Present:
Mrs. Aylott, (Chair) Mrs Adams, Mr Brown, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mr Hardy, Mrs Watkin, Mr Watson and Mrs Williams. District Councillor Keith Baker. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 4 members of the public. In the absence of Mr Senior, Mrs Aylott chaired the meeting.

Public Forum
Mr Hollis (Rusts Lane) expressed his concern that any traffic calming measures in Rusts Lane could cause noise problems to residents and added that since living in the area, he had not experienced any problems with speeding traffic or difficulties for pedestrians. It was explained that it was most unlikely that measures such as speed humps would be adopted, and pointed out that many complaints had been received concerning the dangers of using the public footpath which crossed the road on the blind bend. The JFMI bid had been submitted to address this problem in particular.

Mr Hodgson was concerned that notices on both the A1 and the A14 advertising Truckstop, were still in place, in spite of the facility being closed. Clerk to contact Highways and to continue to ask the Police to monitor any illegal parking in the area.

Mr Hodgson also enquired of Mr Keith Baker (District Councillor) whether the disused restaurant site on Ermine Street could not be used as a facility for the youth of both the Alconburys and the Stukeleys, for example as a cinema, bearing in mind that the bus service into Huntingdon did not run late at night. This proposal was noted by Mr Baker.

Mr Scotney arranged with the Clerk to store collection boxes and paperwork from the production of the Parish Plan in the Memorial Hall.

86. Apologies for Absence
The Clerk recorded that retrospective apologies had been received from Mrs Watkin for the meeting held on 28th August. Apologies for tonight’s meeting had been received from Mr Senior and Mrs Hathaway and County Councillors Peter Brown and Laine Kadic.

87. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
None recorded.

88. To sign and approve minutes of previous meetings held on 28th August and 13th September 2007.
Proposed by Mrs Adams and seconded by Mr Watson. Minutes duly approved and signed.

89. Land at Hawthorn End – update from Clerk
Clerk reported that Mr. Goddard has been informed by the Treasury Solicitor that the land in question had been sold to the executors of Mrs. Freeman’s estate and was completed on 10th August. Mr Goddard had written to the Treasury Solicitor expressing his bitter disappointment. Clerk explained that the decision appeared to be final. The Crown was entitled to assets belonging to a company which had gone into liquidation (in this case ADL). As ownership was not in dispute, the Crown had no reason to contact any other bodies such as the Parish Council before going ahead with the sale. Mr Watson asked whether Mr. Goddard might be interested in obtaining a Certificate of Lawfulness of Existing Use relating to the land in question which, if acquired, would mean that the current or new owners would have to apply for planning permission for change of use from amenity land to private garden. Clerk to contact Mr Goddard accordingly.

90. The Brook Clearance – update from Mrs Dyer and Mr Hardy
This was still scheduled to go ahead between 11.00am and 1.00pm on Saturday 29th September. Participants would meet at the bridge. First aid and safety issues had been organised. The ford gates would be shut during the clearance. 7 Parish Councillors were able to attend.

91. Safer Neighbourhood Panel Meeting – update from Mrs Dyer and Mr Hardy
This event had been poorly attended (6 members of the public) but also had been poorly advertised. Panel meetings were a way of addressing local issues which would be acted upon and reported upon at the next meeting in the neighbourhood 3 months hence. Illegal parking on sliproads at Truckstop had been discussed and was being monitored. Dangerous skateboarding in the village had also been discussed. It was agreed that the Clerk should ask the police to continue to enforce a policy of non-parking at the Truckstop site. Next meeting would be in Godmanchester on 22nd November 2007.

92. Parking – School Lane
CCC had confirmed that they would be monitoring the school time parking and identifying where pedestrian crossing movements were being made. They would report back to the Parish Council. In the meantime the PCSOs were dealing with vehicles parked on the junctions and the situation appeared to be marginally improved. Clerk to update Brian Gray.

93. Dog Control Orders
HDC had been contacted and the maps re-drawn to include the ASSC and the land recently purchased for the extension of their facilities. It was agreed to respond positively to the consultation questionnaire.

94. The Parish Plan – report from Mrs Watkin
5 members of the public had attended the new groups meeting. Various suggestions had been made including an arts and crafts group, a drama group, a walking group, a writer’s circle and a reading group. All households had received a leaflet explaining the new ideas. This leaflet was to be displayed on village notice boards. It was agreed to subsidise the hall rental for the first six weeks for both the arts and crafts group and the drama group. Clerk to organise. Publicising the meetings would be the responsibility of the individual groups. Next meeting of the Parish Plan Working Party - 15th October 2007.

95. Neighbourhood Watch – report on meeting from Mrs Aylott/Mr Hardy
Village fete had been very successful raising £730. The group was very short of co-ordinators. A new register of members was being organised. Residents would receive leaflets explaining the new organisation. Carols on the green organised for 17th December 2007.

96. Review of Quality Workshop
Parish Councillors had recently attended a Quality Workshop run by CALC. Clerk confirmed that her training portfolio should be completed by the end of October and it was agreed to continue with the Council’s portfolio to gain Quality Status after this. The Parish Plan working party would take over the responsibility of putting the portfolio together. This would be discussed at their next meeting on 15th October. Clerk to also attend.

97. The Youth Group - report from Mrs Adams and Mrs Aylott
Club nights were still very well attended, and it had been confirmed that a second Friday night could be accommodated in the Memorial Hall. However, the group was still desperately in need of more adult assistance to cope with the popularity of the club nights. The group had suggested a presentation for the general public in the Memorial Hall to promote the planned ball park. The children would participate in the presentation and also help with fund raising. Residents in close proximity would receive a leaflet explaining the plans. Parish Councillors agreed with these proposals. The ball park could also be promoted in the Newsletter. It was also suggested that the ball park might be a community initiative in which the American airforce personnel might be involved. The policy of whether to ask those attending the youth group to make a voluntary contribution towards the running costs of the evenings was being discussed. Music Quiz Night planned for 16th November 2007.

98. Core Strategy Discussion Meeting- update from Mr Watson
Mr Watson explained that the Core Strategy dealt with housing needs up to 2026 by which time 11,000 homes were required in Huntingdonshire. It was HDC’s preferred option to concentrate most development in Huntingdon and St. Neots and that there were no significant plans for Alconbury or the Airbase at the present time. Clerk to confirm that the Parish Council were in agreement with these proposals.

99. Matters Arising from Previous Minutes (for information only)
Speed Restrictions – Great North Road – Clerk had chased CCC and they had accepted that this scheme was not yet complete. Consequently no payment would yet be made.

100. Committee Reports
a) Clerk’s infrastructure Report
Churchyard: No observations.

Village Green: Further repairs were being carried out to the footbridge next to the Heritage Bridge.

General: Fly tipping had been reported along the Great North Road. A bridge had been damaged and repaired at the bottom of Polecat Lane. Rubbish had also been dumped in the ditch at the bottom of Polecat Lane. Mrs Williams reported that two accidents had taken place at the junction of Rusts Lane and High Street, which she felt added weight to the bid for traffic calming in this area. Work had not yet begun on resurfacing Spinney Lane in spite of numerous promises. Clerk to write a letter of complaint.

b) Planning
New Applications
0702982FUL – Erection of Dwelling and Garage – Land at 15 Great North Road. This was discussed at some length and it was unanimously agreed that there should be no changes to the Parish Council’s previous response to the former application, recommending refusal.
Applications Determined by HDC:
0701697FUL – Temporary use of former runway for external storage – ADL – refused.
0701698FUL – Temporary use of hardstanding for external storage – ADL – refused.
0701699FUL – Temporary use of existing building for employment (B1,B2, B8) – this application had gone to the Development Control Panel. The Parish Council had submitted further written representation recommending refusal of the application, but it had been permitted by HDC
0702326FUL – Erection of Greenhouse – Kiln Barn, 1aThe Maltings – permission granted
0702415FUL – Erection of glazed shelter – Research Centre – Woolley Lane – permission granted.

c) Bramble End Playground
A swing had been damaged and had been reported for repair. Mrs Williams. reported several incidents of broken glass found in the area. Clerk to ask PCSOs to patrol. Parish Councillors to also check whenever possible. This could also be an item for the next Newsletter. Mrs Williams reported that she had received estimates in the region of £4000 for fencing the play equipment in the area. This was felt excessive and not absolutely necessary due to the location of the equipment.

101. Correspondence
Request for Skate Park facilities – Bramble End Playground
This request had been received from young people in the village and was discussed at some length. As provision of the ball park at the Memorial Hall was already underway, it was felt impossible to seek funding for an additional major project at the current time. It was also felt that Bramble End would not be an ideal location for a skate park. It was decided the Clerk should suggest that these young people should attend a Youth Group meeting to discuss the plans for the ball park and that at the same time it should be pointed out that to skate board on roads and pavements in the village could be dangerous.

Mobile PCSO Surgery – Maypole Square
Planned for Sunday 30th September 12.30 – 2.00pm

Community Life Award
Mrs Jean King was congratulated on receiving this award.

Flood Alleviation Scheme
Letter received from Jonathan Djanogly reiterating that there is little hope of any scheme going ahead in Alconbury in the near future, and suggesting that the Parish Council might like to advise affected parishioners to consider making plans for defending their own homes. It was discussed that this might be incorporated into the next Newsletter.

102. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Year to Date Spend compared with Budget
Clerk had produced a comparison report for all Councillors. At this half way point through the year, expenditure has not been exceeded.

Next Year’s Precept 2008/2009
A budget meeting was set for 7.30 on Wednesday 17th October. Venue to be confirmed. Any funds required for on-going activities needed to be estimated in time for this meeting. The Clerk would then prepare a draft budget for approval at the next Parish Council meeting on 30th October. This would allow time for any further changes to be made before submission of the Precept request to HDC at the beginning of December.

Cheques for signature:
Pipex Internet - £14.99
Demon – Web Hosting - £11.75
Grafton Projects – stationery/photocopying £143.39
Grafton Projects – stationery/photocopying - £81.35
A C Green – clearance of path – Bell Lane to Rusts Lane - £200
CALC – Code of Conduct Advertisement - £24.00
Huntingdonshire District Council – Contribution towards bus shelter - £1759.50
Clerk’s Salary September (including extra for training) - £391.21
Petty Cash Top Up - £19.80
Payments were proposed by Mrs Aylott and seconded by Mrs Adams
Cleared Balances:
Current Account: £9519.18. Deposit Account £13,523.07
Youth Group Account: £3,590.99

103. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 30th October 2007 at 7.45 in the Memorial Hall.

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