The following Committee Representatives were agreed:

(a) Churchyard Mrs Dix and Mrs Elphick
(b) Infrastructure All Councillors
(c) Village Green Mrs Watkin, Mrs. Turner, Mr Lane
(d) Planning Mrs Watkin, Mr Vanbergen, Mr Lane
(e) Bramble End Playground Mr Lane and Mr Dawson
(f) Flood Alleviation Mrs Dix and Mrs Elphick

The following Parish Council Representatives were agreed:

(a) Buses Mr Vanbergen
(b) Old Memorial Hall Mrs Dix and Mrs Turner
(c) Recreation Field Mrs Adams and Mr Dawson
(d) Neighbourhood Watch Mr Dawson
(e) New Memorial Hall Mr Vanbergen and Mr Lane
(f) RAF Molesworth Mrs Dyer
(g) CALC Mrs Dyer
(h) Parish Plan Mr Dawson
(i) Youth Group Mrs Adams and Mrs Watkin (protem)

It was generally felt that the Youth Group was in need of more support. The next meeting was scheduled for 29th June (before the Parish Council Meeting).

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

4. Vandalism
The Clerk reported on the appalling recent incident when some kind of waste oil had been thrown over the bus shelter on the village green. HDC had carried out a preliminary clean up but the shelter was still unfit for use and the Clerk had been in touch with a local company who had a steam cleaner. She pointed out that this incident had cost all concerned a tremendous amount of both time and money. The incident was being investigated by the Police. It was agreed that action was needed to try to curb vandalism in the village. The Clerk would write a report for the Parish Pump and it was suggested that a reward might be offered leading to a conviction of the guilty person(s). Clerk to liaise with Police/CALC on this matter. The railings that had been dismantled at Ducks Nest were also discussed. Clerk to look into replacing current fixings with stud locks. It was hoped that when the youth workers were in place in the village the whole subject of vandalism would be addressed.

5. Committee Reports
i. Infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Unfortunately someone had allowed their dog to foul at the main gate. This had been removed by Mrs Dix.

ii. Village Green: Clerk reported that she had received complaints that the grass was not being cut regularly enough. The cuts were being monitored. The planters that had been removed with the lamp posts had been lost, but the cost of replacements would be borne by CCC. The paint peeling off the recently renovated sign had been reported to the company responsible for the refurbishment.

iii. General: The Clerk reported that CCC would, on this occasion, arrange to have the trees trimmed along the footpath behind Coulson Way. They were investigating the ownership of this boundary hedge and were of the opinion that it might still be owned by the developers of Coulson Way. At long last the bridges at Ducks Nest had been mended. Clerk reported that the new bus shelter outside the New Memorial Hall would not now be provided until August 2004. She also reported that she had asked HDC to incorporate the grass in Field Close into their grass cutting programme in the village. A new path was to be put along the whole length of Sharpes Lane. Arrangements had been made for weed killer to be put onto the site of the Old Memorial Hall. A waste bin had been requested in Manor Lane Clerk to organise. Clerk had also received complaints that the bin in Bramble End Playground was not emptied often enough. Clerk to try and get this incorporated with HDC’s current waste collection. It was reported that there was a faulty street light in Palmers Lane. Clerk to action. The footpath between Maple End and Frumetty lane had been cleared.

iv. Planning:
New Applications:
0401506FUL – Extension to dwelling, 1, Beech End - no observations.

Applications Determined:
0302793FUL – Temporary use of land and buildings until 31/12/2005 – ADL – permission granted.

Mr Dawson requested Clerk to monitor planning enforcement received in respect of a loft conversion in the Paddock.

v. Bramble End Playground: Clerk reported that the annual ROSPA inspection had been carried out. This would be circulated to Mr Dawson and Mr Lane inorder to determine any necessary remedial work.

6. Matters Arising
i. Nominations for New Councillors: Clerk reported that only one nomination had been received for the two vacancies - from Mark Brown who was duly elected without a poll and would join the Council after the June election. He had sent his apologies as unfortunately he was unable to attend the AGM. The remaining vacancy would be advertised again after the election.

ii. HDC Planning Deadlines: Clerk reported that due to operating a strict timetable in order to meet Government performance targets, HDC were unable to permanently change planning deadlines. They were, however, prepared to agree minor extensions of time in exceptional cases.

iii. Quality Status Conference: Mrs Watkin reported on the recently attended Quality Status Conference. Any benefits of obtaining Quality Status were still not clear; it was agreed that the decision on whether to apply should be monitored.

iv. Calligraphic Roll of Honour: Clerk reported that £100 had been received from Alconbury Weston Parish Council and £85 pledged from The Friends With the agreed donation of £300 from the Parish Council, the work could be carried out. Clerk to co-ordinate. Cheque from The Friends to be sent to the Parish Council.

v. Damage to The Bell House: A letter of thanks and appreciation had been received from Jonathan Djanogly.

7. Correspondence (A list of all correspondence had been circulated)
i. Precept Increase/Speeding: A letter had been received from a resident in Palmers Lane enquiring about the reasons for the increase in the Parish Precept between 2004 and 2005 and also complaining about the speeding along the Great North Road. Clerk had responded explaining about youth issues and that the Parish Council would be looking at a Joint Road Fund Scheme later this year to help with speeding problems.

ii Huntingdonshire Community Safety Partnership: Anti-Social Behaviour Strategy. Clerk to pass to Mrs. Adams.

iii Speed Watch: Questionnaire received from The Countryside Services Team concerning Cambridgeshire Rights of Way Improvement Plan. To be completed and returned.

iv. Registration of Financial and Other Interests: Clerk to pass to Mark Brown for completion.

v. Notice of Poll for both District Council and European Elections: To be displayed on Notice Board.

vi. Harvest Magazine: Mrs Watkin pointed out the many valuable articles and sources of fund raising to be found in this publication. It was agreed it should be read more thoroughly.

8. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Clerk reported that Draft Accounts had been circulated to all Councillors. There were no comments. The Annual Return would be completed for signature at the June 29th meeting.

i. Payment of Accounts: The following accounts were passed for Payment:
Branching Out – bench for ASSC - £58.75
Playground Management – ROSPA Inspection - £138.65
K. Fergusons – Grass Cutting – 4 cycles - £822.50
Stuart & Co. – Insurance - £417.67
Clerk’s Salary – 32 hours (May) £241.60
Payments were proposed by Mrs Adams and seconded by Mrs Dix.

ii. Free Balances: Clerk reported free balances at Deposit Acct. £21,410.47 and Current Acct. £8088.10 (the first half of the Precept having been received)

iii. Parish Plan: As the Parish Council had pledged £333 towards the Parish Plan, and this sum had been guaranteed, the Clerk proposed to open a new bank account with this amount in order to pay some initial Parish Plan costs. This was agreed.

9. Representative Reports
i. Alconbury Sports & Social Club
New volunteers had been recruited onto the committee. The wording for dog ban signs would be given to the Clerk. The takings had been down on the previous year but this was due to less fund raising events. No new Trustee had yet been appointed to replace David Pilling.

ii The New Memorial Hall
Mr Vanbergen reported that Denise Benham had been recruited as the Administrator for the Hall and a Caretaker had also been appointed. Unfortunately the newly appointed Chairman, Trevor Cross, had resigned. A new Chair would be sought at the next meeting. A representative from the WI had also been appointed onto the Committee. Mr Vanbergen said that employing two people in the place of Christine East, who had been the Hall Manager, would inevitably prove to be more costly and asked the Parish Council if they would be prepared, in principle, to donate £500 towards the running of the hall over the next 3-4 months while the new committee settled in. A vote was taken on this (6 for, 1 against) so it was agreed the money would be available if necessary. Mr Vanbergen stressed how important it was not to lose any new volunteers.

iii The Parish Plan
Mr Dawson reported that flyers were being prepared and that there would be 11 collection boxes around the village for depositing responses from the residents. There would be an Open Day on June 26th followed by a full questionnaire aimed at adults, teenagers and younger children. Mrs. Watkin reported that she had attended the last meeting of the Parish Plan and congratulated them on their achievements so far, especially given the recent problems encountered with bureaucracy. She asked the Parish Council whether they would, in principle, be prepared to finance future work on the Parish Plan should the Grant not be made available. It was agreed that providing a sensible budget was in place, this important initiative should be supported.

iv RAF Molesworth
Unfortunately Mrs Dyer was not at the meeting to report on the latest developments with RAF Molesworth. It was felt generally that the amount of American traffic passing through the village was getting worse. Mrs Dyer would be informed of this feeling.

Return to top

Close this window