Present:
Mr Senior (Chair), Mrs Aylott, Mrs Adams, Mrs Dyer, Mr Hardy, Mr Pickering, Mr Sale, Mr Watson and Mrs Williams. County Councillors, Peter Brown and Laine Kadic. District Councillor, Keith Baker. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 2 members of the public.

Public Forum
On behalf of a resident, Mrs Williams complained about the amount of dog mess on the pavements in the village. She also complained that the police officers recently using speed guns in the village had been too close to the exit of the speed limit approaching the A1from the Great North Road, and felt that resources could be better used elsewhere. Clerk to contact Traffic.

Mr Hodgson thanked the Parish Council for helping with parking problems in Manor Lane and for attending to the broken manhole cover in Manor Lane. He also wished to discuss both the planned re-routing of the A14 and the proposed housing development on Alconbury Airbase. Both these topics were agenda items for later in the meeting when standing orders could be relaxed.

157. Apologies for Absence
Apologies received from Mrs Elphick and Mrs Hathaway.

158. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
Mrs Williams declared a personal interest in agenda item 163 as the land owner was an acquaintance.

159. To sign and approve minutes of previous meetings held on 12th December 2008 and 6th January 2009
Minutes from 12th December were proposed by Mrs Aylott and seconded by Mr Williams. Minutes from 6th January were proposed by Mrs Dyer and seconded by Mr Watson. Minutes duly approved and signed.

160. East of England Regional Assembly (EERA) – Potential Housing at RAF Alconbury
County Councillor Peter Brown distributed copies of the CCC Newsletters produced in response to the proposals recently announced by the EERA to build 20,000 new homes on Alconbury Airfield. These proposals had come out of the blue and he stressed that the Council would not be railroaded into making any decisions on such a massive development which, although only a study at this point, would have a dramatic impact on jobs and the infrastructure of the surrounding areas, and were contrary to current agreed development plans. The same views were also expressed by District Councillor Keith Baker. A public consultation would follow. It was agreed that no formal comment could be made by the Parish Council until after the next stage had been announced. It would be an agenda item for February if there was anything further to report. Mr Senior thanked both the County Councillors and the District Councillor for their input.

161. Provision of Allotments
District Councillor Keith Baker and the clerk had visited the new potential site for allotments. The plot measured 1.1 acres which it was estimated could provide approx. 17 full allotment plots. There were already 12 people on the waiting list. There was a CALC course on allotments planned for 7th March. It was agreed the clerk, Mrs Aylott and Mr Sale would attend. Clerk to arrange. Clerk also to reply to land owner expressing the Council’s interest in potentially pursuing the project.

162. Parish Footpaths/Parish Path Partnership
Two councillors and the clerk had attempted to walk footpath number 9, which had been totally lost – bisected by the sewage works and the A14. Stukeleys Parish Council Footpaths Committee would be meeting to discuss any proposals for this path. Information had also been received on the Parish Path Partnership (P3) which was a scheme run by CCC/HDC to protect, improve, maintain and promote local rights of way. It was suggested that residents not on the Parish Council might be interested in this scheme. Clerk to make enquiries.

163. Community Orchard (Mrs Williams declared a personal interest the land owner being an acquaintance)
A presentation from Keith Norton of Little Downham, where a community orchard had already been set up, was arranged for Thursday 19th February 2009 in Warboys, where the Parish Council also wanted to find out exactly what was entailed in such a project. Councillors from Alconbury were invited to attend. Clerk to e-mail everyone with details and arrange as appropriate.

164. A14 Re-alignment - report from Mr Watson
Traffic measurement figures had finally been received from Costain Skanska. They basically said traffic would increase less if the A14 was re-aligned than if no action was taken, but that the proportion of HGVs would increase. It was agreed that the figures were rather confusing and that the Parish Council should wait until after the draft orders had been published in March before inviting Costain Skanska to attend another meeting. It was envisaged that this might be an additional meeting, and not discussed at a regular Parish Council meeting when there would be insufficient time. The concerns of residents at Lordsway Park were also noted as the increase in traffic would directly affect them. These residents would be invited to join the meeting with Costain Skanska.

165. The Memorial Hall
The AGM would be held on 26th March 2009. There would be a 70s/80s disco on 28th March.

Clerk reported that Smiths Gore - agents for the Church Commissioners – had replied to her letter detailing the proposed Scout Store saying that they did not believe, in principle, that the CC would have any objection to the store, but had queried the fact that the Parish Council might be sub-letting to the Scouts. On behalf of the Parish Council, Mr Aylott had looked at the hall’s lease in respect of this response, and had advised that a reply should be sent to the effect that the store was merely a natural and necessary extension with no charges being made, so would therefore not constitute a sub-let, and that the PC would retain full possession of all the land for the duration of the lease. Clerk to respond accordingly. The Parish Council were very grateful for Mr Aylott’s advice in this matter.

166. Neighbourhood Watch – report from Mrs Aylott/Mr Hardy
The AGM had been held on 21st January when a report on the year’s events had been given. There was no change in officers. £880 was carried forward to the new year. PCSO Gemma Clarke had attended the meeting and had been helping with problem parking in the village. Bogus callers had been reported in the village. The Village Affair would be held on 11th July and the next Neighbourhood Panel meeting on 5th March in Brampton.

167. Surface Water Flooding – Data Gathering
Mr Pickering to complete with information previously supplied for the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.

168. Emergency Planning
Some discussion took place on contacts/resources that may be available for the emergency plan. It was decided that another meeting should be held to complete this and that it should be an agenda item for February 09. Mr Pickering to arrange the meeting.

169. Road Signage in and around Alconbury – report from Mrs Williams
Mrs Willams had researched the road signs in and around the village and presented a map to the meeting. It was concluded that signage in general was adequate but that an extra sign denoting the weight limit for the bridge at the Mill crossroads might be helpful along with extra signs directing HGVs in and out of the airfield. It could also be helpful if local businesses on the airbase and on the Alconbury Weston industrial site could be reminded to show their exact location/address to their suppliers/customers.

170. Request for donation – Alconbury C of E Primary School Governors
Mr Read attended the meeting on behalf of the School Governors and his request for funding towards the field perimeter path had been circulated to all Councillors. Improvements to the path were desperately needed for any children with mobility problems. After some discussion it was agreed to pay £1500 towards this refurbishment. This amount had been set aside in the Precept for school safety issues. Councillors also suggested other funding sources which might be investigated. Mr Read to keep the Parish Council informed.

171. Request for donation – Over 60s Club
The Over 60s Club had requested help towards their August outing. £200 agreed. (Section 137)

172. The Bi-monthly Newsletter
Next issue due out in March. Any diary dates/articles to be sent to Mrs Williams.

173. CPALC AGM - update from Mrs Dyer
Mrs Dyer reported that there would be no increase in affiliation fees. It was agreed that unless there were specific items on the agendas for the Regional CPALC meetings, in future, it would not be necessary for Mrs Dyer to attend. She would continue to attend the AGM each year.

174. Committee Reports
(a) Planning Applications Received - None

Applications Determined by HDC Planning:
0802667REM – Approval of reserved matters in respect of appearance, landscaping and layout for proposed rail facilities and rail link to East Coast Mainline – Alconbury Airfield - Permission granted.

(b) Clerk’s Infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Nothing to report
Village Green: There appeared to be further damage to the bridge. Clerk to report.
General: A further incident of fly tipping in Globe Lane had been reported. The footpath around the road works in Chapel Street had been re-opened.

(c) Bramble End: Monthly inspection carried out. Nothing to report.
The commemorative seat had been installed.
Re-development:
This would be an agenda item for February 09.

175. Correspondence
- Gypsy & Traveller Sites Development Plan Document – this was a consultation document for the whole of Huntingdonshire
- Letter of thanks from 1st Alconbury Guides for recent donation
- Letter of thanks from Alconbury Thursday Club for recent donation

176. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Cheques for signature:
Demon – Webhosting December 08 (paid by direct debit) - £11.50
(Please note there was an error on the agenda stating this as £11.75)
Demon – Webhosting January 09 (paid by direct debit) - £11.50
Pipex Internet (December 08) - £14.99
Smiths Gore – Memorial Hall Rental - £57.50
Grafton Projects – Newsletter - £114.82
Global Tree Solutions Ltd. – tree work on village green - £787.75
Smallwork Services – path clearance Bell Lane/Rusts Lane - £200
Donation to ASSC – mower (Section 137) - £200
Clerk’s Salary January 09 - £415.33

Payments were proposed by Mrs Aylott and seconded by Mrs Adams

Cleared Balances: C/A £1,462.81 D/A £31,926.02
Youth Group £1323.49

177. Date of Next Meeting – 24th February 2009 at 7.30pm in the Memorial Hall.

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