Present:
Mr. Brown (Chairman), Mr Senior, Mrs Adams, Mrs Aylott, Mrs Dyer, Mrs Elphick, Mrs Hathaway, Mrs Watkin and Mr Watson. County Councillors Sir Peter Brown and Laine Kadic. District Councillor Keith Baker. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 24 members of the public.

Presentation from Mr. McGuire, Chairman, Area Joint Transportation Committee, Cambridgeshire County Council.
Mr. McGuire had been invited to address the meeting concerning the proposed development of the A14. He explained the current position in respect of the second consultation, and confirmed that the “orange route” was the preferred option of the County Council. A lengthy discussion took place with residents expressing their grave concerns about the volume of traffic which would use the slip road from the A1 to the Airbase and Truckstop as a result of the re-alignment of the A14, and the congestion and noise pollution this would cause. Mr McGuire on behalf of the County Council accepted the concerns of the Parish Council and residents and assured the meeting that these would be passed on to those concerned. It was agreed that a working party should be formed with representatives from the County Council, the District Council and the Parish Council which would meet on a regular basis. Clerk to liaise with Peter Brown.

Public Forum
The Scouts wished to take up the offer from The Woodland Trust of free packs of small trees or hedging shrubs and had asked the Parish Council to identify suitable locations within the village. Councillors to consider and Clerk to contact Peter Rowlings, Tree Warden.

The new footpath leading from the footbridge on the village green was considered unattractive and it was suggested that a red coloured non slip surface might have been better. Clerk to speak with Highways. It was noted that a huge amount of water collected on the corner where the new path met the crossing point. Clerk to contact Anglian Water/Highways.

1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Mrs Williams.

2. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
Mrs Dyer registered a prejudicial interest in Planning Application 0700388FUL, being a close neighbour. Mr Watson registered a prejudicial interest in the Small Scale Scheme for development of Maypole Square as he was a resident there.

3. To sign and approve minutes of previous meetings held on 30th January and 6th February 2007
Proposed by Mr Senior and seconded by Mrs Aylott. Minutes duly approved and signed.

4. The Parish Plan/Bi-monthly Newsletter
The Parish Plan Committee had met to set priorities for on-going issues arising from the Parish Plan. Parking outside the school remained a problem and had been exacerbated by the entrance to the new house opposite the school conflicting with the school bus. The school were supportive of any action the Parish Council might take. Site meeting to be arranged with Highways at school opening/closing times.
The first bi-monthly newsletter would go out at the end of March.
A working party for enhancement to the website was formed of Mr Brown and Mr Senior who would liaise with Mrs. Watkin.
Meeting to be arranged for the last week in August inviting all those who had expressed a desire to form new interest groups within the village. Representatives from both the Memorial Hall and the ASSC should be included in order to ascertain available meeting venues. It was agreed this invitation should go into the newsletter.

Quality Council Status
Clerk summarised the second CiLCA training session. Completed modules to be circulated to Councillors. The Parish Council needed to adopts its own Standing Orders. Clerk has requested an electronic copy. Working Party to look at this was formed of Mrs Hathaway, Mrs Aylott, Mrs Watkin and the clerk. Clerk to organise meeting on receipt of Standing Orders.
Letter received from DEFRA informing that a quality scheme based in legislation might be introduced. Existing accreditations would be extended until such time as a new statutory provision came into effect. The 80% electoral mandate would apply at first and subsequent accreditations rather than 100% mandate.
It was agreed that the Parish Council should submit its completed Quality Council Application and Portfolio for the January 08 Quality Panel.

6. CALC Meeting
Mrs Dyer reported that Parish Councils taking responsibility from County Councils for grass cutting had been discussed. It was agreed Clerk should ascertain costs and areas concerned for discussion at the March meeting.
The next meeting was on 23rd May with a speaker from the Environment Agency explaining the points system used for flood alleviation schemes. Clerk to contact all Councillors with details to ascertain availability.

7. The Youth Group
Mrs Aylott reported that membership stood at 95. Craft working was very successful and the overlap of times between age groups was working well. The CCTV van had visited the group and would do so again in the summer. Child Protection and Red Cross First Aid courses had been organised. There had been no response to the internal advertising by CCC for a youth worker. Local advertising would be arranged. Fund raising events were being planned collecting for the proposed ball park. Clerk reported that drawings for the ball park had been submitted to HDC and a reply was anticipated within 4 weeks.

8. Matters Arising from Previous Minutes
Speed Restrictions – The Great North Road
Clerk reported that a second leaflet drop of houses along the Great North Road had been carried out by CCC. Closing date for public response was 23rd February. Parish Council had given their support for the Scheme.

The Bobby Scheme
Letter of thanks for donation received.

9. Committee Reports
a) Clerk’s infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Nothing to report.

Village Green: Footbridge still had not been painted. Clerk to chase.
Overflowing manhole on the corner of the green had been reported to Anglian Water. However, it was still a problem. Clerk to chase.
There was another manhole overflowing at the bottom of Frumetty Lane. Clerk to report.

General: Fly tipping reported in Globe Lane.
Although the blockage under the footbridge in Polecat Lane had been reported to the Environment Agency, it remained a problem. Clerk to report.
Request passed to HDC for “no through road” sign at the bottom of Hillfield.
Clerk reported that Highways did not consider the conifers on the corner of Mill Road to be dangerous.

b) Planning
New Applications:
0700388FUL – Extension to dwelling – 4 Maple End (Mrs Dyer left the meeting for this agenda item) – No observations.

c) Bramble End Playground
Monthly inspection carried out by Mrs Williams. Swing chains that had been twisted had been rectified.

10. Correspondence
Small Scale Scheme (Mr Watson left the meeting for this agenda item)
The Parish Council had been successful in their bid for enhancement to the area around the village pump. It was hoped the area could be made more attractive whilst at the same time give the appearance of road narrowing to stop speeding vehicles in the area, and to prevent unnecessary parking on the site. Meeting arranged with Project Engineer for 11.30am on 2nd March.

Revised Model Code of Conduct
Circulated to all Councillors. Clerk to ascertain cost involved in invitation to Charity Cricket Match which was deemed to be hospitality which should be registered as a personal interest.

Land at Field Close
Ownership still being pursued by HDC. It was unlikely that the Parish Council would wish to have part of this land transferred to them once ownership had been established.

The Methodist Chapel
The Methodist Church (as a body) would not allow the chapel to be demolished, but it would allow it to be sold on the open market. With such a small congregation it was not a viable option to restore the building.

The Audit Commission
Notification received of reappointment of Moore Stephens as External Auditor 2006/07.

The Bus Shelter – School Lane
HDC had stated that there was only enough highways land to get a narrow shelter on this site and they had been unable to encroach onto land belonging to the Memorial Hall. Mr Read denied that this was he case. The narrow shelter had to be compliant with the Disability Act to allow access for wheelchairs etc. and installation of a seat would prevent this compliance.

Request for Donation – Lighting on the Church for footpath illumination
Donation of £135.71 for two new lights on the Church agreed.

Proposed “Surgeries” with PCSOs
PCSO responsible for Alconbury had suggested they might start to hold surgeries in the village for the Alconburys and Stukeleys – hopefully in the Memorial Hall, in March. Clerk to ascertain availability of the hall. Surgeries were thought to be a good idea and might be held at different times of the day/evening to suit all residents. Clerk to request details from PCSOs re. advertising and cost of hiring venue and also to involve Neighbourhood Watch.

Freedom of Information Act/Data Protection Regulations
Approval of all current Publication Schemes to be extended to the second half of 2008. Details passed to Mrs Watkin.

Post Watch – The Post Office Network
Outline of key proposals on the future of the post office network received together with relative questions. Response required by 8th March. To be completed prior to meeting for Small Scale Scheme on 2nd March at 11.00am.

The Fair
Clerk had been contacted by Mrs Thurston with a view to the Fair visiting the village again in the summer, but she had said that Mr Manning also wished to come to Alconbury. It was agreed that Mrs Watkin should contact the Mannings to ascertain the situation and that Mrs Adams/Mr Watson would see whether the ASSC might accommodate one of them at their Open Day in order that both fairs might visit the village.

11. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Cheques for signature:
Pipex Internet - £14.99
Demon – Web Hosting - £11.75
ADCHC – Key Deposit - £10
Grafton Projects – stationery - £39.45
Lodge Printers – Annual Report - £100
Paul Tait – design and production artwork Annual Report - £470
Paul Tait – Website Maintenance 2006 - £235
Clerk’s Salary – February - £331.32
Extra Clerk’s Salary – CiLCA training and expenses - £109.47
Youth Group – Petty Cash - £150
Payments were proposed by Mrs Dyer and seconded by Mrs Hathaway
Cleared Balances:
Current Account: £7,710.14 Deposit Account £13,280.66
Youth Group Account: £3796.88

12. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 27th March 2007, in the Memorial Hall starting at 7.45pm.

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