Present:
Mr Senior (Chair), Mrs Aylott, Mrs Elphick, Mrs Hathaway, Mr Sale, Mr Watson and Mrs Williams. County Councillors Peter Brown and Laine Kadic. District Councillor Keith Baker. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 3 members of the public.

Public Forum
With the re-opening of Truckstop imminent, Mr Scotney asked whether the Parish Council would be making representation with the new owners for proper refuse bins to be made available for vehicles, similar to those on the continent. He would be writing to the new owners and it was agreed that the Parish Council should also do so. Keith Baker would provide contact details of new owners. Mr Hodgson also wished to ensure that off-site parking would not continue after the facility was re-opened. It was agreed that a meeting with the new owners might be beneficial at this early stage.

Mr Baldwin asked what was to happen with the old McDonalds restaurant site. County Councillors and District Councillor to make enquiries. He also complained that residents had been unable to see the proposed plans for the new shop/post office. It was explained that these were available at Parish Council meetings and at the District Council offices.

Mr Hodgson enquired whether the conditions imposed upon ADL were being adhered to. Mr Watson explained that they were working under temporary permission conditions. It would be the responsibility of the District Council to monitor these conditions. Keith Baker to make enquiries.

The weigh bridge signs coming into the village were queried. Clerk reported that these had been supplied by Trading Standards and that spot checks would be carried out in an attempt to deter HGVs from entering the village. Clerk to request any results from Trading Standards.

178. Apologies for Absence
Apologies received from Mrs Adams, Mrs Dyer, Mr Hardy and Mr Pickering.

179. Councillors' Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
Mrs Williams declared a personal interest in agenda item 183 as the land owner was an acquaintance. Mrs Elphick and Mr Sale declared a prejudicial interest in item 181 living in close proximity. Mr Senior declared a prejudicial interest in item 185 as one of the contractors was known to him.

180. To sign and approve minutes of previous meetings held on 27th January 2009 and the Planning Committee Meeting held on 10th February 2009.
Minutes from 27th January were proposed by Mrs Williams and seconded by Mrs Aylott. Minutes from 10th February were proposed by Mr Watson and seconded by Mrs Williams. Minutes duly approved and signed.

181. Redevelopment of the Village Shop and Post Office (Chairman relaxed Standing Orders for this agenda item)
Residents enquired why this planning application had yet again been refused. District Councillor Keith Baker reported that the application had been referred to the Development Control Panel meeting, which he had attended on 23rd February, and that the application had now been approved subject to changes in the roof elevations of the new dwellings. Mr Senior commented that this was extremely good news for the village. Enquiries as to how the Post Office would remain open whilst the building work was being carried out would be made in due course.

182. Housing Developments at The Stukeleys
Mr Watson outlined the planned Northbridge development. Stukeley Parish Council had expressed several concerns over the plans outlined by the developers, Persimmon Homes, and had asked for any support that Alconbury might give. County Councillors confirmed that they were requesting that no development should take place until after the A14 upgrade had been determined. Persimmon Homes were currently working on plans for the infrastructure to support this new development. Councillors expressed their concerns over increased traffic levels. It was agreed that the Parish Council should also write to HDC expressing their concerns and Clerk was also to invite Persimmon Homes to a future meeting to give a presentation on the planned development.

The East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) proposals for 20,000 new homes on Alconbury Airfield were also discussed. It had been decided at the January meeting to wait until the next stage had been announced before taking any further action, but County Councillor Peter Brown advised that a letter expressing the Parish Council’s concerns should be sent now. Clerk to action.

183. Winter Gritting (Item moved from agenda item 189)
Heritage Bridge (Item moved from agenda item 191)
The Alconburys had been removed from the winter gritting programme, primarily due to a shortage of supplies of grit, but it was by no means certain that when the supply situation returned to normal, the villages would be reinstated on the programme. County Councillors remarked that this was a national issue and that they would report back. There were sufficient supplies for seven more rounds of gritting in March should this be necessary. The Parish Council should purchase more grit bins, especially near the school, to help with this problem.

As the County Councillors needed to leave the meeting early, the recent problems with the Heritage Bridge were also discussed whilst they were in attendance. The bridge had been hit by various vehicles on several occasions and was in need of repair. Structural Engineers had been called out and had advised that at this stage there was no immediate cause for concerns of instability, but that the bridge would be monitored on a monthly basis and if there was any change, they would evaluate their decision to keep the bridge open. In the mean time they would consult with English Heritage over repairs. When the repairs were carried out the bridge would have to be closed and the buses re-routed. Parish Councillors expressed their concerns that the village might lose a bus service as a result of this. Laine Kadic to liaise with those responsible to try and ensure this did not happen. She would report back.

184. The Community Orchard – update from Mr Senior (Mrs Williams declared a personal interest the land owner being an acquaintance)
Mr Senior reported on the recent presentation in Warboys by Little Downham conservation group on the development of their community orchard. The presentation had been extremely informative and had also been attended by HDC’s Brigit Halford (Landscape Officer) who had also suggested the possibility of a “fruit trail” in the village. Whether to embark upon these projects was discussed at some length. It was decided that owing to the amount of work involved and also the fact that obtaining a grant to purchase the land would be necessary, any final decision should be left until the provision of allotments in the village had been finalised, which would also entail grant funding and a considerable amount of work. Clerk to thank Little Downham conservation group for their presentation.

185. Grass Cutting (Mr Senior declared a prejudicial interest in this item)
As requested, three quotations had been obtained for grass cutting for the forthcoming season. Mr Senior had declared a prejudicial interest as one contractor, Anthony Abbs was known to him, and after a short representation, expressing his concerns over the standard of cutting in 2008, left the meeting whilst a decision was made. The quotes were discussed at some length. It was decided to remain with the current contractor, Alan Summerfield, for a further season, especially as he had purchased a cylinder mower which hopefully would solve some of the problems experienced last year. Clerk to accept quotation from Alan Summerfield and to specify between 12-15 cuts during the year as felt necessary.

186. Alconbury Sports & Social Club - update from Mr Watson
The Charity Cricket Match was to be held on 3rd July 2009. There would be an official opening of the new facilities when all snagging had been completed. Clerk was pursuing the provision of new signage for the Club and would liaise with Mr Rickard. CCC would not be in a position to pay for any signs. Clerk to inform Mr Rickard accordingly.

187. The Flood Alleviation Scheme - report from Mr Senior
Following the Anglian (Central) Regional flood Defence Committee meeting on 8th January, it had been decided for technical, environmental and financial reasons, not to proceed with the flood alleviation schemes in the Alconburys. A briefing note explaining the situation was circulated to all Councillors. It was decided to put this item on the March agenda when Mr Pickering would be present in order that he might give his advice and a decision could be made whether or not to invite a representative from the Environment Agency to attend a future Parish Council meeting.

188. The Model Publications Scheme - update from Clerk
The cost of putting the Scheme onto the website would be £60. Prior to this, the Clerk would discuss the new scheme with Mr Senior and Mrs Aylott.

189. The Parish Path Partnership (P3) - update from Clerk
Application forms had been obtained. A good deal of work would be needed before submission of the forms. It was decided that outstanding issues such as those encountered with the path between Alconbury and Little Stukeley could still be pursued with the Rights of Way Officer and that due to the workload, P3 should not be embarked upon at present.

190. Provision of Allotments
Mrs Aylott, Mr Sale and the Clerk were booked on the CPALC course on 7th March. Mrs Aylott had visited the site. After the course, a working party might be formed involving some of those residents wishing to obtain an allotment. This would be an agenda item for March 2009.

191. The Bi-Monthly Newsletter
This would be the last issue with Mrs Williams as editor. Mr Sale would take over from her. Mr Senior thanked Mrs Williams for her work on the project. The March issue would contain a further competition for duck posters to be painted by the village children. It would also contain information on the damage to the bridge as covered in item 183 above and notification that “smart meters” would be introduced to the village. The Newsletter would be an agenda item for March.

192. Committee Reports
(a) Planning Applications Received - None

Applications Determined by HDC Planning:
0803277FUL - Erection of dwelling - land adjacent the Vicarage, Church Way - permission refused.
0803128FUL - Erection of Post Office with flat over. Erection of two houses - 1 Bell Lane - permission refused (See item 181)

(b) Clerk's Infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Nothing to report
Village Green: Overflowing manhole covers on the green and at the bottom of Frumetty Lane had been reported to Anglian Water.
General: A resident complaining about bird scarers had been recommended to contact Environmental Health.
Contaminated soil (containing glass) had been used on the verges alongside the new footpath in School Lane. This would be replaced. Skanska had been asked to sweep the High Street leading to Lordsway Park

(c) Bramble End: Monthly inspection carried out. Nothing to report.

Re-development:
Mrs Williams had commenced research with pre-school children and child minders.

193. Correspondence
Information on the re-opening of Truckstop - the facility had been purchased in a multi-million pound deal and would be re-opened early 2009. The property had been purchased by the Heys Group and Truckin World. The site would have parking for 200 lorries, a commercial vehicle wash and refuelling facility. The petrol station and service area, along with a shop, would follow shortly to create Alconbury Services.

Thanks from Alconbury Primary School for donation towards the Life Education Centre.

Thanks from ASSC for donation towards grass cutting equipment.

Invitation to Eagle Scout Court of Honor for Cliff Carlson. This had been attended by Mr Senior and had been a most prestigious award.

194. Responsible Finance Officer's Report
HDC had notified that the charge for a Band D property for the 2009/2010 Precept equated to £56.06.

Cheques for signature:
Demon - Webhosting February 09 (paid by direct debit) - £11.50
Pipex Internet - £14.19
Smiths Gore - Additional Memorial Hall Rental - £14.95
Grafton Projects - Stationery - £5.72
Total Computing - Backup Service - £30
Donation to Alconbury C of E Primary School - £1500
Donation to Over 60s Club (Section 137) - £200
Clerk‚Äôs Salary February 09 - £415.33
H M Revenue/Customs - PAYE/NI - £408.49
Petty Cash Top Up - £27.21
Youth Group Ball Park Fund (repayment) - £353.14
Youth Group - Hall Rental (event 28th Nov 08) - £57.00
Youth Group - Hall Rental Jan-Mar 09 - £87.75
Youth Group Petty Cash Top Up - £135.08
Payments were proposed by Mrs Williams and seconded by Mrs Aylott

Cleared Balances: C/A £3,846.92 D/A £26,926.02
Youth Group £740.52
Estimated underspend for the financial year 2008/09 could be in the region of £3000. £1,799.68 had been raised so far for the Ball Park. A new bank account had been opened solely for this purpose.

195. Date of Next Meeting - 31st March 2009 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.

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