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ALCONBURY PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting held on Tuesday 27th April 2004 in the New Memorial Hall
Present
Mrs. Watkin (Chair), Mrs Adams, Mr Dawson, Mrs Dix, Mrs Dyer, Mr. Lane, Mrs Turner and Mr Vanbergen. County Councillor Mr Peter Downes. Mrs. Lancey (Clerk), 1 member of the public.
Presentation by Jackie Barnard – Street Warden
Prior to the Parish Council meeting, a presentation was given by Jackie Barnard, the Street Warden covering the Alconbury area. She outlined her very varied duties and explained her role within the community. The Parish Council were very interested in the part she was able to play in the village and were very appreciative of her visit.
Open Forum:
No specific items were brought to the Council’s attention.
1. Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Mrs Elphick and District Councillor Sarah Vanbergen.
2. Minutes
The Minutes of the last meeting held on 30th March 2004 were approved and signed.
3. Committee Reports
i. Infrastructure Report
Churchyard: Nothing to report.
ii. Village Green: Clerk reported that she had been approached by a resident who was proposing that a ‘clean up’ of the Brook should take place by members of the general public during the summer when water levels were at their lowest. Clerk had approached both HDC and the Environment Agency for advice, neither of whom had any objections. It was agreed that this was a very good idea which should be encouraged. Clerk to contact resident concerned accordingly.
iii. General: The Chair queried who was responsible for grass cutting on the housing association estates off the Great North Road as on occasion this area appeared rather unkempt. This was thought to be the responsibility of the Housing Association. Clerk to monitor, possibly with the help of Jackie Barnard. It was noted that the garden of 26, Spinney Lane was once again untidy with shrubs overhanging the public footpath. Clerk to inspect and write to residents. Mrs Dyer reported that the footpath between Maple End and Frumetty lane was overgrown. Clerk to organise clearance. Mrs. Dix asked the Clerk to progress the provision of the Polecat Lane street sign. Mr. Downes commented that the street sign at the bottom of Spinney Lane was in need to refurbishment. Clerk to organise. Clerk reported that she had enlisted the help of HDC with the problem of the footpath behind Coulson Way. Fergusons had been approached concerning additional grass cutting between the flyover and Lordsway Park.
iv. Planning:
New Applications: 0400998FUL – Extensions to dwelling, 23 Manor Lane – no views expressed.
Applications Determined:
0400467LBC/FUL – Extension to dwelling, 3 The Maltings – permission granted.
0400385LBC/FUL – Extension to dwelling, 5 The Maltings - permission granted.
0400407FUL – Extension and alteration to dwelling, 38 Manor Lane – permission granted.
It was noted that Parish Council observations concerning the new application for 23, Manor Lane were due to be received at HDC prior to the Council meeting, hence the views of the full Council could not be sought. Clerk had made this point to the Planning Department. Clerk also commented that a planning enforcement had been received in respect of a loft conversion in the Paddock. Clerk to monitor.
v. Bramble End Playground
Clerk reported that the annual ROSPA inspection was due.
4. Matters Arising
i. Land at Mill Road: Clerk reported that a further letter had been received from John Huggins, Architectural Technologist acting on behalf of Huntsbuild, asking the Parish Council for a decision on whether they wished to acquire the land at Mill Road. After considerable discussion it was decided that the Clerk should reply saying the Parish Council were not in a position to proceed along the suggested lines due to insufficient funds.
ii. Liaison Meeting with HDC: Clerk reported that Mrs. Dyer had been put forward to CALC as the representative at the liaison meeting with HDC The Parish Council had no specific topics they wished Mrs. Dyer to raise. Clerk to respond accordingly to CALC.
iii. Additional Parish Councillors: The vacancy notice for 2 additional Parish Councillors had been displayed. The Clerk explained that should only 2 valid nomination papers be received, then those persons would be declared elected without a poll. If there are more than 2 candidates then a poll would take place along with other local elections on 10th June 2004. If only one, or indeed no nominations were received, the vacancy would continue to be advertised until candidates come forward by co-option. She explained that should co-option take place, the Parish Council would not meet the 80% elected member criteria to qualify for quality status. It was generally felt that the Council would benefit from applicants under 25 years of age. It was also suggested that the new positions might be publicised via the school newsletter.
iv. The Parish Plan: Clerk reported that unfortunately the Steering Group had been given an out of date funding application form, so this had to be re-submitted. Mr Dawson reported that the Steering Group would be holding an Open Forum in the New Memorial Hall between 10am and 4pm on 26th June in order to involve the general public in the Plan. Flyers and questionnaires would be distributed throughout the village. It was anticipated that the group working with youth issues would also be involved with the Open Forum.
v Youth Group: Mrs Adams reported on the recent meeting of the Youth Group. The application for funding had been completed and Sharon McCrorie was in the process of engaging a detached youth worker. It was hoped that a full time post might be created to cover Alconbury/Sawtry. Terms of Reference would be e-mailed to the Clerk. As it had been agreed that the £4,000 in the current Precept for youth work might be used prior to additional funding being obtained, the Parish Council would be invoiced for work that had been carried out. More volunteers were being sought.
5. Correspondence (A list of all correspondence had been circulated)
i. School Governors appointed by Parish Councils: Notification had been received from Cambs. County Council that under the School Governance Regulations 2003, the category of “additional co-opted governors: minor authority nominees” had been discontinued. After lengthy discussion it was agreed that Mrs. Watkin would withdraw from her position of School Governor in September 2004. Clerk to contact school to advise that the Parish Council would be leaving a place free for a community governor in September.
ii Huntingdonshire Community Safety Partnership: The HCSP wished to promote their organisation through the use of roadshows at fairs/fetes. Clerk had supplied details to the ASCC and Neighbourhood Watch.
iii Speed Watch: CCC in partnership with the Police have set up a Community Speed Partnership which they would like to promote through village fetes etc. Details passed to ASCC and Neighbourhood Watch.
iv. New Committee - ADCHC: Clerk reported letter from Trevor Cross the new Chairman of the ADCHC seeking more volunteers from regular user groups to serve on the new committee.
v. Atkins Water Consulting Engineers: The Environment Agency had advised the Clerk that this company would be drilling boreholes in the village as part of the flood Alleviation Scheme.
vi. Primary Care Trust: A request had been received from the Primary Care Trust for the Parish Council to take part in a new public health consultation. Mrs Dix to action.
vii Survey of Highways and Engineering Services: Passed to Mr Vanbergen for completion.
viii Environment Agency Community Safety Tradeshow: This will be held at the East of England Showground on 16th May.
ix Disabled Facilities Grants Leaflets: Clerk to obtain more copies to send to the Thursday Club and the Over 60’s.
x Community Safety Partnership Seminar: Feedback from this seminar to be passed to the Youth Group.
xi The Hunts Post Article: Mrs Watkin asked the Parish Council if they would like to write to Mr. Djanogly expressing their sympathy over the damage recently caused to his property, as reported in The Hunts Post. This was agreed. Clerk to respond accordingly.
6. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Clerk reported that the Parish Council had been called to Audit for 1st July 2004. Draft Accounts should be circulated before the next meeting on 25th May. The Annual Return could then be signed at the June 29th meeting.
i. Payment of Accounts: The following accounts were passed for Payment:
CALC – Affiliation Fees £346.79
Clerk’s Salary – 32 hours (April £241.60
Payments were proposed by Mrs Adams and seconded by Mrs Dyer.
ii. Free Balances: Clerk reported free balances at Deposit Acct. £21,410.47 and Current Acct. (as per statement dated 31st March which did not show first payment of Precept) £433.37
7. Representative Reports
i. Alconbury Sports & Social Club
The AGM would take place on 29th April 2004. Mrs Adams reported that there had been some very successful fund raising events and plans for the annual Charity Cricket Match were well underway. The problem of recruiting new, willing volunteers had been highlighted at the last meeting and a solution would be actively pursued.
ii The New Memorial Hall
Mr Vanbergen reported on the first meeting held since the appointment of the new Committee. Trevor Cross the new Chairman was actively looking for more involvement in the running of the hall from regular user groups. The Parish Council already had two representatives on the Committee. It was suggested that representation might be sought particularly from the Scouts and the W.I. Christine East, the Hall Manager, had not yet been replaced. There would be two new positions, an Administrator and a Caretaker/Cleaner Mrs. Watkin reported that in her role as Editor of the Parish Pump, she had been asked to publish the outgoing Chairman’s address to the AGM. It was hoped this might be agreed by the new Chairman prior to publication.
8. Any Other Business
Councillor Downes reported that as a result of the Electoral Review, Alconbury village would no longer be part of his jurisdiction, but would become a two member seat under Huntingdon Town West. He commented that he would be very disappointed to lose contact with the village. These changes would take place in May 2005. He also reported that the County Council had undergone an Ofsted inspection and had received a very good report except for the lack of investment made in Cambridgeshire’s youth service. This funding was chronically bad and only about half of what it should be. He commented that CCC had supported the Guided Bus but that he had not endorsed this, having grave doubts about its financial viability.
9. Date of Next Meeting:
The Annual General Meeting and the Parish Meeting are to be held on Tuesday 25th May 2004 at 7.45pm in The Methodist Chapel.
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