Open Forum:
The cancellation of the bus service to St. Neots was causing inconvenience. Clerk to pursue complaint that had already been sent to service provider. A “For Sale” sign had been left on the verge in Manor Lane. Clerk to arrange removal. Residents from Lordsway Park asked if there had been any progress with the signs requested for the bottom of Rusts Lane. Clerk reported that signs had been delivered and would be fitted within the next few weeks. There were several pot holes in the High Street between Rusts Lane and Lordsway Park. Clerk to report.

David Pilling
Mrs. Watkin spoke of the sudden death of David Pilling which had occurred on February 16th 2004. David had been a tireless worker on behalf of the Alconbury Sports & Social Club where he had been Secretary for at least 20 years and then an appointed Trustee. He had contributed a tremendous amount of time over the years to the Charity Cricket Match, and he would be a huge loss to the community. The Parish Council had extended their sympathy to Mrs. Pilling.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Councillor Peter Downes

2. Minutes
The Minutes of the last meeting held on 27th January 2004 were approved and signed.

3. Committee Reports
i. Infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Trees were being pruned and the area in general was looking excellent.

ii. Village Green: Clerk had again reported the missing cover from the water hydrant opposite The Acre on Brookside. Anglian Water are responsible for this repair.

General: Clerk had reported damaged bridges in Globe Lane. The re-surfacing of the footpaths in Manor Lane had been delayed until April. The Clerk had received 2 requests for grit bins (Rusts Lane and near the footbridge on Mill Road). She explained that the Parish Council must purchase the bins but that they would be replenished with salt/grit by the County Council. Some discussion took place as to whether the bins might be vandalised. It was decided to defer any decision until the next meeting by which time the Clerk would also have looked into the question of liability for spreading the salt/grit. Mrs Dix reported that the bridge at the bottom of Polecat Lane had still not been repaired, neither had the road sign been replaced. Clerk to chase.

iii. Planning:
New Applications: 0400384FUL/0400385LBC – Extension to Dwelling – 5, The Maltings. No views expressed.
0400407FUL – Extension to Dwelling – 38, Manor Lane. No views expressed.
0400466FUL/0400467LBC – Extension to Dwelling – 3, The Maltings. No views expressed.

Applications Determined: 0303340FUL – Erection of Dwelling on Land Adjacent to The Mill PH – refused.

iv. Bramble End Playground
Clerk reported that the sharp concrete corners had been rounded under the helicopter, which was an improvement. More bark chippings would be required within the next few months.

4. Matters Arising
i. Footpath Closure: Clerk reported that a request had been made to Cambridgeshire County Council for the footpath to be closed between the Great North Road and the housing association estate. CCC would be asking residents for their comments before any action would be taken.

ii. Post Office: Clerk reported that HDC were awaiting a formal planning application from the Postmaster before any decision was made concerning the closure.

iii. Alconbury Parish Council Website: The first draft of the Website had been made available to Councillors. Everyone who had seen it considered it to be very well presented.

iv. Safer Routes to School: Mrs Dyer reported that Alconbury’s bid had been modified to include questionnaires completed by new parents, and that it was the first submission to CCC of the year. The bid would be looked at over Easter, along with others and the outcome should be known soon after.

iv. American Traffic: Mrs. Dyer suggested that, with the agreement of RAF Molesworth, she should write a short letter to be given to all personnel explaining about the heritage of the village and the reasons why all traffic should use the by-pass. This was considered a good idea by all Councillors. Mrs. Dyer to proceed.

v. Cambridgeshire Police Presentation: Mr. Vanbergen had attended a budget consultation from Cambs. Police Authority when it had been announced that they were to receive an increase of 14.1% in their budget. The Chief Constable had remarked that with such an increase the County would be able to have a police force it deserved.

5. Correspondence (A list of all correspondence had been circulated)
i. Circulation of Correspondence: Clerk requested that items of correspondence should be circulated more quickly as some items on the correspondence list were not being seen by Councillors in time for meetings.

ii Land at Mill Road: Clerk reported that a letter had been received from the architectural technologist representing the owner of land adjacent to Mill Road, suggesting that the Parish Council might wish to purchase the land in exchange for achieving compensatory works to alleviate flood issues on the land on the opposite corner of Mill Road. Discussion at some length took place without a conclusion being reached. Clerk to write to the architectural technologist accordingly. Subject to be addressed at a later date.

iii Huntingdon Community Safety Partnership: Mrs. Watkin and Mrs. Adams to attend Annual Seminar on 17th March. Theme is “Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour”.

iv Huntingdonshire Flood Forum: Mrs Watkin to attend on 25th March 2004.

v. Village Fete: Neighbourhood Watch had requested the use of the village green for their fete on 17th July 2004. No objection. Clerk to respond accordingly.

vi. Jackie Barnard: Clerk had received a request from Jackie Barnard the Street Warden who wished to come along to a future Parish Council meeting in order to explain her role in the community. This idea was agreed. Clerk to action.

vii Justices’ Licence: Clerk reported that a Transfer of Justices’ Licence had been received in respect of the Mill PH to Paula Walter.This would come before the Magistrates on 5th March.

viii. Victim Support Donation. Thanks had been received.

ix. Huntingdonshire “Twenty 16” - As this had not been circulated to all Councillors it would be discussed at the March meeting.

x. Consultation Exercise – A14 between Thrapston and Brampton. Circulated to Councillors. To be completed by Mr. Vanbergen.

6. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report

i. Payment of Accounts: The following accounts were passed for Payment
Ashley & Foster – Repairs to Bramble End Playground £222.08
Grafton Projects – Photocopying £9.16
CALC – Vacancy Notices - £1.75
Clerk’s Salary – 32 hours (February) £241.60
Payments were proposed by Mrs Adams and seconded by Mrs Dix.

ii. Free Balances: Clerk reported free balances at Deposit Acct. £21,343.93 and Current Acct. £3588.60.

7. Standing Orders
Mrs Watkin reminded the meeting that Standing Orders pertaining directly to Alconbury Parish Council had not been agreed upon. There were also statutory issues concerning the Clerk’s employment and the question of Quality Status for the Council that needed to be reviewed. She suggested that a Sub Committee should be formed to look into these issues with a view to reporting back to the full Council by the May AGM. Mrs. Dyer, Mrs. Dix and Mr. Lane agreed to join Mrs Watkin on this Sub Committee. A preliminary meeting was fixed for Monday 8th March at 2, Rusts Lane.

8. The Parish Plan
Mr. Dawson reported on the first meeting of the Parish Plan Steering Group which had been very positive. Officers had been appointed and work had begun on the Grant Application Form. Mr. Stan Rees of Cambridgeshire ACRE was willing to attend any future meetings as required. The next meeting was arranged for 2nd March when ways of contacting various interested groups within the village would be discussed.

9. Youth Issues
Mrs Adams reported on the initial meeting of the youth group which had been held prior to the Parish Council meeting. Work on the Local Network Fund grant had begun and activity programmes had been discussed. Sharon McCrorie was looking into making arrangements for a youth worker to become active within the community.

10. Representative Reports
i. Old Memorial Hall
Mrs. Watkin reported that the Draft Schedule had been displayed on 7th February. She had received no requests to view the document. It would shortly go back to the Charities Commission for finalisation. It would then be returned and displayed once more

11. Date of Next Meeting:
The next meeting is to be held on Tuesday 30th March at 7.45pm. Venue to be notified. Mrs. Watkin said that the Councillors should be prepared to review any outstanding issues of the year at this meeting.

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