Present:
Mr Senior (Chair), Mrs Adams, Mr Brown, Mrs Elphick, Mr Hardy, Mrs Watkin, Mr Watson and Mrs Williams. Mrs Lancey (Clerk). 3 members of the public.

Public Forum
Mr Hodgson asked whether planning permission would have to be sought should the Truckstop facility be re-opened, and that if this were the case, could the Parish Council try to ensure that there were restrictions placed on any off road parking. Mr Watson said he thought it unlikely that they would have to re-apply for planning permission. Mr Hodgson also enquired whether the working party had yet met to discuss the re-alignment of the A14. This would be discussed at agenda item 127. He also enquired why HDC had informed him that all three recent planning applications relating to Alconbury Airbase had been refused permission whilst the Parish Council had reported that one had been granted. Clerk to discuss with HDC.

Mrs Horner enquired whether there was any progress on the re-surfacing of the footpaths in School Lane. Clerk confirmed that she had written to Highways and Mr Brown confirmed that this had also been brought to the attention of County Councillors during their A14 meeting. Clerk to pursue. Mrs Horner considered the path to be in a very dangerous condition.

124. Apologies for Absence
Apologies had been received from Mrs Aylott, Mrs Hathaway, Mrs Dyer, County Councillors Peter Brown and Laine Kadic and District Councillor Keith Baker.

125. Councillors’ Declaration of Interest for items on the Agenda
Mr Watson and Mrs Williams declared a prejudicial interest in agenda item 129 – Small Scale Scheme – Maypole Square, both being residents in close proximity to the scheme. Mr Senior, Mr Brown and Mrs Williams declared a personal interest in agenda item 143 – planning application H/05028/07/CC – extension to C of E Primary School, all having children attending the school.

126. To sign and approve minutes of previous meetings held on 30th October 2007
Proposed by Mrs Watkin and seconded by Mrs Elphick. Minutes duly approved and signed.

127. A14 Re-alignment and other traffic concerns
The first working party meeting had been held. It was noted that the current consultation exercise being undertaken by the Highways Agency related to the route of the proposed A14 link, not the wider issues that may have an impact on Alconbury. However, it was agreed that it was necessary to become involved at an early stage in order to make appropriate comments. The chosen contractor handling the A14 project had agreed to visit the Parish Council early in 2008 and it had been suggested that an agenda was put together to ensure that any points the Parish Council wished to raise would be covered. Peter Brown/Laine Kadic are to produce a leaflet to be circulated to all residents prior to this meeting in order that there might be a fair representation of concerns. It had been suggested that this leaflet might go out with the next Newsletter. Clerk to liaise with Peter Brown/Laine Kadic concerning distribution. Alconbury Weston and the Stukeleys Parish Councils should also be involved.

The old Truckstop site was also discussed, in particular the amount of vehicles parking on the verge outside the facility and the resulting hygiene problems. It was suggested that bollards along the edge of the carriageway might assist. Laine Kadic was to investigate
The Parish Council had expressed concern over the gradual approval of small planning applications on the airbase and it was agreed that this should be monitored closely together with the signage which would prevent/deter vehicles from using the Alconbury turn off rather than a more circuitous route.

There was no news on the JFMI Scheme submitted for Rusts Lane.

The Parish Council had also complained about the poor state of the footpath in School Lane. Laine Kadic to investigate.

128. Alconbury Scout Group Equipment Store
Nigel Murphy had written asking for support from the Parish Council concerning the size, location and materials of the proposed equipment store. Details were being circulated. It was agreed that a joint meeting between the Parish Council, the Memorial Hall Committee and the Scouts should be held once the Parish Council had been able to consider the details. Clerk to contact Nigel Murphy accordingly.

129. Small Scale Scheme – Maypole Square (Mr Watson and Mrs Williams left the meeting for this agenda item having declared a prejudicial interest). The new Project Engineer responsible for the scheme had suggested concentrating on the pump area rather than the whole square, possibly incorporating cobble stones, up-lighting, plants and metal bollards, with the pump being the focal point. Due to delays caused by HDC, the Scheme could be extended beyond the end of this financial year. Plans awaited.

130. Small Scale Scheme 2008/2009
It was suggested that provision of low level lighting along the footpath leading from Bell Lane to Rusts Lane could be submitted for 2008/2009.

131. Huntingdonshire Community Safety Partnership Strategic Assessment
To be completed by Mr Hardy.

132. Trees on the Village Green
Clerk reported that two trees from HDC together with the one purchased on behalf of Mr and Mrs Williams would be delivered in December. Mr Watson had already volunteered to help with planting. It was suggested that the Scouts might also help. Their trees had been delivered for the ASSC.

133. The bi-monthly Newsletter
Mrs Williams would circulate the draft of the next newsletter within the next few days, and the final copy would be with the Clerk by 10th December in order for distribution to be arranged between Christmas and New Year.

134. Quality Status
The Clerk was congratulated on achieving her Certificate in Local Council Administration. This meant the application for Quality Status could go ahead. Most of the evidence had been assembled. A meeting was planned for 5th December in order to complete the questionnaire. Clerk to confirm venue. It was intended to submit the portfolio before the end of January 08, with a view to hearing the outcome by April 08. Chair thanked all concerned.

135. RAF Molesworth/Alconbury Liaison Meeting
Mrs Watkin had attended on behalf of Mrs Dyer. RAF Alconbury was to increase in size. 30 volunteers from the airbase had been prepared to help with the Brook Clearance. Mrs Watkin had spoken frankly about the problems experienced in the village with American through traffic, stating that the situation was worse than ever and that this was the single thing that attracted most complaints to the Parish Council from residents and she requested that something be done to improve the situation.
Residents from The Stukeleys were frequently invited to events held on the airbase. It was suggested that other villages might also be included, possibly in rotation. Penny Ash the Community Relations Advisor was to retire. Clerk to send letter of appreciation from the Parish Council.

136. The Youth Group
Mrs Adams reported on the continued success of club nights and also that new equipment had been purchased. Successful fund raising events had been held for the planned Ball Park and Nigel Murphy had begun to seek available grants. Whilst funds were available for the youth group evenings, the Committee had been very opposed to charging youngsters to attend. A disco was planned for 18th January 2008.

137. The Memorial Hall
A Regular User Group Meeting had been held.

138. Safer Neighbourhood Panel Meeting
Posters had been displayed for this meeting which had been held on 22nd November 2007.

139. First Health Forum
This event had been cancelled without notification. Letter of complaint to be sent.

140. WEA Alconbury Branch – request for Donation
Clerk explained that the amount of money the Parish Council could donate under the 137 regulations was restricted due to the small membership from the village. The deficit to be covered was £77. As this was acceptable under the regulations, it was resolved to donate this amount. Clerk to organise and to also suggest to the WEA that they contact other relevant Parish Councils with similar requests.

141. Request for financial help in repairing the kissing gate from The Maltings leading into the Churchyard
Clerk had obtained quote of £250 for repairing both the rotten post and the railings or £150 for just the post replacement. It was agreed £100 should be paid towards the full cost and that both Alconbury Weston Parish Council and the Friends should be asked to help with the balance.

142. Request for donation to Citizens Advice Bureau
£100 agreed (same as last financial year).

143. Committee Reports
a) Clerk’s infrastructure Report
Churchyard: No observations.

Village Green: Environmental Health at HDC had been contacted concerning the manhole on the corner of the village green which overflows every time there is heavy rain fall. They are investigating the problem and wish to be informed when it next occurs.
Members of the public had been deterred from using metal detectors on the village green.
Logs remaining from the last tree work near the bottom ford needed to be removed.

General: It was noted that unsatisfactory filling of pot holes around the village had been carried out. Clerk to report.

b) Planning
New Applications
0703483FUL– Extension to form living areas, bedrooms and swimming pool – Weybridge Farm Woolley Road - no observations.
H/05028/07/CC – Provision of office space and new main entrance – Alconbury C of E Primary School (Mr Senior, MR Brown and Mrs Williams had registered a personal interest in this agenda item)
It was agreed this extension was very necessary and approval should be strongly recommended.

Applications Determined by HDC:
None.

c) Bramble End Playground
Monthly inspection carried out with nothing specific to report.

144. Correspondence
Formation of Residents Association at Lordsway Park
This was welcomed and the Secretary would be invited to join the emergency planning team when it had been co-ordinated.

Hunts Car Parking Strategy
Draft Action Plan received. No further action recommended.

Information for Parish Councils on Cambridgeshire ACRE
To be held on file for future reference.

Introduction of the National Standard Planning Application Form
No observations.

Cambridgeshire Rural Services Survey
To be completed by Clerk.

145. Cost of Living Increase – Clerk’s Salary
Spinal Column 23 (currently paid to the Clerk) had risen from £9.87 to £10.11 per hour and was to be back dated to 1st April 2007. The Clerk would be eligible for another Spinal Column increase for obtaining the CiLCA qualification. This would be £10.45 per hour. Increases agreed.

146. Responsible Finance Officer’s Report
Cheques for signature:
Pipex Internet - £17.70
Demon – Web Hosting - £11.75
Grafton Projects – photocopying £81.35 (invoice for £111.90 offset by credit note for poor quality copying of £30.55)
Alan Summerfield – grass cutting - £3066.75
Royal British Legion – donation (Section 137) - £50
Victim Support – donation (Section 137) - £100
Clerk’s Salary November (including extra for CiLCA training and cost of living increase back-dated to 1st April 07) - £561.06
Clerk’s Salary – December 07 (no meeting held in December) - £350.77
Clerk’s travelling expenses – CiLCA training - £14.50

Payments were proposed by Mr Hardy and seconded by Mrs Elphick

Cleared Balances:
Current Account: £15,779.37 Deposit Account £13,628.29
Youth Group Account: £3,011.96

147. Date of Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on 29th January 2008 at 7.45 in the Memorial Hall.

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