Present:
Mr. Brown (Chair), Mr Senior (Vice Chair), Mr Dawson, Mrs Dix, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mr Vanbergen and Mrs Williams. District Councillor Mrs Vanbergen. Mrs Lancey (Clerk) 6 members of the public.

Public Forum
Mr Hodgson expressed his concern over the recent Hunts Post article in which Peterborough City Council stated their views that Alconbury Airbase should be developed as an airport. Mrs Vanbergen reassured him that there were no new developments in this area and that this view from the City Council had been published before. There was no change in HDC’s well established position and there was no support in the Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Structure Plan.

Mr Hodgson was also concerned about ADL’s proposal for 2000 homes to be built on the airbase, when he understood that before any further development could take place, the rail link had to be established. He was reassured that no planning permission had been sought for the 2000 homes – this had merely been a representation from ADL to the East of England Regional Assembly. Any development of the airbase was still subject to the strictest planning constraints. He was further concerned that proposals for the A14 development would cause excessive heavy goods traffic on the slip road between the A1 and the airbase. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact the newly appointed County HCV Route Manager with these concerns.

Mr Wade enquired about the progress of the traffic survey to be carried out along the Great North Road. The Clerk had been informed that this would be completed before the end of September, hopefully in time for the Parish Council to enter into the Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Schemes, when an application for any appropriate traffic calming measures could be made.

Residents from Lordsway Park complained that emergency services had difficulty in finding them due to lack of signs indicating the location of the Park. Clerk to investigate whether additional wording such as “leading to Lordsway Park” could be added to a road sign at the bottom of Rusts Lane. They were also concerned that this junction was unsafe considering the increased traffic along the High Street from the Park. They also requested that there should be a pathway along the High Street between Rusts Lane and the Park. Clerk to speak with Highways. The grass had not been cut right up to the flyover. Clerk to contact Fergusons. There was an enormous amount of debris in the Brook under the flyover. Clerk to contact the Environment Agency/HDC.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Mrs Adams, Mrs Watkin and County Councillors Mr Brown and Ms. Kadic.

2. Councillors’ Interests
Mrs Dix expressed her personal interest in Planning Application 0501747FUL due to her association with the applicants.

3. Minutes of the Previous Meeting held on 28th June 2005
The Minutes were approved and signed.

4. Committee Reports
a) Clerk’s infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Clerk reported that at the last PCC meeting it had been agreed that the part of the Churchyard that borders the Brook should be kept as a wild area in the interests of bio-diversity, but some management might be necessary. Quotation to be obtained for a limited amount of work. The Diocesan Advisory Committee are trying to develop a reasonable policy with regard to safety of monuments in Churchyards. Church Warden to report back to Parish Council, but in the meantime they would seek to ensure that any seriously unstable memorials were dealt with.

Village Green: Permission had been requested to hold an open air Church Service on the Green on 31st July. Clerk had consulted all Councillors prior to the meeting and replied in the affirmative. Clerk had contacted Mr Pinner concerning his offer to clear the ford alongside Bell House. He had suggested contacting Mr. Parish for a quotation which the Clerk had done. Clerk had requested quotation for repair to the metal seat opposite 12 Brookside. Clerk reported that the grass at the bottom of Sharpes Lane would be re-seeded following path improvements. Cutting this grass was the responsibility of HDC should Mr. Pothecary not wish to continue once the grass had been re-seeded. The grass in School Lane would also be re-seeded.
Mrs Watkin had suggested a dropped kerb might be installed to the Green opposite Rusts Lane. It was agreed this could be looked at in conjunction with either the request for a path along this stretch (as previously recorded) or results from the Parish Plan questionnaire.

A report on the disease in the horse chestnut in Rusts Lane had been received from HDC and forwarded to Mr Rowlings. The Parish Council were quite rightly concerned that this disease might spread to other horse chestnuts in the village, but HDC had advised that no preventative measures could be taken. Mr. Rowlings would keep an eye on the remaining trees. Horses were still cantering on the green. Mrs Elphick to speak with stable owners and the Clerk would place a notice on the noticeboard on the Green.

General:
As a result of the complaint from Mr Rowlings about trees being pruned along the Great North Road, Clerk reported that this had been carried out by HDC because of trees overhanging the footpath. HDC were aware of the unsatisfactory re-surfacing in the Maltings. Any repairs would be added to next year’s schedule. Re-surfacing and kerbing the footpaths along the Great North Road (part of the Safer Routes to School Scheme) was underway. Clerk reported that HDC were of the opinion that the Parish Council had requested that no seat be placed in the new bus shelter outside the New Memorial Hall. This was not the case. Clerk to request that a seat be installed. Clerk reported that tree roots were causing the break up of the path at the bottom of Manor Lane and that this was being dealt with by Highways. Mrs Elphick enquired about possible repairs to the surface of Bell Lane. Clerk to speak with Highways. Mrs. Dix requested that the grips be cleared at the top of Polecat Lane to prevent flooding. Clerk to speak with Highways.

b) Planning
New Applications:
0501941FUL – Extension to dwelling – 4 Hawthorn End - No observations
0501747FUL – Erection of dwelling and garage – Land at 6 The Maltings
This application was discussed at length. It was finally voted upon. Four Councillors were in favour and three against. It was agreed to approve the application but to make clear to HDC that the Council had concerns about the flood risk in the area and the fact that the new dwelling might not be in keeping with its surroundings.
0502077FUL – Extension to dwelling – 20 Rusts Lane – No observations
0502247FUL – Erection of conservatory – 1 The Acre – No observations
0502139FUL – Erection of conservatory – 9 Coulson Way – No observations.

Applications Determined:
0501573CAC – demolition of outbuildings – 29 High Street – permission granted
0501086FUL – erection f dwelling – 29 High Street – permission refused.

c) Bramble End Playground
The Clerk reported that together with Mr Dawson she had met the representative from Sportsequip and been able to confirm that the new surface would cover all metal supports and concrete. The quote for £8797 + VAT had therefore been accepted. Start date awaited. It was agreed painting should wait until the new surface was in place.

5. Matters Arising
Alconbury Flood Alleviation Scheme
The Environment Agency had secured some additional funding for the Scheme and were aiming to submit a formal planning application by the end of August 05. In the meantime the additional funding would be used to progress the detailed design of the Scheme. It was hoped that the Scheme would score enough points to proceed in 2006/07 using Grant in Aid funding. Grass cutting would begin between Brampton Weir and the end of Main River and weed control between the A1 road bridge and Polecat Lane and upstream of Alconbury to Alconbury Weston.

Parish Council Vacancy
Clerk confirmed that a notice had been placed on the noticeboard for co-option of a replacement Councillor.

Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Schemes
The results of the traffic survey which were required for the 06/07 bidding round would not be available until end September. This would only leave one month to submit a bid. Sub Committee to arrange meeting.

The Old Memorial Hall Committee
The sale of the land was now complete and reimbursement made to the Parish Council for invoices paid on the Committee’s behalf. Mr Vanbergen confirmed that the balance of the sale money should now have been transferred to the New Memorial Hall. The capital was to be held for use on the fabric of the building and any emergencies or health and safety issues, whilst the distribution of the interest would be the responsibility of a separate committee which would meet twice a year.

Group Training - CALC
Clerk reported that a Saturday training session would not be available until late November. It was agreed the Clerk should obtain some evening dates for consideration.

Calligraphic Roll of Honour
The original quote for the restoration of this Roll of Honour was £485 to be met between Alconbury PC, Alconbury Weston PC and The Friends. In fact a complete reconstruction had been carried out and the cost was £620. It was agreed that the Parish Council would meet the difference (£135).

6. Correspondence (A list of all correspondence had been circulated to all)

Changes to Mobile Library Service
CCC wished to change this from weekly to fortnightly in the village. As the service was very well used it was agreed that the Clerk should express the Parish Council’s opposition to this change.

HDC Open Space Survey/Questionnaire
Clerk to complete.

Letter of Thanks
Received from Citizens Advice Bureau in respect of recent donation.

A Guide to Heavy Commercial Vehicles and the Roads of Cambridgeshire
Introduction to new HCV Route Manager.

Huntingdonshire Mediaeval Festival Weekend 5/6/7 August
Programmes distributed and placed in Post Office.

ASSC Spraying – Polecat Lane
Mrs. Dix had complained that whilst spraying the playing field, ASSC had badly damaged shrubs and trees in her garden. The Parish Council had subsequently written to complain on her behalf. The arboricultural officer from HDC had written to Mrs. Dix and the letter would be copied to the ASSC.

7. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
(a) Payment of Accounts
Cheques for signature (now notified along with Correspondence List)
K Fergusons - £847.17 – grass cutting
HDC - £29.72 – election charges
Vitalise - £50 – donation
S Lancey - £13.44 – internet calls
Clerk’s Salary – July 05 - £346.38 – 42.5 hrs. @ £8.15 per hr.
Demon - £11.75 – Web Hosting
Grafton Projects - £34.53 - stationery
Cleared balances – Current Account £10,068.64 and Deposit Account £26,960.29

Accounts proposed by Mr Vanbergen and seconded by Mrs Dyer

There was an expenditure item for the Parish Plan for Lodge Printers of £600 which unfortunately could not be signed due to absence of signatories on this account. The account was approved and the Clerk would arrange for payment as soon as possible and would speak with Lodge Printers concerning the delay.
Cleared balances (after £600) - Parish Plan Account - £210.55 - Youth Group Account - £5682.95

8. Community Policing
Mr Senior expressed his concern about the lack of evident community policing in the village. Mrs Vanbergen added that there had also been a change to the PCSOs patrolling the village which was most unfortunate from a continuity viewpoint. It was stressed how important it was for anyone to report all incidents to the police in order to obtain an incident number. Without these calls the police were unaware of the problems being experienced. Mrs Vanbergen was to have a meeting with the Sector Inspector and would discuss the feelings of the Parish Council and report back.

9. The Youth Group
The Clerk reported from the minutes of the recent Youth Group meeting. Helen Martins, the new youth worker, had attended the last meeting. The cost of her services were not to be charged to the Youth Group for the foreseeable future. The £1000 recently paid was for work by the detached youth team, past and future. Kim Sewell was the new representative on the group from Alconbury Weston Parish Council. The PCSOs were to be invited to the next meeting. Nigel Murphy had been posted away from the village so the group would need a replacement Chair and also a replacement Secretary was required.

10. The Parish Plan
Mr Dawson reported that out of 750 questionnaires distributed, a disappointing 150 had been completed. The prizes for completion of the questionnaires would be drawn at the ASSC Open Day on 4th September. It was anticipated that the final report would be presented to the Parish Council in late October. It was suggested that this report might be published on the Parish Council website as well as noticeboards throughout the village.

11. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 30th August 2005 in the New Memorial Hall and will start at 7.45.

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