Present:
Mr Senior (Chair), Mrs Adams, Mrs Aylott, Mr Brown, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mr Hardy, Mrs Hathaway and Mrs Williams. District Councillor Keith Baker. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 2 members of the public.

Public Forum
Mr Hodgson reported that the Development Control Panel meeting to discuss the renewal of planning applications on the airbase was due to be held on 15th September at 7.00pm and urged the Parish Council to make representation. Mr Senior said that the Parish Council had already made a very detailed response to the planning application which had been forwarded to HDC after their meeting in July. The Clerk would copy Mr Hodgson with this report. District Councillor Keith Baker would attend the meeting and report back to the Parish Council accordingly.

Mr Deller reported the increased use of go-peds in the village which had been travelling at dangerous speeds. Mr Hardy confirmed that the use of go-peds on the highway was illegal. Clerk to contact PCSO Gemma Clarke.

53. Apologies for Absence
Apologies received from Mrs Watkin and Mr Watson.

54. Councillors' Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
Mrs Williams declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 64, Maypole Square, living in close proximity to the site.

55. To sign and approve minutes of previous meeting held on 29th July 2008
Proposed by Mrs Aylott and seconded by Mrs Dyer. Minutes duly approved and signed.

56. Presentation from 'Time Inspired'
Mr Adam and Mrs Graves gave a short presentation of the plans for 'Time Inspired' the village pageant to be held on 17th/18th/19th October 2008. The Parish Council were very appreciative of being kept informed of the event and thought the presentation was excellent. They also agreed that details of the event might be linked with the Parish Council website. Details to be forwarded to the Clerk.

57. Quality Status - update from Mr Senior
Mr Senior was extremely pleased to report that Alconbury had been awarded its Quality Council Status. He thanked all Councillors and the Clerk for the additional work they had undertaken in order to achieve this accreditation, and reiterated that he felt the scheme had helped to achieve higher levels of professionalism, enabling the Council to serve the community more efficiently. It was agreed that the clerk should arrange to frame the certificate and permission should be sought to display this in the lounge in the Memorial Hall.

58. Request for commemorative seat
A request had been received for erecting a seat in memory of Alconbury resident Mrs Yvonne Hawkins, recently deceased. The location of the seat was discussed and it was considered that Bramble End might be appropriate. Clerk to check the condition of the current seat to see if its replacement was necessary. Maintenance of the seat would become the responsibility of the Parish Council after its installation.

59. Jointly Funded Minor Improvement Scheme 09/10 Bidding Round
Mr Brown informed the meeting that a scheme to improve safety for pedestrians on the dangerous corner in Rusts Lane, so encouraging walking and cycling along the public footpath intersected by Rusts Lane, had been submitted for the 09/10 bidding round. A designated pedestrian crossing and associated warnings to motorists had been requested.

60. Land at Field Close
The Clerk reported that confirmation had now been received of the Highways Agency's ownership of the land in question. The purchase of the land from HDC pre-dated compulsory Land Registration, explaining why this land had not been shown on index map searches. However, the Agency had recently completed a 2 year project to plot and register the location of their deeds, hence the land at Field Close had only recently been registered. A tree surgeon had now advised the Agency on which trees needed to be felled and/or maintained, and it was hoped this work would be carried out within the next few weeks. It was agreed that the Clerk should write to residents in the area informing them of the current situation. Noise levels from the A1 would be monitored after any tree felling had been carried out.

61. New Noticeboard
Cliff Carlson, together with his Eagle Scouts had erected a new noticeboard for the Parish in Spinney Lane on 16th August. The board was already being put to good use. They had also cleared the path between Bell Lane and Rusts Lane. The Parish Council were very appreciative of the effort gone into this project. Clerk to write letter of thanks.

62. Sports & Social Club – report from Mr Brown
In view of the increased facilities at the club and the resulting increase in visitors, the ASSC had requested the Parish Council’s support for directional signs. These should direct traffic around the village rather than through it. Clerk to contact CCC. Subject to cost, the ASSC might ask the Parish Council for some financial assistance.

The Cricket Club were extremely grateful for the recent donation of £500 from the Parish Council towards the cricket wicket.

63. Alconbury Sewage Treatment Works
Work to improve the quality of waste water treatment and some refurbishments on the treatment works had begun at the end of July 08 and were expected to last for 52 weeks. Working hours were from 8.00am until 6.00pm and a continual review of the impact of these works on neighbouring properties would take place. Article had been put in the Newsletter.

64. Maypole Square
The wooden casing had been removed from the pump in order for the handle to be repaired. Clerk had received an estimate of £35 for this work, which it was agreed should be accepted. The wooden case was somewhat dilapidated. A replacement pump stand could be purchased for less than £40 which would mean the wooden case would not have to be reinstated. As the pump was in memory of Mr Dix, and had been renovated by him and Mr Foster, Mrs Dix had been asked for her opinion. The Parish Council favoured a renovated pump without the wooden casing, but awaited the views of Mrs Dix. Clerk to action accordingly. Provision of dedicated lighting to be chased.

65. Huntingdonshire Flood Forum – 15th October 2008
A local businessman had raised the question of whether allowing overgrowth of vegetation in the brook was detrimental to wild life in the area. This question was to be put forward for discussion at the meeting in October which would be attended by Mrs Elphick.

66. Community Orchard
The owners of the land on the corner of Mill Road had no objection to the Parish Council having the land valued. HC had an expert in such projects as community orchards. Clerk to contact both HDC and valuers as appropriate.

67. Committee Reports
(a) Planning Applications Received
H/05016/08/CW - construction of Chemical Dosing Kiosk - Alconbury Sewage Treatment Works - no observations.

Applications Determined by HDC
0801149FUL - Change of use from piggery to storage and sale of aggregates - Top Farm, Ermine Street - permission refused.

Clerk reported that the application for erection of dwelling and garage, Land at 15 Great North Road was now to be the subject of a hearing.

(b) Clerk's Infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Nothing to report

Village Green: Repairs to the footbridge at the ford end of the village had been requested.
The banks of the Brook had been flailed.
Complaints received that the grass was being left too long and cuttings were not collected. Clerk to action.

General: Fly tipping had been reported in Globe Lane.
The hedge which was causing poor visibility at the top of Polecat Lane had been trimmed.
There was still a sign for Truckstop near Top Farm which needed to be removed. Clerk to action.
Repairs to footpath in School Lane should be chased with CCC Highways.
There was offensive graffiti opposite the bus shelter. Clerk to report.

(c) Bramble End: Safety check had been carried out. Nothing new to report.

68. The Clerk's Hours and Salary (Clerk left the meeting for this item)
It was acknowledged that the Clerk had been working on average 55 hours per month whilst only being paid for 42.5 hours. Hours had been monitored since April It was agreed to pay the additional 9.5 hours per month worked from April-August. Monthly hours paid should increase to 48 from September. At the same time every effort should be made to spread the Clerk's workload between Councillors whenever possible.

69. Correspondence
BTCV Community Network Membership - form to be completed by Mrs Dyer. Rivercare would cover the cost of insurance renewal.

Changes to Stagecoach Bus Services - service between Peterborough and Huntingdon to be renumbered to 46.

HCSP Questionnaire - circulated to all Councillors and to Neighbourhood Watch, the Over 60s and Crown Gardens

70. Responsible Finance Officer's Report
Cheques for signature:
Demon - Webhositng - £11.75
Pipex Internet (August 08) - £14.81
Grafton Projects - Stationery - £1.03
Greenbarnes Limited - noticeboard (to be reimbursed by Eagle Scouts) - £441.14
Clerk‚Äôs Salary August 2008 - £365.78
HDC - Licence for Noticeboards - £35.00
Youth Group Account - hall bookings (Apr-Jun 08) - £87.75
Youth Group Account - hall bookings (Jul-Sep 08) - £87.75

Payments were proposed by Mrs Aylott and seconded by Mrs Williams
RFO reported that reserves had been transferred to the deposit account - £4,000 owing to the Youth Group Reserve and £3,200 to the General Reserve. Cleared Balances stated after this transfer.

Cleared Balances: C/A £10,130.64 D/A £21,136.69 Y/G £1733.89

Clerk reported that financial spot checks had been carried out this month by Mrs. Aylott.

71. Date of Next Meeting
30th September 2008 in the Memorial Hall.

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