Present:
Mr Senior (Chair), Mrs Adams Mrs Aylott, Mrs Elphick, Mr Hardy, Mr Lay, Mr Pickering, Mr Sale, and Mrs Williams. District Councillor Keith Baker. County Councillor Sir Peter Brown. Mrs Sharp-Clerk. 6 Members of the Public.

Public Forum
Mr Van Bergen requested information as to the progress of the allotments. He was advised that he would be able to speak under agenda item 151 as Mr Senior would be relaxing standing orders.

147. Apologies for Absence
Apologies received from Mrs Hathaway and County Councillor Laine Kadic

148. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
Mr Senior declared a personal interest in item 113c being a resident of Bramble End.
Mrs Adams, Mr Hardy and Mr Watson all declared a prejudicial interest in item 161 as they are members of the ASSC committee.

149. To sign and approve minutes of previous meeting held on 24th November 2009 and minutes of Planning meetings held on 14th December and 12th January
Minutes for meeting on 24th November proposed by Mrs Aylott and seconded by Mr Sale. Planning meeting minutes for 14th December and 12th January proposed by Mrs Williams and seconded by Mr Watson. Minutes duly approved and signed.

150. Heritage Bridge/Village bus service
Mr Senior advised that the work on the Heritage Bridge had been completed ahead of Schedule in December. He also advised that the County Council had been successful in ensuring that the buses were going to continue to service the village by using the bridge.

It was agreed that the Clerk would write to Stagecoach and request a meeting in the village in order to discuss the possibility of changing the route and timetable in the future in order to prevent any further damage to the bridge by buses. Clerk will action.

151. Allotments-Update from Mrs Aylott (Standing orders were relaxed for this item).
Mrs Aylott advised that the lease had been held up due to wording issues on the final document which was now with the solicitor. She advised that it had been anticipated that the lease would be ready by 1st February subject to both parties being happy with the final copy.

Mrs Aylott gave information on quotations for perimeter fencing. The average figures were £6,000-£7,000 for materials only and £10,000-£12,000 for materials and labour costs. The AAGA advised that they were going to apply for grants and funding once the lease had been signed. Mr Van Bergen asked if grants for fencing etc would be a guarantee however he was advised that no grants are guaranteed.

After a long discussion it was agreed that the yearly rent would be £52 per year, working out to £1 per week. The Parish Council agreed to ‘peg out’ the 3? acre allotment site and AAGA would mark out the individual plots.

John Craig suggested the Parish Council should provide public liability insurance that would cover the allotments, as the Council would be leasing the land. Mr Senior agreed that the Parish Council would look into this.

Mr Senior advised that a small budget of £500 would be made available to AAGA in order for them to buy essential items. This will be actioned at the next meeting.

Carol Lee expressed the thanks of the AAGA to the Parish Council and especially Mrs Aylott for the hard work and help that had been given over the previous months.

152. Youth Group - Mr Senior
Mr Senior advised that there had been great concern from Youth Workers about the lack of support from parents. He advised that the Youth Group had been close to closing, however, there had been 10 people come forward with offers of help both at youth nights and on the committee. Clerk to contact.

Mr Senior also advised that there was a need for regular committee meetings and a more stable committee including a treasurer. He informed the meeting of a planned Youth Group committee meeting which was to be held on 1st February 2010 in the Memorial Hall. He also advised that there was £12,500 in the Youth Group reserves account which had originally been set aside for the possibility of a ball park. It was agreed by the whole council that some of this money should be used to invest in better equipment and activities for the Youth Group as well as paying the Detached Youth Workers for 8 hours per month to cover their planning, travelling, setting up and packing away time.

The Parish Council agreed that the Youth group should have a small budget available to them of £500 in order to pay for essential items as and when needed.

153. Community Orchard
The Clerk reported that the planting for the new Community Orchard would take place on 31st January providing the weather was favourable to do so. She advised that there had been around 25 trees sold along with approximately 60 metres of fruit hedging. Mr Senior expressed his thanks to Mr Roger Read for his assistance with moving trees, clearing land and the time taken to help move the project along.

154. CPALC Training Schedule
The Clerk informed the Council that she had looked into group training sessions through CPALC. It was agreed by all that any training should be left until after the elections in May. The Council also agreed that the Clerk should look into the possibility of training sessions with Jackie Wilson from Canalbs Ltd. Clerk to action.

155. Speeding in the village/Neighbourhood Watch update
Mr Senior advised that the speeding issue was still being investigated and the clerk had been looking into a possible 20mph speed limit. He also advised that the idea of possibly putting “20” stickers onto bins had been welcomed and would be further investigated.

Mrs Aylott advised that at the last Neighbourhood Watch meeting, the idea of “20” stickers had also been welcomed. She informed the Council that Neighbourhood Watch had requested 2 bins for dog mess, however this would need to be further investigated to ensure regular emptying. Mrs Aylott also advised that Neighbourhood Watch are in the process of designing a decorative “Village Map” and when completed will provide two for the village. They were also considering providing some finger post direction signs.

Neighbourhood Watch had advised that there had been a slight increase in burglaries in the village recently and to be aware that rogue trader were once again in the area.

156. Huntingdonshire Flood Forum
Mr Pickering had attended the Huntingdonshire Flood Forum meeting on 10th December 2009. He advised that the District Council, Environment Agency, Drainage Board and Emergency planning had been in attendance as well as representatives from local Parish Councils. He advised that the main changes to report had been the new Flood and Water bill that was due to be passed in Parliament later this year. He also reported that there was no longer to be an automatic right to connect to main sewerage systems. River levels will be available to check on the internet from 1st April 2010 and flood warning codes would be changing however it was not finalised.

Mr Pickering had raised the questions on behalf of the Parish Council about buildings insurance and the problems faced by some residents who could not get flood insurance. He was advised at the forum that whilst the affected individuals were entitled to complain to the AVI, there was no automatic entitlement to flood insurance. He did advise that if individuals were to take their own measures against flooding, insurance companies should look favourably upon this and reconsider however this was not guaranteed.

He advised, that the DEFRA grant to improve flood alleviation in Alconbury had been reapplied for, however, if Alconbury were to be unsuccessful again, the Environment Agency’s regional flood defence department would provide funding for individual flood alleviation measures to the most high risk properties. Mr Senior thanked Mr Pickering for his information and attendance at the forum.

157. Committee Reports
(a) Clerk’s Infrastructure Report
Churchyard: nothing to report
Village Green: The Clerk advised that there had been a complaint of a van parking on the village green however this had now been moved. Gemma Clark (PCSO) would continue to monitor when she was in the village. It had been raised that there was a problem with molehills on the Village Green, however, this is not something that the Parish Council could deal with.
General: Nothing to report

(b) Planning Applications Received:
None
Applications determined by Huntingdonshire District Council/Appeal

0901360FUL-Erection of cover structure to existing swimming pool – Casa Mia, Great North Road, Alconbury-Withdrawn

0901479FUL-Demolition of extension and erection of two storey extension and replacement of flat roof with pitched roof. Revised scheme. Weybridge Lodge, Woolley Road, Alconbury-Permission granted.

0901261FUL – Erection of shed for storage of agricultural equipment and produce – land south of Lordsway Park Homes, High Street –Permission Granted

(c) Bramble End
Monthly inspection-Mrs Williams reported a slight increase in litter.
Development of the Play Area and Update on WREN funding – Mrs Williams/Mr Watson-Mr Watson advised that the Parish Council had been successful in securing funding from WREN in order to redevelop the play area at Bramble End. He advised that the Parish Council had been requested to raise a cheque for £2451.68 in order to secure funding, but that this amount would be refunded if the project were not to go ahead. He advised that the Council’s total contribution would be £5254.68 and the contribution from WREN would be £27,878. Mrs Williams would be contacting the play equipment company as soon as the contracts had arrived from WREN in order to get the ball rolling on the project. Mr Senior expressed his thanks to Mrs Williams and Mr Watson for their hard work and efforts on this project.

158. Alconbury Parish Plan (ACRE)
The Clerk reported that there had been a request from ACRE to update the Parish Plan that had been done in 2006. Mr Hardy and Mrs Williams volunteered to do this and report back at the next meeting.

159. Xmas Tree and Carol Singing
Mr Senior reported that the Xmas tree had been a great success and well received by the whole community. He thanked Neighbourhood watch for their help and donation and expressed special thanks to Roger Read for his hard work. Unfortunately there had been some lights found to be missing from the tree upon dismantling it, and some lights found to be faulty so the Parish Council agreed to look at the possibility of some new lights later in the year.

Mr Senior reported that the Carol Concert had been a great success with over 100 people attending. He again wished to thank Neighbourhood Watch and hoped that this would be become an annual event.

160. Request for grit bin at top of Globe Lane for disabled residents-Clerk
The Clerk reported that there had been a request for a grit bin at Globe Lane as the previous one had been stolen. The Council agreed that this could be ordered ASAP.

161. ASSC-Request for 2 new signs (Mr Watson, Mr Hardy and Mrs Adams left the room as they all expressed a prejudicial interest in this item.)
The Clerk had received a request from the ASSC for 2 new signs to keep dogs on leads as one had been damaged and another was required for the new MUGA area. It was agreed that the Clerk would get quotes for these and report back to the Council at the next meeting for a decision to be made.

162. Request for donation from Alconbury over 60’s club
The Clerk had received a request for donation from Alconbury over 60’s club in order to help fund their August outing. Mr Senior requested that the clerk contacted the club to acquire a little more information about the number of members and the donation requested.

163. Correspondence
- Letter of thanks from British Legion
- Parish Paths Partnership-It was agreed that the council did not wish to enter the PPP at the given time.

164. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Cheques for signature:
- Pipex Internet Dec 09 (paid by D/D) - £14.67
- Demon – Web Hosting Dec 09 (paid by D/D) - £11.50
- Pipex Internet Jan 09 (paid by D/D) - £14.67
- Demon – Web Hosting Jan 09 (paid by D/D) - £11.50
- Glasdon-Lordsway Park Grit Bins-£302.84
- Paul Tait-Website-£517.00
- Smiths Gore-Memorial Hall Rent-£76.45
- Jo Sharp-Broadband Nov-January (3x£17.13)-£51.39
- Alan Summerfield-Grass Cutting-£3105.00
- Dyers Warboys-Xmas Tree-£166.00
- Smiths Gore-VAT Increase-£1.58
- Waste Recycling Group-Bramble End match funding-£2451.68
- Smallwork Services (Tetley)-Xmas tree erection and stabilising-£100.00
- Jo Sharp-Clerk Salary for December-£508.98
- Jo Sharp-Clerk Salary for January-£400.51
- Sue Lancey-Clerk Salary for December-£256.28
- Sue Lancey-Clerk Salary for January-£196.42
- Inland Revenue-£455.39

Cleared Balances
Current Account-£7168.28
Deposit Account-£32949.52
Ball Park Fundraising Account-£1810.61
Youth Group Current Account-£263.60

Date of next meeting - Tuesday 23rd February 2010 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.

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