Present:
Mr. Brown (Chairman), Mr Senior, Mrs Aylott, Mrs Elphick, Mrs Hathaway, Mr Watson, Mrs Watkin and Mrs Williams. County Councillors Sir Peter Brown and Elaine Kadic. District Councillor Mr Keith Baker. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 7 members of the public.

Public Forum
Mr Stock reminded the Parish Council of the occasions that they had been made aware of anti social behaviour in and around the bus shelter on the village green. He was anxious that they had set in motion a meeting with Huntingdonshire Community Safety Partnership to discuss the whole issue. The Clerk confirmed that the date for the meeting was 24th August. The Chairman thanked Mr. Stock for the information provided.

Mrs Horner had received complaints that the District Council bus service running between Upton (via Alconbury) and St. Ives on Mondays was dangerous to passengers due to the amount of shopping trolleys etc. blocking the aisle of the bus. Clerk to speak with HDC.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Mrs Adams and Mrs Dyer.

2. Councillors’ Interests
None recorded.

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 27th June 2006
Proposed by Mrs Watkin and seconded by Mr Watson and were duly approved and signed.

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

Village Green: Painting of the footbridge was still in hand.
The Tree Warden had inspected the large chestnut tree surrounded by the metal seat. He considered it was in good health but would monitor it.
Mrs Elphick reported that the drain cover on the corner of the green had lifted during the recent storm. Clerk to contact Anglian Water.

General: Inaccurate sign for Household Recycling Centre had been removed.
“Village Only” sign at the junction of the Great North Road and Mill Road should be delivered within the next few days.
The pump in Maypole Square needed attention. Clerk to ascertain cost before agreeing that the Parish Council should pay for this.
The travellers had been moved on from the land opposite Admiral Conservatories.

b) Planning
New Applications:
0602108FUL/LBC– Erection of Conservatory – Kiln Barn – No observations.
0602108FUL – Extension to dwelling for use as ancillary residential accommodation – 8 Great North road - No observations.
0602262FUL – Extension to dwelling – 1, The Paddock – this application had not been returned to the Clerk. Time extension to be requested.
0602183FUL – Change of use of outbuildings to two self-catering holiday units – Building at Spring Cottage, Coulson Way. Some concern was expressed over flooding in this area.

Applications Determined by Huntingdonshire District Council:
0600240FUL – Erection of Poultry Unit, Lodge Farm, Low Road, Little Stukeley – permission refused on environmental grounds.
0601680FUL – Erection of Conservatory – 21 Coulson Way – granted
0601709FUL – Erection of Conservatory – 21 Chapel Street – granted
0601704FUL – Extension to Lorry Park, Truckstop - withdrawn
0601919FUL – Part demolition and construction of new research facility – Paragon Global Services – Granted.

Removal of Fencing, Alconbury Airfield – Planning Enforcement had reported that this was regarded as a means of enclosure rather than the creation of a new access and as such constituted development for which formal planning permission was not required. No further action.

Development of shop and surrounding buildings – Bell Lane
A personal interest was declared by Mrs Elphick, Mr Watson and Mrs. Williams – the Postmaster had provided a sketch of proposed development of 1, Bell Lane. Parish Council were most concerned that this sketch did not show a replacement shop. Clerk to convey this to Mr Mistry.

c) Bramble End Playground
A shackle had broken on the bay swings and had been repaired. Mr Senior and Mrs Williams to check on equipment every month prior to the Parish Council meeting in order that this monthly check might be logged in the minutes.

The wet pour surface had become detached around the edges under one set of swings and subsequently damaged by children. This had been repaired FOC by SportsEquip. The damage may have been caused by the extremely hot weather Clerk to send letter of appreciation to SportsEquip.

HDC’s Play Strategy would be sent to the Parish Council on completion before submission to National Lottery.

5. Matters Arising
Meeting with HDC to discuss CCTV camera
Arranged for Thursday 24th August at 7.30 in the Methodist Chapel.

Speed Reduction Measures – Great North Road
Letter received from Mr Wade had been forwarded to Highways.

Allotments
Initial meeting of working party had been held to look into all aspects of providing allotments in the village. Clerk to investigate availability of land.

Ethical Standards and the Code of Conduct
Training attended by Mr Brown and Mr Watson. Chairman reported this was most worthwhile and encouraged all councillors to attend future courses.

The Methodist Chapel
Clerk confirmed that this had been booked as the new venue for Parish Council meetings. She would confirm in writing and cancel the New Memorial Hall booking.

Correspondence
Clerk reminded the meeting that correspondence received too late to be included on the Agenda (Correspondence List) could not be discussed. Clerk to ensure that all e-mails are acknowledged, and to advertise a disclaimer that should an acknowledgement not be returned within a reasonable time scale then the sender should assume that the e-mail had not been received.

6. Correspondence (A list of correspondence had been circulated to all)
Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Schemes
The forms for the 2007/08 bidding round had been received. Further speed restrictions in the village and the footpath in School Lane were discussed as areas for improvement. It was agreed that this should be discussed by a working party prior to the next Parish Plan meeting.

RAF Molesworth
Mrs Dyer had reported that at the last meeting she had received support from Alconbury Weston Parish Council concerning the increase in American traffic passing through both villages. Concern was expressed that this might get worse while the traffic lights were being installed at Brampton Hut roundabout, but that when this was complete it might alleviate the problems of through traffic in the village. It was also feared that traffic calming along the Great North Road might also cause more traffic to go through the village. Mrs Dyer felt that the new Squadron Leader might give traffic problems a higher priority than the previous incumbent.

The Milestone Society
Clerk had contacted both HDC Conservation and the Milestone Society about the listed milestone opposite the old police houses on The Great North Road. It was agreed that this should be refurbished by volunteers with the help of the Milestone Society. Mrs Elphick,Mrs Watkin and Mrs Stock volunteered to help and Mrs Dyer was also known to be interested. Clerk to organise.

CALC Training on Planning
Booked for 11th September – 7.00pm in the Methodist Chapel.

Freedom of Information Act
Workshop run by CALC on 13th September. Mrs Watkin to attend.

The Flood Alleviation Scheme
An introductory letter had been received from Mr Brian Patten of the Environment Agency who wished to speak with the Parish Council in their capacity as land owners affected by the Flood Alleviation Scheme. They were looking to submit planning applications by Nov/Dec 2006. More public exhibitions would be held and the EA had requested the use of both Parish Council noticeboards and possibly the website. Meeting arranged for 23rd August, 7.30pm in The Methodist Chapel. Mr Baker requested that he might join the meeting. Clerk to confirm with Environment Agency and to check on status of dispensation with HDC.

Standards Committee Agenda and Minutes
Circulated to all Councillors.

Creative Change Marketing Campaign with RNID
Request for help to distribute postcards encouraging people to use a clinically approved, over- the- phone hearing test. Clerk to make further enquiries.

7. The Parish Plan
Clerk reported that at the recent sub committee meeting the identified topics had been inserted into ACRE’s Action Plan template. It had been recognised that the Response Document may need fine tuning after the Action Plan had been completed. It was anticipated (and confirmed acceptable by ACRE) that this document could go out in December 2006. Further meeting booked for 2.00pm on 17th August at Mrs. Watkin’s residence.

The clerk had made arrangements to get an electronic version of the Parish Plan to Stan Rees at ACRE.

8. The Sports & Social Club
Mr Watson reported on the recent meeting where the planned extension of facilities had been the main item for discussion. The grant from the Football Foundation would be for £265K, but the Foundation were insisting upon more match funding from the Sports & Social Club. The shortfall of £21K had been agreed to, and accordingly fund raising was underway. A decision was expected Aug/Sept. 2006. Takings over the bar had been very successful during the period of the World Cup.

9. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Clerk reported that a member of the public had requested to inspect the accounts. This had been done, also with Mrs Aylott in attendance, on 26th July 2006. At the end of the inspection period on 28th July, the Annual Return would be submitted for audit.

Cheques for signature (notified with Correspondence List):
Grafton Projects - stationery - £34.96
Clerk’s Salary - July - £396.05
Petty Cash Top-Up - £17.64
Demon - Web Hosting - £11.75
Pipex Broadband - £14.99

Payments were proposed by Mr Senior and seconded by Mr Watson

Cleared Balances:
Current Account: £17,411.13 Deposit Account £18,592.70
Youth Group Account: £5272.10

10. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 29th August 2006 in the New Memorial Hall, starting at 7.45pm. It was agreed that Police Liaison and Neighbourhood Watch would be regular Agenda items each month.

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