invited from any interested parties. She had been advised that the market value might be as high as £80,000 for the plot. She reminded the Council that planning permission had already been obtained for one cottage on the site. After the sale had been completed, The Old Memorial Hall Charity could be wound up and any repayments owing to the Parish Council would be made. After all expenses had been paid the remaining funds would go to The New Memorial Hall.

Safer Routes to School
Mrs Dyer reported that under the scheme it might be possible that double yellow lines could be put around the corners of Spinney Lane and Manor Lane leading on to School Lane. It was agreed that it was very important to keep residents aware of any such changes and that all households affected should be notified.

New Parish Council Website
Clerk asked Councillors if they had any objections to their addresses, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses appearing on the new website. There were no objections. Clerk to update accordingly.

Flood Alleviation Scheme
The Clerk reported that Peter Rowlings, the Tree Warden, had been in touch with Atkins Water requesting that when the person responsible for the tree moving and landscaping had been appointed, he would wish to be in contact with this person to try and ensure that Alconbury’s best interests in terms of landscaping were included in the Scheme. This person was to be nominated by HDC and appointed within the next couple of months. Mrs. Watkin remarked that the village was very fortunate to have Mr. Rowlings as its Tree Warden and that he was a great benefit to the Parish Council.

The Chair reported that shortly before the commencement of the meeting, she had received an e-mail from Mr. Vanbergen expressing his concern that the Council had acted inappropriately at the last meeting in allowing all Councillors to discuss and vote on the proposed Scheme, without first obtaining a special dispensation from the Standards Board at HDC. A copy of this e-mail was given to all Councillors. The Clerk explained that, as minuted, she had taken advice from HDC prior to the meeting, and at this point in time their feeling was that as the Atkins questionnaire was a consultation document only, all Councillors had an interest the same as any other residents in the village, and as long as they all declared a personal interest, they could join in discussion and vote as necessary. After the e-mail from Mr. Vanbergen she had spoken again with HDC and confirmed that given the situation at the time, the Council had not acted incorrectly. It had been acknowledged that a special dispensation would need to be obtained before any prospective planning applications could be discussed, and the Clerk would contact HDC as to the timing and necessary details required to make this request.

5. Correspondence (A list of all correspondence had been circulated to all)

Second CALC Liaison Meeting with HDC
Date now set for 26th May. The main topic was to be Planning Issues. Letter and Agenda given to Mrs. Dyer who would attend. Any matters that the Council wished to raise should be with CALC by the end of April.

Proposed Flood Alleviation Scheme
A copy of a letter sent to the Environment Agency by the occupants of Rose Cottage has been sent to the Parish Council. The letter outlined their concern, as with residents of Lordsway Park, that their property had been excluded from the Scheme.

The Parish Plan
A letter from the Countryside Agency concerning changes in payment method of the Parish Plan Grant had been handed to the Steering Committee.

Neighbourhood Watch Village Fete
Permission to hold the village fete on the green on 16th July 2005 was granted. Clerk to action.

Benefits Take-up Initiative
The Citizens Advice Bureau is running a Benefits Take-up campaign and had requested information of any suitable venues. Given the criteria that would need to be met, there were no suitable venues in the village. Clerk to respond accordingly.

The Life Education Centre (Drugs Bus)
Mrs Watkin had received a request for committed funding of the Drugs Bus for the years 2006/2007. The commitment had to be made by the Primary School by 11th February 2005 in order to ensure the booking. As this had previously been discussed and agreed in principle by the Parish Council, she had made the commitment on their behalf. All Parish Councillors were in agreement with this decision and felt the Drugs Bus to be an extremely worthwhile project. It was agreed that £500 could be donated. Mrs. Dyer to investigate whether the money could be paid before 2006/2007 to ensure continuity as Council members were bound to change within that timescale.

Donation made to PTA
The Clerk reported on a letter of thanks received from the Primary School PTA acknowledging the Parish Council’s recent donation.

Excess Waste Rules - HDC
The Clerk reported that in the coming weeks, a stricter line would be taken by HDC with those residents who put out extra sacks for collection along with their household wheeled bins. After collection of excess waste on two occasions, residents will be informed that waste not contained in a closed bin will not be collected. It is anticipated that this initial process will be sufficient for the majority of residents to comply without taking further action.

Registration of Financial and Other Interests
A reminder had been received from HDC that Councillors might wish to update their Registration of Financial and Other Interests. The Clerk had a supply of forms should they be required.

CALC Conference
This would be held on 8th March and would include Quality Parish Initiative and contracts of employment for new clerks.

Citizen Engagement and Public Services: Why Neighbourhoods Matter and Vibrant Local Leadership
These two discussion documents were available to Councillors.

Huntingdonshire Local Plan Alteration: Adopted Version
Available for Councillors.

Cambridgeshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan
This document and the accompanying questionnaire would be completed by Mrs Watkin, Mr Brown, Mrs Dyer and Mr Senior and would also be circulated to Councillors.

Consultation on The Code of Conduct
This was an introduction together with a questionnaire on the review of the Code of Conduct for members. Completion by Mrs Watkin/The Clerk.

Huntingdonshire Local Development Framework: Initial Consultation of Core Strategy – Sustainability Appraisal.
To be circulated.

6. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Cheques for signature (in future to be notified to Councillors with Correspondence List):
Petty Cash – top up float - £18.84
Smallwork Services - £60 – removal/replacement swings + fixing waste bin.
Victim Support - £50 donation as agreed
CARESCO - £100 donation as agreed
Clerk’s Salary – February 05 - £253.12 – 32 hrs. @ £7.91 per hr.
Clerk’s Internet Calls - £8.31
£7.50 – Nigel Murphy – hall rental – Youth Group account

Payments were proposed by Mrs Dyer and seconded by Mrs Adams.
Clerk reported cleared balances – Current Account £8760.91 and Deposit Account £21,716.08

7. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 29th March 2005 at 7.45 in the New Memorial Hall.

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